Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg star as mismatched cousins in the notable film “A Real Pain,” while music lovers can look forward to Mac Miller’s second posthumous full-length album “Balloonerism.” These offerings, along with a new season of the sci-fi drama “Severance,” and Aaron Schimberg’s “A Different Man” on Max, give audiences plenty to enjoy in the coming days.
**NEW MOVIES TO STREAM JAN. 13-19**
Kieran Culkin continues to earn accolades for his notable role, adding to the excitement as Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain” becomes available on Hulu this Thursday. Eisenberg, who wrote and directed this film, plays alongside Culkin as they journey to Poland in memory of their deceased grandmother. Culkin has recently received a Golden Globe among other awards for his performance. Noveck remarked upon the film’s ability to balance complex themes delicately, highlighting its remarkable execution.
Also premiering on Thursday is “Unstoppable” on Prime Video, a film based on the true story of Anthony Robles, an accomplished wrestler who triumphed despite being a one-legged competitor. Directed by William Goldenberg, the film features Jharrel Jerome as Robles and sees him collaborates with the real Robles, who serves as Jerome’s stunt-double. The cast includes notable names like Jennifer Lopez, Bobby Cannavale, and Don Cheadle. Lindsey Bahr described it as a standard sports drama and acknowledged its engaging narrative that resonates with viewers.
On Friday, January 17, Aaron Schimberg’s “A Different Man” lands on Max, weaving a compelling narrative around identity and representation. Sebastian Stan portrays a man healing from disfigurement due to neurofibromatosis, who finds himself overshadowed by an actor with the same condition, Adam Pearson. Noveck characterized the film as intriguing, genre-bending, and thought-provoking, though at times, she found it frustrating.
In the action-comedy “Back in Action,” available on Netflix starting January 17, Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx star as former CIA agents entangled in comedic circumstances when their peaceful suburban lives are disrupted. This film marks Diaz’s return to the screen after a decade-long hiatus, and it is directed by Seth Gordon, featuring actors Glenn Close, Kyle Chandler, and Andrew Scott as well.
**NEW MUSIC TO STREAM JAN. 13-19**
Fans of Mac Miller have eagerly awaited the arrival of his second posthumous album, “Balloonerism,” which is set to be released on Friday, January 17. Although details surrounding the album are scarce, it is known that Miller recorded it around the time of his 2014 “Faces” mixtape. His family revealed that artwork was commissioned for the project, but other albums took precedence, leaving it unreleased until now. This offering promises to showcase Miller’s signature rapping style and vibrant personality.
Music enthusiasts who admire indie and post-punk genres should get acquainted with the English band Television Personalities. Established in 1977, they are celebrated as foundational figures in the scene. A new compilation titled “Tune In, Turn On, Drop Out: The Television Personalities Radio Sessions – 1980-1993” showcases their clever pop songs. For a taste of their creative brilliance, starting with the track “Salvador Dali’s Garden Party” from a BBC session in February 1986 is highly recommended.
**NEW SHOWS TO STREAM JAN. 13-19**
Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed sci-fi drama “Severance” is back for its second season on Friday, January 17, after a three-year hiatus. The series stars Adam Scott as an employee in a clandestine company, who has opted for a division between his personal and professional lives through an implanted chip. Alongside Scott, the show features talents like Patricia Arquette, John Turturro, and Christopher Walken, with Ben Stiller serving as an executive producer and director for several episodes.
Fans of the “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” trilogy can look forward to Season two of “XO, Kitty,” dropping on Thursday. The show follows Kitty, played by Anna Cathcart, a Korean American student navigating life at a prestigious boarding school in Seoul, alongside an ensemble that includes cast members Choi Min-young, Gia Kim, and Sang Heon Lee.
Peacock now presents “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night,” a docuseries that allows viewers a glimpse behind the curtain of the popular sketch show, celebrating its 50th season. This series includes exclusive interviews, audition tapes, and an in-depth look at the writing process, with all four episodes available this Thursday.
Lastly, Sam Heughan, known from “Outlander,” stars in a new limited series, “The Couple Next Door,” premiering Friday, January 17 on Starz. The story revolves around two neighboring couples swapping partners after a wild night, leading to unexpected and complicated developments.
**NEW VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY**
Koei Tecmo returns with “Dynasty Warriors: Origins,” a fresh chapter set in third-century China. This latest installment in their classic saga features an amnesiac protagonist caught in the conflict without knowing his loyalties, yet adept with a sword. The game blends the traditional “hack-and-slash” mechanics with new tactical elements, allowing players to devise large-scale assaults. “Origins” debuts on Friday, January 17, accessible on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, and PC.
In an intriguing twist, players navigate the inheritance of the Roottree family, once worth billions, after a tragic plane crash claims their lives. Using an old-school dial-up modem for research, users will uncover true relatives amidst the chaos. This fan-favorite saga from itch.io has been enhanced with updated graphics, voice acting, and user-friendly interfaces and will launch on Wednesday for PC, Mac, and Linux.
