The Queue
Plus, which new movies and shows to play or skip.
I’m back from vacation, and let me just say: Wow, this was the wrong week to take some time off.
Massachusetts was at the center of the pop culture conversation this week, with the Bay State-filmed “Widow’s Bay” cleaning up at the Emmys and Robert Kraft drawing ire on a national scale for seemingly forcing Macklemore off Ed Sheeran’s tour.
Along with the newsworthy items, taking a vacation also meant that I didn’t get to share my annual fall movie preview or my fall TV preview with you loyal newsletter subscribers last week.
I’d encourage you to read both articles to find out about the 26 notable films and the hundreds of TV premiere dates I compiled. But in the interest of time, let’s boil it down to the three from each list that I’m most excited about.
The 3 fall movies I’m watching on opening night
“The Social Reckoning” (Oct. 9)
Aaron Sorkin, who penned the script to “The Social Network,” is both writer and director for this follow-up, about a Facebook whistleblower (Mikey Madison) who exposes the dark secrets of Facebook and its CEO (Boston native Jeremy Strong) to a Wall Street Journal reporter (Jeremy Allen White). The cast also features Bill Burr as a PR expert who, based on the trailer, mostly spends his time insulting Strong/Zuckerberg, which is a plus.
“Wild Horse Nine” (Nov. 6)
In what feels like a return to the themes (and plot) of his debut film “In Bruges,” writer-director Martin McDonagh (“The Banshees of Inisherin”) helms this black comedy about two CIA agents (John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell) dispatched to Easter Island in the 1970s.
“The Debut” (Dec. 11)
Jesse Eisenberg both directs and has a supporting role in this musical comedy about a New Jersey housewife (Julianne Moore) who takes a role in a local stage production, only for her life to unravel as she works to appease her exacting director (Paul Giamatti).
3 new streaming TV shows I’ll be watching this fall
“East of Eden” (Oct. 1)
I don’t watch every single literary adaptation with fancy costumes, otherwise my TV would never leave PBS. But I’ll certainly make a point of watching Florence Pugh in just about anything, including this adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel that moves the biblical story of Cain and Abel to California’s Salinas Valley. (Netflix)
“Dig” (Nov. 23)
“Parks and Recreation” star (and Burlington native) Amy Poehler has reunited with “Parks” showrunner Mike Schur for a comedy about a team of archaeologists (including “House” star Hugh Laurie) who make a huge discovery during a summer dig in Greece. (Peacock)
“Blade Runner 2099” (Nov. 25)
I don’t love the trend of TV-izing classic movies, but after enjoying “Alien: Earth” last year, I’ll definitely be giving this second continuation of a Ridley Scott classic a chance. (Prime Video)
Play or Skip
Have a show you can’t stop watching? Email me about it at [email protected], and your recommendation may appear in a future edition of The Queue.
Press play on these new movies and shows:
“The Mandalorian and Grogu” (2026)
If you read my review earlier this year, you may recall my opinion that “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” the first Star Wars movie since 2019, is more ambitious than simply smushing three episodes of “The Mandalorian” together – but not much more. That still makes it a worthy home watch, though. (Disney+)
“Widow’s Bay” (2026)
This is at least the second (and possibly third) time I’ve recommended this Apple TV horror-comedy, currently my favorite show of 2026. But with a record 14 Emmy wins on Monday, you’re officially out of excuses not to watch this Massachusetts-filmed show about a small-town mayor (Matthew Rhys) diligently trying to turn his remote island community into a tourist destination despite the overwhelming evidence that it is extremely cursed. (Apple TV)
“Chad Powers” Season 2
Against all odds, this Hulu series — based on the thin premise of Eli Manning wearing facial prosthetics to sneak into a college football quarterback tryout — has gone from good to very good in Season 2, as Chad, aka failed athlete Russ Holliday (Glen Powell), directly addresses the show’s ludicrous premise by highlighting how much effort it would take to maintain the ruse 24-7. (Hulu)
But go ahead and skip these:
“Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story”
I probably telegraphed my skepticism about this Netflix show (and Ryan Murphy’s whole schtick in general) in my preview. As expected, there are some campy performances from capable actors like Vicky Krieps and Rebecca Hall, but very little about this blood-soaked, fetishistic fantasy appeals to me personally. (Netflix)
“Supergirl” (2026)
As I wrote earlier this summer, although Milly Alcock largely holds up her end of the bargain in “Supergirl,” the film DC has assembled around her is bland, derivative, and only occasionally fun. In other words, it’s less than super. (HBO Max)
End Credits
That’s a wrap on this edition of The Queue. If you’re a fan, please consider recommending this newsletter to your friends.
Until next time, good stream hunting, everyone!
— Kevin
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