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"

Producer David Klawans and writer Jeff Maysh find unusual real-life stories, turn them into long-form articles and pitch them to Hollywood; the Netflix docuseries "Wild Wild Country" tells the remarkable true story of the friction and violence that ensued when an Indian guru tried to create a massive utopia in Oregon in the 1980s.

The new Spike Lee film 'BlacKkKlansman' tells the amazing true story of Ron Stallworth, the black police detective who fooled the KKK into letting him join their ranks; Rosie & the Riveters play folk music with a feminist bent.

Nico sang with the influential Velvet Underground, but this film chronicles the latter part of her career and life; the U.S. Justice Dept. is reviewing a longtime prohibition on movie studios owning their own theaters; mariachi students from around the country are in SoCal for a workshop and competition

The song list is part of Turning the Tables, an ongoing project from NPR Music dedicated to recasting the popular music canon in more inclusive – and accurate – ways; With the sale of 20th Century Fox's studio to the Walt Disney Co., film historian and author Leonard Maltin looks at Fox's movie legacy.

The actress makes her directing debut with a film about two young girls on a journey to avenge their mother's death; the National Hispanic Media Coalition is targeting movie studios over lack of Latino representation; teenaged jazz bassist Anna Abondolo is going places.

The company that revolutionized moviegoing is floundering as movie theater chains launch similar pass programs; first-time novelist Elizabeth Klehfoth sold her book to Hollywood before she even had a publisher; Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo' bring their blues collaboration to the Hollywood Bowl.

The director and co-writer of "The Spy Who Dumped Me" turns the action-comedy genre on its head; what's the fate of CBS chief Les Moonves?; Netflix and Amazon preview their coming attractions at the TV Critics Assn. press tour.

The Texas native shot her indie feature in her home state, with a script based on her own teenage years there; the Idyllwild Arts Academy appears to have escaped the fire that's ravaging the area; the use of "white voice" by black characters in current films is a comment on white privilege.

On her latest album, the French singer and actress pays tribute to her family legacy and also mourns her sister's death; Spotify is paying advances to some artists, but says it's not actually signing artists the way record labels do. But if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck ...

The photographer has shot virtually every famous face for Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and other magazines; the Venice and Toronto film festivals have released their schedules — let the award campaigning begin!; streaming services aren't as encyclopedic as you might think.

The veteran singer/guitarist's lifelong passion for the genre is evident on his new album, "Out of the Blues"; playwright Young Jean Lee's provocative "Straight White Men" opens on Broadway; composer Max Richter plans to put Grand Park campers to "Sleep."

"Guardians of the Galaxy" director James Gunn is the latest figure to come under fire in an industry that no longer tolerates an "anything goes" culture; the documentary, "Far From the Tree," examines what happens to a family when one child has a difference that sets them apart; Naia Izumi, winner of NPR's Tiny Desk Concert competition.