Pop Forecast for July 30: The spy that m unloaded and more

Chris Lackner

"You do not need a meteorologist to find out how the wind blows," Bob Dylan sang. But these days, a guide through the seemingly endless flurry of pop culture offers is exactly what we need. With that in mind, here's what's on the radar screen on TV, music and movie for the week ahead.

• MOVIES

Big releases on August 3: The spy that m unloaded; The Darkest Spirits Christopher Robin

Big Picture: The Spy That Me Dumped is the kind of movie concept that probably started with a title, which is not auspicious (sorry, the Hollywood hacks). Audrey (Mila Kunis) and Morgan (Kate McKinnon) are best friends of 30 years who get indulged in a fun but murderous spying game after an ex-boyfriend showed up at their apartment with professional killers on his way. The girls soon become targets themselves, but are surprisingly gifted with weapons, be they firearms or sarcastic barba. (Yawn When will the next Ghostbusters?)

Meanwhile, The Darkest Minds is X-Men meets The Hunger Games. When teens mysteriously develop new powerful abilities – levitation, telekinesis, super strength, weather control (the usual) – they are declared as a threat and gathered in detention camps. Soon, a key group escapes and begins a resistance against their vile adult oppressors, while seeking a safe haven for their species. (You guessed it, another film based on a young-adult dystopian trilogy.)

Finally, the film Christopher Robin – based on the original "dystopian" series for youth, Winnie-the-Pooh ( That's my, Hundred Acre Wood was a bit scary was not it? Pooh had serious addiction issues, and Tigger's energy was clearly motivated by fear. I still suspected Eeyore knew at the time. about the dark forest and paid the price with its original tail). This new approach to the classic version allows legendary characters to make their way into the real world to help Christopher Robin's (Ewan McGregor) adult version regain his taste for life. A little scary, they do not look like typical CGI characters in our world; instead, they look like real dolls that come to life. (Tigger, in particular, looks at a tail bouncing away from the bloodshed But these are just my prejudices that speak.)

Forecasting: Set aside my irrational fears. Christopher Robin wins only on novelty and nostalgia – and McGregor only adds to his pedigree. This is for all those who have ever wondered what would happen to Tigger who would be unleashed on an unsuspecting humanity.

• TV

Major Events: Making It (July 31, NBC, 10 pm ET / PT); As a father (Netflix, August 3)

Big Picture: Parks and Recreation (a personal exception) stars Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman get together to host one of the first reality shows that I can ever watch. Excite for a long time – a quirky, eccentric craft contest series. The only coupling on this show is done with felt and glue and the only backstabbing with scissors.

Meanwhile, Like Father is an original Netflix movie about a workaholic executive (Kristen Bell) who is abandoned at the altar the same night. is reunited with his altruistic father, workaholic (Kelsey Grammer). Unconventional linking and soul searching ensure. Hollywood has been busy manufacturing and "manufacturing". This drama comedy has the Sheen Independent Film Festival (which is the first film of actress Lauren Miller) coupled with mainstream accessibility. Seth Rogen knocks at home in a supportive role.

Prediction: Poehler and Offerman will surprise us all by revealing that they are developing a plan to launch a new Parks season. (Sigh, one can dream.)

• MUSIC

August 3: Shemekia Copeland (The Child of America); The language of love (Baby Grand)

Great painting: Shemekia Copeland, queen of modern blues and R & B, discovers her soul, becomes a little country, and plants some American roots on America & # 39 Child's. His acclaimed debut in 1998, at only 18 years old, allowed him to become royalty in a genre defined by greats like Aretha, Nina and Ella. (If only the message in his new song, is not obtained for hate, could be embraced by a divided America.) Guests on the album include John Prine and Emmylou Harris, and Copeland even turns a song classic blue kinks. [19659006Duringthesummerpop-rockindielo-fideTheLoveLanguagewilltraininabenchboardofthelightflexionFortunatelyfireballballshavebeenthatPot-to-BlackwillbeatthefairesttimeforEeyoreandPoohtoenterinourworld;itisanemalebellemusicforemourworldofwildlife

Prediction: Copeland is poised to become America's singer.