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Back to the Future predicted one thing in 2015.

This is everything.

Fans of Game Of Thrones, prepare yourself for some harsh but predictable news.

Publisher HarperCollins confirmed that the sixth book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, titled The Winds of Winter, will not be released this year. As a result, the ongoing HBO adaptation of the show will almost certainly conclude well before George R.R. Martin finishes the actual books it is based on. Fans of the series will be forced to either give up and watch the show or meticulously avoid spoilers for what might ultimately be years of waiting.

Mild spoilers: The fifth season of the HBO show will cover the (relatively slow-moving) fourth book in the series, A Feast for Crows, as well as parts of the next book, A Dance With Dragons. That leaves approximately two seasons of the show left to film, and the producers have been adamant that they will not be adjusting their shooting schedule to fit Martin's whims. Read More

Here are 20 of the coolest events happening in L.A. this month. [ more › ]

[body_image width='800' height='685' path='images/content-images/2015/01/31/' crop='images/content-images-crops/2015/01/31/' filename='a-woman-won-15-million-in-damages-for-becoming-a-dominatrix-after-a-brain-injury-130-body-image-1422664382.jpg' id='23045']Photo via WikiMedia Commons

On August 9, 2008, Canadian Alissa Afonina was in a car with her brother Alexei, her mother Alla, and Alla's ex-boyfriend Peter Jansson when the Toyota Tacoma hit a wet patch at a curve and ran off the road. No other vehicle was involved, but the SUV, which witnesses said had been speeding, wound up on its side. The two women suffered various injuries.

Court documents say that "it is not disputed that Alissa has suffered a brain injury as a result of the accident," for which she was awarded a judgment of over $1.5 million (an additional $943,000 was awarded to her mother). What is disputed is whether the accident, and the brain damages she suffered, caused her to undergo a personality change that led to her becoming a sex worker.

Beginning in the 2008–09 school year, just after the car accident, Afonina started acting differently. One teacher testified to her lack of impulse control, outbursts in class, a scattered memory, and general social isolation. Prior to the accident, those who knew her she had been a bright student, a high-achieving "goth girl" with "artiste presentation.'"

A school psychiatrist presented a different version of pre-accident Afonina, diagnosing her with borderline personality disorder, but the judge dismissed this, believing that she faked it as an attention-getting technique. Either way, Afonina wasn't the same student after the accident. She dropped out of school to finish her 12th grade coursework at home, and attended college only briefly. Further psychiatric evaluation concluded that her health all but ruled out stable long-term employment.

And then, at some point before late 2013, Alissa Afornina became a dominatrix. It was a career choice her attorneys argued showed "unnecessary risk assumption" and proved that she had cognitive impairment from the brain injury. The judge, while noting that her profession "shows an ability to organize one's self to meet a deadline, to keep an appointment, [and] to apparently collect remuneration," found that she had "no residual earning capacity and no ability to work as a result of the brain injury."

I asked San Francisco dominatrix Eve Minax what she made of the case, and she lamented the fact that the sex workers who receive the most attention from the legal system are often people who dabble in the profession for one reason or another and aren't really thinking about it seriously. "There's a handful of us taking it seriously, who really value the meaning of our work," she said.

Minax expressed sympathy for Afornina, but added, "However her case goes, I hope that deciding to work professionally in the realm of sado-masochism does not have to be an argument on someone's lack of judgment."

When I spoke to her, Afornina agreed with Minax's underlying point and seemed somewhat aggravated about the attention her story was getting. "I think my former occupation was used to sensationalize this story," she said. "There are many people who win brain injury cases each year, but they don't end up on the cover of a paper."

Follow Peter Lawrence Kane on Twitter.

Helena Bonham Carter, 80s

It’s been a while since we last saw the great Walter White on screen. But, as it turns out, not even death can keep the drug king of New Mexico down because, believe it or not, not even he is immune to the wonders of comedic Super Bowl advertising. Check it out:

We’ll be honest, we wouldn’t be against Walter being our pharmacists because, when it comes to knowing your stuff, that man definitely has that area covered on all fronts. Sure, he may sometimes use that knowledge for the sake of criminal empires, but that doesn’t make it any less valuable. So, as far as Super Bowl advertisements go, we won’t deny that this one gave us a really great chuckle.

Thanks, Esurance!

It's been seven months since we've seen hip-hop legend Missy Elliott, and it's official: She's back. 

Midway through Katy Perry's Super Bowl halftime performance Sunday, Elliott showed up with a posse of backup dancers and stormed her way onstage. The longtime Timbaland collaborator started out her montage with "Get Ur Freak On," moving on to "Work It" and ending on "Lose Control." And in the process she reminded an estimated 111.5 million people why she's a legend.

This was the best possible surprise. Perry teased last week that there would be a surprise guest, saying, "I wanted to bring someone back... It's a bit old school. When this person enters the stage and you hear the first ring of the chord I think jaws will drop and faces will melt." 

And she was right: Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott melted everyone's faces. Odd as the collaboration may seem, the Perry-Elliott mix is actually not so out-of-the-ordinary. Read More

There were a lot of doubts about Katy Perry's Super Bowl halftime show Sunday night. And she just shut them all down. 

Her show was one of the most joyful, kitschy and goofy halftime shows we've seen in years. From literally riding a gigantic lion into the stadium during "Roar" to flying off the stage on a shooting star during "Firework," Perry's performance didn't take itself at all seriously. Instead, it was ridiculous and a ridiculously good time — exactly what a halftime show should be.

This is what fans love about Katy Perry. "I want the show to be quintessential Katy," Perry told Billboard in advance of the show. "It's like the exclamation point on the whole last cycle. This is the cherry on top of everything I've already done."

And she's done quite a bit. She is an entertainer in the purist sense of the word. She sang six of her nine No. 1 hits, and each reimagining of the song was more fun than the last. Read More

Game Of Thrones star Maisie Williams has always been outspoken and generally great. As time’s gone on — and the weirdness of being a child star on one of the biggest hit shows out there has sunk in — she’s cemented that. So when you hear “Maisie Williams’ first Reddit AMA” you know you’re gonna get some good stuff.

On when she knew how big Game Of Thrones had gotten:

On stuff she plans to steal (or already has stolen) from set:

At one point Aidan Gillan (AKA Little Finger) made a cameo:

On growing with Arya:

And how she’s finally gonna read the books:

She also talked about being a minor on the set of one of the most nude-y violent shows on television:

On inappropriate death giggles:

Of course there was also a bit of season five teasing. 

Maybe try to figure out how to guess what scene she’s talking about in the comments without overtly spoiling anyone? Or better yet, just label your spoilers and go crazy.

You can read more answers from Williams over on Reddit.

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Fans of Scandal and the actor who plays Cyrus Bean (Jeff Perry), fans of Grey’s Anatomy and Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd), fans of theater, writing and story, I encourage you to go see Anna Christie at the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble in Los Angeles this month. Those two actors are amazing in this Eugene O’neill revival, as is Mary Mara (Nash Bridges) but the one actor you may not recognize is Zoe Perry. She plays the title role and she’s amazing.

Anna Christie at the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd in West L.A. Sat at 2 & 8; Sun at 2 ends on March 8, 2015 for tickets, call 310.477.2055 or visit http://www.odysseytheatre.com/anna_christie.php - See more at: http://www.stageandcinema.com/2015/01/26/anna-christie-odyssey/#sthash.0ZmBC7zR.dpuf

One Reel, the company that manages the Bumbershoot festival, has let go of its programming director, Chris Porter. He had worked for One Reel and Bumbershoot for 18 years. Porter was popular with his staff and last year put together one of the finest Bumbershoots in recent times, with artists like Negativland, the Dream Syndicate, Wu-Tang Clan, Jonathan Richman, Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Chimurenga Renaissance, Mission of Burma, and a fantastic tribute to Big Star's Third/Sister Lovers album. Booking Bumbershoot is a very tough job and a delicate balancing act, from logistical and aesthetic standpoints…

KEEP READING>>

As we get closer to Apple Watch's official launch, more details are becoming clearer and clearer. For one, we're pretty certain they'll be shipping in April and may not have the greatest battery life . However, one piece of info that's remained frustratingly elusive is how much its pricier option, the Apple Watch Edition, will cost.

Read more...

Stylin', reusable, and non-consuming of space. PuzzlePax makes wooden 6-pack carriers that have all the things you've ever wanted in a 6-pack carrier. Or rather, as honest parents kindly tell the children they had by accident, all the things you never knew you always wanted. I mean, the paper carrier you bought your Bud in is a'ight and all, but what if it's raining and you have to walk 3 blocks to your friend Cornelius' house with it? Or what if the special hops potion you're bringing is something you brewed up yourself?

PuzzlePax's assortment of 6-pack kits are sturdy alternatives that can be used again and again. They also break down and store flat, snapping together like a--ta da!--puzzle when needed. All PuzzlePax carriers are made at TechShop in Pittsburgh, PA. They are available with about a dozen different carvings etched into their sides, as well as in plain wood. PuzzlePax recommends assembling them prior to alcohol consumption.

If you missed out on the last "Rave of Thrones," don't worry! Kristian Nairn AKA Hodor will be coming back to Los Angeles! Fans of Game of Thrones can see Hodor get down on some turntables at Exchange L.A. on...

#drunkjcrew #superbowl @drunkjcrewuguys

I don't know how football is played, it's been explained to me, I've forgotten, it's been explained again, I've forgotten again—it's almost like I don't care! I find it exasperating how all the players keep running into each other; if they would just get out of each other's way, they would each be more successful, seems like. This an old wound, surely; it is a personal deficiency; I don't begrudge everyone else's joy. I am pro-joy. Christ, even The Stranger writes about sports now. I will read Spike Friedman's coverage of the Super Bowl tomorrow, because I love Spike Friedman's writing, but I won't know what he's talking about or whether he's right about this or that, because I won't have watched.

Last year, as I said, I went to Woodinville and watched Saving Mr. Banks and cried. It wasn't even that good, except for Emma Thompson, who is undefeated, and its subject matter, Mary Poppins, and it has a scene where Jason Schwartzman is sitting at a piano composing "Feed the Birds." That's probably when I cried; Schwartzman singing "Feed the Birds." ANYWAY, as much as it pains me to type this, Saving Mr. Banks is not playing in movie theaters anymore. The gayest movie playing tomorrow is The Imitation Game, and I've already seen it twice. All of my gay friends, distressingly, are super into watching the Super Bowl, and scowl whenever I suggest one might not want to. So what should I do? Where shall I go?

A Slog reader wrote in with this very question the other day—and suddenly I felt less alone in the universe:

Howdy Strangers -
You’ve posted a number of Superbowl-related activities recently, but the listicle I really want is where to go to completely avoid the Superbowl entirely. Are any bars or restaurants having anti-football theme nights? Are there any specials on nachos for those of us who don’t just not care about football, but actively hate it? Last year I stayed inside (except when I was outside yelling “go Sounders!” to everybody wearing blue and green). This year I’d like to find a nice place for drinks or dinner full of like-minded football haters. Got any ideas?

I wish I did. I will be home reading Virginia Woolf's diaries. But I told this reader that I would post this letter and see what ideas emerge in the comments. If you hate football and are not watching the Super Bowl, put what you're doing in the comments, please. We have to band together in times like these, us haters. We don't hate the players, or their fans; we hate the game.

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Aquarius, 1971

Superbowl XLIX is tomorrow. Cord-cutting SportsHeads need not fret: If you don't have a TV, it's pretty easy to watch it online this year. NBC is streaming it for free on its website, and even if you don't have cable, you'll be able to watch from within the U.S.

Read more...

After months of speculation, "a source close with the family" has confirmed that Bruce Jenner is undergoing a transition to live as a woman. [ more › ]

kieverr:

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Zuhair Murad Haute Couture S/S 2015

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Norman “Sluggo” Mailer

heyepiphora:

With Valentine’s Day coming up, the advertising gets creepy. But that doesn’t make the gag any less cool. Get $10 off the Silencing Slider Cheeseburger Ball Gag by Gorge Ohwell with code EPIPHORA.