Here are a bunch of little bites to satisfy your hunger for Oscars-inspired movie culture: Best Oscar Nominee Parodies: From the show itself, here are the hilarious parodies of Joy, The Revenant, The Danish Girl and The Martian featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan and Chris Rock: Best Alternate Ending to an Oscar Win: It's a good thing the bear from The Revenant wasn't actually at the Oscars, because Leonardo DiCaprio's win for Best Actor could have gone more like this [via Above Average]: Best Oscar Winner Sequel Idea: Speaking of The Revenant, in the sequel Leonardo DiCaprio is apparently miniaturized and this time attacked by a hamster: Best Use of the Oscar Speech Thank You... Read More
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
One superhero movie continues to dominate the box office and arguably the biggest superhero movie of all time is about to hit theaters in a month. Find the latest from both of those plus an update on the next Wolverine solo feature below. Deadpool In addition to its main character, Deadpool did a great job breaking out the character of Negasonic Teenage Warhead, who is from the comics but wasn't well-known to general audiences. She actually looks a lot different in the movie, with young actress Brianna Hildebrand sporting a shaved head and rather simple goth-girl look then a very team-conforming X-Men uniform for the final battle. The character could have been done more faithful to the page or even more different, as seen in the above... Read More
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Today Fox announced that Gambit starring Channing Tatum was sliding off of the 2016 release calendar (though it hasn't announced when the movie will now land). Bummer for everyone curious to see what Tatum will be like as the card tossing Cajun, but Fox does have some good news for fans of two other properties: Alien: Covenant and The Predator have release dates. Here's everything we know so far: Alien: Covenant Release date: August 4, 2017 Directed by: Ridley Scott Written by: A combo of people that, so far, includes Michael Green (Smallville), Jack Paglen (Transcendence) and John Logan (Skyfall) Starring: Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Demian Bichir, Danny McBride, Jussie Smollet, Amy Seimetz and Billy Crudup What else do we know: It's... Read More
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
In Eddie the Eagle, Taron Egerton plays Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards, the first athlete to represent Great Britain in ski jumping at the Olympic games. And while that sounds like the set-up for the story of an underdog overcoming the odds, Edwards’ actual story is actually one of dismal failure…albeit of the heroic variety. To celebrate this film’s release, let’s take a moment to look back on the sports movies that feature odd sports or portray the familiar in unique and bizarre ways. Because in the sports world, not everyone is a winner. In fact, there are far more losers. Cool Runnings (1993) The father of the modern “Wait, this actually happened?” sports movie, Cool Runnings tells the story of Jamaican... Read More
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
It feels like two steps forward, one step back for Gambit, the superhero spin-off movie that will star Channing Tatum as the titular Southern cardshark and ladies' man with superhuman abilities. Back in August, it was confirmed that Tatum would be starring, and later that month we heard that Lea Seydoux (SPECTRE) had been offered the lead female role as a woman with psychic powers who has a tempestuous relationship with Gambit over the years. But the following month, director Rupert Wyatt stepped aside, citing scheduling conflicts created when the start of production on the movie got pushed to the early spring of this year. Happily, veteran action director Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow, above; The Bourne Identity) boarded the project in November. The original release... Read More
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Fifty Shades Darker: Tyler Hoechlin (TV's Teen Wolf) has joined the cast of Fifty Shades Darker, which is now in production. Hoechlin will be portraying a character named Boyce Fox, who becomes the first writer signed by Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) after she becomes an editor at a publishing house owned by Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan). The movie is heading to theaters on February 10, 2017. [The Wrap] World War 3: Sam Raimi is planning World War 3. The fictional drama will be drawn from a nonfiction book, The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century by George Friedman, which makes predictions about "where and why future wars will erupt (and how they will be fought)." No other details about the project have been revealed yet... Read More
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
When you play a very popular superhero on the big screen and you also happen to have young children who are obsessed with superheroes, chances are those two worlds are likely to collide in some pretty amusing ways. While joining Jimmy Kimmel's post-Oscars show (see a complete list of this year's winners here), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice star Ben Affleck revealed that his superhero-obsessed four-year-old son asked his dad to play Batman -- "no, the real Batman" -- for his superhero-themed birthday party. As Affleck tells it, the studio actually let him borrow the actual Batman costume he wears in the movie because his kid demanded he don the real suit, and then he joined a bunch of other costumed heroes in the celebration of the little boy's big... Read More
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Here's your estimated 3-day box office returns (new releases bolded): 1. Deadpool - $31.0 million ($285.6 million total) 2. Gods of Egypt - $14.0 million ($14.0 million total) 3. Kung Fu Panda 3 - $9.0 million ($128.4 million total) 4. Risen - $7.0 million ($22.7 million total) 5. Eddie the Eagle - $6.3 million ($6.3 million total) 6. Triple 9 - $6.1 million ($6.1 million total) 7. How to Be Single - $5.1 million ($39.6 million total) 8. The Witch - $5.0 million ($16.6 million total) 9. Race - $4.2 million ($13.8 million total) 10. The Revenant - $3.8 million ($170.5 million total) The Big Stories Where there is a hit, there must also be a bomb. Pretty much every other film released this year aside from Deadpool is currently on the red side of the ledger... Read More
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- George Kennedy, the hulking, tough-guy character actor who won an Academy Award for his portrayal of a savage chain-gang convict in the 1960s classic "Cool Hand Luke," has died.
His grandson Cory Schenkel says Kennedy died on Sunday morning of old age in Boise, Idaho. He was 91.
He had undergone emergency triple bypass surgery in 2002. That same year, he and his late wife moved to Idaho to be closer to their daughter and her family, though he still was involved in occasional film projects.
His biggest acting achievement came in "Cool Hand Luke," a 1967 film about a rebellious war hero played by Paul Newman who is bent on bucking the system as a prisoner on a Southern chain gang. Its theme of rebelling against authority and the establishment helped make it one of the most important films of the tumultuous 1960s.
Kennedy played the role of Dragline, the chain-gang boss who goes from Luke's No. 1 nemesis to his biggest disciple as Newman's character takes on folk hero status among fellow inmates. The movie garnered four Academy Award nominations, and Kennedy was named best supporting actor.
Newman and Kennedy provided a spectacular one-two punch - Luke as the reticent anti-hero, Dragline as an illiterate brute. They shared several memorable scenes, including one in which Kennedy's character wins a bet by getting Luke to eat 50 eggs in an hour.
After the critical and commercial success of "Cool Hand Luke," Kennedy carved out a niche as one of Hollywood's most recognizable supporting actors. He had parts in several action flicks in the 1970s, played Leslie Nielsen's sidekick in the "Naked Gun" spoofs and was J.R. Ewing's business rival in the final seasons of "Dallas."
One of his strongest supporting roles was in the hit 1970 film "Airport," which spurred the run of 1970s disaster pictures. Kennedy played Joe Patroni, a no-nonsense, cigar-chomping troubleshooter who stubbornly guides a jetliner stuck on a snow-clogged runway out of harm's way.
The film spawned several sequels (Kennedy was in all of them) and landed Kennedy a Golden Globe nomination.
Kennedy said his acting ambitions were cemented when he was a young child.
"I remember listening to a radio program when I was young and it made me feel good and I remember telling my mom that I wanted to make people feel the way this radio program made me feel," Kennedy said in 1995.
"I got some great breaks, and I wound up being an actor."
His film career began to take flight in the early 1960s. He starred in 1963's "Charade," a whodunit that features Kennedy, Cary Grant, James Coburn and Walter Matthau seeking out the $250,000 they suspect was left behind by Audrey Hepburn's dead husband. His other acting credits in the 1960s included "The Dirty Dozen" and "Guns of the Magnificent Seven."
Kennedy once called "Charade" the favorite movie in which he appeared.
"It had Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, music by Henry Mancini; it was shot entirely in Paris," he said in 1995. "I have nothing but wonderful memories."
Kennedy became regular face in action movies in the 1970s after the success of "Airport," including "Earthquake" and "Death on the Nile." He made several film and television appearances in the early and mid-1980s, but few were successful.
He turned to comedic roles in the 1980s and 1990s, the most memorable being the three "Naked Gun" films.
Among his later credits was a small role in Wim Wenders' 2005 film, "Don't Come Knocking." Kennedy's last on-screen role was in the 2014 remake of "The Gambler," which starred Mark Wahlberg.
Kennedy was born in New York in 1925. He started acting at the age of 2 when he joined a touring company production of "Bringing up Father." Five years later, he became a disc jockey with a kids radio show.
He enlisted in the Army at 17 and served in World War II, opening the first Army Information Office that provided technical assistance to films and TV shows. Kennedy spent 16 years in the Army and left as a captain.
Kennedy, an avid reader, also dabbled in writing and published a couple of murder mysteries.
Schenkel remembered sitting in on an autograph session in London with his grandfather.
"I sat behind him for hours that day watching the hundreds of fans in line waiting to meet my grandpa," Schenkel recalled. "At the end of the day we sat in our hotel room eating room service and he said to me, 'Seeing all those people I was able to bring a little enjoyment and happiness into their life - That is why I did it.'"
In later years, Kennedy became an advocate for adopted children. He had four adopted children, including his granddaughter Taylor, whose mother, also adopted by Kennedy, had become addicted to drugs and alcohol.
"Don't let the fact that you're 77 or 70 get in your way. Don't let the fact that you're a single parent and you want to adopt get in your way," Kennedy said in a Fox interview in 2002. "That kid, some place right now, cold and wet, needs somebody to say, "I love you, kid, good night.'"
---
Associated Press writer Josh Hoffner contributed to this report.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
SEATTLE (AP) -- Salma Hayek's neighbor fired an air rifle toward a dog that had come into his garage and fought with his dogs, apparently unaware that he had struck and killed the actress' dog, authorities in Washington state said Monday.
The Thurston County Sheriff's Office ruled the shooting justified but will send the case to prosecutors for review, said spokesman Lt. Cliff Ziesemer. The office has been investigating after Hayek's dog was found shot on her ranch on Feb. 19 south of Yelm, about 70 miles south of Seattle.
Kim Lund, the actress' neighbor, told The Associated Press her husband had not intended to kill the dog.
"We didn't even know we hit the dog," she said Monday, adding that her husband held up the pellet gun and shot it to scare the dogs away. She said one of the dogs was on top of her dog at the time.
Ziesemer said Monday that a neighbor told a deputy he was inside his house when he heard what sounded like a dog fight in his garage. The neighbor says he fired one shot from an air rifle and the other two dogs ran off.
Lund said she and her husband were inside their home watching TV when they heard a ruckus in their garage. She said Hayek's dogs often come over to her property and chase her dogs.
"I'm still coming to terms with all of this, as you can imagine," Lund said. "We didn't even know we killed a dog. To find out we killed a dog that belonged to a high profile person, I'm in shock."
Hayek posted on Instagram Friday that she was mourning the death of her 9-year-old dog named Mozart and hoped authorities would find justice. The 49-year-old actress, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her starring role in the 2002 film "Frida," said her dog was a loving and loyal companion and didn't deserve a slow and painful death.
A veterinarian later determined a lead pellet nicked an artery and caused the dog, a Belgian Malinois, to internally bled out, Ziesemer said.
A caretaker was watching Hayek's dogs on the property at the time. The caretaker told deputies she went for a horseback ride with a few dogs. At the end of the road, the dogs took off running toward the sound of other dogs at an adjacent property, Ziesemer said.
Later, the caretaker realized one of the dogs had not returned. She searched and found him dead on a trail.
Lund, who has five dogs of her own and other animals, said she was heart-broken to learn that the actress' dog had died. "My heart is broken. I'm really sorry that the dog died," she said.
The deputy determined that it was justified under Washington state law, since the dog had been inside the garage and was harassing their animals, the sheriff's spokesman said.
A message left with Hayek's publicist was not immediately returned.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Garner, who graces Vanity Fair's March cover, broke her silence on the subject in a wide-ranging interview with the magazine, admitting that she still looks back on her relationship with Affleck fondly -- and would still choose to marry him if given the chance for a do-over.
"I didn't marry the big fat movie star; I married him," the actress told VF. " [...] He's the love of my life. What am I going to do about that? He's the most brilliant person in any room, the most charismatic, the most generous. He's just a complicated guy. I always say, 'When his sun shines on you, you feel it.' But when the sun is shining elsewhere, it's cold. He can cast quite a shadow."
That shadow included the scandal that rocked tabloids last summer, when it was revealed that Affleck was having an affair with the couple's nanny. Garner insisted, however, that that relationship played no role in the dissolution of her marriage ("We had been separated for months before I ever heard about the nanny," she told the magazine), and that she and Affleck were doing their best to remain friendly for the sake of their three children.
"We still have to help each other get through this. He's still the only person who really knows the truth about things. And I'm still the only person that knows some of his truths," she told VF. " ... No one needs to hate him for me. I don't hate him. Certainly we don't have to beat the guy up. Don't worry—my eyes were wide open during the marriage."
Of course, Vanity Fair couldn't resist asking Garner about Affleck's now-infamous new ink, a giant tattoo of a phoenix stretched across his entire back. Yes, the tattoo is very much real, and yes, Garner finds it ridiculous, though she was much more diplomatic than the internet commentariat when discussing her ex's new addition. Here's the scoop from the magazine:
One thing is for sure: she refuses to claim responsibility for the midlife-crisis tattoo—the rising phoenix—that takes up her estranged husband's entire back, as seen in photographs. "You know what we would say in my hometown about that? 'Bless his heart.' A phoenix rising from the ashes. Am I the ashes in this scenario?" Garner says with a wink.
"I take umbrage. I refuse to be the ashes."
Bless his heart, indeed. And bless Garner for remaining such a good sport about everything.
The official cast list for the upcoming 22nd season of "Dancing With the Stars" isn't due to be revealed until next week, but according to a new report, a reigning reality show champ is set to show off his moves.
E! News has the scoop that Nyle DiMarco, who was crowned the winner of "America's Next Top Model"'s 22nd cycle back in December, is now headed to "DWTS" for season 22. (Maybe he's just a big fan of the number 22?) DiMarco made history as "ANTM"'s first deaf winner (and its last winner ever, until the show was rescued from cancellation by VH1), and will be only the second deaf contestant to compete on "Dancing," after Oscar winner Marlee Matlin shimmied her way to seventh place on the program back in 2008.
ABC is keeping the official "DWTS" cast list under wraps for now, so we won't know definitively whether or not DiMarco will be returning to reality programming until the network makes its announcement on "Good Morning America" on March 8. ("Fuller House" cast member Jodie Sweetin is also rumored to be joining the season 22 cast.) But we're keeping our fingers crossed that we'll get to see DiMarco's piercing blue eyes and washboard abs on our television screens again soon.
Season 22 of "Dancing With the Stars" debuts on ABC on March 21.
Lady Gaga may not have taken home a trophy during the 88th Academy Awards on Sunday, but the songstress certainly won Oscar night with her beautiful, powerful performance of "Til It Happens to You," a song written about and in honor of survivors of sexual abuse.
Gaga -- who was nominated for Best Original Song alongside Diane Warren for the theme from campus sexual assault documentary "The Hunting Ground" -- was introduced by none other than Vice President Joe Biden, who was there to promote the White House's It's On Us campaign against sexual assault. The singer is an abuse survivor herself, and took her platform during Sunday's program seriously, putting on a heartwrenching performance of "Til It Happens to You" that was brimming with emotion.
The moment was made even more powerful by the appearance of approximately 50 other abuse survivors, who joined Gaga onstage. The men and women sported messages of hope scrawled on their arms, including "Unbreakable" and "Not Your Fault," and ended the performance with their arms raised in triumph.
Warren said in a statement released after the ceremony that that moving display was an intentional message.
"Tonight's performance is about giving a voice to the many victims of sexual assault and their families around the world," Warren's statement said. "We are honored to represent so many survivors and hope. 'Til It Happens To You' empowers those watching to get involved and become part of a solution."
For the nominees, the biggest part of Oscar night is whether or not they win. For everyone else in Hollywood, the night is all about the after-parties and what to wear.
These are all the looks from the night.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Did you think Chris Rock's 2016 Oscars would have high ratings from controversy/Leo's potential first win, or low ratings from controversy/boycotts/other? If you picked low-ish ratings, for any reason, you win the set of steak knives. Early Oscar ratings estimates are coming in low, and every person you meet may give you a different reason for why.
The final overall viewer numbers and 18-49 demo ratings aren't in yet -- check back this afternoon -- but early numbers show a drop from recent years.
"Per Nielsen's overnight estimates, the three-and-a-half-hour-long ABC event averaged a 23.4 rating among households in 56 of the nation's biggest TV markets. That's 6 percent decrease from 2015, making for a seven-year low in overnights."
If you ask Deadline, it's the lowest in eight years, citing a metered market result of 23.1/37:
"Declining to an 8-year low, that's down 6% from the 24.6/39 that the ceremony got last year in early results from the 56 markets across the country. That 2015 Neil Patrick Harris-hosted Oscars were matched with the 2011 Oscars for the third worst the Academy Awards has done in MM ratings since the last time Rock fronted the gig in 2005 – only 2009's Hugh Jackman-hosted 23.3 and 2008's Jon Stewart-hosted 21.9 were lower. Obviously, in the early results, last night's show dipped below 2009 and close to 2008 numbers."
Variety also went with the eight-year low for the early numbers:
"In Nielsen's metered market overnights, which include 56 of the nation's largest markets, the Chris Rock-hosted 88th Annual Academy Awards averaged a still-big 23.4 household rating/36 share from 8:30 to midnight ET, down 6% from last year's 25.0/38 and 16% below the 10-year high of 27.9/41 from two years ago. And in adults 18-49, last night's 13.5 overnight rating was down 5% from 2015 (14.2)."
Deadline added that the 2005 Oscars were the best the show has done with a 30.1/43 metered market rating. They also compared Rock's previous hosting gig 11 years ago to now, saying, last night's 8:30-to-midnight show was down 23% in metered market results.
Variety estimated that the 2016 Oscars will "finish in the vicinity of 34 million viewers," which would still easily give it the title of TV's top-rated non-sports program of the year. Compared to the recent Grammy Awards, Variety said Sunday's Oscars out-performed the Grammys on CBS by 45% in households and 56% in adults 18-49 in Nielsen's overnights.
So it's a win, overall. However, if the final viewer and demo numbers show significant drops from past years, it will inevitably be blamed on race -- whether from people boycotting the show because of the all-white nominees or because they didn't want to hear about race from Chris Rock's monologue. Either way, they missed a decent show, including Leo's big win, which broke Twitter.
Zack Morris of "Saved By the Bell" had no real problems whatsoever. The most trying obstacle of his entire teens was skipping school for the entirety of Cut Day. He's a legend.
Zack Morris taught the youth of '90s America how to live their lives to the fullest. Here are 9 times that prove he was the role model we all needed.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
From the moment emcee Chris Rock first appeared in his white dinner jacket to the closing-credits playing out under Public Enemy's "Fight the Power," the 88th Academy Awards missed no opportunity to acknowledge the Academy's disastrous PR stemming from a second straight year without any acting nominees of color. The jokes and apologies referencing the #OscarsSoWhite controversy were so numerous that they distracted from the fact that there were 24 awards to hand out, many of them to surprised and emotional winners. As a result, like many of this year's nominated films, the 3 1/2-hour Oscar telecast was as much about endurance as entertainment. Still, there were some moments that, for good or ill, viewers won't soon forget.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Every year the Oscars "In Memoriam" tribute leaves out one or two big names who died in the previous year. The Internet noticed that "Godfather" star Abe Vigoda was missing from the 2016 telecast; he just died in late January 2016, but the show managed to include Alan Rickman and David Bowie, who also just died in January. In terms of actors who died in 2015, there was no mention of Geoffrey Lewis, who had hundreds of screen credits, including roles in many Clint Eastwood movies.
Lewis died on April 7, 2015, and -- at the time -- his daughter, actress Juliette Lewis, shared a touching tribute to her dad. So you could understand if she was upset that the Oscars didn't include her father in the tribute. But she kept things classy and positive in a series of tweets and retweets:
A photo posted by Juliette Lewis (@juliettelewis) on
It is sad that he was overlooked, but heartening that he was not forgotten by fans. Overall, Lewis still seemed pleased with the Oscars, and tweeted congrats to her old "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" co-star, Leonardo DiCaprio, who had his first acting nomination in that movie when he was just 19.
So happy to see Leo win and to use it as a platform to talk about #ClimateChange and things that matter! Congrats my friend @LeoDiCaprio
Here's a list of other departed stars who didn't quite make the In Memoriam cut, although there may be some good timing and ... canine ... reasons for those snubs.
At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what's new on Netflix, we've got you covered.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
"The Danish Girl" Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander were both nominated for Oscars (and she won) for this inspiring drama, based on the real lives of artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. The film is out on Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand March 1, and the discs include the bonus feature "The Making of The Danish Girl," with the actors, director Tom Hooper, and others on the filmmaking team taking you through the creative process.
"Creed" Yo, Adrian, Rocky is back on Blu-ray and DVD this week. Michael B. Jordan stars as Adonis Johnson, who never knew his famous father, Apollo Creed, but ends up training with Apollo's old opponent, Rocky Balboa. Stallone was nominated for an Oscar (again) for his performance, and the Blu-ray and DVDs come with a "Know The Past, Own The Future" featurette, a "Becoming Adonis" featurette, and deleted scenes. Run, don't walk, to get this one! "Room" Brie Larson won Best Actress for her role as Ma in this emotional drama about a woman and her son, kept in captivity for years in a shed dubbed "room."
"Legend" Between "The Revenant," "Mad Max: Fury Road," and these twin roles in "Legend," Tom Hardy had quite the 2015. In "Legend," Hardy plays brothers Reggie and Ronnie Kray, who created an empire in London during the 1960s. The movie is out on Blu-ray, Digital, DVD, and On Demand March 1. The Blu-ray and DVD include "Creating the Legend" and feature commentary with writer/drector Brian Helgeland.
"The Americans" Season 3 If you're one of those people who always plans to watch "The Americans" but never gets around to it, you have a great opportunity this week: The FX show's exceptional third season is ready for home release on March 1. Watch Philip and Elizabeth Jennings' (Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell) nativate life as KGB spies in suburban D.C., raising teen Paige and preteen Henry, who don't know the truth about their parents. DVD special features include deleted scenes and "The Cold War for Paige."
New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only
"Carol" Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara were both Oscar nominees for their roles as two women from very different backgrounds who end up having an affair in 1950s New York. This adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel "The Price of Salt" has its Digital HD release March 4, and it's on disc/demand March 15. Special features include a behind-the-scenes gallery, plus a Q&A with the cast and filmmakers.
"Sisters" Tina and Amy are back in this comedy about two polar opposite sisters who come together for one last blowout party after their family home is put on the market. The movie has its Digital HD release March 1, and it's on disc March 15. The Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD feature a new Unrated Version, plus more than an hour of deleted and extended scenes, a gag reel, and more.
"The North Star" This historical drama from first time writer/director Thomas K. Phillips made its streaming premiere in February for Black History Month on UMC (Urban Movie Channel). It's available on Video On Demand and DVD on March 1. For slaves Big Ben (Jeremiah Trotter) and Moses (Thomas C. Bartley, Jr.), the only thing worse than the daily cruelty of life on a Virginia plantation is the fear of being hunted down and tortured as runaways. But when Ben learns he is about to be sold to a new owner, he and Moses choose to run to the free state of Pennsylvania, with only the light of the North Star as their guide.
"House of Cards" Season 4 It's the start of a new month, which means Netflix is adding a bunch of new titles (and taking a bunch away), but the big score is the return of "House of Cards" this Friday. No one could ever hurt the Underwoods as much as each other, so how deliciously vicious is this POTUS vs. FLOTUS marital spat going to get? Put a Do Not Disturb sign on your life until you've finished streaming all 13 episodes. #TeamClaire
Here's the creepy trailer that makes it clear this season will be a horror show:
"Lego Friends: The Power of Friendship" "Lego: Bionicle: The Journey to One": Season 1 In case you care more about Lego than Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, these two Netflix originals are also dropping on Mach 4. In "Friends," Netflix says, "Five best friends face adventures side by side in their hometown. any antics, love and missteps are better with friends." In "Bionicle," "Six legendary heroes find themselves on an epic quest as they harness the power of nature's elements to defeat the forces of evil."
TV Worth Watching
"Downton Abbey" (Sunday on PBS at 9 p.m.) This is it. The final episode of "Downton" airs March 6. Lady Mary successfully sabotaged Lady Edith (again) but still got her own happy ending, so now we have to hope that more worthy characters -- i.e., EVERYONE -- also get happy endings so we don't have to write angry letters to Julian Fellowes for the next several decades. Also, however this ends, Lady Mary should be resurrected as a Bond villain or antagonist for The Avengers.
"Once Upon a Time" (Sunday on ABC at 8 p.m.) The winter premiere episode, "Souls of the Departed," is also the 100th episode of this crazy fairy tale madhouse. To celebrate, ABC is putting the characters through hell, once again, this time literally sending them to The Underworld to try and save Hook. It should be interesting to see so many familiar faces back on the scene, but hopefully the show remembers to focus on the core characters we care about, since they are the reason we're still here 100 episodes later.
"The Last Man on Earth" (Sunday on FOX at 9:30 p.m.) There's suddenly a plethora of apocalypse TV shows, but this one is definitely the funniest. Don't miss Will Forte's return to the end of the world, at the very least because we need to figure out how he and Mel Rodriguez end up losing half the hair on their bodies. There has to be a good story to that. Plus, Jason Sudeikis's Mike Miller finally landed from space, so will he be reunite with his brother Phil/Tandy or just think he is the last man on Earth?
No, the real treat is the build-up, with Jimmy Kimmel looking near tears as guest Ben Affleck gently breaks the news that his "too awesome" scene was cut from the final film. It's played to perfection. But Kimmel brightens when Affleck reveals that he brought the bonus scene to show the JKL audience. "Oh, this is good," Kimmel says, "More people will see this than that stupid movie!"
So here's the clip, with Affleck, Henry Cavill, and Jesse Eisenberg shooting a new fake version of their trailer scene, this time adding Kimmel. Bless them for that. And it is kind of strange that no one just outs Superman and Batman like this, when it does seem pretty obvious who they are.
The video is 9 minutes long, but stay for all of it for Will Arnett's Lego Batman cameo and, of course, Matt Damon on Mars.
Chris Rock used his platform as 2016 Oscars host to highlight diversity, and it definitely made a powerful impact. However, many viewers couldn't help but notice that the diversity wasn't really that diverse in terms of color, and even included a cringe-worthy joke about Asian stereotypes.
In that bit, Rock introduced bankers from PricewaterhouseCoopers. As he put it, "They sent us their most dedicated, accurate and hard working representatives. Please welcome Ming Zhu, Bao Ling, and David Moskowitz."
Onto the stage walked three Asian children. Rock knew the joke might touch a nerve, so he doubled-down on it, saying, "If anybody's upset about that joke, just tweet about it on your phone that was also made by these kids."
He wasn't afraid to push buttons all night, which is a good thing, but some viewers thought he set the conversation back a few years with this bit.
Here are some of the reactions on Twitter.
Half-assed Asian joke, #Oscars, and then preach about diversity? #LoseMe
As usual, there was no consensus on the matter, and the outcome is that people are debating race across the Internet, which was the main point of the whole evening. That and Leo winning.
Stacey Dash had made headlines for speaking out against Black History Month, which was referenced in her Oscars cameo. At least the Fox News commentator has a sense of humor about herself, and knew she'd become a viral moment, maybe not for the best reasons. So she used the opportunity to re-introduce herself and explain what she was doing on the show:
Here's a portion of that post, which already has more than 740 comments:
"You might be watching the Oscars and wondering why someone named Stacey Dash just walked across the stage. (Why was that funny anyway?)
Well, I'm Stacey – with an "e" – and it's nice to meet you. I was born in the South Bronx, became an actress in Hollywood where I starred in the 1995 movie Clueless.
Since then, you won't believe what happened. [...] Even though I voted for Obama during 2008 – even had a bumper sticker! – I didn't make the same mistake twice. In 2012, I voted for Mitt Romney – and everyone freaked the hell out about it. Why? Well, black people should support black candidates, I was told. But I'm not one to be told what to do. No matter my skin color, I was going to vote for the best candidate. Since I was blamed, mocked, and ridiculed in the press over supporting a Republican, I've spoken out about a LOT of stuff that black people try to stuff down my throat.
For example, I spoke out against Black History Month. [...] Plus, I spoke out against the #OscarsSoWhite controversy HERE. My take? We need to stop complaining about white people oppressing us, we shouldn't boycott the Oscars, and we need to support Chris Rock the host.
Which brings me to the joke. When they added ME to increase the diversity, I'm sure many black people rolled their eyes. I'm not "black enough," they say. But guess what? I've heard that all my life. I would rather be a free thinking, black than a cookie cutter black who thinks – and votes – just like all my friends.
Yes, I'm the actress from the South Bronx who has always dreamed of winning an Oscar. But God has a great sense of humor and this is my first encounter with one of my dreams of destiny. Bringing diversity to Hollywood... not merely because of color, but politics as well. (After all, different colors of skin is an easy kind of diversity. Ideological diversity is much harder, because it forces everyone to come face to face with actual beliefs. Hollywood needs BOTH.)
Anyway, this is a first. A beginning.
So that's who I am. Nice to meet you."
The reaction to her post has been mixed, which you'd have to expect, since the Internet never agrees on anything ... except maybe Leo. But you have to give her points for bravery, right?
So who out there should take on the high-profile gig after Chris Rock? It is a pretty thankless job, but here are a few people we thing could pull it off.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Don't worry, Sylvester Stallone. You may not have won an Oscar, but you did win the 2016 Razzie Redeemer Award. So ... congrats?
It's an annual tradition for Hollywood to celebrate its best and worst efforts in the same weekend. Before the Oscars were awarded on Sunday, the Razzies were announced Saturday night. "Fifty Shades of Grey" was tied for the most nominations this year, so it's no surprise to see it picked up five Razzie wins, including Worst Actress for Dakota Johnson, Worst Actor for Jamie Dornan, Worst On-Screen Duo, Worst Screenplay, and a tie for the dubious honor of Worst Picture. That tie came with "Fantastic Four," which also landed wins for Worst Remake/Rip-Off/Sequel and Worst Director for Josh Trank. Meanwhile, last year's Best Actor winner, Eddie Redmayne, earned his own Worst Supporting Actor Razzie for "Jupiter Ascending." In happier news, the Razzies have a new tradition of honoring someone who redeemed him-or-herself, and this year Sly was singled out for redemption after his return as Rocky in "Creed."
Move over, Cora, Jack has a new best girl, er boy: Oscar.
After five acting nominations and what feels like an entire year of "Is it finally Leo's time?!" think pieces, Leonardo DiCaprio not only won his first Academy Award, he won Twitter in record numbers. Apparently all of that suffering for "The Revenant" was worth it! According to Entertainment Weekly, Leo's Oscar win generated 440,000 tweets per minute, and that made it the most-tweeted moment of an Oscars telecast ever.
The previous record was that Ellen DeGeneres selfie back in 2014, which had 255,000 tweets per minute. So you can see how much people really, really, really, REALLY cared about Leo's win.
Leo seems to be the great equalizer bringing together celebs, fans, and people of all ages and backgrounds (except bitter Oscar voters like this guy -- feel the burn today, man. Haha.)
Fans also appreciated the environmental call-to-action he gave at the end of his acceptance speech. Here's how he closed that speech:
"And lastly, I just want to say this: Making 'The Revenant' was about man's relationship to the natural world, a world that we collectively felt in 2015 as the hottest year in recorded history. Our production needed to move to the southern tip of this planet just to be able to find snow. Climate change is real. It is happening right now. It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating. We need to support leaders around the world who do not speak for the big polluters or the big corporations, but who speak for all of humanity, for the indigenous people of the world, for the billions and billions of underprivileged people who will be most affected by this, for our children's children, and for those people out there whose voices have been drowned out by the politics of greed. I thank you all for this amazing award tonight. Let us not take this planet for granted. I do not take tonight for granted. Thank you so very much."
That was beautiful. And then we have to assume he spent last night doing this at the Oscars after-parties:
We feel pretty much the same way Kristen Bell does about sloths, which is just one reason we're excited for Disney's "Zootopia" (in theaters Friday, March 4th). A whole world full of adorable animals? We might faint.
The studio's very good about creating creatures that we just want to hug. Here are a few of our all-time favorites.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Chris Rock was announced for the gig of hosting the Academy Awards long before the nominations were revealed, and ensuing controversy over the lack of diversity in the nominees erupted. And Rock stoked the intrigue, refusing to do pre-Oscar publicity while he honed his material. He didn't want to give anything away and for good reason -- this wouldn't just be a fun hosting job; it felt vital, important, and now. And boy did he pull it off.
Below, our favorite Chris Rock moments form this year's Oscars.
1. The Opening MonologueWhen one of Rock's first remarks in his monologue was, "If they nominated hosts, I wouldn't even get this job," you knew that it was going to be pretty no-holds-barred. And, well, it was. His monologue focused primarily on the issue of race, which set a tone for the rest of the evening, in which Rock would return to this well again and again. He described the Academy as "sorority racist," referred to "Creed" as "Black Rocky," and took a jab at Oscar-boycotting Will Smith, when he said "it's also not fair Will Smith was paid $20 million for 'Wild Wild West.'" It was wild, in-your-face and utterly hilarious.
2. Thinking Sam Smith Was George MichaelIt was a throwaway gag but, following his melodramatic rendition of James Bond theme song "Writing's On the Wall" (from "Spectre"), Rock made a jab at Sam Smith. Rock said that "Father Figure" was his favorite song, a reference to the hit 1988 single.
3. Black History Month MinuteIn an amazing pre-taped bit Angela Bassett hosted the "Black History Month Minute." It seemed like she was talking about a famous African American actor (hello, Will Smith!) until it was revealed that she was instead describing the career of Jack Black. Get it? Black? So good.
4. Referring to Michael B. Jordan as a 'Should-Have-Been Nominee'Again, this was another minor moment but one we loved deeply: when introducing Michael B. Jordan, Rock referred to him as a "should-have-been nominee," referring to the sentiment of many, that Jordan should have been recognized for his exceptional, deeply felt work in "Creed."
5. The Suge Knight GagsAt one point, Rock made mention that there were some real life characters in the audience, including the woman that inspired David O. Russell's "Joy." But the best was when Rock pointed out Suge Knight, the violent, frequently imprisoned villain from "Straight Outta Compton." (The actor playing Suge Knight is strapped to a gurney like Hannibal Lecter.) Later in the ceremony, Knight is seen freed, seemingly because he gave his jailers Girl Scout Cookies. Which brings us to...
6. Girl Scout Cookies...In a bit of off-the-cuff wackiness that was like a funny version of what David Letterman tried to do back in the day, Rock introduced his daughter's Girl Scout troop, who then sold boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to seated celebrities. It was charming and sweet and served as a cute anecdote to the otherwise acerbic humor coming from Rock all night. Later in the show, he revealed that the troop had raised more than $65,000 and as he signed off, he passed out cookies to the winning team behind "Spotlight."
7. Pre-taped Compton BitOne of the laugh-out-loud funniest moments of the entire ceremony was a pre-taped segment when Rock visited a Compton movie theater to ask moviegoers about the Oscars. (Spoiler alert: they had never, ever heard of "Bridge of Spies.") This piece was symbolic of Rock's overall approach to the ceremony: he hit the issue of racism in the Academy Awards with surgical precision while also making light of the situation. It is both jovial and cutting. And the bit also illuminated the fact that the Oscars largely nominate movies that no one ever actually sees.
8. Boxes for ShortiesAnother small moment we loved: when pint-sized stars Abraham Attah (from "Beasts of No Nation") and Jacob Tremblay ("Room"), who were presenting Best Short Film, Rock ran out to put apple boxes on the stage so they could actually be heard by the microphone.
9. His Sign OffAt the end of the insanely long night, Rock invited everyone to the BET Awards this summer. He also said "Black Lives Matter" and handed Michael Keaton a Girl Scout cookie. It was truly an amazing end to an amazing night. Until next year...
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Leonardo Dicaprio won for his portrayal of Hugh Glass in the historical drama "The Revenant." This is his first Oscar win, but the world has been rooting for him to win ever since his first nomination in 1993. He also took home the Best Actor in a Drama award at the Golden Globes and Best Actor at the SAG Awards.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
The Oscars gives out awards for cinema's greatest achievements and that's great and everything, but let's all admit that one of the most fun parts about watching is seeing our fave celebs all dolled up and dressed in their best (or worst).
Who killed it on the red carpet at this year's Academy Awards and who fell flat? Let's get to judgin,' people. It's time to look at the good, the bad, and the OMFG from the 2016 Oscars.
Here are the best and worst dressed stars from Hollywood's biggest night.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
And the 2016 Oscar winner for Best Actress is... Brie Larson.
The "Room" star has been the frontrunner for most of awards season, scoring her first nomination and win for the compelling drama, which was also nominated for Best Picture.
"The Revenant" filmmaker is only the third person to ever win back-to-back Oscars for direction, and the first director in 65 years to pull it off. He previously won for 2015's Best Picture winner, "Birdman."
The Mexico-born Iñárritu first came onto the scene with the gritty "Amores Perros" in 2000, followed by the 2003 drama "21 Grams." He also directed the Academy Award-nominated "Babel" (2006) and the Javier Bardem-starring "Biutiful" (2010).
Like "Birdman" before, "The Revenant" showcases the director's love for shooting scenes all in one take -- a feat all the more impressive given the film's arduous production. A feat that the Academy bestowed Sunday night with Oscar gold.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Jimmy Napes and performer Sam Smith took home the big award, and this is the second Bond film to win Best Song since "Skyfall." This is the first Oscar for British singer Smith, who has already won four Grammy Awards, as well as the Golden Globe earlier this year.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
There was a clear winner of this year's Academy Awards before a single statue was ever handed out. And that winner was Chris Rock. This year's Oscars ceremony was primed and ready to explode, thanks to the controversy surrounding the lack of diversity in the nominees. And Rock did not disappoint, coming out by saying, "If they nominated hosts, I wouldn't even get this job."
It just got better from there. And now you can watch the entire monologue, above.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
One of the biggest upsets of the Academy Awards this year was also one of the flat-out geekiest: in the Best Visual Effects category, the micro-budget sci-fi head game "Ex Machina" beat out some true titans, including "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and "Mad Max: Fury Road."
In fact, it's the lowest-budgeted Best Visual Effects winner since Ridley Scott's "Alien."
According to Box Office Mojo, the other nominees were pretty pricey. "The Martian" cost $108 million, "Fury Road" cost $150 million, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" cost $200 million, and "The Revenant" cost a reported $135 million. "Ex Machina?" $15 million. "Alien" cost $11 million -- in 1979 dollars.
And you might be wondering why "Ex Machina" took home the prize over such lauded, high-profile titles, especially if you haven't seen the cautionary thriller. While the film doesn't have any giant space battles or hyper-realistic bear attacks, it does have simplicity, cleverness and ingenuity. So much of the effects in "Ex Machina" are essentially next-level make-up effects, replacing bits of human actors with robotic servos and mechanisms. The results are eerie and affecting, and it was clearly enough to wow Oscar voters into making such an unconventional choice.
While the movie might not have brought in the big bucks that the other nominees brought in, "Ex Machina" made a fairly substantial amount of money ($25 million) for specialty distributor A24, proving that BB-8 isn't the only robotic sensation at the movies this year.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Mark Rylance is a three-time Tony winner, but his work as real-life Soviet Spy Rudolph Abel in "Bridge of Spies" got him his first Oscar nomination and win.
The Best Supporting Actor category was filled with stiff competition and Stallone was the predicted favorite to take home the gold considering he nabbed the Golden Globe earlier this year.
Critics predicted chances of a Mark Rylance upset and it turned out that the theater veteran came through and knocked out Rocky himself. TKO, indeed.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
After last week's brief foray into the realm of romance, "The Walking Dead" returned to its roots tonight with the introduction of some new people, some new threats, and some new plans for ass-kicking, courtesy of Rick Grimes and co. For those keeping track at home, that makes three episodes in a row now that "TWD" has been firing on all cylinders. Can our survivors – and more importantly, the showrunners – keep up this pace for the rest of this back eight?
All signs are pointing to yes, what with tonight's introduction of the Hilltop community and some more revelations about mysterious big bad Negan, and his people, the Saviors. The episode's title, "Knots Untie," refers to Jesus's uncanny ability to escape any restraint that binds him, though the installment spends most of its time weaving together a complex backstory for the Hilltoppers, who look to our main crew to hold their settlement together in the face of Negan's looming presence. As Rick boasts of his group's ability to help, "Confrontation's never been something we've had trouble with," and that's certainly true. But based on what evidence we've seen of Negan and the Saviors so far, the constable's cockiness is undoubtedly a bit premature.
My prediction of Jesus raining fire and brimstone down upon the Alexandrians didn't exactly pan out, as he instead serves as the link between Alexandria and Hilltop (though that link will eventually lead to Negan, who has his own hellish designs), taking Rick and a small crew to the settlement to talk trade. "Your world's about to get a whole lot bigger," Jesus tells them, indicating that there are plenty more communities where his came from, all engaged in an ongoing exchange of supplies. The survivor says that Rick's people can probably swap some of their bullets for food – something Alexandria desperately needs – but unfortunately for our gang, the potential pact doesn't start off on the best foot.
Gregory, the Hilltop leader, initially balks at the request, noting that his community has all the leverage when it comes to trade (they have plentiful crops and lots of livestock), and doesn't want or need any ammo (Alexandria's only commodity, aside from Rick Grimes's fury). It's clear that Gregory's been holed up in the fancy Barrington House a bit too long: He sniffs at Rick's group upon arrival and refuses to even introduce himself until they've all washed up, explaining that it's "hard to keep this place clean." (Historical mansion maintenance must be a bitch.) It's also hard to keep myself from wanting to punch him in the face, a sentiment Rick seemingly shares, since he passes off negotiating duties to Maggie.
Gregory doubles down on the assholery by constantly referring to Maggie by the wrong name, and creepily indicating that she could perhaps stay behind in a trade instead, since he could "make it worth [her] while," an ambiguous request just oozing with sleazy undertones. But it turns out that big talk is really all that Gregory has working for him, since we soon learn that he and the rest of the Hilltop settlers have been living under Negan's thumb for quite some time. Jesus explains that the Saviors introduce themselves by killing a member of a community right off the bat – something Greasy Biker Guy told Sasha and Abraham back in the midseason premiere – and in Hilltop's case, it was a 16-year-old boy, who was beaten to death in front of everyone. Frightened, Gregory made the costly deal to let Negan's menacing crew take half of everything they have, in exchange for allowing the rest of the Hilltoppers to live, something the Saviors have repeated with other settlements, too.
But Negan wasn't pleased with the Hilltoppers' latest offering, killing two members of the community and capturing another, and sending the remaining party back with a murderous message for Gregory. One of the survivors, Ethan, thrusts a knife into Gregory's abdomen; Rick pounces, tussling with the attacker until he finally stabs the man in the neck, and Ethan proceeds to bleed out all over Rick's face. Rick springs back up as if this is a completely normal occurrence (and really, when you're Rick Grimes, it totally is), gazing around at the horrified Hilltopper onlookers and asking, "What?" If ever there were a quintessential Rick Grimes confluence of events, this would be it. (It also reminded me of the moment last season when he was ranting and waving a gun around Alexandria, and everyone but Rick himself thought he was crazy.)
The Hilltoppers proceed to pounce on Rick's crew (I loved it when Michonne protectively knocked out the woman who punched Rick), but Jesus plays peacemaker and persuades them to back off. He assures his people that the Alexandrians mean no harm -- aside from that whole killing Ethan thing, but apparently he was an a-hole anyway, so no big loss there -- and suggests that the Alexandrians can be a huge help with their Negan problem. Gregory, who somehow doesn't die after getting stabbed in the gut, is a harder nut to crack, but eventually caves, once again negotiating with Maggie over the terms of their new partnership. In an odd choice, Maggie, like Negan, also demands half of Hilltop's assets in exchange for their butt-kicking abilities, presumably to swing the power back in Alexandria's favor (though I'd argue that the Alexandrians' formidable weapons cache and extensive experience in combat already held the ball firmly in their court). Regardless of her specific motivations (no one calls her "Natalie" and gets away with it), Gregory agrees, and the plans are put in motion: Rick and his crew are going to defeat Negan ("He aint's s—t," Daryl boasts), and reap Hilltop's food benefits as a result.
That will be easier said than done, though, since we've already seen just how far-reaching Negan's tentacles can be. Based on the Hilltoppers' account, we now know that the Saviors are the nefarious group mentioned back in episode six, when Daryl was briefly captured by some Savior defectors (who later returned to their former ranks). Those people admitted that even they weren't sure how many members their own group contained; with so little information about the size of the threat they face, it's all but a foregone conclusion that Rick's crew will lose many lives on its quest to overtake them. And I certainly don't trust Gregory – whose self-importance, faux-genteel southern affect, and obsession with finer things give off some serious The Governor vibes – to remain so agreeable forever. (His willingness to simply write off his captured community member, Craig, also speaks volumes about his moral ambiguity.) Yes, "The Walking Dead" appears to be back in a great groove – but that can only mean that trouble is lurking around the corner.
Other thoughts:
- Another plot point from episode six also resurfaced tonight, as Abraham wrestled with his growing feelings for Sasha. Even after some sexy times with Rosita, he can't get the other woman out of his head, and he hears Sasha's voice when he's almost choked to death in the scuffle with the Hilltoppers. Smiling at the realization that he's head over heels for someone else, he leaves Rosita's carefully crafted necklace behind in the grass. I don't think that breakup is going to go well. (And here's hoping Sasha returns Abe's feelings, because I'm pretty sure he won't take kindly to rejection.)
- On the happy relationship front, new couple Rick and Michonne are immediately outed by Jesus, who busted in on them after their roll in the hay. Carl finds him in the hallway, where Jesus explains he's "waiting for your mom and dad to get dressed." Rather than being skeeved out by his father's sex life, Carl says he thinks it's cool that the sheriff is hooking up with Michonne; Rick in turn assures his son that this is the real deal, launching a million emoji-filled #Richonne Tumblr posts. The pair hold hands on the drive to Hilltop, grinning at each other, and the joyful feeling is infectious. Maybe I'm more invested in a fictional couple's happiness than I should be, but whatever, they're adorable. Let me have this before everything inevitably goes wrong.
- Maggie and Glenn finally spend some quality time together, after their long-awaited reunion in the midseason premiere fizzled thanks to the pressing issue of the zombie invasion. Now that that's out of the way, the pair have a chance to discuss Maggie's pregnancy, and with the convenient discovery of an OBGYN Hilltopper, also get to see a sonogram of their unborn child. (The second time this television season, after "The Last Man on Earth," that apocalypse survivors somehow procure a still-working ultrasound machine. Those things seem to be everywhere – and in excellent condition – when the world ends.)
- Abraham is unsure about this apocalyptic baby-making business, asking Glenn, "When you were pouring the Bisquick, were you trying to make pancakes?" (Glenn's reply: "Um, yes?")
- "I appreciate the cookie. My compliments to the chef." – Even Jesus loves Carol's baked goods. Maybe Sam's unhealthy obsession was warranted after all.
- So many people mentioned sorghum in this episode (the allegedly undersung wonder grain that also featured prominently last week) that I wondered if some mysterious sorghum conglomerate had somehow become an official sponsor of the show.
- "We're gonna make a pit stop. I'll pick up something then." "Like rabies?" I'm really enjoying Denise and Daryl's burgeoning friendship.
- I was a little nervous when the group going to check out Jesus's community included almost every survivor from our core gang. What if Jesus had turned out to be a Judas instead? Sure, you want some significant muscle when heading into an unknown community. But do you really want to risk losing Michonne, Abraham, Glenn, Maggie, AND Daryl while doing so? Why not take a few redshirt Alexandrians? (Or annoying characters like Spencer or Tara?) Something for the constable to consider next time, especially when going toe-to-toe with bloodthirsty Negan.
Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
By Lindsey Bahr, AP Film Writer
By Phuong Le, Associated Press
Eight months after 
The official cast list for the upcoming 22nd season of "
Lady Gaga may not have taken home a trophy during the 88th Academy Awards on Sunday, but the songstress certainly won Oscar night with her beautiful, powerful performance of "Til It Happens to You," a song written about and in honor of survivors of sexual abuse.
Did you think 
Zack Morris of "
Every year the Oscars "In Memoriam" tribute leaves out one or two big names who died in the previous year. The Internet noticed that "Godfather" star 
At a loss for what to watch this week? From new 
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara were both Oscar nominees for their roles as two women from very different backgrounds who end up having an affair in 1950s New York. This adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel "The Price of Salt" has its Digital HD release March 4, and it's on disc/demand March 15. Special features include a behind-the-scenes gallery, plus a Q&A with the cast and filmmakers.
It's the start of a new month, which means Netflix is 
This is it. The final episode of "Downton" airs March 6. Lady Mary successfully sabotaged Lady Edith (again) but still got her own happy ending, so now we have to hope that more worthy characters -- i.e., EVERYONE -- also get happy endings so we don't have to write angry letters to Julian Fellowes for the next several decades. Also, however this ends, Lady Mary should be resurrected as a Bond villain or antagonist for The Avengers.
The best thing about this 
And the award for most bizarre 
Don't worry, 
That tie came with 
Move over, Cora, Jack has a new best girl, er boy: Oscar.
When one of Rock's first remarks in his monologue was, "If they nominated hosts, I wouldn't even get this job," you knew that it was going to be pretty no-holds-barred. And, well, it was. His monologue focused primarily on the issue of race, which set a tone for the rest of the evening, in which Rock would return to this well again and again. He described the Academy as "sorority racist," referred to "
It was a throwaway gag but, following his melodramatic rendition of 
In an amazing pre-taped bit 
Again, this was another minor moment but one we loved deeply: when introducing Michael B. Jordan, Rock referred to him as a "should-have-been nominee," referring to the sentiment of many, that Jordan should have been recognized for his exceptional, deeply felt work in "Creed."
At one point, Rock made mention that there were some real life characters in the audience, including the woman that inspired 
...In a bit of off-the-cuff wackiness that was like a funny version of what 
One of the laugh-out-loud funniest moments of the entire ceremony was a pre-taped segment when Rock visited a Compton movie theater to ask moviegoers about the Oscars. (Spoiler alert: they had never, ever heard of "
Another small moment we loved: when pint-sized stars 
At the end of the insanely long night, Rock invited everyone to the BET Awards this summer. He also said "Black Lives Matter" and handed 
And the winner of the 2016 Oscar for Best Picture is... "
And the winner for Best Actor is 
And the 2016 Oscar winner for Best Actress is... 
Best Director winner 
And the winner for Best Original Song at the 2016 Oscars is "Writing's on the Wall" from "
There was a clear 
One of the biggest upsets of the Academy Awards this year was also one of the flat-out geekiest: in the Best Visual Effects category, the micro-budget sci-fi head game "
And the winner for Best Supporting Actor at the 2016 Oscars is 
After 
