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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

Enigmatic Dad, Precocious Daughter: 'Jack and Rose'

Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan says director Rebecca Miller's life with her famous father, the late playwright Arthur Miller, has given her a deft hand for the story she tells in her latest film. The Ballad of Jack and Rose centers on an enigmatic father, a precocious daughter and an island retreat.

Enigmatic Dad, Precocious Daughter: 'Jack and Rose'

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Review

Arts & Life

'Best of Youth' Was Worth the Wait

Los Angeles Times critic Kenneth Turan first saw Best of Youth, which was originally made for Italian television, two years ago at Cannes. He's been waiting to review the movie -- which intertwines one family's story with 40 years of post-war Italian history -- ever since. It was, he says, worth the wait.

'Best of Youth' Was Worth the Wait

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Arts & Life

Israeli Film 'Walk on Water' Tackles Social Issues

Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan reviews the new Israeli movie Walk on Water. He says the film takes on too many social topics but still manages to hold the viewer's attention.

Israeli Film 'Walk on Water' Tackles Social Issues

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Review

Arts & Life

Film Documents Wild Parrots in San Francisco

On the breezy hills of San Francisco's Telegraph Hill, a homeless musician named Mark Bittner finds a place with a flock of wild parrots. Their friendship is documented in the film, The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan says it's definitely a far cry from Hitchcock's The Birds.

Film Documents Wild Parrots in San Francisco

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Review

Arts & Life

German Film 'Downfall' Mulls Hitler's Last Days

Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan reviews the German film Downfall, a retelling of Hitler's final hours with an emphasis on the human being at the center of an unspeakable wave of evil. It was a controversial hit in Germany, and has been nominated for a best foreign film Oscar.

German Film 'Downfall' Mulls Hitler's Last Days

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Review

Arts & Life

'Lost Embrace' Explores Argentinean Jewish Quarter

Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan says Lost Embrace, an Argentinean film that is just now debuting in the States, is a charming and original story about ordinary life set in a Jewish neighborhood in Buenos Aires.

'Lost Embrace' Explores Argentinean Jewish Quarter

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Review

77th Annual Academy Awards

'Born into Brothels' an Unsentimental, Inspired Success

This week, Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth looks at the documentary Born into Brothels. The film looks at children of Indian prostitutes and was filmed by the children themselves. According to Turan, the technique works and creates surprisingly uplifting stories.

'Born into Brothels' an Unsentimental, Inspired Success

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Movies

Quaid, Grace, Johansson Make for 'Good Company'

Despite the January lull in the release of big Hollywood movies, Los Angeles Times movie critic Kenneth Turan says there's at least one gem. In Good Company features good writing and strong performances from stars Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace and Scarlett Johansson.

Quaid, Grace, Johansson Make for 'Good Company'

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Movies

Kenneth Turan: Film Trends for 2004

Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan says that while 2004 was a relatively poor year for quality films, there were some documentaries and animated films that stood out — and some of the best films were also the most controversial.

Kenneth Turan: Film Trends for 2004

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Arts & Life

'Hotel Rwanda' Tackles Horror of Genocide

The new film Hotel Rwanda tells the story of the 1994 Rwandan genocide through one man's attempt to save some of his countrymen and women. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

'Hotel Rwanda' Tackles Horror of Genocide

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77th Annual Academy Awards

Eastwood Directs Winning 'Million Dollar Baby'

Clint Eastwood's latest directing effort, Million Dollar Baby, features Eastwood as a boxing trainer and Hillary Swank as a woman trying to break into the fight game. Los Angeles Times critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Eastwood Directs Winning 'Million Dollar Baby'

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Arts & Life

Turan: 'Closer' Well Dressed but Emotionally Flat

Los Angeles Time movie critic Kenneth Turan says the new movie Closer attempts to deal with the depth of human emotions involving love and relationships. Instead, you'll find empty people trying to fulfill their selfish desires.

Turan: 'Closer' Well Dressed but Emotionally Flat

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