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Kenneth Turan Kenneth Turan is the film critic for the Los Angeles Times and NPR's Morning Edition, as well as the director of the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes.
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Kenneth Turan

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Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

'Thirteen Lives' is Ron Howard's take on a dramatic cave rescue in Thailand

Four years ago, 12 boys and their soccer coach were trapped in deep, dark tunnels during heavy rains in Thailand. People around the world were captivated as a mission began to rescue them.

'Thirteen Lives' is Ron Howard's take on a dramatic cave rescue in Thailand

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Friday

Review

Music Reviews

'Maiden': Groundbreaking 1989 Sailing Race For All-Female Crew

A new documentary tells the story of the first all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World sailing race in 1989. The crew was led by a 24-year-old and the boat was called Maiden.

'Maiden': Groundbreaking 1989 Sailing Race For All-Female Crew

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Friday

Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: 'Jackie' Stars Natalie Portman As Jacqueline Kennedy

A biopic about Jacqueline Kennedy opens on Friday, and centers on the aftermath of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Our reviewer says Jackie is a transporting and transfixing biopic.

Movie Review: 'Jackie' Stars Natalie Portman As Jacqueline Kennedy

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Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: Oliver Stone's 'Snowden'

There has already been a high-profile documentary about Edward Snowden. Now comes a drama from a filmmaker known for dramatizing the Vietnam war and the Kennedy assassination.

Movie Review: Oliver Stone's 'Snowden'

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Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: Paramount Remakes The MGM Classic 'Ben-Hur'

In 1959, Charlton Heston starred in Oscar-winning movie Ben-Hur. The question is: Why take another turn at making a film that defined epic when it was released, and was itself a remake?

Movie Review: Paramount Remakes The MGM Classic 'Ben-Hur'

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Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: 'Jason Bourne,' A Thriller For Our Times

In Jason Bourne, the latest in the secret agent series starring Matt Damon, director Paul Greengrass presents a thriller relevant to today's world, says Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times.

Movie Review: 'Jason Bourne,' A Thriller For Our Times

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Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: 'Our Little Sister'

Japanese dramas don't get the publicity of that country's animated films but our reviewer says there is a new drama that deserves our attention. He says Our Little Sister must be seen to be believed.

Movie Review: 'Our Little Sister'

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Thursday

Review

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: 'Finding Dory' Is No Game-Changer

Pixar's sequel to Finding Nemo opens 13 years later and it's called Finding Dory. In it, Nemo's friend Dory, voiced by Ellen DeGeneres, goes on a quest to find her parents.

Movie Review: 'Finding Dory' Is No Game-Changer

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Thursday

Review

Movie Reviews

Theaters Welcome Another Superhero Movie: 'Captain America: Civil War'

Captain America: Civil War is the latest offering from the Marvel universe and it's a thriller with strong political themes. It already opened overseas and has brought in more than $200 million.

Theaters Welcome Another Superhero Movie: 'Captain America: Civil War'

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Friday

Review

Movies

'Midnight Special' Promises A Smart, Dark Sci-Fi Thriller

Jeff Nichols has made a few other films, but his latest, Midnight Special, is him moving up to another level — reminiscent of Steven Spielberg, says our film critic.

'Midnight Special' Promises A Smart, Dark Sci-Fi Thriller

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Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: 'Hail, Caesar!'

Joel and Ethan Coen — better known as the Coen Brothers — have brought moviegoers some of the most distinctive, quirky movies of the last three decades. They are back in theaters with: Hail, Caesar!

Movie Review: 'Hail, Caesar!'

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Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

'Joy' Sinks Into A Morass As Its Protagonist Faces Irritating Obstacles

The last two films by writer-director David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle, had 18 Oscar nominations between them. So anticipation is high for his new film, Joy.

'Joy' Sinks Into A Morass As Its Protagonist Faces Irritating Obstacles

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Thursday

Review

Movie Reviews

After Years Of Anticipation, 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Opens Tonight

Star Wars: The Force Awakens takes place 30 years after Return of the Jedi. The evil Empire has been replaced by the even more ruthless First Order, and the Republic continues to fight the good fight.

After Years Of Anticipation, 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Opens Tonight

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Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

'Big Short' Is A Funny Movie About 2008's Housing Market Collapse

Directed by Adam McKay, and based on Michael Lewis' book about the economic meltdown, The Big Short stars Brad Pitt. The film contains so much information and comedy, it would be fun to see it twice.

'Big Short' Is A Funny Movie About 2008's Housing Market Collapse

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Friday

Review

Music Reviews

'Youth' Is A Meditation On Life's Wonders And Complications

Paolo Sorrentino's film is set in a Swiss spa that functions as a landlocked "Ship of Fools" — allowing us to follow several characters during their stay. Youth stars Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel.

'Youth' Is A Meditation On Life's Wonders And Complications

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Wednesday

Review

Movie Reviews

Not Just Another Boxing Movie. 'Creed' Has Cred

Creed is billed as a Rocky spinoff but it's actually something more interesting. It's a spiritual remake of the 1976 film that retells the original story in an unexpected and involving way.

Not Just Another Boxing Movie. 'Creed' Has Cred

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Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: 'Carol'

Director Todd Haynes has adopted a 1952 Patricia Highsmith novel about a divorcing woman who meets a young shop assistant. It's a love story that stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.

Movie Review: 'Carol'

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Friday

Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

'Our Brand Is Crisis' Stalls And Stumbles

The political comedy Our Brand Is Crisis stars Sandra Bullock as an American campaign strategist hired to work for a Bolivian presidential candidate. Critic Kenneth Turan has this review.

'Our Brand Is Crisis' Stalls And Stumbles

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Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

Watching 'Room' Is Exhausting And Exhilarating

The movie is based on Emma Donoghue's best-selling book about a woman who's been kidnapped and had to raise her son in captivity. Room is directed by Irish filmmaker Lenny Abrahamson.

Watching 'Room' Is Exhausting And Exhilarating

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Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

'Steve Jobs' Is Not A Standard Biopic

Another movie about Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is in theaters. It is inspired by the best-selling biography that came out in 2011. The new biopic is simply called Steve Jobs.

'Steve Jobs' Is Not A Standard Biopic

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Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

In 'The Martian,' Matt Damon Tries To Make It Back From The Red Planet

Director Ridley Scott's new movie, "The Martian," stars Matt Damon as an astronaut who gets stranded on Mars. He must fend for himself on the Red Planet. Film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

In 'The Martian,' Matt Damon Tries To Make It Back From The Red Planet

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Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

'Black Mass,' Starring Johnny Depp, Leads Off Fall Movie Season

Black Mass is based on the life of Whitey Bulger, the notorious South Boston organized crime boss. Johnny Depp's portrayal is described as "some of the best, most chilling work he's done in awhile."

'Black Mass,' Starring Johnny Depp, Leads Off Fall Movie Season

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