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From gleaming cutlery to fresh-smelling garlands, these tricks will help you get your home spick and span for Santa. London (PA Media/dpa) – Can you feel it? The Christmas lights are on, window displays have been given the wow factor, and magical displays are drawing us closer to the big day – with feel-good festive fixes topping the to-do list. Especially if you’re setting the stage for holiday hosting, decking the halls, and making sure your surfaces, tableware and crystal are as shiny and sparkly as the twinkling lights on the tree. To get your home guest-ready, Lynsey Crombie, a home advice specialist and presenter on UK TV, shares her top tips to make your festive season prep quicker, easier and more joyful. 1. Shine up your cutlery with a bicarb bath “Give dull silverware a festive glow by soaking it in warm water with a spoonful of bicarbonate of soda,” says Crombie. “Leave it for 10–15 minutes in a sink lined with tin foil, rinse, and buff dry for that just-polished shine… perfect for your Christmas table setting.” 2. Sharpen scissors with tin foil “No need to buy new scissors before wrapping season! Simply fold a sheet of tin foil and snip through it several times. “It sharpens the blades, keeping your cuts crisp for ribbons and wrapping paper,” she explains. 3. Tidy up wrapping paper rolls Keep wrapping paper neat by sliding an empty toilet roll tube over each roll, suggests Crombie. “It stops edges from unravelling, preventing torn paper and saving time during festive gift prep.” 4. Lemon and bicarb oven rescue “Mix lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda into a paste to tackle grease and baked-on grime,” advises the cleaning expert. “Spread it inside the oven, leave for 30 minutes, then wipe clean for a fresh, zesty finish.” 5. Remove candle wax with a cool iron To lift melted wax from fabrics or tablecloths, she says to place a paper towel over the wax and gently press with a cool iron. “The heat loosens the wax, and the paper absorbs it for a mess-free clean.” 6. Make your tree sparkle with a hairdryer “Before decorating, use a cool-setting hairdryer to blow off dust from artificial branches,” suggests Crombie. “It fluffs them up and gives your tree that fresh-from-the-forest look.” 7. Sprinkle carpets with festive scents “Mix a few drops of essential oil, like cinnamon or orange, into bicarbonate of soda. Sprinkle over carpets, leave for 15 minutes, then vacuum for a home that smells like Christmas magic.” Be careful around pets, she adds. 8. Garland freshener with essential oils “Give artificial or dried garlands a festive scent by lightly spraying them with water and a few drops of pine or cinnamon essential oil.” She says your home will smell like Christmas in seconds. 9. Tackle glitter spills with a lint roller As Crombie points out, glitter gets everywhere, but a lint roller picks it up in seconds. “Run it over surfaces, tablecloths, and even upholstery to keep your home sparkle-free.” 10. Polish glassware with white vinegar “Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water, dip a soft cloth, and polish glassware for a streak-free festive shine. “Perfect for wine glasses and vases… dry off with a lint-free cloth.” 11. Speed-clean with a caddy Before guests arrive, she says to keep a small cleaning caddy stocked with essentials. “Antibacterial spray, cloth, and lint roller – a five-minute blitz through each room will have your home guest-ready in no time.” 12. Freshen up your fridge “Place a small bowl of bicarbonate of soda mixed with a few drops of citrus essential oil in your fridge,” suggests Crombie. “It neutralises odours, keeping it fresh with all the festive treats and leftovers.” The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa coh

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Four decades ago, the album "Songs from the Big Chair" made the British band Tears for Fears world famous. It's now considered an influential classic in pop history. To mark its anniversary, a new edition is being released. London (dpa) – Even today, hits like "Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" still receive radio airplay and are streamed millions of times. It's now been 40 years since Tears for Fears released one of the most seminal albums of the 1980s. To mark the album's 40th anniversary, "Songs from the Big Chair" – the album that gave the British duo their international breakthrough in 1985 – is now getting a new reissue in several formats. Anniversary edition with a slight delay The anniversary release is somewhat overdue (after all, "Songs from the Big Chair" originally came out in February of 1985). At the time, the pop scene was shaped by sophisticated studio technology, Fairlight samplers and glossy production. Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal combined technique with substance. Their songs were inspired by personal conflicts, self-discovery, psychology and Weltschmerz. It is therefore no surprise that Tears for Fears' songs sound remarkably timeless compared with other productions of the era, both musically and lyrically. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," inspired by the Cold War and the political uncertainty of those years, feels as relevant as ever.Accordingly, the duo's first number one hit in the United States remains a staple. The song has been covered many times, including by Lorde, Weezer and punk icon Patti Smith. According to current figures from the Chartmasters website, the original has been streamed more than 2.2 billion times on Spotify.Other hit singles from the duo’s second album include "Mothers Talk," "I Believe" and the cinematic "Head Over Heels," which enjoyed a surprising renaissance on TikTok a few years ago. And of course "Shout," that ingenious blend of synth-pop, rock and protest anthem, which is a fixture at Smith and Orzabal’s shows. The duo have just completed a run of concerts in Las Vegas, where "Shout" provided the triumphant finale every night. Multiple formats and many bonus tracks The "40th Anniversary Edition" is available on vinyl in two variants, including a double LP on red vinyl with the originally unused cover artwork. It includes several alternative mixes and demos which, according to the label, are available on vinyl for the first time, among them a piano version of "The Working Hour." A classic single LP with the original tracklist is also available. Both are limited. "Songs from the Big Chair" is also being released digitally and as a 3-CD edition. This comprises the original album, a disc with edited or alternative single versions of the album tracks and an interview, and a third disc with remixes, including a notable a cappella version of "Shout." These tracks were already included on the "Super Deluxe Edition" from 2014 and on the "35th Anniversary Edition." The latest reissue therefore offers fans only updated packaging. Live tracks are not included. The following information is not intended for publication dpa pde xxde coh

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Los Angeles (tca/dpa) – Siblings. Parents. Clan. Sacrifice and grief. Symbiosis versus exploitation. Nature versus nurture; the environment against the machines. Of course, we’re talking about the tensions in “Predator: Badlands.” Director Dan Trachtenberg (“10 Cloverfield Lane”) has played around in this universe before, to better effect in the 2022 prequel “Prey.” This new standalone film focuses on Yautja culture, making a hero out of the franchise’s familiar alien foe by turning predator into prey. As a sci-fi action-adventure romp, “Badlands” works fine. But the film is hampered by an identity crisis, unwilling to commit to that genre or to being a standard-issue “Predator” kill fest. Forget about matching “Prey,” a film that fits into this cinematic universe while being its own unique beast. Key motifs are spelled out quickly in Badlands. A mantra is shown from the codex of the Yautja, the titular invisibility-cloaked murder machines with lasers and blades that hunt other apex predators for sport: “Yautja are prey to none. Friend to none. Predator to all.” Wouldn't you know it: All three of those pillars get challenged in the movie’s 100-odd minutes. Cut to: a young Yautja, hunting. It’s a practice quest on the alien's home planet. Our hero, Dek ( Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi ), is the runt of the litter. Perceived by his father as the clan’s weakest link, Dek is training with his older brother, Kwei ( Michael Homick ), for his inaugural hunt. In order to earn his invisibility cloak, the younger Yautja must travel to a distant world to slay its greatest predator, returning with a trophy — or not at all. Propelled by his father’s disdain, Dek says he will conquer the unkillable Kalisk on Genna, the planet of death, to prove his worth. But before Dek can, Kwei defies his clan’s code and his father’s command, sacrificing himself to save Dek, who rockets off to Genna. There, he vows to hunt the Kalisk then return home to avenge his brother. It’s a rough landing: Dek immediately becomes prey to all. Most of his arsenal is stolen by a serpentine vine-monster. Blades of grass are razor-sharp. A sluglike alien, seemingly innocuous, glows and expands in Dek’s hand — then detonates. A tiny armadillo-monkey with the puppy-dog eyes of a French bulldog proves to be among the fiercest predators on the planet. Dek soon recognizes he’s in over his massive, CGI-enhanced head. Enter Elle Fanning’s Thia, a humanoid synthetic working for the sinister Weyland-Yutani Corp. She can communicate with Dek and the planet’s creatures … and she happens to be looking for the same beast. Dek insists that Yautja hunt alone; Thia retorts that they also tend to die that way. To survive on this planet, Dek will have to challenge his clan’s code. It's a decent action movie that wears its influences on its sleeves. Some feel like intentional homages; others feed into the aforementioned identity crisis. Taking a page from the “Avatar” franchise, “Badlands” created an impressive original language for the Yautja; that James Cameron universe is a major influence, from Dek's crash landing to the flora and fauna of Genna — and how our hero must learn to respect and utilize both while on his hunt. But, unsure of what it wants to be, “Badlands” loses steam down the stretch. The final battle is Cameron’s “Aliens” meets “Godzilla vs. Kong.” The home planet of the Yautja nods to “Mad Max,” while Genna looks more like Kong’s Skull Island . The movie feels at times like a chapter in the expanded “Star Wars” universe (toting a franchise-first PG-13 rating, to boot). The plot drifts toward Greek tragedy, a la “Oedipus Rex,” and repeatedly veers toward buddy-comedy territory. Most of Thia's comic relief bits fall flat. Ultimately, “Badlands” is a fun weekend watch for your home cinema — but it won’t leave a lasting impression. The following information is not intended for publication tca dpa coh

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Not long after she was given a nod by Taylor Swift as a "tortured poet", Patti Smith is back with another book for her growing base of young fans. "Jesus died for somebody’s sins but not mine," she famously once sang. This book makes her real religion clear. Berlin (dpa) – US musician and author Patti Smith is releasing her new memoir "Bread of Angels" amid a revival of interest in rock legends among young listeners, with a recent shout-out from Taylor Swift bringing her a wave of new fans. We don't know if Swift received an advance copy of Smith’s new memoir. But it's conceivable that a thank-you copy came in the mail, given that the pop star’s mention in the song "The Tortured Poets Department" brought the rock icon a new cohort of admirers. The 78-year-old is just one of several music legends currently enjoying a comeback among younger listeners, and her famous fans also include pop musicians Olivia Rodrigo and Rosalía. Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen are also finding their way into the Spotify playlists of young fans thanks to new biopics, and, like Smith, are enjoying greater popularity on social media. Old music is the new music, as the magazine GQwrote a few years ago. So it's perhaps no surprise, then, that Smith is now publishing "Bread of Angels" and giving a closer look at what young fans might find compelling about ageing rock stars. Outspoken political statements First, it's striking that Smith — like Springsteen — stands for a radical candour that resonates in the pop culture of 2025. This is evident in clear political statements of a kind that younger stars of her stature would never make. In interviews, Smith is outspoken, sharply criticising the United States under Trump, voicing her support for climate activists and highlighting her refusal to play in Israel. In "Bread of Angels", Patti Smith, born in 1946, portrays herself as someone who contemplates the everyday with devotion. A tortoise she encounters in the woods is taken as seriously as her first meeting with her later friend Bob Dylan. The irony or cynicism that prevails on today’s social networks is foreign to her. Smith recounts a childhood marked by poverty. In her first four years, her family moved 11 times. Her mother worked as a waitress, her father took night shifts in a factory. She describes herself sleepwalking as a child, as an outsider at school who read "Peter Pan" in the woods. The book returns in part to her time in New York, which Smith already described in her acclaimed memoir "Just Kids". She also writes about family life with former MC5 guitarist Fred Smith (1948–1994), with whom she had two children in the 1980s, trading the rock star life for domesticity. Later she lost not only her husband but also close companions relatively early. Yet she managed to retain a sense of everyday wonder. Art has repeatedly brought Patti Smith back to life. Music as religion While many of her contemporaries treat rock as a lifestyle, Smith elevates it to a religion. This emerges again and again in "Bread of Angels". Art is something sacred to Smith. It's fitting for a post-war era of pop in which stars like The Beatles were "bigger than Jesus", but also right now, during a time of renewed war and geopolitical crisis, from which pop, with its own temples of music, offers a spectacular distraction. Smith is known for a preacher-like stage presence. In the book she recounts various artistic epiphanies: the first look at Picasso’s paintings, the discovery of a story by Oscar Wilde, poems by Yeats. Her beloved poet Arthur Rimbaud, about whom Smith writes repeatedly, was, she says, "served" to her by the angels. Smith also writes that she grew up in a religious family; her mother and sister joined Jehovah’s Witnesses. She herself famously once sang, "Jesus died for somebody’s sins but not mine" and finds her revelations elsewhere. Enduring artistic quality Her love of music, literature, nature and her artistic companions comes through clearly in the book. Often, however, the writing remains abstract, and truly personal details are scarce. "Bread of Angels" is not a second "Just Kids". Even so, the memoir is inspiring — it invites readers to look at their surroundings anew and with an open gaze. It also invites a rediscovery of Smith's artistic work. Readers will find it hard not to revisit her cult album "Horses" from 1975, the successful follow-up "Easter" with the Bruce Springsteen-penned hit "Because the Night" and the acclaimed memoir "Just Kids" about her love for the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and their time together in 1970s New York. One reason why young fans are enthusiastic about Patti Smith and her musical fellow travellers likely lies precisely here: in an artistic body of work that remains impressive to this day—and that also lends itself to quotable lines on Instagram or TikTok. The following information is not intended for publication dpa lif yyzz a3 gth brd

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Rosalía has surprised fans with an album that is hardly danceable, but captivates listeners with sensual soundscapes and profound lyrics about sex, longing and God. A risky venture. Barcelona (dpa) – Spanish pop icon Rosalía has publicly premiered her new album "Lux" in Barcelona, inviting fans to hear the 18 tracks at the Palau Nacional – rather than on social media, where the leaked album had appeared. Lying on a platform of white tulle like a kind of Snow White in the snow, the 33-year-old listened as the music played. She then left the neoclassical hall smiling but without a word, slipping out through the rows of applauding guests. Musically, the album is no easy fare, scarcely danceable and certainly not full of earworms. The Spanish newspaper El País described it as an "anti-commercial album," a "sensual adventure." The audience was spellbound by the bold music, listening in amazement and moved by Rosalía’s voice and its great emotional expressiveness, framed at times by delicate violin accompaniment and at others by the almost bombastic sound of the London Symphony Orchestra. The profound lyrics, projected onto a huge white curtain, speak of sex and violence, of this life and the afterlife, of longing and love, of Jesus and God. "First I will love the world, and then I will love God," reads one line. Another: "I'm not saint, but I am blessed." Retreat, silence and pausing are recurring themes too. "I want to renounce this world entirely." The languages switch almost as quickly as the tracks. Rosalía sings in Spanish, Catalan, French, German, English, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese and Arabic. The track "Berghain" had been released a few days earlier, seeing the Catalan musician collaborate with Icelandic artist Björk and US producer Yves Tumor, with vocals in three languages: Spanish, English and German. Fans were already ecstatic after this first taster. The video alone racked up more than 18 million views on YouTube in nine days.There has also been speculation online and in the media about the extent to which "Berghain" is a homage to the world-famous Berlin techno club of the same name. The entire album was not meant to be commercially accessible to the wider public until Friday. But then "Reliquia" and later the whole album were leaked online. The artist’s label then sent a stream of the songs to many music journalists shortly before the event in Barcelona. Rosalía has achieved international success with her blend of flamenco, Latin pop, R&B, reggaeton and Latin urban music. She won a Grammy in 2020 for her album "El mal querer" and received the award again three years later for "Motomami". She also acts, and appeared in Pedro Almodóvar’s film "Pain and Glory" and is set to join the upcoming season of the much-lauded series "Euphoria". The following information is not intended for publication dpa er ro xxde coh

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Madrid (dpa) – The new album by Spanish singer Rosalía has leaked online two days before its official release, according to reports in El País, El Periódico and other Spanish media. All the songs from "Lux", as the 33-year-old’s new work is titled, have been shared on social media, the outlets reported, citing several people including journalists who said they had received the tracks via WhatsApp and TikTok. Several users distributed the material across different platforms, El País said. "One of the most eagerly awaited music releases of the year, accompanied by a meticulously planned marketing campaign and strict embargoes, was published by numerous pirates," the paper commented, adding that the material had been spreading "uncontrollably" online since Wednesday morning. Rosalía’s label in Spain, Columbia Records, declined to comment on the incident when asked, the Europa Press news agency reported. The singer, who was due to hold a listening party in Barcelona in the evening, initially remained silent. "Lux" is scheduled to be released on November 7, roughly three and a half years after Rosalía’s third studio album "Motomami", to coincide with a concert in Valencia. Just over a week ago, the musician, who was born near Barcelona, released the first single. On the track "Berghain", the Catalan artist collaborates with Icelandic musician Björk and US producer Yves Tumor. The vocals are in three languages: Spanish, English and German. Fans are already ecstatic after this first taster. The video alone racked up more than 18 million views on YouTube in nine days. There is also speculation online and in the media about whether "Berghain" is a homage to the world-famous Berlin techno club of the same name. Rosalía has found international success with her blend of flamenco, Latin pop, R&B, reggaeton and música urbana latina. She won a Grammy in 2020 for her album "El mal querer", and received the award again three years later for "Motomami". She has also acted, appearing in Pedro Almodóvar’s film "Pain and Glory" and is set to join the upcoming season of the acclaimed series "Euphoria". The following information is not intended for publication dpa er yyzz tay n1

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Hanover (dpa) – The German coming-of-age series "Maxton Hall" premieres its second season on Friday and is set to bring renewed attention to its filming location, the Marienburg Castle in northern Germany. Interest in the castle – which is in urgent need of renovation – has never really waned, as it has become a magnet for fans, said Marienburg Castle Foundation director Mario Mathias Ohle. Large numbers visitors keep coming to look at the location, located among the foresty hills south of the German city of Hanover. The series, which launched in 2024 and became a surprise international hit, is heading into its second season on Prime Video on Friday. In the series, Ruby Bell, an ambitious pupil, has won a scholarship to the exclusive Maxton Hall Academy. There she meets James Beaufort, the rich, charming but arrogant school heart-throb. The coming-of-age series is based on books by Mona Kasten, and a mainly young audience worldwide enthused over the romance between the two protagonists. In spring 2024 the first episodes temporarily ranked first in more than 120 regions on the Amazon charts. A fund of €27.2 million ($31.2 million) from the federal and state governments has been available for the renovation of the dilapidated castle, which is largely closed to the public. The renovation is expected to last until 2030. However, earlier estimates by the foundation indicate that this amount will be far from sufficient. For the days of filming, the building authority granted a special permit, the foundation reported. The foundation’s board announced that shortly after the start of the second season the parts of the castle that are not closed would be reopened to the public. Temporary openings are also planned for next summer. The following information is not intended for publication dpa tst xxde mew coh

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What happens when "Star Wars" meets the boundless creativity of Japanese anime? "Star Wars: Visions" Volume 3 takes fans back to the series' roots with a fresh slate of shorts by Japanese anime studios. What other titles should you be exploring in this vibrant medium? Los Angeles (tca/dpa) – After going global for its second volume, "Star Wars: Visions " Volume 3 brings the anthology series back to its roots with a new slate of shorts all created by Japanese anime studios. Each season of the Disney+ series, which launched in 2021, has infused fresh creative energy into the galaxy far, far away by giving international animation houses the freedom to explore ideas about the Force, the factions of the Galactic War and brand new planets and cultures outside of the constraints of thelong-running franchise's canon. And while Volume 3, which premiered last week, revisits some characters that were introduced in Volume 1, it also shows how anime is a medium with range. From the gritty installment that explores the complexity of the dark sides of the Force through a battle between former Sith and Jedi ("The Duel: Payback") to a more heartwarming story about a pair of resourceful orphans who decide to become family ("Yuko's Treasure"), there are different types of anime for everyone. With movies like " Demon Slayer : Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle " and "Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc " making waves at the box office,anime's growing popularity is undeniable and its availability on major streamers has also made anime series and movies more accessible than ever. So for those whose curiosity about the medium has been piqued by "Star Wars: Visions," here are some titles to check out based on the themes and stories of the nine shorts that comprise Volume 3. Stunning fights (with some moral ambiguity) Let's be honest: Lightsaber duels are awesome. So it's no surprise that a number of shorts in "Star Wars: Visions" Volume 3 leaned into stories involving Jedi and/or the Sith, including "The Duel: Payback," "The Lost Ones" and "The Bird of Paradise ." For those who are looking for anime featuring stylish and stunning sword-fighting scenes, the ever popular " Demon Slayer " ( Netflix , Disney+/Hulu, Crunchyroll), featuring a secret organization fighting to protect humans from demons, is an obvious choice. Another show featuring stylish combat between skilled warriors and supernatural monsters is " Hell's Paradise " ( Netflix , Disney+/Hulu, Crunchyroll). The series follows a ninja who is recruited by an executioner to join a party of death row inmates on a quest to find the elixir of life on a mythical island populated with mysterious deadly threats. The successful convict will be pardoned for all of their past crimes. The premise may remind some of the supervillain team-up "The Suicide Squad ," but the fighting scenes — and the island's inhabitants — stand alone. Master and apprentice dynamics Speaking of Jedi, "The Lost Ones" and "The Bird of Paradise " also touch on the relationship between a Jedi master and their padawan apprentice. If a story involving a lineage of student-teacher dynamics that's about friendship, human connection, memory, mortality and legacy sounds intriguing, consider checking out " Frieren: Beyond Journey's End " ( Netflix , Disney+/Hulu, Crunchyroll). The fantasy series follows an elven mage, her young human apprentice and others they pick up along their years-long journey to visit the spirits of old friends. The show is part travelogue, part adventure quest with monsters, magic battles and dungeon exploration. Lovable scoundrels The world of "Star Wars" is full ofscoundrels that fans can't help but love for their swagger and independent moral code, and "Visions" installments "The Smuggler" and "The Bounty Hunters" add to that legacy. Well-known classics like " Cowboy Bebop " (Crunchyroll) and " Lupin the Third " (Tubi, Crunchyroll) and the long-running " One Piece " ( Netflix , Disney+/Hulu, Crunchyroll) are good starting points for those first dipping their toes into anime and are interested in the adventures of a ragtag group of bounty hunters, thieves and/or pirates. For those looking for something new, consider " Buddy Daddies " (Crunchyroll), which follows a pair of assassin roommates who form a makeshift family after taking in a 4-year-old they encounter while out on a job. Think of it like "The Mandalorian ," if Mando had a recluse gamer co-parent and Grogu was apicky eater . Political space wars and mech suits Some film and TV shows set in the galaxy far, far away aremore political than others, but aspects of the conflict involving the Galactic Empire, Rebel forces and stray Jedi are touched on in a few of the shorts in "Visions" Volume 3 like "The Lost Ones," "The Smuggler," "Black" and "The Song of Four Wings," with the latter featuring a young protagonist that dons a snazzy flying mech suit. The mecha franchise "Gundam" is best known for its giant robots, but it's a sprawling space opera that touches on political themes including the horrors of corruption, inequity and war. A recent standout is newcomer-friendly " Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury " (Crunchyroll). The show follows a shy new transfer student at a corporate military school where recruits train and settle disputes in giant mech suit combat. The series uses school drama and a budding teen romance as a backdrop to touch on themes such as class strife and prejudice, corporate greed and personal vengeance. Emotionally resonant robots From the Skywalkers' fussy protocol droidC-3PO toHera Syndulla's cranky astromech Chopper, lovable androids are a "Star Wars" signature. "Visions" Volume 3 installments "The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope" and "Yuko's Treasure" each introduce loyal droids that tug viewers' heartstrings. The title androids in "Astro Boy" (also known as Atom) and "Doraemon" are kid-friendly household names in Japan akin to Mickey Mouse and Snoopy, but a more mature option is " Pluto " ( Netflix ). The gritty, sci-fi murder mystery series is based on a reimagining of a story arc from the "Astro Boy" manga, and is set in a world where humans live alongside robots — though the dynamic is a bit different than in "Star Wars." The story follows a robot detective who is investigating a string of robot and human killings, and, like many sci-fi stories about androids and artificial intelligence, touches on themes like what makes humans human. Rambunctious kids Plenty of "Star Wars" media is made with younger audiences in mind, but not many are about the adventures of children in the galaxy far, far away. "Vision" Volume 3's "Yuko's Treasure" puts a couple of orphan kids in the forefront — along with an adorable bear-like droid. There's no shortage of anime series about the (mis)adventures of rambunctious kids and one of the more heartwarming involves a "fake" family. " Spy x Family " (Disney+/Hulu, Crunchyroll) follows a secret agent working to maintain the fragile peace between neighboring nations and the faux happy family he constructed for his latest undercover mission. Unbeknownst to him, his adopted daughter is secretly a telepath and his fake wife is an assassin. As one might expect, a telepathic first grader with a wild imagination who lives with a spy and an assassin can get caught up in plenty of shenanigans. Bonus: The family also adopts a cute massive dog. On the opposite end of the spectrum is " Kotaro Lives Alone " ( Netflix ), a more grounded show with just as outlandish a premise. The series follows a 4-year-old who moves into a rundown apartment complex alone — for reasons that are eventually revealed as his neighbors get to know him. The boy is unusually self-reliant and mature but also childish and understandably vulnerable. As viewers might assume, there are not many happy circumstances that could possibly lead to a 4-year-old child living on his own, but there's more warmth than tragedy. Musical, visual spectacle One of the sta…

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