REBECCA HALL

Hollywood has a long, problematic history with movies about racial passing. But actor-writer-director Rebecca Hall is trying to tell a new kind of passing story.

A new film, "Passing," explores a gray area that some biracial or multiracial Americans have faced when navigating questions of self-identity and social acceptance, in a society where perception is often skin-deep.

Four new films with major stars from Hugh Jackman to Michael Keaton opened in North American movie theaters this weekend and only the one with animated puppies fared well.

A year after depending on drive-in and virtual screenings, the New York Film Festival, one of the premier destinations of the fall festival circuit, will return to in-person premieres at Lincoln Center this September, with vaccination proof required for all attendees.

With the help of a few old friends, the box office rekindled some of its old might over the weekend.

This combination photo shows poster art for the film "Godzilla vs Kong," premiering on HBO Max on March 31, left, "Concrete Cowboy," premiering April 2 on Netflix and "Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia," premiering April 3 on Lifetime. (HBO Max/Netflix/Lifetime via AP)Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. MOVIES— Two of cinema’s most famous giants are headed for an old-fashioned big budget clash in “Godzilla vs. Kong,” available on HBO Max for 31 days starting Friday. After a pandemic-induced blockbuster drought, Henry told the AP that the film will be a welcome change of pace. Ad— Legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson gets overdue biopic attention in a Lifetime film debuting Saturday.

Two years ago, “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” sounded alarms about climate change. But don’t fret about finding a message amid the mayhem as the towering radioactive lizard clashes with that instantly-recognizable giant ape in "Godzilla vs. Kong," debuting Wednesday. "It’s about two big guys bashing each other around," laughed actor Rebecca Hall, who plays a researcher studying King Kong. No matter the scene, the actors always knew who was filling the top spots on call sheets during production — Godzilla and King Kong. And his take on it was, well, if you’re going to go big, go really big.

The film will debut at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. (Sundance Film Festival via AP)Sundance Institute programs. Organizers on Tuesday unveiled a robust and diverse slate for the festival, which will be largely virtual due to the pandemic. Yutani said that the Sesame Street documentary, “Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street” is likely to be a crowd favorite. “We all are so excited about the possibility of encountering people who’ve never been to the festival," Jackson said.