New Releases for the week of November 4 - 10
The Amazing Spider-Man
Peter Parker discovers a connection between his late father and Oscorp scientist Dr. Connors. After being bitten by a spider in the doctor’s lab, Peter discovers he has developed some of the abilities of a spider and begins to dole out vigilante justice as the masked Spider-Man. As he unravels the truth of Dr. Connors’ work, and falls in love with the beautiful lab assistant -- and police chief’s daughter -- Gwen Stacey, Peter struggles to keep his city, his family, and the woman he loves safe.
Director: Marc Webb. Stars: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Denis Leary. 2012. 136 min. Action.
Fire With Fire
Firefighter Jeremy Coleman is looking for a drink after a hard day’s work, but when he walks into a liquor store, his whole life changes. Witnessing the brutal murder of the store clerk, Jeremy is required to testify and is pulled into the witness protection program, leaving everything behind. His only consolation is a budding relationship with the beautiful U.S. Marshal Talia. As the trial looms nearer, both Jeremy and Talia’s lives are in ever-increasing danger. When Talia is gravely injured, Jeremy goes to great lengths to save the woman he loves and ensure that justice is served.
Director: David Barrett. Stars: Josh Duhamel, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Willis, 50 Cent, Richard Schiff. 2012. 97 min. Action.
Arthur Christmas
With the current Santa on the cusp of retirement, his son Steve -- and his state-of-the-art, militaristic present-delivery system -- is poised to inherit the role. As Christmas Eve grinds to a close, an elf discovers that a child has been missed. Neither Santa nor Steve seem to care, so it’s up to Steve’s hapless younger brother, Arthur, to get the present to the child and save Christmas.
Directors: Sarah Smith, Barry Cook. Stars: James McAvoy, Bill Nighy, Hugh Laurie. 2011. 97 min. Animated.
Your Sister's Sister
After the death of his brother, Iris sends a grieving Jack to her family’s island cabin to recuperate. There, he meets Iris’s sister, Hannah, a lesbian who is still reeling from an emotional breakup. Jack and Hannah share a brief romantic encounter and things begin to get complicated, especially when Iris’s feelings for Jack are revealed.
Director: Lynn Shelton. Stars: Emily Blunt, Mark Duplass, Rosemarie DeWitt, Mike Birbiglia. 2011. 90 min. Comedy.
Late Laughs for the week of November 4 - 10, 2012
Conan: Conan O'Brien
Ross Perot has endorsed Mitt Romney. This could help Romney get the vote of people you forgot were still alive.
A company just came out with a car that will retail for only $3,000. They are calling it the 1997 Corolla.
The Obama campaign is releasing a new ad showing Americans whose financial situation has improved over the past four years. Unfortunately, the only person who appears in the ad is Mitt Romney.
Recaps for the week of October 29 - November 2
Nancy Lee Grahn stars as Alexis in “General Hospital”
The Bold and the Beautiful
Bill's world falls apart when he learns Katie wasn't bluffing about leaving him and their newborn son forever, and he and Brooke begin a search. Meanwhile, Taylor hears of Katie's plan to erase herself from Bill and Will's life and she is unable to talk her out of it. Katie makes a final trip home to pick up some things before beginning her new life in hiding. Liam and Steffy try to go on a romantic getaway, but Bill and Brooke hijack their trip when the search for Katie points them to Aspen. New Forrester Creations CEO Thomas ruffles some feathers when he starts implementing changes and gives Caroline a new role in the company. Taylor defends Thomas to Hope and Rick and reminds them that they should treat her son with more respect. Stephanie and Eric set aside an afternoon together and they reminisce about the many years they've shared.
Days of Our Lives
With the charges against Jennifer dropped, Daniel makes good on his deal with Nicole to start planning their new life together in Hawaii. Daniel lets slip that he loves Jennifer when she tries to stop him from going, but he remains firm and resigns from the hospital. Will asks Sonny about his romantic past after Lucas tells him that he's just another conquest to Sonny. Meanwhile, Nick and Gabi share a night of unbridled passion and realize how lucky they are to have found each other. Brady warns Kristen to stay away from his family and she slaps him. Marlena tries to dissuade Sami from working for Kristen, but Sami can't resist when she finds out she'll get a bonus if she helps defeat Kate. As Bo prepares to leave with Caroline, Hope gives him information on Stefano so he can keep working on taking him down and they share a tearful goodbye.
General Hospital
Trey tells Sonny he's willing to help have Connie committed after her antics push things too far. Sonny worries that Kate may be lost forever, and he and Alexis have a confrontation with Connie. Carly defends Todd's actions to Sam, and as their relationship gets deeper, the two find each other hard to resist. Todd is haunted by someone from his past just as he starts to feel comfortable that all of his secrets are safe. Olivia receives another vision about Heather, while Starr and Michael encounter a roadblock in taking their relationship to the next level. Meanwhile, the residents of Port Charles gear up for the Haunted Star Halloween party and Luke shows up at Todd's wearing a hockey mask.
The Young and the Restless
Adam sets up Sharon in a vacant cottage on his property and arranges for her to get some professional help. When he comes home to find Chelsea blowing out the candles of a romantic dinner she had planned, he covers by saying he was out looking for the perfect meal to bring home. Meanwhile, as evidence begins to mount against Sharon, Adam hires someone to set fire to vacant buildings all over town to throw off suspicion. Victor blackmails Billy into helping Victoria spy on Jack to get back control of Newman Enterprises. Katherine announces her return to Chancellor Industries, but Tucker worries about the toll it could take on her health. After Genevieve gets intertwined in a possible murder case, Cane gives her a large sum of cash and asks her to leave Genoa City for good.
Masterchef, on Fox
Relive the excitement of culinary competition as amateur cooks create delicious dishes for discerning judges in this rebroadcast. The contestants compete in various food-related challenges in the hopes of winning a contract to write a cookbook.
Q: I remember "Mike Hammer," a serious private-eye drama, but wasn't there a spoof series a few years later?
Depending on which incarnation of "Mike Hammer" you remember, it could have been more than a few years later, but the comedic show you're thinking of is "Sledge Hammer!"
That series ran for two seasons, from 1986 to 1988, and had great fun at the expense of the hard-boiled detective genre that had been taking itself very seriously for decades.
Say you want a 'Revolution': NBC orders up a full season of its new hit
The cast of "Revolution"
What would the world be like if the lights went out? What if it wasn't just the lights, but everything that used electricity: computers, telephones, even car engines and batteries -- everything we take for granted in our modern world?
That's the premise behind one of this season's biggest new shows, NBC's "Revolution," which is airing on Monday evenings.
Malibu Country, on ABC
Reba McEntire stars as a woman who discovers her country music star husband has been cheating. Hoping to revive her own stalled music career, she packs up and moves to California with her two kids and free-spirited southern mother, played by Lily Tomlin.
The 46th Annual CMA Awards, on ABC
Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley team up once again to co-host The 46th Annual CMA Awards. The awards ceremony recognizes the outstanding achievements of country music artists, and features a star-studded line up of performers.
Riveting television: Simon Baker keeps viewers hooked in 'The Mentalist'
Simon Baker in "The Mentalist"
As the networks settle into fall, rookie series disappear from the airwaves in favor of tried-and-true favorites. With no shortage of dramas in prime time, it's tough to compete, but the right star can charm viewers season after season.
Riveting television: Simon Baker keeps viewers hooked in 'The Mentalist'
Simon Baker in "The Mentalist"
As the networks settle into fall, rookie series disappear from the airwaves in favor of tried-and-true favorites. With no shortage of dramas in prime time, it's tough to compete, but the right star can charm viewers season after season.