Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week.

MOVIES

— Jane Campion whose last movie was 2009’s “Bright Star,” makes a triumphant return to filmmaking in “The Power of the Dog, ” a frontier psychodrama starring Benedict Cumberbatch Kirsten Dunst, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Jesse Plemons. Adapted by Campion from Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel, Cumberbatch plays a domineering Montana rancher who resents his brother’s new wife and her son. Widely hailed as one of the best films of the year, “The Power of the Dog” begins streaming Wednesday on Netflix. In my review, I called it a “masterful vision of the West” that plays out “in a juxtaposition of rugged exteriors and murkier, more mysterious interiors.”

— Documentary filmmakers E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin last made the Oscar-winning “Free Solo,” about mountain climber Alex Honnold In “The Rescue” (streaming Friday on Disney+), they swap high peaks for watery depths, chronicling the 18-day rescue of 12 young soccer players and their coach in a flooded Thailand cave. As well covered as that 2018 event was, the riveting documentary details anew how a global coalition and a handful of cave-diving hobbyists pulled off an extraordinary feat. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr called “The Rescue” “affirming, truthful, funny, macabre and unembellished,” and said “it achieves something extraordinarily difficult for a global news story that ended three years ago: It makes you feel like you’re there.”

— Director Matthew Heineman (“Cartel Land,” “A Private War”) has filmed before in an active war zone. In “The First Wave” (streaming on Hulu beginning Sunday), he plunges into the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic in a bracingly intimate portrait of doctors, nurses and patients during the first four months COVID-19 in New York. Heineman shot his film at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens amid the virus’ first surge to craft an emotional and vital time capsule of the health crisis.

— AP Film Writer Jake Coyle

MUSIC

— Five decades have passed since The Doors released “L.A. Woman,” their double-platinum album that contained “Love Her Madly,” “Riders on the Storm,” and the title track. To honor its anniversary, Rhino Records has a box set being released Friday, Dec. 3, that has the album remastered and adds more than two hours of unreleased recordings, including covers of Junior Parker’s “Mystery Train,” John Lee Hooker’s “Crawling King Snake,” Big Joe Williams’ “Baby Please Don’t Go,” and “Get Out Of My Life Woman,” Lee Dorsey’s funky 1966 classic, written by his producer Allen Toussaint.

— Saxophone legend Kenny G will release his first new album in six years, “New Standards,” on Friday, Dec. 3 through Concord Records. The 11-song collection of original compositions takes inspiration from the jazz ballads of the ‘50s and ’60s. Some songs on the set include “Paris By Night,” “Rendezvous,” “Blue Skies” and “Moonlight.” He writes: “I truly hope that you will all experience the same wonderful feelings I have had the pleasure of experiencing whenever I listen to the amazing sounds of my predecessors.”

— AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy

TELEVISION

— “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” has wrapped its two-season NBC run, but there’s another chapter for the musical dramady starring Jane Levy. In “Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas,” the title character is determined that her family get the memorable Christmas that her now-ill father always provided. The movie, which picks up where the series left off, debuts Wednesday, Dec. 1, on the Roku Channel and co-stars Mary Steenburgen, Skylar Austin, Bernadette Peters. Peter Gallagher plays dad Mitch, who suffers from a neurological disease. The holiday movie is available free on the channel, as are the series’ 25 episodes.

— The sun will come out Thursday, Dec. 2, for NBC’s live production of the hit Broadway musical “Annie.” Based on the “Little Orphan Annie” comic strip, the show includes the tunes “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life.” Celina Smith has the title role, backed by co-stars including Harry Connick Jr. as Annie’s rescuer, Daddy Warbucks, and Taraji P. Henson as the orphanage’s callous Miss Hannigan. Nicole Scherzinger, Tituss Burgess and Megan Hilty also are in the cast of “Annie Live!”, airing at 8 p.m. EST and directed by Lear deBessonet and Alex Rudzinski.

— If the big city vibe falls short of your holiday expectations, UpTV is offering a travel-free solution with its new “Small Town Christmas” reality series, hosted by Megan Alexander of “Inside Edition.” Each episode (airing 9 p.m. EST) promises to share what the “heart and magic of Christmas celebrations” in towns nationwide, showcasing their music, entertainment, food and faith. The destinations and air dates: Branson, Missouri, on Sunday, Dec. 5; Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday, Dec. 12; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, Dec. 19; and Natchitoches, Louisiana, on Friday, Dec. 24.

— AP Television Writer Lynn Elber

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Catch up on AP’s entertainment coverage here: https://apnews.com/apf-entertainment.

Brooke Shields braved a cold plunge pool on Thanksgiving, but looked amazing while doing it!

Brooke Shields, 56, looked absolutely amazing in a strapless red swimsuit on Thanksgiving! The actress donned the one piece on Thursday, Nov. 25 as she bravely stepped into a cold plunge pool, which are believed to reduce muscle pain and inflammation by instantly numbing the nerves surrounding joints. She appropriately set the video to Bill Withers “Lovely Day” — although, we aren’t sure that cold water was that lovely!

“New Thanksgiving tradition,” The Blue Lagoon star quipped in her caption, including a turkey and snowflake emoji. While the weather looked sunny, it was more like a spring day in Los Angeles with temperatures falling around 70 degrees. Brooke hilariously reacted to the cold water as she dipped a toe in, opting to keep her long brunette locks up in a bun to avoid getting wet. She slowly backed into the water, rigidly putting her arms in before fully lowering her body and shoulders.

Several of her famous pals got a kick out of the pic, including Christie Brinkley, 67. “Body-ody-ody‼️” the super model commented with three fire emojis, seemingly referencing “Body” by Megan Thee Stallion. Ali Wentworth quipped, “You’re supposed to cook the Turkey not yourself…” while Sophia Bush reacted, “Cold plunge!? LOVE.” Canadian television host Kuljeet Kaila hilariously added, “In Cali? That’s like Canadian summer weather.”

It’s no surprise to see Brooke looking so good: the actress recently opened up about feeling more “confident” as she hit her mid-50s. “I feel stronger, I feel sexier, I feel less burdened by: ‘Oh, what do they think of me?’” she said in an interview to Irish Times while promoting her new Netflix movie A Castle For Christmas.

“I’m not encumbered in the same way that I spent a great deal of my youth in. I still care about people, but I don’t put myself in this position to feel ‘less than’. And all of a sudden, I was like: ‘Why am I not represented?’ Why am I told: ‘You’re over because you’re not in your 20s’? I’m 56 and I feel more empowered now than I ever did,’” she added.

Working from home can be seriously distracting which is why these noise-canceling headphones come in handy & they’re currently 12% off!

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. 

We’ve been working from home for seven months now and times have been extremely tough. Everyone’s lives have been turned upside down and if you’ve been finding it hard to concentrate while working from home, then these Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones are the perfect option for you and they’re currently 12% off the retail price of $52.99.

Get the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones here for $52.99.

The headphones are available in two different colors – black and silver – and they’re super comfortable and easy to use. They’re currently on sale for just $52.99 so you save $15 and you have to act fast because the deal isn’t going to last forever. The headphones have oversized 40 mm dynamic drivers which give you hi-res audio, plus, they’re made with BassUp technology that gives you exceptional sound, and they reduce ambient noises by 90%.

The best part about the headphones is that they’re completely wireless so you can wear them in any room of the house and they provide you with up to 40 hours of non-stop playtime with noise cancellation or 60 hours of non-stop playtime of just regular music mode. They connect to all of your devices via Bluetooth so you can listen to music, answer calls, or just have complete silence. Even better, they have over 30,000 positive reviews.

They especially come in handy when you have Zoom meetings and you’re working in your house with your family, roommates, or other people, and you need to hear what’s being said. Or, if you just need to focus on your work for the day, the headphones block out all background noise so you can hone in on all of your important tasks and to-do lists. You do not want to miss out on this deal and you better act fast before the deal is over!

Stay on top of your beauty routine with this amazing deal on a mini fridge that will keep all your products cool & fresh!

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A few years ago, mini-fridges were used only for travel, college dorm rooms, or in company conference rooms and offices. Now, they serve a much broader (and arguably better) purpose — such as a cooling storage space for your favorite beauty products! There’s nothing like the soothing sensation of an ice-cold jade roller on your face or a cool sheet mask. With the AstroAl Mini Fridge, you can store your top-shelf beauty products in a stylish and affordable space!

There’s a number of reasons customers continue to give glowing reviews about the AstroAl mini fridge. First of all, it’s designed to be a multi-purpose thermoelectric storage space that can either cool or warm items. It can cool up to 32°F (18°C), or keep warm up to 150°F (66°C). 

This mini fridge is super spacious with 4 liters of capacity (that’s 6 12 oz cans, to give you a better idea). Additionally, medications and other skincare bottles and containers can be stored with ease and room to spare! Hey moms, this one’s for you too because this mini fridge is the ideal space to keep small items, like breast milk, either cool or warm.

Many customers noted how impressed they were with the AC/DC adapters on the AstroAl mini fridge. Two plugs are included for both standard wall outlets and 12V cigarette lighters in vehicles. (NOTE: Make sure to only run your cooler/heater while your vehicle’s engine is on or you risk draining your vehicle’s battery). This makes it super easy for travel and other remote places. 

For the more health-conscious shoppers, this mini fridge has eco-friendly engineering. Its semiconductor refrigeration chip is freon-free and environmentally friendly. Another bonus is its quiet technology, which keeps sound at a minimum, so you and your guests won’t hear any distracting noises. AstroAl also offers a 3-year warranty on this mini fridge!

If you’re still wondering why on earth anyone would store beauty products in a mini fridge, just keep reading. It’s actually a very common question to ask why serums, creams, sheet masks, and other skincare items are stored in mini fridges. First off, mini fridges allow products to be stored away from last night’s chicken, or any other food and drink items in a normal kitchen fridge. As for the science behind cooling beauty products, we’ll leave it up to the experts.

“Generally, but not always, refrigerating products will help extend their shelf life,” Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, told Allure. “Moreover, the cooling sensation on the skin from applying a refrigerated product may help calm itch and give a more soothing effect than a room-temperature product. This is likely because the cool temperature may calm over-firing nerves that lead to itch and discomfort in the skin,” Zeichner explained.

Elizabeth Tanzi, founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care For Tanzi, revealed which part of your skincare routine that’s worth refrigerating — undereye cream. “The fact that it’s cold helps to vasoconstrict and may help with puffiness,” Tanzi told the magazine.

Tom Cruise gets around in style! The actor sported a pair of classic aviator sunglasses as he prepared for a helicopter trip.

Tom Cruise looked calm and collected as he boarded a private helicopter in London. The 59-year-old wore aviator sunglasses and a protective face mask, which he later removed, as he sat on the aircraft on Friday, Nov. 26 — just one day after Thanksgiving. As he walked towards the helicopter, Tom stayed warm in the rainy 40 degree weather with a navy blue long sleeve shirt and scarf, hanging onto a bomb style puffer jacket.

The actor has been hard at work on the film Mission: Impossible 8 in London, planned for a 2023 release date, where he’s set to reprise his iconic character Ethan Hunt. The movie is directed by Christopher McQuarrie, and also stars his rumored now ex-girlfriend Hayley Atwell, as well as Rebecca Ferguson and Vanessa Kirby. The film was shot back-to-back with Mission: Impossible 7, which includes the same cast, and is scheuled to be released in 2022.

On a break from filming, Tom headed back to California in October where he reconnected with son Connor, 26, who he shares with ex-wife Nicole Kidman, 54. The father-son duo attended a baseball game in San Francisco on Oct. 9 between the Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers where he sparked headlines after looking unrecognizable per fan comments.

Just weeks later, however, he emerged looking more like himself while heading to a flying lesson at Duxford Airfield in England on Friday, Nov. 12. As usual, the actor stayed casual in dark jeans and a black sweater.

In addition to the new Mission: Impossible movies, Tom was also hard at work on the highly anticipated Top Gun: Maverick. The sequel is a follow-up to the movie that put Tom on the map back in 1986! In the next installment, Tom’s Pete Mitchell is still keeping up with his adventures more than three decades later as he pushes the envelope with a courageous pilot test. Original cast member Val Kilmer is reprising his role as Ice, while Miles Teller and Jennifer Connelly are also rounding out the star-studded line-up.

If you are suffering from sore muscles, look no further because this heated massager will soothe you in no time for less than $40!

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. 

If your muscles are feeling sore, then you’re in luck because the HoMedics Percussion Action Massager with Heat is currently 36% off the retail price of $49.99 for Black Friday, so it can be all yours for just $31.88, saving you $18.11. Not only is it on sale, but it has over 16,300 positive reviews which means people absolutely swear by it.

Get the HoMedics Percussion Action Massager with Heat here for $31.88.

The massager is lightweight and portable so you can take it with you wherever you go, plus, it’s compact so it doesn’t take up too much space. It has a rubber handle so you can easily grip it and be comfortable while you enjoy your massage and it has interchangeable massage heads that you can switch out depending on what type of relief you need. It has dual massage heads that pivot and deliver 3,100 pulses per minute, plus, the best part is, it’s heated, so it gives you a feeling of deep relaxation.

There’s a reason why over 16,300 people gave this massager positive reviews and it’s because people absolutely love it. One happy customer gushed, “This is the best purchase I have ever made for back and neck pain! I have bought moist heat pads, inversion table, lumbar braces, etc, but this is by far the best item for relieving discomfort. I noticed at a chiropractor recently that I had immediate muscle relief when he used a similar item to break up the fascia and allow healing, releasing the bound up energy in areas that have been spasmed for long time. I researched many products and decided upon this one for many reasons: 1. it has multiple twin head covers, soft, hard and if removed the knobs have heat control! 2. it is long enough for me to use on my own back and neck with a looped handle that other massagers do not have, 3. The knobs have accordion like connection that allows for movement flow vs only one position.”

Now you can video call your family thanks to the Facebook Portal screen which is currently on sale for less than $100!

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission.

These past two years have been extremely tough for all of us and if you haven’t been able to see your family and friends, then you’re in luck. The Facebook Portal is currently on sale for just $79 and it allows you to video call all of your friends and family in the comfort of your own home. The device is available in two colors – black and white, plus, two different sizes and four different styles.

Get the Facebook Portal here for $79.

The Facebook Portal allows you to video call people via Messenger or WhatsApp regardless of whether or not they have a Portal. It comes equipped with a smart camera that pans and zooms the room, so when you move, the camera moves with you, allowing your family or friends to see all of the action with everyone in the frame. Not only does it zoom in on the screen, but it lowers the background noise and raises your voice so that when you’re talking, your voice is loud and clear.

Not only can you video chat, but you can also set her up to Alexa, control your smart home, listen to music, set timers, find out the weather, and so much more. You can host a group call of up to 50 people, display your photos, and can even connect the device to Zoom. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the Portal and there’s a reason why over 8,600 people swear by it. One happy customer gushed, “Absolutely amazing video calling experience. My parents don’t use Facebook much but with the product, they can see most recent photos posted to Facebook automatically on the device. Think of all the electronic photo frames that go useless and boring since they show same stuff over and over, and imagine how much better it can be when it shows fresh photos instead. Hardware definitely is top notch and I’m looking forward to see what software improvements come to the product.”