Movie news, new movies for Las Vegas

Look for the 88th Academy Awards to spread the love — assuming Johnny Avello is correct. Avello, director of race and sports operations at Wynn Las Vegas, has “The Revenant” winning best director (Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu) and actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), with the other four top awards spread out among “Spotlight,” “Room,” “Creed” and “Carol.”

Spike Lee, Jada Pinkett Smith call for boycott of Oscars

Despite receiving an honorary Oscar at last year’s Governor’s Awards, Spike Lee posted on Instagram on Martin Luther King’s birthday Monday, saying he and his wife would not be attending the Oscar ceremony.

‘Spotlight’ captures Best Picture at Critics Choice Awards

There’s something undeniably cool about the Critics Choice Awards being held at the Santa Monica Airport, where so many of the rich and famous park their planes.

‘Ride Along 2’ pushes ‘Star Wars’ out of top spot at box office after 4 weeks

Its long reign is over. After four weeks atop box office charts, Disney’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” has ceded first place to Universal’s “Ride Along 2.”

Las Vegans in film industry weigh in on Oscars’ lack of diversity

Another Oscar season has arrived, bringing with it another chorus of boos about an Oscar acting nominees roster bereft of racial or cultural diversity.

What you need to stream next week

Here are our picks for your best Netflix and Amazon bets in the week ahead.

field	question	answer
i_1	I'm staying on the Strip. What's a must-see attraction?	The Las Vegas Strip is full of iconic sights. We narrowed down the list to a handful that you can check out for free or at a (relatively) low cost. The attractions range from a free, 14,000-square-foot garden at Bellagio to riding a gondola through the Venetian, as well as The High Roller, Shark Reef, Sphere Experience, rides at the Strat and The Fountains of Bellagio. Check out the attractions.
i_2	Where should I grab a drink in downtown Las Vegas?	As the downtown Arts District has grown in recent years, so has its bar scene. We highlight five of the best spots to grab a cold one or a high-end cocktail. This list has something for everyone, including a punk rock dive bar, a hidden experimental cocktail bar, locals' favorites and many more. Stop by Liquid Diet, Velveteen Rabbit, Berlin Bar, Rebar, Garagiste and others. Check it out.
i_3	What are the most unique experiences in Las Vegas?	Plenty of gems throughout the Silver State await those who are willing to wander outside of the Las Vegas Valley. For those with desert wanderlust — or who would enjoy a skydiving free fall with views of Hoover Dam at 120 mph — the list is fodder for bucket lists and exploration. It also includes a hot spring in ghost town Gold Point, mining Nevada's state gemstone, climbing Mount Whitney near Reno, zip-lining the Fremont Street Experience and clear-boat canoeing on Lake Tahoe. Read the guide.
i_4	What are some family-friendly things to do in Las Vegas?	The first day of school is fast approaching for K-12 students, but there’s still time for summer fun. Whether the family wants to get up close and personal with wildlife, explore nature, experience immersive art or cool off in a nice pool, Las Vegas offers something for everyone before school bells toll again Aug. 12. This includes seeing big cats at Lion Habitat Ranch, the Flamingo wildlife habitat, the "origins of Las Vegas" at Springs Preserve and more. See our guide.
i_5	Which resort pools admit Las Vegas locals?	As the sun beats hotter and hotter on the Las Vegas Valley throughout the summer, locals without an easy way to cool down may find themselves jealous of the tourists relaxing on their poolside lounge chairs. But there’s no need for bad vibes. Several resorts around the Las Vegas Valley allow area residents into their resort pool areas — some even for free, like Palms and Park MGM. Get your swim on.
i_6	I want to hit the club but don't know where to start. Where should I go?	Twenty-thousand-pound chandeliers, lighting rigs designed to look like spacecraft and $40,000 bottle service. No, there’s nothing quite like the nightlife scene in Las Vegas. But with so many high-end clubs vying for your dollar (dollars by the thousand, to be more accurate), where to begin? Right here with this guide to some of the biggest and best spots on the Strip: Drai's, Hakkasan, Marquee, Omnia and others.