Darker Tomb Raider heading our way
A new star dons Lara Croft’s tank top, Chris Lackner writes. And look! Lawyers.
MOVIES
Big release on March 16:
Tomb Raider
Big picture: Alicia Vikander is … Lara Croft, Tomb Raider. The acclaimed Swedish actress takes over the role from Angelina Jolie and the franchise is set to unearth new riches at the box office. It’s like when the Bond franchise moved from Pierce Brosnan to Daniel Craig: Vikander’s Croft is darker, grittier and more believable — much less a video-game fantasy come to life. In this origin story, an aimless 21-yearold Croft abandons her work as a bike courier to head into “the heart of the Devil’s Sea” in search of her missing adventurer father and his legacy.
Not only does she discover her inner Indiana Jones, she learns her dad was trying to stop an evil organization called Trinity, which is bent on unleashing global genocide.
Forecast: “Her legend begins,” the film intones. Indeed. And Vikander needs a franchise to occupy her time in between Oscar-calibre dramas. (Disney doesn’t own Lara Croft. But give it time. It already owns Indiana Jones through its George Lucas deal. I predict an epic crossover.)
TV
Big events: For the People (March 13, ABC/CTV ); Rise (March 13, NBC/Global); Instinct (March 18, CBS/Global)
Big picture: First, a new legal drama from Shonda Rhimes — and Scandal writer Paul William Davies — promises “a new generation of justice.” It focuses on a young crop of district attorneys and defenders squaring of in a famous New York federal court. It’s been hyped as “Grey’s Anatomy in a courtroom.” The ensemble cast includes Hope Davis and Britt Robertson. Meanwhile, Rise is Glee meets Dangerous Minds (minus the danger) meets Friday Night Lights (minus most of the football). Producer Jason Katims was behind the acclaimed series Friday Night Lights and Parenthood. Based on an adaptation of Michael Sokolove’s book Drama High, Josh Radnor (How I Met Your Mother) plays a high school teacher in a small U.S. town who launches a giant musical production in the middle of football country. The expected ragtag teenage group of misfits, lost souls and dreamers find themselves on stage — including the school’s star footballer. Finally, Instinct is about a former, secret CIA agent turned academic (Alan Cumming) who is enticed back into the field after a serial killer is inspired by his famous criminal-theory book: Freaks. Dr. Dylan Reinhart is like Richard Castle with skills beyond typing and flirting. His new partner, naturally, is a nonnonsense female New York City cop (Bojana Novakovic). Naveen Andrews (Lost) and Whoopi Goldberg play strong supporting roles in this series adapted from a novel by James Patterson.
MUSIC
Big releases on March 16: Snoop Dogg (Bible of Love); Stone Temple Pilots (Stone Temple Pilots); The Decemberists (I’ll Be Your Girl)
Big picture: Snoop Dogg releases a gospel album. Enough said. Meanwhile, STP is releasing its first album under newly crowned lead vocalist Jeff Gutt. Gutt is best known for his twoseason stint on The X Factor. Speaking of ex factors, for most music fans the Stone Temple Pilots will always be represented by the late Scott Weiland. It doesn’t matter how many new vocalists cycle through the roster.
In a statement, the band said, “the best way for us to honour our past is to keep making new music.” Agreed. But under a new band name. (How about Stone Temple Conductors or Stone Temple Tugboat Captains?)
Meanwhile, Portland indiedarlings The Decemberists explore new soundscapes — from 1980s synth to punk — on their eighth studio effort. Colin Meloy’s eccentric, literary lyrics remain some of the best in the business no matter what the musical backdrop.
Forecast: Decemberists, along with Canadian indie outfit July Talk, will start a new trend of month-inspired bands. (Februarians or Octoberisms, anyone?) On a side note, I mentioned Snoop Dogg has gone gospel, right?