Jazz musician and Hollywood composer Neal Hefti died Saturday in Toluca Lake at 85, the New York Times reports. Hefti, who also played trumpet, had his biggest influence in jazz arrangements and compositions, but in pop culture, his theme for the original Batman TV show is probably the most well known: "Oddly enough, his most famous tune is among his least musically interesting, even if it was somehow brilliantly apt: the jauntily arch and repetitive......

For the box office, it was a four-day weekend (Friday is included) and despite 45 days after being released, the Dark Knight claimed #3 raking in over $11 million. The movie has broken record after record and this weekend crossed its 14th one: highest grossing movie, a half billion, in 45 days. For the other movies in the top 5, the controversial Tropic Thunder stayed at the top with over $14 million. while newcomer Babylon......

The Batmobile gets a spit shine before the crowds descend on the Arclight theater in Hollywood......

Christian Bale, who plays Batman in the Dark Knight, was arrested today in London for allegedly assaulting his mother, who made the complaint to police. Bale came to the police station "by appointment and was arrested in connection with an allegation of assault. He currently remains in custody," explained The Guardian. By appointment? "It is understood that although the police were aware of allegations on Monday, they allowed the actor to attend four press conference......

Nikki Finke at Deadline Hollywood Daily is reporting that Batman anticipation has lucrative effects. "MovieTickets.com says that, four days prior to its release, Warner Bros' Batman: The Dark Knight has sold out 700 performances in North America and is outselling 3 of MovieTickets.com’s Top 10 Performing Films of All-Time." That's 90% sold-out. Are you ready for 152-minutes of glory?......

Chris Bell (center) with his brothers Mike “Mad Dog” Bell (left) and Mark “Smelly” Bell (right) Filmmaker Chris Bell set out to make a film about heroes and found himself in the center of the steroid debate. His documentary Bigger, Stronger, Faster* explores the world of bodybuilders, sports, and how performance enhancing drug use is viewed in the United States. The story of his childhood and his brothers' weight-lifting careers are the centerpiece of......

There's a lot of confusion out there about Los Angeles City Council President, Eric Garcetti, these days. He's a superdelegate for Barack Obama (which leads to people throwing out the "cabinet position" question), it's often brought up that he has congressional aspirations, there's a viral website to elect Garcetti for D.A. of Gotham City (ah, yes, the new Batman movie), Mayor Tommy Carcetti is a character in HBO's The Wire (you can buy reelection t-shirts)......

Location of the 'Batcave' in Bronson Canyon where two hikers are being rescued A cliff rescue operation began early this afternoon in Griffith Park shortly before 2:00 p.m. One of two hikers in need of assistance alerted the Los Angeles Fire Department that they were in need of help. A female hiker, approximately 24 years in age, was unconscious and in serious condition, according to d'Lisa Davies, LAFD Spokesperson. The male hiker was found......

In this city, crime is up and morale is down. It's clear at this point that what Los Angeles needs is Batman. I've been wondering who L.A. Batman would be if there was one. It would have to be someone with more than loves of style, culture and justice; he or she would also need awesome physical strength and the audacity to wear the rubber suit. I briefly considered some of the city's political figures......

Even though tens of thousands of tourists have gotten their picture taken with the "superheroes" out front of Mann's Chinese, it took the Jimmy Kimmel show that's taped across the street to make these fellas world famous. Recently Rob Cantrell of the THC Comedy Tour approached Spider-Man, Superman, Batman, and the Incredible Hulk to ask them if they'd get baked with him. Cantrell didn't ask for an autograph or a backrub or to pose......