New York  --  Well aware that the television audience may be particularly sensitive, the Showtime network aired a disclaimer warning audiences of violent content in the season finales of its dramas “Homeland” and “Dexter” last weekend. It was two days after a gunman killed 26 people in a Newtown, Conn., elementary school.

A holiday present for Fido or Fluffy used to be an extra table scrap or a new squeeze toy. But as with gifts for their human counterparts, pet presents are becoming increasingly high-tech.

At the risk of raising ire from fans and lovers of Hostess snacks, I have to confess: I have never been a fan of Twinkies, Ho Hos, Ding Dongs, Zingers or Suzie Q’s. And I would say, outside of eating a package of powdered-sugar doughnuts on rare occasion, I haven’t touched a Twinkie or Hostess cake in more than 30 years. They were just too sweet for me, and I never liked the taste of them.

A very odd assortment of mythical childhood figures, some of them afflicted with severe emotional insecurities and inferiority complexes, are thrown together as an unlikely set of action heroes in "The Rise of the Guardians," an attractively designed but overly busy and derivative mishmash of kid-friendly elements.

Soaked in sweat and reeking of cigarettes, Southern-fried and smothered in cheese, "The Paperboy" is, quite literally, a hot mess.

With fall thrust upon us, October looks like a promising month for some unforgettable cinema, with a pretty diverse yet impressive list of independent films on its roster.

Despite the proven talents of first-time feature director Genndy Tartakovsky (“Dexter’s Laboratory”), writers Peter Baynham (“Arthur Christmas”) and “SNL” vet Robert Smigel, and a voice cast headed by Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, the collaboration falls flat virtually from the get-go, serving up half-hearted sight gags that have a habit of landing with an ominous thud.

"It is, without a doubt, the most fundamentally game-changing development as we've had since we started telling this story," says Michael C. Hall, whose "Dexter" launches its seventh season at 9 p.m. EDT Sunday on Showtime.

Despite the proven talents of first-time feature director Genndy Tartakovsky ("Dexter's Laboratory"), writers Peter Baynham ("Arthur Christmas") and "SNL" vet Robert Smigel, and a voice cast headed by Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, the collaboration falls flat virtually from the get-go, serving up half-hearted sight gags that have a habit of landing with an ominous thud.

What makes the Emmys such an exciting award show to watch is, unlike the Oscars, the winners are not prematurely set in stone. Almost anything can happen on the big night, sometimes resulting in the greatest underdogs triumphing in victory. I’ll do my best to predict what will win on Emmy Sunday. Even if I’m wrong though, at least I can undeniably say which shows should win in each category.

What makes the Emmys such an exciting award show to watch is, unlike the Oscars, the winners are not prematurely set in stone. Almost anything can happen on the big night, sometimes resulting in the greatest underdogs triumphing in victory.

Chandler police are looking for two suspects involved in a bicycle theft who detectives believe are part of a large-scale identity theft ring operating throughout central and northern Arizona.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Comic-Con International, the four-day pop-culture celebration that takes over the San Diego Convention Center each summer, runs Thursday to Sunday. Here's a look at some of the hottest films, TV shows and video games expected at the sold-out 43rd annual convention:

Summer is one busy time for Gilbert teacher Larry Dexter. It’s the time of year when the teacher becomes the student.

Learn acrobatic techniques like floor tumbling, flexibility, hand balancing and human pyramids from professional circus performers in a class emphasizing strength, dexterity, creativity and teamwork. For ages 12 and older who have a basic knowledge of gymnastics. Workout clothing is recommended. Limited to 40 participants.

Let's just get something out of the way off the top: "Silent House" creates the illusion that it's a haunted-house thriller crafted in one long, continuous shot. The camera follows Elizabeth Olsen around a creepy, creaky lake house that's under renovation and we're right there with her for every bump, jump and thump of her heart.

If some incarnation of "Glee" were to be developed for the Christian Broadcasting Network, it would probably look a lot like "Joyful Noise."

The following attempt to pinpoint the potential of this season's Phoenix Suns has been distilled into one chilling sentence delivered by Alvin Gentry:

Dexter Morgan -- crime-scene investigator by day, serial killer by night -- could be learning his greatest lesson ever.

MIAMI (AP) — Programs such as NBC's "Who Do You Think You Are?" and PBS' "Faces of America are helping fueling the trend in genealogy. But for many Hispanics, tracing the family tree hasn't been so easy.

In "American Horror Story" (debuting 10 p.m. EDT Wednesday, FX), a dysfunctional family finds life unraveling even faster when it unwittingly moves into a haunted house.