Sentinel Screen
Movie Review: ‘Leviticus’ makes a demon out of desire in an auspicious debut for Adrian Chiarella
What if the object of your desire was also the thing that’s trying to kill you? Not slowly irritating you to death for leaving the toilet seat up again. We mean actively trying to strangle you. That’s the intriguing premise behind the horror-satire “Leviticus,” an auspicious feature film debut for writer-director Adrian Chiarella that’s both […]
Movie Review: In ‘Toy Story 5,’ it’s (digital) apocalypse now for toys
The “Toy Story” movies, like “Star Wars” and those games Michael Jordan played with the Washington Wizards, pose a problem of canon. The first three movies are a near-perfect trilogy: a series that spanned a childhood: from bedroom playtime to college, from enchantment to loss. The scope didn’t seem epic. The movies rarely strayed much […]
Sean Penn to direct Warner Bros. movie about a police officer at the Jan. 6 Capitol riot
NEW YORK | Sean Penn will direct a movie about a police officer who was at the Jan. 6 Capitol riot in 2021, Warner Bros. announced Tuesday. Following his Oscar-winning performance in “One Battle After Another,” Penn will direct the as-yet untitled film from his own script. Bradley Cooper is in talks to star, though […]
‘Obsession’ is a sensation. Everyone, including Curry Barker, is trying to figure out what it means
NEW YORK | Days before “Obsession” opened in theaters, its 26-year-old director, Curry Barker, made a bet with his manager and agent. They said if the movie opened above $20 million, they would all get tattoos. “Obsession” fell just short. It debuted with $17 million. They were still thrilled. Barker made the horror film with […]
From YouTube to Hollywood: Digital creators are remaking the movie business
NEW YORK | Some of the most promising young filmmakers in the movie business are arriving in Hollywood already experts at entertaining audiences and going viral. The twin sensations of “Obsession” and “Backrooms” — both by 20-something YouTubers-turned-filmmakers — has put a new spotlight on an increasingly well-trod path to the director’s chair. Hollywood executives […]
Luke’s ‘Empire’ light saber, ‘Wizard of Oz’ witch hat and Lebowski rugs going up for auction
LOS ANGELES | A light saber with Luke Skywalker’s severed hand from “The Empire Strikes Back” that is expected to sell for seven figures headlines an upcoming auction of valuables from movies, music and other corners of pop culture. The Hollywood & Entertainment Signature Auction presented by Heritage Auctions announced Tuesday and held July 13-17 […]
Movie Review: This train’s going fast, but the jokes fly even faster in “Stop! That! Train!’
Presidential candidates take note: If you ever want an effectively simple campaign slogan, you could do worse than this: “SHE FUN!” That’s the slogan that got President Judy Gagwell — aka RuPaul — elected, and if it puts a smile on your face, it’s a good sign that lots of other, er, gags from Gagwell […]
What to Stream: ‘Project Hail Mary,’ Colin Farrell in ‘Sugar’ and Myles Smith
The streaming debut of “Project Hail Mary” and Myles Smith’s debut album are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time this week, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Colin Farrell plays an alien on Earth in “Sugar,” […]
Gene Shalit, longtime ‘Today’ show movie critic with bushy hair and massive mustache, dies at 100
NEW YORK | Gene Shalit, a movie critic and arts reporter for the “Today” show over four decades who was known for his puffy hair, oversized handlebar mustache and affection for groan-inducing puns, has died. He was 100. Shalit’s family announced the death Friday to NBC News, saying in a statement that he “passed away […]
Paramount Skydance merger with Warner Bros. Discovery won’t harm competition, consumers, DOJ says
An investigation by the U.S. Justice Department into Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery has determined that the mammoth Hollywood media merger is not likely to harm competition in the industry or be harmful for consumers. The agency said Friday that it closed its probe into the deal, with regulators at its antitrust […]