The It List is Yahoo’s weekly look at the best in pop culture, including movies, music, TV, streaming, games, books, podcasts and more. Here are our picks from June 19-25, including the best deals we could find for each.
WATCH IT: Jennifer Lawrence single-handedly saves R-rated comedy with No strong emotions
Who said they don’t make them like they used to? Jennifer Lawrence puts her star power on the line to bring back R-rated comedy with No strong emotions, the tender and heartwarming story of an introverted 19-year-old (Andrew Barth Feldman) and the sexy Uber driver (Lawrence) whom the boy’s parents hire to help him lose his virginity. It’s a premise that probably would’ve topped the box office in the ’80s or ’90s, but we’ll have to wait and see if it catches fire with Gen Z. Feldman, at least, is betting big on the moviegoers in his band of age. . The 21-year-old actor delayed his arrival at Harvard in order to be the object of Lawrence’s well-paid affection. — Ethan Alter
No strong emotions premieres Friday, June 23 in theaters; visit fandango for timetables and ticket information.
SHARE IT: Take care of Maya examines an inconceivable but true story
This documentary examines the case of Maya Kowalski, who at the age of 10 in 2016 was taken by her parents to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. bursts. But by the time her health improved, Maya was temporarily placed in state custody, and her mother had been deemed to have the mental illness of what the Cleveland Clinic said was once called Munchausen syndrome by proxy and is now known as factitious disorder imposed on another. While Maya was still separated from her mother, her mother committed suicide. Now, in their own words, Maya and her father, Jack, give their perspective on the heartbreaking turn of events. —Raechal Shewfelt
Take care of Maya premieres Monday, June 19 on netflix.
WATCH THIS: The Last Horseman tells the dramatic true story of Tour de France champion Greg LeMond
Gentleman, start your bike. With the Tour de France 2023 kicking off on July 1st, it’s the perfect time to brush up on your cycling story with The Last Horseman – a profile of former Tour champion Greg LeMond. Directed by Alex Holmes, the film recounts his hard-fought victory in 1989 via archival footage and new interviews. In this exclusive clip, LeMond describes the unique experience of crossing the finish line in the first place. “I was ready to quit and I won the Tour,” he said. “It was a powerful moment.” — EA
The Last Horseman premieres in theaters Friday, June 23; visit fandango for timetable and ticket information.
SHARE IT: Surrounded features the final performance of the film by Michael K. Williams
By the time of his death in September 2021, acclaimed actor Michael K. Williams had completed several feature films that made their way to theaters and VOD services in the years that followed. The new western Surrounded East Thread the star’s latest film, pairing it with Black Pantheris Letitia Wright. Directed by Anthony Mandler, the drama stars Williams as Will Clay, a frontier who crosses paths with Wright’s Moses Washington – a soldier and freedwoman who disguises herself as a man while traversing the perilous American West. This exclusive clip from the film features the two stars discussing a danger they both face. — EA
Surrounded premieres Tuesday, June 20 on most digital services.
STREAM IT: Yes, chief, we’ll take another portion of The Bear
As the critically acclaimed series returns for Season 2, Chef Carmy and his team embark on a massive project: transforming their meager restaurant, the Original Beef of Chicagoland, into an upscale destination. It won’t be easy, of course, as the team, including Sydney’s sous-chef Ayo Edebiri, fight for the money and the time to carry out their plans. If you’re looking for a snack while you watch, consider ordering the actual version of the show’s signature sammie, which is available to ship across the United States, via Windy City’s Buona Restaurant. — RS
the bear premieres Thursday, June 22 FX on Hulu.
LISTEN: Kelly Clarkson is coming back stronger than ever
Chemistry is Kelly Clarkson’s first album since 2017 – and, more specifically, her first album since her acrimonious split from her former husband and manager, Brandon Blackstock. Long time fans of american idol powerhouse knows it is capable of recording classic breakup songs (“Since U Been Gone”, “Never Again” and “Stronger”, to name a few). Expectations are therefore high as Clarkson – who wrote 60 songs to help her through her divorce trauma – returns with what she described as her most personal record to date and “as if Break away And Stronger had a baby.” Collaborators include Carly Rae Jepsen, Steve Martin, Sheila E. and the Clarkson alum The voice co-star Nick Jonas. — Lyndsey Parker
Chemistry by Kelly Clarkson is available Friday, June 23 for download/streaming on .
SHARE IT: The walk chronicles an important piece of NYC’s LGBTQ history
Today, New York’s Meatpacking District is a trendy neighborhood filled with restaurants and shops. Forty years ago, the neighborhood had a very different vibe – but it was still home to a close-knit community. Kirsten Lovell’s moving documentary, The walk, talks to some of the transgender sex workers who made a living in this area despite dangerous circumstances. And Lovell was one of those women, making this film both a chronicle of a different New York and a very personal story. — EA
The walk premieres on Wednesday June 21 HBO And Max.
HEAR: Kim Petras is a beauty and a Beast
Last year, Kim Petras made pop history as the first solo trans artist to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with her sultry Sam Smith duet, “Unholy.” And she continued to blaze that trail at this year’s Grammy Awards, when “Unholy” won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, making her the . Now the German electropop maverick, who has already released two mixtapes, three EPs and 22 singles and amassed a cult following over the past decade, is finally releasing her debut album, feed the beast (after scrapping his first leaked album attempt, ProblemLast year). feed the beast features duets with Nicki Minaj and Banks, plus “Unholy” as a bonus feature, but Petras is clearly making a name for herself. — LP
feed the beast by Kim Petras is available on Friday June 23 for download/streaming on .
HEAR IT: Big Freedia takes center stage
New Orleans bouncing music icon Big Freedia has been leading the way since 1999, touring and collaborating with everyone from the Postal Service to Kesha to RuPaul; featured on Fuse’s highest-rated TV show; and even set a Guinness World Record for twerking. But Freedia’s collaborations with Beyoncé – first as sampled vocals on her 2016 Lemonade hitting “Formation,” then providing new studio vocals for 2022’s “Break My Soul” banger — jettisoned the Southern rapper to the mainstream and even earned him a Grammy nomination. Now, while Freedia has released four mixtapes, seven EPs, 36 singles and 25 music videos, he is finally releasing his second full album (and first album since 2014), Downtown. Your summer twerking soundtrack has arrived! — LP
Downtown by Big Freedia is available Friday, June 23 for download/streaming on .
SHARE IT: One star review visits businesses plagued by bad reviews to see if they are as bad as their reviews make them out to be
You know those poorly rated businesses that many of us avoid on review sites like Yelp? Vice’s Taji Ameen is looking for them in this series, some of which has already aired internationally. Ameen finds herself reviewing, say, the lowest-rated MMA trainer, driving instructor, and colorist — to give her frosty advice, of course — in this fun series. Businesses aren’t always thrilled to see it, which creates awkward and even unexpected connection moments. — RS
One star review airs Monday, June 19 at 10 p.m. on Vice.
HEAR: Jason Mraz returns with this 70s album
Jason Mraz may be best known as a folk who plays the guitar and wears sandals, but on Mystical Magical Rhythmic Radical Ride, he’s gone disco – judging by the effervescent summer single “I Feel Like Dancing” by Jamiroquai/Scissor Sisters, the 70s vibes of his music video for “Pancakes & Butter” and, of course, the banger “Disco Sun.” In a statement, Mraz says the record (which reunites him with Raining Jane, who worked in 2014 YES!and Martin Terefe, who produced 2008 We sing. We Dance. We steal things.), is about “self-expression, acceptance, and time travel” and “feels like both a reunion of sounds and actors, as well as a fresh start in new sonic territory.” — LP
Mystical Magical Rhythmic Radical Ride by Jason Mraz is available Friday, June 23 for download/streaming on .