Headlines from Hitfix.com

Movie power rankings: Much talked-about trailer puts 'Spider-Man' on top

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:09:00 GMT

Back when Sony announced the news of the forthcoming "Spider-Man" reboot with an all-new cast and crew, even the most dedicated True Believers did a double-take. Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire and co. seemed to nail the Marvel icon in the first two films (just shut up about "Spider-Man 3" already -- if we all pretend it's not there, it'll just disappear). But the new trailer for this summer's "Amazing Spider-Man" is a big leap in the right direction, seemingly capturing the high-flying fun and serio-comic tone of the character. And the action looks pretty swell too.

Jon Voight, Elliott Gould join Showtime's 'Ray Donovan' pilot

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:55:00 GMT

Jon Voight and Elliott Gould are the latest actors to join Liev Schreiber in Showtime's drama pilot "Ray Donovan."

Watch: Lightsaber battles, model making, and the return of Darth Maul

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:45:00 GMT

In the second of three video diaries, we see Toshi conducting the shyest interviews in the world, learning lightsaber combat, and getting some scoop on the return of Darth Maul to 'The Clone Wars'

'Fat Chef' is more serious than the crass title would suggest

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:45:00 GMT

Though the challenge of resisting temptation in a professional kitchen is part of the problem, this show looks at the big picture of weight loss.

Jean Dujardin auditions for every available Hollywood villain role at Funny or Die

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:17:00 GMT

Funny or Die sends up the cynical logic that has Jean Dujardin stuck in European villain roles after this Oscar season.

Kubrick marketing maven Mike Kaplan on 'A Clockwork Orange' at 40

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:38:00 GMT

"A Clockwork Orange" was released in the US 40 years ago this week. Naturally, then, it's been getting plenty of coverage in the press, but I've been relishing Mike Kaplan's pieces at Moviefone.

First look: 'Game of Thrones' season 2 features familiar faces and newcomers

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:37:00 GMT

The critically acclaimed HBO's "Game of Thrones," based on George R.R. Martin's bestselling fantasy series, returns for a second season in April. Among the returning cast members are Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington and Emillia Clarke. The season's newcomers are Carice van Houten, Stephen Dillane, Gwendoline Christie, Patrick Malahide, and Liam Cunningham.

Morgan Freeman joining Tom Cruise in sci-fi thriller 'Oblivion'

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:14:00 GMT

Morgan Freeman is joining Tom Cruise in the upcoming sci-fi thriller "Oblivion."

'Weeds' star will reign over NBC's 'Animal Kingdom' pilot

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:45:00 GMT

"Weeds" star Justin Kirk has been cast in the lead role on NBC's comedy pilot "Animal Kingdom."

Watch: Kanye West and Jay Z trigger seizures with new video 'N***** in Paris'

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:42:00 GMT

Kanye West and Jay Z's latest video, for the new "Watch the Throne" single "N***** in Paris" comes with a seizure warning in front of it. And they're not kidding.

TV Ratings: 'American Idol' rises for Hollywood, boosts FOX Wednesday

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:52:00 GMT

The start of Hollywood Week gave "American Idol" a tiny week-to-week boost and held off "Modern Family" to rank as the night's top program among young viewers and overall (DVR numbers will almost certainly give "Modern Family" the edge when Live+7 data comes in). "Idol" continued to take a bite out of ABC and NBC's 8 p.m. comedies and combined with "Mobbed" to give FOX comfortable Wednesday wins.

The Morning Round-Up: 'The Middle,' 'Suburgatory,' 'Modern Family' & 'Happy Endings'

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:11:00 GMT

HitFix's Alan Sepinwall reviews the February 8 episode of ABC's "The Middle," "Suburgatory," "Modern Family" and "Happy Endings."

Review: Dwayne Johnson and Michael Caine struggle with flimsy 'Journey 2'

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:20:00 GMT

In an attempt to extend the life of their franchise, the producers of 'Journey 2' brought in Dwayne Johnson and Michael Caine, but they can't breathe life into anemic material, and the result is an unusually lifeless affair.

'Harry Potter' star Tom Felton to haunt Elizabeth Olsen in 'Therese Raquin'

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:14:00 GMT

"Harry Potter" actor Tom Felton has been cast to star opposite Elizabeth Olsen ("Martha Marcy May Marlene") and Glenn Close ("Albert Nobbs") in "Therese Raquin", a forthcoming adaptation of the Emile Zola novel/play.

Recap: 'Top Chef' - 'Mentors'

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:08:00 GMT

It's the last challenge before the "real" final four is chosen, and one chef will make a rookie mistake.

From 'Jaws' to 'Star Wars,' 'Raiders' to 'Tintin': John Williams celebrates his 80th birthday

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:16:00 GMT

In celebration of his 80th birthday, we look at some of composer John Williams's most indelible and iconic cinematic scores, including, "Star Wars, "Jaws," "Harry Potter" and "E.T."

Nicki Minaj to debut new song 'Roman Holiday' on Grammy telecast

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:16:00 GMT

Hip-hop star Nicki Minaj has announced that she'll be performing a never-before-heard track from her upcoming album "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded" at the Grammy Awards next week. The song will then immediately go on sale on iTunes following the telecast.

Maya Rudolph returning to 'SNL' as guest host with musical act Sleigh Bells

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:22:00 GMT

Maya Rudolph ("Bridesmaids", "Up All Night") will host the Feb. 18th episode of "Saturday Night Live", on which she was a cast member from 2000-2007. The musical guest that week will be the noise-pop duo Sleigh Bells.

Kelly Clarkson shows her strength on the Billboard Hot 100, as does Madonna

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:35:00 GMT

Kelly Clarkson scores her third chart topper on the Billboard Hot 100 as “Stronger” pushes its way to the summit this week. But will she have to fight off a huge charge from Madonna?

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals reveal details on new album, tour dates

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:26:00 GMT

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals have revealed details on their upcoming fourth album, "The Lion The Beast The Beat", which features contributions from Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. They also announced dates for their upcoming U.S. tour, part of which will see them accompanying country stars Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw on their "Brothers of the Sun" tour.

Today in New Music Videos: Rick Ross, Cee Lo, Jill Scott and Sam Sparro

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:39:00 GMT

Check out new music videos from Rick Ross, Pharoahe Monch and Jill Scott, The Constellations with Cee Lo, Ladyhawke and Sam Sparro.

Peter Jackson casts legendary Scottish comedian Billy Connolly in 'The Hobbit'

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:26:00 GMT

Peter Jackson has cast Billy Connolly ("The Boondock Saints", "The X-Files: I Want to Believe") in his two-picture adaptation of "The Hobbit". The first film, "An Unexpected Journey", will hit theaters this December, while the second installment, "There and Back Again", is slated for release in December 2013.

Syfy renews 'Being Human' for a third season

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:25:00 GMT

One day after renewing the hit makeup series "Face Off" for a third season, Syfy has renewed its vampire-werewolf-ghost drama "Being Human" for a third run of its own.

Lady Gaga unleashes first Born This Way Ball tour dates and poster

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:17:00 GMT

Lady Gaga's first massive tour was a 'Ball, so it makes sense that the superstar hosts another. The pop singer has announced the first 11 dates to her Born This Way Ball, starting in late April overseas in Australia and Southeast Asia.

SXSW rounds out its 2012 slate with Midnights including 'Rec 3' and 'V/H/S'

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:25:00 GMT

SXSW has announced the 2012 Midnighters for their Festival, rounding out their recent programming on a strong note including Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, and Nazis on the moon.

ABC Family sends 'Gilmore Girls' creator's 'Bunheads' to series

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:57:00 GMT

ABC Family has officially given a series order to the new drama "Bunheads" from "Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino and starring Sutton Foster.

Pulling for you, Gary

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:27:00 GMT

Gary Oldman is back in town and hitting the press rounds hard on behalf of his first-ever Oscar nomination for "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy." And though I'm fairly resigned to Jean Dujardin turning the trick with Oscar as he did with SAG, I can't help but wonder -- or perhaps merely hope -- if things are in such a state of flux within the Best Actor category that a guy like Oldman has a decent shot.

Predicting the 2012 Grammy Awards: Album of the Year

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:19:00 GMT

The biggest award at the Grammy Awards is the album of the year. It's Adele's to lose, but she faces still competition from Foo Fighters, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Bruno Mars.

TV Ratings: 'NCIS' milestone helps CBS win Tuesday, as ABC's 'River' launch dwindles

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:57:00 GMT

The 200th episode of "NCIS" delivered a big audience to CBS and helped the network dominate Tuesday night overall and pull out a slim win among young viewers, as "Raising Hope" prevented FOX from claiming the key demo.

'NCIS' - 'Life Before His Eyes': It's a wonderful life, Gibbs

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:23:00 GMT

HitFix's Alan Sepinwall reviews "Life Before His Eyes," the 200th episode of CBS' "NCIS," in which Gibbs gets to explore paths untaken.

Watch: Bon Iver on 'Saturday Night Live'; band announces West Coast shows

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:43:00 GMT

Bon Iver may not be a big fan of the Grammys at the moment, but that hasn't kept him from being on a pre-Awards blitz this month. Justin Vernon's stop-offs included his first appearance on "Saturday Night Live" over the weekend, performing his Grammy-nominated track "Holocene" and "Beth/Rest," both from his sophomore full-length "Bon Iver."

Photos: Madonna, Nicki Minaj, Cee-Lo rock the Super Bowl Half-Time Show

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:58:00 GMT

Madonna, Nicki Minaj, Cee-Lo rock the Super Bowl Half-Time Show.

Album Review: Van Halen's 'A Different Kind of Truth'

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:51:00 GMT

Van Halen’s first new studio album with David Lee Roth in 28 years is named “A Different Kind of Truth,” but the Feb. 7 release could have just as easily been called “I Will Not Go Quietly”