'Bad Boys,' whatcha gonna do? (Read this, for one!) 🚓

Welcome back to the Watch Party,🚓 cool kids. Missed you! (And to those newcomers, a rousing "What's up?")

Sure, it's only been a week since we last saw each other. But we're basking in summer, meaning it's time to unwind, get jiggy with it and celebrate Big Willie Style.

Will Smith is back on the big screen with a new "Bad Boys" and it's just the start of new entertainment options for you to enjoy. There's even another mission to that galaxy far, far away – and this time, lightsabers are NOT optional, fam.

Now let's get to the good stuff:

See Will Smith and Martin Lawrence's top cops in 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die'

If y'all grew up on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Men in Black" and "Independence Day," be glad we're talking about Will Smith's box-office power again rather than what happened that one time at the Oscars. In "Bad Boys: Ride or Die," the dynamic between Smith and Martin Lawrence hasn't lost any sizzle and actually feels more real as they reach middle age, even surrounded by soapy storylines and "Fast & Furious"-style action. (Peep my ★★★ review.)

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

I also reminisced with the guys in an interview looking back at the franchise, including Smith talking about their first meeting 30 years ago: "I felt like Joe Frazier with Ali.”

Check out Glen Powell in Netflix's 'Hit Man' (one of the best movies of 2024!)

Glen Powell has had quite the rise in recent years, flying high as the coolest "Top Gun" pilot and singing Natasha Bedingfield hits naked. His latest movie is one of this year's best so far: Powell co-wrote and stars in "Hit Man" (streaming on Netflix) as a fake contract killer who works undercover for the cops. Things get dicey when he falls for a woman (Adria Arjona) who wants to off her husband.

When it comes to Hollywood dream roles, "you have to bake it up yourself,” Powell says in a wide-ranging interview that also includes his adorable dog Brisket and new summer flick "Twisters."

Stream the latest 'Star Wars' series 'The Acolyte' for a Jedi jam

"Star Wars" confession time: I don't loooooove the Jedi. And lightsaber duels are fine, but I'd rather have an X-wing/TIE Fighter dogfight or a bombing run on a Death Star instead. So on paper, the new "Star Wars" series "The Acolyte" (first two episodes streaming on Disney+) shouldn't be my jam. But it's got some things working in its favor, including a nifty murder-mystery angle (with the Jedi Order investigating a killing spree) and a kung fu influence.

But our TV critic Kelly Lawler was less enthused, saying the show boasts the worst elements of the prequel movie trilogy: "Full of logical fallacies, hokey dialogue and nonsensical plots." (Read her ★★ review here.)

Even more goodness to check out!

• Director Ishana Night Shyamalan discusses her debut horror fantasy "The Watchers." (Sign me up for one of her famous dad's movie nights.)
• Are you emotionally prepared for the end of Pat Sajak's epic "Wheel of Fortune" run?
• Is it OK to come out in your 30s? Dakota Johnson's new movie "Am I OK?" shows "there is no timeline." (Fun fact: It's better than "Madame Web"!)

Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me? Email btruitt@usatoday.com and follow me on the socials: I'm @briantruitt on Twitter (not calling it X!), Instagram and Threads.