Welcome to Culture Hound, InsideHook’s deep dive into the month’s most important cultural happenings, pop and otherwise.
After many, many, many false starts, Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra’s groundbreaking comic book series finally makes it to television — here, a mysterious event causes all men, save one, to die. The original series itself had its problematic moments, but an all-women directing team and transgender representation suggest that this dystopian series could improve upon on its (otherwise excellent) source material. (9/13, Hulu)
Other new TV series and specials: Q-Force (9/2, Netflix); On the Verge (9/7, Netflix); American Rust (9/12, Showtime); Scenes From a Marriage (9/12, HBO); The Premise (9/16, Hulu); Chicago Party Aunt (9/17, Netflix); Star Wars: Visions (9/22, Disney+); Midnight Mass (9/24, Netflix); Foundation (9/24, Apple TV+); Attack of the Hollywood Cliches (9/28, Netflix)
Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon oversee this four-part docu-series on the three-time heavyweight champion and global icon. (9/19, PBS)
More new documentaries: Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James (9/3, Showtime); Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles (9/3, Disney+); Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space (9/6, Netflix); Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11 (9/8, Vice TV); Once Upon a Time in Queens: The Wild Ride of the ’86 Mets (9/14, ESPN)
The slightly iffy idea of going to a packed theater right now aside, Marvel’s latest marks “Phase Four” of the superhero studio’s plans — which means fewer well-known characters as well as familiar characters in new roles (see: Sam Wilson as Captain America). Mythology aside, Shang-Chi works as an action film with some mystical/fantastical elements — you don’t need to memorize the MCU to enjoy. (9/3, theaters)
More new films coming to the small screen and big: Cinderella (9/3, Prime Video); Worth (9/3, Netflix); Karen (9/3, VOD); Come From Away (9/10, Apple TV+); Kate (9/10, Netflix); Malignant (9/10, HBO Max/theaters); Cry Macho (9/17, HBO Max/theaters); Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (9/17, Prime Video); The Nowhere Inn (9/17, VOD/theaters); Prisoners of the Ghostland (9/17, VOD); The Starling (9/24, Netflix); Dear Evan Hansen (9/24, theaters)
The former Daily Show host returns with an Apple TV+ show that’s being described as a “multi-season, single issue” series; each hour-long episode will be devoted to a single topic, including ones that are “currently part of the national conversation.” A bit mysterious, but happy to have him back; the show also arrives with an accompanying podcast. (9/30, Apple TV+)
Returning TV series and specials: A.P. Bio (9/2, Peacock); What We Do in the Shadows (9/2, FX); Impeachment: American Crime Story (9/7, FX); Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father (9/14, Netflix); Sex Education (9/17, Netflix); The Emmys (9/19, CBS); Doom Patrol (9/23, HBO Max); The Tony Awards (9/26, Paramount+); The Simpsons and the rest of Fox’s animated series (9/26, Fox)
Amazon
The latest from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead (Underground Railroad, The Nickel Boys) offers a bit of a left turn; it’s essentially a yarn about a failed heist and the engaging cast of characters in Harlem’s underworld during the 1960s. (9/14)
Celebrating 30 years since the metal band’s self-titled “black album” (the one with all the hits), Metallica not only releases a commemorative 14-CD/6-DVD box set full of demos, interviews and even a 120-page picture book, but also comes out with a 53-song tribute album … to themselves. Enjoy the novelty of hearing the likes of Kamasi Washington, My Morning Jacket, Weezer and Mac DeMarco covering arena bangers like “Enter Sandman” and “The Unforgiven” — seriously, some of the new versions are great — but also pick it up because all proceeds for the tribute go to charity.
More new music: (9/3) Iron Maiden; Imagine Dragons; Bob Marley (re-issue); Taylor Swift (re-issue) … (9/10) Andrew WK; James Blake; Bela Fleck; Kasey Musgraves; Sleigh Bells; The Vaccines … (9/17) Bob Dylan (re-issue) … (9/24) Third Eye Blind; Poppy; Boys Noize
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