FX drama series an ‘addictive examination’
“You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows,” but these days, a guide through the seemingly endless flurry of pop culture offerings is just what we need. With that in mind, here is what’s on the radar screen in TV, music and film for the coming week.
MOVIES Big Release on July 7: SpiderMan: Homecoming
Big Picture: Spidey spins a web, any size. Even pint size. While Batman keeps getting older (at this rate, Robert Redford will follow Batfleck), Spider-Man just keeps getting younger. This time Peter Parker is played by Tom Holland, the first cinematic Spidey who feels like a true teenage geek. Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield pretended to be nerds, but they became brooding cool cats or snappy hipsters almost the second they were bit by a radioactive spider. And they each (easily), scored the girl of their dreams. Holland’s Parker, on the other hand, awkwardly watches girls from afar — not even confident in the art of daydreaming, let alone seducing. The new Spider-Man gets some supporting star power in the form of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) — who shows up to play mocking mentor to young Spidey, and to occasionally join forces with him in the battlefield as Iron Man. The newbie villain is The Vulture, a comic-book favourite.
Forecast: This Spider-Man is being treated like a kid all the time, and taking on the big bad guy is his chance to prove himself. By the next instalment, I predict Spidey will be cast as a toddler and will use his web slinging to get access to the cookie jar on top of the fridge, and catch playground bullies just like flies. Look out, here comes the SpiderMan. After his nap, of course. TV
Big Events: Snowfall (July 5, FX Canada); Candy Crush (July 9, CBS); Castlevania (July 7, Netflix)
Big Picture: John Singleton’s FX drama series is an addictive examination of the rise of the crack cocaine epidemic in early 1980s Los Angeles. From dealers and aspiring crime bosses to corrupt cops (and even a Mexican wrestler and parttime muscle), Snowfall is a stormy character study. Meanwhile, Candy Crush is a life-size version of the popular mobile game, hosted by Mario Lopez. (Yawn. Call me when they create a life-size version of Angry Birds). Finally, Castlevania is a dark, adult cartoon based on the 1980s video game about “the man who killed Dracula” (his words), and his vampire-slaying family.
“There is a darkness upon the land, a saviour is needed,” we’re told. (Yawn. Call me when they make a live-action version of Zelda). To give credit where it’s due, this series is penned by acclaimed comicbook writer Warren Ellis. So, don’t put a stake in it, yet.
Forecast: Two new series based on video games? I guess they’re the new comic books. By fall 2018, I predict every other TV series will co-star a Pokémon. MUSIC Big Releases on July 7: Broken
Social Scene (Hug of Thunder); Haim (Something to Tell You) Big Picture: Broken Social Scene is the superhero team of Canadian indie rock. Even Leslie Feist and Emily Haines rejoin their band of musical avengers for the group’s fifth collaborative effort. What can you expect? Fifteen musicians, for starters. The usual glorious mix of resonant, fuzzy guitar chords, joyous harmonies, psychedelic rockouts, and epic instrumental bridges.
We’re told the album title represents what the band “sounds like,” and this BSS reunion promises to inject some positivity into the world with music that is “righteous but warm, angry but loving, melodic but uncompromising.”
Meanwhile, Haim is like Fleetwood Mac meets Wilson Phillips. This L.A.-based band of sisters is rapidly — and rightfully — taking over the airwaves with a second, highly anticipated album. The selfstyled “rock nerds” (Este, Danielle, and Alana), would all make great Spidey girlfriend material – if they weren’t a bit too old for him at 31, 28 and 25.
Forecast: Haim has Something to Tell You. Listen up. There’s nothing like a hug to bring a Broken Social Scene back together.