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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

Arts & Life

German Oscar-Winner 'Africa' Makes U.S. Debut

The Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film is Germany's Nowhere in Africa, a fact-based story of refugees in a time of war. Now showing on U.S. screens, the movie follows a German-Jewish family that fled to Kenya in 1938 to escape the Nazis. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

German Oscar-Winner 'Africa' Makes U.S. Debut

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'Bend it Like Beckham'

Morning Edition movie critic Kenneth Turan says the story of Bend It Like Beckham sounds familiar -- young Indian girl in London clashes with traditional mother over love for soccer. Turan says it could be predictable but instead offers real heart and insight. Director and co-writer Gurinder Chadha grew up in London and created the movie as a tribute to her dad.

'Bend it Like Beckham'

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Arts & Life

'Tears of the Sun' Creates Its Own Genre

The latest action movie, Tears of the Sun, finds actor Bruce Willis portraying a veteran officer of a Navy SEAL unit in Africa who finds himself conflicted between following military orders and his own conscience. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition film critic Kenneth Turan says the film is actually a humanitarian action flick.

'Tears of the Sun' Creates Its Own Genre

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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

Arts & Life

'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

Arts & Life

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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Arts & Life

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

Arts & Life

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

Arts & Life

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

Arts & Life

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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Arts & Life

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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Arts & Life

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

Arts & Life

'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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