The Frame

In the 1973 movie "Westworld," Michael Crichton created a fantasy world that now doesn't seem so far-fetched in the new HBO series; Desert Days may be jokingly called "Oldchella," but the promoters are laughing all the way to the bank; Get Lit was founded with the goal of using poetry to increase teen literacy ... and it’s working.

“Delusion: His Crimson Queen” is a haunt for people who will pay for the privilege of being scared, while "Hollywood Premiere Party: The Show" lets movie fans have the red carpet treatment; as rumors swirl about Netflix being sold, the streaming service continues to throw its weight around.

Between "Portlandia," "Documentary Now" and "Seth Meyers: Late Night," Fred Armisen may be the hardest working man in show business; since its release in May, Ezra Edelman's "O.J.: Made in America" continues to resonate as a chronicle of the relationship between African-Americans and law enforcement.

Google announced a slew of new products today, including the Pixel phone, Chromecast Ultra and the Daydream VR headset; Willie Bobo was a Latin music legend from the '60s-'80s. His son, Eric, has assembled an album of his father's previously unreleased music; for 40 years, filmmaker Terrence Malick has been working on a documentary about the origins of the universe. We talk to the producers who shepherded the project into existence.

We debate the issues surrounding the film, "The Birth of a Nation," and its writer-director-star, Nate Parker; remembering two L.A. cultural icons: Gordon Davidson of the Center Theatre Group and conductor Sir Neville Marriner, the first music director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

The creators of “For the Record” build cabaret-like stage shows around classic pop songs used by top filmmakers; "Saturday Night Live" returns in the heat of the presidential campaign; L.A. singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart uses the city as inspiration on his latest album.

Bell says the title of his new comedy album refers to his being called on as a news show commentator only after more prominent people are unavailable; Kirsten Johnson is an award-winning documentary cinematographer who has woven footage from her 25-year career into a documentary memoir called “Cameraperson."

Filmmaker Andrea Arnold cast “American Honey” with amateur actors, including Sasha Lane, who was discovered on a beach in Florida; the Wanda Group's purchase of American movie theaters and production companies has some members of Congress worried; there's an effort to make vinyl copies of a recording of life on earth that was sent into outer space.

The success of "Between Two Ferns" with Hillary Clinton explains why Funny or Die opened a bureau in the nation's capitol; a new state bill aims to prevent websites like IMDb from publishing the age of actors and actresses; Grammy nominee Austin Wintory composed the music for the new video game, "Abzu."

Director Mira Nair's new movie, "Queen of Katwe," tells an inspirational story that's set in Uganda, showing a side of Africa not often seen in big studio movies; TV producers are high on reboots and remakes, with no sign of slowing; photographer Phil Toledano's bizarre attempt to deal with his death anxiety is documented in the film, "The Many Sad Fates of Mr. Toledano"

Filmmaker Andrew Jarecki made a feature and now an HBO documentary series (pictured) about Robert Durst, an heir-turned-suspected murderer; the comedy trio Culture Clash revisits "Chavez Ravine," about a key moment in L.A. history; "Jupiter Ascending" and "Seventh Son" are big budget box office flops.

Beyoncé (pictured) is up for six Grammys, including album of the year. Who will win trophies and who should?; Pitchfork has established itself as the go-to music website for millennials; The zombie guru from "Walking Dead" tells all; "Jupiter Ascending" is earthbound, according to critics.

In the wake of the studio's embarrassing computer hack, the co-chair of Sony Pictures will become a producer; Dick Cavett plays himself in a stage play (pictured) that recounts a famous literary feud; "Wild Tales" director Damián Szifrón's film is Argentina's entry in the Academy Awards foreign language film category.

Was Jay-Z wise to plunk down $56 million for the Aspiro music streaming company? The Decemberists (pictured) return with their seventh studio album; Frank Gehry's home was the inspiration for music commissioned by the L.A. Chamber Orchestra; Lynn Shelton talks about directing the pilot for "Fresh Off the Boat."

Director Pawel Pawlikowski on his foreign film nominee, "Ida" (pictured); "Cartel Land" director Matthew Heineman on facing danger in Mexico; "High Maintenance" is a web series that's like “Cheers,” but with weed instead of whiskey; what might Hollywood do with the sequel to “To Kill a Mockingbird"?

Recapping this year's Sundance Film Festival, and a chat with the co-directors of "Meru," which won the Audience Award for U.S. Documentary; actor Randall Park goes from the fire ("The Interview") to the frying pan ("Fresh Off the Boat," pictured).

Anna Bass and Monica Bill Barnes (pictured) imbue their choreography with humor; how the creator of 'Doc McStuffins' made her hit show that counts Michelle Obama among its fans; and two Sundance documentaries show the power of movies to liberate people’s minds.

Rick Famuyiwa, the writer-director of the 2015 Sundance favorite, "Dope," describes being at the center of one of the buzziest films at the fest; “Dear White People” filmmaker Justin Simien looks back at Sundance a year after his breakout; composer Bear McCreary rocks out on his hurdy-gurdy.

Venues for Bill Cosby's live shows sometimes can't cancel a show on their own; Alfonso Gómez-Rejón, director of Sundance favorite "Me & Earl ..." (pictured), on why the film is so personal to him; can Pivot TV's $40 million series, "Fortitude," be a hit for the fledgling network?; "Schoolhouse Rock" creators explain its origins.

Noted documentary director Alex Gibney debuts his HBO film, “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief”; no sales record after all for Sundance darling “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”; Jamie Cullum puts his stamp on jazz standards on his new album, "Interlude."

Awards from the Screen Actors and Producers guilds put "Birdman" (pictured) in the driver's seat for Oscars; watchdog group says "American Sniper" has inspired threats against Arab-Americans and Muslims; sex is a common theme at this year's Sundance festival; actor Tony Hale's children's book.

Karina Canellakis (pictured) is a conductor who does double duty as a violinist, often at the same time; The Frame host John Horn reports from the Sundance Film Festival, where filmmaker Benson Lee returns with a new movie, "Seoul Searching."