New this week: ‘Dune’, ‘Invasion’ and an album by Elton John | Way of life

Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press entertainment reporters on what’s coming to TV, streaming services and music platforms this week.

MOVIES

– Denis Villeneuve’s dark and majestic adaptation of Frank Herbert’s cult 1965 sci-fi novel “Dune”, with its large-scale architecture and thunderous sound blasts, would certainly be best experienced on the big screen. But “Dune” will air simultaneously on HBO Max starting Friday, giving audiences the choice of how and where to see one of the most anticipated shows of the year. “Dune” stars Timothée Chalamet as heir to House Atréides, which has taken over the exploitation of a precious resource on the desert planet of Arrakis. Little goes as planned on Arrakis, where locals rebel against industrial occupiers and other challenges mount. The star-studded cast includes Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Zendaya, and Javier Bardem. But perhaps the biggest draw to “Dune” is its vast expanses of sand and great sci-fi cinematography.

– In “Four Hours at the Capitol,” filmmaker Jamie Roberts takes a minute-by-minute review of the siege of the U.S. Capitol on January 6 by supporters of President Donald Trump seeking to overturn the election results. The 92-minute film, which debuts Wednesday on HBO and HBO Max, includes first-hand accounts of the day from lawmakers, police, protesters and rioters. More than 630 people have been charged in the insurgency.

—AP Writer Jake Coyle

MUSIC

– Elton John may be wearing a mask on his album cover art, but he’s ready to unleash his voice and a group of popular artists on his new offering “The Lockdown Sessions”. This is a collaborative album for the multi-Grammy winner who has recorded most of the songs in the past 18 months after he suspended his live tour due to the pandemic. The 16 track album is led by the single “Cold Heart (Pnau remix)” with Dua Lipa. The album features a diverse lineup of collaborations including Stevie Wonder, Lil Nas X, Stevie Nicks, Brandi Carlile, Eddie Vedder, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj and Young Thug. John said some of the recording sessions took place remotely through Zoom, something he had never done before in his career. He said the recording of “Lockdown Sessions” took him out of his “comfort zone and into whole new territory.”

–Rapper Nas will engage in an intimate conversation during a week filled with other events at the Grammy Museum in downtown Los Angeles. The hip-hop legend and Hit-Boy producer will discuss the recording process behind the rapper’s highly acclaimed album “King’s Disease” on Tuesday, which earned him his very first Grammy. Other events at the Grammy Museum include a special Monday program to discuss the legendary and tumultuous friendship of George Harrison and Eric Clapton that shaped their careers and rock music in the early 1970s. On Friday Debbie Gibson will talk about her successful career in music and theater with his new album, “The Body Remembers”. Gibson expects to play.

– AP Entertainment writer Jonathan Landrum Jr.

TELEVISION

– “Invasion” has the potential to be a geography lesson and a travelogue with aliens. As aliens attempt to take over global lands, the 10-part Apple TV + drama follows the fallout for individuals across continents. Among those whose stories are told: A rural American sheriff (Sam Neill), an American soldier (Shamier Anderson) stationed in the Middle East, and a Japanese aerospace technician (Shioli Kutsuna). Creators include Simon Kinberg (“X-Men” and “Deadpool” movies) and David Weil (“Hunters”). Three episodes will be released on Friday, with new episodes every week.

– Issa Rae’s groundbreaking comedy “Insecure” begins its fifth and final season Sunday on HBO (10 p.m. EDT). Based in part on her life and her web series “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl”, the series follows Rae’s fictional counterpart, Issa Dee, and her best friend Molly (Yvonne Orji) through the ups and downs. love and career. Rae’s own star has soared, with films (“The Photograph”, “The Lovebirds”), a record label and many more to come. In a 2017 interview, Rae said it was gratifying that “Insecure” got the naysayers wrong who claimed that his authentic stories about the characters of color would not find an audience.

– AP television writer Lynn Elber

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Check out AP’s entertainment coverage here: https://apnews.com/apf-entertainment.