Month: January 2021

Hulu’s welcoming the shortest month of the year with a fairly long list of new films and TV shows to its streaming platform.

Chloe Zhao’s Nomadland lands mid-month, and it’s generating a fair bit of Oscar buzz for the director and star Frances McDormand. Another awards contender, The United States vs. Billie Holliday, also drops this month, giving fans a powerful biopic about one of America’s greatest Blues singers. There’s plenty of reality TV and network dramas returning, too, in case your binge-watching schedule looks a bit light.

Here’s everything coming to (and leaving) Hulu this February.

Nomadland(2021) (film streaming 2/19)

Hulu is taking a page out of Warner Brother’s book for the release of this awards contender. The Chloe Zhao-directed drama will drop on the streaming platform and in theaters on the same day this month, so there’s really no excuse not to see it. And you should, see it that is, because along with taking home a handful of prestigious awards during last year’s festival circuit, the movie also features a stunning performance from Frances McDormand as a woman who leaves her small town to explore the American West.

The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021) (Hulu original streaming 2/26)

This moving biopic from director Lee Daniels sees Andra Day playing the legendary Blues crooner Billie Holiday during the height of her career. The film deep dives into Holiday’s life and the influence of her music while examining how the government launched a smear campaign against her, exploiting her drug addiction to further its own ends.

Avail. 2/1
60 Days In: Complete Season 6
Abducted: The Mary Stauffer Story (2019)
Ancient Aliens: Complete Season 14
Bride & Prejudice: Forbidden Love: Complete Season 2
Forged in Fire: Beat the Judges: Complete Season 1
Kings of Pain: Complete Season 1
Married At First Sight: Complete Season 10
Mommy is a Murderer (2020)
Pawn Stars: Complete Seasons 11 & 12
The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch: Complete Season 1
Tempted by Danger (2020)
The UnXplained with William Shatner: Complete Season 2
9 to 5 (1980)
Affliction (1998)
American Psycho (2000)
American Psycho 2 (2002)
The Bellboy (1960)
Bug (1975)
Cinderfella (1960)
Crimes Of The Heart (1987)
Did You Hear About The Morgans? (2009)
District 9 (2009)
Downhill Racer (1969)
Employee of the Month (2006)
Everything Must Go (2011)
From Hell (2001)
G.I. Jane (1997)
Garfield (2004)
Gargoyles: Wings of Darkness (2004)
Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962)
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
Happy Tears (2010)
Haunting In Connecticut 2: Ghosts Of Georgia (2013)
Hello, My Name is Doris (2016)
Hitman’s Run (1999)
Jane Austen’s Mafia! (1998)
Jennifer 8 (1992)
John Grisham’s The Rainmaker (1997)
The Juror (1996)
Mars Attacks! (1996)
Me, Myself And Irene (2000)
Ninja Assassin (2009)
The Omen (1976) (1976)
Damien – Omen II (1978)
Only God Forgives (2013)
The Patsy (1964)
Phase IV (1974)
Possessor (2020)
The Prince Of Tides (1991)
Shirley Valentine (1989)
The Shootist (1976)
Sideways (2004)
Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
The Tenant (1976)
Teresa’s Tattoo (1994)
Turbulence (1997)
Van Wilder: Party Liaison (2002)
Waking Ned Devine (1998)
Witness (1985)
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
You Laugh But It’s True (2011)
You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Avail. 2/2
The School That Tried to End Racism: Complete Season 1

Avail. 2/4
12 Hour Shift (2020)

Avail. 2/5
The New York Times Presents: “Framing Britney Spears”: New Episode (FX on Hulu)
Antebellum (2020)

Avail. 2/7
Harrow: Season 3 Premiere

Avail. 2/11
Then Came You (2019)

Avail. 2/12
Into the Dark: Tentacles: New Episode Premiere (Hulu Original)
2067 (2020)
You’re Next (2013)

Avail. 2/13
Hip Hop Uncovered: Documentary Series Premiere (FX)

Avail. 2/15
Cutthroat Kitchen: Complete Season 15
Dragnificent!: Complete Season 1
House Hunters International: Complete Seasons 139 & 140
House Hunters: Complete Seasons 160-162, 164 & 165
Property Brothers: Complete Season 14
Southern Gothic: Complete Season 1
Witches Of Salem: Complete Season 1
Lost Girls and Love Hotels (2020)
The Shape of Water (2017)

Avail. 2/16
Bad Habits, Holy Orders: Complete Season 1
Keeping Up With The Kardashians: Complete Season 19
North Korea: Inside the Mind of a Dictator: Complete Season 1
The Warrior Queen of Jhansi (2019)

Avail. 2/17
Logan Lucky (2017)

Avail. 2/18
Good Trouble: Season 3 Premiere
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

Avail. 2/19
Nomadland (2021)

Avail. 2/23
Spring Baking Championship: Complete Season 7
Dredd (2012)

Avail. 2/25
Snowfall: Season 4 Premiere (FX)

Avail. 2/26
The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021) (Hulu Original)
Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)

Leaving 2/8
District 9 (2009)
Year One (2009)

Leaving 2/10
The Girl Next Door (1999)

Leaving 2/14
Spy Kids 4 (2011)
Stir of Echoes (1999)

Leaving 2/28
3 Ninjas (1992)
American Dragons (1998)
American Psycho (2000)
American Psycho 2 (2002)
Breathless (1983)
Broken Arrow (1996)
Cake (2006)
Carrington (1995)
Changing Lanes (2002)
Con Air (1997)
Cool Blue (1990)
Criminal Law (1989)
Cujo (1983)
De-Lovely (2004)
Desperate Hours (1990)
Deuces Wild (2002)
Dragonball: Evolution (2009)
Employee of the Month (2006)
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Face/Off (1997)
Fun in Acapulco (1963)
Garfield a Tail of Two Kitties (2006)
Girl Most Likely (2013)
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
Hanoi Hilton (1987)
Hemingway’s Garden of Eden (2010)
Here On Earth (1999)
Hud (1963)
Invasion U.S.A. (1985)
John Grisham’s The Rainmaker (1997)
Kiss the Girls (1997)
Last of the Mohicans: Director’s Cut (1992)
Lost In Space (1998)
Love Is All There Is (1996)
Love Potion No. 9 (1992)
Mad Money (2008)
Man of La Mancha (1972)
Me, Myself And Irene (2000)
Mr. North (1988)
Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Music Within (2007)
Our Family Wedding (2009)
Pieces of April (2003)
Places in the Heart (1984)
Poseidon (2006)
Selena (1997)
Southside With You (2016)
Sunshine (2007)
Teen Wolf (1985)
The Dead Zone (1983)
The Firm (1993)
The Gift (2000)
The House on Carroll Street (1988)
The Hurt Locker (2008)
The Juror (1996)
The Last House on the Left (1972)
The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976)
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
The Mechanic (1972)
The Peacemaker (1997)
The Portrait of a Lady (1996)
The Quick and the Dead (1995)
Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her (2001)
This World, Then the Fireworks (1997)
Universal Soldier (1992)
Virtuosity (1995)
Witness (1985)

It’s hard to imagine, but it wasn’t that long ago that mental health was something of a taboo subject among professional athletes. After all, mental fortitude is a requirement in order to be able to perform at the highest level, under the most difficult circumstances, to achieve greatness.

But that’s changed in the past few years, and several high-profile athletes have come forward to discuss their challenges with mental health, thus clearing the way for others to open up about their own struggles and help reduce the stigma that once isolated so many people unnecessarily.

When it comes to the heartbreaking story of Delonte West, it’s hard not wonder how things might have turned out differently if the climate around mental health would’ve been more supportive. Instead, what we’ve witnessed is the painful decline of a once-successful NBA player. However, we’ve also seen what is hopefully his redemption arc.

After West was spotted panhandling in the Dallas area, Mavs owner Mark Cuban sprung into action and was able to get West admitted to a rehabilitation facility in Florida, where he’s undergone treatment. Now, it appears West is paying it forward as an employee at the center, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Update on Delonte West: West now has a job at the Rebound therapy center in Florida, which is the rehab facility he attended.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban reunited West with his mother in September and has stayed in close contact.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 19, 2021

Details are sparse, but it’s good to see any positive news on that front. West was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2008, and he last played in the NBA with the Mavs during the 2012 season before being released by the team.

Kevin Smith just revealed a major Batman rumor that’s sure to grab the attention of long-time fans of the Dark Knight. During the latest episode of his Fatman Beyond podcast, Smith confirmed that he has heard “reliable” talk of a sequel to Batman: The Animated Series coming to HBO Max. The classic cartoon that arrived directly on the heels of Tim Burton’s Batman is often cited as one of the best on-screen adaptation of the Caped Crusader. As Smith notes, reviving The Animated Series seems like an easy “no-brainer” for HBO Max as it continues to build up its content offerings to reel in new subscribers. Via Comic Book:

“How f***ing amazing would that be because you can just literally pick up and keep going. It’s not like, oh we gotta explain why everyone’s older, it’s f***ing animation man so you can go right back to those amazing f***ing stories.” He continued, “That to me is no brainer, you’ve got HBO Max, you’re already doing that amazing Harley Quinn show, you’re printing money if you go back and do Batman: The Animated Series. You can’t f**k up the legacy, that’s for damn sure.”

While Smith is careful to emphasize that talk of a sequel to Batman: The Animated Series is only a rumor, it is worth noting that Smith has been working with Mark Hamill on a He-Man series for Netflix. While Hamill is best known as Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker, he also has a passionate following from his voice work as the Joker on The Animated Series. In fact, Batman fans have even gone so far as to rank Hamill’s version of the Joker as highly as Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning performance in The Dark Knight. We’re not saying Hamill is Smith’s source for The Animated Series sequel, but if he is, that would definitely qualify as reliable.

(Via Fatman Beyond)

Yet another Texas legend lends his seal of approval to the Houston indie rap phenom Tobe Nwigwe as Bun B joins Tobe and Atlanta rapper CyHi in the video for “Pistol.” As usual, the video is directed by Nwigwe himself and features a monochromatic costume scheme (this time bloodred), with a beat produced by longtime production partner Lanell Grant. Tobe advocates hard for gun rights, Black business ownership, and self-determination.

The video is just the latest release from Tobe’s Cincoriginals series that finds him rapping alongside a Texas rap pioneer. In mid-December, he and Lil Keke paid homage to Prince with “Purple Rain Thing,” while Tobe’s final video of the year saw him link up with Killa Kyleon, formerly of Slim Thug’s Boss Hogg Outlawz collective, on “Cujo.”

Meanwhile, Nwigwe has also used the series to expand his influence beyond the Lone Star State, rhyming alongside fellow indie rap stalwarts D Smoke and Big KRIT on “Headshots” and “Bozos,” respectively. He also got further rap legend co-signs from Black Thought and Royce Da 5’9″ on “Father Figure,” but ultimately, he advocates the strongest for himself and his family, as demonstrated on “Tundah Fiyah,” his first video of the year, which featured a verse from Lanell Grant (credited as Nell) in addition to her work on the sparse beat.

Watch Tobe Nwigwe’s “Pistol” video featuring Bun B and CyHi above.

In a year that was sadly devoid of clubs, sweaty dancefloors, and a reason to get dressed to the nines for said activities, Erica Banks and the “Buss It” challenge currently going viral is giving girls everywhere a reason to drop it low in their finest outfit. Even if no one can safely leave their house for several more months, girls on Tik Tok are blowing up the song by starting off their videos posing in sweatpants or other preliminary stages of getting ready to a sample of Nelly’s “Hot In Herre”, then switching it up to twerk to the “Buss It” hook all glammed up.

The hilarious switch-up videos were popularized on Tik Tok, obviously, but have migrated over to Twitter and even caught the attention of some celebrities like Dani Leigh (though she didn’t do the dressing up edit) and Nelly has already given it his own stamp of approval. And the trend seems to be having a huge impact on Banks’ career — the young rapper posted to Instagram today that her song has officially hit the Billboard Hot 100, coming in at No. 100 for its debut entry.

Though the track came out last summer, the trend only just began to crop up in the early days of January 2021, so if this momentum continues, she just might have a No. 1 hit on her hands before you can say “buss it.” And if you haven’t hear the track yet, check out the video above.

Famous method actor Daniel Day-Lewis visited restaurants in a wheelchair while shooting My Left Foot; studied fashion for Phantom Thread; and texted his Lincoln co-stars as Abraham Lincoln. Hold my skunked beer, says Maria Bakalova.

The Borat Subsequent Moviefilm actress told Collider that to get in character to play Borat’s daughter Tutar, she made herself stinky. Very, very stinky.

Bakalova did three screen tests for the role, two with Borat himself, Sacha Baron Cohen, and another to see how she would handle a scene by herself among non-actors. “I remember that some of [the production team] advised me, ‘Don’t be clean, don’t prepare yourself to look pretty or to be glam… Try to not take [a] shower.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, okay, I mean I’m ready for it, but I’m in the middle of another production, so it’s gonna be devastating for the rest of the crew in the movie that I was shooting.’ So I made something super smelly, stinky with banana peels, old eggs, vinegar, old olive oil, onions. And I mixed it and it was probably the worst smell that you can ever imagine,” she said.

“And I put it all over me, and I started hugging and touching people for [goodbyes], and they were like, ‘Okay, this is not an actor, for sure.’ So that was probably the last audition that I went [on], and it was maybe two weeks before I came to America and we started shooting this crazy, beautiful roller-coaster.”

Daniel Day-Lewis was 43 years old when he was nominated for his first Academy Award. Bakalova is only 24. I’m just saying…

(Via Collider)

When it comes to hip-hop addressing the sad spectacle of rioters overtaking the Capitol building a few weeks ago, perhaps no one is better suited than DC local Wale. His new song “Good Vibes (Za)” finds him ruminating about the double standard in the governmental response between the Capitol rioters and the peaceful protests held for victims of police shootings. He also pays homage to Nipsey Hussle and Pop Smoke and takes conservative pundits to tasks for spreading their divisive takes, reviving his long-standing feud with Tomi Lahren with yet another name-manging call out.

Wale, who often addresses controversial topics in his music, tackled the pandemic on 2020’s The Imperfect Storm just after releasing the cinematic video to his Wow… That’s Crazy single “Sue Me.” Toward the end of the year, he returned to his emotional subject matter with Gunna on “I’m Flawed,” and remained in a romantic mood this year on his Earthgang collaboration “Options.” Still, with Wale, it’s only a matter of time until he speaks up on current events and social issues, with explains how he’s maintained his relevance for so long, even if he feels he can’t collaborate with superstar pop singers like Lady Gaga anymore.

Listen to “Good Vibes (Za)” above.

Everwood: All Seasons (Warner Bros. series on HBO Max) — One of Greg Berlanti’s most beloved series returns with two MCU stars in tow. Revisit Chris Pratt’s early aughts hair and marvel at how Emily VanCamp manages to look cool, and almost like she still appears today, beside the guy who who would go on to play Star-Lord. To be slightly more serious, this is an opportunity to catch up on all four seasons of a a dramedy that’s set in a fictional, idyllic Colorado town, where a city boy attempts to fit into the small-community vibe and relationships of all types swirl after a Manhattan physician decides to transplant to Everwood. There’s plenty of bright (and Pratt’s character is actually named Bright) and tragic and heartwarming moments to be found in this show.

Prodigal Son (FOX, 9:00pm) — Michael Sheen and and Tom Payne are still being super weird in this super-weird procedural. This week, a murder of a priest apparently goes down in a house of worship. This jarring event leads Bright back into in his own trauma while Martin consults a fellow inmate, who happens to also be a holy man, while attempting to assist on the case.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC, 8:00pm) — Zoey’s having increasingly upsetting dreams that are affecting both her personal life and her musical interludes. Meanwhile, Jenna’s helping Maggie in her own way.

Two Sentence Horror Stories (CW, 8:00pm) — The only Asian American financial advisor at an investment firm sits on the brink of a major award when a stalker strikes.

Trickster (CW, 9:00pm) — Wade claims to be Jared’s real father, which leads into a home invasion and even more increasingly weird consequences.

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert — Jason Segel, Black Puma

Jimmy Kimmel Live! — Casey Affleck, Congressman Adam Schiff, and Jack Harlow

The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon — Dakota Johnson, Yara Shahidi, Tate McRae

Late Night With Seth Meyers — Rachel Maddow, Guy Fieri, Billie Piper, Sarah Thawer

The Late Late Show With James Corden — Anthony Mackie, Machine Gun Kelly

In case you missed these recent picks:

Disenchantment: Season 3 (Netflix series) — Matt Groening of The Simpsons fame (and more) is still cranking away on this adult animated comedy fantasy series that digs into the many misadventures of boozy and feisty characters, including ogres, mermaids, walruses, and even human fools while exploring Dreamland. In this batch of episodes, the hard-drinking Princess Bean continues to explore her own destiny and identity as she comes into power. Don’t worry, Bean’s personal demon, Luci, and feisty elf companion, Elfo, are still a big focus.

Endlings: Season 2 (Hulu series) — Sci-fi fans will enjoy seeing the return of this crew, who must accept that they can change the future and (at least) make up for the mistakes of the past without achieving a full-on reckoning. The very fate of the planet and humanity depends on their continued fight, and the endearing group is here for it.

Outside The Wire (Netflix film) — Sorry to disappoint, this show has nothing to do with The Wire. It does, however, star Anthony Mackie as an android military officer, who must locate a doomsday device before the bad guys can get their hands on it, and all hell breaks loose. Damson Idris co-stars as a drone pilot who assists Mackie’s cyborg, and they’re both in full-on action mode.

On the final day of her father’s presidency, Tiffany Trump has announced that she’s engaged to Nigerian multimillionaire Michael Boulos, who proposed to her in the Rose Garden on Tuesday. Trump shared the news on her official Instagram along with a photo of the engaged couple. “It has been an honor to celebrate many milestones, historic occasions and create memories with my family here at the White House, none more special than my engagement to my amazing fiancé Michael!” Trump wrote. “Feeling blessed and excited for the next chapter!”

As for whether President Trump gave the couple his blessing to get engaged in the Rose Garden and dominate headlines during his final moments in office, Page Six couldn’t confirm. Although, White House sources did say it’s a solid maybe:

It’s unclear whether Boulos asked President Trump for his permission, but a source said the fact they were at the White House for the proposal means it’s “highly likely” he did.

A White House source told Page Six: “The family is delighted.”

You can see Tiffany Trump’s wedding announcement below:

Given the fact that her dad is about to be booted out of the White House on Wednesday following a very public and very disastrous failed MAGA coup attempt, people on Twitter couldn’t help but note the awkward timing of Tiffany’s engagement.

And it was only a matter of time until the “Donald Trump doesn’t even know who Tiffany Trump is” jokes started rolling in because the president is an infamously strange father.

Folks also had fun with the fact that Trump can’t tweet about Tiffany’s engagement even if he somehow knew about it and/or her.

(Via Tiffany Trump on Instagram)

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has a lengthy track record of leading into “offensive” territory, and his trashing of trans rights is only one example. However, the GOP mainstay wants everyone to know that he’s extremely unhappy with the D.C.’s vetting of National Guard members. The practice only makes sense, given that a massive influx of members descended to help protect the U.S. Capitol following the failed MAGA coup, but Abbott’s not here for it. He’s upset, and he wants all of Twitter to feel his displeasure.

“This is the most offensive thing I’ve ever heard,” Abbot tweeted on Tuesday evening. “No one should ever question the loyalty or professionalism of the Texas National Guard. @TexasGuard… I authorized more than 1,000 to go to DC… I’ll never do it again if they are disrespected like this.”

Abbott’s reaction preceded an Associated Press report that detailed how two U.S. Army National Guard members were discovered to have ties to fringe, far-right, white supremacist militias. As a result, these two members were removed from the security mission surrounding Joe Biden’s inauguration, and even though no specific plot was uncovered against Biden, the decision was made for “operational security” reasons. Given that a freaking insurrection of far-right QAnon MAGA heads resulted in five deaths (including two police officers) less than weeks ago, the vetting does not seem like an overreaction at all. Still, Abbott feels that this is “the most offensive thing” ever, and well, people have some responses. Mainly, they are “offended” too, but by Abbott. And his tweet certainly did not age well after less than a day.

No followup comment yet, right? You guessed it.