New Releases for the week of March 8 - 14
Bombshell
This Oscar-winning film is based on the true story of sexual harassment at Fox News and the efforts of some of the network's brightest stars to bring the nefarious behavior to light. Facing criticism from their peers and the media at large, journalists Megyn Kelly (Theron), Gretchen Carlson (Kidman) and Kayla Pospisil (Robbie) struggle with the consequences of coming forward with allegations against Fox News CEO Roger Ailes (Lithgow). The film is an emotional look at the famous case that brought down a media titan and galvanized others to take a stand against workplace harassment.
Director: Jay Roach. Stars: Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, John Lithgow, Allison Janney, Malcolm McDowell, Kate McKinnon, Connie Britton, Liv Hewson, Brigette Lundy-Paine. 2019. 109 mins. Drama.
Uncut Gems
When a rare black opal is unearthed from an Ethiopian mine, it lands in the jewelry shop of Jewish New Yorker Howard Ratner (Sandler), who immediately sees it as a way to pay off the gambling debt he owes to his brother-in-law, Arno (Bogosian). But a prominent buyer's interest in the gem isn't enough to save Howard from his high-risk lifestyle, and he must fend off an increasingly aggressive Arno while balancing relationships with his wife (Menzel) and his mistress (Fox), all while in pursuit of the ultimate win.
Directors: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie. Stars: Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Idina Menzel, Lakeith Stanfield, Kevin Garnett, Eric Bogosian, Keith Williams Richards, Judd Hirsch, Tommy Kominik. 2019. 135 mins. Crime.
Spies in Disguise
Agent Lance Sterling (Smith), a highly respected spy, has fallen from grace after being mistakenly identified as a traitor. He enlists the help of his young tech officer, Walter (Holland), but a mishap with Walter's concealment concoction turns Lance into a pigeon. With no way to secure an antidote, Sterling and Walter must track down the arms dealer responsible for Sterling's predicament in order to clear the spy's name.
Directors: Nick Bruno, Troy Quane. Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Rashida Jones, Ben Mendelsohn, Reba McEntire, Rachel Brosnahan, Karen Gillan, DJ Khaled, Masi Oka, Carla Jimenez. 102 mins. Animation.
Meet the dads: NBC explores life after a loved one's death in 'Council of Dads'
Michael O'Neill, J. August Richards, Sarah Wayne Callies and Clive Standen star in "Council of Dads"
Meet the dads: NBC explores life after a loved one's death in 'Council of Dads'
Michael O'Neill, J. August Richards, Sarah Wayne Callies and Clive Standen star in "Council of Dads"
Say Yes to the Dress, on TLC
Join host Randy Fenoli in a new episode of this series’ special "America" season. A nurse nearly has to check herself back in to work when she gets shocked after her shift, and Randy visits N.Y.C. "Cake Boss," Buddy Valastro.
Blue Bloods, on CBS
Harvard Law graduate Jamie Reagan (Will Estes) opted out of a lucrative career in law to become a police officer in this drama. The series revolves around a multi-generational family of cops and lawyers featuring stars Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg.
Q: I watch "The Curse of Oak Island" and would like to know if historian Doug Crowell and his family are from Cape Sable Island, N.S.
Doug Crowell is definitely from Nova Scotia, but where exactly is hard to say.
He runs a research organization called Blockhouse Investigations, and the group describes itself as "a great bunch of Atlantic Canadians with adventurous spirits and a keen interest in the legends and mysteries of our region and beyond." But Atlantic Canada is a big place.
Young Sheldon, on CBS
Iain Armitage stars as the beloved “Big Bang Theory” character in his childhood in this comedy. While math and science come easily to him, Sheldon struggles in social settings. Luckily, he has a loving family, even if they don't quite understand him.
Q: I have a couple of problems with how they use English subtitles on shows when a character speaks a foreign language. Why don't they stay on screen long enough for everyone to read them? And why do they leave them in the same spot on the screen even whe
I think the problem here is the "they." There are lots of different "theys," all with "their" own guidelines for how subtitles should look.
That said, there are some standards -- subtitles generally aren't in wacky fonts or bright colors and, as you say, they're always at basically the same spot at the bottom of the screen.
Stumptown, on ABC
In Portland, Oregon, quick-thinking army veteran Dex (Cobie Smulders) works as a P.I. while taking care of her brother, Ansel (Cole Sibus). Tantoo Cardinal stars as the owner of a local tribal casino, and Dex's would-be mother-in-law.
Empire, on Fox
When the Lyon's face a drastic loss, their world is turned upside down and unresolved issues from the past surface in this new episode. Meanwhile, Andre (Trai Byers) has an important decision to make regarding his health. Taraji P. Henson also stars.
