New Releases for the week of May 12 - 18
Cloud Atlas
Explore the ways in which the actions of an individual can have an impact on the lives of others. Six interrelated stories -- from past, present and future -- are depicted, beginning with the diary of an ocean voyage across the Pacific in 1849 and ending in a post-apocalyptic world set more than 300 years in the future.
Directors: Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski. Stars: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant. 2012. 172 min. Drama.
3, 2, 1 ... Frankie Go Boom
For most of his life, Frank Bartlett has been tortured and humiliated by his manipulative brother, Bruce, an amateur filmmaker who is constantly posting embarrassing videos of Frank online. After a particularly horrific video of Frank goes viral, he withdraws from society until his newly sober brother brings him back into civilization.
Director: Jordan Roberts. Stars: Charlie Hunnam, Chris O'Dowd, Ron Perlman, Lizzy Caplan, Chris Noth. 2012. 89 min. Comedy.
A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III
Charles Swan III is a highly successful graphic designer and modern-day Casanova whose life is about to take a turn for the worse. When his girlfriend leaves, Charles' life quickly descends into despair and he starts to suffer from nightmares of lovers passed. With the help of his best friend and manager, Charles struggles to turn his life around.
Director: Roman Coppola. Stars: Charlie Sheen, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Patricia Arquette. 2012. 86 min. Comedy.
Face 2 Face
Struggling with depression, addiction and lack of human interaction, director Katherine Brooks embarks on a cross-country journey to figure out how, with thousands of Facebook friends, someone can feel so alone. After posting a vow to visit with the first 50 people who respond, Brooks hits the road to meet with complete strangers and rekindle relationships with long-lost acquaintances.
Director: Katherine Brooks. Stars: Katherine Brooks. 2013. 100 min. Documentary.
Back to 1942
In 1942, severe drought has caused a province-wide famine in Henan, China, and millions of people are dying of starvation. Master Fan, a wealthy landlord, decides to flee his home after his village is burned to the ground and his son is killed in a fight with bandits. Meanwhile, a correspondent for "Time" magazine arrives in Henan to investigate the famine and learns that government corruption is exacerbating the situation.
Director: Xiaogang Feng. Stars: Adrien Brody, Tim Robbins, Daoming Chen. 2012. 145 min. Drama.
Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites, on CBS
It all comes down to one last tribal council as the remaining players face the jury in this special two-hour season finale. Immediately after the winner is announced, Jeff Probst hosts a reunion show.
Never say never: New Spike show ignores all the warnings
(from left): Teddy Wilson and Norm Sousa host "Never Ever Do This at Home"
Never say never: Warnings abound. Everywhere we look, labels on everyday products scream "don't do this" and "never do that." And it isn't just labels -- we all know better than to stick metal in the microwave oven, thanks to our parents.
Recaps for the week of May 6 - 10
Jennifer Gareis stars as Donna in "The Bold and the Beautiful"
The Bold and the Beautiful
Maya sees something she wishes she hadn't and she seeks comfort in Carter. Still desperate to hold on to Rick, Caroline turns to Bill and gets more than just advice. Bill has Justin investigate Maya's past and he threatens to reveal all unless she keeps her distance from Rick. Donna is caught in the middle of a difficult situation with her sisters when Brooke confesses her night of lovemaking with Bill. Later, Brooke seeks emotional support from Eric but stops short of telling him the whole story. Meanwhile, an emotionally vulnerable Hope pays a visit to Oliver and Thomas at the beach house and later runs into an overtly cheerful Steffy. Bill and Liam bond as father and son with a frank discussion about life, love and children.
Days of Our Lives
Jennifer spends a blissful afternoon with Daniel, but she's taken by surprise when she returns home alone to discover someone has broken into her house. John and Kristen nearly lock lips while together in the old secret room of the DiMera mansion and Brady almost catches them. Later, Eric warns John that the game he's playing could ruin lives. Sami threatens Nick with a gun when he demands she return the stolen money, but he manages to leverage his way out of the situation. Meanwhile, an outraged Rafe confronts Nick when he learns the real reason Nick doesn't want Will near the baby. Abigail lets Cameron know that she's ready for the next step in their relationship, while Sami has it out with Stefano for betraying her. Nicole can't stop fantasizing about Eric and later shares a tense moment with Vargas.
General Hospital
Luke and Laura engage in a heartfelt discussion about their long and tumultuous relationship, while at the same time Lucy does her best to instill confidence in Scott about his special bond with Laura. Olivia offers any help she can provide to Sonny in his desperate search for Morgan. TJ pulls one over on Rafe and then makes a surprising move in his quest to win Molly's heart. AJ comes close to telling Liz the truth about Carly. Later, Liz goes to bat for AJ when she asks Nikolas to back off. Meanwhile, Anna and Duke share another intimate encounter. Sam is less than thrilled to find Rafe with a black eye and she turns to Carly for help.
The Young and the Restless
Victor runs with Adam's idea of getting rid of the stockholders and making Newman Enterprises a family company once more. Displeased, Victoria hires a private investigator to dig up dirt on Adam and enlists Nick and Abby's help in ousting him from the company. Dylan tells Chelsea he'll stand by her and their baby when she gives him the chance to make a clean break. Michael tells Kevin that he suspects his wife has been unfaithful, while Paul urges Lauren to fight for her marriage. Meanwhile, Gus collapses just as he's about to reveal more about who Rose was to Leslie and Tyler. Carmine is forced to work for two weeks without pay when he loses to Billy in a card game. Jack and Phyllis ask a hesitant Kyle to keep an eye on Summer and Courtney. Cane and Lily discuss the difficulties of balancing their work and love lives after bringing Katherine home from the hospital.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, on CBS
A K-9 unit dog is accused of viciously attacking and killing his partner, but the CSI team discovers there's more to the case than meets the eye. Elsewhere, a high profile lawyer with many enemies dies, prompting Finlay and Morgan to investigate.
Trip the 'night' fantastic: Dancers return to prime time in 'So You Think You Can Dance'
from left): Mary Murphy, Nigel Lythgoe and Cat Deeley as seen in "So You Think You Can Dance"
As many dramas and comedies wind down for the season, a wave of reality TV shows flood prime time. That deluge includes plenty of talent-search series, but one dance show sails miles ahead of the rest.
Blue Bloods, on CBS
A case hits close to home when someone near and dear to the Reagan family is murdered in this season finale. Determined to take down the leader of the gang responsible for the crime, Danny approaches the leader's girlfriend.
Q: Which country had "Big Brother" first?
We can include "Big Brother" on the list, along with the artificial kidney and splitting the bill on dates, of things for which we must thank the Dutch.
The series, in which a group of strangers are packed together in a camera-laden house for the voyeuristic pleasure of viewers, debuted on the Netherlands' Veronica network in 1999.
Glee, on Fox
At Regionals, the members of New Directions face off against Hoosierdaddies and their lead singer Frida Romero in this season finale. Rachel faces the music as she finds out if she's earned a callback.
Prime Time Magic: 'Once Upon A Time' builds up to season finale
Jennifer Morrison stars in "Once Upon a Time"
There's no rest for the wicked.
This is good news for TV watchers, since there's no shortage of wicked on television these days.