Richard Linklater’s new film Blue Moon starring Ethan Hawke was released on Netflix on February 14, showcasing the celebrated lyricist Lorenz Hart during one pivotal night. Hawke portrays Hart as he observes his longtime collaborator, Richard Rodgers (played by Andrew Scott), debuting the Broadway hit Oklahoma! This film, centered on the creative tension and evolving relationship between the two songwriters, blends wistfulness and emotional complexity. Ethan Hawke, an Oscar-nominated actor, delivers a performance described as exceptional company alongside the immersive storytelling crafted by Linklater.
Other Noteworthy Film Releases to Watch
On streaming platforms, there are additional films drawing attention. A24’s romantic drama Eternity premiered on February 13 via Apple TV, with Elizabeth Olsen leading as a woman trapped in a purgatory-like afterlife where she must decide between her longtime husband (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), a soldier who died during World War II. AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr called Eternity
“imaginative and shrewdly whimsical with an utterly charming cast.”
Fans of thrilling cinema have also welcomed Marty Supreme, arriving on premium video-on-demand February 10. Starring Timothée Chalamet, this film follows a 1950s New York shoe salesman determined to rise as a professional ping-pong champion. Described by reporter Jocelyn Noveck as
“a nerve-busting adrenaline jolt of a movie,”
it’s already lauded as one of 2025’s most acclaimed and Oscar-nominated films.
Music Releases Featuring Unique Artistic Visions
In the music world, Jill Scott returns after a decade with her sixth studio album, To Whom This May Concern, released February 13. Known for her blend of R&B and neo-soul, Scott’s latest work is characterized by lush production and live instrumentation. The album features collaborations with artists such as Ab-Soul, J.I.D., Tierra Whack, and Too $hort, with lead singles like “Beautiful People” and “Pressha” highlighting its meditative and personal nature.
Charli XCX also makes an impact this week with the soundtrack to Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel Wuthering Heights, released February 13. The album combines industrial gothic sounds with pop hooks, exemplified in the track “House,” featuring John Cale. Echoing Cale’s blend of starkness and elegance, Charli’s style incorporates autotuned vocals and inventive production. Highlights include “Wall of Sound” and “Chains of Love,” offering a fresh take on her signature sound.
New Seasons and Adventures in Streaming Series
Aldis Hodge returns as detective Alex Cross in the second season of Prime Video’s crime drama Cross, released February 11. The storyline follows Cross investigating a serial killer targeting corrupt billionaires, intensifying the suspense of this thriller series. Hodge’s portrayal continues to engage audiences as the series builds on the legacy of James Patterson’s iconic character.
Latest Video Game Launches Adding Excitement to Gaming Lineups
As the world watches the Winter Olympics, Nintendo gears up for a different kind of competition with Mario Tennis Fever, launched February 12 on Switch 2. This game ramps up the action with “fever rackets” that unleash special effects such as fireballs, lightning, and tornadoes. Players can compete in singles or doubles matches featuring 38 classic characters like Princess Peach, Donkey Kong, and Yoshi. The game also offers a solo adventure mode where players start as baby versions of Mario characters and develop their tennis skills to mature and win matches.
Tokyo’s Grasshopper Manufacture released Romeo is a Dead Man on February 11 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Known for gory action titles like No More Heroes, the studio brings intense gameplay with “super bloody action” and what they promise are
“crazy twists and turns to blow players’ minds.”
The protagonist, Romeo Stargazer, is an FBI agent chasing fugitives amid collapsing universes, wielding swords, guns, and summoning minions in a storyline featuring a missing girlfriend named Juliet.
Remembering Influential Figures Lost in Early 2026
The entertainment and sports worlds marked 2026 with the passing of several notable personalities. Diane Crump, the pioneering female jockey who broke barriers in professional horse racing and the Kentucky Derby in the late 1960s, died at 77. South Korean cinema lost one of its legends, Ahn Sung-ki, affectionately known as “The Nation’s Actor,” who passed away at 74 after a six-decade career.
Eva Schloss, Auschwitz survivor and Anne Frank’s stepsister, passed at 96, remembered for her dedication to Holocaust education. Sports fans mourned the loss of Glenn Hall, a Hockey Hall of Famer with an NHL record for consecutive games as goaltender, at age 94. Bob Weir, renowned guitarist and founding member of the Grateful Dead who helped shape the 1960s San Francisco counterculture sound, died aged 78.
Other notable deaths include Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic strip, who died at 68; two-time Grammy winner reggae drummer Sly Dunbar at 73; and John Brodie, former MVP NFL quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, at 90. Claudette Colvin, whose courageous 1955 refusal to give up her bus seat preceded the civil rights movement, died at 86. The fashion world lost Valentino Garavani, the iconic Italian designer famous for his luxurious red gowns, at 93.
Catherine O’Hara, beloved Emmy-winning actor recognized for roles ranging from Home Alone to Schitt’s Creek, passed at 71. Demond Wilson, known for his role as Lamont on Sanford and Son before becoming a minister, died aged 79. Singer LaMonte McLemore, member of the pop-soul group The 5th Dimension, died at 90, along with Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Sonny Jurgensen, passed aged 91.
Why Ethan Hawke’s Role in Blue Moon Holds Cultural Importance
Blue Moon not only reintroduces audiences to the intricate creative partnership between Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers but also reflects on the bittersweet nature of artistic collaboration and personal change. Ethan Hawke’s portrayal invites viewers into the emotional depths of a lyricist witnessing his partner’s evolution and success, mirroring broader themes of legacy and transition within the arts. As Hawke continues to earn critical acclaim, this film adds a significant entry to his career and contributes to Netflix’s growing reputation for offering compelling, character-driven dramas.
With a variety of fresh offerings in film, music, series, and games this week, audiences have much to explore alongside Ethan Hawke Blue Moon. Whether through immersive storytelling, nostalgic musical journeys, intense streaming thrillers, or innovative gameplay, the lineup reflects a vibrant intersection of culture and entertainment poised to engage diverse viewers in early 2026.
