This week brings a wave of fresh entertainment across streaming services, from a Paul Simon concert event to a new horror film and the return of a beloved video game franchise. Here’s a rundown of what’s new and noteworthy, as curated by Associated Press entertainment journalists.
Film Picks
Filmmaker Ian Tuason makes his feature debut with “Undertone,” a stripped-down horror film centered on a paranormal podcaster. The film relies heavily on sound design to build dread and begins streaming on HBO Max on June 26. AP film writer Jake Coyle praised the approach, writing that “it’s a testament to Tuason’s evident filmmaking talent that, with these bare bones, ‘Undertone’ swells into a gripping and unsettling experience. This is a movie that summons many of its scares with a sudden boost in audio levels, the thunderous tick of a clock or the scream of … a tea kettle. It’s even rated ‘R’ not for bloodcurdling violence or satanic ghouls but, simply, ‘language.’”
On Netflix, John Cena stars as a tightly wound real estate agent whose orderly world falls apart when his wild “little brother,” portrayed by Eric André, suddenly resurfaces. The comedy, titled “Little Brother,” arrives June 26 and features an ensemble cast that includes Michelle Monaghan, Christopher Meloni, and Caleb Hearon. Also landing on Netflix, on June 24, is Julian Schnabel’s “In the Hand of Dante” — a polarizing “literary gangster” film starring Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, and Al Pacino.
Peacock is also getting in on the action with “Strung,” a psychological thriller produced by Tyler Perry and Jason Blum, available June 26. Directed by Malcolm D. Lee, the film stars Chloe Bailey as a gifted violinist who accepts a tutoring position with a high-profile family.
— AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr
Music
Paul Simon fans have something to look forward to this Friday: a brand-new two-hour concert special titled “Paul Simon: The Quiet Celebration Concert,” streaming on both Disney+ and Hulu. Recorded live at McCaw Hall in Seattle, the special features deep cuts, reimagined arrangements, and classic hits. The performance also carries a meaningful personal story — Simon has been navigating hearing loss and is rediscovering his footing on stage.
English rock band Muse is also releasing a new full-length album called “The Wow! Signal.” According to a statement, the title references “a powerful 72-second radio burst detected in 1977 originating from the constellation Sagittarius with a bandwidth and intensity that suggested a possible extraterrestrial source.” The album blends retro-futuristic synthesizer tracks like “Nightshift Superstar,” science-inspired cuts such as “Cryogen,” and guitar-driven anthems including “Unraveling.”
— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman
Television
The live-action adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” kicks off its second season on Netflix this Thursday, June 25. The series is set in a world split into four nations — each tied to one of the four elements — where a young Avatar named Aang is the only person capable of controlling all four. Season 2 continues his journey to fully master those abilities.
For younger viewers, “Camp Snoopy” returns for its second season on Apple TV on June 26. The animated series follows Snoopy — a beagle scout, naturally — along with Charlie Brown and their friends as they spend the summer at Camp Spring Lake.
Comedy fans will want to check out “Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness,” a new historical sketch comedy starring Larry David, premiering June 26 on HBO Max. David portrays various historical figures alongside a star-studded guest roster that includes Jon Hamm, Kathryn Hahn, Vince Vaughn, Bill Hader, Jerry Seinfeld, J.B. Smoove, and Isla Fisher. Much like his long-running series “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” the show is largely improvised and leans into David’s signature gloomy, observational comedic style. The series is produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground company.
— AP Writer Alicia Rancilio
Gaming
Star Fox is back. After Fox McCloud’s recent appearance in “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” Nintendo is capitalizing on renewed interest in the character with a revamped version of his classic 1997 Nintendo 64 adventure, rebuilt for the Switch 2. The aerial combat game takes players across multiple planets as they work to protect the Lylat System from a villainous enemy. Players can team up with friends on cooperative missions or compete in 4-vs.-4 online battles. The game launches Thursday, June 25.
— Lou Kesten
