Men in Black are back

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John Mayer (POSTMEDIA MONTREAL GAZETTE)

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Continuum (POSTMEDIA)

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Men in Black III (POSTMEDIA)

"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: Men in Black III (May 25)

Big picture: Their mission is "to monitor extraterrestrial activity on Earth." (For starters, I'd zero in on Christopher Walken, Lady Gaga, Joaquin Phoenix -- and, of course, Oprah). The Men in Black are back for more non-stop alien action, and even more non-stop reels of Will Smith shamelessly mugging for the camera. In this third instalment, Smith's Agent J travels back to the '60s to prevent the murder of Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) and its dire effect on our timeline. Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men) -- one of the best character actors in the business -- plays the younger version of K.

Forecast: If I know my time travel movies (and I do), Will Smith will end up kissing his mom in the past, and playing Johnny B. Goode at a high school dance. The charismatic actor (I hear his body mass is 20 per cent water, 80 per cent charm) is in need of an unearthly box office, and this alien comedy franchise has the intergalactic fan base to deliver. (If only he could go back in time to before he made Hancock.)

TV

Big event: Continuum (May 27, Showcase, 8 p.m.)

Big picture: If Doctor Who was retired, he'd be in heaven this week. First MIB3, and then on the small screen another time-travelling yarn. In this new sci-fi drama, "fanatical terrorists" from 2077 (just once I'd like pop culture to give us "laid-back, apathetic terrorists") are transported back to 2012. Future cop Kiera Cameron (played by Rachel Nichols) is transferred along with the baddies, and assumes the task of bringing down the radicals before they can change the course of history.

Forecast: Shot and set in Vancouver, the show's terrorists aim to prevent the creation of their dark future world, in which people have been stripped of their personal freedoms and happiness (don't get any ideas, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews). Sounds like a just cause, but their methods may be madness. And Kiera is the only one who can stop them. If only Kiera could go back in time to stop the 2011 Vancouver hockey riots. (The quick answer? Kidnap Roberto Luongo before Game 7.)

Honourable mention: Rookie Blue (May 24, Global, 9 p.m. ). Can you still call a third-year cop a rookie? (Eventually this show is going to run into the same trouble as the New Kids on the Block.) Nevertheless, if you'd prefer time-travel-free entertainment this week, the Season 3 première of this Toronto-shot police drama might be your best bet. The addition of Peter Mooney (Camelot) to the cast, as an ex-soldier turned newbie cop, adds new credence to the title.

MUSIC

Big releases on May 22: John Mayer (Born and Raised)

Big picture: In 2002, when John Mayer first uttered the words "your body is a wonderland," I felt good. Real good. I'd been waiting for years for someone -- anyone -- to notice. (Then I found out the song was about Jennifer Love Hewitt). Fast-forward 10 years and the singer-songwriter is back with a more sophisticated sound and new ambitions.

Forecast: While a throat condition has forced Mayer to cancel his tour, the studio album is a big step forward for the artist. Born and Raised matches Mayer's long-lauded guitar work with more sophisticated songwriting. It radiates with the warmth of laid-back southern rock and classic country-folk (David Crosby and Graham Nash even harmonize with John on the title track). Overall, Mayer opens up about his personal growth and hard life-lessons learned. Sample lyrics: "I ain't no troublemaker, and I never meant her harm" and "my shadow days are over now."

Honourable Mention: Cold Specks (I Predict a Graceful Expulsion): The Toronto group's debut album is, oddly enough, steeped in Americana. It unravels like slow-rumbling thunder, offering indie rock influenced by blues, gospel, soul and southern roots music. Anchoring the effort are the mysterious, compelling vocals of frontwoman Al Spx. She has coined the band's sound as "doom soul." Whatever it is, Cold Specks is already getting great buzz in Britain (NME, The Guardian). I predict a graceful ascension in North America.

-- Postmedia News

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 20, 2012 ??65525