New Releases for the week of Aug. 19 - 25
A Separation
Married couple Nader and Simin come to a crossroads in their relationship as they face an impossible choice: leave Iran to improve the life of their child, or stay and care for an ailing parent. Their marriage deteriorates, but Simin fails to sue Nader for divorce, leaving the couple at an impasse. Complicated questions of gender roles, religious obligations and family ties linger as the couple determines what the future holds for them.
Director: Asghar Farhadi. Stars: Peyman Moadi, Leila Hatami, Sareh Bayat, Shahab Hosseini, Sarina Farhadi. 2011. 123 min. Drama.
The Dictator
In North Africa, the Republic of Wadiya has been ruled by a despot known as Admiral General Shabazz Aladeen. With only the worst of character traits, Aladeen has ruled Wadiya with an iron fist and the oddest of behaviour. When his treacherous uncle betrays him during a visit to the UN headquarters in New York City, Aladeen is left to fend for himself in America. If he is ever to return to his homeland, Aladeen must learn to get along in America, the land he so despises.
Director: Larry Charles. Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley. 2012. 83 min. Comedy.
Bernie
In a small town in Texas, an unlikely friendship develops between Bernie, the local mortician's assistant, and Marjorie, a cantankerous widow. When that relationship sours and Marjorie disappears, the town doesn't seem to care that she's gone. Bernie, who has suddenly come into a large sum of money, begins to win over the town with his philanthropy. So much so, that when the local district attorney charges Bernie with Marjorie's murder, the town rallies around him and lobbies for his release.
Director: Richard Linklater. Stars: Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey. 2011. 104 minutes. Comedy.
Chimpanzee
Follow a chimpanzee named Oscar as he takes on life's perilous journey in this Disney documentary. Oscar is a toddler as the film opens, just beginning to learn the skills he will need to survive in the forests of Africa. When his mother suddenly disappears, Oscar must find his own way in a dangerous world. Finding friends in unlikely places, Oscar's idea of family is redefined.
Directors: Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfieldt. Narrator: Tim Allen. 2012. 78 min. Documentary.
The Devil Wears Prada, on ABC
In this biting satire, Anne Hathaway stars as a recent graduate who lands a job with a top fashion mag in Manhattan. Unfortunately, her boss (Meryl Streep) is incredibly demanding and her new career quickly wreaks havoc on her home life.
Recaps for the week of August 13 - 17
Alison Sweeney as Sami and James Scott as EJ from "Days of Our Lives"
The Bold and the Beautiful
Hope gets to work planning her do-over wedding to Liam and asks Stephanie if she can use the Forrester mansion. Not one to mince words, Stephanie explains to Hope why she thinks they shouldn't get married. Later, while making arrangements for Hope's wedding with Brooke and Pam, Stephanie's health is jeopardized and Hope misses out on her dinner date with Liam. Feeling rejected by Hope again, Liam heads out for a wild night of dancing and drinking with Steffy. One thing leads to another and Liam wakes up the next morning with a hangover and a guilty conscience. Meanwhile, Caroline grows closer to Thomas after they spend some time with Danielle. Katie interrogates Bill when she starts to connect him with Deacon's sudden appearance in Italy. As guests arrive for Hope and Liam's second trip down the aisle, the groom is nowhere in sight.
Days of Our Lives
After the massive explosions rip through Salem, Sami holds on to EJ for dear life as she dangles from the catwalk, but Will arrives just in time to save his mother. EJ flees from the police and Sami disappears as well. Andrew escapes the tunnels and Gabi and Melanie are eventually saved, but Gabi comes close to exposing her secret. Jack struggles with his PTSD while trying to help Abigail when they get trapped in an elevator. Nicole goes into premature labor as a result of being caught in falling rubble. Daniel manages to find her and stop the labor, saving the baby. Nicole realizes he's the one for her just as Daniel figures out he's just been using Nicole and should bow out. Ian gets profoundly drunk and squares off with Kate, then admits he got rid of Stefano. Kate threatens to go to the police, but Ian gets more aggressive and scares her away.
General Hospital
Sonny finally proposes marriage to Kate. As the relationship between Ewen and Elizabeth starts to get real, Jason grows increasingly suspicious of Ewen. John and Jason have to put aside their conflict over Sam in order to work together. Lulu takes a pregnancy test after some prodding from Maxie, and reveals the results to Dante after she's had time to think about it. Meanwhile, Luke demands answers about who Heather is working with and she secretly makes a deal with Todd. Trey starts to open up to Kristina, while Starr gets close to catching him scheming with his father. Lives are at risk in Port Charles as Alexis finds herself in danger and Carly seriously worries about Josslyn.
The Young and the Restless
Jack and Nikki come to blows when she refuses to go on their honeymoon due to Victor's disappearance. Nikki gets ready to leave, and Jack tells her he won't wait around for her forever. Victoria thinks Victor left on purpose, just to see how everyone would act, and she tells Sharon she failed his test by burning their pre-nup. Meanwhile, a penniless Victor looks for work on the docks in Los Angeles. Tired of the probing from Cane about his sister's death, Genevieve snaps that if she knew anything more, she would tell him or do something about it herself. Harmony and Neil grow closer during their second date and sparks fly between them. Heather tells Daniel they can't be together, but he kisses her anyway. In exchange for his silence in court, Phyllis agrees to let Tim come over on a night when Jack is away.
CSI: NY, on CBS
When a judge is assassinated, the case brings Jo face to face with a criminal from her past in a rebroadcast of "CSI: NY." Jason Wiles reprises his role as rape suspect John Curtis.
Training with the stars: Celebrities suit up for boot camp in new NBC reality competition
Dean Cain is among the celebrities who signed up to compete in “Stars Earn Stripes”
There's no shortage of heroes on the TV screen these days.
Q: Has Tim Curry done any musicals other than "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"?
He has, though of course none quite like it.
Curry made himself into a cult hero with his very first big-screen role, as the gender-bending Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the genre-bending musical sex-comedy "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" in 1975.
None of his subsequent screen-musical work has been as famous -- arguably no screen musical in history has been as famous or influential -- but he has done some.
Fast N' Loud, on Discovery
A Lincoln Continental Mark III gets a serious makeover from Richard and Aaron, who transform the vehicle into a true muscle car. Richard Rawlings and master mechanic Aaron Kaufmann restore forgotten and neglected classic cars in this full-throttle series.
American Hoggers, on A&E
Jerry ruffles Krystal's feathers when he puts Robert in charge of the family business. Later, Krystal tries to prove that she's the better candidate, but Robert isn't too happy when she challenges his newfound authority.
Q: I would like to know the name of the actor who does the Toyota commercials and a little something about him. I had heard that he was a roommate in college of some well-known star.
It's likely you're thinking of the ads featuring longtime comedic supporting man and improv-troupe member Pat Finn.
Finn worked with a few different improv-comedy groups in Chicago, including the famed Second City. Among his colleagues there were such future stars as "Saturday Night Live" alumni Tim Meadows, Tim Kazurinsky and Chris Farley.
Indeed, according to "People" magazine, Finn and Farley were best friends while they attended Milwaukee's Marquette University together.
Masterchef, on Fox CTV
Renowned chefs Gordon Ramsay and Graham Elliot join restaurateur Joe Bastianich to judge some of the nation's most talented home cooks in new episodes of "Masterchef." Amateur cooks compete in challenges designed to test their skills and palette.
