Adam Sandler, John Legend, ‘Only Murders,’ and Star Wars Outlaws

“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” returns for its second season, and Adam Sandler releases his first comedy special since 2018. These are just a couple of highlights in the new wave of television, films, music, and games coming soon to your screens.

Also worth noting are John Legend’s first-ever children’s album, the latest season of “Only Murders in the Building,” and DJ and dance producer Zedd’s new album after nearly a decade. Entertainment journalists from The Associated Press have picked some standout offerings for your consideration.

“The Fall Guy” is set to stream on Peacock starting Friday, Aug. 30, including an “extended cut” version. The movie, which stars Ryan Gosling as a stuntman turned hero, Emily Blunt as his director and romantic interest, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as a movie star, offers comedy, action, and romance.

Ishana Night Shyamalan’s thriller, “The Watchers,” starring Dakota Fanning as an artist stranded in western Ireland, premieres on MAX on Friday, Aug. 30. Mysterious creatures loom and stalk in this suspense-filled story.

Emma Stone shines in “Kinds of Kindness,” her latest project with director Yorgos Lanthimos, streaming on Hulu from Friday, Aug. 30. The film, an ensemble piece with Willem Dafoe, Jesse Plemons, Hong Chau, Margaret Qualley, and others, is described as a meditation on free will and voluntary surrender in various aspects of life.

The title of the most eccentric new streaming offering goes to “Sasquatch Sunset,” Nathan and David Zellner’s experimental film about a sasquatch family. Jesse Eisenberg and Riley Keough star in this unique and bewildering 90-minute film, which starts streaming on Paramount+ on Monday.

Zedd returns with “Telos,” his first album in nearly a decade. Its initial single, “Out of Time,” featuring Bea Miller, encapsulates the atmosphere of the entire album. Zedd created the song’s emotional depth with Miller’s vocals, conveying the essence of his new musical chapter.

John Legend introduces his first children’s album, “My Favorite Dream,” available Friday, Aug. 30. Produced by Sufjan Stevens, the album includes themes of love, safety, and dreams spread across nine original tracks and two covers.

Apple TV+ brings “K-Pop Idols” to the small screen, a six-part documentary series starting Friday, Aug. 30. The show offers a behind-the-scenes look at K-pop stardom featuring artists like Jessi, CRAVITY, and BLACKSWAN as they work towards their dreams.

RZA’s new classical composition album, “A Ballet Through Mud,” debuts in album form, merging his journey from the NYC projects to global fame. The work includes themes of love, loss, and exploration, brought to life by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.

Adam Sandler’s “Adam Sandler: Love You” Netflix special premieres this Tuesday. Directed by Josh Safdie, this marks Sandler’s first comedy special since 2018, featuring his characteristic standup and comedy songs.

“Only Murders in the Building” heads to Los Angeles for its fourth season, premiering Tuesday on Hulu. The trio Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez will investigate another murder as their podcast is adapted into a film, with new cast members Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis, and Eva Longoria.

A new animated “Terminator” series arrives on Netflix on Thursday, showcasing characters voiced by Sonoya Mizuno, Timothy Olyphant, and Rosario Dawson. Also, “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” returns for its second season on Prime Video, continuing the epic tale in Middle-earth’s Second Age.

In the gaming sphere, “Star Wars Outlaws” from Ubisoft launches Friday, Aug. 30, on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, and PC. This new open-world adventure follows Kay Vess, a young thief navigating the galaxy’s crime syndicates, in a game developed by Massive Entertainment, the minds behind Tom Clancy’s The Division.

Fans of high-fantasy RPGs will be thrilled with “Visions of Mana,” the latest chapter in the Mana series by Square Enix. Available Thursday, Aug. 29, on PlayStation 5/4, Xbox X/S, and PC, the game features a youngster named Val on a pilgrimage to the Mana Tree, offering lush anime-style graphics and nostalgic gameplay.

Source: Associated Press