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Stephen King‘s short story Autopsy Room Four was first published in the 1997 collection Six Stories – which, fitting for the title, did indeed contain six stories. That book was limited to just 1100 copies, but thankfully King ended up putting all six of the stories into different collections over the years. Autopsy Room Four was also included in the 1997 anthology Robert Bloch’s Psychos before making its way into the 2002 King collection Everything’s Eventual. In 2006, the story was adapted for the screen as an episode of the TNT King mini-series Nightmares and Dreamscapes… and now, Deadline reports that a feature film adaptation is in the works.

King has given the greenlight for the new adaptation, which is being produced by Jon Levin, who was previously an executive producer on Netflix’s King adaptation In the Tall Grass. The film will be written and directed by Ranjeet S. Marwa, whose credits include Ballistic,...

Nita Strauss, who recently rejoined Alice Cooper’s band as lead guitarist, has announced a new solo album. The set, titled The Call of the Void, will drop on July 7th via Sumerian Records.

Strauss explained of the album’s new title in a press release, “Have you ever been at the top of a high building and had the fleeting thought, ‘I could jump right now?’ This feeling is sometimes called ‘The Call of the Void,’ also known as ‘high place phenomenon.’ It’s not a suicidal impulse, rather the exact opposite — a subconscious decision to live your life, to step back from the ledge, and take control. As researcher April Smith aptly put it: ‘An urge to jump affirms the urge to live.'”

She continued, “I wanted the follow up to [my debut album] Controlled Chaos to be exciting, new, and fresh, to take listeners to a new place and...

Short of the DayDon’t go in the basement.

If you’ve been following this column really for any amount of time, then you know I’m a big fan of little horror movies. Horror, to me, seems particularly adept to the parameters of short films, as a genre it has the most potential to deliver a complete story in a brief amount of time, because all it takes is one good scare or twist to start painting consequences in our imaginations after the screen goes dark. Horror relies on suggestion more than other genres, it depends on its audience making leaps ahead of the plot and predicting the terror to come to get them in the proper emotional space. When it comes to short films, this trait is heightened because there’s the added tension of runtime ticking down, the temporal space is more limited, which makes the nefarious narrative possibilities more various.

For...

Whether you measure your movies by box office, reviews, or popular appeal, Sony’s $125 million remake of the 1990 Ah-nuld Schwarzenegger interplanetary action fest Total Recall looks like a strike-out. The movie opened with a lethal softness; a $25.7 million first weekend meaning Recall won’t even come close to making back its budget during its domestic theatrical run. In fact, despite 22 years of ticket price increases, it’s doubtful the movie will even match the original’s $119.3 million haul.

And for those of you who think maybe the problem is Total Recall was outgunned opening while The Dark Knight Rises was still sucking up box office coin, entertain, at least for a moment if you will, the possibility the movie just plain sucks. According to Rotten Tomatoes’ canvas, almost 70% of reviewers – and over three-quarters of “top critics” – gave Total Recall a thumbs-down. Those who went to see the movie didn’t...

Patricia Cornwell is the true definition of a power lesbian. She's a best selling author who just released her 19th novel as part of the Kay Scarpetta series; the series itself is being made into a feature film starring Angelina Jolie. But first, another one of her novels is now being made into a TV movie. Specifically, her 1997 crime novel Hornet's Nest is coming to TNT's Mystery Movie Night, and is in production now. Cornwell tweeted some pictures from the set in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Virginia Madsen and Sherry Stringfield star in the adaptation, which is set in present day Charlotte, North Carolina and is scheduled to air in Spring 2012.

Cornwell is serving as an executive producer on the film and writer Dee Johnson is behind the adaptation, which follows Police Chief Judy Hammer (Madsen) and her top deputy as they attempt to find a serial killer targeting out-of-town businessmen.

Filed under: Reality-Free, TV Previews, The Show Girl

'Good Morning, Killer,' the latest in TNT's Mystery Movie Night series (premieres Tues., Dec. 13, 9Pm Et), is based on April Smith's novel of the same name about FBI Agent Ana Grey.

The story follows Grey (played by 'Army Wives' star Catherine Bell) as she tracks a serial kidnapper. Grey gets close with one of the victims just as the suspect decides to switch things up, making her job even harder.

We've got an exclusive sneak peek at the movie, helmed by Smith and co-starring Cole Hauser, Titus Welliver and William Devane, that sets up the eerie premise.

Tell us: Will you watch?

 

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This is the first part of the weekend monster update, with more news & stuff coming in the next couple of days.

I got my Grimms confused in yesterday's post as it turns out. Tonight's episode won't be "Let Your Hair Down," but "The Three Bad Wolves." Rapunzel doesn't show up until next week.

Nick (David Giuntoli) is called to a suspected arson case, which exposes a longstanding family feud that brings Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell) face-to-face with characters from his troubled past. While Monroe wrestles with restraining his wild side, it’s up to Nick to keep everything from going up in flames. Russell Hornsby, Bitsie Tulloch, Sasha Roiz and Reggie Lee also star.There are a few sneak peeks at THR and Dread Central. Spoiler TV has the promotional stills. Here is the teaser:

Yesterday's excellent "Danse Macabre," which did well in the ratings, is available on NBC.com.

Let's start the weekly round-up with Grimm.

Grimm's ratings dropped a little this week, but the show still won the 18-49 demo in its timeslot, finishing ahead of CSI: NY, Fringe and Supernatural, and rising by a full frakking ratings point (1.8) after Chuck (0.8). Wake up, Chuck.

Hitfix visited the set in Portland recently and posted a lengthy report. Here is a snippet:

Sasha Roiz on how his character will develop later in the series: "I’m not a Grimm descendent, but I'm a descendent of a long line that dates back just as Grimm does and we have a bit of a history and a past, so my line is a royal line and that will slowly unfold throughout the series."Collider has a longer interview with Sasha and Reggie Lee (more at the link):

It’s nice to see your character – like the main character – has the duality.

Catherine Bell is one busy actress these days, but she's bracing herself to resume her most demanding role.

Now working in Canada on an adaptation of April Smith's novel "Good Morning, Killer" for TNT's forthcoming "Mystery Movie Night," the actress returns next month to the South Carolina set of "Army Wives" to start production on Season 6 of the Lifetime drama series. She's looking forward to it, though she knows how emotional it will be to revisit the role of Denise Sherwood ... whose soldier son, Jeremy, was killed in combat in Iraq during last season's episodes.

"It's heartbreaking to have people who have sons and husbands over there talk to you about it," Bell tells Zap2it. "It's pretty intense. Those were really challenging episodes to do, but also very rewarding.

"Of course, I didn't want them to kill off 'my' son, and I talked to the writers about it: 'Really?...

Just a heads-up before I start: now you can get updates from Caprica TV on Facebook, too, at Facebook.com/CapricaTV.

First off, big congrats to at Esai Morales on winning an award for Best Actor in a Feature Film at FilmOut San Diego's Lgbt Film Festival, where Gun Hill Road also picked up the award for Best First Narrative Feature, and Judas Kiss won for Best Screenwriting.

Also congrats to Callum Keith Rennie on nabbing a Gemini for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role for Shattered, and to the Blackstone team on winning two awards this year. Carmen Moore posted a few photos from the event on Facebook.

And congratulations to David Weddle, Bradley Thompson and everyone else working on Alphas on getting picked up for a second season! No word yet if John Pyper-Ferguson will be recurring in season two, but he will...

Sarah Michelle Gellar's All My Children return scheduled for September 21. Fox addresses Glee controversy, and won't rule out a spinoff. Glee's Ryan Murphy admits: "I made a lot of missteps this year." Brandy joins the 90210 cast for a major Season 4 arc. Vivica Fox to appear on Lifetime's Protector. The Bay's Charles Shaugnessy reunites from Fran Drescheron her new show, Happily Divorced, August 17 (see photo). A 'Sex and the City' prequel ... as a TV show? Renee Jones talks about playing a returning actor and a recast on Days Of Our Lives in a new interview.

Fox addresses Glee controversy, won't rule out a spinoff

Fox entertainment chief Kevin Reilly says: "The season feels so focused this year. It’s a very back to basics year. There's not going to be any guest stars or tributes. There will be a graduation at the end and three will graduate.

Army Wives' Catherine Bell will star in the TNT movie Good Morning, Killer that could potentially turn into a series, according to Deadline Hollywood.

Bell will play Ana Gray, an FBI agent on the hunt for a kidnapper. Killer, adaptation of April Smith's novel, will be one of six features in the new TNT Tuesday Night Mystery franchise that's set to start airing in November...

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Exclusive: Army Wives star Catherine Bell is set to headline the TNT movie Good Morning, Killer, an adaptation of April Smith's novel. The thriller follows FBI Special Agent Ana Gray (Bell) as she hunts for a kidnapper. It is the latest entry in the network's recently announced new TNT Tuesday Night Mystery movie franchise slated to launch in November that will feature six contemporary crime dramas, from true-crime stories to fictional mysteries. And I have heard that at least some some of the movies, including Good Morning, Killer, are being eyed as potential backdoor pilots that could spawn TV series as the actors deals for them include series options. The contracts of the cast members of Army Wives, including Bell, are up after the upcoming sixth season. Smith adapted her book to the small screen. She also is executive producing the movie with Frank von Zerneck (We Were the Mulvaneys). Bell,...

TNT and TBS, which staged their Upfront presentation today in New York, are making bold moves to bolster their remarkably strong foundations in original programming. The networks are developing extensive new lineups of scripted and unscripted series and making a new push into half-hour comedy in partnership with some of the top talents in the industry, from award-winning actors to acclaimed producers, writers and best-selling authors.

This year marks the beginning of production of the final season of the blockbuster hit The Closer, starring Emmy winner Kyra Sedgwick. TNT confirmed today that it has ordered a 10-episode season of Major Crimes, a series set in the Los Angeles Police Department that promises to become television's next great crime drama. The seventh and final season of The Closer will include 15 episodes in 2011 and six in summer 2012, leading into the launch of Major Crimes, starring Mary McDonnell (Battlestar Galactica). McDonnell has been...

TNT and TBS, which staged their Upfront presentation today in New York, are making bold moves to bolster their remarkably strong foundations in original programming. The networks are developing extensive new lineups of scripted and unscripted series and making a new push into half-hour comedy in partnership with some of the top talents in the industry, from award-winning actors to acclaimed producers, writers and best-selling authors.

This year marks the beginning of production of the final season of the blockbuster hit, The Closer, starring Emmy® winner Kyra Sedgwick. TNT confirmed today that it has ordered a 10-episode season of Major Crimes, a series set in the Los Angeles Police Department that promises to become television’s next great crime drama. The seventh and final season of The Closer will include 15 episodes in 2011 and six in summer 2012, leading into the launch of Major Crimes, starring Mary McDonnell (Battlestar Galactica). McDonnell has...

TNT and TBS have announced details of their official 2011-12 television schedule. The final season of The Closer will launch with 15 episodes in late 2011, and will continue with six more in the summer of 2012, leading into the launch of new spinoff series Major Crimes. Ten episodes of Major Crimes have currently been commissioned, with actress Mary McDonnell reprising her role as police captain Sharon Raydor. TNT is also developing a number of original movies expected to debut in November and December, including adaptations of the Scott Turow novel Innocent and Richard North Patterson's Silent Witness. Other adaptations in the works include television films based on Sandra Brown's Ricochet, Lisa Gardner's Hide, April Smith's Good Morning, Killer and Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark's Deck the (more)...

It looks like Andy Richter will be stepping from behind the podium on Conan to another podium (I am guessing) for a new game show on TBS entitled Pyramid. The show is reportedly a modern-day take on the iconic game show that began asThe $10,000 Pyramid.

I really enjoye watching Men of A Certain Age, and highly recommend it. The new shows don't really catch my interest yet, aside from Pyramid. Check out the full lineup below and share your thoughts on what shows you are most interested in seeing.

TNT scripted series in development

Untitled Kip Koenig/John Wells Productions Project – Set against the backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, this drama follows a family of cops who uncover the mystical and often crime-ridden world of a small town where things aren’t as they appear. The project comes to TNT from Warner Horizon Television, Kip Koenig (Grey’s Anatomy) and John Wells Productions (Southland,...

Following months of speculation, TNT formally announced on Wednesday morning its plan to follow The Closer‘s upcoming seventh and final season with a spin-off series titled Major Crimes. Touted by the cabler as “television’s next great crime drama,” Major Crimes will star Mary McDonnell (Battlestar Galactica), reprising her recurring Closer role of Captain Raydor.

The Closer‘s final cycle will consist of 21 total episodes — 15 airing this year plus six for summer 2012 — and feed directly into the 10-episode freshman season of Major Crimes, which like its predecessor will be set in the Los Angeles Police Department. The Closer creator...

Filed under: TV News

Mary McDonnell will star in 'Major Crimes,' a new spinoff from TNT's wildly successful police drama 'The Closer.' Can we get a "frak yeah," 'Battlestar Galactica' fans?

'Major Crimes' will launch after 'The Closer' wraps its final season with 15 episodes in 2011 and six during the summer of 2012, the network announced this morning. TNT also introduced several new projects, such as 'The TNT Tuesday Night Mystery' series, at its Upfront presentation.

'The TNT Tuesday Night Mystery' -- a working title -- will showcase six crime dramas, including both true crime and fiction mysteries. As part of the new movie block, TNT is working on an adaptation of Scott Turow's novel 'Innocent,' Richard North Patterson's 'Silent Witness,' Sandra Brown's 'Ricochet,' Lisa Gardner's 'Hide,' 'April Smith's 'Good Morning, Killer' and Mary and...

The plot deepens. Showtime has released a new trailer for Weeds, which returns in August with its sixth season. Featuring the song "Terrible Things" by April Smith & The Great Picture Show, the promo shows Mary Louise Parker's Nancy Botwin digging a hole and throwing in a whole lot of items into a pit. Those items would include a passport, a pistol, a cell phone (which happens to ring and displays a call from Esteban), a croquet mallet (recalling how Shane bludgeoned Pilar to death with one at the end of last season), a Jesus bobblehead, and a gasoline container, each items that connect back to one of the previous seasons. The trailer can be viewed in full below. Season Six of Weeds is scheduled to premiere August 16th on Showtime.

Read the full article at Televisionary (http://www.televisionarytv.com).

The "Weeds" Season 6 teaser trailer features a black-clad hot mama Mary-Louise Parker's Nancy Botwin burying all her Season 5 secrets -- set to a jaunty little tune called "Terrible Things" by April Smith --

A ringing cell phone with Esteban on the other end, a handgun, passport, the Jesus bobbled camera she got from Guillermo and Shane's croquet mallet that he used to brain Pilar in the season finale.

Where will Season 6 take the Botwins? What we know so far is that Nancy and her brood will be starting over in Seattle -- with some help from a woman named Linda, played by Linda Hamilton, and her partner Fiona. Elizabeth Perkins has said Season 6 will be her last "Weeds" season.

The sixth season premieres August 16, 2010 on Showtime.

Hey! Weeds! I remember Weeds! I like that show! Well, I like parts of it on occasion, but no matter how loopy it gets, I just can’t totally give up on it. I mean, just look at this moody trailer. Nancy is being mysterious and wide-eyed! Oooooh!

Nancy’s burying a handgun, passport, a cellphone that Estaban is calling, Shane’s lethal croquet mallet, and the Jesus bobblehead camera from Guillermo. Something tells me those items won’t stay buried for long, Botwin!

(I will save you the Google: The song is April Smith’s “Terrible Things.”)

Aug. 16: too far away,...