On this day in 1991 Michael Jackson essentially signed a $1 billion contract with Sony. Because of this, and also because we have Vincent Price on the brain (see: Dr. Goldfoot), today's video lunch is the classic video of a classic video: Michael Jackson's entire 13-minute "Thriller" reproduced shot for shot with Legos. more ›

An undeniably spectacular, spooky, dance-tastic, and groundbreaking music video, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" might be headed for a big screen adaption, said Deadline earlier this week. GK Films, along with Fox 2000, Mandate/Lionsgate and Summit Entertainment "are all in the mix" for the rights, but the film itself may get a budget of under $50M. Loose details are available about the plot, but rumors say the story "has to do with the song's folklore, involving Vincent Price and the town he grew up in." Jackson's estate has the ultimate say on the deal; they've "reportedly earned $275 million posthumously over the past year." more ›

A number of people in the Western San Fernand Valley have fallen victim to a ploy by two gun-wielding robbers who post cheap cars on Craigslist, arrange a time place to meet and ask the victim to bring cash. A number of them have occurred on De Soto Avenue and Vanowen Street between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The LAPD says if you do buy a car off Craigslist, do not take cash and to meet a public place such as a bank or DMV office. Both suspects are described as Hispanic males between 25 and 30 and 130 pounds. One is about 5'7" and the other 5'10". Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact robbery detectives at (818) 756-3523. During off-hours, call 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log onto www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD”. Tipsters may remain anonymous. more ›

A budget deal was agreed on last night between top legislators and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Part of that deal was cutting $8 million from the state parks system, saving the majority of parks from the original proposal to cut around $70 million forcing the closure of 80% of them. more ›

Are you subscribed to Lesley Balla's new foodie newsletter, Tasting Table? Well, you better be, because this former EaterLA editor is proving to be the fastest finger on the foodie trigger. To wit: the latest message in our inbox, regarding a fantastic new deal at one of the city's most expensive restaurants. Craft LA, brainchild of Top Chef's Tom Colicchio, has just unveiled a downright economical new menu featuring small plates, with nothing over $9. more ›

Here's a way to advertise your product by making news. Yeah, we're suckers, but you should know, it possibly could be worth it. Jet Blue has announced that they're auctioning off flights on eBay with prices starting at 5-cents. Their graphic promises trips from Burbank, but their Southern California eBay page is only displaying Long Beach trips so far with seven trips total to Washington D.C., Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. more ›

It stands to reason that sometimes a good Happy Hour is hard to find in this town. But give us one that combines drink bargains with sushi and you've got our attention. If you're either coming or going on (Big) Santa Monica between the beach and WeHo or those general environs after a hard day's work, Century City's KULA Sushi Bistro's Happy Hour would make a worthy stopping point. Between 5-7 Monday-Friday evenings, the restaurant has discounted drink specials and half-price high-quality sushi at the bar in a comfortable and unpretentious environment. more ›

Fie upon those who wish downfall upon the Westside! We shall smite thee with our flaming elven sword. (That's how we talk to LAist staffers who aren't behaving; nothing whips a writing team into shape like a little dangerous elf talk.) We will now stop being nerds and give you incentive to visit the Westside. Here are some more happy hour specials that'll make you wish you lived on the beachier side of life. Smell that fresh air? Feel that breeze? That's called the ocean. It's why you live in California. Westsiders know that -- why don't you drink to it? more ›

In a preemptive move, the Director's Guild of America (DGA) announced yesterday that they'd made a satisfactory deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), giving them a new contract and therefore eliminating the need to strike once the current contract ended. So what does this mean for striking writers and the likelihood of an impending end to their current three-month-old strike? more ›

Dudes, it's become clear to me that just by walking about whatever fine neighborhood you happen to reside in (NoHo, WeHo, SilLake, DnTn, SanMo, KTown, HanPark, CulCity, etc), you're bound to happen upon a great little bar with great happy hour deals. Fer instance: this week I was walking around Downtown and ran into some friends, who happily guided me to the Redwood Bar & Grill, a fun and surprisingly classy little pirate bar near Disney Hall. Do they have an awesome happy hour? You betcha. more ›

Stocking stuffer alert for the foodies on your list! When it comes time to make New Year's resolutions, oftentimes at the top of ours is "Try more restaurants!" And this is when "new" is a relative term; sometimes "new to us" is as good as new, if not better. But then as any given mealtime approaches, we find ourselves scrambling for ideas: Where should we go? How much of a dent in the wallet will... more ›