Current:Home > StocksOliver James Montgomery-What to watch and read this weekend from Zendaya's 'Challengers' movie to new Emily Henry -WealthRoots Academy
Oliver James Montgomery-What to watch and read this weekend from Zendaya's 'Challengers' movie to new Emily Henry
Robert Brown View
Date:2025-04-08 13:30:34
This weekend,Oliver James Montgomery the sports world cares most about basketball (NBA playoffs!), hockey (NHL playoffs!) and football (NFL Draft!). But movie fans? They're all about tennis. Hot, saucy, sweaty, slow-motion tennis.
The new Zendaya sports movie/romantic drama "Challengers" is in theaters this weekend, one of many things you should put on your pop culture to-do list. As summer gets closer, there are all sorts of diversions in films, TV shows, books and music, and that's what we specialize in: telling fans what's good and what's worth their time. Because there's more to life than just watching reels and memes. (I've seen some. You're not missing anything!)
Here's what you need to put your Big Entertainment Energy toward this weekend:
At the movies: Zendaya's tennis movie 'Challengers' has definitely got game
I know what you're thinking: Tennis movie? Meh – perhaps mid at best. But "Call Me By Your Name" director Luca Guadagnino serves up the rather steamy and engaging "Challengers," which stars Zendaya as a teen prodigy (of the Venus and Serena variety) who befriends a pair of doubles partners (Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor) and they have a three-way makeout session one night before a big match. The movie unfurls how that alters all three of their lives over the next 13 years, leading to an enjoyably tense, busted racket-filled climax. Even those who aren't into tennis or one of its adjacents – pickleball, ping-pong, badminton, etc. – should give it a spin. For more, read my ★★★ review.
Stream 'Baby Reindeer,' 'Dead Boy Detectives' and 'Them: The Scare'
Curious about Netflix's buzzy new hit "Baby Reindeer"? Our TV critic Kelly Lawler writes how the drama about a wannabe comedian stalked by a middle-aged woman is actually based on a true story experienced by star and creator Richard Gadd.
For those into horror and fantasy, there are two solid new series to stream this weekend: The fantastical "Dead Boy Detectives" (now on Netflix), based on the comic book series spun off from the "Sandman" universe, teams the ghosts of two young men (George Rexstew and Jayden Revri) with a living woman (Kassius Nelson) to solve supernatural crimes and dole out some metaphysical justice. And for those passionate about horror and the 1990s, the anthology series "Them: The Scare" (now on Prime Video) stars Deborah Ayorinde as a Black LAPD homicide detective investigating supernatural-flavored serial killings in the aftermath of the Rodney King beating. ("Them" also features "Foxy Brown" herself, Pam Grier, and I talked with her about her horror history.)
I didn't forget about the kids, though. "Knuckles" (streaming now on Paramount+) is a "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" spinoff with Idris Elba reprising his inimitable voice role as a ticked-off, deadpan anthropomorphic echidna warrior.
Read Emily Henry's 'Funny Story' for a freewheeling romance
I'm the first to admit, I'm not a millennial woman. (Middle-aged Gen Xer in the house!) Still, while not exactly her core audience, author Emily Henry's new rom-com "Funny Story" sounds like a pretty good tale: Children’s librarian Daphne moves to Lake Michigan to be with her fiancé Peter, he leaves her for his childhood best friend (what a jerkface!), and Daphne ends up moving in with the ex of Peter's new love. Check out Kelly Lawler's review – she calls it sweet, passionate, "deeply cathartic" and one of Henry's best.
Did you know Taylor Swift has a new album out?
Hah! Of course you do. (One billion Spotify streams can't be wrong.) I still haven't had a chance to fully immerse myself in TS' 31-track epic double album "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology" – your boy's still in his "Cowboy Carter" zone – but thankfully I have a bunch of cool colleagues who've been killing the Swift beat. Music critic Melissa Ruggieri's review hails "Tortured Poets" as "hauntingly brilliant," Bryan West deep-drives into all the important references in the album's tracks, Jay Stahl digs into the backlash surrounding her "I Hate It Here" lyrics, and David Oliver is here with his comprehensive ranking of (94!) Tay-tay lyrics.
Even more goodness to check out:
- If you're visiting Broadway, be sure to see a "staggering" Rachel McAdams in the new play "Mary Jane."
- There's a Beyoncé documentary coming! Check out a sneak peek at "Call Me Country."
- And for those needing an emotional pick-me-up, there's nothing that'll put a smile on your face faster than the curse-laden new trailer for Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine."
veryGood! (49)
Related
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- NATO’s secretary-general meets with Zelenskyy to discuss battlefield and ammunition needs in Ukraine
- Sean Payton's brash words come back to haunt Broncos coach in disastrous 0-3 start
- 2 bodies were found in a search for a pilot instructor and a student in a downed plane
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- A sus 22 años, este joven lidera uno de los distritos escolares más grandes de Arizona
- Previously unknown language found hidden in cultic ritual text of ancient tablets
- Little Big Town's Red Carpet Looks May Be Your Next Style Crush
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Indiana state comptroller Tera Klutz will resign in November after nearly 7 years in state post
Ranking
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- 4 environmental, human rights activists awarded ‘Alternative Nobel’ prizes
- Kia, Hyundai recall over 3.3 million vehicles for potential fire-related issues
- 6 women are rescued from a refrigerated truck in France after making distress call to a BBC reporter
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Menendez will address Senate colleagues about his bribery charges as calls for his resignation grow
- Lebanese police say US Embassy shooter was motivated by personal grudge against security guards
- TikTok says it regrets Indonesia’s decision to ban e-commerce sales on social media platforms
Recommendation
Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
Late-night TV is back: Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, more to return after writers strike
As thaw accelerates, Swiss glaciers lost 10% of their volume in the last 2 years, experts say
FAFSA's the main source of student aid but don't miss the CSS profile for a chance for more
North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
Cher accused of hiring four men to kidnap son Elijah Blue Allman, his estranged wife claims
Watch Ronald Acuna Jr.'s epic celebration as he becomes first member of MLB's 40-70 club
The Turkish government withdraws from a film festival after a documentary was reinstated