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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

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Movie Reviews

Awkward At Times But 'Child 44' Can Hold Audiences' Attention

It's taken 7 years for the best-selling literary thriller Child 44 to make it to the screen. It's set in the Soviet Union in the last days of Josef Stalin and stars Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace.

Awkward At Times But 'Child 44' Can Hold Audiences' Attention

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'Ex Machina': Standout Sci-Fi Film About Artificial Intelligence

Ex Machina is a smart film that's both futuristic and completely plausible. It's capable of thinking big thoughts and providing pulp thrills. It's written and directed by Alex Garland.

'Ex Machina': Standout Sci-Fi Film About Artificial Intelligence

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Documentary Spotlights 'Wrecking Crew' Behind Hits of '60s, '70s

Director Denny Tedesco began filming in 1996 when his father, Wrecking Crew guitarist Tommy Tedesco, was diagnosed with cancer. Many of the people he talked to, including his father, have since died.

Documentary Spotlights 'Wrecking Crew' Behind Hits of '60s, '70s

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Being Unoriginal Is Not The Biggest Problem For 'Chappie'

Chappie is the new film from director Neil Blomkamp about a robot that becomes humanity's last hope. It echoes everything from Dr. Frankenstein's creation to the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz.

Being Unoriginal Is Not The Biggest Problem For 'Chappie'

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Belfast Thriller '71' Combines Action And Emotional Authenticity

The film depicts Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1971. It was a year when the Troubles, the bitter conflict between the Catholic IRA and the Protestant Loyalists, turned violent.

Belfast Thriller '71' Combines Action And Emotional Authenticity

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Good Acting, Directing And Story Make 'McFarland USA' Effective

McFarland USA is an apologetically inspirational Disney sports movie. Kevin Costner plays a coach who starts a high school cross-country team of Mexican-American kids in California's Central Valley.

Good Acting, Directing And Story Make 'McFarland USA' Effective

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Publishing Phenomenon 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' Hits The Big Screen

Fifty Shades of Grey is an R-rated fairy tale, a kind of Cinderella tale with restraints. It's about as believable as Jack and the Beanstalk but considerably kinkier in intent.

Publishing Phenomenon 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' Hits The Big Screen

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'Jupiter Ascending' Displays Wachowksi Siblings' Success, Weakness

If you know science fiction filmmaking, you know the name Wachowski. Siblings Larry and Lana Wachowski have been working in that field since The Matrix in 1999.

'Jupiter Ascending' Displays Wachowksi Siblings' Success, Weakness

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'Red Army' Profiles How Cold War Played Out On Ice

The new documentary is not a film about Soviet-era military machines. It is the story of the legendary Soviet hockey team of the 1970s and 80s — one of the greatest dynasties in all of sports.

'Red Army' Profiles How Cold War Played Out On Ice

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'Blackhat' Offers Fictionalized Version Of Cyberterrorism

Michael Mann's new cybercrime thriller stars Chris Hemsworth. Mann's skill as a director holds the audience's attention as the team follows lines of electronic breadcrumbs in pursuit of the evil one.

'Blackhat' Offers Fictionalized Version Of Cyberterrorism

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'A Most Violent Year' Captures You And Doesn't Let Go

The new film A Most Violent Year is written and directed by J.C. Chandor. The crime drama starring Jessica Chastain takes place in New York City in 1981, one of the city's most violent years.

'A Most Violent Year' Captures You And Doesn't Let Go

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'Unbroken' Skips Over Louis Zamperini's Post-War Struggles

The movie is based on the 2010 nonfiction book by Laura Hillenbrand about a U.S. Olympic track star who survives a plane crash during World War II only to be taken prisoner by the Japanese.

'Unbroken' Skips Over Louis Zamperini's Post-War Struggles

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To Enjoy 'Exodus,' Don't Take It As Seriously As It Takes Itself

Director Ridley Scott's take on the story of Moses is half solemn, half silly — and not so far an evolution from Charlton Heston's The Ten Commandments as it would like to believe.

To Enjoy 'Exodus,' Don't Take It As Seriously As It Takes Itself

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Stalked By A Fiend Worse Than Any Elm Street Nightmare

In "Still Alice," Julianne Moore has each thing that defines her — to herself, to her family — devoured by early-onset Alzheimer's disease. It's a splendid performance, says critic Kenneth Turan.

Stalked By A Fiend Worse Than Any Elm Street Nightmare

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