AP Entertainment

February 5, 2025

Movie Review: A deftly choreographed nightmare unspools in Norwegian film ‘Armand’

A mother is called to her child’s school for an urgent meeting with his teachers in the Norwegian film “Armand,” which opens in theaters Friday. Renate Reinsve, who broke through in “The Worst Person in the World,” plays the mom of the 6-year-old accused of sexually assaulting a friend in his class. It’s the feature debut of filmmaker Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel. In her review for The Associated Press, film writer Lindsey Bahr writes that “Armand” defies the conventions of a standard courtroom drama and breaks with reality in compelling ways, but also doesn’t seem to add up to anything satisfying or conclusive. “Armand” is rated R.

Meet the woman keeping the adorable pups happy at this year’s ‘Puppy Bowl’

NEW YORK (AP) — If you tune into the “Puppy Bowl” on Sunday, you’ll likely see a key person’s influence — even if you don’t actually see her. Victoria Schade is a dog trainer and novelist who’s the show’s lead puppy trainer and wrangler. She’s the one making sure the shelter pups have a conflict-free contest and that they’re captured at their most adorable — all from off-camera. It is Schade who gets the puppies to look up during the “The Star-Spangled Banner” or run through a tunnel to get to the field for the starting lineups. She’s on the lookout for possible conflicts or nervous dogs.

Movie Review: ‘No Other Land’ is a shocking look at Palestinian life under occupation

The irony shouldn’t be lost on anyone that “No Other Land,” a documentary about the systemic demolition of Palestinian homes in the West Bank, cannot find a cinematic home, either with a distributor or a major U.S. streamer. Producers have opted to self-distribute this powerful, pointed look at Israel’s policies in seized land despite the movie earning an Oscar nomination. “No Other Land” is, in its nature, a piece of advocacy. There are no both-sidesing explored here. The Palestinian-Israeli collective of four directors make it clear they hope documenting their plight will get the United States to pressure Israel to stop the destruction.

Oscar presenters will include Emma Stone and Cillian Murphy. Here’s what to know about the show

After devastating wildfires tore through Los Angeles, the 97th Academy Awards are going forward. The academy on Wednesday announced that last year’s acting winners — Emma Stone, Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, Da’Vine Joy Randolph Joy — will all return to the Oscar stage. Though the academy initially said it would bring back the “fab five” style of presenting the acting awards, with five previous winners per category, organizers has reportedly abandoned those plans for this year’s ceremony. The 97th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Super Bowl artist weaves Black Masking culture into vibrant logo and theme art for NFL global stage

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans artist Tahj Williams used to stitch the Super Bowl logo and theme art in her sewing room, and now her creation is stretched across buildings near the Caesars Superdome. As visitors flood New Orleans this week and millions tune into the Super Bowl on Sunday, Williams will be celebrating her personal achievements and her culture. The 26-year-old artist is the first person to handcraft both the Super Bowl logo and theme art. Her intricate beadwork reflects the spirit of her city, and celebrates Black Masking culture, which she was introduced to during childhood.

Fox News hires president’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump for weekend show on network

NEW YORK (AP) — Fox News is keeping it in the family with President Donald Trump. The network announced on Wednesday that it is hiring his daughter-in-law Lara to host a one-hour show on Saturday nights. Lara Trump was a contributor to Fox on 2021 and 2022 before becoming co-chair of the Republican National Committee as her father began a political comeback that brought him back to the White House. She said that “as I cover the success of the golden age of America, I look forward to where this time will lead our country and where this opportunity will lead me in the future.”

Paul Plishka, whose Metropolitan Opera career spanned 51 years, dies at age 83

Paul Plishka, a powerful bass with a ready smile and hearty laugh who sang 1,672 performances at the Metropolitan Opera over 51 years, has died. He was 83. Plishka died Monday at a hospice in Wilmington, North Carolina, his wife, Sharon Thomas, said Wednesday. His Met career spanned generations, from a debut as the Monk alongside Renata Tebaldi, Sherrill Milnes and Rosalind Elias in Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda” on Sept. 21, 1967, to Benoit and Alcindoro in Puccini’s “La Bohème” on March 10, 2018.

Movie Review: ‘Kinda Pregnant’ is kinda good

“Kinda Pregnant,” starring Amy Schumer as a woman who fakes a baby bump, is a kinda throwback comedy. Like “40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Wedding Crashers,” you can basically get the movie just from its title. But like any good high-concept comedy, Netflix’s “Kinda Pregnant” is predominantly a far-fetched way for its star and co-writer to riff frankly on the pregnancy experience — the body changes, the gender reveal parties, the personal jealousies — all while mixing in a healthy amount of pseudo-pregnant pratfalls. In his review, AP Film Writer Jake Coyle calls it “a funny and often perceptive satire on motherhood, both real and pretend.”

Ozzy Osbourne to reunite with Black Sabbath bandmates in Birmingham for ‘greatest’ show ever

LONDON (AP) — Ozzy Osbourne will reunite with all of the original members of Black Sabbath for the first time in 20 years, in a gig that will be his last and that’s being billed as the “greatest” heavy metal show ever. In an announcement Wednesday, promoters said the band, one of the most influential of all heavy metal bands, will headline “The Back To the Beginning” show on July 5 at Villa Park, home of Aston Villa, Birmingham’s leading Premier League soccer said. Osbourne, who was the band’s front man during its peak period in 1970s and who was widely known as the “Prince of Darkness,” will deliver his own short set before joined by his Sabbath bandmates.

The man charged with stabbing Salman Rushdie is going on trial. The author will take the stand

MAYVILLE, N.Y. (AP) — The New Jersey man charged with severely injuring author Salman Rushdie in a 2022 knife attack is standing trial in New York. Lawyers are starting to pick a jury Tuesday for the trial of Hadi Matar in Chautauqua County Court. Matar is charged with attempted murder and assault in the attack that happened as Rushdie took the stage for a discussion on writer safety. He has pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor says jurors will hear from more than a dozen witnesses and will see video of the attack at the Chautauqua Institution. Matar faces separate federal terrorism-related charges related to the assault.