The Showbuzz Weekly Forecast
If you want to laugh, the critics are raving about the new movie "Knocked Up," and if you want to cry, the true story about the Shue family, "Gracie" is the movie for you. Best-selling authors James Patterson and Joyce Carol Oates have new books out, or you could travel back in time with "Superman" or the "Andy Griffith" show on DVD.
MOVIES
"Knocked Up", written and directed by the man behind "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" Judd Apatow, is a comedy about the pregnancy that results from a one-night stand between young, ambitious entertainment journalist Allison Scott (Grey's Anatomy Katherine Heigl) and the slacker Ben Stone ("The 40-Year-Old Virgin's" Seth Rogen).
"Gracie" is set in 1978, when girls' soccer barely existed. It is based on the lives of the Shue Family stars Andrew Shue and Oscar-nominated Elizabeth Shue. Gracie, played by Carly Schroeder, is the only girl in a family of four children and her brothers are obsessed with soccer. When the oldest brother dies, Gracie decides to fill the void he left on his high school soccer team.
Kevin Costner stars as Earl Brooks in "Mr. Brooks." He plays a successful businessman who has a murderous alter ego that he has been able to manage for most of his life, until a photographer played by Dane Cook sees him commit a crime. Demi Moore plays a detective investigating the murders, and William Hurt plays the alter ego.
Photos: Kevin Costner Makes An Impression
"Pierrepoint" is the true story of Albert Pierrepoint, who like his father and uncle, becomes an executioner in England before capital punishment is outlawed. Albert aims to be the best executioner in the land and kills some very high-profile criminals, including Nazi war criminals. His skill turns him into a celebrity, but public opinion turns against him when capital punishment becomes unpopular.
"Crazy Love:" is a documentary about an adulterous affair between a married man and a 20-year-old woman that started in 1957, became an obsession and still continues.
TV
The Miss Universe pageant airs on NBC at 9 pm ET. Live from Mexico City, the pageant will be hosted by "Entertainment Tonight" correspondent and former Miss Teen USA Vanessa Minnillo and "Dancing With the Stars" semifinalist Mario Lopez. Celebrity Judges include "Heroes" actor James Kyson Lee, "Deal or No Deal" model Lindsay Clubine, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and musician Dave Navarro. The Miss Universe franchise is owned by Donald Trump.
"History Rocks: The 70s" is a two-part series hosted by singer Meat Loaf that examines both the good and bad of the 1970s. The series looks at President Nixon, the Jonestown tragedy, the Munich Olympics, and, of course, the music. It airs Tuesday, May 29 and Wednesday, May 30 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
MUSIC:
Controversial R&B crooner R. Kelly is releasing a new album, "Double Up", which features collaborations with T.I., T-Pain, and Ludacris.
Alternative rock pioneer Perry Farell's Satellite Party "Ultra Payloaded" features everyone from Fergie to even Jim Morrison from beyond the grave.
In the new album, Bach: The Goldberg Variations 1955 Performance: Zenph Re-performance Canadian pianist, Glenn Gould takes on the music of legendary composer Johann Sebastian Bach.
"Close as You Get" is Gary Moore's mix of some of his original music with some old blues tunes. Moore's career dates back to the 1960s, and he was a member of several famous rock bands including Thin Lizzy and Skid Row.
DVD
"The Closer": The Complete Second Season (2005): The crime drama stars Kyra Sedgwick as a tough but quirky investigator. The DVDs feature additional scenes, featurette "Breaking Down the Closer" and a gag reel.
"Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition" DVD set contains "Superman — The Movie," "Superman II," "Superman II — The Richard Donner Cut" "Superman III," "Superman IV — The Quest " and Superman Returns." See Christopher Reeve in his prime as he stars along side Gene Hackman, Ned Beatty and Jackie Cooper as Superman — come to save the planet.
"The Andy Griffith Show" — The Complete Series: The Andy Griffith Show ran for eight seasons in prime time and introduced some of TV's most beloved characters: Opie, Aunt Bee and Barney Fife.
BOOKS
"The Good Guy" by Dean Koontz is about an ordinary man in the middle of a huge mystery after he is mistaken for a hitman.
"Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports" by James Patterson is the last book in his trilogy. Main character Max and her gang are trying to save humanity from "Re-evolution" despite being spread across the world.
"Gravedigger's Daughter by Joyce Carol Oates, set in 1936, is about an immigrant family's resettlement in upstate New York after escaping Nazi Germany and the trials and tribulations they encounter and ultimately overcome.
THEATER
"Escape From Bellevue" opens May 31 at the Off Off Broadway Village Theatre. The play chronicles the rise and fall of the band Knockout Drops through the eyes of front man Christopher John Campion. The band's music and videos are thrown into the mix along with Campion's monologues.
"Brits Off Broadway — Rosebud: The Lives of Orson Welles" stars Christian McKay in this examination of Welles' rise to fame and fall from grace. Preview begin May 29 and the play opens June 1 at the Off Broadway 59E59 Theaters.