The It List: 'Fantasy Island' gets a horror movie makeover, Bieber drops 'Changes,' Zo? Kravitz navigates modern love in 'High Fidelity' and the best in pop culture the week of Feb. 10, 2020
The It List is Yahoo’s weekly look at the best in pop culture, including movies, music, TV, streaming, games, books, podcasts and more. Here are our picks for Feb. 10-16, including the best deals we could find for each. (Yahoo Entertainment may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page.)
WATCH IT: Book a trip to an all-new, all-scary Fantasy Island
From The Addams Family to Charlie’s Angels, Hollywood has recently been struggling to create new feature film franchises out of vintage TV shows. The problem with that approach is that the younger audiences they’re chasing either don’t know or don’t care about those series. So the minds behind the big-screen Fantasy Island have come up with a novel approach: Instead of a faithful adaptation of the delightfully cheesy 1970s show, this new movie rebrands the premise as a horror movie. Produced by genre expert, Jason Blum, Fantasy Island features Michael Pe?a in Ricardo Montalbán’s old role as Mr. Roarke, the proprietor of the titular tropical isle where guests get to live out their wildest dreams. (Meanwhile, Roarke’s sidekick Tattoo — played by Hervé Jean-Pierre Villechaize — has been replaced by Parisa Fitz-Henley’s Julia, who still gets to deliver the signature catchphrase: “The plane!”) In this case, though, those dreams quickly turn into nightmares. Lucy Hale, Maggie Q, Jimmy O. Yang and Austin Stowell are among the visitors to the new Fantasy Island, and discover that survival hinges on living out their fantasies to the bitter, bloody end. If Fantasy Island winds up being a hit, don’t be surprised if Blumhouse launches a whole wave of TV show-based horror movies like Knight Rider in the vein of Maximum Overdrive or a Six Million Dollar Man that’s closer to Tetsuo: The Iron Man. — Ethan Alter
Fantasy Island opens in theaters on Friday, Feb. 14; visit Fandango for showtime and ticket information.
WATCH IT: Narcos: Mexico returns with a vengeance
The first season of this Narcos spinoff, following the Mexican drug cartels, ended with a cliffhanger. Now, audiences will see what happens as a DEA agent, played by Scoot McNairy, looks to avenge the death of one of the agency’s own in an increasingly volatile landscape. Showrunner Eric Newman explained to Entertainment Weekly that this new batch of episodes details the “acceleration into chaos” that followed the government becoming involved in the drug world and the fact that “rules kept getting rewritten.” — Raechal Shewfelt
The second season of Narcos: Mexico premieres Thursday, Feb. 13 on Netflix.
WATCH IT: Downhill puts American twist on Swedish favorite Force Majeure
Given the glow surrounding Parasite's big wins at the Oscars Sunday night, it might not be the best week to celebrate the American remake of a beloved foreign-language film. But believe us when we say Downhill is a more-than-worthy English spin on the 2014 Swedish favorite Force Majeure (and in fact, it was proposed by the original film's director, Ruben ?stlund). Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell make a dream pairing as parents whose European skiing vacation takes a nasty turn when Ferrell's hubby runs away from an avalanche about to crash into their resort, leaving his family in the (snow) dust. (Watch an exclusive clip from the movie above.) Written and directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash (The Descendants, The Way Way Back), Downhill has both big laughs and a lot of bite. — Kevin Polowy
Downhill opens in theaters on Friday, Feb. 14; visit Fandango for showtime and ticket information.
WATCH IT: Let’s hear it for To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You
This To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before sequel promises all the romantic fun of the original but a new plot. This time around it focuses on Lara Jean’s (Lana Condor) relationship with Peter (Noah Centineo), now that the two of them are a real couple. They run into a challenge when she receives a response to one of the love letters she sent out in the first movie. Staying in to watch this sure-to-be charming romance is the perfect way to celebrate love this week. — R.S.
To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You premieres Wednesday, Feb. 12 on Netflix.
WATCH IT: The 16-bit classic Sonic the Hedgehog races onto the big screen
Back in the ‘90s, Sonic the Hedgehog was in a very famous video game. But the Sega Genesis console could only contain this furry blue speed demon for so long. In the nearly three decades since his debut, Sonic has starred in TV shows, comic books, toys and board games. Now he’s making the jump to feature films with a live action adventure that’s hopefully closer in quality to the Mortal Kombat movie than Super Mario Bros. Actor and mango enthusiast, Jim Carrey, plays Sonic’s immortal enemy, Dr. Robotnik, while Ben “Jean-Ralphio” Schwartz provides the voice of the lightning-fast title character, who underwent a significant makeover on his way to the big screen. Originally slated for release in November, the movie was pushed back four months so that VFX artists could do a ground-up revamp of Sonic’s look. So far, the fans seem happy with his new appearance... especially in his Baby Sonic form. Baby Yoda who? — E.A.
Sonic the Hedgehog opens in theaters on Friday, Feb. 14; visit Fandango for showtime and ticket information.
HEAR IT: Justin Bieber is going through Changes
After a five-year recording hiatus and a very public battle with mental health and the media, the pop star rebounds with his fifth studio album, Changes, the follow-up to his Album of the Year Grammy nominee, Purpose. The record features guest spots from Julia Michaels and Kehlani and is accompanied by his YouTube docuseries Seasons, in which he opens up about his past drug addiction. — Lyndsey Parker
Download on iTunes; buy on CD at Amazon.
WATCH IT: A new spin on High Fidelity
The top five reasons to watch this new TV series based on the 2000 movie:
1. Zo? Kravitz, whose mom Lisa Bonet starred in the earlier flick, is the reboot series’ leading lady.
2. Kravitz replaces John Cusack’s character as the manager of a record store, which means plenty of retro pop culture references.
3. In this new version, just as in the old, Kravitz’s character revisits her past romances.
4. Nick Hornby, who wrote the book and the first movie version, is a writer.
5. The possibility of a Bonet cameo, at least maybe in the second season?
— R.S.
High Fidelity premieres Friday, Feb. 14 on Hulu.
WEAR IT: Fulfilled your Baby Yoda T-shirt needs Funko has
Looking for another way to profess your love for Baby Yoda? Put it on a T-shirt. Funko has four official Star Wars-themed shirts teed up for an April 15 release featuring the breakout star of The Mandalorian in a variety of adorable poses and settings. Whether you’re shopping for a wanted troublemaker, a champion sleeper or someone “small but mighty” that’s just too cute, Funko’s got you covered. Grateful for that, we are. — E.A.
Funko’s line of Baby Yoda T-shirts will be released on April 15 and can be pre-ordered on Amazon.
WATCH IT: Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield click in The Photograph
The ultimate no-brainer Valentine’s Day date night plan: a trip to the cineplex to see this heart-tugging rom-dram starring Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield. Though the two rising stars are typically known for quirkier fare (Insecure, Sorry to Bother You), Rae and Stanfield slip quite nicely into their romantic lead roles, playing, respectively, a photographer’s grieving daughter and the handsome journalist digging into her family history. Sparks fly, tears fall — you know the drill. — Erin Donnelly
The Photograph opens in theaters on Friday, Feb. 14; visit Fandango for showtime and ticket information.
HEAR IT: Start spreading the News, Huey Lewis back!
A 2018 diagnosis with the inner-ear disorder Meniere's disease may prevent Huey Lewis from ever performing again, but it’s not stopping the 69-year-old ‘80s hitmaker and his News from releasing Weather, their first full album of original material in almost 20 years. — L.P.
Download on iTunes buy on CD/vinyl at Amazon.
WATCH IT: The American Revolution comes to Fraser’s Ridge in Season 5 of Outlander
Jamie and Claire Fraser have seen their fair share of famous battles during the course of Outlander’s four seasons and their centuries-spanning romance. Season 5 puts them smack in the middle of one of the most consequential conflicts of all-time: the American Revolution. Based on The Fiery Cross — the fifth installment in Diana Gabaldon’s blockbuster book seres — this 12-episode season finds both generations of Frasers, Jamie and Claire and Brianna and Roger, finding their place in a New World that’s about to experience some new turbulence. With everyone choosing sides in the looming revolution, Roger is seriously considering taking Brianna and their newborn back through the time-traveling stones to the 20th century. You can bet that Jamie’s gonna have some strong feelings about that plan. — E.A.
Outlander Season 5 premieres Sunday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. on Starz.
WATCH IT: Zooey Deutch enters the wild world of debt collection in Buffaloed
It's about time Zooey Deutch starts getting more leading roles. The Why Him? and Zombieland: Double Tap scene-stealer plays a down-and-out hustler whose desperation to break out of poverty leads her into the dark and shady debt collection business in Buffalo, N.Y. — the nation's capital for said industry. (Watch an exclusive clip from the movie above.) Deutch is a force of nature as she crashes her way into a world of cologne and machismo in this raucous Brian Sacca-scripted, Tanya Wexler-directed indie crime-comedy that feels like it could be the American cousin of In Bruges. — K.P.
Buffaloed opens in theaters on Friday, Feb. 14; visit Fandango for showtime and ticket information.
HEAR IT: Monsta X marks the spot with ALL ABOUT LUV
Monster-selling K-pop boy band Monsta X’s bid for world domination continues apace with the release of their first all-English album, ALL ABOUT LUV, which features a guest from superstar rapper French Montana. — L.P.
Download on iTunes buy on CD/vinyl at Amazon.
BUY IT: Birds of Prey merchandise will fuel your Harley Quinn obsession
The latest superhero flick — a spinoff of Suicide Squad — is, of course, different because it’s a close-up not of Batman, Superman or Joker, but of Harley Quinn, Joker’s ex. Thankfully, though, like any other superhero flick, the Margot Robbie vehicle has inspired some cool merch. Clothing brands Rooster Teeth, Joyrich, FYE, and Torrid are all offering their own collections inspired by the movie. Shoppers of Hot Topic’s goods will find everything from a real-life take on Harley’s caution tape jacket to tattooed high-top sneakers. Of course, there’s a special set of Funko Pops, just for the release. — R.S.
Birds of Prey merchandise is in stores now.
WATCH IT: Survivor: Winners at War brings back classic Survivor players in an all-new game
Twenty years and 39 seasons ago, Survivor ushered in the reality television era. For its 40th edition, the grandfather of all modern-day reality competition series has assembled a cast of absolute winners. While the show’s very first victor — Richard Hatch — didn’t make the cut, the 20 selected players span the entirety of Survivor history, not to mention the globe from the Australian Outback to the Mamanuca Islands. But they’re coming back to a game that’s changed in some radical ways, necessitating new approaches to their tried and true strategies. Take three-time contestant, and one-time winner, Parvati Shallow who told Entertainment Weekly that she’s casting off the “flirt” label that others put on her. “I think I’m an easy target. I’m an easy person for everyone to point their guns at so that the guns aren’t pointing at them.” — E.A.
Survivor: Winners at War premieres Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. on CBS and CBS All Access.
READ IT: Get hooked on Judd Winick’s Hilo series with the release of sixth volume, All the Pieces Fit
Since 2015, comics writer/artist — and former Real World star — Judd Winick has been delighting kids and parents with his Hilo series of graphic novels following a super-powerful robot boy from another dimension, and his motley crew of terrestrial friends and alien allies. Imagine Calvin & Hobbes crossed with Mega Man with a healthy dash of Dexter’s Laboratory and you’ve got a sense of the general tone and propulsive narrative drive. The sixth installment, All the Pieces Fit, brings the current storyline to a close with the book’s regular mixture of all-ages humor and genuine heart. But Hilo’s not over yet! Book 7 is due in 2021, and will feature another hero taking center stage. There’s no time like the present for getting caught up. — E.A.
All six Hilo books are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
WATCH IT: Ford v Ferrari speeds onto home entertainment
"I got a Ford, I got a Ferrari, let me tell ya, it ain’t even close!" Chris Rock had one of the best jokes while roasting James Mangold's hit racing drama alongside Steve Martin at the Oscars Sunday, where the film won two of its four nominations (Best Editing and Best Sound Editing). But here's the thing — it really was close when Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and Ken Miles (Christian Bale) teamed up to design a Ford vehicle that could compete with the Italian sportscar giant at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France. And the racing scenes are breathtaking, but it's the poignant bond formed between Shelby and Miles that lends the film deep and unexpected emotional weight, making Ford v Ferrari a must-rent, buy or stream if you missed it on the big screen. — K.P.
Buy Ford v Ferrari on 4K, Blu-ray or DVD on Amazon.
HEAR IT: Tame Impala return in time for festival seasons
The groovy Aussie psych-rockers and 2019 Coachella headliners are back with The Slow Rush, their fourth album (and first since 2015). For collectors and completists, it’s available in four heavyweight double-disc vinyl formats: standard black, forest green, red/blue and splatter. Get out the lava lamps, tune in and chill out. — L.P.
