A new season brings new entertainment

Graphic by Joanne Velasquez; original images obtained through fair use.

As school is always stressful, you may want to help yourself to a distraction. If your favorite show is ending and you have nothing else to binge watch, don’t fret–there are plenty of new releases for you to succumb to the pleasures of entertainment.

Here are some upcoming 2018 releases, with brief summaries. Some information has come from the hyperlinks within the descriptions. Click on these hyperlinks for further information.

Movies:

1. “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”
   • “Harry Potter” fans are practically salivating at the release of this film. Not only is this film a continuation of the “Harry Potter series,” the upcoming addition is also expected to reveal answers about the most elusive men of the “Harry Potter” series: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald. Unfortunately, fans will have to wait a bit longer as the upcoming film will be released on Nov. 16, 2018.
2. “Black Panther”
   • The wait for this film felt like waiting for Christmas all over again. The arrival of “Black Panther” is long overdue for the first black superhero in mainstream comics, especially since the king is such a significant part of the Marvel comics. Despite being significantly less mainstream than superheroes like Iron Man, Black Panther is definitely a superhero worth knowing about.
3. “Avengers: Infinity War”
   • What’s better than the release of one Marvel movie? The release of two Marvel movies. This movie will be released on May 4. It seems that, as the series gains more titles to its list, the supervillains also increase in prowess. “Infinity War” should not disappoint, as it introduces a villain with the power to ruin the universe. For now, Marvel fans can only wonder how the Avengers will unite to defeat the villain this time.
4. “The Incredibles 2”
   • A few more months of waiting will be nothing for the movie that will be released on June 15. After fourteen years of waiting, the sequel to “The Incredibles” is finally going to be available to the public. It’s an understatement to say that the fans of “The Incredibles” are ready for this. So bring on the new villain–the fans are waiting.

Books:

1. “My Dear Hamilton” by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
   • Despite being a main character in the musical “Hamilton,” Eliza Schuyler Hamilton was a secretive individual, especially about her life after Hamilton’s infamous affair. However, “Hamilton” fans are in luck. In a book that is expected to release on Apr. 3, fans can finally hear about the unspoken narrative of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, the woman who loved a tireless man.
2. “On the Come Up” by Angie Thomas
   • With another story about the struggles of life, Angie Thomas has written a new stand-alone book to follow “The Hate U Give,” a bestselling story that gave Thomas a base of loyal readers. “On The Come Up,” which is expected to be released on May 1, is set to show readers how getting all they want may not always lead to contentment.

TV Shows:

1. “Roseanne” on ABC
   • Returning to the origins of sitcoms, “Roseanne,” the illustrious 1988 sitcom, is being revived in a show that premiers Mar. 27. After a 20-year hiatus, Roseanne will, once more, exhibit episodes of familiar middle-class family issues.
2. “Good Girls” on NBC
   • With prices increasing and wages dropping, families are having more difficulty trying to make ends meet. What better way to exhibit these struggles than three moms robbing a supermarket? Premiering on Feb. 26, “Good Girls” is expected to provide a perfect blend of comedy and drama.
3. “Sharp Objects” on HBO
   • Since the “13 Reasons Why” trend has passed, there haven’t been many mini-series released. However, “Sharp Objects,” a show that is expected to premiere this summer, might very well be on par with this concept. With a murder mystery that drags a reporter back to her hometown, “Sharp Objects” may give viewers the same thrills found in the tragic mystery of “13 Reasons Why.”
4. “The Umbrella Academy” on Netflix
   1. “X-Men” and “Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children” are two series amongst many that display a home or academy for misfits. “Umbrella Academy” is, in essence, nothing new. However, premiering late in 2018, “Umbrella Academy” is said to provide more vivid, daunting pasts behind the characters.

Games:

1. “The Last of Us 2”
   1. If, as a gamer, the title “The Last of Us” doesn’t ring a bell, then something might have gone wrong. Expected to be released in 2018, the sequel to the internationally acclaimed “The Last of Us” is eagerly awaited by fans for a continuation of Ellie’s story. If not for the plot, then fans are undoubtedly unable to wait for the chance to shoot more pandemic-zombie brains.
2. “A Way Out”
   1. Ever thought of escaping a jail with a best buddy? Well, there’s certainly the game for that! With the initial release date set for Mar. 23, “A Way Out” provides a multiplayer experience for duos. If there’s a better way to bond than trying to escape a jail together, it hasn’t come out yet.
3. “Red Dead Redemption 2”
   1. While the “Grand Theft Auto” series provided a more contemporary, violent open-world experience, the “Red Dead Redemption” series focuses on the old-west experience. That is not to say that there is no violence. The game, expected to be released on Oct. 26, enables the gamer to play as a criminal. Loot, duel, and escape; experience the old, wide west in this sequel game.
4. “Death Stranding”
   • The earliest expected release date for this game is late 2018. However, fans are not too bothered by this wait. Created by the same developer as the renowned “Metal Gear Solid,” “Death Stranding” is set to go beyond the typical “RPG” and “action” styles of many video games. This game is expected to revolutionize the gaming industry by creating a new twist on the theme of attacking alien forces.

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