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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

Review

Movies

Kinsey: Conventional Film, Unconventional Subject

Film critic Ken Turan reviews Kinsey, about the noted sex researcher, starring Liam Neeson and Laura Linney in the roles of Alfred Kinsey and his wife. Conservative groups say the movie "mocks Christianity and condones immorality."

Kinsey: Conventional Film, Unconventional Subject

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Movies

A Winning Tribute to the Blues: 'Lightning in a Bottle'

Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan calls Lightning In A Bottle a terrific concert film. It's a tribute to the blues that centers on last year's 100th anniversary of the music form.

A Winning Tribute to the Blues: 'Lightning in a Bottle'

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Movies

Foxx Turns In Impressive Showing as 'Ray'

Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan reviews Ray, a new film about the life of Ray Charles. Turan says Jamie Foxx, in the starring role, gives a dominating performance that is at the heart and soul of the film's success.

Foxx Turns In Impressive Showing as 'Ray'

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Culture

'Sideways' Trips Through Wine Country, Life

The Alexander Payne film Sideways follows two men and two women on a trip through California wine country. The story becomes a metaphor for their journey through life. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

'Sideways' Trips Through Wine Country, Life

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Culture

Difficult Childhood on Display in 'Tarnation'

Jonathan Caouette made Tarnation, a documentary about his difficult childhood, for just over $200. But the film earned accolades at the Sundance, Cannes and New York Film festivals. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

Difficult Childhood on Display in 'Tarnation'

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Review

Movies

Fish Story: 'Shark Tale' Disappoints

Los Angeles Times film critic Ken Turan reviews Shark Tale, the latest computer animated feature from Dreamworks about a scared little fish who becomes famous as a shark slayer. The new undersea gangster comedy has a slew of celebrity voices. Weekend ticket sales set a new record of $49 million, but Turan was disappointed with what he saw.

Fish Story: 'Shark Tale' Disappoints

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Movies

Kenneth Turan: 'Motorcycle Diaries'

Film critic Kenneth Turan reviews the Brazilian movie Motorcycle Diaries. It's the story of a young Che Guevara, the Argentine revolutionary and comrade of Fidel Castro who died almost 40 years ago. The movie opens Friday.

Kenneth Turan: 'Motorcycle Diaries'

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Culture

'Sky Captain' Soars on Dazzling Effects

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow tells the story of a reporter and a hotshot pilot trying to save the world. The film's digitally created universe is both a nostalgic nod to the sci-fi serials of the 1930s and a stunning modernist vision. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

'Sky Captain' Soars on Dazzling Effects

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Culture

'Red Lights': Thriller Tracks Vacation Gone Awry

Red Lights, the new film from French director Cedric Kahn, is a taut, atmospheric thriller about a husband and wife who think they're going on vacation but are actually about to descend into a chaotic abyss. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

'Red Lights': Thriller Tracks Vacation Gone Awry

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Movies

'Bush's Brain' Explores Rove's Role in President's Rise

Based on a book of the same name by two Texas reporters who knew President Bush before he hit the national stage, the new film Bush's Brain looks at Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove -- the man some call the president's Svengali. Los Angeles Times movie critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

'Bush's Brain' Explores Rove's Role in President's Rise

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Culture

'Hero': Sword-Fighting Take on Chinese History

Hero, China's biggest-ever box-office movie, opens in U.S. theaters Friday. The film, which stars Jet Li as a master swordsman, alternates gravity-defying swordplay with Chinese history. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

'Hero': Sword-Fighting Take on Chinese History

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Culture

'Mean Creek': Teen Film with a Brain

The film Mean Creek, starring Rory Culkin, dives into the messy reality of teen life, combining sensitivity and teen themes in a plot with echoes of Deliverance. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

'Mean Creek': Teen Film with a Brain

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Culture

Documentary Explores Life of Musician Tom Dowd

Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan reviews Tom Dowd & the Language of Music, a new documentary about a musician that he says did not receive recognition during his lifetime.

Documentary Explores Life of Musician Tom Dowd

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