It’s been a quiet few weeks on the movie front. Now that the summer is coming to a slow end, the splashy blockbusters are taking a backseat and making room for the dramas and movies we love to sink into in the fall. With that said, there are still some new arrivals and new TV shows that are looking to entertain us in the meantime.
Pinocchio, one of the most anticipated movies of the year, is not hitting theaters. Disney has chosen to release the Tom Hanks-starring film directly on its streaming platform, starting Thursday, Sept. 8. The series adaptation of American Gigolo, starring Jon Bernthal, is arriving on Showtime on Friday, Sept. 8, while Cobra Kai’s fifth season kicks in on Netflix the same day. Thanks to the NFL’s big return this week, the Emmys have given up its usual Sunday spot and will take place on Monday, Sept. 12 instead. So be on the look out for that.
Our favorite shows of the year are still going strong, with both Rings of Power and Industry having must-watch episodes this week. We’ve watched it all so you don’t have to. Here are the movies and TV we think are worth your time this week.
'Pinocchio'
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When: Thursday, Sept. 8
Where: Disney+
Academy Award winners Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis have teamed up again after their collaboration on The Polar Express to create a live-action and CGI retelling of Disney’s Pinocchio. Hanks stars as Geppetto, the woodcarver who builds a wooden puppet named Pinocchio (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) who comes to life thanks to the Blue Fairy (Cynthia Erivo) and becomes a real boy. Joseph Gordon-Levitt also stars in the film as Jiminy Cricket (he’s incredible in it), Keegan-Michael Key is “Honest” John, Lorraine Bracco is Sofia the Seagull, and Luke Evans is The Coachman.
The film, for unclear reasons, is not hitting theaters and will only be available to stream on Disney+ starting on Thursday, Sept. 8. It seems like a missed opportunity for Disney since films aimed at kids tend to do well at the box office. This also means the film won’t be eligible for Oscar nominations since there is no official theater release.
Pinocchio will also be nostalgic for those who grew up watching the original, and a great introduction to the story for those who haven’t. Hanks does what he does best in the film—transforming into a warm, charming characters you instantly love and trust. Thankfully, this role as Geppetto also serves as a palate cleanser after watching Hanks play the unlikeable Colonel Tom Parker on Elvis, which premiered earlier this year and hit HBO Max last week. It’s good to have our nation’s wholesome, good guy back. —Karla Rodriguez
'American Gigolo'
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When: Friday, Sept. 9
Where: Showtime
American Gigolo is an upcoming American drama television series developed by David Hollander, based on the 1980 film of the same name. The series stars Jon Bernthal as Julian Kaye, the main protagonist of the original film, alongside Gretchen Mol, Rosie O’Donnell, Lizzie Brocheré, Gabriel LaBelle, and Leland Orser, and is set to premiere on Showtime on Friday, Sept. 9. The story takes place 15 years after Julian Kaye was arrested for murder and shows him struggling to find his footing in the modern-day Los Angeles sex industry. He begins to seek the truth about the frame that sent him to prison all those years ago while also hoping to reconnect with his one true love, Michelle.
I’d personally watch anything Bernthal is in, and his surprise appearance in Hulu’s The Bear earlier this year made me excited to see him as the lead on his own show. It’s his time to shine, and I’m more than ready to watch. —Karla Rodriguez.
'Cobra Kai'
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When: Friday, Sept. 9
Where: Netflix
The fifth season of Cobra Kai will hit Netflix on Friday, Sept. 9. The series is a direct sequel to the original four films in The Karate Kid franchise, and have focused on characters Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence over 30 years after the original film. Cobra Kai first premiered on YouTube Red in 2018, but really exploded when it hit Netflix in 2020 and became one of the streaming service’s most popular and celebrated shows.
Season 4 ended with new threats and dangers and more drama for the teens, and Season 5 promises to pick up right where they left off. Last season’s villain Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), from The Karate Kid Part III, is continuing his mission of expanding the Cobra Kai empire but Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny (William Zabka) are still focused on stopping him. If you’ve been a fan, you already know what to expect but this season is bigger than the previous ones. If you’re just joining in, you’re in for a blast. —Karla Rodriguez
'Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Episode 3
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When: Friday, Sept. 9
Where: Prime Video
After some expansive—albeit meandering at times—installments, the third episode of Rings of Power, “Adar,” dramatic kicks this season into gear with an all-killer, no-filler hour that’s a thrill ride from start to finish. The reveals of “Adar” are quick and plentiful, beginning with the complete introduction of Númenor; as the cast spoke about, the introduction of the western aquatic kingdom of men is massive in its scope and splendor—and arrives with plenty of new faces for Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Halbrand (Charlie Vickers) to discover, including some very familiar to those who watched Jackson’s films. The introduction of Númenor functions as the primary plot for “Adar,” allowing viewers to take in both the characters and the city’s importance in Tolkien lore. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the city, the episode effectively establishes it as a critical part of future events.
But the bigger reveal is nestled in the heart of “Adar” and comes as a legitimate surprise. With such an extensive plan for the show, I anticipated the series taking its time in unfurling Sauron’s master plan, only for “Adar” to kick things up a notch and tip a bit more towards the depth and breadth of his schemes. It’s also worth noting this likely one of many plans the dark lord is planning for Middle-earth, but the speed at which Rings of Power is content to go ahead and introduce this plot very much puts my fears about its pacing to rest. Additionally, the shift in directors from J.A. Bayona to journeyman television director Wayne Yip wasn’t noticeable in any capacity, very much continuing the overall look and feel of the series thus far, while still managing to put his touches on it.
Perhaps more so than the first two installments, “Adar” had a bit more to prove to its audiences—that the series can continue the good first steps it took previously. The answer is resoundingly positive. As such, I’m all in on where we’re headed moving forward. —William Goodman
