Mother vs. ‘Girlfriend’: Frances thriller series adaption debuts on screen
BY DANA SIMPSON
We’ve all heard phrases such as “mother knows best” and “a mother is a son’s first true love,” but what happens when these heartfelt and innocent sentiments are taken to the extreme? Worse yet, what if a mother spots her son in danger but is helpless to stop the inevitable from occurring?
These questions are at the heart of the unsettling new Prime Video limited series “The Girlfriend,” which premieres Wednesday, Sept. 10, on the Amazon-owned streaming service.
Based on Michelle Frances’ thrilling debut novel of the same name from 2017, “The Girlfriend” follows Laura (Robin Wright, “House of Cards”), a woman who seemingly has it all — from her glittering career, to her loving husband Howard (Waleed Zuaiter, “London Has Fallen,” 2016) and her precious son Daniel (Laurie Davidson, “Will”).
However, Laura’s “perfect life begins to unravel when Daniel brings home Cherry [Olivia Cooke, “House of the Dragon”], a girlfriend who changes everything,” reads the official description from Amazon MGM Studios. “After a tense introduction, Laura becomes convinced Cherry is hiding something. Is she a
manipulative social climber, or is Laura just paranoid? The truth is a matter of perspective.”
The series’ official trailer begins with a sexy interaction between the young, budding couple before Daniel asks, “So what do we do?” In response, Cherry questions, “Do I have to meet the parents?”
What follows is a gripping illustration of the suspense at the heart of the series as Cherry tries to make a good impression on Daniel’s well-to-do family, all the while sparking increasing amounts of ire and distrust from his mother. While it is completely natural for a parent to question their child’s choice of partner to a certain degree, the trailer shows Daniel’s father, Howard, caution Laura about how doggedly she has chosen to pursue her hunch that Cherry has ulterior motives.
Atmospherically, “The Girlfriend” cuts a crisp, cool and fairly cosmopolitan cloth. Featuring several hotels, villas, bars and restaurants across Europe as well as streamlined and well-tailored outfits for its leading characters, the series is likely to appeal to fans of the “Gossip Girl” or “Succession” aesthetic. Art
and art galleries also feature prominently in the trailer, leading to the assumption that class consciousness and financial status will be among the show’s main themes.
Lending credence to this educated assumption is Frances’ source material, which operated upon the same central themes to create a climate rife with suspicion and trepidation. Described on Amazon.ca by one reader as “a chilling, intriguing, page-turner that at its core is a novel about family, manipulation, jealousy, deception and obsession,” Frances’ involvement in the adaptation as executive producer signals that the overall tone and message of the series will remain true to the novel.
“The Girlfriend” also stars Francesca Corney (“Fistful of Vengeance,” 2022), Simon Meacock (“Outlander”), Anna Chancellor (“Jupiter Moon”), Shalom Brune-Franklin (“Dune: Prophecy”), Leo Suter (“Vikings: Valhalla”) and Ottawa’s own Tanya Moodie (“A Discovery of Witches”). The series also features a musical score from highly esteemed British composer Ruth Barrett (“Victoria”).
Horoscopes
ARIES Before committing to a project, take a moment to weigh your options. You may often prefer to do things alone; don’t forget that your decisions affect others. Prioritize team spirit in both your personal and professional relationships.
TAURUS
This week, you’ll be under a lot of pressure and must juggle multiple responsibilities. Slow down and prioritize rest to avoid burnout. Engage in calming activities, such as meditation, to help regain your energy.
GEMINI
Your schedule is packed with work and family commitments. Make time to relax and reconnect with loved ones you may have neglected. Make the most of going out to lunch with your colleagues.
CANCER
If work is overshadowing your relationship, plan a romantic weekend to rekindle the spark. You’ll finally find the solution to resolving a family conflict.
LEO
You’ll feel a surge of emotions this week, especially as you witness one of your children’s milestones. Whether it’s their first steps, a graduation or their first job, this moment will mark an emotional turning point in your life.
VIRGO
Before making an important decision, carefully weigh the pros and cons. Even if you think you know everything, trust your instincts to guide you toward the best choice. If you’re single, marriage might be closer than you think.
LIBRA
Brace yourself for a heavy work week filled with lots of details to manage. Your strong organizational skills will help you reach agreements and resolve conflicts. This success will help you in the long run and leave you feeling accomplished.
SCORPIO
Your charisma will shine brightly this week as you showcase your strengths and attract everyone’s attention. It’s time to treat yourself to a new wardrobe or improve your image, if only to spoil yourself for getting a promotion.
SAGITTARIUS
You’ll spend quality time with your family or at home, perhaps by starting a new activity together. Be patient with lengthy negotiations; taking your time will lead to better outcomes.
CAPRICORN
You’ll have a lot to say this week, but your words may be misinterpreted. You must lead by example to gain respect and understanding. For a more fulfilling romantic relationship, focus on building affection and connection.
AQUARIUS
Unexpected expenses will crop up this week. However, you’ll negotiate the terms of a loan to help alleviate the financial strain. Playing up your strengths may be the only way to get what you need or advance certain projects.
PISCES
You’ll achieve something remarkable this week! Your hard work and efficiency will be rewarded with a raise. Remember that impulsiveness and impatience have no place in a relationship based on trust and respect.
New Streaming Movies & Shows
“The Girlfriend” - Season 1 (Sept. 10)
Based on the novel by author Michelle Frances, this six-part series sees a mother’s (Robin Wright) seemingly perfect life turned upside down by the arrival of her son Daniel’s (Laurie Davidson) new girlfriend, Cherry (Olivia Cooke). Convinced that her son is in danger, the mother — Laura — takes matters into her own hands, and goes to extreme lengths to keep Daniel safe.
Word Search
“Tempest” (Sept. 10)In this 2022 sequel, Assassinations, political games, conspiracies and spies collide. Seo Mun-ju (Jun Ji-hyun), a brilliant former diplomat and ex-ambassador to the United States, is thrust back into the world of global politics after an assassination attempt on a South Korean presidential candidate. As powerful enemies close in, Mun-ju discovers a shocking truth that could alter the future stability of the Korean peninsula. Starring Gang Dong-won, Lee Mi-sook, Park Hae-joon and Oh Jung-se.
Where all the top choices can be found
in one place!
“Dr. Seuss’s Red Fish, Blue Fish”Season 1 (Sept. 8)
One fish, two fish … meet Red Fish and Blue Fish! From here to there and everywhere in between, these fishy friends discover the fun of opposites. Whether they’re big or small, fast or slow, their underwater world is full of surprises. A playful celebration of friendship, differences and discovery, inspired by Dr. Seuss’s beloved children’s story.
BY JAY BOBBIN
“To
Catch a Smuggler” - Season 9 (Sept. 10)
Join Homeland Security officers as they work to stop the flow of illegal contraband through America’s airports, seaports and border crossings. In this ninth season, HSI (Homeland Security Investigations), AMO (Air and Marine Operations) and CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) face some of their toughest challenges yet, tackling everything from body drug smugglers to a counterfit passport ring.
Q: What is Martin Short up to nowadays? Is he going to keep doing “Only Murders in the Building”?
A: Martin Short (“SCTV”) is still happy doing “Only Murders in the Building,” partly because he has the chance to experiment elsewhere.
“Only Murders” returns this week with its fifth season on Hulu, but that’s not the only place you can see Short on-screen these days. He’s also the new host of the ABC game show “Match Game.”
He said that at this stage of his career (the perennially youthful Short is 75, if you can believe it), game show hosting offers something very rare.
“It’s always intriguing to try something new and know that you could potentially massively fail,” he told Variety magazine a few weeks ago. “It’s kind of exciting about that at this stage. Maybe not when I was 25.”
Your Will allows you to determine who receives what assets of yours and how much and who is in charge of your estate when you pass. When you don’t have a Will, you don’t have control over these areas a er you pass. For help with Wills, contact Glenn at (803) 418-0800; ext. 108
BY JAY BOBBIN
‘Mary Poppins Returns’ in Disney sequel on Freeform
BY JAY BOBBIN
Given how much the original movie is cherished by several generations, any sequel — much less one that states the intent in the title, “Mary Poppins Returns” — is putting a sizable target on its back.
Thus, it’s rather remarkable how well the 2018 follow-up works. Freeform shows it Wednesday, Sept. 10 ... and while anyone would be hard-pressed to match Juie Andrews’s performance in the 1964 classic — for which she won an Oscar — Emily Blunt proves quite a good choice among current screen stars to carry the parasol-equipped character forward. She infuses Mary with the requisite spirit while adding her own flavor to the part; that’s a tricky combination, as anyone who knows her for being Blunt in “The Devil Wears Prada” will realize.
The children from “Mary Poppins” are grown here, with Jane and Michael Banks played by Emily Mortimer and Ben Whishaw. They’re distraught over the loss of their mother, which involves a lot in the aftermath since they’ll have to give up their family home to bank repossession unless they can find a certificate from their late father, proving an inheritance he left for them is really theirs.
Enter a certain Ms. Poppins, who offers her trademark sage advice on how the siblings should proceed. Though she no longer has chimney sweep Bert (who was played memorably by Dick Van Dyke) by her side, she finds a successor to him in Jack, portrayed with expectedly great energy by “Hamilton” mentor Lin-Manuel Miranda. It’s somewhat surprising
that he hasn’t had more of a movie career since, but then again, his strengths are specialized — and relatively few films are being made that could capitalize on those.
In a wonderful nod to the first “Mary Poppins,” Van Dyke turns up here. He’s not the only familiar face, since Meryl Streep (speaking of “The Devil Wears Prada,” which she and Blunt have been making a sequel to), Angela Lansbury, Julie Walters and David Warner also appear here. Their presence helps to give “Mary Poppins Returns” a freshness, but at the same time, director Rob Marshall (“Chicago”) and his collaborators are smart enough not to stray too far from the DNA of the original P.L. Travers story. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a shock to see backlash from loyalists who grew up with Mary as one of their popular-culture signposts, something that was wisely avoided in this case.
Similarly, the songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman evoke memories of the musical work done by the legendary Sherman brothers the first time. They’re new enough, yet it’s not a stretch to suggest they echo “A Spoonful of Sugar” or “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” tunes that are firmly cemented in the Disney canon.
“Mary Poppins Returns” has the sizable challenge of working against one of the most beloved movies of all time while also doing its own thing. That it succeeds in that is magical, indeed ... just like Mary herself.
Best CINERAMA MOVIES
“This Is Cinerama” (1952): The ultra-widescreen process — which used three synchronized projectors and a curved screen to physically immerse the audience in the given film — was launched with this compilation of segments that used the technique aboard a roller coaster, during a performance by the Vienna Boys Choir, and in a composite of aerial scenes of the American West. Veteran showman
Michael Todd (“Around the World in 80 Days”) and his son, Michael Todd Jr., were among the directors.
“The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm” (1962): The first Cinerama movie with a dramatic plot casts Laurence Harvey and Karl Boehm as the storytelling siblings, whose tales come to life here. Some involve stop-motion animation supervised by a master of that form, producer and co-director George Pal; the cast also includes Barbara Eden, Claire Bloom, Russ Tamblyn, Yvette Mimieux (of Pal’s “The Time Machine”), Buddy Hackett and Jim Backus.
“How the West Was Won” (1962): Three directors (with John Ford among them) participated in this Western epic that connects several stories in weaving a history of the American West. Narrated by Spencer Tracy, it boasts a huge all-star cast that includes James Stewart, Debbie Reynolds, Gregory Peck, Henry Fonda, Richard Widmark, Carroll Baker, Karl Malden, Robert Preston and Carolyn Jones. It will be shown Saturday, Sept. 13, by Turner Classic Movies — which often presents it in the “Smilebox” format that approximates a Cinerama screen.
“The Greatest Story Ever Told” (1965): This biblical epic from producer-director George Stevens went through a long development process.
Max von Sydow portrays Jesus in another big cast of stars that includes Charlton Heston, Jose Ferrer, Telly Savalas, Sidney Poitier, Roddy McDowall and David McCallum (along with cameos by many other famous faces).
“Grand Prix” (1966): The use of split-screens and multiple images enhances the Cinerama in director John Frankenheimer’s memorable auto-racing drama, with James Garner (who did much of his own driving), Yves Montand, Brian Bedford and Antonio Sabato among those playing competitors on the international circuit.
“2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968): One of the most famous Cinerama productions, director Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi classic pits two astronauts (Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood) against the possibly too-smart computer HAL 9000 aboard the vessel Discovery One in deep space.
More than ‘Murders in the Building’: Leoni joins expanding mystery series
BY DANA SIMPSON
After four complete seasons of Manhattan-based murder and mayhem, one has to wonder if perhaps the residents of the Arconia should just move. Nevertheless, Charles (Steve Martin, “Cheaper by the Dozen,” 2003), Oliver (Martin Short, “SCTV”) and Mabel (Selena Gomez, “Emilia Perez,” 2024) have stuck it out this far, and when their doorman turns up dead, the crime-loving trio knows better than to accept it as an accident.
Thus begins Season 5 of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building,” premiering Tuesday, Sept. 9, on Disney+ and Hulu.
When “Only Murders” first appeared on the streamer in late summer 2021, it immediately garnered a 100% rating on the RottenTomatoes. com Tomatometer, a metric used to quantify critics’ opinions regarding various specific films and TV series. Forty episodes and seven Primetime Emmys later, “Only Murders” still holds an average Tomatometer reading of 97% across all four seasons.
Hoping for another hit season as it crosses the 50-episode threshold, Season 5 of “Only Murders” continues its longstanding tradition of packing big-name talent into the cast. This year’s
big addition — teased, as most new cast members are, during the previous season’s finale — is “Madam Secretary” and “Spanglish” (2004) star Téa Leoni.
“I think she’s the great tease at the end of the finale and a little bit of an intriguing bump forward,” co-creator John Hoffman (“race and Frankie”) told Deadline of Leoni’s role in the Season 4 finale.
“She’s an extension of the little news report in Episode 9 that Mabel makes note of at the hospital,” Hoffman elaborated, adding that Leoni’s character, Sofia Caccimelio, “is the wife of the Dry Cleaning King of Brooklyn, and maybe a couple of dry cleaning outlets in Manhattan, as well.”
And while dry cleaners are not typically considered to be dangerous, the Caccimelios do have ties to organized crime within the Big Apple and are particularly intertwined with the Caputo crime family mentioned at least once throughout the series to date. As for whether the Caputo family has any further connection to previous murders in the series, that remains to be seen, but we wouldn’t rule anything out just yet.
As is always the case for “Only Murders in the Building,” however, Hoffman reiterates that much of the risk is simply “involved in helping” to solve the crimes, but he made sure to add that “there are some moves that might come in Season 5 that change the whole equation.”
A major component of that equation this season is the death of beloved Arconia doorman Lester, played over the course of 20 episodes by Teddy Coluca (“The Blacklist”). To add insult to injury (or death, as the case would have it), the fountain where Lester’s body was dumped was the very same one he had decreed as lucky during his own Arconia terrace wedding decades before the building’s growing reputation for murder.
As described by Hulu Press, Charles, Oliver and Mabel’s newest case “plunges them into the shadowy corners of New York and beyond — where the trio uncovers a dangerous web of secrets connecting powerful billionaires, oldschool mobsters and the mysterious residents of the Arconia.”
The more they dig, the more the friends and podcasters discover that New York is evolving into a metropolis with an entirely new identity; “one where the old mob fights to hold on as newer, even more dangerous players emerge.”
View from the Couch
BY JAY BOBBIN
“JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH”
The summer box-office returns affirmed that there’s still life left in the regenerated-dinosaur franchise, as this latest entry executive-produced by Steven Spielberg sends a team to extract DNA samples from the three largest existing creatures for development of a heart-disease cure. Of course, the mission ends up going relatively haywire, with the group’s rescue of a shipwrecked family leading to immense peril for the humans on site. Written by David Koepp — who also worked on the first two “Jurassic Park” movies — and filmed largely in Thailand, the thriller includes Scarlett Johansson, two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey (“Wicked”), Rupert Friend, Luna Blaise and Ed Skrein in its cast. As usual with
this series, parents should be forewarned of the frightening impact some of the imagery might have on young children. DVD extras: five “making-of” documentaries; audio commentary by director Gareth Edwards and crew members; deleted scenes; alternate opening. *** (PG13: P, V) (Also on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD and Digital)
“ELIO”
The orphaned title youngster (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) attains his dream of meeting aliens, who mistake him for being Earth’s representative to the rest of the universe, in this animated Disney-Pixar feature. He doesn’t mind the confusion, and while a look-alike for him is sent back to his home planet, he befriends the son of an otherworldly warlord (voice of Remy Edgerly) through whom he gets the sense of belonging that he has yearned for. Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett, Jameela Jamil, Ana de la Reguera and Tamara Tunie also furnish character voices — and Kate Mulgrew also is heard, which should come as a kick to anyone familiar with her “Star Trek”-franchise history. Legendary astronomer Carl Sagan’s presence is felt through archival recordings. DVD extras: three “making-of” documentaries; deleted scenes; outtakes; “Easter eggs.” *** (PG: V) (Also on Blu-ray, 4K
Gaga dethrones Swift with most nominations for 2025 MTV Video Music Awards
BY CAROLINE COLLACUTT
Introducing two brand-new categories — Best Country and Best Pop Artist — the MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from New York’s UBS Arena Sunday, Sept. 7, on CBS, with simulcasts airing on both Paramount+ and MTV.
Hosted by legendary singer-slash-actor LL COOL J (“NCIS: Los Angeles”), the ceremony marks the Video Music Awards 41st year on air, continuing the tradition of celebrating the year’s most impressive artists and music videos through onstage performances, specialized honors and more, including fan-led voting in categories such as Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Collaboration, Best Album, Best Long Form Video and, last but not least, Video for Good, an award recognizing music videos that address current social and political issues.
This year, the event’s most anticipated category, Artist of the Year, features an impressive list of nominees, comprising Bad Bunny (“Monaco”), Beyoncé (“Texas Hold ‘Em”), Kendrick Lamar (“Not Like Us”), Lady Gaga (“Abracadabra”), Taylor Swift (“I Can Do It With a Broken Heart”), Morgan Wallen (“I’m the Problem”) and The Weeknd (“Cry For Me”).
While some of the night’s live performances have been announced
Ultra HD and Digital)
“FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK: BALLERINA”
The Keanu Reeves-starring action franchise expands to center on another character with this spinoff set between the third and fourth “John Wick” films, casting Ana de Armas (“No Time to Die”) as a literal ballerina who also follows in her parents’ steps by gaining skills as an assassin. Though Wick (Reeves, in an appearance here) advises her against living a life of violence, she goes about pursuing revenge to settle multiple scores, a decision that displeases her supervisor (Anjelica Huston). Gabriel Byrne plays the leader of the organization targeted by the antiheroine; Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead”), Catalina Sandino Moreno, Lance Reddick (in his last movie role), Anne Parillaud (smart casting, given her relatively similar work in “La Femme Nikita”) and “John Wick” regular Ian McShane also appear. The picture was directed by Len Wiseman, who has much experience in guiding female-driven physical mayhem from the “Underworld” films. *** (R: AS, P, GV) (Also on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD and Digital)
“THE WHITE LOTUS: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON” Currently nominated for 23
Primetime Emmy Awards, the much-buzzed-about latest round of writer-director Mike White’s HBO drama series comes to home video, with another assortment of characters finding love and conflict — and, in some cases, danger — as they try to enjoy the idyllic surroundings of their week at a resort, in this case located in Thailand. Among those involved in the developments: three reunited friends (played by Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb and Michelle Monaghan); a financier (Jason Isaacs) with money problems, who’s accompanied by his wife (Parker Posey) and children (Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook, Sam Nivola); an angry mystery man (Walton Goggins) and his younger girlfriend (Aimee Lou Wood); and an employee from Hawaii’s White Lotus (Natasha Rothwell, returning in her first-year role). Not surprisingly, the show is getting a fourth season, ordered before this one was shown. **** (Not rated: AS, P, V) (Also on Digital)
“COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER”
In its 45th-anniversary year, the acclaimed, Michael Apted-directed biography of country-music icon Loretta Lynn makes its 4K Ultra HD debut. Sissy Spacek won an Oscar for her portrayal of Lynn, whose very modest Kentucky roots didn’t suggest the stellar career she
— including Alex Warren (“Carry You Home”), Busta Rhymes (“I Know What You Want”), J Balvin and DJ Snake (“Loco contigo”), Ricky Martin (“Livin’ la vida loca”), Sabrina Carpenter (“Manchild”) and Sombr (“back to friends”) — the aforementioned Taylor Swift nomination has left many “Swifties” wondering if the Eras Tour superstar will make a surprise appearance of her own, with less than a month before the release of her 12th album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” coming Friday, Oct. 3.
Despite her ongoing popularity, Swift’s two-year track record of leading the Video Music Awards with the most nominations has been broken, as Lady Gaga stuns with 12 nominations, followed closely by Gaga collaborator Bruno Mars (“Die with a Smile”) with 11 and Kendrick Lamar (“Not Like Us”), who maintains an impressive 10 nominations across categories.
Meanwhile, two hitmakers from the late ‘90s and early 2000s — Busta Rhymes and Ricky Martin, who are both performing during the ceremony — are set to receive awards of their own, earning the Rock the Bells Visionary Award and the Latin Icon Award, respectively. Packed with pop stars, punk rockers and all-star performers, the 2025 MTV Music Video Awards air live on CBS, Paramount+ and MTV, Tuesday, Sept. 7.
would have later, with her husband (Tommy Lee Jones) doing much to promote her and motivate her into the spotlight. Beverly D’Angelo — who was a singer before she became an actress — gives a superb supporting performance as fellow country star Patsy Cline, with whom Lynn became close friends. Levon Helm and William Sanderson (“Newhart”) also are in the 1980 drama, and country legends Ernest Tubb, Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl portray themselves. Of course, the soundtrack includes such Lynn standards as “You’re Lookin’ at Country,” “You Ain’t Woman Enough to Take My Man” and the title tune. **** (PG: AS, P, V) (Also on DVD and Blu-ray)
Coming Home Soon
“THIS IS SPINAL TAP” (CRITERION COLLECTION) (SEPT. 16)
“KRULL” (4K ULTRA HD STEELBOOK) (SEPT. 16)
“THE LAST OF US: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON”
SUNDAY
