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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

'Short Term 12' Reflects Difficulties Of Group Home Life

Short Term 12, starring Brie Larsen, is about a young woman who works in a group home for teens in the foster care system. Writer-director Destin Daniel Cretton worked in a group home just out of college. His gift for character makes us like his people immediately.

'Short Term 12' Reflects Difficulties Of Group Home Life

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Movie Reviews

Movie Review: 'Lee Daniels' The Butler'

The new movie Lee Daniels' The Butler stars Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey in a story that took five years and 37 producers to bring to the screen. The film is inspired by the real life career of a White House employee who served eight presidents.

Movie Review: 'Lee Daniels' The Butler'

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Movie Interviews

Director Blomkamp Follows Up 'Ditrict 9' With 'Elysium'

The film District 9 was one of the surprise hits of 2009 because it was a rare action movie that addressed issues in a smart way. Now its writer-director, Neill Blomkamp, is back with Elysium. A car thief must get to the healing machines on space station Elysium if he wants to live.

Director Blomkamp Follows Up 'Ditrict 9' With 'Elysium'

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Movie Reviews

'Europa Report': Small-Budget Film, Big-Picture Questions

These days, science fiction movies are often expensive extravaganzas designed to be blockbusters. Europa Report was made on a small budget, but it asks the big questions that the best science fiction poses.

'Europa Report': Small-Budget Film, Big-Picture Questions

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Movie Reviews

'Pacific Rim' Is Filled To The Brim With Special Effects

The big movie opening this week is Pacific Rim. Morning Edition's critic says that it has plenty of explosions and special effects — but there's more to it than most blockbusters this summer.

'Pacific Rim' Is Filled To The Brim With Special Effects

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Movie Reviews

'White House Down' Is Packed With Continuous Action

The new movie White House Down is about terrorists trying to take down the White House. The idea is so completely ridiculous, says critic Kenneth Turan, that it's actually entertaining.

'White House Down' Is Packed With Continuous Action

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Movie Reviews

Movie Review: 'World War Z'

In World War Z, Bradd Pitt saves the world from a zombie apocalypse. When Pitt's character gets stuck in a Philadelphia traffic jam with his family, that's when the apocalypse begins.

Movie Review: 'World War Z'

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Movie Reviews

'Frances Ha' Is a 'Small Miracle Of A Movie'

The new film Frances Ha is a joint creation of star Greta Gerwig and director Noah Baumbach, who co-wrote the screenplay. Morning Edition's reviewer says it is everything an American independent film is supposed to be — an incisive, thoughtful portrait of an original character.

'Frances Ha' Is a 'Small Miracle Of A Movie'

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Review

Movie Reviews

Baz Luhrmann's Style Suffocates 'Gatsby'

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic, has been turned into a film five times. Morning Edition's reviewer says the latest version is nothing to brag about.

Baz Luhrmann's Style Suffocates 'Gatsby'

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Movie Reviews

'Iron Man 3' Is More Serious Than Its Predecessors

Iron Man 3 once again features Robert Downey Jr. as the tech-savvy superhero in red. Billionaire Tony Stark, who is uncharacteristically anxious since the events of 2012's The Avengers, must face down a domestic terrorist without backup from his friends.

'Iron Man 3' Is More Serious Than Its Predecessors

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Movie Reviews

'Reluctant Fundamentalist' Couldn't Be More Timely

Director Mira Nair's film, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, is based on a novel first published six years ago. But in the shocking aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing, the movie arrives amid intense debate on the alienation of immigrants in the U.S.

'Reluctant Fundamentalist' Couldn't Be More Timely

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Movie Reviews

You Could Be Haunted By Striking Visuals In 'Oblivion'

Oblivion just might be the most expensive episode of The Twilight Zone ever made. The movie is a throwback to the days when on-screen science fiction was about speculative ideas rather than selling toys to tots.

You Could Be Haunted By Striking Visuals In 'Oblivion'

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Movie Reviews

'42', Jackie Robinson's Story, Is 'Earnest To A Fault'

In 1947, April 15 was the first day Jackie Robinson played baseball as a Brooklyn Dodger. The new movie 42 tells the story of how he integrated Major League Baseball.

'42', Jackie Robinson's Story, Is 'Earnest To A Fault'

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Movie Reviews

'Trance': Not Danny Boyle's Best Work

Director Danny Boyle is best known for the Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire. His latest film is called Trance. Critic Kenneth Turan says the film's overall coldness means there isn't anybody you care to identify with or any outcome you want to see.

'Trance': Not Danny Boyle's Best Work

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