Even though the leaves are not yet changing, the days are definitely getting shorter and fall has arrived.
With the changing of the seasons and turning the calendar to September comes a big month in television, as established series return and a few intriguing new options arrive. On top of that, a Canadian comedy icon hits the road, a polarizing pop act hits the shelves, and it is once again time to answer a time honoured question: Are you ready for some football!?
Here’s the best of the month ahead in the September 2014 edition of The Primer.
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell (September 2)
The author of Cloud Atlas returns with his sixth novel, tracing the lives of its main character, a teenage runaway named Holly Sykes, across six different stories. In an interesting twist, The Bone Clocks brings together several of Mitchell’s other creations as well, making this a must-read for any fan of his earlier works.
Maroon 5 deliver V (September 2)
Yes, they named their fifth studio album V, which is either lazy, faux-ironic and lame or “we know you think we’re kind of douchey so we’re just going to go ahead and run with it” awesome. I can’t decide. I do know that frontman Adam Levine won me over a little with his role in Begin Again and his “Why do people think I’m such a douche?” interview with GQ last month, plus the lead single, “Maps,” doesn’t suck.
Hello, Old Friend (September 4)
It’s that time of year again — time for the National Football League to consume your Sundays. And Monday nights. And Thursdays. And a few Saturdays. And those other days too, especially if you play fantasy football and constantly fret over your roster like a certain AmongMen writer with the initials ESK. The season kicks off with a Thursday night game between the defending Super Bowl Champions, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Green Bay Packers in Seattle.
One Last Ride for SAMCRO (September 10)
The final season of the critically-acclaimed and passionately followed Sons of Anarchy begins with Jax (Charlie Hunnam) out for vengeance following the brutal murder of his wife in last season’s finale. Kirk Sutter’s motorcycle club ensemble has been a monster hit over its previous six seasons and this final lap should be the best yet. SOA is definitely worth a binge watch before the season premiere if you’re not already up to speed.
Russell Peters: Almost Famous (starting September 13)
Though the tour began south of the border at the end of August, Canadian funnyman Russell Peters hits the road in his home and native land in September, beginning in Saskatoon on September 13. He’ll head as far west as Victoria and then double back for dates in Ontario in October. Check out the full list of tour dates here.
This is Where I Leave You (September 19)
Canadian director Shawn Levy (Night at the Museum series) helms this film adaptation of Jonathan Tropper’s book of the same name. Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver and Carey Stoll star as four siblings that return home following the death of their father, get grounded by their mother and work through the various issues in their respective lives. The trailer looks great, especially Jane Fonda, who seems like she’s going to kick ass as the mother of this messed up little collection of grown-up children.
Gotham (September 22)
ABC jumped on the comic book craze last season by bringing Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to the small screen. This year is FOX’s turn as they deliver Gotham, a pre-Batman tour through the city “The Dark Knight” later keeps safes with former The O.C. star Ben McKenzie playing a young detective Jim Gordon. Jada Pinkett-Smith is along for the ride as “Fish Mooney” and there are “before they were bad guys” appearances from The Penguin, The Riddler, Catwoman and Poison Ivy in the works as well.
How to Get Away with Murder (September 25)
Landing the prime Thursday night at 10pm slot behind Scandal this season is another offering from the Shonda Rhimes camp. HTGAWM stars Viola Davis (The Help) as a law professor at a prestigious Philadelphia university where the student get caught up in a murder plot. Given the success of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal and how consistently terrific Davis is, I definitely recommend giving the show a shot.
Team Training Day Reunites (September 26)
Denzel Washington reconnects with Training Day director Antoine Fuqua for The Equalizer, based on the ’80s television series of the same name. It’s your typical “ex-special forces goes after the bad guys” flick, but Washington has historically been great in these roles and if he and Fuqua can rekindle the chemistry they created for Training Day, this one will be worth the price of admission. Be on the lookout for a Regular Dude Movie Review at the end of the month.
Prince drops two albums (September 29)
The man that brought the world Purple Rain is back with a pair of albums – one a solo effort (Art Official Age) and one a project with female outfit 3rdeyelogic. After all these years, Prince – who loves Toronto and has lived there in the past – continues to do things his way and this dual album drop is just another example.
