Pop forecast
MOVIES
Big Release on May 29: Aloha
Big Picture: Hawaii hasn’t seen this much movie love since The Descendants. This time the island paradise even gets a love triangle. Bradley Cooper plays Brian, a brilliant military contractor who returns to the site of one of his career triumphs and rekindles sparks with an old flame (Rachel McAdams). Unfortunately, he also lights a new fire with an idealistic Air Force commander (Emma Stone) … Rachel or Emma? No man deserves such torment … Need more sunshine in your cinematic forecast? The all-star supporting cast includes Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski and Bill Murray as Cooper’s eccentric, hilariously dishevelled, craggy-faced old boss (i.e. every Murray character). You had me at Aloha.
Forecast: Real love triangles never end well but Cooper’s charisma makes this one seem downright charming. This rom-com from Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire) will at least end well at the box office. (I’m hoping for a twist ending in which Brian chooses to clone himself to be with both women. Everyone wins. Including science.)
Honourable Mention: San Andreas Hollywood destroys Hollywood — and most of California — in this new disaster film. Finally, a blockbuster that doesn’t involve robots or grown adults in spandex. The dreaded Big One finally hits — the San Andreas Fault system blows. Dwayne Johnson plays a search and rescue pilot who has to step up and single-handedly save his family — along with most survivors — from a magnitude nine earthquake and its deadly aftermath. (All of this would be a lot easier if it was the summer of 2014 and he still had the powers of Hercules.)
TV
Big Event on May 28: Aquarius, NBC
Big Picture: David Duchovny picks up a badge, which entitles him to once again solve mysteries. No, not that badge. We still have to wait until January 2016 for the X-Files miniseries. But fans can watch Duchovny battle evil — just not the supernatural variety — as a cop whose case involving a missing person draws him into the world of cult leader Charles Manson in the leadup to the Manson murders. When he goes undercover, will he fall under Manson’s dark spell?
Forecast: Duchovny’s Sam Hodiak is a slightly more functional version of his Hank Moody character on Californication, a man who never gave up on the era of free love. Duchovny navigating a world of murder and mayhem in the Age of Aquarius? We’re all in. (In a sign of the times, all 13 episodes will be available on NBC.com right after the two-hour première. Sounds like a certain network is worried about another cult: Netflix.)
MUSIC
Big Release on May 26: The Vaccines, English Graffiti
Big Picture: On their third album, the London group abandons its penchant for timeless rock for a more experimental, synthetic sound. First Mumford & Sons abandon their folksy roots and now this? What’s next? Will Kanye West tackle choral music? Will Katy Perry wear pants? Truly anything is possible.
Forecast: The Vaccines keep their swagger and are still writing musical prescriptions to save English guitar rock. They’ve just tweaked the ingredients.
Honourable Mention: Ben Kunder, Golden This one is for lovers of Joel Plaskett and Ron Sexsmith. A new Canadian singersongwriter releases a debut of feel-good folksy rock. Given these nine well-crafted, melodic tracks, Kunder — also a carpenter and actor — may soon be able to quit his other day jobs. (Or maybe add bee-keeper to the mix. Whatever fuels his muse.)
“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.