What to watch and listen to this weekend from Ryan Gosling's 'Fall Guy' to new Dua Lipa
Now that we've gotten all the "It's gonna be May" memes out of the way (hopefully), it's time to start making the most of a busy time. Because even in the first weekend of the month, things are getting real.
New Ryan Gosling movie? Check. New Dua Lipa songs? Check. The two geekiest holidays of the year, on the same day? Check and check. There's a lot to experience in films, TV, books and music, and that's what we specialize in: telling fans what's good and what's worth their time.
Here's what you need to put your Big Entertainment Energy toward this weekend:
Watch Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt in the highly enjoyable 'The Fall Guy'
As a little Lee Majors fan back in the 1980s, the action-packed TV show "The Fall Guy" was my jam – as much as "The A-Team" or "Knight Rider." What's not to love about a Hollywood stuntman working as a bounty hunter on the side and driving a cool truck? (Fun fact: Joaquin Phoenix appeared in one 1984 episode as "Kid.") I'm happy to report that the new "Fall Guy" movie (in theaters now) has bigger stunts, more fun but with the same charm, and Ryan Gosling nicely follows up his "Barbie" role with one that, in its own way, is even more impressive. Check out my ★★★-star review.
One of our LA peeps, KiMi Robinson, got some face time with Gosling and Blunt for an interview, where the erstwhile Ken tells a story about how he "blacked out" doing a scene with a 12-story fall and had to wear sunglasses because "you could see the fear in my eyes."
Stream 'Hacks' on Max (but maybe not 'A Man in Full')
The Shania Twain hive will get a kick out of the new Netflix series "A Man in Full" (streaming now) as she shows up (as herself) in the opening scene singing opposite star Jeff Daniels' larger-than-life Atlanta real estate mogul character. "He's the star of his own show," Daniels told my colleague Bryan Alexander in a new interview. But our TV critic Kelly Lawler didn't care for the series based on the Tom Wolfe book, saying Daniels "slathers" his Southern-fried accent on his performance "like too much gravy on biscuits." (Can you have too much gravy on biscuits, though? I digress.)
Kelly was more excited by Season 3 of the acclaimed "Hacks" (now streaming on Max), which centers on an aging comedienne (Jean Smart) and her young writer (Hannah Einbinder). In her review, Kelly writes that "Hacks" bounces back from a lackluster second season for "a smart, hollering good time of comedy about comedy." Our Erin Jensen had a Texas breakfast with the show's two stars, and Einbinder talked about how the white chocolate coconut bundt cake that Tom Cruise sends to his famous friends shows up in the season premiere: “The cake itself is incredible. The (icing) itself is incredible. I think it goes a step too far with the white chocolate chips.”
Celebrate Star Wars Day and/or Free Comic Book Day
It's like a total eclipse of the nerdy: Star Wars Day and Free Comic Book Day are both on Saturday this year. I've got a rundown for everything you'll want to do to celebrate Star Wars Day, from watching the movies on Disney+ to buying a loved one (or yourself) a super-nifty Lego TIE Interceptor. But if you're looking to get out of the house, "The Phantom Menace" is back in theaters for a 25th-anniversary re-release. And if you're really bold, there's a mega-marathon of the nine-film Skywalker saga on Friday night at participating theaters.
Don't forget to also participate in Free Comic Book Day, especially those who love DC and Marvel superhero movies. Find a comic shop near you and go get some books gratis. (Be sure to actually buy something, too, and support a local business!)
Groove to Dua Lipa's new album 'Radical Optimism'
All hail our disco diva! If I'm not listening to 1980s favorites or the occasional power metal band on Spotify, I'm kicking it to Dua Lipa. What can I say, "Physical" gets my head bopping and "Dance the Night" was robbed of an Oscar nomination. Her latest effort "Radical Optimism" is out now: I haven't checked it out yet (being not cool enough to hear it early) but "Training Season" is a certified Brian banger? and music critic Melissa Ruggieri was an early champion of the single "Houdini," describing it as "a flirty, dance-y collision of psychedelic pop and a groove that goes straight to your veins." (Lipa is also the host and musical guest of "Saturday Night Live" this week if you're into that.)
Even more goodness to check out:
I talked with Jerry Seinfeld about his new Netflix Pop-Tarts movie . (Spoiler alert: He was a hoot.)
"Welcome to Wrexham" is back with a third season, and Ryan Reynolds chatted with us about owning an English soccer team: "We are pushing as hard as humanly possible for this club to get as far as possible in this sport."
Are you a smartypants? The "Jeopardy Masters" tournament is in full gear.
Johnny Depp is back in theaters as King Louis XV. Whether you should care is another story. (Specifically this one.)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Things to do this weekend: New Dua Lipa, plus a Ryan Gosling movie
