The It List: Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan show off Irish accents in 'Wild Mountain Thyme,' Mariah Carey launches her own cookie line, 'Crazy Rich Asians'-inspired reality series 'House of Ho' premieres and the best in pop culture the week of Dec. 7, 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. During the coronavirus pandemic, when most of us are staying at home, we’re going to spotlight things you can enjoy from your couch, whether solo or in small groups, and leave out the rest. With that in mind, here are our picks for Dec. 7-13, 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: Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan enjoy an Emerald Isle romance in Wild Mountain Thyme
The Irish folk tune, “Wild Mountain Thyme,” is performed twice during the course of John Patrick Shanley’s romantic drama… but it may not be music to the ears of Emerald Isle audiences. That’s because the stars of the film — Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan, who play neighbors and oft-thwarted lovers — have already been taken to task for their shaky Irish accents. Blunt, at least, has an excuse: She was born and raised in London, whereas Dornan hails from Northern Ireland, which has made his choice of cadence all the stranger to Twitter. (Not surprisingly, the award for Strangest Accent goes to the famously eccentric Christopher Walken.) Once you get past the actors’ accents, Thyme is a sweetly-told story about love denied and letting go of the past. It’s also got a scene-stealing supporting turn from the ever-charming Jon Hamm as a visiting American who stirs up non-accent related trouble. — Ethan Alter
Wild Mountain Thyme premieres Friday, Dec. 11 in theaters (visit Fandango for ticket and showtime information) and on demand including FandangoNOW and Redbox.
STREAM IT: The howlingly great animated feature WolfWalkers debuts on Apple TV+
Hand-drawn cartoons are an increasingly rare breed, so for that reason alone the beautifully-crafted WolfWalkers easily ranks as one of the year’s very best animated features. This exclusive clip from the movie, which premieres on Apple TV+ on Dec. 11, spotlights its sumptuous use of 2D imagery that echoes classic Disney cartoons, as well as medieval woodcarvings. Beyond the gorgeous style, co-directors Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart also craft a timely story about tolerance that has plenty of substance for kids and adults alike. (Make sure to check out Moore’s other Oscar-nominated animated films, The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea.) And when the credits roll, you can live this fairy tale again on the page courtesy of the WolfWakers graphic novel, with hand-drawn artwork inspired by the film. — E.A.
WolfWalkers premieres Friday, Dec. 11 on Apple TV+; the graphic novel is currently available on Amazon.
STREAM IT: Lennon’s Last Weekend chronicles the singer’s final days, and final interview, before his untimely death 40 years ago
Time stood still on December 8, 1980 when the world learned the shocking news that beloved musician, John Lennon, had been shot and killed outside his New York home. Days before his fatal encounter with Mark David Chapman, the singer sat down with BBC journalist Andy Peebles to record what became his final interview. That conversation is heard throughout Lennon’s Last Weekend, a new documentary premiering on BritBox that looks back on Lennon’s life, touching on his time with The Beatles before moving onto his solo career and much-analyzed marriage to Yoko Ono. This exclusive clip features a portion of Peebles’s interview where Ono herself takes the mic, and offers a window into their romance. “To me, he was just another Englishman,” she tells the journalist about their first meeting. “The first impression I got from him is he’s so handsome and sort of nice and intense.” — E.A.
Lennon’s Last Weekend premieres Tuesday, Dec. 8 on BritBox.
DRINK IT: Highland Park 18 Year Whisky is remarkably fitting for the holiday season
This single malt Scotch has a beautiful natural golden-brown color, reminiscent of the oak sherry cask in which it was aged. Notes of chocolate, cherries and fruit cake provide a natural warmth as you drink.
It would be a sin to add anything beyond ice cubes or water to this whisky. The balanced flavor of the 18 Year needs no accompaniment. As you sip, you’ll taste hints of raisin and dates. But most of all, the smoked honey taste will resonate on your tongue.
Once all the gifts are unwrapped, dinner is done and the kids are asleep, a glass of Highland Park 18 Year over ice is perfect for any parent looking to unwind.
Pair this Scotch with a classic film and something salty to snack on. Throw on Die Hard or a rerun of Ray Donovan, kick off your slippers and let the warm embrace of this high quality whisky lull you into a deep relaxation.
Experienced Scotch drinkers will recognize this malt as sweet, but an inexperienced palette might be alarmed by the taste of smoked peat. The Highland Park 18 Year Old Scotch packs a punch; its flavor is complex, yet recognizable; robust yet approachable.
The 18 Year Old makes a perfect addition to a whisky connoisseurs’ cabinet, but can also steal the show as a compliment to a Christmas meal. Simply drink this Scotch neat or on the rocks to feel the full effects of Highland Park 18 Year Old Viking Pride. — Jason Peters
Shop Highland Park 18 Year Scotch Whisky at drizly.com.
STREAM IT: Docusoap House of Ho brings the suds
With the Kardashians exiting reality TV in early 2021, the Ho family arrives to fill our need — yes, need in 2020 — for a family reality series that feels like a soap opera. The Hos, Binh and Hue, are Vietnamese immigrants who, in one generation, have built a multi-million dollar bank and real estate development company. Now living a lavish lifestyle in Houston with their adult children, including daughter Judy and sons Washington and Reagan, the narrative sounds somewhat like Succession. As dad prepares to retire, he wants his eldest son to prove to him that he’s ready to step up and lead. There’s another wrinkle, too, when Judy tries to get her parents to accept that she’s split from her spouse, which is a no-go for them. “It’s complicated being part of my family,” Judy says. “You’re like living in this life that is almost totally dependent on your parents.” In another scene, she breaks down in tears as she says of the fam, “Everything looks good from the outside, but the inside is just so hard.” Even Kim Kardashian couldn’t have said it better. — Raechal Shewfelt
House of Ho premieres Thursday, Dec. 10 on HBO Max.
STREAM IT: Enjoy a double dose of Meryl Streep with HBO Max’s Let Them All Talk and Netflix’s The Prom
In case it wasn’t already obvious, this week confirms that it’s Meryl Streep’s world and we just live in it. The acting icon appears in two high-profile streaming releases that once again showcase her legendary range. The HBO Max film, Let Them All Talk, re-teams Streep with celebrated auteur Steven Soderbergh, this time playing an eccentric novelist who embarks on a transatlantic voyage aboard the Queen Mary 2 with her nephew (Lucas Hedges) and two friends (Dianne Wiest and Candice Bergen) in tow. Over the course of their trip, certain secrets about their shared past bubble to the surface that change Streep’s understanding of her life and career. Her sharp and funny star turn is equally matched by Bergen’s cutting supporting performance, and the luxurious cruise ship surroundings feel positively exotic now.
Speaking of exotic, it’s not everyday that you get to see Meryl Streep… rapping. That’s a sight you’ll only be able to observe in The Prom, Ryan Murphy’s filmed version of the Tony-nominated Broadway musical for Netflix. Streep and James Corden play a pair of washed-up musical theater stars who head to small-town Indiana to help a gay high school student (Joe Ellen Pellman) who has been prohibited from attending prom. Additional singing and dancing is provided by an A-list supporting cast that includes Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington and Keegan-Michael Key. Mamma Mia, there Meryl goes again. — E.A.
Let Them All Talk premieres Thursday, Dec. 10 on HBO Max, and The Prom premieres Friday, Dec. 11 on Netflix.
WATCH IT: Trim up the tree with Christmas stuff like bingle balls and who-floof: The Grinch is on his way
Sure, he’s got termites in his smile and a heart that’s two sizes too small, but what would Christmas be without the Grinch — especially in 2020? NBC’s take on Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical! sees Glee alum Matthew Morrison filling the too-tight shoes of past Grinches Boris Karloff, Jim Carrey and Benedict Cumberbatch. In a year that’s been sadly short on theater, not even Morrison’s garish green get-up — roasted on Twitter like a Whoville beast dinner — can quell the demand for a festive holiday spectacular, especially with Tony winner Denis O’Hare in the mix as Max the dog. — Erin Donnelly
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical! airs Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. on NBC.
EAT IT: Take a bite out of one of Mariah's Cookies
All we want for Christmas is... one of Mariah Carey's cookies. The queen of Christmas is rightfully everywhere this holiday season, but she has a brand new venture — and it's a delectable one. The singer's cookie line, a partnership with Virtual Dining Concepts, is a delivery-only brand that can be dropped at your door — or sent as a gift — throughout the holidays and into 2021 by food delivery services Grubhub, UberEats, Postmates, Doordash and Seamless. There are a variety of classic flavors on the menu, like Chocolate Chunk, Spiced Oatmeal Raisin and Gingerbread, as well as funkier ones like Heath Bar and Lemon Cooler. But, frankly, we can't imagine you could go wrong with any flavor as they're all Mariah approved, dahling. — Suzy Byrne
Mariah's Cookies are available now coast to coast for online ordering.
STREAM IT: I’m Your Woman announces Rachel Brosnahan as a movie star, too
Rachel Brosnahan has become one of the most acclaimed actresses working on television thanks to her Emmy and Golden Globe-winning work on Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, which followed recurring roles on shows like House of Cards and The Blacklist. Though she’s dabbled in film before, Amazon’s new feature I’m Your Woman marks Brosnahan’s first major star turn — and the actress is reliably stellar as a 1970s housewife forced to go on the run with her baby after her husband disappears. The slow-burning and moody throwback thriller is also another impressive notch in the belt for rising writer-director and Yahoo Entertainment Game Changer Julia Hart (Fast Color, Stargirl), who co-penned the affecting story with husband/producer Jordan Horowitz. — Kevin Polowy
I’m Your Woman premieres Friday, Dec. 11 on on Amazon Prime Video.
WATCH IT: The Bee Gees’ love goes deep in new doc
The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart is a bittersweet watch, with two of the group’s founding brothers (as well as the youngest Gibb, fallen teen idol Andy) no long with us. But the magic of the Gibbs’ music stays alive in this Frank Marshall-directed documentary, which features unseen archival footage and poignant interviews with surviving eldest brother Barry — plus testimony from admirers ranging from Eric Clapton and Lulu, to Noel Gallagher and Chris Martin, to Nick Jonas, Justin Timberlake and Mark Ronson. — Lyndsey Parker
The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart premieres Saturday, Dec. 12 on HBO.
WATCH IT: Francis Ford Coppola gives the third Godfather a makeover for its 30th anniversary
The Godfather Part III will never be anyone’s favorite Godfather picture, even though — as we’ve argued in the past — it’s a better movie than its reputation suggests. And no one is more conscious of the film’s reputation than director Francis Ford Coppola, who has put together a re-edited version just in time for its 30th anniversary. While roughly the same length as its predecessor (and retaining all of Sofia Coppola’s controversial scenes), the new cut restructures the sprawling narrative to more equally emphasize its parallel strands: Michael Corleone’s attempts to put his criminal past behind him, and the corrupt new world he finds himself in when he becomes enmeshed in Vatican politics. It all builds to a still-gripping opera house finale that’s a worthy descendent of the original movie’s legendary climax. — E.A.
Mario Puzo’s The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone is available Tuesday, Dec. 8 on Amazon.
PLAY IT: Get comfy with Hasbro’s newest line of Disney Princess toys
If you can’t spend time with your extended squad this holiday season, at least you can squad up at home with the Disney Princesses. Hasbro’s Comfy Squad toy line adds new fashion dolls based on favorites like Tiana, Belle and Rapunzel as they appeared in the popular Wreck-It Ralph sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet. These princesses also have new playsets where they can hang. Kick back at the regal Comfy Squad Castle, which comes with 16 accessories and 6 pieces of furniture, or take a sweet ride with Cinderella’s Sweet Scooter and the Comfy Squad Sweet Truck. — E.A.Disney Princess Comfy Squad toys are available on Amazon.
HEAR IT: Perry Farrell satisfies your musical addiction
Farrell co-founded one of the 1990s’ most influential bands, Jane’s Addiction, and one of the most important musical festivals ever, Lollapalooza. But his legacy doesn’t start or end there — or even with his post-Jane’s ‘90s band, Porno for Pyros. The alt-rock iconoclast’s new 68-track boxed set, Perry Farrell – The Glitz; The Glamour, compiles lesser-heard songs from across his career, ranging from his early-‘80s post-punk band Psi Com to his more recent work with Satellite Party and the Kind Heaven Orchestra. New material includes a duet with rising L.A. garage-rock band Starcrawler on “Turn Over the World.” — L.P.
The Glitz; The Glamour by Perry Farrell is available on Amazon.
WATCH IT: Blade has never looked sharper
Half man, half immortal — and now fully remastered. In advance of the MCU’s upcoming reboot starring Mahershala Ali, the cinematic introduction to the fantasy world’s most badass vampire hunter, 1998’s Blade, gets the 4K Ultra HD treatment. Ali is a perfect casting choice, but revisiting this favorite just proves what sort of work he’ll have cut out for him filling out the inimitable Wesley Snipes’s leather and shades. Blu-ray features include commentary with Snipes, Stephen Dorff, director David S. Goyer and more as well as an isolated score with notes from composer Mark Isham. — K.P.
Blade 4K UHD is available on Amazon.
WATCH IT: Vivica A. Fox lights up A Christmas for Mary on OWN
Comedy movies about journalists — How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, 13 Going on 30 and the like — are usually very unrealistic, yes, but also a lot of fun. In this holiday-themed flick, the Kill Bill actress plays a magazine editor who’s offering a promotion to one of her employees, played by former Being Mary Jane actress Morgan Dixon, if the subordinate can wow her with a story by Dec. 25. Of course, the reporter finds herself a sweet love story to write about... and one of her own to live. None other than Jackée Harry plays her mom. A Christmas for Mary is the first of three original holiday movies that Oprah’s network is airing this year, with premieres set for the same day and time over the following two weeks. — R.S.
A Christmas for Mary premieres Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 9 p.m. on OWN.
HEAR IT: The Avalanches conjure a perfect star-studded storm
The sampledelic Australian electronic music pioneers took 16 years to follow up their epic debut album, but thankfully we only had to wait four years for their third — and it just might be their most epic yet. We Will Always Love You is a virtual avalanche of all-stars, with guests like Leon Bridges, Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, Tricky, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Karen O, the Smiths’ Johnny Marr, Neneh Cherry, Perry Farrell, MGMT, Blood Orange, Jamie xx, Vashti Bunyan, Denzel Curry, Cornelius, Kurt Vile, the Clash’s Mick Jones and many more. — L.P.
Will Always Love You by The Avalanches is available Friday, Dec. 11; download/stream it on Apple Music.
WATCH IT: Total Recall gets total 4K upgrade
It’s still hard to believe Arnold Schwarzenegger’s underrated actioner Total Recall came out 30 years ago... but remember how futuristic speaking to each other on remote video screens seemed in 1990? The Philip K. Dick-inspired, Paul Verhoeven-directed thriller about a man’s “virtual” vacation to Mars (or is it?) now gets the most up-to-date home video tech with a new 3-disc 4K Ultra HD version. Verhoeven oversaw the transfer to keep intact the integrity of the film’s innovative and Oscar-winning visual effects. Special features include a new making-of documentary as well as five new featurettes, plus previously released commentary from Schwarzenegger and Verhoeven. — K.P.
Total Recall 4K UHD is available on Amazon.
HEAR IT: Foxy Shazam relights the rock ‘n’ roll fire
The 12-legged Cincinnati rock ‘n’ roll machine — known for its gut-, genre- and leather-pants-seams-busting live shows — is back after a six-year hiatus, just when we really need them. Gonzo frontman Eric Nally, who you may recognize from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s bonkers “Downtown” single and video, brings his signature ridiculousness to Foxy’s comeback album Burn, with a rawk-star wail that’s equal parts Alison Moyet, Pee-wee Herman, Meat Loaf and that Little Caesar’s pizza-guy cartoon. — L.P.
Burn by Foxy Shazam is available Friday, Dec. 11 on Amazon.
— Video produced by Jon San and edited by John Santo
