Jackie Robinson tale long overdue
42 tells story of baseball legend who smashed racial barrier
“You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows,” sang Bob Dylan, 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: 42 (April 12) The big picture: No, it’s not the new Scary Movie — also premièring this week. (Though it certainly feels like that franchise has hit 42). 42 tells the tale of baseball legend Jackie Robinson and his historical racial breakthrough in America’s favourite pastime. Harrison Ford plays Brooklyn Dodgers team executive Branch Rickey, who made history — and a lot of enemies — with the historical signing. Chadwick Boseman steps up to the plate to inhabit Robinson’s largerthan-life persona. Forecast: This is a baseball story that screams for bigscreen treatment. What took Hollywood so long? (Safe to say, this film would have been made a lot sooner if Robinson’s biography included a friendship with an Autobot, a G.I. Joe or a member of The Avengers). I have a suggestion for the next Hollywood baseball film: 61 (alternate title: Field of Testosterone Dreams). The infamous story of Sammy Sosa, played by Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, and Mark McGwire (my bet’s on Channing Tatum). Robinson broke the race barrier. They broke the morality barrier in their 1998 steroid-fuelled race to top Roger Maris’s long-standing home run record of 61.
TV
Big event: MTV Movie Awards (April 14, 7 p.m., MTV) Big picture: The MTV Movie Awards deserve a lot of credit for not taking themselves too seriously — unlike their dull, pretentious older brother, Oscar. This year’s nominations include one career plateau: Taylor Lautner for best shirtless performance in the The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2. With the end of the series, this will likely be Lautner’s last award nomination for … ANYTHING. EVER. The night also features one comical mismatch: The Hulk and Bilbo Baggins are among the contenders for best hero. Forecast: Relax. Take a load off. Unlike the Academy Awards, you don’t need to watch “because you feel like you have to” and then fall asleep on the couch somewhere around the award for best sound editing (i.e. 9 p.m.). To give credit where it’s due, it’s a rare year when two of the MTV Movie of the Year nominees (Django Unchained and Silver Linings Playbook) were also on the Oscar shortlist. Don’t expect Oscar 2014 to return the favour by giving G.I. Joe: Retaliation a best picture nod.
MUSIC
Big release on April 9: British Sea Power (Machineries of Joy) Big picture: These English indie rockers have always revelled in being eccentric, outlandish and over the top. Machineries of Joy doesn’t live up to their self-titled breakthrough, but it should offer a touch of joy to those interested in more than Billboard rock. The album borrows its title from a Ray Bradbury story collection — not the first time these Brighton lads have been influenced by the works of the sci-fi and horror guru. (And there are far worse influences. I’m pretty sure Ke$ha’s songwriting is inspired by the litter in the alleyways where she wakes up each morning.) Forecast: All aboard. A musical ship worth setting sail on — at least for a trip or two.