This Week’s Streaming Guide: Highlights from Olivia Rodrigo, LaKeith Stanfield, NBA 2K14, and “The Little Mermaid”

Among the new releases vying for your screen time this week are Olivia Rodrigo’s eagerly awaited second album and LaKeith Stanfield’s role in the eight-episode horror fantasy series, “The Changeling.” These join a plethora of television shows, movies, music, and video games that are becoming available on various platforms.

Key selections made by The Big Big News’ media critics include Disney’s recent live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” featuring Halle Bailey, and the video game NBA 2K14, which honors the late Kobe Bryant. The comforting TV show “Virgin River” also returns for its fifth season on Netflix.

New Films Available for Streaming

— Disney’s most recent live-action conversion, “The Little Mermaid,” will be accessible on Disney+ starting this Wednesday. While these remakes have sparked debates among fans of the originals, their commercial viability is undeniable. For instance, this new version of “The Little Mermaid” garnered a global box office revenue of $568.6 million. AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr characterized the film as largely uninspiring but acknowledged the standout performance by Halle Bailey as Ariel.

— “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” takes the franchise in a different direction by embracing animation. Despite a lackluster record of sequels, this installment, directed by Jeff Rowe and co-written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, offers an invigorating take on the series. Released on VOD and digital platforms this Tuesday, the film has received commendations for its creative twists and casting Ice Cube as the voice of the villain Super Fly.

New Music Releases to Stream

— Olivia Rodrigo is attracting attention with her upcoming album, featuring disparate yet complementary tracks such as the piano ballad “Vampire” and the audacious anthem “Bad Idea Right?”. These songs set the stage for an album that seems willing to make bold creative leaps.

— While the complete K-pop group BTS is not currently active due to mandatory military service in South Korea, individual members have been releasing solo projects. The latest contribution comes from V, who entices listeners with his unique charm on his solo release, “Layover,” marked by soulful R&B singles “Love Me Again” and “Rainy Days.”

New Streaming Series

— PBS is introducing a new series, “Evolution Earth,” that explores how animals are adapting to our changing climate. The series, narrated by evolutionary biologist Dr. Shane Campbell-Staton, airs this Wednesday.

— “Virgin River” is returning to Netflix for its fifth season. Starring Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson, this series captures the lives of residents in a fictional northern Californian town where community bonds are strong. The season kicks off this Thursday with an additional two holiday episodes scheduled for November.

— LaKeith Stanfield stars and serves as an executive producer for “The Changeling” on Apple TV+. The series, which releases its first three episodes this Friday, probes into complex issues like past trauma and the challenges of parenting in a technologically saturated environment.

New Video Game Launches

— Bethesda Game Studios’ Starfield promises an expansive space exploration experience with a vast range of choices. It has significant expectations to meet as one of the most ambitious Xbox releases of the year. The game is set to launch this Wednesday on Xbox X/S and PC.

— NBA 2K14 is offering fans an early taste of basketball season. Honoring Kobe Bryant through “Mamba Moments,” this installment also introduces “ProPlay,” translating actual NBA footage into gameplay mechanics. The game is set to release this Friday on multiple platforms including PlayStation 5/4, Xbox X/S/One, and PC.

For comprehensive entertainment updates, visit AP’s entertainment section at: https://bigbignews.net/entertainment.

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More about Streaming Guide

• Olivia Rodrigo’s anticipated second album
• LaKeith Stanfield starring in “The Changeling”
• Disney’s live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid”
• NBA 2K14 paying tribute to Kobe Bryant
• “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem”
• PBS series “Evolution Earth”
• “Virgin River” returning for its fifth season
• “The Changeling” on Apple TV+
• Bethesda Game Studios’ Starfield
• AP’s entertainment coverage: Link