WEEKEND CALENDAR FRIDAY, JULY 14 FOUNDATION: The epic sci-fi drama series -- based on the novels by Isaac Asimov -- returns this week for a second season. Jared Harris stars as mathematician Hari Seldon, whose "psychohistory" predictive model threatens to undermine the authority of the ruling Galactic Empire. Lee Pace, Lou Llobell, and Leah Harvey co-star. [Apple TV+] TOO HOT TO HANDLE: The dating competition series -- in which sexy singles must spend time together in paradise while remaining celibate for a shot at a $100,000 grand prize -- returns this weekend for a fifth season. Desiree Burch narrates while the "Lana" robotic device keeps tabs on the competitors. [Netflix] FIVE STAR CHEF: Debut culinary competition series in which seven professional chefs square off for a chance to bring their own fine dining concept to the Palm Court in London's famed Langham Hotel. Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr. serves as host and main judge; Mike Reid and Ravneet Gill are on-hand as advisers. [Netflix] BIRD BOX BARCELONA: Spanish post-apocalyptic horror film set during the same incident as the 2018 film "Bird Box," but not serving as a direct sequel. Mario Casas stars as a father keeping his daughter (Alejandra Howard) safe after Earth is invaded by an alien race whose appearance triggers suicidal madness in humans. Georgina Campbell, Naila Schuberth, and Diego Calva co-star; Álex and David Pastor co-wrote and directed. The "Bird Box" films are based on a novel by Josh Malerman. [Netflix] THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF JERUSALEM: The Israeli period drama series is based on the novel by Sarit Yishai-Levi, and follows several generations of the Armoza family, who live in Jerusalem under both Ottoman and British rule. Season 2 aired on Israel's Yes Drama network in late 2022 and comes to Netflix in the US this weekend. [Netflix] LOVE TACTICS 2 (ASK TAKTIKLERI 2): Turkish romantic comedy feature following up on last year's "Love Tactics." Demet Özdemir and Sükrü Özyildiz return as Asli and Kerem, who are now dueling over the issue of whether or not to get married. [Netflix] WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS: The FX mockumentary comedy series -- about a group of vampires living together in present-day Staten Island -- returned Thursday night to cable for a fifth season. The first two Season 5 episodes hit Hulu on Friday. Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, and Mark Proksch co-star. [Hulu] IMAGINE DRAGONS LIVE IN VEGAS: Concert film capturing the band's 2022 performance at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium, part of their "Mercury Tour." Matt Eastin -- who worked with the band on a number of their music videos -- directed. [Hulu] A LITTLE WHITE LIE: 2022 indie comedy from writer/director Michael Maren, based on the novel "Shriver" by Chris Belden. Michael Shannon stars as a handyman who is mistaken for a famously reclusive writer and invited to a college literary festival. Kate Hudson, Don Johnson, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Aja Naomi King, and Zach Braff co-star. [Hulu] THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY: The coming-of-age romantic drama series from creator Jenny Han (based on her own book) returns this week for a second season. Lola Tung stars as Belly Conklin, who's getting ready to return to Cousins Beach, and her love triangle with siblings Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). [Amazon] GOLIATH: Three-part biographical docuseries from Showtime Sports, looking back on the life and career of NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain. The film utilizes AI to recreate the late Chamberlain's voice, allowing him to "narrate" his own life story alongside archival footage provided by his estate. The series debuts Friday for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers, and hits the cable network on Sunday. [Paramount+] QUICKSAND: English-language survival thriller from Colombian filmmaker Andres Beltran ("Primate"). Sebastian Eslava and Carolina Gaitan co-star as a combative couple who get trapped in quicksand while hiking through the rainforest, and must learn how to work together in order to live through the ordeal. [Shudder] LA NARCOSATÁNICA: Three-part Spanish-language true-crime docuseries relating the story of Mexican serial killer Sara Aldrete, who co-led a cult known as the "Narcosatanists" that was involved in both drug smuggling and ritualistic human sacrifice in the 1980s. Aldrete, who is currently serving a 62-year sentence for her involvement in the deaths of 13 people, participated in the series. [Max] TIME ZONE: Debut "extreme" reality competition series from Spain, in which contestants compete in a "real-world video game" testing both their mental and physical abilities within a huge abandoned setting known as "Time City." Esports vet Cristinini hosts and serves as "Master of Time." [Max] YUZURU HANYU ICE STORY 2023 "GIFT" AT TOKYO DOME: Japanese concert film and documentary profiling figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu's life and career on the ice, while taking a behind-the-scenes look at preparations for his first-ever solo show at the Tokyo Dome. [Disney+] SATURDAY, JULY 15 PINBALL: THE MAN WHO SAVED THE GAME: Biographical comedy-drama film based on the true story of Roger Sharpe, a struggling writer who led the campaign to overturn New York City's long-time ban on pinball machines in the 1970s. Mike Faist, Crystal Reed, Mike Doyle, Christopher Convery, and Dennis Boutsikaris co-star; Austin and Meredith Bragg make their debuts as writer/directors with the film. [Hulu] DISQUIET: 2023 direct-to-VOD thriller from writer/director Michael Winnick ("Dark Asset"). Jonathan Rhys-Meyers stars as a man who wakes up after a car accident to find himself in an abandoned hospital surrounded by strange creatures that won't allow him to leave. [Paramount+] MY LITTLE PONY: TELL YOUR TALE: Collection of 2D animated shorts, featuring the adventures of the Mane 5 from "My Little Pony: A New Generation" and "Make Your Mark," that originally streamed on YouTube. The first season comes to Netflix as well today. [Netflix] THE SCENT OF TIME: Romantic fantasy-drama series from China, based on the novel "The Female Supporting Role," about a woman from the present-day who finds herself transported into the book she's been reading. Worse yet, she's trapped in a supporting role. Zhou Ye and Wang Xing Yue co-star. [Max] SUNDAY, JULY 16 BARBIE DREAMHOUSE CHALLENGE: Four-part event series in which eight teams of HGTV and Food Network veterans work together to transform a Southern California home into the ultimate Barbie Dreamhouse. Ultimately, one Barbie superfan will win a chance to spend the night in their grand creation. Ashley Graham hosts. [Max] 90 DAY FIANCÉ: UK: The British spinoff of the reality series debuted on Discovery+ last year, and hits Max in the US today. It features eight British people welcoming their partners to the UK for 90 days, during which they'll decide if they want to spend the rest of their lives together. [Max] |