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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

Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle'

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle is the latest in a summer of sequels. Lucy Liu, Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz fight off a handful of evil doers and dangers from the trio's individual and collective pasts. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition movie critic Kenneth Turan says the film is "full of physical stunts, tons of popular culture references and a relentless teasing sexuality." Turan offers a review.

Movie Review: 'Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle'

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Arts & Life

'Legend of Suriyothai' Films Life of Thai Queen

The Legend of Suriyothai is based on the true story of the 16th century Thai queen Suriyothai. The movie comes to the United States under the auspices of legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

'Legend of Suriyothai' Films Life of Thai Queen

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Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'Herod's Law'

Mexican cinema has experienced a renaissance in recent years with Amores Perros, Y Tu Mama Tambien and The Crime of Padre Amaro. Herod's Law is the latest Mexican film to reach the United States. The film, released in 2000, was the first to attack Mexico's then-ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) by name. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Movie Review: 'Herod's Law'

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Arts & Life

Pixar's Fish Story: 'Finding Nemo'

The new animated movie Finding Nemo tells the story of a fish family learning life's lessons. The computer-generated film is from Pixar Animation, the pioneering force behind Toy Story, A Bug's Life and Monsters, Inc. Film critic Ken Turan of the Los Angeles Times offers a review.

Pixar's Fish Story: 'Finding Nemo'

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Arts & Life

Sequels, Indies and Foreign Films on Tap for Summer

Movie-goers this summer can expect an onslaught of sequels and a surprising number of independent and foreign films, according to Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition movie critic Kenneth Turan. Hear NPR's Renee Montagne and Turan.

Sequels, Indies and Foreign Films on Tap for Summer

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Arts & Life

'Blue Car': Intimate, Thoughtful Teen-Centered Film

Blue Car is a movie about a teenager who embodies all of the contradictions, confusions, yearnings and suspicions of someone who is growing up too fast but wants things to happen faster still. The movie is finally opening in theaters across the country after garnering rave reviews at last year's Sundance Film Festival. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition movie critic Ken Turan says acting is the reason to see the film. Hear Turan's review.

'Blue Car': Intimate, Thoughtful Teen-Centered Film

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Arts & Life

'X2': Many More Mutants

The comic book mutants known as the X-Men are back on the big screen. X2: X-Men United, packs in more characters -- good and evil -- than the first X-Men film. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

'X2': Many More Mutants

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'Lawless Heart'

Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition movie critic Kenneth Turan reviews the new movie Lawless Heart, a British production that shows how one man's death affects the lives of four friends. Turan calls it a "charming, disarming and humbling film."

'Lawless Heart'

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Arts & Life

Fellini's Vision Captured in 'Born Liar'

Director Federico Fellini called an interview he gave to filmmaker Damian Pettigrew, "the most detailed conversation ever... of my personal vision." That interview is now the basis of Fellini: I'm a Born Liar, a new film from Pettigrew. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Fellini's Vision Captured in 'Born Liar'

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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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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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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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