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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

'Equalizer' Devotes Time To Character Development, Graphic Violence

Denzel Washington stars as a retired intelligence officer in The Equalizer. Scott Garfield/Sony Pictures hide caption

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'Equalizer' Devotes Time To Character Development, Graphic Violence

When Denzel Washington and director Anton Fuqua collaborated on 2001's Training Day, the film won Washington an Oscar and changed the trajectory of his career. They're together again in The Equalizer.

'Equalizer' Devotes Time To Character Development, Graphic Violence

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Movie Review: 'Last Days In Vietnam'

Director Rory Kennedy's documentary isn't an examination of the rights or wrongs of U.S. involvement in Vietnam, but a thrilling narrative told with first-person stories of the war's chaotic end.

Movie Review: 'Last Days In Vietnam'

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Movie Review: 'God Help The Girl'

God Help the Girl is a classic movie musical. The film is about the Glasgow music scene written and directed by Stuart Murdoch, frontman for the Scottish group Belle and Sebastian.

Movie Review: 'God Help The Girl'

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'Life Of Crime' Has Authentic Elmore Leonard Snap

The late author wrote close to 50 novels, and several of them, including Get Shorty and Out of Sight, were made into films. His 1978 book The Switch has been turned into a film called Life of Crime.

'Life Of Crime' Has Authentic Elmore Leonard Snap

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Romance Fans Will Fall For Characters In 'If I Stay'

If I Stay is based on the best-selling novel by Gayle Forman. Chloë Grace Moretz plays a 17-year-old girl, in a coma after a car wreck, who has to choose between life or death.

Romance Fans Will Fall For Characters In 'If I Stay'

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'Giver' Fans Likely To Be Disappointed By Movie's Pace

The new movie The Giver stars Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges. It's an adaptation of the young adult novel by Lois Lowry about a world where emotion and feeling have been done away with.

'Giver' Fans Likely To Be Disappointed By Movie's Pace

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Movie Review: 'The Hundred-Foot Journey'

Films that mix food and romance have become a staple of recent movie-making. The Hundred-Foot Journey, starring Helen Mirren, is the latest example.

Movie Review: 'The Hundred-Foot Journey'

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James Brown Biopic 'Get On Up': Heroic Acting In A Disjointed Film

Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition film critic Kenneth Turan reviews "Get On Up," a biopic about James Brown. Chadwick Boseman plays the Godfather of Soul.

James Brown Biopic 'Get On Up': Heroic Acting In A Disjointed Film

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'Most Wanted Man' A Worthy Addition To Le Carre's Film Adaptations

The novels of John le Carre have been reliable sources of compelling cinema. The new adaptation of "A Most Wanted Man" stars Philip Seymour Hoffman in one of his last roles.

'Most Wanted Man' A Worthy Addition To Le Carre's Film Adaptations

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Movie Review: 'Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes'

If you want apes, you've come to the right place. The latest in the franchise, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, shows us masses of intelligent apes swarming the screen as masters of all they survey.

Movie Review: 'Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes'

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Carney's 'Begin Again' Doesn't Match His Hit 'Once'

Begin Again is the latest effort by John Carney. This film and his previous Once have so much in common that you can't help asking yourself, "Can lightning strike twice?"

Carney's 'Begin Again' Doesn't Match His Hit 'Once'

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Clint Eastwood Takes 'Jersey Boys' From Broadway To Movie Theaters

Jersey Boys is based on the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The film deals with the group's turbulent relationships away from the studio as much as the music that flowed out of it.

Clint Eastwood Takes 'Jersey Boys' From Broadway To Movie Theaters

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'Rover' Blends Quiet Character Moments Amid Societal Collapse

The Rover is a bleak film set in a very particular future. It's 10 years after a world-wide economic collapse, and the Australian outback is populated by unhinged people exhausted by heat and despair.

'Rover' Blends Quiet Character Moments Amid Societal Collapse

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'Foxcatcher' A Standout At Cannes Film Festival

Directed by Bennet Miller, Foxcatcher, starring Steve Carrell, is getting Oscar buzz. This is a straight dramatic role for Carrell. It tells the story of the murder of Olympic wrestler Dave Schultz.

'Foxcatcher' A Standout At Cannes Film Festival

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'Million Dollar Arm' Delivers Ball-Park Size Enjoyment

Lots of films are based on true stories, but film critic Kenneth Turan says Million Dollar Arm is especially endearing. The film stars Jon Hamm of Mad Men and is directed by Craig Gillespie.

'Million Dollar Arm' Delivers Ball-Park Size Enjoyment

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