Guillermo del Toro's animated adventure and four other shows our TV critic is watching this week

August 7, 2020 at 3:04PM
Photo provided by Hawkins Family/HBO "Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn"
“Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn” looks back at the killing of a New York City teen. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Legendary

Guillermo del Toro's "Tales of Arcadia" trilogy won't make you forget "Pan's Labyrinth" or "Hellboy," but it's still a terrific animated adventure in which plucky teens team up with underground creatures for a high-risk version of Dungeons & Dragons. The final installment, "Wizards," isn't as clever as the past two chapters, leaning way too heavily on the Camelot legend, although the premise does offer the thrill of seeing King Arthur cross swords with a multi-eyed troll.

Now streaming on Netflix

Trailblazers

The standout stars of "On the Trail: Inside the 2020 Primaries" are CNN reporter Kyung Lah and her assistant Jasmine Wright, who were both assigned to cover Amy Klobuchar during the presidential campaign. Both speak bluntly — and with more than a few curse words — about how challenging it is to be on the political beat, especially for women of color. Their observations and work ethic are so impressive, they may want to consider running for office themselves.

Now streaming on HBO Max

Something wild

In "Wild Bill," Rob Lowe plays a hot-tempered police commissioner forced to relocate to Boston — the one in England. It doesn't take long for the fish-out-of-water to become a Yankee Sherlock Holmes, wrapping up whodunits before tea is served. There's just enough twists and Brat Pack charm in each episode to justify taking a break from your "Law & Order" marathon.

Now streaming on Britbox

New York state of mind

Thirty-one years before the death of George Floyd, an NYC teenager was killed in a racial attack, triggering protests that would impact a mayoral race — and little else. "Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn" looks back at the tragedy through the words of Hawkins' family members and friends, as well as the man sitting in prison for pulling the trigger. The documentary packs a wallop, especially in the wake of current events.

8 p.m. Wednesday, HBO

Crowded house

If you love "Big Brother" but are afraid to admit it, start boasting instead of getting hooked on "Five Bedrooms," a scripted drama from Australia about five very different people who impulsively decide to go in on a house together. It doesn't take long before flirting and fighting rule the roost. The accents and top-notch acting help disguise the fact that you're watching a trashy soap.

Starts streaming Thursday on Peacock

about the writer

about the writer

Neal Justin

Critic / Reporter

Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms.

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FILE -- A rent deposit slot at an apartment complex in Tucker, Ga., on July 21, 2020. As an eviction crisis has seemed increasingly likely this summer, everyone in the housing market has made the same plea to Washington: Send money — lots of it — that would keep renters in their homes and landlords afloat. (Melissa Golden/The New York Times) ORG XMIT: XNYT58
Melissa Golden/The New York Times

It’s too soon to tell how much the immigration crackdown is to blame.