Super Heroes Turn 50

Fifty years ago American crusaders had a banner year. "The Amazing Spider-Man" comic book first hit the newsstands in the spring, and the X Men and the Avengers debuted that autumn. It's hard to imagine these classic heroes with memberships in AARP.

Marvel's Amazing Spider-Man earned his own comic book in 1963, a year after his creation. Peter Parker, a teen bookworm, aka Spider-Man, got his signature abilities when he was bitten by a radioactive arachnid. First featured in "Amazing Fantasy" No. 15, Spidey as he is affectionately called, was a huge hit and graced the Marvel A-list ever since.

The original band of diverse heroes, "The Avengers" No. 1 appeared in 1963. The team convened at the cry "Avengers assemble" to stamp threats not even the mightiest warrior can conquer alone. This stellar group included Hulk, Ant-Man, Wasp, Thor and Iron Man.

Marvel's band of mutant crime fighters  appeared in" The X-Men" No. 1 in 1963. The original six members of the group were Marvel Girl, Angel, Professor Xavier, Beast, Cyclops, and Iceman. The X-Men have grown to legions since the original six and have taken on current issues through the years. last year openly gay X-Man Northstar married his longtime beau becoming the first same-sex marriage in comics and also the first mutant-human union.

Veteran heroes are well beyond their 50th year: Superman (1938), Batman (1939), Wonder Woman (1941), and Captain America (1941).

These heroes, each with their own personalities and unique skills, continue to fire up audiences at the box office, raking in billions with each offering. Future scheduled movie releases include The Avengers (Untitled) on May 1, 2015, The Amazing Spider-Man #2 on May 2, 2014, and The S-Men: Days of Future Past on May 23, 2015. These Superheroes have listened to Mr. Spock of Star Trek fame when he says "Live long and prosper".

Happy 50th, Superheroes!

"Best Man" Holiday Sequel

After fourteen years on the shelf, look for a holiday sequel to "Best Man" in November. Stars Nia Long, Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Melissa De Sousa and Regina Hall, picks up when the group of friends reunite over the Christmas holidays.

The original film grossed over $35 million at the box office. Malcolm D. Lee, who wrote, directed and co-produced the original, will resume all three roles for the sequel.

The Coming Ins and Outs at Downton Abbey Season Four

Downton Abbey's last season ended with some surprises farewells to much loved characters and life altering changes for the entire brood at the historic castle.

Jessica Brown Findlay

We said good bye to Lady Sybil shortly after she gave birth to her daughter. Jessica Brown Findley who played lady Sybil leaves the series to pursue other opportunities. We watched the Protestant family attend the baby's baptism in the Catholic Church, in respect to their late daughter's probable wishes. Sybil's husband, Tom, formerly the family's chauffeur, faced the challenge of his change in status as he moved from the downstairs servants group to becoming a member of the upstairs family unit.

My Movie "Mistake" Book: Some of the Worst Films of 2012

When my kids were growing up, they loved to point out "Mom's Mistakes", so any thing stupid or idiotic I did, they'd haul out the imaginary "mistake book" and make another entry. As the years went by, the book got heavier and heavier. So, while I won't attempt to quantify which movies were the worst of last year's films, I will share my ideas on which movies were unimaginative, soulless and worthy of being listed in my mistake book of total disasters.Some of my choices qualified as soon as I heard the title or the of the star:

Trick or Treat? Scary Halloween Movies

Trick or Treat? Have them both as we approach Halloween. Get a treat with a blast from the past. Turn the lights down and enjoy Michael Jackson's all time killer hit "Thriller".  Later, take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some of the most memorable movie characters who exude evil and create fear in movie fans. Here are just a few.

"Scandal" is Sensational!

Olivia Pope

Have you watched Shonda Rimes new show "Scandal"? Olivia Pope is causing a stir.  She's the show's lead character played by Kerry Washington. If it's broken...she'll fix it.  Olivia is based on Judy Smith, a Black woman who was a "fixer" from the Bush Administration and co-producer of "Scandal".

From the creator and executive producers of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice" comes a drama revolving around the life and work of a professional crisis manager and her dysfunctional staff.