What's Streaming Now: 'Oppenheimer,' Adam Sandler as a Lizard and Celebs Dancing to Taylor Swift

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cillian Murphy in a scene from "Oppenheimer". (Universal Pictures via AP)
This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cillian Murphy in a scene from "Oppenheimer". (Universal Pictures via AP)
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What's Streaming Now: 'Oppenheimer,' Adam Sandler as a Lizard and Celebs Dancing to Taylor Swift

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cillian Murphy in a scene from "Oppenheimer". (Universal Pictures via AP)
This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cillian Murphy in a scene from "Oppenheimer". (Universal Pictures via AP)

“Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham's Christmas special and this week's edition of “Dancing With the Stars” promising celebrities swaying to the music of Taylor Swift are some of the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also among the offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists is a collection of 55 Tina Turner singles from 1975-2023, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” is finally available to watch in your living room and Adam Sandler voices a 74-year-old lizard in Netflix's animated “Leo.”
NEW MOVIES TO STREAM — Are you and your home entertainment system prepared? After making nearly $950 million at the box office, Christopher Nolan’s three-hour “Oppenheimer” is finally be available to watch in your living room. There’s a UHD streaming version available to purchase for $19.99, as well as 4K Ultra HD and Blu-Ray options with over 3 hours of extras, with everything overseen by Nolan. AP Film Writer Jake Coyle wrote in his review that, “There are times in Nolan’s latest opus that flames fill the frame and visions of subatomic particles flitter across the screen — montages of Oppenheimer’s own churning visions. But for all the immensity of 'Oppenheimer,' this is Nolan’s most human-scaled film — and one of his greatest achievements.”
— Adam Sandler plays a 74-year-old class lizard named “Leo” in the latest Netflix animation offering. Worried he’s wasted his life in a cage, Leo tries to plot his escape when a kid in the school is assigned to take him home. But some mishaps ensue and he ends up befriending some of the elementary school kids when they learn he can talk. Sandler is joined by a strong comedic voice cast including Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Jo Koy and, of course, Rob Schneider.
— Good golly, Miss Molly, is Little Richard the uncrowned king of rock ‘n’ roll? The documentary “Little Richard: I Am Everything,” directed by Lisa Cortés and streaming on Max, makes a solid case. His flamboyant and boundary pushing lyrics, style and music had a direct influence on famous acts to follow, including the Beatles, David Bowie, Elton John, Mick Jagger and even filmmaker John Waters, who calls his own mustache a “twisted tribute” to Little Richard. In his review, AP critic Mark Kennedy wrote “Cortés’ film is also the story of American rock itself, the way transistor radios allowed teens in the ‘50s to rebel against their parents’ staid music and how Black music was appropriated by white bands.”
— AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr
NEW MUSIC TO STREAM — The music world lost a giant when Tina Turner, the undisputed “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” died in May 2023. She left behind an incredible body of work, songs that only become more deeply felt with the passage of time. To celebrate the prolific artist, Rhino Records releases “Turner, Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll (A Collection of All Her Singles From 1975-2023)” on Black Friday – a massive collection of 55 tracks across five vinyl records and three CDs. But if physical media isn’t your thing – and this series is called “What to Stream,” after all — the set will be available on streaming platforms, too.
— Take That, the gargantuan British boy band turned man-pop group that gave the world Robbie Williams, are releasing their ninth studio album. Titled “This Life," it is their first full-length album in seven years, a rare reunion for a band not on a break. It's also an exciting listen: there’s a plucky warmth to these songs, like on the acoustic single “Windows” — no doubt the influence of Savannah, Georgia, where the band made most of the record. It’s a lovely album from one of the most successful bands in British chart history – the result of getting the guys back together and finding a new sound with some old friends.
— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman
NEW SERIES TO STREAM — Since “Fargo” began airing on FX as an anthology series, each season has featured an impressive roster of talent including Billy Bob Thornton, Chris Rock and Kirsten Dunst stepping into its quirky world of folksy Midwesterners mixed up in the law. “Fargo: Year 5,″ is no different. Juno Temple stars as a woman whose strange behavior catches the attention of local authorities. Jon Hamm, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Richa Moorjani, Joe Keery, Lamorne Morris and Dave Foley also appear.
— Celebrities competing on season 32 of “Dancing with the Stars” have had to jive, waltz and foxtrot their way through a number of themed episodes including Disney music, music video night and a Whitney Houston tribute, but we’ll find out whether they’re “... Ready for It” on the Tuesday episode, dedicated to Taylor Swift. The show aired a video message from the superstar where she said she couldn’t wait to watch the celebration of her “Eras.” Who will be the “Fearless” performer of the night and swift-ly rise to the top of the leaderboard? Famed choreographer Mandy Moore helps decide when she sits in as a guest judge.
— When “Squid Game” premiered on Netflix in 2021, viewers were both captivated and terrified by the deadly child-like games featured in the story. On Wednesday, the streamer debuted a new 10-episode competition called “Squid Game: The Challenge.” In this version, real people get the chance to take part in challenges inspired by the show — without the life-threatening consequences. Over 450 contestants from across the globe kick off the competition where the winner leaves with $4.56 million.
— Margery Williams’ classic children’s book ”The Velveteen Rabbit” comes to Apple TV+ in a new special featuring the voices of Helena Bonham Carter and Nicola Coughlan of “Bridgerton.” With a mix of live-action and animation, it tells the tale of a young boy who receives a new toy for Christmas that introduces him to a magical world with lessons of friendship.
— Besides her Emmy-winning role on “Ted Lasso,” Hannah Waddingham has an extensive musical theater background. She showcases those talents in a Christmas special for Apple TV+ called “Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas.” Available now, the concert was taped in front of a live audience at the London Coliseum and features special guests.
— Alicia Rancilio
NEW VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY — The big game publishers are taking the holiday week off, but there are some intriguing indie adventures worth checking out while you’re recovering from your turkey coma. Worldless, a collaboration among three European studios, is a blend of turn-based fighting and running-and-jumping exploration in a striking-looking “newborn universe.” It’s out now on Xbox X/S/One, PlayStation 5/4, Nintendo Switch and PC.
In Stars and Time, from California’s Armor Games, is more earthbound, with black-and-white graphics that evoke both anime and 1980s Mac games. But once the protagonists discover they’re trapped in a time loop, it zips off into a metaphysical mystery. The journey unfolds on PlayStation 5/4, Nintendo Switch and PC.



'Avatar: Fire and Ash' at Number One in N. America for 5th Straight Week

This image released by 20th Century Studios shows Neytiri, performed by Zoe Saldaña, left, and Jake Sully, performed by Sam Worthington, in a scene from "Avatar: Fire and Ash." (20th Century Studios via AP)
This image released by 20th Century Studios shows Neytiri, performed by Zoe Saldaña, left, and Jake Sully, performed by Sam Worthington, in a scene from "Avatar: Fire and Ash." (20th Century Studios via AP)
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'Avatar: Fire and Ash' at Number One in N. America for 5th Straight Week

This image released by 20th Century Studios shows Neytiri, performed by Zoe Saldaña, left, and Jake Sully, performed by Sam Worthington, in a scene from "Avatar: Fire and Ash." (20th Century Studios via AP)
This image released by 20th Century Studios shows Neytiri, performed by Zoe Saldaña, left, and Jake Sully, performed by Sam Worthington, in a scene from "Avatar: Fire and Ash." (20th Century Studios via AP)

"Avatar: Fire and Ash" showed no signs of slowing down, topping the North American box office for the fifth consecutive week over the long holiday weekend, industry estimates showed Sunday.

The third installment in director James Cameron's blockbuster fantasy series took in another $17.2 million from Friday to Monday, when Americans mark Martin Luther King Jr Day.

That put its US and Canadian haul at $367.4 million, and its worldwide total at more than $1.3 billion, according to Exhibitor Relations.

"Fire and Ash" stars Zoe Saldana as Na'vi warrior Neytiri and Sam Worthington as ex-Marine Jake Sully, who must battle a new foe threatening their family's life on the planet Pandora.

It is the fourth Cameron film to pass the $1 billion mark, along with the first two "Avatar" films and "Titanic."

Debuting in second place with a disappointing $15 million was "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," the fourth installment in the zombie horror series, which comes less than a year after the last film.

"Returning after 7 months is quick -- it's too quick, and it's hurting the numbers," said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.

Disney's feel-good animated film "Zootopia 2" showed its staying power, moving up to third place at $12 million over the four-day weekend.

In fourth place at $10.2 million was "The Housemaid," an adaptation of Freida McFadden's best-selling novel about a young woman who is hired by a wealthy couple with dark secrets. Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried star in the Lionsgate release.

"Marty Supreme," starring Oscars frontrunner Timothee Chalamet as a conniving 1950s table tennis player with big dreams, finished in fifth place at $6.7 million.


Jennifer Lawrence Says She Lost Role to Margot Robbie After Critics Called Her Ugly

 American Actress Jennifer Lawrence (AFP) 
 American Actress Jennifer Lawrence (AFP) 
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Jennifer Lawrence Says She Lost Role to Margot Robbie After Critics Called Her Ugly

 American Actress Jennifer Lawrence (AFP) 
 American Actress Jennifer Lawrence (AFP) 

Jennifer Lawrence has revealed she lost an acting role to Margot Robbie after critics called her ugly.

The American actress, 35, said she was denied a part in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood because she was deemed not “pretty enough,” according to The Telegraph newspaper.

Robbie was cast in her place in the Quentin Tarantino blockbuster, which also starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt.

Lawrence told the Happy Sad Confused podcast that Tarantino had expressed interest in her playing Sharon Tate, the actress and wife of Roman Polanski, who was murdered by members of the Manson Family cult in 1969.
“Well, he did, and then everybody was like, ‘She’s not pretty enough to play Sharon Tate’,” she said.

“I’m pretty sure it is true, or it’s that thing where I’ve been telling the story this way for so long that I believe it. No, but I’m pretty sure that happened. Or he just was never considering me for the part, and the internet just, like, went out of their way to call me ugly,” Lawrence said.

Ahead of the 2019 film, Debra Tate, the sister of Sharon, said Robbie should take the part because Lawrence was “not pretty enough.”

“They are both extremely accomplished actresses, but I would have to say my pick would be Margot, simply because of her physical beauty and the way she carries herself – it’s similar to that of Sharon,” she said.

“I don’t think as much about Jennifer Lawrence – not that I have anything against her. She’s just, I don’t know, she’s not pretty enough to play Sharon. That’s a horrible thing to say, but I have my standards,” she added.

Tarantino said in 2021 that he had also considered Lawrence for the part of Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a member of the Manson Family.

“Early on, I investigated the idea of Jennifer Lawrence playing Squeaky,” he said. “So she read it, and afterward we talked about it a little bit... something didn’t work out... But she’s a very nice person, and I respect her as an actress,” he said.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood won three Golden Globes and two Oscars after its release in 2019.

 

 

 


Green Day to Open 60th Super Bowl with Anniversary Ceremony Celebrating Generations of MVPs

Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs during the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Indio, Calif. (AP)
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs during the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Indio, Calif. (AP)
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Green Day to Open 60th Super Bowl with Anniversary Ceremony Celebrating Generations of MVPs

Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs during the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Indio, Calif. (AP)
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs during the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Indio, Calif. (AP)

The NFL is marking the 60th anniversary of the Super Bowl with a hometown opening act.

Green Day will kick off the big game with an opening ceremony Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the league announced Sunday. The performance will celebrate six decades of the championship's history, with the band helping usher generations of Super Bowl MVPs onto the field.

The trio, who formed in the East Bay subregion of the San Francisco Bay Area and are made up of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool, are expected to perform a selection of their best-known anthems as part of the tribute.

“We are super hyped to open Super Bowl 60 right in our backyard!” lead singer Armstrong said. “We are honored to welcome the MVPs who’ve shaped the game and open the night for fans all over the world. Let’s have fun! Let’s get loud!”

“Celebrating 60 years of Super Bowl history with Green Day as a hometown band, while honoring the NFL legends who’ve helped define this sport, is an incredibly powerful way to kick off Super Bowl LX,” said Tim Tubito, the league's senior director of event and game presentation. “As we work alongside NBC Sports for this opening ceremony, we look forward to creating a collective celebration for fans in the stadium and around the world.”

The opening ceremony will take place ahead of the pregame entertainment, in which Charlie Puth is to perform the national anthem, Brandi Carlile will sing “America the Beautiful” and Coco Jones will deliver “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”