L.A. Times - Entertainment News

Spotify doubles down on video podcasts at its Hollywood studios

Cerys Davies — Sat, 16 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Spotify opened its new Sycamore podcasting studios earlier this year as a home base for its podcast network, The Ringer. Creators and executives alike say the new studio is helping to elevate content and making it easier to collaborate across the Ringer's vast podcast network.

2026 TV upfronts recap: Hi-tech ad buying, creator fever and 'Baywatch'

Stephen Battaglio — Sat, 16 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

As streamers depend more on their commercial tiers, media companies are looking to offer advertisers more bang for their digital bucks.

Filmmaker Brian Lindstrom, known for underdog documentaries, dies at 65

Emily St. Martin — Sat, 16 May 2026 04:00:19 GMT

Brian Lindstrom, the husband of "Wild" author Cheryl Strayed who was known for his underdog documentaries that inspired social change, has died. Just weeks ago, Strayed shared that Lindstrom was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease.

Lainey Wilson marries Devlin 'Duck' Hodges by a waterfall after surviving that Stagecoach windstorm

Christie D'Zurilla — Fri, 15 May 2026 20:39:01 GMT

Lainey Wilson and Devlin "Duck" Hodges made a splash last weekend, getting married Sunday at a picturesque waterfall in Tennessee.

'The Wizard of the Kremlin' fictionalizes the voice in Putin's ear, guiding his rise to power

Robert Abele — Fri, 15 May 2026 20:35:18 GMT

Jude Law, Paul Dano and Alicia Vikander topline a fine cast that does its best to inject depth into director Olivier Assayas' regrettably glib historical drama.

Trees have much to tell us in the thoughtful eco-forward drama 'Silent Friend'

Robert Abele — Fri, 15 May 2026 20:27:06 GMT

Director Ildiko Enyedi and Hong Kong legend Tony Leung Chiu-wai blend their talents into a movie about nature itself.

Judge declares mistrial in Harvey Weinstein's rape retrial after jury deadlocked

Emily St. Martin — Fri, 15 May 2026 20:09:34 GMT

A New York judge declared a mistrial in disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein's rape case in its third trial, after a jury said "no one is going to change where they stand."

Tomorrow never dies for James Bond. Auditions officially underway to find the new 007

Tracy Brown — Fri, 15 May 2026 19:44:13 GMT

Who will be the next James Bond? Amazon MGM Studios has started its casting process to find the actor to take over the iconic spy role from Daniel Craig.

Breaking down Drake's Temu haul of an album drop

Mikael Wood, August Brown — Fri, 15 May 2026 17:30:10 GMT

Drake dropped three albums Thursday night. The Times' Mikael Wood and August Brown get into it.

Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt split up five months after welcoming a daughter

Christie D'Zurilla — Fri, 15 May 2026 17:13:33 GMT

Pete Davidson and model Elsie Hewitt have reportedly called it quits on being a couple, splitting up only five months after welcoming daughter Scottie Rose.

Twin sisters hunt down a wayward dad in the inspired 'Is God Is'

Katie Walsh — Fri, 15 May 2026 16:36:35 GMT

Led by a strong cast that includes Kara Young, Mallori Johnson and Sterling K. Brown, the debut film of playwright Aleshea Harris marks a significant arrival.

Be careful what you wish for in 'Obsession,' an old but effective nightmare retooled for Gen Z

Katie Walsh — Fri, 15 May 2026 16:28:03 GMT

Directed by YouTuber turned filmmaker Curry Barker, the movie peps up a functional script with an ace performance by Inde Navarrette as a woman under a dark spell.

Fast and furious? Not for the most part at this year's Cannes so far

Amy Nicholson — Fri, 15 May 2026 10:54:07 GMT

Jane Schoenbrun's "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma" supplied slasher-inspired juiciness while "Fatherland" marked the return of Sandra Hüller ("Anatomy of a Fall").

How to have the best Sunday in L.A, according to Vivica A. Fox

Kailyn Brown — Fri, 15 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

A float session at Beverly Hot Springs and cheering for the Lakers are part of the agenda for the "Is God Is" star.

Social Distortion is the job Mike Ness can't quit

Mikael Wood — Fri, 15 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The veteran California punk band has a new album, 'Born to Kill,' that follows Ness' experience with cancer.

To play Mozart, Will Sharpe had to mine the contrasts of his life and music

Emily Zemler — Fri, 15 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

To prepare to play Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Starz's 'Amadeus,' the actor learned to play piano and conduct, immersing himself in the spectrum of Mozart's work.

Claudine Longet, the French starlet who fatally shot Olympic skier Spider Sabich, dies at 84

Emily St. Martin — Fri, 15 May 2026 02:59:23 GMT

Claudine Longet has died. The French-born chanteuse and ex-wife of 'Moon River' crooner Andy Williams fatally shot her Olympian boyfriend, skier Vladimir 'Spider' Sabich.

Barbara Palvin's baby bump premieres at Cannes. Model and Dylan Sprouse are expecting first child together

Tracy Brown — Thu, 14 May 2026 23:25:13 GMT

Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse are expecting their first child together. The model debuted her baby bump at the Cannes Film Festival.

Clarence Carter, blues and soul singer known for hits 'Strokin'' and 'Patches,' dies at 90

Alexandra Del Rosario — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:00:10 GMT

Clarence Carter, the Grammy-nominated blues and soul singer known for the raunchy hit 'Strokin',' which was featured in Eddie Murphy's "The Nutty Professor," has died. He was 90.

Gamers, developers protest Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund's bid to acquire Electronic Arts

Cerys Davies — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:00:07 GMT

Last year, gaming giant Electronic Arts announced that it would be acquired by private equity firms for $55 billion. The Players Alliance, a group of gamers, is protesting the deal, citing fears about corporate consolidation in the industry.

Jason Biggs and Jenny Mollen are splitting up after 18 years, but remain 'on great terms'

Christie D'Zurilla — Thu, 14 May 2026 19:17:48 GMT

Jason Biggs and Jenny Mollen are splitting up after 18 years of marriage. The 'American Pie' star and his actor-writer wife 'are on great terms,' a rep tells The Times.

Concert projectiles leave Oli Sykes with a 'mild concussion' and Eric Clapton skipping an encore

Emily St. Martin — Thu, 14 May 2026 18:40:08 GMT

Bring Me the Horizon frontman Oli Sykes and storied guitarist and singer Eric Clapton are the latest musicians to get hit by flying objects during their performances.

BTS, Madonna and Shakira to perform at World Cup final halftime show

Chuck Schilken — Thu, 14 May 2026 16:07:16 GMT

BTS, Madonna and Shakira will headline the World Cup final halftime show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, marking the first Super Bowl-style performance at a World Cup final.

Billboards celebrating peace will arrive in L.A. as part of the Broad's Yoko Ono exhibit

Julius Miller — Thu, 14 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The Broad's latest Yoko Ono exhibition features iconic works from the artist alongside a timely citywide billboard campaign promoting peace.

'Harry Potter' soars under the Cosm spell with fantastical, theme-park-like effects

Todd Martens — Thu, 14 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is the latest film to be given the Cosm treatment, in which supplemental animations seek to envelop guests.

Essay: Jane Wickline is 'SNL's' most polarizing player. That's what makes her special

Robert Lloyd — Thu, 14 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The fact that Jane Wickline, a featured player on 'Saturday Night Live,' is so polarizing is, in its way, a recommendation. She's different. She's a mystery.

Kane Parsons is 20. Here's how he made A24's biggest summer movie, the spooky 'Backrooms'

Carlos Aguilar — Thu, 14 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

After developing his concept over years, the 20-year-old Parsons worked with Oscar-nominated actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve along with A24 to make it happen.

The 16 movies we're most excited to see this summer

Thu, 14 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

If you want big popcorn fare from the best directors in the blockbuster game (Spielberg, Nolan, Ridley Scott), it's here, along with a number of promising indie swings.

My bucket-list trip to Yorkshire led me to James Herriot, Dracula and the Brontës

Mary McNamara — Thu, 14 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Yorkshire birthed many literary classics. My journey led me to James Herriot, Dracula, the Brontës and Sally Wainwright.

At LACHSA, L.A.'s most important public arts school, the 'misfits' become superstars

Daniel Kohn — Wed, 13 May 2026 21:17:20 GMT

LACHSA, which launched careers for alumni including musicians Phoebe Bridgers, Josh Groban and Haim, is launching a festival to raise funds on May 30 at the Greek Theatre

We watched everything we could at Netflix is a Joke. This is what stood out

Wed, 13 May 2026 20:51:54 GMT

Netflix is a Joke Festival brought a seven-day comedy explosion to Los Angeles, with stand-up, podcasts, variety shows, and musical performances starring comedy heavyweights like Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, and Wanda Sykes.

Case of shooting at Rihanna's home clouded by concerns over accused woman's mental health

James Queally — Wed, 13 May 2026 20:34:42 GMT

A public defender representing a Florida woman accused of opening fire on Rihanna's Westside home in March said mental health concerns could be an issue in the case.

Savannah Bananas' Jackson Olson joins 'Dancing with the Stars': 'I kind of manifested this whole thing'

Chuck Schilken — Wed, 13 May 2026 20:30:20 GMT

Jackson Olson, Savannah Bananas second baseman and influencer with 2.1 million TikTok followers, has been announced as the latest athlete to compete on 'Dancing with the Stars.'

Jamie Foxx and girlfriend Alyce Huckstepp are expecting a baby, the actor's third

Alexandra Del Rosario — Wed, 13 May 2026 19:33:28 GMT

Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, 58, is expecting a baby with his girlfriend Alyce Huckstepp. He is also the father to Corinne Foxx, 32, and teenager Anelise Bishop.

Netflix adds three more NFL games including Thanksgiving eve

Stephen Battaglio — Wed, 13 May 2026 19:06:25 GMT

Netflix will have the first-ever regular season game in Australia and a late season contest in addition to its Christmas doubleheader.

Donald Gibb, 'Revenge of the Nerds' and 'Bloodsport' actor, dies at 71

Christie D'Zurilla — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:54:00 GMT

Donald Gibb, an actor known for the 'Bloodsport' and 'Revengue of the Nerds' franchises from the 1980s, has reportedly died at home in Texas. He was 71.

Demi Moore says Hollywood has to 'find ways' to work with AI, not fight it

Cerys Davies — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:30:37 GMT

When asked how AI is impacting the way Hollywood does business, Demi Moore said the industry needs to work with the new technology, not against it.

Mon ami! Frenchie says goodbye as 'The Boys' comes to a close

Lorraine Ali — Wed, 13 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Tomer Capone speaks about his character's big scene in the penultimate episode of the Prime Video series and how he still hasn't been able to bring himself to watch it.

The week's bestselling books, May 17

The California Independent Booksellers Alliance — Wed, 13 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

The Southern California Independent Bookstore Bestsellers list for Sunday, May 17, 2026, including hardcover and paperback fiction and nonfiction.

The delusional monarch of 'Exit the King' holds a cracked mirror up to our absurdist times

Charles McNulty — Wed, 13 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Michael Michetti directs a revival of Eugène Ionesco's absurdist classic "Exit the King" at A Noise Within in Pasadena.

A camboy scam, murder and custody fight: Inside 'Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed'

Yvonne Villarreal — Wed, 13 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Tatiana Maslany and Jake Johnson spoke about their new dark comedy thriller series on Apple TV and what they would do in a scenario where they are being scammed.

With 'The Boroughs' and Coachella, Geena Davis plays in a league of her own

Greg Braxton — Wed, 13 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Her role as a monster-fighting senior in Netflix's 'The Boroughs' and a cameo at Coachella are the latest headline-making moments for the 'Thelma & Louise' and 'A League of Their Own' star.

The 15 TV shows we're excited about this summer

Wed, 13 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

If a vacation or road trip isn't in the cards this summer, you can still be transported to far-away places and alternate universes, like in 'Spider-Noir,' 'Little House on the Prairie' and 'Lanterns.'

Barry Blaustein, comedy writer known for 'Saturday Night Live' and 'Coming to America,' dies at 71

Emily St. Martin — Wed, 13 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Barry Blaustein, a longtime collaborator with Eddie Murphy and former 'Saturday Night Live' writer who penned 'Coming to America' and 'Nutty Professor,' has died. He was 71.

Why this Hollywood director thinks AI can save L.A. film jobs

Nilesh Christopher — Wed, 13 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Amid rapid technological change, a growing number of filmmakers and companies in Southern California are using AI tools to radically rethink how films and TV shows are made.

Clave Especial talks summer EP 'Afterafter' and showing their support for MrBeast contestant Juan

Andrea Flores — Wed, 13 May 2026 00:28:54 GMT

From Cornell University to a MrBeast supermarket challenge, Clave Especial is finally slowing down to talk about its recent EP "Afterafter" and what really went down at the SXSW showcase.

Unreleased Beyoncé music stolen in break-in. Man pleads guilty, but music still missing

Alexandra Del Rosario — Tue, 12 May 2026 23:53:41 GMT

The man suspected of nabbing unreleased music by Beyoncé in a car break-in last summer has pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to two years in prison.

AI protections and a merged pension plan: SAG-AFTRA leaders tout gains for members

Cerys Davies — Tue, 12 May 2026 23:03:22 GMT

SAG-AFTRA recently struck a new tentative deal with major film and TV studios. The pending contract will improve AI protections, streaming residuals and merge SAG and AFTRA's pension plans.

Cinerama Dome takes a likely step toward reopening 'in the near future'

Mark Olsen — Tue, 12 May 2026 22:11:08 GMT

A permit for alcohol sales is likely to be approved, paving the way for the reopening of the beloved Cinerama Dome and ArcLight Hollywood theaters.

Conan O'Brien will return as Oscars host for the third consecutive year

Iris Kwok — Tue, 12 May 2026 21:46:19 GMT

Conan O'Brien will return to host the 2027 Oscars, marking his third consecutive year.

When the 2027 Grammys will happen and what to know about awards season

Mikael Wood — Tue, 12 May 2026 21:30:44 GMT

Music's most prestigious awards ceremony will take place Feb. 7 at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.

Jennifer Harmon, 'One Life to Live' and Broadway actor, dies at 82

Tracy Brown — Tue, 12 May 2026 20:55:32 GMT

Jennifer Harmon, soap opera star and Daytime Emmy nominee for 'One Life to Live' who also appeared on Broadway, has died at 82.

Rex Reed, contrarian film critic who perfected the skewering celebrity interview, dies at 87

Christie D'Zurilla — Tue, 12 May 2026 20:15:16 GMT

Rex Reed, who never held back in celebrity interviews and movie reviews, died Tuesday in Manhattan at age 87. He often lamented the lack of quality coming from Hollywood.

Appreciation: Critic Rex Reed had a savage streak, but when he loved something, his writing could reach greatness

Charles McNulty — Tue, 12 May 2026 19:36:02 GMT

Rex Reed was known for a sensationalistic writing style and biting criticism, but he could write passionately about movies, TV and theater when they suited his tastes.

'Sábado Gigante' host Don Francisco returns to Univision with a new show

Carlos De Loera — Tue, 12 May 2026 19:24:21 GMT

Don Francisco, the longtime host of the Spanish-language variety show "Sabado Gigante," is set to return to Univision after leaving the show and network over a decade ago.

Netflix touts $325-billion economic impact and 425,000 jobs created by its productions worldwide

Samantha Masunaga — Tue, 12 May 2026 17:23:33 GMT

Streaming giant Netflix is touting the benefits of its productions, saying in a new report that its film and TV shows have generated more than 425,000 jobs.

Is 'Blue Dot Fever' a real problem for the concert industry?

August Brown — Tue, 12 May 2026 16:35:24 GMT

Touring is 'too risky, and there's not as much upside,' said veteran manager Michael Kaminsky.

D4vd murder case: Singer to face key hearing on charges he killed, dismembered teen

James Queally — Tue, 12 May 2026 16:06:06 GMT

A preliminary hearing has been set for June in the murder case against David Anthony Burke, the 21-year-old singer better known as D4vd, meaning more detailed evidence about the killing of teenager Celeste Rivas Hernandez will soon become public.

Gary Baseman serves up quirky drawings on real restaurant menus at iconic L.A. coffee shop

Iris Kwok — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Gary Baseman's new exhibition at the historic Johnie's Coffee Shop features 40 drawings on menus of local restaurants including Canter's and Max & Helen's.

Diego Calva was asked to 'erase' his Mexican accent. He chose to embrace it instead

Carlos Aguilar — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

With two films at Cannes and 'The Night Manager' in Emmy contention, the 'Babylon' actor keeps adding to his résumé. In his sights next? Almodóvar.

Commentary: 'Outlander' finale marks the end of a great show and an unprecedented age of TV

Mary McNamara — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Time travel in 'Outlander' is as much fact as fiction. Launched in TV's golden age and ending in a time of disruption and contraction, it connects the past to the present in more ways than one.

Why Hollywood tentpoles are giving Cannes a pass this year

Gregory Ellwood — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Just as Cannes' influence on the Oscars has surged, the major studios' summer tentpoles will be absent from the Croisette this year. Here's why.

How Cannes supplanted the fall festivals as the place to launch an Oscar campaign

Glenn Whipp — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Cannes didn't change, our columnist writes. The Oscars did.

6 summer mystery reads that are sure to make waves

Paula L. Woods — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Featuring new work from masters like Silvia Moreno-Garcia and SoCal's Gary Phillips, our Summer 2026 books preview highlights this season's most anticipated crime fiction and suspense novels.

6 steamy romance reads to heat up your summer

Erin La Rosa — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Whether you're seeking a sun-soaked Italian adventure or a spicy sports romance, these 6 must-read summer romance page-turners offer sweet escape.

How Route 66 inspired Disney's 'Cars' and Cars Land — and the ride that never came to be

Todd Martens — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Former Imagineers talk about the roadside attractions in Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas and California that sparked ideas for Disney's famous fictional town of Radiator Springs.

The 12 best summer books to sink your teeth into

Sophia Kercher, Mark Athitakis, Maddie Connors, Michael Schaub — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Satire, scandal and sun-drenched secrets: Our critics select the best new fiction and nonfiction to fill your summer stack.

Want to feel like you're at Cannes? Watch these 8 films set at the festival

Gary Goldstein — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The list of films set at the festival is heavier on cult classics than Palme d'Or winners, but it's just the (cheap) ticket if you want to feel transported to the Croisette.

You know the tune. Now learn the astonishing tale behind '(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66'

Christopher Reynolds — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

For Bobby Troup, an aspiring songwriter from Pennsylvania, the decision to drive west in 1946 set off a chain of events that helped turn the road into a symbol of footloose American freedom.

One Shot: A look back at Cannes premiere and Oscar winner 'The Artist'

Daron James — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

15 years after its premiere, Oscar-nominated cinematographer Guillaume Schiffman looks back on the first silent best picture winner since 1929.

Honorary Palme d'Or recipient Barbra Streisand has been golden for seven decades

Carla Meyer — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Barbra needs no introduction. But before she's honored by the Cannes Film Festival, let's look back at the 84-year-old multi-hyphenate's awards history.

The best summer movies, TV and books

Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Whether your summer jam is bingeing new content, heading out to catch the latest blockbuster in the cool AC of the local cinema or plopping down beside a pool with a page-turner, we've got you covered.

Entertainment mogul Byron Allen to acquire BuzzFeed, HuffPost

Meg James — Tue, 12 May 2026 00:03:52 GMT

Buzzfeed, once an internet sensation known for its listicles, news and quizzes, has fallen on hard times.

Man who died on Mt. Wilson identified as film and TV composer Mark Smythe, 53

Christie D'Zurilla — Mon, 11 May 2026 23:41:33 GMT

Composer Mark Smythe has been identified as the man who died Saturday on Mt. Wilson after a cardiac emergency. His family and peers poured out their hearts in his memory.

Maya Hawke has learned what love really is

Mikael Wood — Mon, 11 May 2026 20:23:21 GMT

The 27-year-old singer and actor on making music with her husband and finishing her run on 'Stranger Things.'

You can order a Diet Coke or bomb Iran in latest anti-Trump protest art

Jessica Gelt — Mon, 11 May 2026 19:56:45 GMT

Secret Handshake, the satirical arts and activism group behind the Trump-Epstein statues, has created a video game about the Iran war called 'Operation Epic Furious.'

Martin Short says late daughter Katherine battled 'a long time with extreme mental health'

Alexandra Del Rosario — Mon, 11 May 2026 18:49:58 GMT

Martin Short speaks candidly about daughter Katherine's death months after she took her life at age 42. The tragedy has been a 'nightmare' for his family, he says.

FCC commissioner joins Disney's free-speech fight

Meg James — Mon, 11 May 2026 17:43:06 GMT

The lone Democrat said certain FCC actions were designed to prompt TV networks to self-censor and tone down their news coverage of President Trump.

Houston and Brooklyn show what Robert Wilson still means to LA28

Mark Swed — Mon, 11 May 2026 17:30:03 GMT

For the first time since visionary artist Robert Wilson's death in July, his work is being produced simultaneously at Houston Grand Opera ('Messiah') and BAM ('Moby Dick').

NBC orders game show version of Wordle with Savannah Guthrie as host

Stephen Battaglio — Mon, 11 May 2026 13:12:25 GMT

Savannah Guthrie will host a TV adaptation of the popular New York Times puzzle Wordle.

Julieta Venegas: La Leyenda de Tijuana

Andrew Casillas — Mon, 11 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter discusses her dual memoir and album release, "Norteña," which features collaborations with Natalia Lafourcade, Yahritza y Su Esencia, Meme del Real and Bronco.

Casting without borders: Inside top casting directors' global search for talent

Daniel Vaillancourt — Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Thanks to technology, international production and audiences unafraid of subtitles, top casting directors can now find talent just about anywhere. Here's how they do it.

Meet the interpreters who help make film press tours global

Tim Grierson — Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

You've seen them alongside luminaries such as Jafar Panahi, Marlee Matlin and Jacques Audiard. Now it's time for six interpreters to have their own turn in the spotlight.

The 11 movies we're most excited to see at the Cannes Film Festival

Amy Nicholson, Joshua Rothkopf — Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Film critic Amy Nicholson and film editor Joshua Rothkopf discuss the festival's muted American presence, the likeliest awards contenders and more in their Cannes preview.

'We heisted the heist movie': An oral history of 'Entourage's' trip to Cannes

Derek Lawrence — Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Series creator Doug Ellin, star Adrian Grenier and more reflect on the HBO comedy's 'heist' of the 'Ocean's 13' premiere at Cannes, 'one of the more audacious half-hour shoots, ever.'

Pedro Almodóvar sounds off on refusing Saudi money, the apolitical Oscars and more

Glenn Whipp — Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

At 76, the Spanish auteur arrives in Cannes with an autofictional new film, 'Bitter Christmas,' and the luxury of speaking his mind. Our columnist talks with Almodóvar, uncensored.

Nollywood's next act: How Nigeria's film industry is leveling up

Daron James — Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

With streamers pulling back from a post-pandemic boom, Nigeria's film industry is looking to theatrical moviegoing, training programs and state support to keep leveling up.

He crafted beats for Drake and helped make Yeat a superstar. Now BNYX is reshaping hip-hop

Miki Hellerbach — Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Before sitting down for an interview on a recent afternoon, BNYX insisted on a tour of his Hollywood studio to highlight all the carefully curated items he's procured for his workspace.

To earn some countries' film tax incentives, you have to pass the test

Leila Jordan — Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

As film production goes global, many nations seek to balance benefit to the local film community with investment from abroad. 'Cultural tests' for incentives can help.

'How I Met Your Mother' actor Nick Pasqual convicted of attempted murder

Cerys Davies — Mon, 11 May 2026 01:07:41 GMT

Background actor Nick Pasqual has been convicted of attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, Allie Shehorn, in May 2024. He will be sentenced in June.

Why Ana Navarro has enough outrage for two TV jobs and a podcast

Stephen Battaglio — Sun, 10 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The Nicaraguan-born commentator has been the most ubiquitous Republican critic of President Trump on 'The View,' CNN's 'NewsNight' and a new digital offering 'Bleep! With Ana Navarro.'

Culver City's Wende Museum of the Cold War announces major expansion in Hawthorne

Deborah Vankin — Sun, 10 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The Wende Museum of the Cold War announced a $16-million expansion in Hawthorne, featuring a new research institute and a "living archive."

Matt Damon returns as Brett Kavanaugh on 'SNL' and gives moms a Mother's Day gift

Omar L. Gallaga — Sun, 10 May 2026 06:39:14 GMT

Hosting for the third time, the actor played Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the cold open and was joined by Aziz Ansari, who returned to play Kash Patel.

FCC drops trove of viewer complaints over Bad Bunny's 'disgusting' Super Bowl halftime show

August Brown — Sat, 9 May 2026 21:20:40 GMT

"That was the most disgusting inappropriate show," one viewer wrote to the FCC about Bad Bunny's set. "I had to make all of my children go into the next room!"

Hesperia High School wrestling coach arrested in child sex investigation

August Brown — Sat, 9 May 2026 20:42:42 GMT

Gene Richard Griffith III, 36, a wrestling coach at Hesperia High School, was charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a child.

For her first documentary, 'Our Land,' Argentina's Lucrecia Martel chases down a murder

Robert Abele — Sat, 9 May 2026 18:43:07 GMT

A fiction filmmaker known for obliquely powerful explorations of class, race and colonialism turns her eye to a local crime that exposes a deeper rift of ownership.

Justin Bieber played ultra A-list Montecito party, with AI defense execs in the crowd

August Brown — Sat, 9 May 2026 18:22:18 GMT

Bieber was a headliner at WNDR, entertainment executive Jeffrey Katzenberg's invitation-only confab at the Rosewood Miramar in Montecito.

A painful, provocative reunion demands your empathy in the daring 'Blue Film'

Robert Abele — Sat, 9 May 2026 17:17:53 GMT

Starring Tony-winner Reed Birney and 'Boots' star Kieron Moore, writer-director Elliot Tuttle's sex-work drama explores subjects that rarely make it to screen.

Amazon MGM Studios executive solicited kickbacks for postproduction contracts, lawsuit alleges

Samantha Masunaga — Fri, 8 May 2026 21:24:49 GMT

A newly filed lawsuit alleges that an Amazon MGM Studios executive solicited kickback payments in exchange for postproduction contracts on shows.