New Releases for the week of December 30 - January 5
Looper
The year is 2044 and the United States has descended into a state of social decay. The economic collapse sparked a rise in organized crime, and mob bosses control most cities. In the not-too-distant future, time travel is invented and promptly outlawed, but crime lords use this technology as an efficient way of disposing of enemies. Joe is a Looper for one such crime syndicate, a hit man responsible for disposing of those who have travelled back from the future. When a crime boss ends a Looper's contract, the Looper's future self is sent back with a payment of gold, forcing the Looper to murder his future self in exchange for this gold (failure to comply is punishable by death). When Joe's future self turns up, the older Joe overpowers him and escapes. Now young Joe must catch and kill old Joe to avoid execution, but old Joe has other plans. He hopes to make changes to the present in order to save the future, and he wants young Joe's help.
Director: Rian Johnson. Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, Jeff Daniels, Piper Perabo, Pierce Gagnon. 2012. 119 min. Action.
Cosmopolis
Being young and filthy rich, a trip to Eric Packer’s favourite barber is an all-day activity. And Eric Packer needs a hair cut. At first glance, Eric seems to have it all: money, power, a beautiful wife. But as the day wears on, it becomes increasingly clear that his life is no picnic. As his stretch limousine meanders through the streets of Manhattan, he makes stops and takes meetings with a varied cast of characters. With every stop and every encounter, Eric’s world crumbles a little more. Heading down a path of self-destruction, there’s no telling how far Eric Packer will go.
Director: David Cronenberg. Stars: Robert Pattinson, Sarah Gadon, Paul Giamatti, Juliette Binoche, Kevin Durand. 2012. 109 min. Drama.
The Trouble With Bliss
Morris Bliss is 35 years old. He has no money, no job, and lives with his widowed father. As his life unravels, he finds himself in a strange relationship with the 18-year-old daughter of a high school classmate.
Director: Michael Knowles. Stars: Michael C. Hall, Brie Larson, Peter Fonda, Lucy Liu, Brad William Henke, Chris Messina. 2012. 97 min. Comedy.
An Idiot Abroad, on Discovery
Take a trip around the world with Karl Pilkington as filmmakers follow the reluctant traveller in a marathon. Goaded into the adventure by "friends" Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, Pilkington explores the Seven Wonders of the World.
Recaps for the week of December 24 - 28
Camila Banus as Gabi in “Days of Our Lives”
The Bold and the Beautiful
Family and friends gather together at the Forrester mansion to decorate, spread Christmas cheer and share memories of Stephanie. Pam gets a sign that Stephanie's spirit will be there to watch over them. The gloves come off as Steffy and Hope hurl insults at each other and argue once again over whom Liam will choose. Steffy threatens Hope to get her to stay away from Liam, but Hope goes to Liam anyway to see if there is any chance for them as a couple. Brooke calls Bill in for a private meeting to discuss some sensitive information. Later, Caroline is confronted by an angry Bill for revealing the truth about his efforts to rid Hope from Liam's life. Katie offers support to Caroline and later begins to worry that Bill has a drinking problem when she notices that his judgment is impaired.
Days of Our Lives
Julie and Doug return for Christmas Eve at the Horton home, where Gabi is officially welcomed into the family with her own ornament. Will and Sonny are greeted warmly by each other's respective families when they go visit. Later, Will tells Gabi that he had a bad dream about never knowing his child and she tries to tell him gently that it will be the reality. Jennifer reads a Christmas story at the hospital and later shares a romantic date with Daniel. Marlena and Roman give Eric new vestments to celebrate his first Midnight Mass. Sami agrees to spend New Year's Eve with EJ, while Nicole and Rafe make their own plans. John catches Brady and Kristen making love when Marlena sends him there knowing what he would find. Adrienne apologizes to Kate for the awful things she said about Will when he and Sonny first started dating.
General Hospital
Todd thwarts Sam once again as she tries to break into his office safe. Later at the New Year's party on the Haunted Star, Todd wonders whether Carly is speaking the truth when she says she is finally over Johnny. Starr tries to find out what Connie is hiding and the two get into an altercation. Meanwhile, Spinelli has a serious conversation with Ellie about the future of their relationship. One of Sonny's children gives him news that he doesn't take well. Lucy pits Tracy and AJ against one another with a challenge. Lulu and Dante look forward to their future family while Patrick asks Sabrina about her plans for New Year's Eve. As the residents of Port Charles count down to midnight, plans don't go quite as expected and an event is poised to change lives in the coming year.
The Young and the Restless
Victor tells Nikki that the rebuilding of their ranch will commence in the new year. Later, Victor gives Adam tequila and Jack's pills and blackmails him into using it against Jack with the threat of throwing him and Sharon in jail. Across town, Sharon tells Nick she wants to go back to work as they celebrate the holiday with their children. Lauren and Michael discover Fen's throwaway phone and he covers by saying he got it to text with Summer. Tucker and Katherine put their differences aside for the day and enjoy one another's company. Cane becomes jealous when Tyler is invited to dinner with the Winters family at the Athletic Club, but Lily tells him not to worry about Tyler's crush on her. Phyllis, Billy, Kyle and Neil plan an intervention for Jack, while Victor asks Jack what his father would think about his drug-addicted son.
Back to the Beginning With Christiane Amanpour, on ABC
Christiane Amanpour guides viewers on a journey through the lands of the Old Testament. Cameras tag along as she travels to historical and pilgrimage sites associated with the stories of the Bible, from Genesis to the birth of Jesus.
Q: I think "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" is one of the greatest movies ever made, and I just found out it was based on a book. Have any of the author's others been made into movies?
Not for Western consumption.
Czech author and revolutionary Milan Kundera has penned several novels, but only "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" was adapted for film in the West.
If you're truly dedicated, you should be able to track down an English translation of "The Joke," the only other feature-length film made of one of Kundera's books. The Czech-produced film was released in 1969.
Parks and Recreation, on NBC
When one of Ron's handcrafted chairs is nominated for a woodworking award, Ron, Diane (guest star Lucy Lawless) and Leslie attend the awards ceremony. Unfortunately, their special night is threatened when Tammy II (guest star Megan Mullally) arrives.
Q: What was the name of the TV movie about a widower who wouldn't buy his daughter a Christmas tree? I think Jason Robards was in it.
Jason Robards was indeed the bitter, widowed father whose daughter's Christmas wish is simply to have a tree in their house in the 1972 CBS telefilm "The House Without a Christmas Tree."
The film, set in Nebraska in the mid-1940s, was based on the classic children's novel of the same name by Gail Rock, and also starred Lisa Lucas as the daughter, Addie Mills, and Mildred Natwick as her eccentric, live-in grandmother.
The Neighbors, on ABC, Citytv
The Weavers finally convince the Bird-Kersees to let their kids go to a regular school, and the aliens head to the mall to go shopping for clothes in this rebroadcast. Meanwhile, Debbie and Jackie become suspicious of each other's intentions.
New Girl, on Fox
Zooey Deschanel fans are in for a Christmas Day treat as Fox gifts them with back-to-back encores. First, Jess and her friends get into the spirit of the season as they attend Schmidt's holiday office party, where Schmidt plays a sexy Santa.
Q: Was Audrey Hepburn's Princess Ann character in "Roman Holiday" inspired by any real royals? And how did the production team gain access to such regal sets?
The adventure of Audrey Hepburn's Princess Ann (whose country of origin is never mentioned) is said to have been inspired by the real-life rebellious romance of Britain's Princess Margaret, younger sister of Queen Elizabeth.