SPACEY(ED) OUT!
Plummer earns paycheque and should do more reshoots, Chris Lackner writes.
MOVIES
Big release: (Dec. 25): All the Money in the World
Big picture: Kevin who? Spacey’s departure created space in this film for Canadian screen legend Christopher Plummer. In a rapidly scheduled reshoot, Plummer took over the role of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty in director Ridley Scott’s kidnapping drama — proving he’s an actor you can count on in a pinch.
Forecast: Scott delivers a masterpiece at 80; Plummer delivers the goods at 88. I predict a new trend: Next up, Hollywood will call on Plummer to reshoot the movie roles of lousy actors, too — starting with every scene ever shot in a movie starring Vin Diesel, Adam Sandler and Ashton Kutcher. (I’d pay good money to see Plummer’s Fast & Furious, or playing a washed-up ’80s Wedding Singer.)
TV
Big events: Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time (Dec. 25, Space); Black Mirror (Dec. 29, Netflix)
Big picture: Doctor Who’s annual Christmas special delivers again. Why talk to your family on Christmas Day when you can watch a time-travelling alien wander the cosmos — inexplicably always speaking in a British accent no matter how many times he is reincarnated. Meanwhile, celebrate the return of Black Mirror, Netflix’s superb technologyfocused anthology series — in the spirit of the Twilight Zone.
Six new episodes begin streaming Dec. 29, including ones directed by David Slade and Jodie Foster. The new season includes a feature-length Star Trek spoof starring Jesse Plemons and Cristin Milioti.
Forecast: Small-screen New Year’s Eve festivities involve a repeat of last year’s rock-anda-hard-place decision: Ryan Seacrest on NBC or Steve Harvey on Fox. (My host of choice will be Jack Daniels on ice.)
MUSIC
Big holiday songs: Bing Crosby and David Bowie (Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth) Big picture: No new releases, so let’s take a moment to forecast tomorrow’s potential classic. The Bowie-Crosby pairing is still the best of all time — but it makes me wonder why we can’t have more famous duets on classic carols.
Hello, recording industry! You’re dying anyway! This is your chance.
My suggestions include: The White Stripes reuniting for a duet of Jingle Bell Rock; Vanilla Ice and Snow (a hip-hoppity take on Frosty the Snowman); Taylor Swift, John Mayer, Harry Styles (Baby it’s Cold Outside — Chilly, Actually); Lady Gaga and Bono (Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree); Miley Cyrus and Keith Richards (a drunken, irreverent Joy to the World); Beyoncé and Jay-Z (a new take on 12 Days of Christmas — with all the fancy things Jay-Z is buying this year to make up for his misdeeds).
Forecast: Our finest gifts we bring, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum. You and yours will have happy holidays.