Movies
Is there a more anticipated movie than “Watchmen”? This story of masked vigilantes who uncover a plot to kill and discredit superheroes is based on the celebrated graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The film is helmed by “300” director Zach Synder. After almost a year of Internet hype and a prolonged battle between studios over who owned what, can this film possibly live up to the hype? Not to get all Obama, but yes it can. (Opens March 6)
Elle Fanning plays a little girl who’s sick of her rule-filled world in “Phoebe in Wonderland,” while Patricia Clarkson portrays the off-beat drama teacher who casts her in the school production of “Alice in Wonderland.” The movie, which looks a bit more interesting than the typical kids’ flick, combines fantasy and drama and also features Felicity Huffman, Campbell Scott and Bill Pullman. (Opens March 6)
TVBeen wondering what happened to "Reaper," the goofy but charming CW show featuring a home-improvement warehouse worker whose parents sold his soul to the devil? It's finally back for its second season, with hapless Sam finding things getting complicated when it turns out the Devil and he may have a closer relationship than he thought. Goofy friend Sock and girlfriend Andi are back, too. (March 3, 8 p.m., CW)
Also returning: "Saving Grace," with Holly Hunter as Oklahoma police detective Grace Handarko. The second season technically began last July, then went on hiatus in August. New episodes begin airing March 2 and a third season is set for this summer. Look for Christina Ricci to guest-star. (March 2, 10 p.m., TNT)
"Life on Mars," the show featuring a cop who's been transported from the present back to 1973, is kind of fascinating. It was inspired by a BBC drama, and that drama has a spinoff, "Ashes to Ashes," which takes the time-traveling cop action to the 1980s. This is the actual British show, mind you — Hollywood hasn't remade this one yet, but they had big hair over there, too. (Premieres March 7, 9 p.m., BBCA.)
You would not want to be Walter White of "Breaking Bad." The mild-mannered chemistry teacher not only has terminal lung cancer, but he's tied up in a meth-making business that he thought would help provide for his family after he died. As you can imagine, things went from bad to worse faster than you can say "meth mouth." (Season two premieres March 8, 10 p.m., AMC)
DVD
The sweeping World War II epic "Australia" earned mixed reviews, but Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman fans will still appreciate the sweeping scope and romance. The Washington Post called it both "luridly indulgent" and "insanely entertaining." One of those is good, right? (On DVD March 3.)
Music You already got a taste of U2's new single, “Get Your Boots On” when the band premiered it at the Grammys. And Bono is ready to prove that U2 isn’t ready to slow down with its new album, “No Line on the Horizon.” The singer told Rolling Stone magazine, “We’re not really ready for adult-contemporary (radio) just yet.” Producer Brian Eno added, “I think it's compositionally stronger than anything they've done for a long time.” (On sale March 3)
Neko Case has one of those voices that is so pure, clear and beautiful that you may think it’s impossible for her to reproduce those dulcet tones in person. But guess what? She sounds even better live. And, the part-time New Pornographer is back with a new solo album, “Middle Cyclone.” If you haven’t checked her out, it’s time. (On sale March 3)