The long-awaited second season of “Squid Game” on Netflix and singing superstar Andrea Bocelli’s Christmas TV special are some of the new television, films and music headed to a device near you.
Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: the British coming-of-age tale “Bird” from British filmmaker Andrea Arnold and Mariah Carey's Christmas special ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers game.
— British filmmaker Andrea Arnold (“Fish Tank”) made perhaps her most divisive movie yet with “Bird,” a coming-of-age tale about a 12-year-old named Bailey (Nykiya Adams) that come to MUBI on Monday. Her life in Kent is far from easy, growing up with parents who aren’t far from childhood themselves, including a tattoo covered dad named Bug (Barry Keoghan). But then one day she meets a stranger named Bird (Franz Rogowski) and things take a fantastical turn. In his review for the Associated Press, film writer Jake Coyle wrote that, “A resolutely realistic filmmaker turning to magical realism has the uncomfortable effect of making the whole movie, not just the Rogowski bits, feel inauthentic. Instead of being ‘too real for ya,’ ‘Bird,’ with its in-your-face poverty and narrative extremes, never feels particularly real at all.” MUBI also has Arnold’s “Fish Tank” and “Wasp” available for streaming too.
— AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr
— Nothing says “happy holidays” quite like tuning into a festive music special. On Christmas Eve, the Recording Academy and superstar Andrea Bocelli will team up for “Christmas with Andrea Bocelli and Friends: A Grammy Holiday Special,” airing live and on-demand on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET. Bocelli will be joined by his family, his wife Veronica and daughter Virginia Bocelli, as well as Jennifer Hudson, Dua Lipa, Sofia Carson and Josh Groban for a memorable night of merry performances.
— It’s hard to make the whole family happy on Christmas, especially when someone else controls the remote. But this Wednesday, there’s something for everyone with a Netflix subscription to enjoy: Mariah Carey will kick off the NFL Christmas Gameday with a pre-recorded performance of her smash “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” airing ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers game at 1 p.m. ET, and again at 4:30 p.m. ET, when the Baltimore Ravens take on the Houston Texans. Music fans would be wise to stay tuned in for the latter match-up: Beyoncé will take the stage at halftime. Who said sport fans and pop heads couldn’t get along?
— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman
—The long-awaited second season of “Squid Game” begins Thursday on Netflix. Lee Jung-jae returns to lead the seven-episode season, which is already nominated for best drama series at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards. The show follows a game where contestants who are down on their luck and in debt are recruited to compete for a cash prize, only to find out it has deadly consequences. Hwang Dong-hyuk, who created the series and wrote and directed season one, also wrote and directed season two. A third and final season has already completed filming.
— Alicia Rancilio
This image released by Mubi shows Barry Keoghan in a scene from "Bird." (Robbie Ryan/Mubi via AP)
This image released by Mubi shows Barry Keoghan in a scene from "Bird." (Robbie Ryan/Mubi via AP)
This image released by Mubi shows Nykiya Adams in a scene from "Bird." (Atsushi Nishijima/Mubi via AP)
This image released by Netflix shows Lee Jung-jae in a scene from "Squid Game." (No Ju-han/Netflix via AP)
ATLANTA (AP) — Michael Penix Jr. felt a brief bit of apprehension as he ran down the tunnel, which was to be expected.
Then he played like a veteran for the Atlanta Falcons.
Penix's first NFL start went about as smoothly as it could, helped greatly by a defense that returned two interceptions for touchdowns Sunday in a 34-7 rout of the New York Giants that bolstered Atlanta's playoff hopes.
“It’s the game I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old,” the 24-year-old rookie said. “Obviously it’s different, it’s at a higher level, but you know it’s the same game. I've just got to go out there and execute. Once we hit the field, I was good.”
Jessie Bates and Matthew Judon each had a pick-6 to carry Atlanta (8-7) to its second straight win after a four-game losing streak put its postseason hopes in jeopardy. The Falcons came into the week a game behind Tampa Bay in the NFC South and holding the tiebreaker edge over the Buccaneers, and they moved back into first place Sunday night when the Bucs lost at Dallas.
Penix, the No. 8 overall pick in this year's draft, got the call against the Giants (2-13) after the Falcons decided to bench turnover-prone Kirk Cousins just nine months after signing him to a four-year, $180 million contract that included $100 million guaranteed.
The left-hander was not at all overwhelmed by the moment, completing 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards — numbers that would've been better if not for at least three dropped passes, one of which Kyle Pitts bobbled right into the hands of a New York defender for Penix's lone interception.
“He went out and played almost flawless football,” coach Raheem Morris said. “He kept the game really clean."
The defense made things even easier for the new starter, throttling a New York team that struggled to put anything together with Drew Lock returning as the starting QB after missing the previous week with a heel injury.
The Giants took their franchise-record 10th straight loss.
“You can’t win a game when you throw two interceptions for touchdowns,” coach Brian Daboll said. “I’m just worried about this one. It wasn’t good enough.”
With the Giants up 7-3 in the second quarter, Lock's pass for Wan'Dale Robinson was easily swiped by Bates, who ran untouched the other way for a 55-yard touchdown return that put the Falcons ahead to stay.
Judon put the game away on the second play of the second half, grabbing a ball that was batted in the air by Zach Harrison as Lock attempted to throw. The edge rusher took it 27 yards for another pick-6 that gave Atlanta a commanding 24-7 lead.
It was only the second time in franchise history that Atlanta has returned a pair of interceptions to the end zone. Kenny Johnson did it by himself in a 47-41 victory over Green Bay on Nov. 27, 1983.
Lock, on the other hand, became the first Giants quarterback since Eli Manning in 2007 to have multiple picks returned for touchdowns in a game. He also lost a fumble.
Bijan Robinson had touchdowns runs of 2 and 4 yards for the Falcons. He finished with 94 yards on 22 carries and now has 10 rushing TDs on the season, becoming the first Atlanta back to reach double figures since Devonta Freeman during the 2016 Super Bowl season.
Robinson wanted to keep the focus on Penix for making a difficult week much easier on those around him.
“He carries himself super well,” the running back said. “I could tell in the game today he was as chill as possible.”
Lock opened the scoring with a 2-yard TD pass to Tyrone Tracy, who made a dazzling one-handed catch while tiptoeing along the end line. But that was about the only highlight for the Giants, who are wrapping up one of the most dismal seasons in their storied history.
Riley Patterson, taking over as Atlanta's kicker after struggling Younghoe Koo went on injured reserve, made field goals of 52 and 37 yards after missing his first attempt from 43 yards.
Atlanta got another big game from its pass rush, which was credited with three sacks and six other hits on Lock.
After being held to a league-low 10 sacks through their first 11 games, the Falcons have 16 sacks in four games since their bye week.
“I was like, ‘It’s coming, I can see it in practice and how we’re practicing and how we’re getting better,’” Morris said. “But really over the last couple of weeks, they’ve cracked the code. They're rushing together. When you get four guys all rushing together, that’s how it happens the best.”
Giants: ILB Micah McFadden (neck) and S Jason Pinnock (eye) both left the game. ... Tommy DeVito was cleared from concussion protocol and served as Lock's backup.
Falcons: CB Antonio Hamilton (quad) was injured in the first half and didn't return. ... WR Drake London (hamstring) hobbled off in the second half, but Morris said he doesn't think the injury is serious.
Giants: Host the Indianapolis Colts (7-8) next Sunday before closing the season at Philadelphia on Jan. 5. If New York loses its last two games, it will mark the fewest wins in a season since a 2-12 mark in 1974.
Falcons: At Washington (10-5) next Sunday night in a game with huge playoff ramifications for both teams.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) runs the ball in for a pick-6 in the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons' Matthew Judon celebrates sacking New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) in the second half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) walk off the field after an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) is knocked out of bounds by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata (90) in the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) reacts to being tackled just short of the goal line in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) scores a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll on the sideline in the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs the ball against New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) in the second half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs the ball against New York Giants cornerbacks Cor'Dale Flott (28) and Dru Phillips (22) in the second half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Arnold Ebiketie (17) celebrates making a sack against New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) in the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) celebrates breaking up a pass in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (3) breaks up a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) in the second half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates after a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) looks to pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) tackled by New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) short of the first down in the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) is tackled by New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53) in the first half of an NFL football game against the in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws the ball in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
