Pop Culture Pulse: From the Return of ‘The Walking Dead’ to Dame Judi Dench Getting Spiritual | Anglophenia – Anglophenia

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Welcome to the latest Pop Culture Pulse, Anglophenia's roundup of the top pop culture happenings of the month. Don't worry if you're planning on staying home as much as possible through February there are plenty of ways to entertain yourself from the comfort of your own couch.

The Walking Dead

Yes, it's back! Following a bit of a break, The Walking Dead returns for the final six episodes of season 10. The story resumes with Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) in jeopardy again and Maggie (Lauren Cohan) forced to confront some ghosts from her past. Meanwhile, she and Daryl (Norman Reedus) are faced with a very contemporary threat to their safety one they can't quite get a grip on. To say any more would be spoilery, but expect plenty of twists and turns setting up The Walking Dead for its eleventh and final season.

The Walking Dead returns to AMC Sunday, February 28 at 9pm, followed straight after by a new episode of Talking Dead.

Judas and the Black Messiah

This biographical movie tells the true story of William O'Neal (Lakeith Stanfield), a petty criminal from Chicago who was hired by the FBI to infiltrate the Black Panther Party with a view to taking down its leader Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya). Kaluuya is attracting awards season buzz for his performance as the charismatic activist, and writer-director Shaka King has surrounded him with a stellar cast that includes Jesse Plemons, Ashton Sanders, Dominique Fishback, and Martin Sheen.

Judas and the Black Messiah is released in theaters on Friday, February 12. Watch the trailer.

Minari

After picking up six nominations for the Independent Spirit Awards, Minari has cemented its status as a serious awards season contender. The Walking Dead alum Steven Yeun stars as the patriarch of a Korean-American family who move from California to rural Arkansas in pursuit of their own American dream: growing and selling Korean vegetables. Reviews from this year's Sundance film festival suggest writer-director Lee Isaac Chung has crafted a beautifully moving film about family, fresh starts, and assimilation with a standout performance from Youn Yuh-jung as a mischievous grandmother.

Minari is released on VOD Friday, February 26. Watch the trailer.

The Murders

This Canadian police procedural series doubles as a compelling redemption tale. Jessica Lucas (Gotham, Evil Dead) stars as Kate Jameson, a rookie homicide detective whose negligence resulted in a fellow officer's death, leaving her with plenty to prove. Orphan Black's Dylan Bruce co-stars as Nolan Wells, the detective she teams up with in a bid to recalibrate her career trajectory and atone for her terrible mistake. If you like your crime drama with a generous side of human intrigue, it's definitely one to try.

The Murders begins Thursday, February 4 on Sundance Now.

Balthazar

This stylish crime series is one of France's biggest TV shows; the latest season finale attracted a stellar 7.1 million viewers. Tomer Sisley (We're the Millers) stars as the charismatic title character, a brilliant forensic pathologist who solves complex murders with police partner Hlne Bach (Hlne de Fougerolles) by making the deceased speak figuratively-speaking, of course. This third season sees him sucked into an intriguing new case as he becomes increasingly haunted by one he can't solve: the murder of his wife a decade ago. Even if you've not watched before, expect to be gripped from the start.

Season three of Balthazar premieres Monday, February 8 on Acorn TV.

The Weeknd: The Highlights

This greatest hits album arrives with impeccable timing just two days before The Weeknd headlines the Super Bowl LV halftime show. Featuring 18 tracks including collaborations with Ariana Grande, Kendrick Lamar, and Daft Punk, it's a welcome reminder that the Canadian singer-songwriter born Abel Tesfaye has been responsible for some of the most indelible pop moments of the past decade. Come on: who can resist gold-plated bops like "Can't Feel My Face," "Starboy," and last year's '80s-influenced gem "Blinding Lights?"

The Highlights will be released Friday, February 5 via XO/Republic.

Grounded with Louis Theroux

British documentary-maker Louis Theroux began this BBC podcast last year when the pandemic halted his shooting schedule, and it's gone from strength to strength ever since. Theroux is a calm, comforting, and skilled interviewer who gets the best out of his illustrious guests; recent episodes with Michaela Coel, Justin Theroux, Boy George, Riz Ahmed, Miriam Margolyes, and Helena Bonham Carter come especially recommended. See what we mean by "illustrious?"

Season two of Grounded with Louis Theroux is available now on all the usual podcast platforms.

The Real Prince Philip

At 99 and three years into his well earned retirement, Prince Philip is not only longest-serving consort of a reigning U.K. monarch, but also the oldest ever male member of the British Royal family. This documentary drawing from a rare archive interview with the Prince himself examines his life and achievements with a particular emphasis on his early military career. If you've enjoyed Matt Smith and Tobias Menzies' depiction of Philip in The Crown, this could be your chance to give the Netflix series a bit of a fact-check.

The Real Prince Philip premieres Monday, February 15 on Acorn TV.

Blithe Spirit

This adaptation ofNol Coward's stage play hasn't received quite such enthusiastic reviews as David Lean's 1945 film starring Rex Harrison and Margaret Rutherford. Still, no one would judge you for being tempted by its ensemble cast. Dan Stevens stars as Charles Condomine, the frustrated novelist who invites eccentric clairvoyant Madame Arcati (Dame Judi Dench) to his house for creative inspiration, only to be shocked when she summons the ghost of his late wife Elvira (Leslie Mann). When Elvirastarts meddling in his relationship with new wife Ruth (Isla Fisher), Coward's flair for farce really kicks in.

Blithe Spirit is released on VOD and in theaters Friday, February 19. Watch the trailer.

Julien Baker: Little Oblivions

Since releasing her debut album Sprained Ankle in 2015, Tennessee-born folksinger Julien Baker has won acclaim for her emotionally resonant songwriting exploring mental health issues, substance abuse, and the way she reconciles being queer and Christian. Baker's upcoming third album sees her embrace a somewhat fuller alt-rock sound without dialing down her signature emotional intimacy; check out sublime lead single "Faith Healer," a poignant rumination on the pull of addiction.

Little Oblivions is released February 26 via Matador.

What are you most looking forward to watching or listening to this month?

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Pop Culture Pulse: From the Return of 'The Walking Dead' to Dame Judi Dench Getting Spiritual | Anglophenia - Anglophenia