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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

Actors as Directors

Host Bob Edwards talks to film critic Ken Turan about actors who turn to directing movies. The latest is John Malkovich, whose picture The Dancer Upstairs opens in April. Turan talks about why directing appeals to actors and gives examples of successes and failures.

Actors as Directors

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Review

Culture

'Blind Spot' Chronicles Hitler's Last Days

Hitler's secretary recalls the dictator's final days in Blind Spot, a minimalist documentary from Germany. After wide acclaim at Berlin Film Festival attendees a year ago, it's finally opening in U.S. theaters. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

'Blind Spot' Chronicles Hitler's Last Days

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Review

Culture

Film Tracks Gilliam's Quixotic 'La Mancha' Effort

It's a film about a film that never was. The documentary Lost in La Mancha follows director Terry Gilliam -- of Brazil and Monty Python fame -- as he attempts a screen version of Don Quixote. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Film Tracks Gilliam's Quixotic 'La Mancha' Effort

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Culture

Seeking Independents at a 'Corporate' Sundance Festival

The independent nature of the annual Sundance Film Festival has been eroded in recent years as more films shown there have already landed distribution deals. But despite criticism that it's become too "corporate," Sundance still produces surprises. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards and Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan.

Seeking Independents at a 'Corporate' Sundance Festival

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Review

Culture

Vintage French Film 'Quai des Orfevres' Returns

The French film noir classic Quai des Orfevres makes a new tour of U.S. theaters half a century after its 1948 release, with a restored print. It features a lost Paris full of music halls, cigarette smoke and a criminal investigation. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Vintage French Film 'Quai des Orfevres' Returns

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Review

Culture

A Film Trip Through St. Petersburg's Hermitage

The new movie Russian Ark takes viewers on a journey through St. Petersburg's famed Hermitage museum. And it's shot in a single, uniterrupted take. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

A Film Trip Through St. Petersburg's Hermitage

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Review

Culture

Kidman, Streep and Moore Fill 'The Hours' on Film

The Hours is a new film based on Michael Cunningham's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about the writer Virginia Woolf and two women living in a later time who Woolf profoundly influences. Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore star. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Kidman, Streep and Moore Fill 'The Hours' on Film

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Culture

2002: The Year in Film

Film critics say 2002 was a roller coaster of a year for movies, with staggering hits and blockbuster bombs. NPR's Bob Edwards talks with Los Angeles Times critic Kenneth Turan about the 2002 booms and busts and the cinematic prospects for 2003.

2002: The Year in Film

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Culture

Scorsese's 'Gangs of New York' Opens, 25 Years Later

Director Martin Scorsese spent 25 years making the film Gangs of New York, a story of murder and revenge set against a lavish recreation of 1860s Manhattan. Daniel Day Lewis, Cameron Diaz and Leonardo DiCaprio star. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Scorsese's 'Gangs of New York' Opens, 25 Years Later

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Review

Culture

'Drumline' a Diversion from Holiday Blockbusters

It's holiday film season and that usually means big budgets and special effects. But the film Drumline puts the emphasis on storytelling. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

'Drumline' a Diversion from Holiday Blockbusters

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Review

Culture

Greene's 'Quiet American' Comes to Screen

The new film The Quiet American -- based on the Graham Greene novel -- comments on western attitudes toward Vietnam in the 1950s. Michael Caine stars. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Greene's 'Quiet American' Comes to Screen

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Review

Culture

Quiet 'Tully' Hides in Shadow of 'Harry Potter'

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, number two in the series, is sure to dominate current movie box-office sales. But the quieter, character-driven Tully is also in theaters. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Quiet 'Tully' Hides in Shadow of 'Harry Potter'

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Culture

Eminem Tries Out Big Screen in '8 Mile'

Grammy-winner Eminem flexes his acting muscles in the new movie 8 Mile. His character may seem familiar: the movie is set in Eminem's native Detroit and he plays a struggling rap musician. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Eminem Tries Out Big Screen in '8 Mile'

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