AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 1:21 a.m. EST

Oscar nominations are this morning. 'Sinners' could make history

Horror films have traditionally been left out of the Oscars, but when nominations are announced for the 98th Academy Awards, Ryan Coogler’s vampire tale “Sinners” could make history. Nominations will read at 8:30 a.m. Eastern on Thursday. Viewers can tune in live on Oscar.com, Oscars.org, the academy’s digital platforms and on ABC's “Good Morning America.” No movie has ever landed more than 14 nominations. But “Sinners” could top that mark with a heap of nominations. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another" is also poised to score more than a dozen nominations. It could be a very good day for Warner Bros.

Alex Honnold is climbing Taipei 101 with no ropes, live on TV. It's drawing excitement — and concern

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Alex Honnold plans to climb Taipei 101 in his signature free solo style without ropes or protective gear. Netflix will broadcast the event live. The announcement has sparked excitement and concern, especially since Honnold is now a married father of two. Known for his ropeless ascent of Yosemite's El Capitan, Honnold aims to push climbing limits worldwide. He won't be the first to climb the skyscraper, but he will be the first to do so without a rope. Safety measures are in place, but ethical concerns remain about broadcasting such a high-risk endeavor live.

Sundance first look: Chris Pine and Jenny Slate in the delicate romantic drama 'Carousel'

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Chris Pine stars in and produces Rachel Lambert's film “Carousel,” which premieres Thursday at the Sundance Film Festival. The film tells the story of a single father in Cleveland navigating love and life challenges. Pine was captivated by Lambert's unique storytelling, while Lambert admired Pine for his intelligence and sensitivity, likening him to classic actors like Jimmy Stewart. The film, shot on location and on celluloid, is Lambert's most personal. Pine and co-star Jenny Slate share a strong on-screen chemistry, enhancing the film's emotional depth. “Carousel” is seeking a distributor at the festival.

How Duckwrth's imaginary Grammy button led to a real Grammy nomination

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Duckwrth manifested a Grammy nomination for his album “All American F—Boy.” He just didn't know it. The Los Angeles-raised singer, rapper and producer would pretend to press an imaginary Grammy button whenever he and his friends finished a new track. The album is nominated for best immersive audio album at the 68th annual Grammy Awards. If it wins, the trophy goes to mix engineer Andrew Law, who transformed the stereo audio into a surround-sound Dolby Atmos experience. Duckwrth wanted the album to feel like a film, blending punk and alt-rock with his genre-bending style. He describes the process as challenging and vulnerable but ultimately rewarding.

In operatic dispute, Met Opera director and designers order names stripped from 'Carmen'

NEW YORK (AP) — The production team of Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Metropolitan Opera demanded their names be removed from programs due to a restaging decision. Director Carrie Cracknell’s version, which opened on Dec. 31, 2023, moved the setting to a modern American town. The revival included a Jaguar convertible and three pickup trucks that moved. A restaging decision removed the Jaguar, added a motorcycle and used one stationary pickup. Set designer Michael Levine expressed frustration, saying it altered the original artistic intent. The Met cited financial reasons for the changes. The company plans to bring back Richard Eyre’s retired 2009 staging in the future.

Movie Review: 'Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!' is a sweeping tribute to a comic genius

It’s not often we get to pay tribute, in full, to our giants while they’re still with us. But in “Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!” Judd Apatow dutifully and affectionately celebrates the laugh-filled life of a comedy legend who’s still here to tell the story — and the jokes — himself, writes Associated Press Film Writer Jake Coyle in his review. “The 99 Year Old Man,” which debuts Thursday in two parts on HBO and HBO Max, is a big-hearted tribute to an indefatigable comic force who did more than most anyone to lighten the mood of the 20th century.

Movie Review: In 'Mercy,' Chris Pratt is on trial with an artificial intelligence judge

A detective must prove his innocence to an artificial intelligence judge in the new film “Mercy,” starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson. Set in a near-future Los Angeles, AI has taken over law enforcement and the judicial system. The story follows Chris Raven, played by Pratt, who wakes up strapped to an electric chair with 90 minutes to prove he didn't kill his wife. In her review for The Associated Press, Film Writer Lindsey Bahr writes that despite the intriguing premise, the film has very little to say about AI and fails to engage. Rated PG-13, “Mercy” opens in theaters Friday.

Everything you need to know about the 2026 Sundance Film Festival

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — The 42nd Sundance Film Festival kicks off this week in Park City, Utah. It marks the last edition in its longtime home and the first without founder Robert Redford, who died in September. Despite the changes, the festival remains vibrant with 90 features premiering through Feb. 1. Three of these films feature pop star Charli xcx. Sundance public programming director Eugene Hernandez describes the lineup as broad and eclectic. The festival will honor Redford with tributes and retrospective screenings. Sundance is set to relocate to Boulder, Colorado, next January.

Taylor Swift, Kenny Loggins, members of Kiss and more get into Songwriters Hall of Fame

New York (AP) — Taylor Swift, Kenny Loggins and Kiss founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley make up the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees. It is no doubt an eclectic bunch of performers, spanning genre and generation. The 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held June 11 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honor those creating popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song.