Accessibility links
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.
thumbnail
Stories By

Kenneth Turan

Movie Review: 'The Triplets of Belleville'

Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition film critic Kenneth Turan reviews the French film The Triplets of Belleville. The animation movie sends up cultural cliches with bizarre wit and no dialogue.

Movie Review: 'The Triplets of Belleville'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1522786/1522787" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'The Barbarian Invasions'

The Barbarian Invasions, winner of the "Best Screenplay" and "Best Actress" awards at this year's Cannes International Film Festival, opens in U.S. theaters. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition movie critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Movie Review: 'The Barbarian Invasions'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1515885/1515886" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Arts & Life

'Master and Commander' Sails into Theaters

Actor Russell Crowe is in command of the screen and the sea this weekend. Crowe stars in the new Peter Weir film Master and Commander. The movie is based on the novels of Patrick O'Brian. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

'Master and Commander' Sails into Theaters

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1505949/1505950" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'Elf'

Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition movie critic Kenneth Turan reviews Elf. Turan thinks that this elf is no turkey. And even though it's weeks before Thanksgiving, Turan says this movie has enough Christmas cheer to spare.

Movie Review: 'Elf'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1496247/1496248" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'Bus 174'

A new documentary, Bus 174 tells the story of a Brazilian bus hijacking three years ago. The event, broadcast live, riveted South Americans to their televisions. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

Movie Review: 'Bus 174'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1477473/1477474" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'Pieces of April'

The new film Pieces of April stars Katie Holmes as a young woman living on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, who invites her suburban family over for Thanksgiving dinner. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Movie Review: 'Pieces of April'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1468931/1468932" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'Luther'

Luther is a new film about 16th century Protestant reformation leader Martin Luther, described by some as a rebel, a genius and a liberator. The movie is reminiscent of old-style Hollywood biopics, such as The Story of Louis Pasteur and The Life of Emile Zola. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

Movie Review: 'Luther'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1447265/1447266" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Arts & Life

Fall Movie Season Has a Bookish Look

A main trend in this fall's movie selection seems to be book adaptations. Some well-known tomes are headed for the big screen, from The Cat in the Hat to Cold Mountain to The Human Stain. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards and Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan.

Fall Movie Season Has a Bookish Look

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1420571/1420572" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Arts & Life

An Endless Summer of Documentary Films

In a summer of effects-laden movies, basic documentaries are proving surprisingly popular with audiences. Maybe people are looking for something other than kids' flicks, but films as diverse as the visually stunning Winged Migration and the simple-but-charming Spellbound continue to attract audiences. Hear NPR's Renee Montagne and Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan.

An Endless Summer of Documentary Films

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1414969/1414970" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'OT'

The new documentary OT: Our Town follows the production of the timeless Thornton Wilder play about a small New England town as it is produced at a high school in Compton, Calif. Los Angeles Times movie critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Movie Review: 'OT'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1404965/1404966" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">