Pop Forecast for Nov. 2: Spectre, Aziz Ansari's Netflix special and more
Melissa Hank
Updated: November 2, 2015
Chris Lackner
"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.
• MOVIES
Big Release, Nov. 6: Spectre
Big Picture: Finally. 007 has grown up. It only took him 24 films to meet a "Bond girl" his own age, played by the beautiful 51-year-old Italian Monica Bellucci. (In fact, she is Daniel Craig's senior by four years). A second Bond girl, British actress Naomie Harris, is 39 — still in the realm of good taste. But have no fear, ageists — and middle-aged men on the cusp of mid-life crises who enjoy living vicariously through the super spy! Spectre still features one actress who could be Craig's daughter: 30-year-old Leya Seydoux of France. (He'd be a father at 17, but still …) On the villain front, Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds) is the main nemesis this time around — and no actor makes being evil look like so much fun. (If Waltz had played Darth Vader, Luke would have joined the Dark Side without hesitation, and the rebels would long be in their graves). Ralph Fiennes reprises his role as the new M, fighting to keep the secret service alive while babysitting 007. Meanwhile, Bond hunts for the truth about Spectre, a secret, sinister organization rooted in his past. Spectre is a lot like Keyser Soze and Donald Trump's chance of becoming president — the devil you don't think exists until it's too late. Turns out, Bond may have unwittingly been a Trojan horse for evil — though one with great abs and a very healthy sex life. (That seems like a fair compromise: Sign me up for a licence to kill.) Oh, and Bond is also handed the keys to a gadget-laden sports car that goes 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds (I hope Vin Diesel hears about this model so the next Fast & Furious movie is over in 12 seconds.)
Daniel Craig stars in Spectre [Sean Gallup/Getty Images ]
Forecast: My prediction? Craig's Bond actually dies, implying that future 007s can actually be different people. The actor has repeatedly said he won't reprise the role (unless he's offered a boat load of money). Early buzz on a replacement has centred on actors Idris Elba and Damian Lewis (Homeland). A non-white or ginger Bond would certainly be innovative. But I say they go the Marvel superhero route and reinvent Bond in a high school origin story. Get Justin Bieber or one of the kids from One Direction to play James as a hormone-driven adrenalin junkie and juvenile delinquent, with an unhealthy, early addiction to martinis.
Honourable Mention: The Peanuts Movie. Charlie Brown, Snoopy and company leap off the comic page and go 3D. Charlie is on a life-affirming mission to find courage and confidence. He's like the Lion from Wizard of Oz with early-onset male pattern baldness. The big question: Is Charlie too earnest for our age? There are no talking dogs, foul-mouthed babies, dead Kennys or irreverent Bart Men in sight. Linus, Pigpen and Peppermint Patty might not cut it.
Master of None [Netflix]
Big Event: Master of None (Nov. 6, Netflix)
Big Picture: Comedian Aziz Ansari was one of the best things about the late sitcom Parks and Recreation. The series was, in turn, one of the best things about network television. Now Ansari is master of his domain in his own sitcom. His Master of None character, Dev, is a more nuanced and developed version of Park's Tom Haverford: He is still a metrosexual man-child, but also a struggling actor filled with more self-doubt and Louie-esque angst. As for Ansari, he could be the male Mindy Kaling. When two Indian-American comics are among the the best hopes for the future of laughter, it gives you reason to be truly optimistic about our pop culture.
Forecast: Master of None will deliver a comedy master class. (Now all we need is a cable sitcom for Park's actor Nick Offerman and I'll be a happy man.)
Honourable Mention: Flesh and Bone (Nov. 8, Super Channel). This new cable drama is Black Swan meets Fame, delivering a gritty exposé of the underbelly of the professional dancing beast. Things get ugly when a small-town ballet dancer moves to the city to make it at all costs. Why does every male ballet teacher in onscreen history come across as either a sadist, pervert or sociopath? They yell things like "impress me!" one minute, and call their dancers things like "darling angel" and "my debutante" the next. C'mon! Not even Bond could get away with those lines.
Tim McGraw [Getty Images]
• MUSIC
Big Releases on Nov. 6: Tim McGraw (Damn Country Music); Library Voices (Lovish)
Big Picture: Tim McGraw's album title sums up how we've all felt at what point or another. The country superstar's 14th studio effort was launched into the final frontier last month when its first single, Top of the World, premiered in space for astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Talk about cowboys and aliens…. Wait a minute! Wasn't that a terrible Daniel Craig movie? Things have mysteriously come full circle this week. (Next up, I predict Craig will launch a post-Bond country music career. His debut album: Licence to Twang. Then McGraw will shock all in being named the first cowboy Bond). Meanwhile, Regina's lovable indie rockers Library Voices deliver more fuzzy, synth-laden pop rock. To make this record, they overcame a near-breakup, lineup turnover and a random downtown attack that left lead singer Carl Johnson with a brain injury. Canadian music lovers should be thankful they persevered.
Forecast: Country music fans won't be cussing McGraw's effort, but Library Voices are the ones to sing along with. No need to whisper.
Honourable Mention: Bjork (Vulnicura Strings); Seal (7). Iceland's talented pixie queen is back to confound. Bjork's album title led me to believe this might be Vulcan folk music from the beloved home world of Mr. Spock. (If anyone has visited there, it is Bjork.) Turns out it is an all-string remake of her 2005 album. Meanwhile, yesterday's R&B star, Seal, releases his ninth studio album called 7. Huh? Even Bjork isn't that eccentric.
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