ROCKERS COVER THEIR BASES
Musicians return with takes on other people’s work, Chris Lackner writes.
MUSIC
Big releases on Dec. 7: Van Morrison (The Prophet Speaks); John Mellencamp (Other People’s Stuff ) Big picture: Workaholic Van the Man unwraps his 40th studio album, which features six new tracks plus carefully curated cover songs from the likes of Sam Cooke and John Lee Hooker. Meanwhile, rock legend John Mellencamp covers The Great American Songbook in the appropriately named cover album Other People’s Stuff.
Forecast: If Donald Trump succeeds in making America “great again,” the likes of Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift and their contemporaries will one day be covered as The America Great Again Songbook.
MOVIES
No big releases: But Netflix 2018 holiday movies now streaming include The Christmas Chronicles and The Princess Switch. Big picture: No wide releases. While Hollywood gifted us with coal this week, you can watch Kurt Russell save Christmas instead — from the comfort of your own home. Netflix continues its ever-persistent leaching of the big-screen market by offering new Christmas movies of its own. Case in point, the surprisingly magical family flick The Christmas Chronicles — which is dramatically elevated by Russell as a street savvy, slightly naughty, roguish St. Nick. When his sleigh crashes, a quarrelling brother and sister must help him save Christmas. While some of this is derivative — see The Santa Clause, Ernest Saves Christmas, and so on — the movie features a genuinely compelling peek into the world inside Santa’s bag of toys.
Meanwhile, The Princess Switch involves look-alikes — an unpretentious Chicago baker and mother and soon-to-be-princess swapping places at Christmastime. Vanessa Hudgens plays both roles; Sadly, Russell doesn’t play anyone.
Forecast: Russell could become your favourite Kris Kringle since Miracle on 34th Street.
TV
Big events: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Dec. 5 Amazon Prime); Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (Netflix, Dec. 7)
Big picture: No, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is not another super hero show. It is one of the best shows not enough people are watching. Season 2 of the multi-Emmy winner follows the continuing exploits of a housewife turned unexpected standup comedian in 1950s New York. Rachel Brosnahan dazzles as heroine Miriam ‘Midge’ Maisel in this unique dramedy. It’s like Mad Men with more heart — and more laughs; it comes from Gilmore Girls creator Amy ShermanPalladino. Meanwhile, Mowgli is a darker take on Rudyard Kipling ’s The Jungle Book. Motion-capture king Andy Serkis directs and stars. CGI and a talented ensemble cast — including Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett and Benedict Cumberbatch — help bring the book’s compelling animals to life. This one is not for little children. Only open in select theatres, Netflix opted to give it the bear necessities of life.
Forecast: If retro dramedy and yet another Jungle Book adaptation aren’t your thing, I predict you’ll hit your favourite streaming service and program your own Kurt Russell movie marathon. On my triple header? Tombstone, Overboard and Escape from New York. I also predict that a Hollywood screenwriter is already working on another instalment in the Escape franchise: Escape from America.