New Releases for the week of January 20 - 26
End of Watch
LAPD officers Taylor and Zavala are partners and best friends. As they respond to calls and go about their business, Taylor records their actions for a film project. The camera documents everything: banter between officers, relationship highs and lows, even terrifying fire fights. When Taylor and Zavala find themselves the targets of a dangerous cartel, Taylor’s camera footage captures more than he bargained for.
Director: David Ayer. Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Pena, Anna Kendrick, Natalie Martinez, David Harbour, America Ferrera. 2012. 109 min. Thriller.
Nobody Walks
Martine, a 23-year-old student, moves into the guest house of a wealthy family and dedicates herself to completing her film. Peter, father of two, is urged by his wife to help their young guest finish her project. As Martine spends an increasing amount of time with Peter’s family, it becomes clear that nobody will walk away unchanged.
Director: Ry Russo-Young. Stars: John Krasinski, Olivia Thirlby, Dylan McDermott, Rosemarie DeWitt. 2012. 83 min. Drama .
Nature Calls
Randy and Kirk are brothers, but they couldn't be more different. The men have been in competition their whole lives, but the rivalry is taken to a whole new level when Randy kidnaps Kirk’s son and his son’s friends in an attempt to make them appreciate nature and return to his Boy Scout group. As Randy tries to instill in the boys a love of their natural surroundings, Kirk tries to find them and liberate them from his brother's clutches.
Director: Todd Rohal. Stars: Johnny Knoxville, Maura Tierney, Rob Riggle, Darrell Hammond, Patton Oswalt. 2012. 79 min. Comedy.
For a Good Time Call...
Lauren’s life is turned upside down when her boyfriend calls her boring and decides they need a break. Unable to afford their apartment on her own, she allows an old friend to set her up with Katie, who is also in desperate need of a roommate. The girls do not hit it off, and when Lauren discovers Katie’s profession, she is less than impressed. But as the months go by, circumstances begin to bring the girls together. Pairing Katie’s fearless personality and Lauren’s business savvy, the girls create a business, and a friendship, that will change both of their lives forever.
Director: Jamie Travis. Stars: Lauren Miller, Ari Graynor, Justin Long, James Wolk, Mark Webber, Mimi Rogers. 2012. 79 min. Comedy.
Late Laughs for the week of January 20 - 26, 2013
Late Night: Jimmy Fallon
I want to say congratulations to “American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson, who got engaged. ... Yeah, it’ll be weird at the wedding when the priest is like: “If anyone here objects to this union, text the word 'no' to my cellphone right now.” Yeah, Kelly Clarkson got engaged. So I guess now she'll be Mrs. Independent.
New Releases for the week of February 10 - 16
The Man With the Iron Fists
In 19th-century China, the clans of Jungle Village are constantly at war. When a shipment of gold is hijacked and Gold Lion, the leader of the Lion Clan, is assassinated, numerous contenders are pulled into an elaborate dance of life and death. As the son of Gold Lion sets out to avenge his father’s murder, the town blacksmith works to free his love from bondage. Their paths will cross, changing the village and the course of their lives forever.
Director: RZA. Stars: RZA, Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu, Rick Yune, Jamie Chung. 2012. 95 min. Action.
The Sessions
For a man confined to an iron lung, Mark O’Brien is very optimistic. Deciding it’s time for him to lose his virginity, Mark seeks the help of a priest and a sex therapist in hopes that they will be able to help him make his dream a reality.
Director: Ben Lewin. Stars: John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, William H. Macy, Moon Bloodgood, Annika Marks, Adam Arkin, Rhea Perlman. 2012. 95 min. Drama.
Robot & Frank
Frank is an ex-con, an aging thief whose mind is slowly deteriorating. His son Hunter, tired of the weekly visits and constant care his father requires, purchases a robot to be Frank’s constant companion and to provide him with the care he needs. Realizing the robot has no sense of legality, Frank and his new friend have some questionable adventures. When their actions catch the attention of the local police, Frank faces the prospect of wiping his robot’s memory, even as his own memory fades.
Director: Jake Schreier. Stars: Peter Sarsgaard, Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, Liv Tyler, Jeremy Strong. 2012. 89 min. Comedy.
Silent Hill: Revelation
The saga of Silent Hill continues as Rose De Silva and her daughter, Heather, remain trapped in the alternate dimension. Though Rose manages to free her daughter from the horror of Silent Hill and send her back to her father, she herself remains trapped there indefinitely. Years later, Heather and her father are suddenly pulled back into the alternate reality. Attacked and haunted at every turn, Heather must face startling foes and make difficult decisions if she is to make it out of this town alive. Again.
Director: Michael J. Bassett. Stars: Adelaide Clemens, Kit Harrington, Sean Bean, Carrie-Anne Moss, Malcolm McDowell. 2012. 94 min. Horror.
ABC's 'Taste' test: Alphabet network rolls out its own food competition
Ludo Lefebvre, Nigella Lawson, Brian Malarkey and Anthony Bourdain in "The Taste"
When it comes to food, taste really is everything.
Oh sure, if it looks good, chances are you’ll probably be more inclined to enjoy what you’re eating. But most of the time, the official verdict on a dish’s palatability rests squarely on those taste receptors in our mouths.
The end of privacy: 'Private Practice' bids so long and farewell
The cast of "Private Practice"
It may be a cliche to say, but all good things must come to an end.
So it is with "Grey's Anatomy's" offspring. ABC's successful medical drama "Private Practice" finishes its successful run when it wraps up its sixth and final season the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 22.
Kitchen Nightmares, on Fox
Chef Ramsay returns to the some of the show's most memorable restaurants in this special edition. He checks in with Cafe Hon in Hampton, Chierello’s in Philadelphia and Leones in Montclair to find out how the eateries have fared since he left.
Recaps for the week of January 14 - 18
Jacqueline MacInnes Wood is Steffy in “The Bold and the Beautiful”
The Bold and the Beautiful
Rick and Thomas showcase their best designs in the fashion challenge and each later pleads their case to Eric as to who should win and become the next president of Forrester Creations. Meanwhile, Hope vows to get Liam back and lures him into a passionate encounter, which Steffy witnesses. Brooke visits Liam and implores him to finally make a decision, but Liam claims he loves both Steffy and Hope and can't imagine life without either of them. Katie becomes suspicious when Bill gives her a very generous gift and later decides to put an end to his drinking, whether he likes it or not. Brooke offers Katie some relationship advice and arranges a romantic getaway for her sister and Bill. Pam makes sure she's there for Eric when he declares he must move on with his life without Stephanie.
Days of Our Lives
Nick and Gabi's wedding comes to a screeching halt when Chad announces to everybody that Nick is not the father of Gabi's baby. Will comes forward as the father, causing Sonny to run off and Sami and Rafe to have an explosive argument. Later, Will and Sami have an intense discussion over what role he will play in his child's life. With Hope's help getting a wire, Marlena visits Kristen and tries to get her to incriminate herself, but Kristen plays innocent. Kristen feels slightly guilty when Brady passes out from the injuries he sustained during the fake mugging she had set up. A distressed John leaves town when he learns Marlena was afraid he would end up in Kristen's bed. Upset that Chloe won't let her see her grandson Parker, Kate tries to discredit Chloe as a mother by revealing her past as a prostitute.
General Hospital
After trying in vain to bribe his way out of jail by offering to help John with Natalie, Todd decides to take matters into his own hands and devises a new plan to secure his freedom. Carly's plans for revenge get derailed and she soon ends up in Todd's bed. Monica gets angry when she discovers Lucy moving in and later has to deal with Tracy boasting about her position at ELQ. Diane catches wind of Todd's plan from Johnny, while Lucy runs into someone familiar. Meanwhile, Sonny softens a little on Connie and the two grow closer. Britt pushes Patrick to talk about the status of their relationship, while Maxie makes a shocking request. Lulu fears the worst when she hears news regarding Luke.
The Young and the Restless
Jack suffers through the difficult withdrawal process as Phyllis watches over him at the cabin. When Nick calls Phyllis back due to Summer being sick, he informs her that their divorce is final. Devon turns down a job offer from Tucker and later meets with Katherine to divulge the details. Noah tries to dissuade Adriana from coming to the opening of The Underground, but she shows up anyway and draws him into a kiss. In her new probationary position, Sharon impresses Billy and Adam with feedback on some of the projects they've been discussing. Meanwhile, Lily leaves clues around town for Cane that lead him to meet her at a hotel. Fen schemes to make Jamie's life miserable when a judge allows Jamie to stay with Lauren and Michael. Later, Victor is preparing to expose Jack at a news conference just as Nikki arrives.
Leading the way: Kevin Bacon adds edge to network TV with 'The Following'
James Purefoy and Kevin Bacon star in “The Following”
With serialized cable dramas all the rage, prime time is changing. Shows such as "Mad Men," "Homeland" and "Breaking Bad" are snatching awards left and right, not to mention millions of loyal fans.
As viewers flock to once "minor league" channels such as AMC and Showtime for hard-hitting dramas, the major networks are scrambling to follow suit.
Q: I read in a magazine that Tom Hiddleston is starring in a vampire movie some time soon. What movie is it, and when is it coming out?
As is so often the case with actors, after having appeared in a massive, big-budget movie, Tom Hiddleston has picked a small-scale movie that's dripping with artistic credibility for his next project.
That film is "Only Lovers Left Alive," written and directed by American art-film icon Jim Jarmusch. It just recently wrapped filming, with no release date set so far.
Fringe, on Fox
The team faces its final challenge as the battle for humanity's future comes to a conclusion in the two-hour series finale. For five seasons, the show has chronicled the adventures of Special Agent Dunham, scientist Walter Bishop and his son, Peter.
