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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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Movie Reviews

'Red Army' Profiles How Cold War Played Out On Ice

The new documentary is not a film about Soviet-era military machines. It is the story of the legendary Soviet hockey team of the 1970s and 80s — one of the greatest dynasties in all of sports.

'Red Army' Profiles How Cold War Played Out On Ice

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'Blackhat' Offers Fictionalized Version Of Cyberterrorism

Michael Mann's new cybercrime thriller stars Chris Hemsworth. Mann's skill as a director holds the audience's attention as the team follows lines of electronic breadcrumbs in pursuit of the evil one.

'Blackhat' Offers Fictionalized Version Of Cyberterrorism

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'A Most Violent Year' Captures You And Doesn't Let Go

The new film A Most Violent Year is written and directed by J.C. Chandor. The crime drama starring Jessica Chastain takes place in New York City in 1981, one of the city's most violent years.

'A Most Violent Year' Captures You And Doesn't Let Go

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'Unbroken' Skips Over Louis Zamperini's Post-War Struggles

The movie is based on the 2010 nonfiction book by Laura Hillenbrand about a U.S. Olympic track star who survives a plane crash during World War II only to be taken prisoner by the Japanese.

'Unbroken' Skips Over Louis Zamperini's Post-War Struggles

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To Enjoy 'Exodus,' Don't Take It As Seriously As It Takes Itself

Director Ridley Scott's take on the story of Moses is half solemn, half silly — and not so far an evolution from Charlton Heston's The Ten Commandments as it would like to believe.

To Enjoy 'Exodus,' Don't Take It As Seriously As It Takes Itself

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Stalked By A Fiend Worse Than Any Elm Street Nightmare

In "Still Alice," Julianne Moore has each thing that defines her — to herself, to her family — devoured by early-onset Alzheimer's disease. It's a splendid performance, says critic Kenneth Turan.

Stalked By A Fiend Worse Than Any Elm Street Nightmare

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Mathematician's Story Is Dramatic Enough For The Big Screen

The new movie The Imitation Game is about British mathematician Alan Turing and his attempts to crack Germany's Enigma Code during World War Two.

Mathematician's Story Is Dramatic Enough For The Big Screen

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'Hunger Games: Mockingjay' Opens Where 'Catching Fire' Ended

The final novel of the trilogy has been cut into two pictures. This one is a placeholder film. It exists to smooth the transition from its successful predecessors to a glorious concluding part.

'Hunger Games: Mockingjay' Opens Where 'Catching Fire' Ended

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Jon Stewart's 'Rosewater': The Serious Side Of Comedy

Written and directed by Jon Stewart of The Daily Show, the film tells the true story of an American journalist covering Iran's 2009 election, who was detained and tortured by Iranian authorities.

Jon Stewart's 'Rosewater': The Serious Side Of Comedy

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'Interstellar' Is Christopher Nolan's Space-Time Epic

Earlier generations of science fiction fretted about nuclear radiation or alien invasion. What powers Interstellar is an up-to-date concern about the viability of Earth as home for the human race.

'Interstellar' Is Christopher Nolan's Space-Time Epic

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Review: Gyllenhaal's 'Nightcrawler' Is Pulp With A Purpose

Kenneth Turan reviews Nightcrawler, a thriller set in the "nocturnal underbelly" of Los Angeles. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a young man who discovers the world of L.A. crime journalism.

Review: Gyllenhaal's 'Nightcrawler' Is Pulp With A Purpose

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Message From Documentary 'Citizenfour': Be Afraid (Of Surveillance)

Ken Turan reviews the documentary Citizenfour from filmmaker Laura Poitras about Edward Snowden and his decision to leak information about the National Security Agency's surveillance activities.

Message From Documentary 'Citizenfour': Be Afraid (Of Surveillance)

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Starring In 'Fury': The Horrors That People Are Capable Of In War

The WWII drama Fury is about a U.S. sergeant and his five-man crew on a mission behind enemy lines. Kenneth Turan reviews the film, directed by David Ayer and starring Brad Pitt and Shia LaBeouf.

Starring In 'Fury': The Horrors That People Are Capable Of In War

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Journalist Gary Webb's Story Told In 'Kill The Messenger'

Kill the Messenger is based on the true story of a reporter at the San Jose Mercury-News who uncovers the CIA's role in arming the Nicaraguan Contras, then becomes the target of a smear campaign.

Journalist Gary Webb's Story Told In 'Kill The Messenger'

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