No trouble collecting ‘Harry’
You thought you were done talking about: “Harry Potter.†The final book in the series has come out, and the next movie isn’t slated to be released for another year, but there is still more stuff to buy! Sure you may have all the books, but do you have them all packed up in a trunk-like box with sturdy handles and an unnecessary privacy lock? Not yet! The whole thing will set you back only $195, or $116.99 if you get it on Amazon. (Tuesday)
--
You could talk about: The latest in not-so-smart satire. How many more of these films will we be subject to? Weren’t “Not Another Teen Movie,†“Epic Movie,†“Date Movie†and four installments of “Scary Movie†enough? If only these films would stop recovering their costs at the box office. This week we get the latest in this genre -- “The Comebacks,†which makes fun of sports movies. It’s directed by the same guy who made “The Hot Chick,†so it should be a winner. (Actually, we didn’t totally hate that film.) (Friday)
--
You could talk about: “Samantha Who?†Christina Applegate’s new show for ABC is about a woman who wakes up from a coma with the chance to start her life over again. We’re happy to see Applegate in a starring role, but it’s making us wonder why funny women can hold their own as the centerpiece of a television series (“Roseanne,†“The New Adventures of Old Christine,†“Ugly Betty,†“Sex and the Cityâ€) but just can’t seem to open a movie. It’s so annoying. (Monday)
--
We will be talking about: Musical TV! CBS has been looking for controversial shows to spice up its lineup this year, and it scored big time with the reality show “Kid Nation.†This week it premieres another risky show: a family-drama-murder-mystery-musical called “Viva Laughlin.†It’s a remake of the successful British show “Viva Blackpool,†but the folk over the pond might be more used to having their television actors sing than we are. (Thursday)
--
You might talk about: Breast cancer awareness day on “Deal or No Deal.†October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to do its part, “Deal or No Deal†is going all out. Host Howie Mandel will wear pink socks, and the models will wear pink dresses and carry pink briefcases. The contestant is a breast cancer survivor, and Sharon Osbourne, also a breast cancer survivor, will sit on the support bench. Even Elizabeth Edwards will make an appearance by satellite. Go pink! (Friday)
-- Deborah Netburn
More to Read
Only good movies
Get the Indie Focus newsletter, Mark Olsen's weekly guide to the world of cinema.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.