Some of the best actors of our generation are making their way back to our screens this week. Sandra Bullock, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Sarah Jessica Parker, and more of Hollywood’s biggest stars are back with all new offerings to close this year out with a bang. The star-studded Don’t Look Up! is hitting theaters Friday, Dec. 10. It’ll be the first time we see DiCaprio and Lawrence work together, and the Netflix film also features appearances from Kid Cudi, Jonah Hill, and Ariana Grande.
Bullock is returning to Netflix with The Unforgivable, a drama about a woman attempting to piece her life together after 20 years in prison. Both Tiger King and the Sex and the City stans are getting new spin-offs this week, and Steven Spielberg is also sharing his remake of the classic West Side Story with the world on Friday. Die-hard movie and TV fans know these coming weeks in December usually bring plenty of entertainment. While the best movies and TV shows of the year lists may already have their chosen contenders, 2021 is not done just yet. Check out our choices for the TV and movies dropping this week that should definitely be on your watch lists.
'Don't Look Up!'
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When: Friday, Dec. 10
Where: In theaters
Early critics score on Rotten Tomatoes be damned, Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up has been one of 2021’s most anticipated films, simply because it stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence in a satirical look at what happens when you have to tell the world that the sky is falling—aka the very real threat of climate change. The ensemble cast features everyone from Meryl Streep (who plays the president!) to Kid Cudi and Ariana Grande, but judging by the trailer, it looks like Jonah Hill might be the best part of this film. With seeming carte blanche to say whatever comes to mind (which I guess happens when your mother is the president!), his performance might be the one to watch. Ahead of its Netflix release on Dec. 24, those eager to see Leo on the big screen once again can check this one out in theaters during its limited run. —khal
'The Unforgivable'
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When: Friday, Dec. 10
Where: Netflix and in theaters
All you need to know before hitting play on The Unforgivable is that both Sandra Bullock and Viola Davis are in it. Need more convincing? After the success of 2018’s Bird Box, the A-Lister is back with her latest Netflix offering, in which Bullock plays a woman named Ruth Slater being released from prison after serving a 20-year sentence for a violent crime. She has trouble readjusting into the society and home she left behind as people refuse to forgive her past mistakes even after serving her time. The ex-con attempts to redeem herself by finding her estranged little sister she was separated from when she went to prison, but it’s not as easy as she imagined. Bullock has been playing strong, resilient, and brave women in her recent films, like The Blind Side, Gravity, and Bird Box, and this role fits right in with them. The movie also features performances from Jon Bernthal, Richard Thomas, and Rob Morgan. The film was available in select theaters starting Nov. 24 and it’s available on streaming on Dec. 10 on Netflix. —Karla Rodriguez
'West Side Story'
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When: Dec. 10
Where: In theaters
Steven Spielberg is finally ready to release his take on the classic West Side Story. The 1961 film took home 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and the famed director seems to be on a quest to get some trophies of his own with this one. Inspired by William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the story is set in the mid-1950s in the Upper West Side of New York City, which used to be a multiracial, blue-collar neighborhood at the time. The musical explores the rivalry between two teenage street gangs of different ethnicities, the Jets and the Sharks. A budding love-at-first-sight romance between young Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler), who are from opposite sides, stirs up conflict between the gangs. EGOT winner Rita Moreno, who won a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her role as Anita in the original, is also appearing in the new film. Both the actress and the director recently discussed their commitment to casting Latinx talent for the film, a move that might help it avoid the criticism for lack of diversity other films of this magnitude received this year. If musicals aren’t your thing, sit this one out. But if big musical numbers are your thing, head to a theater near you starting Dec. 10. —Karla Rodriguez
'Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story'
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When: Dec. 10
Where: Netflix
As seen in Tiger King, Doc Antle is (arguably) the worst person in Netflix’s docuseries. But just like we had to get Tiger King 2, we apparently have to get Doc’s story in a three-part Netflix docuseries. Antle’s currently facing felony and conspiracy animal trafficking charges, and this spinoff series looks to be detailing some of the more horrible stories we learned about what went on on his compound, which seemed to involve sexual abuse and Antle taking on multiple lovers while also controlling everything about their lives. That Tiger King shit is cute until it isn’t, and documentaries like this can be a prime example. —khal
'Red Rocket '
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When: Dec. 10
Where: In theaters
Sean Baker’s been carving out quite the career for himself. His latest film, 2017’s The Florida Project, floored me, and I don’t think it got the recognition it truly deserved come awards szn. Color me surprised when I hear that Red Rocket, Baker’s next film, already got a five-minute standing ovation at this year’s Cannes. Much of the praise has gone to the film’s star, former MTV VJ Simon Rex, who portrays a porn star coming back to a home no one wants him in. Baker is great at nailing a specific town or moment, and it sounds like he’s nailed Rex’s character’s Texas hometown (and Rex’s past as a porn actor). Don’t be surprised if you love this film. —khal
'And Just Like That...'
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When: Thursday, Dec. 9
Where: HBO Max
And Just Like That…they’re back. Since June 1998, Sex and the City has been a part of the lives of millions of women (and some men) all over the world. The iconic HBO series was about a sex columnist named Carrie Bradshaw and follows the lives of her and her three friends Samantha Jones, Charlotte Yorks, and Miranda Hobbs as they explored the dating scene in New York City. The series ran for six seasons and the ladies even returned for two movies Sex and The City and Sex and the City 2—yet fans still wanted more. Amid countless reboots in Hollywood, the fabulous crew announced it was reuniting to continue telling the stories of these glamorous women, who are now in their 50s, as they explore more fashion, more love, more drama, more humor, and everything else that captivated viewers from the start.
Stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, and Chris Noth are returning for the new show. The late Willie Garson, who passed away in September, reprised his role as Carrie’s best friend Stanford Blatch in the new series, but it’s unclear how many episodes he will appear in. Following some major drama between the cast, Kim Catrall won’t be returning to play the legendary Samantha Jones (which made some fans swear off the show altogether). But even without the beloved Samantha’s hilarious antics, Sex and the City fans are in for a treat. We don’t often get to see women in their 50s and above living their lives in a way that’s attractive, sexy, and also real, and it’s needed. The show has been rightfully criticized for its lack of diversity in the past, especially since it’s based in a city like Manhattan. And Just Like That will introduce new characters played by actors like the outstanding Nicole Ari Parker, Sara Ramirez, and Sarita Choudhury, whose storylines will aim to bridge the gap between the NYC that we see on TV and the real NYC. Check it out on HBO Max starting Dec. 9. —Karla Rodriguez
