We were moving a bit slower this week after our long 4th of July weekend, but that couldn't stop us from putting together our Friday Five. We've got some music to help you chill out this weekend, some comedy to get you laughing, and a few trailers for projects to get excited about in the coming months. Whether you're spending this weekend by the pool or staring at a screen, we've got you covered!
Val
Val Kilmer starred in some of the most iconic and memorable movies of the 80’s and 90’s, but hasn’t seemed to have quite the same level of lasting adoration or attention as a lot of his co-stars. This week, a trailer for his new documentary Val dropped ahead of its premiere at Cannes, and it looks incredible. Kilmer shot thousands of hours of home video footage throughout career, and now it has been digitized and cut into a documentary about the actor’s life. Of course, this includes behind-the-scenes footage from classics like Top Gun and Tombstone, but also captures more private, intimate moments as well. After a battle with throat cancer, Kilmer wanted to tell his full story now, and we can’t wait to see this in-depth look at a complex, often misunderstood star.
Succession Season 3
Speaking of trailers, this week also brought us the first look at the highly-anticipated third season of HBO’s Succession. After a year delay due to the pandemic, the Roy family is making its return to TV, and there appears to be no shortage of drama. Just in the trailer, we get ruthless one-liners, family infighting, and some typical antics from fan-favorite Cousin Greg (Friday Five alum Nicholas Braun). If you haven’t watched the HBO drama, now is your time to catch up on the first two seasons before it returns in the fall. It is some of the best writing and acting currently on TV, and just hearing the first couple notes of Nicholas Brittell’s stellar theme brings a smile to our faces. Just be warned: You might find yourself rooting for some pretty terrible characters to succeed. But that’s the sign of a great TV show.
The Elovators - "DeLorean"
After a brief hiatus for the 4th, we are back to building up your summertime playlist. This week, we have a return appearance from G. Love, who is featured on The Elovators' “DeLorean.” The song definitely feels like it’s from about 15 or 20 years ago, when this blended genre of beachy, acoustic hip-hop/rock was really prevalent. It’s fitting that we get those throwback vibes, though, because the lyrics are all about enjoying the simpler times of summers’ past. Of course, the title is a reference to the time machine in Back to the Future, and the verses spend time recalling old shows, songs, and childhood friends. All of this nostalgia is sung/rapped over a very mellow beat and guitar part, which makes it a perfect jam for the beach, a summer drive, or a cocktail after a long day.
Dave Season 2
Another beloved show recently made its return, and if you’re looking for some good laughs to take the edge off, it’s time to get caught up. Dave tells the fictionalized version of the life of rapper Lil Dicky, and if you’re at all familiar with his music or his story, you can already get a sense of the humor of his show. The first season of Dave was a bit of a breakout hit, and the second season features more A-list guests and bigger gags as the titular character tries to kickstart his rap career. Underneath the comical premise and crude humor, there’s also a deeper, more personal side to the show, which is part of what made the first season such a huge success. The episodes are only a half hour, and are packed with laughs, so it’s not nearly the same type of commitment as binge-watching a 5-season drama. Dave is only five episodes into its second season, so once you catch up, you might have to wait week-to-week for new episodes. But if you’re anything like us, the new episode drops will become a weekly highlight!
Noé Socha - “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”
Noé Socha, AKA Blind Selfie, is a blind musician who has been posting blues covers of hit songs on Youtube and Tik Tok. Earlier this month, his cover of “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” went viral when John Mayer featured it on his own personal account. Socha then released the full cover on Youtube, and we haven’t been able to stop listening to it. The guitar playing is incredible, and Socha plays the harmonica in place of vocals, giving a new feel to an already great song. The more bluesy cover plays up the emotion of the original, and it makes it all the more impressive that Socha is multi-tasking and playing both instruments at once. It might just be our personal opinion, but we think this version pairs pretty well with a nice whiskey nightcap. Or wine, if that’s more your speed. Either way, you won’t regret putting this in your evening rotation.