The natural inclination amongst civilized folk is to resist the bloated blockbusters that trample into theaters every summer. Surprisingly, that sentiment hasn't really applied to Iron Man 2. I imagine that's because of the tremendous good will accorded to Robert Downey Jr. I didn't love Iron Man 2 as much as Iron Man (click here), but it's still a solid piece of popcorn entertainment. There probably won't be a more adorable film this year than Babies. That will either bring you into the theater or keep you away (it will bring me in). more ›

By week's end, LA is regularly littered with a handful of free rags. Combined, these publications put the Tribune Company's Spring Street operation LA Times to shame as far as reporting on the dozens of municipalities that make up this metropolis of more than 12 million people. LAist reads the weeklies so you don't have to. If there's anything we missed, let us know, or better yet drop it in the comments section below.... more ›

- Red Sox pay $51 million just for the right to negotiate with a Japanese pitcher - ESPN more ›

Anna Nicole's new baby will have Howard K. Stern's last name. - TMZ via Defamer A 79 year-old woman was raped in her home this weekend - LAPD Blog Cops find a grenade in the home of a man barricaded inside his South Central crib - CBS2 Sheryl Crow in a bikini (which isn't so bad), at a John Mayer show (unforgiveable) - Egotastic Jack Abramoff via RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman got Allen Stayman... more ›

Blogwatching the Golden Globes (it's not liveblogging if it's tape-delayed, right?) We forgot to write down times, but trust us, this is (mostly) chronological. We blogged the red carpet, too. more ›

This morning authorities announced that Jack Abramoff will plead guilty to fraud charges in Washington and Miami, allowing him, as the AP writes, "to cooperate in a massive government investigation of influence peddling involving members of Congress." more ›