Past lives and psychopaths

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Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (TRIBUNE MEDIA ABC)

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Cloud Atlas (TRIBUNE MEDIA MCT)

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Taylor Swift (CP)

MOVIES

Big release: Cloud Atlas (Oct. 26)

Big picture: In Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks taught us that "life is like a box of chocolates." In Cloud Atlas, Hanks teaches us that "life is like a box of chocolates you ate in a past life that's still giving you indigestion." Apparently, we are the product of forces that "begin long before we are born and continue after we perish." Cloud Atlas is a cinematic epic set in the past, present and future about the ripple effect one action -- or one soul -- can have over multiple lifetimes.

This metaphysical puzzle comes courtesy of the Wachowski siblings. (Why do I get the feeling the Wachowskis are overcompensating on this one to make up for the debacle that was the last two Matrix movies?)

Forecast: Based on a novel by David Mitchell, this ambitious project finds the cast appearing in multiple roles throughout history. The film's co-stars include Hugo Weaving, Halle Berry and Hugh Grant. (Hugh Grant, of course, knows all about how one action has a ripple effect of unintended consequences.)

"Our lives are not our own. We are bound to others in the past and present," Berry's character tells us. What a magical, romantic notion -- unless you're one of the poor suckers "bound" for eternity to one of the Real Housewives.

Honourable mention: Silent Hill: Revelation (Oct. 26). Turning 18 is supposed to be fun, but not for this film's heroine. Heather's (Adelaide Clemmons) present is finding out she's from an alternate dimension in a town called Silent Hill, which happens to be run by a crazy cult leader. Sean Bean (Game of Thrones) stars as Heather's father -- a man who has tried to shield her from the demonic truth. Oh Sean ... Westeros must feel so very far away.

TV

Big events: Don't Trust the B - in Apartment 23 (Citytv, ABC, Oct.

22, 8:30 p.m.)

Big picture: It's like the '80s sitcom, Perfect Strangers -- if Balki was a borderline sociopath and manipulative narcissist with a penchant for wearing high heels and short skirts (Cousin Larry would have had a mental breakdown). All that to say, this bitch is back. More importantly, so is her enabler, James Van Der Beek. This underrated, edgy sitcom returns for Season 2 and welcomes you into a dysfunctional apartment, also home to nice girl June (Dreama Walker). But the cold, black heart of the show is Krysten Ritter as Chloe -- as beautiful as she is twisted. Luckily for the audience, she's also hilarious. Van Der Beek is the scene-stealer of the series, though. The former Dawson's Creek stars plays an exaggerated version of himself, obsessed with his former glory days and milking his one-time teen heartthrob status.

Forecast: The season starts with Van Der Beek plotting a Dawson's Creek reunion after much ego stroking from June. (Not a bad real life idea. Katie Holmes could really use the work.) Apartment 23 -- along with New Girl -- are proof that network roommate sitcoms -- a staple of the genre -- need not be formulaic and banal. The best part about Chloe? You don't have to live with her, you just have to laugh with her.

Honourable mention: Electric Circus: Halloween (Oct. 27, MuchMusic, 9 p.m.). Busty nurses, saucy French maids, Lady Gaga clones and seductive vampires gyrating on a giant dance floor? It can only be one of two things: an Electric Circus Halloween party -- or Tuesday night at Charlie Sheen's house. The one-time TV staple returns for special a Halloween dance party hosted by Much VJs T-RexXx and Liz Trinnear. Exhibitionists and narcissists are more than welcome; Chloe would feel right at home.

MUSIC

Big release on Oct. 23: Taylor Swift (Red)

Big picture: I assume the title of this album refers to the colour Swift's ex-boyfriends turn every time she releases another tell-all country pop confessional. This effort's hit single, the break-up anthem We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, is a sign of things to come. The album features tracks titled Treacherous, The Last

Time and I Knew You Were Trouble.

Forecast: Swift's fourth album finds her moving away from her twang-filled roots. She still looks the part of a country sweetheart, but much of her music could easily find its way on to an album by Carly Rae Jepsen or Avril Lavigne. So far, fans aren�t seeing red... and I suspect Swift will be seeing green.

Honourable mention: Diamond Rings (Free Dimensional). John O'Regan is the creative force behind this outfit. The Toronto artist's brand of glam-infused electro-pop garnered him a Best New Artist nomination at the Junos. His second full-length album could take him to a new dimension of popularity.

-- Postmedia News

What's

coming up

in the

week ahead

"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.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 21, 2012 ??65525