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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

Kenneth Turan Review: 'Spider-Man 2'

Spider-Man 2 weaves its way into U.S. movie theaters Wednesday. Tobey Maguire returns as the title superhero, this time suffering a crisis of confidence. Alfred Molina joins the cast as his evil nemesis, Dr. Otto Octavius -- better known to Spidey fans as Doctor Octopus. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

Kenneth Turan Review: 'Spider-Man 2'

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Arts & Life

Kenneth Turan Review: 'Farenheit 9/11'

Farenheit 9/11, director Michael Moore's scathing depiction of the Bush administration's response to the Sept. 11 attacks, opens in U.S. theaters Friday. The controversial film won the top prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

Kenneth Turan Review: 'Farenheit 9/11'

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Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'The Terminal'

Based on a true story, the new film The Terminal stars Tom Hanks as a tourist to the United States whose country undergoes a coup while he is airborne. Officials won't let him leave the airport while he remains in a stateless existence. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan reviews the latest offering from director Steven Spielberg.

Movie Review: 'The Terminal'

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Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'The Five Obstructions'

Danish directors Lars von Trier and Jorgen Leth team up on The Five Obstructions, a 90-minute rumination on the nature of cinema and creativity. Von Trier challenged Leth, his mentor, to remake Leth's 1967 film The Perfect Human five different ways. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

Movie Review: 'The Five Obstructions'

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Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'Harry Potter' Grows Up

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the third installment in the popular film series about a British boy wizard, opens in U.S. theaters Friday. Critics say the movie is darker, edgier and more complex than its predecessors. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

Movie Review: 'Harry Potter' Grows Up

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Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'Since Otar Left'

In the French film Since Otar Left, a mother and daughter conspire to hide tragic news from 90-year-old grandmother Eka. The film, which won the Grand Prize at Cannes in 2003, explores the poignant interplay between the three generations of women in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

Movie Review: 'Since Otar Left'

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Review of Cannes Offerings

NPR's Renee Montagne talks with Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan about the Cannes Film Festival. They discuss highlights from this year's films, including Fahrenheit 9/11, the new Michael Moore film that examines President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq and the war on terror.

Review of Cannes Offerings

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Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'Van Helsing'

The new action-adventure film Van Helsing centers on the venerable doctor, an expert on vampires who masterminded the counterattack on Dracula in Bram Stoker's novel about the blood-sucking count. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

Movie Review: 'Van Helsing'

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Review

Arts & Life

Spring Box-Office Busts Have Hollywood Looking Ahead

After disappointing returns from The Alamo and The Punisher, Hollywood awaits next weekend's opening of Van Helsing. It's a traditionally slow time of year for movie theaters. Los Angeles Times critic Ken Turan speaks with NPR's Bob Edwards about why that is.

Spring Box-Office Busts Have Hollywood Looking Ahead

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Arts & Life

'Noi': Bleak But Pleasing Icelandic Film

Noi is a new film from Iceland about a disaffected Albino high school student. The film blends comedy and tragedy in its approach to its subject. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

'Noi': Bleak But Pleasing Icelandic Film

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Movie Review: 'Mayor of the Sunset Strip'

The new documentary Mayor of the Sunset Strip looks at the life of Los Angeles disc jockey Rodney Bingenheimer, who helped introduce such artists as David Bowie, the Sex Pistols and Nirvana. Director George Hickenlooper considers his subject the personification of America's obsession with fame. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

Movie Review: 'Mayor of the Sunset Strip'

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Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'Girl Next Door'

The new film The Girl Next Door appears to be a typical teen comedy with an adult twist: what happens when a stunning former porn star moves in next door to a lucky high school senior. Some critics find its attempt to make the world of pornography seem mainstream disturbing. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

Movie Review: 'Girl Next Door'

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Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'Walking Tall'

The 1970s movie Walking Tall, about a man who takes the law into his own hands after his town becomes a sinkhole of iniquity, became a B-movie classic, inspiring a TV movie and a short-lived network series. A new remake, starring wrestler-turned-actor the Rock, opens this weekend. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

Movie Review: 'Walking Tall'

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Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'Jersey Girl'

Director Kevin Smith's latest film, Jersey Girl, stars Ben Affleck as a single father raising a young daughter. It's a departure from Smith's past work. The biting, iconoclastic humor of films such as Clerks, Dogma and Chasing Amy had established Smith as a force outside Hollywood's mainstream. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

Movie Review: 'Jersey Girl'

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Arts & Life

Movie Review: 'Broken Wings'

The new Israeli film Broken Wings has garnered international praise, winning top prizes not only in Israel but at film festivals in Toyko and Berlin as well. Critics say the melodrama about a dysfunctional family could take place anywhere. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a review.

Movie Review: 'Broken Wings'

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