The ShowBuzz Weekly Forecast
Adaptations are all the rage at the box office this week. Philip Pullman's beloved fantasy story "The Golden Compass" puts a spell on the big screen. Keira Knightley stars in Ian McEwan's award-winning World War II novel "Atonement."
For the non-moviegoer, Barbara Walters dishes out her "Most Interesting People" of the year, and CBS celebrates music in movies with the all-star gala "Movies Rock."
MOVIES
"Golden Compass" stars Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman in the fantastical adventure adapted from Philip Pullman's beloved story. Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards) embarks on an epic quest through worlds of talking bears and witches to rescue her kidnapped friend and save the world along the way.
"Atonement" follows 13-year-old Briony (Romola Garai) who irrevocably alters several people's lives when she misconstrues the relationship between her sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and the housekeeper's son (James McAvoy). Briony tries to make amends for her rush judgment years later during World War II. The film is adapted from Ian McEwan's award-winning novel of the same name.
"Revolver" reloads in American theatres after misfiring in England. Guy Ritchie's third crime caper -- after "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch" -- stars Ray Liotta, Jason Stratham, and Andre 3000. The movie revolves around a vengeant trickster with a fool-proof con.Photo Essay: Keira Knightley"
TV
Barbara Walters unveils her annual "10 Most Fascinating People" special. Her 2007 list includes the Beckhams, Justin Timberlake, former President Bill Clinton, Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson and the MySpace guys. Find out Walters' number one Most Fascinating Person of 2007 on the ABC News special which airs at 10 p.m. Thursday.
CBS airs its first ever "Movies Rock," a two-hour special that celebrates the role of music in moviemaking. The event includes an all-star ensemble including musicians Beyonce, Carried Underwood, and Usher along with movie stars Billy Bob Thornton, Harrison Ford, Charlize Theron, and Quentin Tarantino. Taped at Los Angeles' Kodak Theater, the special airs at 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
BOOKS
"Opening Atlantis," is the latest work by best-selling author Harry Turtledove, who has made a name for himself pondering the "what ifs" of history. What if Elizabethan England was conquered? What if the Japanese occupied Hawaii after Pearl Harbor? In his latest work, Turtledove rewrites the history of the world with an eighth continent with Atlantis lying between Europe and the East Coast of Terranova.
"Burnt Offerings" is the seventh installment of Laurell K. Hamilton's
spine-tingling vampire hunter series. Heroine Anita Blake must track down a psychotic arsonist and meets vampires and werewolves along the way, forcing her to reconsider who the true monsters are.
MUSIC
"Elton John: Elton 60 - Live At Madison Square Garden" showcases the legend's rich tenor and classical piano-playing in top form at The Garden. The album, available in Blue-ray, hits stores Tuesday.
"I'll Be Home For Christmas" blends Ronan Tynan's majestic voice and classical Irish style with the Yuletide spirit. The album is being released on Tuesday.
"Heima" charts Sigur Ros' far-flung concerts throughout Iceland from deserted fish-factories to mystical caverns. Lose yourself in the album starting Tuesday.
DVDs
"Pirate of the Caribbean: At World's End"caps off the blockbuster trilogy following the swashbuckling adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he escapes from Davy Jones' Locker and confronts the East India Trading Company. The DVD is for sale starting Tuesday.
"24: Season Six opens with President Wayne Palmer negotiating Jack Bauer's release from a Chinese prison. Jack must thwart terrorist mastermind Abu Fayed and his plan to detonate nukes on U.S. soil. The complete season on DVD is available in stores Tuesday.
THEATER
Queens Boulevard is an off-Broadway musical that follows a new husband determined to find his wife the ideal wedding gift. He ends up entwined in a slew of adventures on the streets of Queens as he searches for the mythical Flower of Heaven. Opening night is Monday.
The off-Broadway play "Trumpery" finds Charles Darwin struggling to complete "The Origin of Species" while dealing with a family illness and his own personal demons. Half the world over, meanwhile, a mystery explorer is working on the exact same theory of evolution. The play debuts Wednesday.