5 things you need to know Friday
1. '50 Shades of Grey' opens nationwide
Christian, Anastasia and their S&M love story hit the big screen Friday as the movie version of the E.L. James best seller is released in theaters. Those looking for hot, kinky sex will be disappointed, says Paste BN movie critic Claudia Puig. Fewer than 15 of the movie's 125 minutes feature sex scenes. Puig gives the movie one star out of four. She describes it with words like "ridiculous" and "one-dimensional." Meanwhile, Paste BN's Carly Mallenbaum interviewed moviegoers after a screening and they were more optimistic. A few viewers said they were ready to go home. Wink, wink.
2. Hooray for movie night: 'Penguins of Madagascar' comes to Digital HD
Now for some more family-friendly fare. Traditionally, movies hit home video, even for-purchase downloads, on Tuesdays. DreamWorks Animation is changing that up with Penguins of Madagascar. The studio, and distributor Fox, decided to release the movie on Friday to capitalize on families' increased embrace of buying digital movie downloads on weekends. DreamWorks Animation plans to begin making all of its movies available digitally on Fridays, stocking virtual video stores with new releases for families' weekend movie nights. So pop some popcorn and enjoy.
3. Homeland Security may be put in charge of info sharing
President Obama is expected to announce a new executive action on the sharing of cybersecurity threats and information at Friday's cybersecurity summit at Stanford University, according to several reports. The president's proposal is expected to cement the role of the Department of Homeland Security, rather than the National Security Agency, as the government lead for information-sharing with the private sector.
4. Retro View-Master gets a digital makeover
That View-Master you had as a kid is catching up with the digital age. Mattel and Google will release a virtual reality-based View-Master that is infused with Google Cardboard VR technology. Mattel plans to make the announcement in New York on Friday at the annual Toy Fair trade show. The original View-Master dates back to the 1939 New York World's Fair.
5. FBI will investigate triple murder in North Carolina
Federal investigators have announced plans to look into the shooting deaths of three Muslims in Chapel Hill, N.C. Both the FBI and local police will consider whether the killings of Deah Shaddy Barakat, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha were driven by religious or ethnic hatred. Chapel Hill police said they still believed the deaths were the result of a parking dispute.
Thousands turned out Thursday for the victims' funeral.
Bonus: It's Friday the 13th. Wise up on the folklore surrounding the day. It's also Galentine's Day. (Like Valentine's Day, but celebrated with your gal pals.)
And, the essentials:
Weather: Crazy temperature contrasts between a very warm West and bitterly cold East will again be the main weather stories across the country on Friday.
Stocks: U.S. stock futures showed gains ahead of the opening bell.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at All of my Heart and SNL's big anniversary show.
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Contributing: The Associated Press