forecast Pop
MOVIES
Big releases on Friday: The Grinch; The Girl in the Spider’s Web; Overlord
Big picture: Did we need another Grinch remake less than two decades after Jim Carrey brought the notorious, tiny-hearted holiday-hater to life? If this movie is a hit, I predict we will get a new Grinch every few years like Batman, Superman and James Bond. Benedict Cumberbatch brings the green beast to animated life just in time to steal Christmas from an unsuspecting Whoville. (I’m betting on a new Cat in the Hat starring Pharrell — or Queen Elizabeth. Her U.S. granddaughter-in-law can give her acting tips)
Speaking of the Queen, Claire Foy tackles another iconic role: Lisbeth Salander. The Girl in the Spider’s Web is based on David Lagercrantz’s 2015 novel, who took over the Millennium series after Stieg Larsson’s death. Speaking of Bond, Lisbeth is looking more and more the super spy — only with a far more personal agenda as “the righter of wrongs” and “the girl who hunts men who hunt women.” This time her and her journalist pal square off against spies, cybercriminals, political villains — and a mistake from her past (how 007 of her). And finally, Overlord is a rare war-horror hybrid from producer J.J. Abrams. A squad of U.S. paratroopers finds itself behind enemy lines in France on the eve of D-Day — only to discover a sinister science experiment in a Nazi-occupied village. What better way to create super soldiers than to create undead troops (i.e. zombies)?
Forecast: Dr. Seuss is the new Disney; Lisbeth is the new Bond; J.J. Abrams is the new Spielberg.
TV
Big events: Outlaw King (Friday, Netflix); John Leguizamo’s Latin History for Morons (today, Netflix)
Big picture: Chris Pine beams into the 14th century as King of Scots, Robert the Bruce, in this true story about his stand for independence against a much larger English army. The film is released on Netflix and theatres simultaneously. It’s like Braveheart meets Game of Thrones meets Robin Hood meets 300. Meanwhile, John Leguizamo promises a comic view of Latin history, filling in the 3,000-year blanks from the age of the Mayans to, as he deftly puts it, “the age of Pitbull.” Forecast: Have you heard Pine seems to be holding out for money and stalling his fourth Star Trek venture? Those Comic Con appearances are worth mega bucks, Captain. I predict your phaser won’t be on stun much longer.
MUSIC
Big releases on Friday: Muse (Simulation Theory); Hanson (String Theory); J Mascis (Elastic Days)
Big picture: Hanson adds strings — in fact they add an entire orchestra — to many of the hits from their 25 years as a band. This one is for anyone who always thought MMMBop needed a tuba and French horn. Meanwhile, English rockers Muse offer a Theory of their own — delving into sci-fi and 1980s influences. J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. proves he has far from extinct in this solo effort. Finally, my award for favourite band name of the week goes to Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers.
Forecast: Every veteran pop-rock artist eventually tackles at least one of the following album formats — jazz, Christmas or “greatest hits classed up by a symphony orchestra.” That’s right, I said veterans. I predict Hanson is making you feel old right now.