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"

The writer-director's latest is the Netflix film, "The Land of Steady Habits"; actors and characters from Middle Eastern and North African countries continue to fight stereotypes; the experimental R&B musician Tirzah stirs up a quiet storm.

Michel Gondry directed Carrey in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and now they reunite for an offbeat Showtime series; Ethan Hawke dons his directing hat for "Blaze," a biopic about C&W singer Blaze Foley; in the wake of the CBS/Les Moonves mess.

The actress was honored at the Telluride Film Festival where her new film, "The Favourite," had its North American debut; speaking of film festivals: it's that time of the year for Hollywood; among the Emmy nominees for best original song is a Queen parody from the Netflix series, "Big Mouth."

Orson Welles didn't finish "The Other Side of the Wind" before he died and Neville chronicles that saga in "They'll Love Me When I'm Dead"; there won't be a Most Popular Movie award at the 2019 Oscars; the U.S. Justice Dept. charges a North Korean spy in the hack of Sony Pictures.

The Emmy-nominated actress is looking forward to season five of the series, despite the departure of creator Kenya Barris; climate change and how Californians are responding is at the core of the play, "Hole in the Sky."

The Oscar-winning actor stars in the true story of teenaged drug dealer (and FBI informant) sentenced to life in prison; the history of the abortion debate is chronicled in the documentary, "Reversing Roe."

The entire show is dedicated to coverage of Aretha Franklin’s memorial service, which was held today in Detroit. Dignitaries and prominent artists included Smokey Robinson and gospel legend Shirley Caeser.

The small festival in the Colorado resort town has a reputation for launching best picture hopefuls and winners; veteran British singer, songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson is back with a new album; in this era of "peak TV," what's it like to watch television the old-fashioned way?

After the 2016 Presidential election, the singer/songwriter took a cross-country train trip and then wrote a song cycle of character sketches and personal reflections; Taylor Swift's recording contract is about to expire, giving her a world of options; Boots Riley's "Sorry to Bother You" is one of the year's biggest critical hits.

Director Chris Weitz's film 'Operation Finale' tells the amazing story of the capture of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann; fans begin to pay their respects to the Aretha Franklin at the Museum of African American History in Detroit; and Cuban jazz pianist Dayramir Gonzalez is a rising star.

Breaking down the scene between Michelle Yeoh and her would be daughter-in-law, Constance Wu; documentary filmmaker Steve James spent a year inside a Chicago high school for the series, “America to Me”; remembering playwright and screenwriter Neil Simon, who died at the age of 91.

The former "Gilmore Girls" co-star has an Emmy nomination for her role in the dystopian world of "The Handmaid's Tale"; Harvey Weinstein's legal woes seem to be mounting; Aneesh Chaganty, director and co-writer of the film, "Searching," has created a hyper-modern day thriller.