A Semester Abroad ... In Tinseltown

LOS ANGELES TIMES

Forget about Paris and a semester at the Sorbonne. Think about Los Angeles' Wilshire district and the chance to speak like a Hollywood agent.A growing number of U.S. colleges and universities, mostly from the East Coast and the South, are making something close to that pitch for what are in effect study-abroad programs in the Los Angeles area. Read more

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All three levels of Evil'

THE MIAMI HERALD

The two-disc "Touch of Evil: 50th Anniversary Edition" DVD (Universal Home Entertainment, $27) is nothing less than a revelation, regardless of whether you've seen the film before. There are three versions of Orson Welles' famously troubled 1958... Read more

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'Carol' Criticism: Why Even Risk It?

LOS ANGELES TIMES

By Patrick Goldstein It is common practice for Hollywood studios to release movies without screening them in advance for critics. In recent weeks, a host of films have hit theaters without being... Read more

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Ever Hear of One Called 'Hamlet'?

LOS ANGELES TIMES

How does one stage "Hamlet"? Let us count the ways. The ghosts of Hamlets past -- no pun intended -- haunt contemporary directors, who must distinguish their own efforts in a crowded field. Then... Read more

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DreamWorks and Paramount Settle Divorce

LOS ANGELES TIMES

Ending a short-lived and bitter relationship, DreamWorks SKG, the movie studio founded by Steven Spielberg, and Paramount Pictures said Sunday that a deal had been struck to part ways. The pact,... Read more

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This week's new DVD releases

THE SACRAMENTO BEE

DVDs to be released Tuesday:_The 1959 animated film "Sleeping Beauty" was the final fairy tale produced by Walt Disney himself. It was the studio's most ambitious film to date, a widescreen spectacle with a gorgeous Tchaikovsky score. Now the film... Read more

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'Omen,' Harryhaussen Collections Top New Blu-Ray Releases

MCCLATCHY/TRIBUNE

Two impressive collections _ one based on Biblical prophecy and the other showcasing the work of a legendary special effects wizard _ lead the parade of titles arriving this week on Blu-ray. They... Read more

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A Wizard's Legacy, Minus His Name

LOS ANGELES TIMES

By Geoff Boucher The CREATURE creators at Stan Winston Studio specialize in Hollywood miracles -- they brought dinosaurs to life for "Jurassic Park" and turned metal men into movie history with... Read more

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CBS, Fox, CW Are Fall's Early Risers

LOS ANGELES TIMES

By SCOTT COLLINS TV EXECUTIVES like to say that you can't judge anything by a couple of weeks' worth of ratings. Or at least that's what they like to say when those ratings don't look so... Read more

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'American Carol' Fights for the Right to Be Silly

LOS ANGELES TIMES

By Gary Goldstein If "An American Carol" contained any real bite or intelligence, those so inclined could've legitimately griped about its shallow anti-liberalism. But given that this supremely... Read more

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Actor Known for Supporting Roles

LOS ANGELES TIMES

Robert Arthur, 83, a youthful-looking actor who had supporting roles in such 1940s and '50s films as "Twelve O'Clock High," "Just for You" and "Hellcats of the Navy," died of congestive heart... Read more

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'Chihuahua' is Big Dog in Theaters

LOS ANGELES TIMES

A cast of diminutive dogs took a big bite out of the box office over the weekend as "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" debuted with a top-grossing $29 million. Disney's pooch picture fared better than... Read more

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Celebrating 'Arthur'

THE BALTIMORE SUN

I use this space almost every day to tell you about prime-time programs that look appealing. There is plenty of that tonight, ranging from Heroes on NBC at 9, to CSI: Miami on CBS at 10. In fact,... Read more