I have to be very honest with you. I hate this time of the football season. I love the game, don’t get me wrong. I think the NFL has the most dynamic postseason in all of professional sports. I just hate this week of needless hype and other absurdities that would make Eugene Ionesco proud that lead up to the game. One piece that floated into my inbox Saturday morning comes from the folks......

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures As expected, Cloverfield demolished the box office this weekend, setting a record for a January opener with $41M in receipts. The final total was $15M+ more than was expected as early as a week ago, establishing Cloverfield as a potential monster of a hit once word-of-mouth starts to flow. Not to be outdone, 27 Dresses surprised to the high side in its debut, raking in a solid $22.4M and......

In its first weekend of wide release, The Bucket List charged to the top of the box office. Its tally of $19.54 million ($20.9M) just edged Ice Cube's First Sunday which debuted with an even $19M. There was some talk that upstart Juno might win the weekend crown, but it had to settle for a still healthy $14M ($71.2M). It now seems certain to reach $100M while holiday stalwarts National Treasure: Book of Secrets......

If any film cried out for a comprehensive DVD this year it was Zodiac. Casual viewers probably didn't realize it, but Zodiac was swimming in meticulously crafted CGI. Check out this video and be truly amazed by the subtle work of David Fincher and his team. Then, go out and buy the DVD. You know that it's been a good year at the movies when 3:10 to Yuma is only the third or fourth......

National Treasure: Book of Secrets ($20.2M/$171M) and I Am Legend ($16.3M/$228.6M) continued to rule the box office, but the weekend's big news belonged to Juno. In its first weekend of wide release, the sly comedy raked in $16.2M ($52M) and has now eclipsed the gross of last year's indie-ish* hit Little Miss Sunshine (*both films were produced by major studios). Alvin and the Chipmunks was a hair behind at $16M ($176.7M). Crappy newcomer One......

It was a great year of new books, re-discovered books, and books we meant to get to last year but didn't. The end of the year is nearly here and before we look forward, we'll take a look back. Last week, LAist Editors shared their favorite books of 2007. This week, a few LAist Contributors share their favorite book they read this year: Who: Christine Ziemba What: The Ominvore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan Why:......

It was a great year of new books, re-discovered books, and books we meant to get to last year but didn't. The end of the year is nearly here and before we look forward, we'll take a look back. LAist Editors share their favorite book they read this year: Who: Zach Behrens, Editor What: The Four-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris Why: Inspiring words on how to improve workflow, automate tasks, and get more......

In a crowded weekend of new movies, it was National Treasure: Book of Secrets that topped the box office with a haul of 45.5 million dollars. I Am Legend showed good strength in it second weekend ($34.2M/$137.4M) as did Alvin and the Chipmunks ($29M/$84.8M). Charlie Wilson's War managed fourth place in its debut ($9.6M), just ahead of fellow opener Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street ($9.3M). P.S. I Love You had a......

I Am Legend proved to be legendary, indeed, as it opened with a staggering 76.5 million dollars--an all-time record for a film in December. Considering it exceeded estimates by over $30M, I think it's safe to say that Will Smith is now officially the biggest movie star in the world. I can't remember the last time I typed out such a depressing statement. Alvin in the Chipmunks surged unexpectedly, bringing in an even $45M,......

Of all the big holiday releases, I Am Legend is probably the one I'm least excited to see. And that's saying a lot considering National Treasure 2 is on the docket. As for Legend, I just get the feeling that there's absolutely nothing in the movie that will surprise me. And I'm sure that the dark ending of Matheson's source novel has been scrapped in favor of something more life-affirming. Because Will Smith never......

Nine are dead in Omaha, Nebraska today after a man opened fire in a shopping mall, and then shot himself. Police do not have a motive so far. Did you have this conversation this morning? "Sorry, boss, I can't come in to work today...a terrible cough, I, uh, flu symptoms, definitely -- what waves? Uh, I don't know what you're talking about...." Lots of SoCal surfers took a sick day and busted out on......

The ever talented and lovely Alicia Keys performed just before the massive 4000+ strong march down Hollywood Blvd. Keys, with the #1 album in the country As I Am, said "As a SAG member and a writer, she was there to support the cause." After the mini-concert of two songs, "No One" and "Go Ahead", the red army took to the street. March and chanting from Vine to right in front of the Chinese......

At 1:15pm today on Hollywood Blvd. it was hot. At 1:20pm when Alicia Keys got on the small stage on the back of a truck and performed "Go Ahead", one of the best new tracks from her latest cd As I Am, it got much hotter. We had to take off our jacket. Lucky for you we had a pretty decent spot in the photo pit and we shot this video for you because......

Hearts of Darkness is such a perfect complement to Apocalpyse Now that it's hard to watch one without thinking of the other. Though it's not the greatest print, the former is finally available on DVD. Now that the year is coming to an end, people are starting to talk about Oscar contenders. Why is the superb Rescue Dawn being left out of the mix? Live Free or Die Hard doesn't play like a Die......

For what seems like the 300th time this year, Hollywood is giving us a movie based on a graphic novel. That movie is 30 Days of Night and stars the lethally inexpressive Josh Hartnett as a small-town sheriff charged with the task of protecting Barrow, Alaska from a rampaging horde of hungry (or is thirsty?) vampires. All I can say is, "at least it's rated R". I'll probably sit this one out and wait......

Yesterday, September 20th, was the day that Mychal Bell was to be sentenced after being found guilty as an adult on the charge of aggravated battery. Prosecutors were asking for a sentence of 22 years at one point, then reduced it to 15 years. Last Friday the appeals court overturned his conviction. The court determined that Bell, who was 16 at the time, should not have have been tried as an adult. In spite......

It seemed like a ridiculous challenge, and now it appears that all 50 Cent did by declaring that he would give up his solo career if his new record was outsold by Kanye West's new record was help Kanye's record. Both discs dropped on Tuesday and 50 looks like he might be the one having to drop out - if the former crack dealer is good with his promise. Billboard is reporting that first-day......

Last night Jeff Tweedy and the boys of Wilco performed a stellar two hour long set at the Greek. Since I had a wall pass, I had the pleasure of people watching and I must say that Wilco fans are happy folk. Singing along and even dancing at times, the fans were enraptured by the incredible musicianship. The bashful yet charismastic Jeff Tweedy led the crowd through a set comprised of half Sky Blue......

Summer has passed and acts such as Suzanne Vega, Tegan and Sara, M.I.A., Spoon, and Rilo Kiley have reclaimed the spotlight after significant hiatuses, but the year is far from over. It’s now time to look forward to albums on the horizon that look like winners already: 21. In Our Bedroom After the War – Stars: The popular Canadian indie outfit is poised to take America by storm. (Release date: September 25) 20. As......

OUT TODAY: Flight Of The Conchords - The Distant Future (Sub Pop) [MP3]: “Business Time” via Tunes Consumed Magnolia Electric Co - Sojourner (Secretly Canadian) [MP3]: “Leave The City” via Aquarium Drunkard The Budos Band - The Budos Band II (Daptone Records) [MP3]: “Chicago Falcon” via Inflight at Night Okkervil River - The Stage Names (Jagjaguwar) [MP3]: “Unless It’s Kicks” via Music For Kids Who Can’t Read Good Augie March - Moo, You Bloody......

Chrisette Michele busted out before our very eyes and ears at the end of 2006, singing the hook on her boss, Jay-Z's "Lost One".Shortly after the 24 year-old's incredible voice was heard on Nas' hit single, "Can't Forget About You." That same voice, according to her bio, gave L.A. Reid, DefJam Chairman, goosebumps. In June, Michele dropped "If I Have My Way," the lead single from her debut solo album, I Am. LAist caught up......

Yesterday in Extra, Extra, we brought you the story of the Pleasures Gentlemen's Club in Pasadena getting cited for excessive nudity and illegal contact with patrons. A savvy commenter linked us to an oldie, but goodie Best of Craigslist posting from three years ago featuring a guy with some supposed political connections: Fellow CLers take notice because this is going to blow you away! I just landed a job that you won't fucking believe.......

Recommended After Innocence - Jessica Sanders directs this documentary detailing the stories of seven men who were wrongfully imprisoned for decades (some of them on death row) before finally being exonerated by DNA evidence. The Amazing Screw-On Head - This animated 30-minute pilot (I can only hope there will be more episodes) based on the comic book by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola is full of awesome animation (it closely mimics Mignola's style), witty dialogue,......

You know how it is... rockin' and rollin' and whatnot... Below is this week's hearty list of new releases. Try to consume at least two servings of new music a week as part of balanced diet. Please send all thank-you notes, fruit baskets and cookie platters to the fine people at AllMusic for providing such wonderous data. Blues Roger "Hurricane" Wilson - Way I Am Celtic Iona - Circling Hour (Open Sky UK) Childrens’......

Do you live in China, Saudi Arabia or work somewhere that blocks your favorite sites? Using a proxy site you can bypass their censorship. Here's a list of over 300 proxy sites which will let you surf to any site like a free person, like how God intended: 3 Proxy || 3 Proxy || 3 Proxy || 4 Proxy || A1 Proxy || A Free Proxy || Alien ProxyAnonymate || Anonymizer || Anonymouse ||......

Current Record: 2-1, T-2nd Pacific Last Week: The Clippers rebounded from a disappointing opening-night loss to Phoenix by knocking off Denver and taking out the Suns in the rematch. Sam Cassell showed that he still has plenty of gas left in his tank at 37, leading the team in scoring and taking all of the big shots down the stretch. Newly acquired Tim Thomas displayed the same form he had in last year’s playoffs......

Even though Beck is #1 this week, due in part to his headlining the LA Weekly Detour Festival, we present to you the video of Bob Dylan's 'When The Deal Goes Down', not just because it stars our girl Scarlett Johansson, but because Bob has somehow stayed in the Amoeba Top 25 ever since he debuted there early last month. Who says the kids don't have any taste? 1. Beck - Information 2. Killers......

Babydaddy, Jake Shears, Ana Matronic and the rest of the Abba-esque Brit dance group Scissor Sisters are finding just as much success here in the states as they did early last month in the UK where they debuted at #1. The follow-up to 2004's eponymous freshman offerring did extremely well here in LA last week due to several factors: they headlined a sold-out show at the Shrine last Thursday, they appeared on Indie on......

Yo La Tengo I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass Matador (2006) After digesting Yo La Tengo's last two records, the sublime "And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out" (2000) and the somewhat sedate "Summer Sun" (2003), I thought perhaps they had entered their twilight years as a band. After 20 years of recording, touring and slowly but surely becoming indie rock icons the band, composed of guitarist Ira Kaplan,......

Last night's game was so entertaining, we're almost not upset that the Red & Blue lost. 130-123?! Is this 2006 or 1986? The Steve Nash/Sam Cassell battle is going to be a great one and the flashes of brilliance that Shaun Livingston shows on the court has us extremely hopeful for the future. Here's what's being talked about in Clipper Nation: The Mighty MJD:The Suns took Game One from the Clippers last night, despite......