FOR WHOM ANNABELLE TOLLS
Demonic doll haunts couple as atypical family seeks laughs, Chris Lackner writes.
MOVIES
Big releases on Aug. 10: Annabelle: Creation; The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature. Big picture: It’s Chucky meets Pinocchio. In Annabelle: Creation, summer moviegoers are treated to the origin story of the demonic doll. It all starts with a doll maker and his wife who lost their little girl in a tragic accident. (That’s when the poor decisionmaking kicks in.) When their girl’s spirit asks them to build a doll she can live in forever, they naturally say “Sure!” Later, they build an orphanage and welcome other little girls into their haunted little family. (About the only mistake this couple doesn’t make is taking a communications job in the Donald Trump administration. But I predict the film’s doll maker could soon be named secretary of education.)
Meanwhile, The Nut Job 2 makes me wonder if all animated sequels should be word plays on hip-hop groups. Can Zootopia: N.W.A or Moana 2: Destiny’s Child be far off? In this squirrelly sequel, Surly Squirrel (Will Arnett) and the gang are back, this time to fight a greedy mayor for the right to be nutty in their new urban home, Liberty Park. Expect environmental and protest messages hidden beneath all the furry puns. Forecast: I predict Nut Job 3 will star Jack Nicholson as Surly’s dad — and be called One Flew Over the Squirrel’s Nest.
TV
Big events: Saturday Night Live, Weekend Update (Aug. 10, NBC/ Global); Atypical (Aug. 11, Netflix). Big picture: SNL isn’t back until Sept. 30, but fans can get their fix of the re-energized (thank Mr. Trump) show’s laughs this summer with a four-week, half-hour telecast of the show’s popular satirical news segment (thank Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert), currently hosted by cast members Colin Jost and Michael Che. The two anchors will be bolstered by the guest appearances of other SNL cast members.
Meanwhile, Netflix’s Atypical is an atypical family comedy that features Jennifer Jason Leigh as the mother of an autistic teenager (Keir Gilchrist). The sitcom comes from two of the minds between The Goldbergs, an atypical network TV comedy in that it’s actually funny. Forecast: SNL will offer a much need dose of summer comedy. On a side note, if Mike Myers can “play” a game-show host on The Gong Show, why can’t fictional throwback newsman Ron Burgundy get a job in the real news business? If this wacky, new four-anchor The National thing doesn’t work it, I predict the CBC may come a-calling for Will Ferrell’s fake-news services.
MUSIC
Big release on Aug. 10: Kesha (Rainbow). Big picture: I assume the many colours of Kesha’s eye makeup inspired this album. The 30-yearold hitmaker returns after a long, messy legal battle with her former manager and producer. This is her first effort since 2012. I imagine the low profile has allowed the U.S. glitter industry to replenish its depleted stocks.
For Kesha, this album is personal, and it finds a vulnerable artist channelling her pain through music. What emerges is a self-aware adult pop star ready to take the next step in her career.
Moreover, she has excellent help. Most notably, the Dap Kings’ horns back her in the raucous Woman, a heated response to Trump’s infamous “grab her in the …” comments that emerged during the election campaign. Ben Folds contributes orchestral arrangements to the title track, which was apparently inspired by the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds. Kesha even toys with country twang in the song Bastards. Forecast: First, she ditched the money sign in her name. Now, she’s showing increasing maturity as an artist. Kesha deserves her pot of gold at the end of Rainbow.