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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

Baz Luhrmann, Dreaming Big In 'Australia'

What would Thanksgiving weekend be without an epic film opening on the nation's big screens? This year is no exception: Critic Kenneth Turan says Baz Luhrmann's latest is as colorful and expansive as the Outback.

Baz Luhrmann, Dreaming Big In 'Australia'

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Review

Movies

'Twilight': For Teens, A Swooningly Risky Romance

Morning Edition's movie critic is not, and never has been, a 13-year-old girl. But Catherine Hardwicke's dead-on screen take on Stephenie Meyer's vampire books makes him wish he could be — if only to get the full effect.

'Twilight': For Teens, A Swooningly Risky Romance

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Review

Movies

Bond's New Villain? He's A Gift In 'Christmas Tale'

Mathieu Amalric plays two completely different characters in Quantum of Solace, the new Bond film, and A Christmas Tale. Critic Kenneth Turan says the latter's licensed to thrill.

Bond's New Villain? He's A Gift In 'Christmas Tale'

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Review

Movies

In 'Stranded,' Survival As A Team Effort

In 1972, a plane carrying a Uruguayan rugby team crashed in the Andes. Of the 45 members, 16 survived — on grit, resolve and the flesh of their dead companions. For the first time, they tell their own story.

In 'Stranded,' Survival As A Team Effort

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Opinion

Movies

Movie-Reality Check: How Real Is 'Real,' Anyway?

There's a reason people say "based" on a true story: Movies, however scrupulous, tend to heighten reality. Critic Kenneth Turan wonders how true a "true story" can ever really be on the big screen.

Movie-Reality Check: How Real Is 'Real,' Anyway?

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Review

Movies

'I've Loved You So Long': In Extremis, Sisters Still

Juliette Fontaine (Kristin Scott Thomas) has spent 15 years estranged from her family. When her younger sister reaches out to bring her back into the fold, long-buried secrets finally surface.

'I've Loved You So Long': In Extremis, Sisters Still

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Review

Movies

Crowe, DiCaprio Clash In Tale of Spies And 'Lies'

Leonardo DiCaprio, as a CIA field agent, clashes with his spymaster, Russell Crowe, over methods and morals. Ridley Scott's direction is crisp, but this thriller is all surface, no intel.

Crowe, DiCaprio Clash In Tale of Spies And 'Lies'

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Review

Movies

'Rachel Getting Married': Wedding Movie Bliss

In and out of rehab for a decade, a troubled young woman reunites with her family for her sister's wedding. Jonathan Demme's film dares to mix the bitter with the sweet, and it's suffused with both anxiety and joy.

'Rachel Getting Married': Wedding Movie Bliss

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Review

Movies

'Appaloosa': Fun With The Guys, Until A Filly Arrives

With two laconic, unflappable heroes and a nicely psycho villain, Ed Harris' new Western does a lot right. The bit with the pretty young widow, unfortunately, isn't one of them.

'Appaloosa': Fun With The Guys, Until A Filly Arrives

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Review

Movies

'Burn After Reading' — And Repeat As Necessary

The Coen brothers' latest may be a comedy, but it's a Coen brothers comedy — meaning it's as bleak and hopeless as comedies are allowed to get before the laughter dies bitterly on your lips.

'Burn After Reading' — And Repeat As Necessary

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Review

Movies

'Hamlet 2': Something Deliriously Rotten

Steve Coogan stars as an Arizona drama teacher inspired to save his failing theater program — with a musicalized sequel to the best-known drama in the English language. The results? Tragically funny.

'Hamlet 2': Something Deliriously Rotten

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Review

Movies

'Vicky Cristina Barcelona': Woody Allen, Uninspired

Though Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz almost redeem the film, the director's latest is almost as flat as its title. Critic Kenneth Turan is left wondering: Can't we just have the old Woody back?

'Vicky Cristina Barcelona': Woody Allen, Uninspired

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Review

Arts & Life

French Thriller 'Tell No One' Gains Momentum In U.S.

Tell No One is a French thriller that was a hit in Europe, but it had a hard time finding distribution in the United States. Now it's been out for some weeks, and its audience is growing through strong word-of-mouth.

French Thriller 'Tell No One' Gains Momentum In U.S.

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Review

Movies

A 'Frozen River,' Treacherous And Deep

With its bleak landscape and bleaker plot, Courtney Hunt's directorial debut — a Sundance festival favorite — provides a moving portrait of two women's desperation in a Canadian border town.

A 'Frozen River,' Treacherous And Deep

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Review

Movies

'The Dark Knight': Through Shadows And Hype

The Dark Knight, the new Batman film with Christian Bale in the title role, may be the most hopeless, despairing comic-book movie in memory. It creates a world where being a superhero is at best a double-edged sword and any triumph is likely to be short-lived.

'The Dark Knight': Through Shadows And Hype

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