United News of Bangladesh

A new album by John Legend and the streaming debut of the live-action adaptation of “Moana” are among the latest films, television programmes, music releases and video games arriving on digital platforms. Other notable releases for the week, selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists, include “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4,” a limited series featuring “Vanderpump Rules” star Lisa Vanderpump and the second season of “The Terminal List.” New Movies to Stream From Oct. 19-25The live-action version of “Moana” will arrive on Disney+ on Wednesday. Dwayne Johnson returns as the demigod Maui, while Catherine Lagaʻaia plays Moana. In his review, AP Film Writer Jake Coyle described the film as a largely faithful remake of the original, with only small additions, suggesting that the transition from animation to live action often sacrifices some of the original's appeal. The animated version is also available on Disney+. “The Invite,” a sharp-witted comedy-drama starring Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton and director Olivia Wilde, begins streaming on HBO Max on Friday, Oct. 23. Coyle praised its performances and clever approach to the traditional drawing-room comedy, despite occasionally noticeable plot mechanics. New Music to Stream From Oct. 19-25John Legend returns with “Muse,” his first album since 2024's “My Favorite Dream,” a children's record produced by Sufjan Stevens. The new album, produced by Pharrell Williams, focuses more on adult relationships and romance. The previously released song “Daylight” reflects that theme, while “Fireflies” delivers a message of hope and resilience. The album will be released on Friday. PBS' “Great Performances” will honour late country music star Tammy Wynette with a special recorded at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Performers include Wynonna Judd, Katie Pruitt, War & Treaty, Carter Faith, Tami Neilson, Valerie June, Brittney Spencer and Heart's Ann Wilson. “Great Performances — Tammy Wynette: Forever Yours” premieres Friday, Oct. 23, and will also be available on pbs.org/gperf and the PBS app. Country music fans can also watch a two-hour tribute to Dolly Parton on Wednesday. “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton” honours the singer, who died of cancer in August at the age of 80. Ashley McBryde, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Ella Langley, Kristen Bell, Kristin Chenoweth and Reba McEntire are among the performers and special guests. The programme will air live from Belmont University's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville on ABC and Disney+, with streaming on Hulu beginning Thursday. Meanwhile, singer Anderson .Paak and rapper Cordae reunite for their collaborative album “Heavy Is the Crown,” which arrives Friday. Their previous joint tracks include “RNP,” “Two Tens” and “Summer Drop.” New Series to Stream From Oct. 19-25Sam Nivola and Connie Britton star in “Phony,” a half-hour mystery series. After a car accident leaves a high school student in hospital, he becomes convinced that the woman claiming to be his mother, who also runs his school, is an impostor. Two episodes debut Tuesday on Hulu, with subsequent episodes released weekly. Chris Pratt returns as Navy SEAL James Reece in the second season of “The Terminal List.” Based on Jack Carr's novel “True Believer,” the new instalment takes Reece to Mozambique and features an international cast, including Olga Kurylenko, Costa Ronin and Arnold Vosloo. All eight episodes will be released on Prime Video on Wednesday, four years after the first season. Lisa Vanderpump's efforts to open her namesake hotel on the Las Vegas Strip feature in “Vanderpump Rules: Lisa Las Vegas,” a three-episode limited series. The first two episodes arrive on Peacock on Wednesday, followed by the finale on Thursday, Oct. 22. “ Nobody Wants This” returns to Netflix on Thursday, Oct. 22, with Kristen Bell's Joanne and Adam Brody's Noah moving in together. Joanne's decision to convert to Judaism remains a central storyline. All 10 episodes will be released simultaneously. Omar Sy reprises his role as gentleman thief Assane Diop in the fourth season of “Lupin.” The French-language series returns to Netflix on Friday, Oct. 23, after a three-year break. The new season consists of eight episodes and begins with Assane behind bars while his family remains in danger. New Video Games to Play From Oct. 19-25Activision's “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4” moves its conflict to the Korean Peninsula. The game's story begins with North Korea's new supreme leader launching an invasion of South Korea. Meanwhile, elite soldier John Price, who killed a US general in the previous instalment, has joined forces with a Mexican drug cartel. The game also introduces 12 new maps for six-versus-six multiplayer battles and extraction missions set in areas formerly part of the Demilitarized Zone. It launches Friday, Oct. 23, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC. Nintendo is also releasing “Nintendo Switch Sports Resort” for the Switch 2, offering 12 sporting activities. Players can enjoy returning favourites such as bowling, tennis and golf, alongside new options including skateboarding and thumb wrestling. Up to four people can compete locally, while selected events support online matches involving as many as eight players. Certain sports, including boxing, feature online professional leagues, while solo players can challenge the game's champions and legends. The game launches Thursday.

As John Legend was honored for his musical achievements Saturday — the night before the Grammy Awards — the singer used the Recording Academy stage to pay homage to a Black music culture that has shaped him and the wider world of music. Legend explained how Black music has set trends for listeners across the globe, speaking at the academy’s Black Music Collective event in Las Vegas, where he was given the Global Impact Award for his personal and professional achievements in the music industry. “I’m proud to celebrate and honor and cultivate our music,” Legend said at the event held the night before the Grammy Awards. “Black music is and has been the rhythm, the root, the inspiration, the innovation behind so much of the world’s popular music. It doesn’t exist without us," he said. Also read: Will Smith resigns from film academy over Chris Rock slap The multi-Grammy winner applauded the efforts of the Black Music Collective, a group created in 2020 of prominent music industry leaders — including honorary chairs from Legend and producers Jimmy Jam and Quincy Jones — who are looking to find ways to drive Black representation and inclusion. The academy has been focused on amplifying Black voices after years of backlash regarding racial inequality. Like Legend, the event was filled with empowering messages that touched on the importance of recognizing Black music creators. It also featured a slew of popular performances including Chloe Bailey, Muni Long, Jimmie Allen, Cordae and Summer Walker. Legend said Black music has the potential to fuel justice and inspire communities. “Our art and music can help movements find their footing and voice,” he said. “Our art and music can help activists, the people closest to injustice and lead the way forward to equality and opportunity.” Saweetie, who presented MC Lyte with an award, spoke about how Black women’s accomplishments have been downplayed but their impact on the culture has been undeniable. She has women have been in the forefront of hip-hop as rappers, producers and others behind the scenes. “There’s no conversation about the past, present and future of hip-hop without women,” she said. “The playing ground has not been level, but I’m proud of the progress we made. Despite the continued injustice and inequality in our industry and society at large, there’s no better time to be a Black creator than now.” The event highlighted the productive efforts by LVRN, a Black-founded record label that has built a strong roster including 6lack, D.R.A.M., Boogie and Summer Walker. Also read: Oscars producer says police offered to arrest Will Smith MC Lyte was honored for being the “beacon of hope” for Black women, while D-Nice was recognized for his success through Club Quarantine. He says Legend helped ignite the flood of new followers in the early stages. “Club Quarantine is not really about D-Nice, the deejay,” he said. “It’s about a community. People come together and they share conversations in the chats. I’m just in the background trying to create a space to feel comfortable to get together. I say this like I said before ‘Black music saved the world.”

From finding ways to help others cope to sheltering in place to canceling events, here's a look at some of the ways the entertainment industry is reacting to the spread of the coronavirus, which most people recover from but can cause severe illness in the elderly and those with preexisting medical conditions.