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"

So many questions: why is Leonardo DiCaprio nominated for lead actor and Brad Pitt for supporting actor for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”?; why wasn't Robert DeNiro nominated for "The Irishman"?; why is Tom Hanks a supporting actor for “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”?; and how rare are Scarlett Johansson's nominations for both lead (“Marriage Story”) and supporting actress ("Jojo Rabbit")?

The actress had a breakout year, with roles in “Motherless Brooklyn,” “The Morning Show” and the well-reviewed but barely seen “Fast Color”; Clint Eastwood's "Richard Jewell" is being blasted over its depiction of a female journalist; “Joe Pera Talks With You” and we talk with him.

The museum marks its centennial with an exhibit of objects that were either acquired, published or exhibited in the year it was founded; are The Golden Globes legit or not?; “La Bohème aka The Hipsters” gets an ironic revival.

Mark Duplass on playing supporting roles in two projects tackling #metoo stories; Gugu Mbatha-Raw makes the case for seeing her buried movie "Fast Color"; the debate around black criticism of "Queen & Slim," a Netflix documentary exposes the toxic story of yoga guru Bikram Choudhury...

The 19-year-old filmmaker shot the movie while he was still in high school, and it won him awards at the Tribeca Film Festival; the U.S. Justice Dept. may allow studios to once again own movie theaters; the comedians who warm up TV studio audiences.

Bikram Choudhury made hot yoga an international phenomenon, but he allegedly assaulted a number of female students along the way, as told in a new documentary; should films by black artists be immune from criticism by black writers?; Beverly Hills High School had a pivotal role in "It's a Wonderful Life."

The influential event in Park City, Utah has built its reputation on films that advance racial diversity and gender parity; #PayUpHollywood takes the next step; the Sunset Studios in Hollywood mark their 100th anniversary.

The actor, writer, producer and director talks about his current roles for both TV and film; the Thanksgiving weekend box office kicked off the holiday season; the rapper JPEGMAFIA takes us inside his creative process.

Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones last acted together in “The Theory of Everything.” Now they’re back together for a film in which they play 19th Century balloonists; two companies behind the vinyl record renaissance.

The Frame is five years old! We revisit memorable interviews, strange locations, some laughs and a few good cries. Meryl Streep, Jordan Peele, Tom Hanks, Lizzo, Guillermo del Toro, Emma Thompson, Ava DuVernay, Zach Galifiankis, Karyn Kusama, Mark Bradford, Jon Robin Baitz and more...

Actor Adam Driver and writer/director Noah Baumbach reunite for the fourth time for "Marriage Story"; composer Gabriela Ortiz's latest commission for the L.A. Philharmonic.

Writer Lena Waithe and director Melina Matsoukas talk about how the traumatic deaths of unarmed black people by police officers shaped their movie's narrative; five years after the Sony hack, what's changed in Hollywood?