X marks the spot: Ed Sheeran set to perform at the 57th Grammy Awards
Ed Sheeran, seen at the 2014 Victoria Secret Fashion Show, performs at this year’s Grammy Awards
X marks the spot: Back in the early years of this century, it looked like the death of the recording industry was nigh. With the masses turning to websites of shady legality to download their music, how would it survive?
New Releases for the week of Feb. 8-14
Nightcrawler
A small-time thief (Gyllenhaal) uses the proceeds of his crimes to buy a camcorder and radio scanner, which he uses to shoot the aftermath of a grizzly crime scene. When his footage is bought by the news director at a local TV station (Russo), he tumbles deeper into the city's criminal underbelly and draws the attention of police as he begins altering crime scenes to maximize his impact -- and his profit. With the police growing increasingly suspicious of his activities at crime scenes and the news director's job dependent on his footage, he's soon walking a delicate tightrope in his unrelenting drive to film the next big crime.
Director: Dan Gilroy. Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Bill Paxton, Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed. 2014. 117 min. Crime.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Alexander Cooper (Oxenbould) is having a terrible day. With everyone in his family seemingly having a great one -- and with all of them having no time for Alexander, despite his 12th birthday landing on the following day -- he makes an early birthday wish that they experience the same frequent misfortunes that he does. Unfortunately for his family, the wish seems to come true and Alexander's birthday turns into a day of misfortune after misfortune for his unfortunate loved ones.
Director: Miguel Arteta. Stars: Steve Carell, Jennifer Garner, Ed Oxenbould, Dylan Minnette, Kerris Dorsey. 2014. 81 min. Family.
Laggies
In a relationship with her high school sweetheart and surrounded by a great group of friends, Megan (Knightley) seemingly has it all. When her boyfriend (Webber) unexpectedly proposes to her at a friend's wedding, and after she witnesses her father cheating on her mother, she's launched into a quarter-life crisis. She ends up befriending a high school student (Moretz) and moving in with her for a few days to sort out her head. Soon, though, she finds herself in a physical relationship with the girl's handsome single father (Rockwell) and she realizes that her picture-perfect life was actually anything but.
Director: Lynn Shelton. Stars: Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace Moretz, Mark Webber, Sam Rockwell. 2014. 99 min. Comedy.
Late Laughs for the week of February 8 - 14, 2015
The Late Show: David Letterman
Last night, the Golden Globes presented George Clooney with a lifetime achievement award. I have never received a Golden Globe, but I did receive a special award from the Golden Corral people.
The 57th Annual Grammy Awards, on CBS
Country rocker Eric Church takes the stage at Staples Center in Los Angeles to perform at The 57th Annual Grammy Awards. Other performers include current pop darling Ariana Grande, English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, rock 'n' roll veterans AC/DC and music industry legend Madonna.
Recaps for the week of February 2 - 6
Haley Pullos stars in “General Hospital”
The Bold and the Beautiful
Brooke demands in front of everyone that Rick forgive Caroline so that they can put their marriage back together. Maya confronts Brooke about the hostility she feels from her. Brooke ruffles Caroline's feathers when she voices her disdain for her involvement with Ridge and asks how far they've taken it. After also confronting Ridge, Brooke turns to Deacon for help with her plan to keep Ridge and Caroline apart for good. Liam and Steffy bond as they discuss his plan to take down Rick, and Ivy is taken aback when she sees the former flames together again. Steffy confronts Caroline and then Ridge to voice her disapproval of their relationship. Later, Ridge invites Caroline back to his new home for a memorable night together. Meanwhile, Rick tells Maya about his complicated history with Amber when she asks him about his romantic past.
Days of Our Lives
Aiden carries out a mysterious plan when he arrives at the vacation home on Puget Sound with Hope, Ciara and Chase. JJ shocks Paige with a new revelation about his affair. Paige then turns to Theresa for advice on how to find out who JJ went to bed with. Meanwhile, Paul makes an emotional admission to Sonny that he's met another guy. Later, Paul unwittingly heads into an explosive encounter. Abigail is enraged when she discovers the truth about what lead to Chad and Ben's fight. A Salem resident's life hangs by a thread after a brutal attack. Serena schemes to get what she wants from Eric, but he's put off by her behavior. Adrienne and Lucas continue to bond, and later, they receive some shocking news. After Daniel has a serious conversation with them about their relationship, Melanie and Brady make love. Nicole shares a warm moment with someone she never expected to.
General Hospital
Julian, Ava, Sonny and Franco's plan hits a bump in the road. Ava is reduced to begging for help. Fluke is overjoyed when the guests aboard the Haunted Star find themselves in peril, and it's unclear whether or not they will be saved in time. An unlikely hero rises to the occasion. Jake has another flash of memory after Sam questions him. Franco does the unthinkable for Nina and the two strike a deal. Morgan and Kiki are gobsmacked when they discover new information. Alexis is concerned about Julian, while Sabrina arrives at home to some unexpected visitors. Nathan seeks out Obrecht for some advice, while Sonny receives a big shock. Sloane arrives with some unfortunate news.
The Young and the Restless
Jill pays a visit to Victor at the ranch, and she brings a contract to buy Chancellor with her. Nick has some concerns about his mother's health, while Nikki calls a truce with Victor after she has a heartfelt conversation with Summer. Constance's estate manager warns Sage and Adam that they will lose everything if he finds out that their marriage is a sham. Sage has to remind Adam that he's supposed to be Gabriel after Billy and Chelsea find out he's moved across the hall. Avery gets into an argument with Dylan because she thinks he doesn't really trust her. Meanwhile, Jack tries to tell Kelly that he's not giving up on Phyllis, but Kelly insists that she and Jack belong together. As Neil prepares to visit the doctor, he and Hilary discuss what getting his sight back could mean for them. Lauren worries that Michael is making a bucket list. Paul and Christine are on the hunt for clues.
French Quarter crime: Colorful new NCIS spinoff hitting all the right notes
Scott Bakula stars in “NCIS: New Orleans”
If Paris, as author Ernest Hemingway said, is a moveable city, then New Orleans has always been a floating one. As an urban center founded by the French, ruled by the Spanish and inhabited by the Cajuns, NOLA is unlike any other metropolis in the United States.
Movie: So You Said Yes, on Hallmark Channel
Kellie Martin stars as the owner of a vintage bridal shop who discovers that her biggest business rival is also the mother of her new boyfriend. Also starring Bruce Boxleitner, Chad Willett and Jennifer Dale, the film is part of Hallmark’s Countdown to Valentine’s Day programming event.
Glee, on Fox
The fun continues for the students and alumni of McKinley High, who struggle to find their voices. This season, the show also checks in with Blaine Anderson (Darren Criss), Sam Evans (Chord Overstreet) and Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) in Ohio.
Q: I was watching a little half-hour boxing documentary on HBO and I'm sure I recognized the voice of the narrator. Do you know who it was?
On first read, your question sounds impossibly vague, but it turns out it isn't. Film and TV star Liev Schreiber has been the voice of HBO Sports for years.
His is a distinctive voice: gravelly, rich and deep. If you hear it in any of his many films -- such as the "Scream" series or his 2006 remake of "The Omen" -- or perhaps in his TV series "Ray Donovan," you'll remember it.
Making it legal: AMC phones up highly anticipated new series 'Better Call Saul!'
Bob Odenkirk stars in “Better Call Saul!”
"Breaking Bad" is widely considered one of the greatest TV shows of all time. By the end of the five-season series, it had been entered into the 2014 Guinness World Records book as the highest-rated TV series ever and had raked in 16 Emmys, two Golden Globes, two Peabody Awards and a People's Choice Award.