Q: Did anyone ever make a movie version of the Solomon Kane stories?
We almost didn't get to see it, and in the end very few did, but there was a "Solomon Kane" movie produced in 2009 -- and released three years later.
Grey's Anatomy, on ABC/CTV
The medical staff of Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital are seeing plenty of changes in the 18th season of this hit medical series. Still grappling with the pandemic, this season sees Kate Walsh and Kate Burton return alongside new addition Peter Gallagher.
Q: What TV series has had the longest opening sequence?
These sorts of questions are always a little disappointing, either because the "winner" is a show no one has heard of or because there is no clear winner at all. In this case, both are true.
It appears that the award for longest TV show intro goes to an Iranian drama called "Zire Tigh" (the title translates as "Under the Blade"). It was a prime-time, soap-style family saga, and its credits ran a whopping three minutes and 21 seconds.
CSI: Vegas, on CBS/Global
Back for a new episode from the series continuation, the CSI team investigates and prepares against an existential threat that could bring down the entire crime lab. A new team joins Sara Siddle (Jorja Fox) and Gil Grissom (William Peterson) to stop it.
La Brea, on CTV/NBC
In this new drama series, a gargantuan sinkhole appears in the middle of Los Angeles and creates a unique set of problems for those nearby as everyone who falls in must find a way to survive in their new world. Zyra Gorecki and Eoin Macken star.
The Big Leap, on Fox/CTV2
In this new comedy-drama series, a group of down-and-out dancers attempts to make their wildest dreams come true by competing against one another for a role in a hip new remake of the Tchaikovsky classic "Swan Lake." Piper Perabo and Scott Foley star.
Q: Is it true Chris Hemsworth used to be on a soap opera?
A:You may not know it from the placeless accent he puts on as Thor in the Avengers movies, but Chris Hemsworth is from Australia. It was there that he got his start, on the long-running soap "Home and Away."
He was on the show for three years, from 2004 to 2007, and though it wasn't his first role (he'd done a few small TV roles prior, including one on competing Aussie soap "Neighbours"), it was by far his biggest until he moved to the U.S. and became a megastar, seemingly overnight.
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, on ABC/CTV
Hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White are joined by Boyz II Men singers Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman, and TV personality/NSYNC singer Joey Fatone in a new episode of this long-running game show's star-studded spinoff. Celebs compete to win big for charity.
New Releases for the week of Nov. 7 - 13
Respect
Following the life of Aretha Franklin (Hudson), the biopic begins as the young woman sings in her father's (Whitaker) choir after the sudden death of her mother. As a teenager, Franklin meets Ted White (Wayans), who launches her career with Columbia Records and later marries her, a union that would see future tumult. Releasing hit after hit, Franklin begins to overwork herself while coping with the pressures of her career by turning to alcohol and drugs. As a way to reconcile with herself and those around her, Franklin returns to her gospel roots, where she records the most successful album of her storied career.
Director: Liesl Tommy. Stars: Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Mary J. Blige. 2021. 145 mins. Drama.
Reminiscence
In the near future, the rising sea levels and temperature make it unbearable to work during the daytime. Meanwhile, Nick Bannister (Jackman) operates a business that allows people to relive their memories. After meeting Mae (Ferguson), a walk-in client, Nick becomes obsessed with her and the two start a relationship. Months later, Mae disappears and Nick spends hours reliving his memories of her, a decision that could ultimately trap him in the memories forever. Regardless, Nick's obsession won't stop until he finds the truth, even if it means putting himself at risk.
Director: Lisa Joy. Stars: Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson, Thandiwe Newton, Cliff Curtis, Marina de Tavira, Daniel Wu. 2021. 116 mins. Sci-Fi.
My Salinger Year
Aspiring writer Joanna (Qualley) leaves graduate school to pursue her dreams and gets hired as an assistant to Margaret (Weaver), the stoic literary agent of J.D. Salinger. Spending her days in an old-fashioned office where Dictaphones and typewriters still reign, Joanna is tasked with responding to Salinger's fan mail. Despite the agency's standard impersonal responses, Joanna opts to take a different approach to the return mail and soon discovers her own voice.
Director: Philippe Falardeau. Stars: Margaret Qualley, Sigourney Weaver, Douglas Booth, Seána Kerslake, Colm Feore, Brían F. O'Byrne. 2020. 101 mins. Drama.
Saturday Night Live, on NBC/Global
Hilarious sketches and guest hosts return in a new episode of this live, late-night comedy staple's 47th season. Lasting laughs and memorable moments have been made on this show, which began in 1975. Current stars include Cecily Strong and Pete Davidson.
