‘Civil War’ Premieres on MAX, Snow Patrol Releases ‘Eyes Open,’ Stallone’s ‘Tulsa’ Returns

Sylvester Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” and Snow Patrol’s first new album in seven years are among this week’s new streaming entertainment releases. Also streaming on a screen near you this week: Alex Garland’s “Civil War” starring Kirsten Dunst, Natasha Rothwell’s heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone.”

FILMS TO STREAM

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Alex Garland’s “Civil War” finally makes its Max debut on Friday. The film stars Kirsten Dunst as a veteran photojournalist covering a brutal war that’s dividing America. She reluctantly lets an aspiring photographer, played by Cailee Spaeny, tag along as she, an editor (Stephen McKinley Henderson) and a reporter (Wagner Moura) make the perilous journey to Washington, D.C. to interview the president (Nick Offerman), a stormy, rising despot who’s given himself a third term, begun attacking his citizens and cut himself off from the press. In my review, I called it a rip-roaring, haunting experience. It was smart and thought-provoking, with great performances. It’s definitely worth seeing.

Joey King stars in Netflix’s adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s “Uglies,” which is about a future society where everyone must undergo cosmetic surgery at age 16. The film, streaming Friday, is directed by McG and finds King’s character inadvertently thrust into the middle of a rebellion against the status quo. “Outer Banks” star Chase Stokes plays King’s best friend.

Bill Skarsgård seeks revenge against the woman (Famke Janssen) who murdered his family in “Boy Kills World,” which hits Hulu on Friday. Moritz Mohr directed the ultra-violent film, about which Variety critic Owen Gleiberman wrote, “It’s a depraved vision, but I got caught up in its great revenge-horror pizzazz, its seedy devotion to what it was doing.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

It was 2006. Snow Patrol, the Northern Irish-Scottish alternative rock band, released an album, “Eyes Open,” featuring the biggest hit of their career, “Chasing Cars.” A lot has happened since then — three, soon to be four quality full-length albums, to be exact. On Friday, the band releases “The Forest Is the Path,” their first new album in seven years. Anthemic pop-rock is the name of the game on songs about love and loss like “All,” “The Beginning” and “This Is the Sound Of Your Voice.”

For fans of raw guitar music, Jordan Peele’s 2022 sci-fi thriller “Nope” provided a surprising, if minor, sensation. One of its protagonists, Emerald “Em” Haywood, played by Keke Palmer, wears a Jesus Lizard shirt. (Also seen in the film: Rage Against the Machine, Wipers, Mr. Bungle, Butthole Surfers and Earth band shirts.) The Austin noise-rock band is a less obvious choice, considering they’re signed to the legendary Touch and Go Records and stopped releasing new albums in 1998. That changes on Friday when “Rack” arrives. And for the curious, the intensity of The Jesus Lizard never wavered.

PROGRAMS TO STREAM

Hallmark launched a streaming service called Hallmark+ on Tuesday, featuring two new original series, the scripted drama “The Chicken Sisters” and the unscripted series “Celebrations with Lacey Chabert.” If you’re a fan of Hallmark holiday movies, you know Chabert. She’s appeared in more than 30 of their films, many of which have a holiday theme. Off-screen, Chabert has a passion for throwing parties and entertaining. In “Celebrations,” deserving people are surprised with a party in their honor — planned with Chabert’s help. “The Chicken Sisters” stars Schuyler Fisk, Wendie Malick and Lea Thompson in a show about employees of rival chicken restaurants in a small town. The eight-episode series is based on a novel of the same name.

Natasha Rothwell of “Insecure” and “The White Lotus” fame is the creator and star of a new heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone.” She plays Mel, a broke, easygoing, single airport worker who, after a near-death experience, makes a conscious decision to take risks and pursue her dreams. Rothwell has been working on the series for the past eight years and described it to The AP as “the most vulnerable piece of art I’ve ever put out there.” Like Mel, Rothwell had to learn to bet on herself to make the show she wanted to make. “There’s a significant overlap in the Venn diagram of me and Mel,” Rothwell said. The series premieres Friday on Hulu.

Shailene Woodley, DeWanda Wise and Betty Gilpin star in a new drama for Starz called “Three Women.” The series follows entrepreneur Sloane, housewife Lina and college student Maggie, who each embrace their strengths and make life-changing decisions while being interviewed by a writer named Gia (Woodley). The series is based on the 2019 best-seller by Lisa Taddeo. “Three Women” premieres Friday on Starz.

Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” debuts Sunday on Paramount+. Stallone plays Dwight Manfredi, a mob boss recently released from prison after 25 years. He’s sent to Tulsa to set up a new crime syndicate. The series is created by Taylor Sheridan of “Yellowstone” fame.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

One thing about Focus Entertainment’s Warhammer 40,000 title, Space Marine 2 — you know exactly what to expect. You’re Demetrian Titus, a genetically enhanced brute taking on the Tyranids, an insectoid species with an insatiable appetite for human flesh. You’ve got rocket-powered armor and an arsenal of ridiculous weapons like the Chainword, Thunderhammer, and Melta Rifle, so what could possibly go wrong? In addition to the squishy single-player campaign, there are co-op missions and six-on-six free-for-alls. You can suit up and play on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, or PC.

Wild Bastards isn’t exactly the kind of title that’s going to appeal to Animal Crossing fans, either. It’s another sci-fi shooter, but the protagonists are a gang of 13 creatures—aliens and androids included—on the run from the law. This space-based Wild West spinoff has the same sarcastic humor and vibrant, neon-soaked cartoon look. Saddle up Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, or PC.