A STUDY IN SILLINESS
Funnymen Ferrell and Reilly offer their take on Doyle classic, Chris Lackner writes.
MOVIES
Big release: Holmes & Watson (Dec. 25) Big picture: Holmes & Watson finds Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly putting the man-child, comedic spin on the classic detective duo. For Arthur Conan Doyle’s sake, I hope there are no movie theatres beyond the pearly gates. Imagine the dysfunctional duo from Step Brothers semi-grown-up and inexplicably revered as master detectives. This one is for Ferrell fans and social misfits who have already seen Mary Poppins, Bumblebee and Aquaman since they opened on Dec. 21.
Forecast: I would have preferred Holmes & Aquaman, with Holmes challenged by a new brooding, alcoholic sidekick that can breathe underwater and needs help finding a certain “lost city.” I also predict Ferrell will keep ruining iconic characters while raking it in at the box office.
Ben Affleck seems just about done as Batman; maybe Ferrell can bring back an Adam Weststyle caped crusader. Imagine Bruce Wayne through the lens of Ron Burgundy with Reilly as Robin. A return to the Batman spoof ? The game is afoot, Hollywood.
TV
Big events: Yummy Mummies (Dec. 28, Netflix); The Orville (Dec. 30, Fox/City, 8 p.m.)
Big picture: Yummy Mummies is like Real Housewives meets an Anne Geddes calendar meets “why humanity is doomed.” Follow the lives of beautiful, rich and ridiculous Australian mothers-to-be; not even an army of Mary Poppinses could right this ship. Meanwhile, The Orville blasts off with a two-hour première following the end of Sunday football.
Forecast: Seth MacFarlane’s space dramedy is more homage to Star Trek than spoof. Beam us up. The Yummy Mummies, on the other hand, truly are from another world.
MUSIC
Best album of 2018: Janelle Monáe (Dirty Computer)
Big picture: In a year of exceptional albums by women, Monáe’s unique blend of soul, funk, pop, R&B and everything in between hit all the right keys. It’s also the Prince album not recorded by Prince. The single Make Me Feel was a top contender for the song of the summer, and Monáe’s siren songs draw in the listener no matter what the compelling topic or compulsive beat. A runner-up shout-out goes to Bettye LaVette’s Things Have Changed. The venerable artist puts a unique spin on Bob Dylan’s songs. Where else are you going to hear a version of The Times They Are A-Changin’ that makes you want to dance? Things have indeed changed.
Forecast: Monáe will only keep getting better. If you’ve never heard of her, make it one of your New Year’s resolutions to get familiar. It’s an easy promise to keep. Fans of Monáe’s acting (see Moonlight, Hidden Figures, etc.) can rest assured that she hasn’t given that up entirely either; case in point, she is helping voice a live action remake of Disney’s Lady and the Tramp. As long as Will Ferrell doesn’t voice the Tramp, count me in.