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1987: Santa Barbara.'s Cruz went to Summerfest with Eden.

1992: Gl's Alan-Michael switched out Eleni's birth control pills.

2009: One Life to Live's Nora slapped Tea in court.

2009: General Hospital's carnival began."The best prophet of the future is the past."

― Lord Byron

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1969: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) told Magda Rakosi (Grayson Hall) what would happen when he used the rods--his body would remain while his spirit traveled into the future. He told her to go to Collinwood and warn Quentin to leave.

1970: On Another World, Pat and John Randolphs's twins, Michael and Marianne Randolph, were born.

Christine Campbell (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is a neurotic single mom who has a hard time juggling her responsibilities at home and work. Others in her life include her low-key brother, Matthew (Hamish Linklater); best friend and business partner, Barbara (Wanda Sykes); young son Ritchie (Trevor Gagnon); irresponsible ex-husband, Richard (Clark Gregg); and his current love, "New Christine" (Emily Rutherfurd). Often popping up to make "Old Christine" feel even more incompetent are "mean mommies," Marly and Lindsay (Tricia O'Kelley and Alex Kapp Horner).

As you probably know, The New Adventures of Old Christine was cancelled in the spring and won't be back for season six. On the positive side, the show is coming to syndication and Lifetime.

The first two seasons of the TV show are widely available on DVD; via Amazon and retail stores. The third season has just been released but is only available...

In 2009, both Southland and Medium were cancelled by NBC but were then saved by other networks. Three long-running shows were recently cancelled last month and it looked like each had a good shot of being saved as well.

A couple weeks later, Law & Order and Ghost Whisperer have been denied a second chance and now, The New Adventures of Old Christine has as well.

The New Adventures of Old Christine follows a neurotic single mom (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) who has a hard time juggling a relationship with responsibilities at home and work. Others in the cast include Hamish Linklater, Wanda Sykes, Trevor Gagnon, Clark Gregg, Emily Rutherfurd, Tricia O'Kelley, and Alex Kapp Horner.

The sitcom has been a moderate performer for CBS from the beginning and has ended up on the bubble each year. For the past two years,...

It's a bad day if you have three names and you're a U.S. TV star - Jennifer Love Hewitt and Julia Louis-Dreyfus' long-running shows have been canceled. Hewitt's spooky drama "Ghost Whisperer" and Louis-Dreyfus' comedy "The New Adventures of Old Christine" have been axed as part of a sweep by TV bosses at CBS.

Comedy "Gary Unmarried", cop drama "Cold Case", "Miami Medical", "Accidentally on Purpose", and "Numb3rs" have also been canceled by the network executives.

Jennifer Love Hewitt has played opposite David Conrad, Camryn Manheim, Jay Mohr, Jamie Kennedy, Tyler Patrick Jones, Aisha Tyler and Christoph Sanders in "Ghost Whisperer". Meanwhile, Julia Louis-Dreyfus has starred alongside Clark Gregg, Hamish Linklater, Trevor Gagnon, Emily Rutherfurd, Tricia O'Kelley, Alex Kapp Horner and Wanda Sykes in "New Adventures of Old Christine".

Film: ‘Fly Me To The Moon’; Director: Ben Stassen; Voiceovers: Trevor Gagnon, Philip Bolden, David Gore, Christopher Lloyd, Tim Curry, Robert Partick, Kelly Ripa; Rating: **

There’s something about kids and dreams. They do not follow logic. But neither does anything worthwhile that has ever happened in the world. Yet scared elders dissuade children from following their dreams because they have burnt their fingers doing so.

‘Fly Me To The Moon’ suggests that one should follow one’s.

Taylor Lautner could follow the step of his "Twilight" co-star Kristen Stewart who has just landed Orange Rising Star Award at 2010 BAFTAs. The 18-year-old hunk has been announced as one of the contenders to win Best Performance by Leading Young Actor at the 31st Annual Young Artist Awards for his portrayal of Jacob Black in "The Twilight Saga's New Moon". For the said prize, he will be up against Jake T. Austin ("Hotel For Dogs"), Jimmy Bennett ("Alabama Moon"), Max Records ("Where The Wild Things Are") and Devon Bostick ("Adoration").

Meanwhile, Emma Roberts and Saoirse Ronan are put under the same category, facing each other for the Best Performance by Leading Young Actress kudo. The "Hotel For Dogs" star and the "The Lovely Bones" beauty are additionally joined by Abigail Breslin ("My Sister's Keeper"), Jolie Vanier ("Shorts") and Yara Shahidi ("Imagine That") in the competition for the award.

The nominations...

BFFs Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus each earn equally one spot at the Young Artist Awards this year under the television category. The first two are included for their roles in TV movie "Princess Protection Program" while Miley is in for her leading role on "Hannah Montana".

In terms of the number, it is Miranda Cosgrove and her show "iCarly" that earn the most. Beside the actress herself who is nominated for Best Performance in a TV Series by a Leading Actress, the whole cast are nominated for Outstanding Young Performers in a TV Series. Additionally, Nathan Kress and Joey Luthman land a nod each in supporting actor and recurring categories respectively.

However, Nate Hartley adds one for "Hannah Montana" in the guest starring category. As for Gomez's "Wizards of Waverly Place", it is Jake T. Austin who gets a nod, while as for Lovato's "Sonny with a Chance...

Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato are placed in competition against each other at the upcoming 31st Annual Young Artist Awards. As the Young Artist Foundation unveiled this year's nominees, it is revealed that the two Disney stars and best friends are vying for Leading or Supporting Young Actress title in a category for TV movie, mini-series or special.

Both Selena and Demi received the nomination for their performance as Carter Mason and Rosalinda respectively in "Princess Protection Program". Beside each other, they are also up against two other hopefuls, Tori Barban of "The Christmas Hope" and Patricia Raven of "Dear Harvard".

The two teen stars are not the only Disney's leading lady to get nominated for 2010 Young Artist Awards. Miley Cyrus has earned a nod for Leading Young Actress in TV series for her role on "Hannah Montana". She is listed among four other contenders that include the star of Nickelodeon's "iCarly", Miranda Cosgrove.

The nominees of the 31st Annual Young Artist Awards have been announced. "Hotel for Dogs," "Twilight Saga: New Moon," and "My Sister's Keeper" are among the nominees.

The Young Artist Awards benefits the Young Artist Foundation -- a non-profit organization which awards scholarships to financially and/or physically challenged young people seeking a future in the entertainment industry.

Winners will be announced at a gala be held on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at the Beverly Garland, Studio City, California.

Nominees of the 31st Annual Young Artist Awards (feature film categories):

Best Performance In A Feature Film

Leading Young Actor

Jake T. Austin .Hotel For Dogs.

Jimmy Bennett .Alabama Moon.

Max Records .Where The Wild Things Are.

Taylor Lautner .Twilight Saga - New Moon.

Devon Bostick .Adoration.

Best Performance In A Feature Film

Leading Young Actress

Emma Roberts .Hotel For Dogs.

Abigail Breslin .My Sister's Keeper.

Jolie Vanier .Shorts.

Yara Shahidi .Imagine...

Chicago – Robert Rodriguez is a one-man moviemaking machine. He’s always looking for the fastest and most cost-effective ways for getting his work out to the public. His success story, memorably chronicled in the book “Rebel Without a Crew,” is genuinely inspiring, yet his films often fail to resonate as anything other than exercises in design. In his latest film, he comes up with two multi-purpose objects (a man-made product, “the black box,” and a magical “wishing rock”) that can do pretty much anything his characters want them to do. They represent the central problem in Rodriguez’s work: he seems to think that since digital filmmaking can allow him to do anything, he should, without ever thinking it through.

Blu-Ray Rating: 2.0/5.0

Thus, the public is treated to a shapeless, rambling bore like “Shorts,” which feels like it was slapped together in Rodriguez’s garage. Its story is told out...

Blu-ray

Shorts

Directed by: Robert Rodriguez

Cast: Jimmy Bennett, Trevor Gagnon, Jolie Vanier, Jon Cryer, Leslie Mann, Kat Dennings, James Spader

Running Time: 1 hr 15

Rating: PG

Due Out: Nov. 24, 2009

Buy Shorts [Blu-ray] on Amazon

Plot: A wishing rock wreaks havoc in the hi-tech community of Black Falls when it falls in to the hands of the children of the area.

Who’S It For? Kids who have a tough time sitting still and wish that anything, anything is possible.

Movie:

Shorts flies fast and that’s probably the best part for parents. It will seem like it will go by quickly. As far as making sense, it’s just not going to happen. A pause and fast forward button can pop up at any time for Jimmy Bennett as Toe Thompson. He doesn’t seem like a bad kid actor, but he’s not ready for the narration that goes along with the role.

Warner Bros. new comedy,adventure flick, "Shorts" hit the theaters this weekend,and it was pretty entertaining. It was almost kind of too kiddie for me,but I never got board watching. It was a pretty fast paced movie,and all the magical wishing rock stuff kept me intrigued. In a short synopsis, "Shorts" revolved mostly around Toe Thompson (Jimmy Bennett) at first,then got everyone in the mix when he's hit on the head with a rainbow colored rock that grants anyone who holds it, whatever they wish for. The story was kind of told in a jumbled way, in a series aptly called "Shorts"(as in short story). Basically from what I gathered, a character named Loogie (Trevor Gagnon) first found the rock...

Inglourious Basterds Studio: The Weinstein Company Rated: R for strong graphic violence, language and brief sexuality. Starring: Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz and Daniel Brühl Directed by: Quentin Tarantino What it’s about: We’ve all seen the trailers for this. Two and a half hours of “killin’ Nah-zies,” right? Wrong. There’s a lot more going on in this film besides Brad Pitt and Eli Roth scalping “Nah-zies” across the French countryside. It’s also the story of a dastardly Nazi colonel who is hunting down all the Jews in France, and it also tells the tale of a young woman whose family was killed by the Nazis who plans revenge on the Third Reich when she hosts a premiere of a new propaganda film. What I liked: When I first saw this movie at the press screening, I didn’t quite know what to make of it, mainly...

Shorts

Directed by: Robert Rodriguez

Cast: Jimmy Bennett, Trevor Gagnon, Jolie Vanier, Jon Cryer, Leslie Mann, James Spader.

Running Time: 1 hr 15

Rating: PG

Plot: A wishing rock wreaks havoc in the hi-tech community of Black Falls.

Who’s It For? The cynic in me wants to say dim ten-year-old boys.

Expectations: The previews didn’t look too promising, but I do like kid’s movies. So maybe…

Scorecard (0-10)

Actors:

Jimmy Bennett as Toe Thompson: Bennett has his very own gawky, awkward charm and it mostly works. He was fantastic as the young James T. Kirk in Star Trek and in Shorts he floats along with the rest of the movie without much incident. There are some periods in his narration that are physically, painfully bad, and therefore…

Score: 3

Trevor Gagnon as Loogie: Someday, Gagnon may learn to act, but alas, that day is still in the distant future.

Score:...

This past weekend (Sunday August 16, 2009 to be exact) was the Red Carpet Premiere of Robert Rodriquez’s Shorts in Austin, TX presented by Warner Bros., Troublemaker Studios, and Graves, Dougherty, Hearon, & Moody. I was covering press for the event held at Austin's historic Paramount Theatre and had my 7 year-old stepson join me for the family geared event. I must also add that he was my photographer for the press shots on the red carpet featured in this article. ShortsPoster Shorts: Starring Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon, Jon Cryer, Leslie Mann, William H. Macy, James Spader Eleven-year-old Toe Thompson is the designated punching bag for the bullies of the suburban community of Black Falls, where his and everyone else’s parents work for Black Box Industries, makers of the do-it-all gadget that’s sweeping the nation. But during a freak storm, a mysterious Rainbow Rock, which grants wishes to anyone who finds it,...

Warner Bros. is releasing a brand new fun looking movie called "Shorts" this weekend (movie trailer below). It's an action,adventure,comedy that grants a whole bunch of kids their wishes. Hmmm, sounds like trouble to me. It stars : Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, James Spader, Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon, Leo Howard, Devon Gearhart, Rebel Rodriguez, Jake Short, Jolie Vanier .

Here is the trailer and poster for Warner Bros’ film “Shorts”. The Action/Adventure Comedy is set to open in theathers August 21, 2009. Shorts is directed by Robert Rodriguez, starring Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, James Spader, Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon, Leo Howard, Devon Gearhart, Rebel Rodriguez, Jake Short and Jolie Vanier. “Shorts” is set in the suburb of Black Falls, where all the houses look the same and everyone works for Black Box Unlimited Worldwide Industries Incorporated, whose Mr. Black’s Black Box is the ultimate communication and do-it-all gadget that’s sweeping the nation. Other than [...]...

A new poster and second trailer for Robert Rodriguez’s upcoming family film shorts have hit the interwebs. Opening August 7, the film centers on a young boy's discovery of a colorful, wish-granting rock that causes chaos in the suburban town of Black Falls when jealous kids and scheming adults alike set out to get their hands on it. Shorts stars Jimmy Bennett, Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, James Spader, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon, Leo Howard, Devon Gearhart, Rebel Rodriguez, Jake Short and Jolie Vanier.

Movie Jungle has the trailer for Warner Bros. Pictures' "Shorts," starring Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, James Spader, Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon, Leo Howard, Devon Gearhart, Rebel Rodriguez, Jake Short and Jolie Vanier. Robert Rodriguez directs from his own screenplay as producing alongside Elizabeth Avellan, Dan Lin, Hunt Lowry, Mohammed Khalaf and Edward Borgerding. The film is rated PG for mild action and some rude humor. “Shorts” is set in the suburb of Black Falls, where all the houses look the same and everyone works for Black Box Unlimited Worldwide Industries Incorporated, whose Mr. Black’s Black Box is the ultimate communication and do-it-all gadget that’s sweeping the nation. Other than keeping his parents employed, however...

Movie Jungle has the trailer for Warner Bros. Pictures' "Shorts," starring Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, James Spader, Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon, Leo Howard, Devon Gearhart, Rebel Rodriguez, Jake Short and Jolie Vanier. Robert Rodriguez directs from his own screenplay as producing alongside Elizabeth Avellan, Dan Lin, Hunt Lowry, Mohammed Khalaf and Edward Borgerding. The film is rated PG for mild action and some rude humor. “Shorts” is set in the suburb of Black Falls, where all the houses look the same and everyone works for Black Box Unlimited Worldwide Industries Incorporated, whose Mr. Black’s Black Box is the ultimate communication and do-it-all gadget that’s sweeping the nation. Other than keeping his parents employed, however...

Here’s the first teaser for Shorts, the latest family-adventure flick from director Robert Rodriguez. Opening August 7, the movie stars Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, James Spader, Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon, Leo Howard, Devon Gearhart, Rebel Rodriguez, Jake Short and Jolie Vanier. Official Synopsis: Shorts is set in the suburb of Black Falls, where all the houses look the same and everyone works for Black Box Unlimited Worldwide Industries Incorporated, whose Mr. Black's Black Box is the ultimate communication and do-it-all gadget that's sweeping the nation. Other than keeping his parents employed, however, Mr. Black's Black Box has done nothing for 11- year-old Toe Thompson, who just wants to make a few friends... until a mysterious rainbow-colored rock falls from the sky, hits him in the head and changes everything. The Rainbow Rock does Mr. Black's Black Box one better: it grants wishes to anyone who holds it.

Warner Bros. Pictures has debuted the new trailer for Robert Rodriguez's action-adventure Shorts , coming to theaters on August 7. The film stars Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, James Spader, Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon, Leo Howard, Devon Gearhart, Rebel Rodriguez, Jake Short and Jolie Vanier. Shorts is set in the suburb of Black Falls, where all the houses look the same and everyone works for Black Box Unlimited Worldwide Industries Incorporated, whose Mr. Black's Black Box is the ultimate communication and do-it-all gadget that's sweeping the nation. Other than keeping his parents employed, however, Mr. Black's Black Box has done nothing for 11-year-old Toe Thompson, who just wants to make a few friends...until a mysterious rainbow-colored rock falls...

If there’s a lesson to be learned from Fly Me To The Moon, it’s this: unless you have a budget of 100 million dollars or more to work with, stay the hell out of the digital animation business. You’re running up against two especially well-funded studios (Pixar and Dreamworks) and an audience long since numbed to the novelty of computer animation. The talent is something, but if you haven’t got the money shots, then you’d better pack up and go home.

Which, you can only conclude, is exactly what the producers of Fly Me To The Moon should have done. While it might have been possible to endure the boring characters, terrible jokes, and cultural worldview that was already retrograde by the time the film was set (1969), going along with its uniquely and singularly uninvolved visual look is too much to ask.

The plot is basically described by the title,...

Robert Rodriguez will direct the futuristic thriller "Nerverackers" for Dimension Films. The multi-talented filmmaker will also write the screenplay.   Set in 2085, the story tells of Joe Tezca, a guy who is part of an elite unit who are sent out to to suppress a crime wave. This all takes place in what is supposed to be a perfect future society.   Release date is set for April 16th next year. Rodriguez' credits include "Sin City," the "Spy Kids" series of films as well as the "Grindhouse" offering of "Planet Terror" and the George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino starrer "From Dusk Till Dawn."   His family film "Shorts" sees release on August 9th this year and stars Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon, Rebel Rodriguez, Jake Short, Leslie Mann, James Spader, William H. Macy and Devon Gearheart/  ...

It looks like Robert Rodriguez’s next film won’t be a sequel to Sin City, nor will it be another Predator flick, as previously rumored. Instead, the trades say the filmmaker will helm Nerverackers, a futuristic thriller for Dimension Films. Set in 2085, the story centers on a character named Joe Tezca who is part of an elite unit dispatched to quell a crime wave in a theoretically perfect future society. Rodriguez is writing and directing. Rodriguez, whose last film was half of Grindhouse – Planet Terror, next returns to the family genre with Shorts – which stars Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon, Leslie Mann, James Spader and William H. Macy. It’s set to open in August. The flick follows a young boy's discovery of a colorful, wish-granting rock as it causes chaos in the suburban town of Black Falls when jealous kids and scheming adults alike set out to get their hands on it.

Chicago – Warner Brothers has released a slate of images from their entire 2009 schedule of films, the first half of which are were highlighted in a 25-image slideshow last week with the second half of the exciting 2009 Warner Brothers slate featured below.

This 26-image slideshow contains official press images and schedule information for the recently announced slate of films to be released by Warner Brothers Pictures in the second half of 2009 including new movies starring Cameron Diaz, Robert Downey Jr., Daniel Radcliffe, Matt Damon, Kate Beckinsale, Jude Law, Vera Farmiga, and James Marsden.

These 2009 Warner Brothers Pictures include “The Hangover,” “My Sister’s Keeper,” “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” “The Orphan,” “Shorts,” “Final Destination: Death Trip 3D,” “Whiteout,” “The Informant,” “Where the Wild Things Are,” “The Box,” and “Sherlock Holmes”. All films have images in the slideshow below.

The release dates, cast lists, and filmmaker information for these Warner Brothers...

Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk Till Dawn, Grindhouse) returns to the family genre with Shorts, and you can check out the first three images below. It opens August 9, 2009 and stars Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, James Spader, Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon, Leo Howard, Devon Gearhart, Rebel Rodriguez, Jake Short and Jolie Vanier. Official Synopsis: Shorts is set in the suburb of Black Falls, where all the houses look the same and everyone works for Black Box Unlimited Worldwide Industries Incorporated, whose Mr. Black’s Black Box is the ultimate communication and do-it-all gadget that’s sweeping the nation. Other than keeping his parents employed, however, Mr. Black’s Black Box has done nothing for 11- year-old Toe Thompson, who just wants to make a few friends… until a mysterious rainbow-colored rock falls from the sky, hits him in the head and changes everything. The Rainbow Rock does Mr.

Before Robert Rodriguez starts work on Sin City 2, he's got to finish up another kids movie, in the vein of Spy Kids or Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D. The movie is called Shorts and is about a young boy who discovers a "colorful, wish-granting rock" (seen above) that causes chaos in the suburban town of Black Falls when jealous kids and scheming adults alike set out to get their hands on it. In addition to William H. Macy, James Spader, and Leslie Mann, Shorts also stars Kat Dennings, Jimmy Bennett, Trevor Gagnon, and Robert's son Rebel Rodriguez. Honestly, I'm quite a bit bewildered by these oddly colorful photos. Shorts is both written and directed by Robert Rodriguez, who brought us the Spy Kids trilogy as well as Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D. Warner Brothers is releasing Shorts in theaters everywhere on August 7th, 2009 - potentially in 3-D. I'm personally not a...

Watchmen, Sherlock Holmes and Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th

Photo: Warner Bros. Warner Bros. just sent over their 2009 picture preview and it is Huge. It includes 22 films and I have added a total of 40 new images from films including the following: Sherlock Holmes Final Destination: Death Trip 3D Where the Wild Things Are Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Terminator Salvation Watchmen The Informant Friday the 13th Ghosts of Girlfriends Past Whiteout Orphan Observe and Report He's Just Not That Into You The Hangover 17 Again My Sister's Keeper Shorts Under the Sea 3D The Box Untitled Clint Eastwood Project Ninja Assassin I have included a preview image, the release date, cast, director and synopsis for each film over the next six pages. The brand new, never-before-seen images for several of the releases can be previewed by clicking on the link accompanying each film. Remember, the links open in...

Well, it’s one small step for computer animated films and one giant leap in the evolution of the 3D cinema. Okay, that may be blowing it’s accomplishments a bit out of proportion, but nWave Pictures’ “Fly Me to the Moon” sets out to blow away the senses in the first animated feature length film to be created for the sole purpose of being presented in 3D.With such industry giants like Dreamworks and Disney and it’s reigning kings of computer animation Pixar, the summer and holiday season is usually a foregone conclusion when it comes to what types animated films will dominate the box office. “Fly Me to the Moon” goes all out and reaches for the stars in this technically brilliant but otherwise flimsy and barely fleshed out adventure.The film tells the story of Nat (Trevor Gagnon), a young fly living in a junk yard...

Fly Me to the Moon Directed by: Ben Stassen Cast: Christopher Lloyd, Tim Curry, Trevor Gagnon, Philip Daniel Bolden, David Gore Time: 1.5 hours Rating: G Plot: In 1969 Nasa plans to launch the first manned mission to the moon. Excited about the opportunity, three young flies plan stow away on the Apollo 11 space flight in an attempt to be the first insects on the moon. Who’s It For? This one is for the young kids who haven't yet had the experience of 3D on the big screen. Old enough that they can sit for 90 minutes with 3D glasses on but there's probably not enough substance for the over 10 crowd. Expectations: I haven't seen a lot of buzz (pun intended) about the movie except that it's in 3D. I hold any animated movie to...

By Neil Pedley

With the summer's end in sight, this week might represent the last hurrah in the name of good fun before the gloomy, Oscar-baiting seriousness of the fall release schedule descends upon us. Woody's back, there's a grindhouse/B-movie double header, and in the realm of blockbuster comedy, it's the wily veteran versus the young upstart as Ben Stiller battles Seth Rogen in an all-out race to the stupid.

"Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer"

Although she was overshadowed by such greats as Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, Anita O'Day became one of the "three queens of Jazz," in spite of an artform dominated by African-Americans and her struggle with her own personal demons. In this documentary, the famed white jazz vocalist reflects on nearly 70 years in the spotlight, not merely performing jazz, but living it as a lifestyle. O'Day's former manager Robbie Cavolina and...

Jon Cryer and James Spader are returning to the big-screen, signing up to star in Robert Rodriguez's Shorts, a family adventure movie that also stars William H. Macy and Leslie Mann.

Rodriguez, who also wrote the screenplay, is producing the film with Elizabeth Avellan under their Troublemaker Studios banner. Robert Rodriguez is serving as his own director of photography, editor and visual effects supervisor.

Also among the cast is Jimmy Bennett (Star Trek), Kat Dennings (The 40-Year-Old Virgin), Trevor Gagnon (The New Adventures of Old Christine), Leo Howard (G.I. Joe), Devon Gearhart (Changeling), Rebel Rodriguez (Planet Terror), and Jake Short and Jolie Vanier.

Shorts is set in fictional Black Falls, a suburb where everyone works for Black Box Unlimited Worldwide Industries Incorporated whose communication gadget is sweeping the country. A young boy (Bennett) discovers a rainbow-colored rock that grants wishes to anyone who holds it, which first causes havoc amongst the kid population before turning up several notches when adults get their hands on it.

Cryer and Mann play the boy's parents while Dennings is the boy's older sister.