The Frame

What the early Academy Award predictions are telling us about diversity — or the lack thereof — among this year’s potential nominees; the documentary "This Ain't No Mouse Music," about Bay Area recording legend Chris Strachwitz, gives new insight into what drove his musical journey.

“The Simpsons” launched its 26th season Sunday. Vulture.com editor Jesse David Fox joins us to discuss how they chose the 100 Best Simpsons episodes; “The Equalizer” won the box office this weekend, but we also take a look at how some smaller, independent films are doing.

The FAA just approved use of drones for feature films. We talk with the owner of a company that stands to benefit; an Asian-American theater company explores how cultural bias can warp a family’s ability to discuss mental illness; Antoine Fuqua first directed Denzel Washington in "Training Day." Now they're together again for "The Equalizer."

Soloway talks about how Lena Dunham and Louis CK changed the way she writes; pianist and composer Cathlene Pineda discusses her commission for the Angel City Jazz Festival; and Viola Davis on why her casting for "How To Get Away With Murder" is groundbreaking

Kenya Barris, creator of the new ABC series "black-ish," says they had written an episode about spanking before the Adrian Peterson story broke. His challenge: Getting the network to buy in to the controversial topic; Artist Ai Weiwei debuts a new installation at Alcatraz that touches on themes such as freedom and human rights.

The actress founded an institute on gender in media that reports women don't get enough speaking roles in Hollywood; art and science intersect at the AxS Festival; New York's Metropolitan Opera opens its season amid protests, and more.

Colin Farrell will star in the next season of HBO's "True Detective"; Matt Atchity of Rotten Tomatoes chats about this weekend's box office winners and losers, including "The Maze Runner" (pictured). Plus, Jon Stewart discusses his first time on a comedy stage, Fox debuts “Gotham," and more.

How Scott Frank convinced Liam Neeson to star in yet another hostage movie; “Last Days in Vietnam” portrays the U.S. exit from Saigon; and a look at the legendary jazz musician at the heart of “Keep On Keepin’ On.”

The Toronto International Film Festival has a late-night series that brings out devoted horror fans; a group of artists and activists put a spotlight on LA's waterway; the indie band Allah-Las returns to its roots at Amoeba Records; and film director Ned Benson talks about his accidental trilogy, "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby."

In our latest episode, we get a preview of one of the largest and most vital film festivals on the circuit; we sit under a 340-ton boulder to interview Doug Pray about the subject of his documentary, "Levitated Mass: The Story of Michael Heizer's Monolithic Sculpture"; and we chat with Teller (yes, of Penn & Teller) and Aaron Posner — co-directors of a novel staging of "The Tempest" at South Coast Repertory.

The “Nightcrawler” writer-director (leaning on car door) explains how he cast L.A. as a character in his movie; a new stage production examines the legacy of the Black Panthers; and art writer Jori Finkel has the latest news about architect Frank Gehry and collector Eli Broad.

Our guide to Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican commemoration of All Souls’ Day, which is a popular tradition in Mexican-American communities; the Comikaze pop culture convention is in LA this weekend.

Choking, torture and waterboarding — are extreme haunts going too far?; a postcard from San Francisco's idyllic music festival; and why hasn’t there been a Wonder Woman movie?

Jake Gyllenhaal goes deeper, and darker, in his new movie; Song Exploder dissects Julia Holter's "Horns Surrounding Me"; and actors between gigs scare up some cash by working in haunted houses.

Neil Patrick Harris has become the go-to host for award shows, and now NBC will build a variety show around him; after a five-year closure for renovations, the Picasso Museum once again opens its doors.

"Ouija" won the weekend box office, but are game-based films guaranteed to be hits?; a film archivist unearths early works by some horror masters; and who are Hollywood’s MVS — Most Valuable Stars?

The chief make-up artist of 'The Walking Dead' on how to get zombie-fied for Halloween; Yarn-bombing is the new public art; Geeking out on this week in pop culture.

Benjamin Millepied's dance troupe hits the stage this weekend; soul singer Alice Russell on touring as a new mom; and ‘Freestyle Love Supreme’ mixes hip hop and improv in a new TV show.

Effie Brown talks about being a black producer in Hollywood; lovers of literature take over North Hollywood's arts district; “Laggies" director Lynn Shelton on unconventional movie relationships.

The Met debuts the controversial opera "The Death of Klinghoffer"; Del Casher's lasting mark on the sound of rock 'n' roll; and a photographer turns a van into a rolling camera.

A new study concludes that the people who rate films for the MPAA are becoming desensitized to violence; "Fury" rolls over the weekend box office; and a "Mad Men" actor goes back in time again.

How filmmaker Jorge Gutierrez (far right) got Guillermo del Toro to produce his feature debut, "The Book of Life"; a look at Brad Pitt's WWII drama, "Fury," and other new films out today; and musician Marissa Lauren talks about opening for Lena Dunham.