Smart List: Pop culture talking points (Week of Jan. 6)
You will hear about:
The last of the late-night comedians return. Weve already seen Letterman (bearded), Conan (bearded) and Leno (about to get in some WGA trouble). This week we herald the return of John Stewarts The Daily Show and Stephen Colberts The Colbert Report. Weve missed them, but fear this is the start of something ugly. If only this writers strike would end! So much less awkward for everyone. (Monday) (Jason DeCrow / AP)
You may think you want to talk about:
First Sunday. Ice Cube (pictured) stars in this comedy with a day of the week in the title, and Tracy Morgan (whom we ADORE in 30 Rock) costars, so you are completely forgiven if you think this sounds like the best sequel to Friday yet. Unfortunately, First Sunday is not a sequel to the stoner classic but a new movie unto itself about two guys who try to rob a church. Boo. (Friday) (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
You should talk about:
Madeleine Albrights public memo. Our secretary of State under President Clinton releases a book this week called Memo to the President Elect: How We Can Restore Americas Reputation and Leadership. Nobodys saying Albright has all the answers (except perhaps her publishers), but our next president is going to need all the help he/she can get. (Tuesday) (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)
Its worth making time to talk about:
In the Name of the King. This movie is like a perfect storm of awesome terribleness: Uwe Boll of BloodRayne fame directs; Jason Statham (pictured), of whom were actually fond, plays a medieval peasant-turned-reluctant warrior; Ray Liotta plays a wizard; and Burt Reynolds is also involved. Plus! The whole thing is based on a role-playing computer game. You couldnt make this stuff up. (Friday) (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
