When it comes to storytelling, some tales quite simply lend themselves better to the screen. Often the best films and TV shows are based in pre-existing visual media. But it takes more than a simple storyboard to guarantee television success.
Yes, in order to acquire and maintain a loyal fan base, a story must have heart — something Prime Video is counting on to drive its newest action thriller “Butterfly” into homes across North America when it lands on the streamer this summer.
Premiering Wednesday, Aug. 13, on the Amazon-owned platform, “Butterfly” is a six-episode series based on the Boom! Studios graphic novel series of the same name written by Arash Amel and Marguerite Bennett and illustrated by Antonio Fuso and Stefano Simeone. Delving deep into the complex nature of parent-child relationships and the intricacies tied to personal identity, “Butterfly” stars Daniel Dae Kim (“Hawaii Five-0”) — in his first leading television role — and Reina Hardesty (“It’s What’s Inside,” 2024) as two intelligence agents whose paths cross when they uncover their shared past.
“’Butterfly’ is a character-driven spy thriller that explores complex family dynamics within the treacherous world of global
second chance in ‘Butterfly’
espionage,” reads the official description as provided by Amazon Studios. “It’s centered on David Jung (Kim), an enigmatic, highly unpredictable former U.S. intelligence operative living in South Korea, whose life is blown to pieces when the consequences of an impossible decision from his past come back to haunt him, and he finds himself pursued by Rebecca (Hardesty), a deadly, sociopathic young agent assigned to kill him, and Caddis, the sinister spy organization she works for.”
When, per the trailer, David acknowledges that he faked his own death and led Rebecca to believe him dead for the past 20 years, the father-daughter duo must face the impact of David’s past decisions and try to heal their strained relationship while also outrunning Juno (Piper Perabo, “Coyote Ugly,” 2000), a “brilliant, formidable, Machiavellian woman” (per Variety) who was once a successful lawyer before she came “to the conclusion that she needs power and money to get anything done in this world.” Now a fierce, protective mother and the high-powered CEO of an intelligence agency, Juno “will often tamp down [her vulnerabilities] when they conflict with her goals.”
The series adaptation comes from showrunner Ken Woodruff, who previously worked on “Gotham,” “La Brea” and “The Mentalist” among other projects, and Korean American author Steph Cha, who wrote the tense 2019 sociopolitical drama “Your House Will Pay: A Novel,” set during the 1992 human rights riots in Los Angeles. And although “Butterfly” is based primarily in South Korea rather than stateside, like her novel, Cha’s respected commentary on race politics and deep interpersonal relations remains at the heart of the series and its production.
Releasing all six episodes on the show’s premiere, “Butterfly” also stars Kim Ji-hoon (“Jang Bo Ri Is Here”), Kim Tae-hee (“Jang Ok-jung, Living By Love”), Lee Il-hwa (“Good Manager”), Sung Dong-il (“It’s Okay, That’s Love”), Sean Dulake (“Athena: Goddess of War”), Seoyeon Jang (“Good Partner”) and SAG Award-nominated actor Charles Parnell (“Barry”) as Sen. George Dawson.
Don’t miss the opportunity to pit nature against nurture when worlds collide in “Butterfly,” coming to Prime Video Wednesday, Aug. 13, with all six episodes.
Horoscopes
ARIES
Your determination will help you achieve your goals. It’s important to feel comfortable in your professional environment if you want to thrive. Taking a moment to reconsider your situation could bring positive changes. Expect your partner to shower you with attention, making way for romantic moments.
TAURUS
A large-scale event will bring many people together. As an artist, your imagination will help you create something truly exceptional. Trust your instincts; they’ll guide you to make wise choices.
GEMINI
Time will be of the essence this week. You’ll need to organize rigorously to meet all your commitments. Remember to carve out some time for yourself to unwind and recharge. Use this break to reconnect with old friends and strengthen those valuable relationships.
CANCER
Before the end of summer, treat yourself to a well-deserved vacation. Pay close attention to the smallest of details, especially for important projects or work. A party—most likely thrown for you—will give you the chance to relax and have fun.
LEO
You may feel oversensitive this week, which could cause you to go overboard. Keep an eye on your finances to avoid making impulsive purchases. Treat yourself to something you truly enjoy but remember to practice moderation.
VIRGO
You may get a promotion, which will prompt you to upgrade your wardrobe to match your new role. Investing in your appearance will enhance both your professional and personal image, helping you make a strong impression.
LIBRA
You’ll juggle several urgent tasks at work. Fortunately, your hard work will be rewarded with a significant promotion. In your personal life, a new romance may blossom. You may even go so far as to start considering a life together.
SCORPIO
Embrace your perfectionistic nature to create remarkable masterpieces. Your patience and wisdom will pay off at work, as well as in your romantic life, deepening your relationship.
SAGITTARIUS
You’ll spend part of the week at home, possibly due to a unique situation. You’ll have to shoulder several responsibilities, especially if you have young children. If you’re single, an unexpected encounter could surprise you.
CAPRICORN
Prepare for more travel than you anticipated this week, and things may take longer than expected. Accept invitations from friends and family; it’s important to unwind. A real estate deal may turn out to be quite beneficial.
AQUARIUS
You’ll find solutions to a persistent financial issue. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice from professionals and friends. You’ll receive approval to fund a project that means a lot to you.
PISCES
You’ll seize every opportunity to treat yourself this week. You might offer financial help to a friend in need. A work project promises to enrich your life. However, don’t forget to rest and manage your energy.
New Streaming Movies & Shows
“Butterfly”
- Season 1 (Aug. 13)
A character-driven spy thriller, this series explores complex family dynamics within the treacherous world of global espionage. David Jung (Daniel Dae Kim) an enigmatic, highly unpredictable former US intelligence operative living in South Korea, whose life is blown to pieces when the consequences of an impossible decision from his past comes back to haunt him. David finds himself pursued by Rebecca (Reina Hardesty), a deadly, sociopathic young agent assigned to kill him.
Word Search
“Alien: Earth” (Aug. 12)
Based on the “Alien” movie franchise, this sci-fi series is set on Earth in 2120, two years before the events of “Alien” (1979). The series follows Wendy (Sydney Chandler), a hybrid robot, as she leads a team of tactical soldiers to a crashed spaceship on Earth, putting them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat. From writerdirector Noah Hawley, the cast includes Samuel Blenkin, Essie Davis, Timothy Olyphant, David Rysdahl, Kit Young, Babou Ceesay and Adarsh Gourav.
Where all the top choices can be found in one place!
“Fixed” (Aug. 13)
From visionary director Genndy Tartakovsky comes this adult animated comedy about Bull, an average, all-around good dog who discovers he’s going to be neutered in the morning. As the gravity of this life-altering event sets in, Bull realizes he needs one last adventure with his pack of best friends. Adam Devine, Kathryn Hahn, Idris Elba, Kari Wahlgren, Fred Armisen, Eric Bauza and Bobby Moynihan voice star.
BY JAY BOBBIN
“Iron Man and His Awesome Friends” - Season 1 (Aug. 12)
With Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) at the helm, this animated series follows Stark and his super genius best friends — Riri Williams and Amadeus Cho — as they work together to solve problems plaguing their city, tackling issues big and small. To save the day, the Iron Friends don their superpowered Iron Suits, which grant them super-strength and the ability to fly high above even the tallest skyscrapers.
Q: Is Michael Crichton writing all of the new Jurassic Park movies, or is his name just attached because he wrote the original?
A: Sadly, best-selling novelist and visionary screenwriter Michael Crichton, the mind behind several smash-hit films and TV shows, died of cancer in 2008. So, he wasn’t around to see the huge revival of his best-known franchise. You’re right that he was credited as a writer for “Jurassic World” (2015) and its smash-hit sequels, including this year’s “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” but that’s only because he created the characters and the universe. He got a similar, posthumous credit in 2024’s “Twisters,” the long-awaited sequel to his 1996 hit “Twister.” Unlike the Jurassic films, “Twister” wasn’t based on a book; Crichton wrote it as a screenplay, along with producing the original film.
“Psycho”
BY JAY BOBBIN
still delivers the chills
Alfred Hitchcock generated many iconic scenes during his filmmaking career, and “Psycho” has an abundance of them.
Being presented by Turner Classic Movies on Friday, Aug. 15 — as part of a “Summer Under the Stars” day paying tribute to Janet Leigh — the 1960 thriller is legendary to have inspired a shot-for-shot 1998 remake. Some may question the need for that second version, particularly given how enduring the original one remains, with sequences famous enough for most movie fans to be able to identify which film they’re from within the first five seconds (if it even takes that long).
In screenwriter Joseph Stefano’s adaptation of Robert Bloch’s novel, Leigh plays Marion Crane, an embezzler who flees with stolen money that she hopes will facilitate her intended marriage to her financially troubled boyfriend (John Gavin). Bad weather causes her to stop along the way and seek shelter in the foreboding Bates Motel, where jittery proprietor Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins, in his career-defining role) reveals much about himself — including his mother fixation — when Marion accepts his dinner invitation. After they eat, Marion decides to take a shower — and anyone who has even the slightest knowledge of screen history knows what happens next. In fact, Hitchcock tried to maintain the shock and surprise by dictating to theater owners that no audience members
could enter late during a showing of the movie. For 65 years, the combination of the camera angles, the editing and Bernard Herrmann’s music have kept that shower scene one of the best-known moments ever committed to film.
In the aftermath of what happens, Marion’s boyfriend and sister (Vera Miles) launch an investigation, as does a private detective (Martin Balsam) hired to find the stolen cash. As they all question Norman, they suspect something is amiss — and are they ever right. Things only get more bizarre from there, with the overall result giving Hitchcock one of the high marks of his celebrated body of work.
So much of “Psycho” has been referenced over the years; sometimes by applying its trademarks to intentionally comical effect, which might make them seem like stereotypical tropes rather than genuine scares now. However, it’s worth thinking back to how they originally impacted moviegoers at that time. There really had been nothing like it before that time, making what it offered fresh — and frequently jolting.
Hitchcock made only a relative handful of movies afterward, with “The Birds” (1963) arguably being the most celebrated, but “Psycho” was a tough act to follow. With a legacy that extends to several Perkins-starring sequels and a “Bates Motel” television series, it remains a milestone of horror — and that isn’t likely to change as more years pass.
Best ALIEN MOVIES MOVIES
BY JAY BOBBIN
“The Thing From Another World” (1951): Before he became “Gunsmoke’s” Marshal Matt Dillon on television, James Arness made quite an impression as the title alien who poses trouble for the staff of an Arctic military outpost.
“The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951): Though Klaatu (Michael Rennie) seems rather human as he visits Earth to warn it to stop waging war, his towering, robot-like companion Gort (Lock Martin) is a lot scarier and deadlier.
“The War of the Worlds” (1953): Largely hidden in their spacecraft as they target Earth, the invaders in this version of the H.G. Wells tale also make their presence known by their tentacles toward the end of the story.
“This Island Earth” (1955): One of the most striking-looking aliens in screen history is a major character in this saga of earthlings drawn into an interplanetary war.
“Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (1956): Much of the great psychological conceit of this classic is that the aliens overtake human bodies, making the enemies look just like the people next door.
“Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977): Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster offers a very creative view of friendly aliens as Richard Dreyfuss’s character boards the mother ship in the film’s climax.
“Alien” (1979): With the related FX series “Alien: Earth” premiering Tuesday, Aug. 12, director Ridley Scott’s franchise-launching sci-fi tale boasts one of the most memorable aliens in screen history — even in its relative infancy, when it gets way too close to a spaceship crew member played by John Hurt.
“E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” (1982): One of the most famous and most lovable aliens in screen history is the title star of Steven Spielberg’s marvelously affecting fantasy. The John Williams score earned one of the picture’s four Oscars.
“Starman” (1984): Jeff Bridges — who earned an Oscar nomination for the performance — is quite effective in this John Carpenter-directed tale as an alien who assumes the image of a human, a young widow’s (Karen Allen) late husband.
“Aliens” (1986): The aliens are bigger and badder in this “Alien” sequel directed by James Cameron, particularly the one that returning astronaut Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) has a climactic battle with.
“Predator” (1987): A rescue mission by paramilitary officers, led by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character, is jeopardized by the camouflage-capable alien (Kevin Peter Hall) they encounter in a jungle, “Independence Day” (1996): The pilot played by Will Smith memorably shows one unwelcome alien a very earthly form of fighting in this actionfantasy hit.
“Mars Attacks!” (1996): Inspired by a trading-card series, director Tim Burton’s horror-comedy is packed with stars from Jack Nicholson to Sarah Jessica Parker — and also with aliens whose design is based on a classic extraterrestrial look.
Culture club: Step inside
Atlanta’s
Magic City during new docuseries
Enter, chestburster: Invasive creatures make a crash landing in ‘Alien: Earth’
BY DANA SIMPSON
Before the events of the 1979 film “Alien” terrorized the crew of the USCSS Nostromo mid-journey back to Earth, the blue planet was also invaded by threatening life-forms. “Alien: Earth,” the new prequel series premiering on FX and Hulu Tuesday, August 12, explores the response to a mysterious ship’s crash landing into Prodigy City. In the year 2120, the world is reigned over by a handful of corporations that crave constant technological advancement. One of them, Prodigy Corporation, is responsible for the latest leap in human-tech fusion. Cyborgs and synthetics already populate the earth and live among humans, but Prodigy is ready to unleash their prototype hybrids — immortal humanoid robots uploaded with a real human’s consciousness — into the world when the crash requires a special team to execute a recovery mission.
Wendy, portrayed by Sydney Chandler (“Sugar”), is the first hybrid child of Prodigy CEO Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin, “Mary & George”). The
first class of hybrids, nicknamed “The Lost Boys” by Kavalier, was made possible with the contributions of terminally ill children who agreed to donate their consciousness to the cause, a bleak picture of life in Earth’s corporate era. Kavalier’s right-hand man, Atom Eins (Adrian Edmondson, “3 Body Problem”), serves to deliver his boss’ desires, no matter the human cost.
“Alien: Earth” also stars Timothy Olyphant (“Justified: City Primeval”) as Wendy’s synthetic trainer Kirsh and Alex Lawther (“Andor”) and Diem Camille (“The Wheel of Time”) as human soldiers CJ and Siberian. Essie Davis (“The Narrow Road to the Deep North”) stars as Dame Silvia, Wendy’s human mother figure. David Rysdahl (“Fargo”) is Dame’s husband Arthur Silvia, who develops conflicted feelings about his participation in the creation of the hybrids.
Portraying the synthetics and cyborgs are Adarsh Gourav (“Guns & Gulaabs”) as Slightly, Kit Young (“Shadow and Bone”) as Tootles, Babou Ceesay (“We Hunt Together”) as Morrow, Jonathan Ajayi (“Vigil”) as Smee, Erana James (“The Wilds”) as Curly and Lily Newmark (“A Gentleman in Moscow”) as Nibs.
As a voice-over states in the series’ official trailer, five life-forms were collected by the crashed ship on its extraterrestrial ventures, and it is unknown how dangerous those creatures are. What is clear is that Kavalier wants them. Wendy steps up to lead the mission on behalf of herself and Kavalier’s synthetics, saying, “We can do it. We’re fast. We’re strong. We don’t break.”
“Alien: Earth” comes from showrunner Noah Hawley, who also helmed the TV adaptation and continuation of the 1996 Coen brothers film, “Fargo.” Hawley spoke to Vanity Fair about working on the series in the midst of a global debate over the ethics of artificial intelligence, saying, “in the last 18 months, it’s become the issue of the moment. I think we’re all trying to figure it out: Can you trust it? Can you talk to it? Why is it lying to me?”
View from the Couch
BY JAY BOBBIN
“THE ACCOUNTANT 2”
Star and producer Ben Affleck, director Gavin O’Connor and writer Bill Dubuque reunite for a further adventure of Christian Wolff (Affleck), the uniquely skilled and extremely logical problem-solver who’s drawn into the investigation of the murder of someone he knew (J. K. Simmons, reprising his role from the first film). To help, Wolff draws his hired-killer brother (Jon Bernthal, also returning from the original 2018 film) into the probe, and as they work with a U.S. Treasury official (Cynthia Addai-Robinson, back from the first movie as well), they find themselves targeted for elimination as well. While plenty of stars are reprising their roles from the first movie, Daniella Pineda (“Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom”) is a new addition to the cast. More-
over, Affleck’s pal Matt Damon was among the executive producers here. A third film in the franchise is being planned, with Anna Kendrick reportedly intending to return from the first movie as well. *** (R: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD)
“1923: SEASON TWO”
Eight episodes long (same as the first season), the second and final round of the Taylor Sheridan-created and –produced Paramount+ prequel to “Yellowstone” and sequel to “1883” returns with Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford back in the roles of Cara and Jacob Dutton, who have to deal with a financial crisis at home as the saga resumes with the Great Depression looming. Other family members are elsewhere, with Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) aboard a ship on a voyage that is quite eventful for him and Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) back in England and mourning her being apart from Spencer. Jerome Flynn, Darren Mann, Isabel May (the narrator of the series), Brian Geraghty, Michelle Randolph and Timothy Dalton also continue their roles, with Jennifer Carpenter (“Dexter”) joining the show as a federal marshal. Gilles Marini, C. Thomas Howell, Janet Montgomery and Virginia Gardner have recurring parts. *** (Not rated: AS, V) (Also on Blu-ray)
“CAREGIVING”
Bradley Cooper, who has personal experience with the title subject, is an executive producer
Enter a world of seduction, musicality and magic with the all-new docuseries “Magic City: An American Fantasy,” premiering Friday, Aug. 15, on Starz immediately following the Season 4 finale of “BMF.”
Known as the hangout of the notorious drug gang BMF, a breeding ground for hip-hop superstars and the stage for former Georgia Gov. Stacey Abrams’ “get out the vote” announcement in 2020, Magic City, a prominent strip club operating in Atlanta, has become a cornerstone for Black culture over the past 40 years.
“Although the club continues to serve as a meeting place where the worlds of politics, music and sports converge,” reads a series description, “the true story of its rise to fame has long remained a mystery — until now.”
Created by journalist Cole Brown, this five-part docuseries, per its logline, “takes viewers on a wild and unexpected ride detailing the legendary club’s storied history as a cultural hub in Atlanta,” following Magic City’s rise “from a local attraction to a cultural powerbroker.”
Celebrities such as 2 Chainz (“Mercy”), Nelly (“Hot In Herre”), Shaquille O’Neal (Steel,” 1997), Quavo (“Open It Up”), Killer Mike (“Legend Has It”) and Outkast (“Hey
of this recently televised PBS documentary. As indicated by the title, the two-hour program — which is narrated by multiple Primetime Emmy winner Uzo Aduba (“Orange Is the New Black”) — profiles a number of people who are among those tending to ill loved ones. The balance they endeavor to strike between obligations to their own immediate families and the care they give to others gets ample consideration, with Cooper discussing how he took time away from his acting-filmmaking career to tend to his father, who was diagnosed with lung cancer. Similarly, Aduba notes how she was deeply involved in the care of her mother during the latter’s experience with pancreatic cancer. A history of the American health-care system, in regard to its relation to caregiving, is included.
*** (Not rated: AS)
“MEET THE PARENTS”
With another sequel currently in the works (adding Ariana Grande to the group of actors), this popular, franchise-launching comedy gets the 4K Ultra HD treatment for its 25th anniversary. Ben Stiller plays a male nurse who seeks the blessing of his girlfriend’s (Teri Polo) father (Robert De Niro) before he proposes to her, and the couple’s related trip to another family member’s wedding is fraught with mishaps and complications. Particularly problematic is her dad’s skepticism about Stiller’s character, something that comes naturally since the elder man is a former CIA operative.
When the intended bride’s former fiance (Owen Wilson) shows up at the wedding, the hurdles just keep mounting. Director Jay Roach’s cast also includes Blythe Danner, James Rebhorn and former Miss America and sportscaster Phyllis George.
*** (PG-13: AS, P) (Also on DVD and Blu-ray)
“SAVE THE TIGER”
After earning an Oscar as best supporting actor for “Mister Roberts” (1955), Jack Lemmon got to accept the award again when he was named best actor for this 1973 drama, now making its Blu-ray debut. Directed by John G. Avildsen (“Rocky”), the film casts Lemmon as a clothing executive whose company is struggling financially, a situation that comes to a head for him and his partner (Jack Gilford, also an Academy Award nominee here) as they prepare to unveil a new fashion line. Also haunted by memories of his military duty, Lemmon’s character then starts to consider hiring an arsonist to destroy the firm’s factory, with an eye toward collecting the insurance money afterward. Later Daytime Emmy recipient Laurie Heineman (“Another World”) appears as a young hitchhiker with whom Lemmon’s alter ego has several encounters. Steve Shagan’s screenplay earned another Oscar nomination for the picture. *** (R: AS, N, P) (Also on DVD)
“GHOSTS OF MARS”
Writer-director John Carpenter’s 2001 sci-fi saga returns to home video with a 4K Ultra HD Steelbook
Ya!”) member Big Boi — all patrons of the club, at one time or another — share their firsthand experiences in exclusive interviews, offering a glimpse into the one-of-a-kind world of Magic City, alongside many of the women who worked at the club.
Kathryn Busby, president of Original Programming at Starz, says, “‘Magic City: An American Fantasy’ is a riveting behind-the-curtain look at one of the most unique places in Black culture. The docuseries’ unprecedented insider access and history unveiled from those who built its empire is a perfect complement to Starz’s slate of adult, culture-driving shows.”
Produced by Scheme Engine — a BIPOC-owned studio highlighting minority representation — alongside Drake’s (“Hotline Bling”) DreamCrew Entertainment, with Jermaine Dupri (“Bad Boys,” 1995), Jami Gertz (“The Neighbors”), Devin Amar (“Romeo Santos: King of Bachata,” 2021) and Alex Kaplan (“Mental Health Action Day: Live on KNEKT tv!,” 2021) serving as executive producers, “Magic City: An American Fantasy” comes from showrunner Bayan Joonam (“QAnon: The Search for Q”) and director Charles Todd (“Memes & Nightmares,” 2024), and premieres Friday, Aug. 15, on Starz.
edition. The film pits law enforcement on 22nd-century Mars against miners who have been possessed by the spirits of the planet’s original dwellers. The story unfolds largely through flashbacks as one of the police officers (Natasha Henstridge) testifies about the ultimately lethal mission to bring back a felon (Ice Cube) from a colony that has been overtaken by literal ghosts from the then-past. Jason Statham, Clea DuVall, Pam Grier, Joanna Cassidy, Rodney A. Grant, Robert Carradine and Rex Linn (“Happy’s Place”) also are featured in the picture, in which New Mexico doubles for the “red planet.” Carpenter’s “Prince of Darkness” (1987) also is newly available in a 4K Ultra HD Steelbook version. *** (R: AS, P, GV) (Also on DVD and Blu-ray)
