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Frankenweenie (POSTMEDIA)

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U.S. President Barack Obama (CP)

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The Tragically Hip (CP)

"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 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: Frankenweenie (Oct. 5)

Big picture: This modern re-imagining of Frankenstein comes from the creative mind of Tim Burton. (For those who remember 1990, Burton already mined this territory in Edward Scissorhands.) In the new film, boy-scientist Victor harnesses lighting to resurrect his wiener dog Sparky with monstrous -- and occasionally adorable -- consequences (I believe the Rolling Stones once brought Keith Richards back the same way -- with eerily similar results).

In Frankenweenie, Victor's science teacher inspires the boy's mad science with an in-class lesson: "The nervous system is just wires and cables. Even after death, the muscles respond to electricity." (But who knew they could still play guitar in the world's biggest rock band?)

Forecast: There are two things Burton loves above all else: corpses and Johnny Depp. But his recent collaborations with the latter have often had the warmth of the former. Edward Scissorhands brimmed with life and humanity, so maybe Frankenstein-esque turf is a good fit for the director. This 3-D, Depp-free family movie may do more than bring a puppy back to life -- it may resurrect Burton's mojo.

Honourable mention: Taken 2 (Oct. 5). They could have called this franchise Kidnap Hard. With this sequel, retired CIA agent Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) officially becomes the "John McClane of kidnapping." Just like the Die Hard protagonist was an unwitting magnet for every terror plot ever hatched, so it is for Mills on the kidnapping front. This time around, Mills contends with the vengeful father of one of the Albanians he killed in the first Taken (as punishment for kidnapping his daughter, of course). This time around, the hostage is Mills' wife. For Taken 3, I want to see Liam Neeson called into action to rescue his agent from the clutches of greed.

TV

Big events: First American Presidential Debate (Oct. 3, CNN and other major U.S. networks); Jersey Shore (Oct. 4, MTV Canada, 9 p.m.).

Big picture: For those who enjoy vulgar, morally-bankrupt TV full of buffoons and empty vessels, this week offers . . . The First Presidential Debate. For those who want to catch up with Snooki, The Situation and their half-wit, perma-tanned friends, the cast of Jersey Shore is back for a sixth and final season. (This is now officially the longest "15 minutes of fame" in history.) The Situation is sober after returning from rehab -- and Snooki is pregnant? Won't the Jersey Shore nightclub business go bankrupt? Will the episodes focus on the healthy-living housemates Pictionary tournaments? And the most important question: will Snooki's baby be born with orange skin?

Forecast: Republicans should take the less painful option and watch Jersey Shore. Mitt Romney is to a live camera what oil is to water -- or church is to Charlie Sheen. (I just realized something else: Joe Biden is to the White House what Snooki is to the Jersey Shore house.)

Honourable mention: 30 Rock (Oct. 4, NBC, Citytv, 7 p.m.)

30 Rock opens its doors for a final season. There was a time when the show was untouchable as the most heralded, ratings-challenged sitcom on television. But Modern Family stole away the award-podium moments -- and now the Rock is just ratings challenged. Far from its peak years, the show's finest comic moments are still among TV's best. Tina Fey deserves full credit for creating one of the best sitcoms in recent history and for handing Alex Baldwin such an unexpected, late-career defining performance as executive Jack Donaghy. Baldwin has mulled running to become New York's mayor, but I'd like to see him run for the Oval Office. I can just imagine the message left on Vladimir Putin's answering machine calling him a "rude, thoughtless little pig." Now that's hard diplomacy. No more Mr. Nice President.

MUSIC

Big release on Tuesday: The Tragically Hip (Now for Plan A)

Big picture: On the same week lightning is bringing back the dead on the big screen comes a new release from The Tragically Hip. Coincidental? I think not. Frontman Gord Downie's manic energy and twitching have always made me suspect he's been hit by a few bolts over the years. Downie's vocal shrieks and emotive wails are in fine form here on a punchy, moving 12th album that harkens back to some of the Kingston band's classics. Standout tracks like The Modern Spirit and We Want to Be It are sure to become standards of the band's legendary live shows.

Forecast: The Hip still live up to their name. This week, there's no need for a plan B.

Honourable mention: Diana Krall (Glad Rag Doll). More Cancon! B.C. jazz chanteuse, Diana Krall, shakes it all out on her new album, inspired by the '20s and '30s, and produced by T-Bone Burnett. With breathy covers of old jazz standards and vaudeville, Krall proves everything old is new again (Notable exception to this rule: Keith Richards).

-- Postmedia News

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 30, 2012 ??65527