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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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Music

Fiennes Brings Dickens To 'Perfect' Life In 'Invisible Woman'

The works of Charles Dickens have been made into literally hundreds of films and TV episodes, but almost nothing has been done with the great author's life, until now. Our reviewer says The Invisible Woman is an exceptional film about love, longing and regret.

Fiennes Brings Dickens To 'Perfect' Life In 'Invisible Woman'

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Movie Reviews

'American Hustle': Hot Streak Continues For David O. Russell

David O. Russell is a director on a hot streak. His last two films, Silver Linings Playbook and The Fighter, pleased critics and did well at the box office. And his new film is likely to do the same.

'American Hustle': Hot Streak Continues For David O. Russell

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Movie Reviews

Dench Makes Resolution In 'Philomena' Worth Waiting For

We're heading into Oscar season, and one name that seems to be on everyone's lips this year is Judy Dench. The actress stars in Philomena. It starts out like a comedy, but the more serious it gets, the more involving it becomes.

Dench Makes Resolution In 'Philomena' Worth Waiting For

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Movie Reviews

'Hunger Games' Fans Will Enjoy Thrills In 'Catching Fire'

Second movies in a series can be such a comfort: we already know the key characters, we have a sense of where the plot is going — we just have to hang on and enjoy the thrills. Which is what happens with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

'Hunger Games' Fans Will Enjoy Thrills In 'Catching Fire'

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Movie Reviews

Bruce Dern's 'Transcendent Performance' In 'Nebraska'

It's the letter everyone's received. The one that says you've won $1 million but is actually about selling magazine subscriptions. But what if someone truly believed they'd won that million? And what if that individual was your cranky father and he insisted on going to prize headquarters to collect his money.

Bruce Dern's 'Transcendent Performance' In 'Nebraska'

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Movie Reviews

Animator Hayao Miyazaki's 'Wind Rises' Is 'Special'

"To see The Wind Rises is to both marvel at the work of Hayao Miyazaki and regret that this film is likely his last," says critic Kenneth Turan. Inspired by the life of a brilliant aircraft designer, it's quintessential Miyazaki: stunningly beautiful and completely idiosyncratic.

Animator Hayao Miyazaki's 'Wind Rises' Is 'Special'

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Movie Reviews

'Ender's Game' Movie Shows Hero's Lasting Appeal

Orson Scott Card's science fiction novel Ender's Game has been a touchstone for teenage readers for nearly 30 years. Critic Kenneth Turan says a new film version shows why Ender, the story's hero, is so appealing to young people.

'Ender's Game' Movie Shows Hero's Lasting Appeal

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Movie Reviews

Soulless 'Counselor' Is Terminally Bleak

The new movie The Counselor was written by acclaimed novelist Cormac McCarthy. Critic Kenneth Turan says he's better off sticking to writing books.

Soulless 'Counselor' Is Terminally Bleak

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Movie Reviews

'Gravity' Is Out Of this World Twice Over

The new movie Gravity stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, who play astronauts adrift in space. Director Alfonso Cuaron heads the impressive team that makes us feel we're stranded in outer space ourselves.

'Gravity' Is Out Of this World Twice Over

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'Trials' Relives Painful Past Of Muhammad Ali

Three-time heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali has been the subject of many documentaries. But a new one has arrived in theaters: The Trials of Muhammad Ali looks at the former champion's religious and political beliefs.

'Trials' Relives Painful Past Of Muhammad Ali

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Movie Reviews

'Rush' Gets Points For Style, Doesn't Win Our Hearts

Formula 1 racing is having its moment in the sun on American movie screens. The new movie Rush attempts to combine Hollywood style with an independent film's sensibility. Rush is directed by Ron Howard.

'Rush' Gets Points For Style, Doesn't Win Our Hearts

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Arts & Life

'Wadjda' Is First Feature Film Shot In Saudi Arabia

Wadjda tells the story of a 10-year-old Saudi girl determined to have a bicycle in a culture that frowns on female riding. Writer-director Haifaa al-Mansour says she wanted to put a human face on the situation of women in Saudi Arabia, where driving is not permitted.

'Wadjda' Is First Feature Film Shot In Saudi Arabia

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Movie Reviews

New Documentary Tells The Story Of J.D. Salinger's Life

Few writers loom larger in the literary world than the late J.D. Salinger, whose The Catcher in the Rye has sold more than 60 million copies. Salinger spent the first part of his life lusting after literary success and the rest of it recoiling in horror at the consequences of his passion.

New Documentary Tells The Story Of J.D. Salinger's Life

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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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