AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 1:46 p.m. EDT

'Project Hail Mary' adds to a winning streak for originality at the movies

NEW YORK (AP) — Franchise movies have been the dominant currency in Hollywood for years, but, lately, the upside of originality has been hard to miss. A week after “One Battle After Another,” “Sinners” and “KPop Demon Hunters” triumphed at the Academy Awards, “Project Hail Mary” notched the biggest non-franchise opening weekend since “Oppenheimer.” In the first three months of 2026, the two biggest hits are it and the Pixar original “Hoppers.” None of these successes didn't come at some expense. “Project Hail Mary,” based on the Andy Weir bestseller, cost close to $200 million to make. But its $80.5 million debut vindicated Amazon MGM's big bet, and gave the studio its biggest box-office hit.

Now a true pop star, Miley Cyrus returns to her 'Hannah Montana' roots to fete anniversary special

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Miley Cyrus went back to her “Hannah Montana” blond mane and to her roots as Miley Stewart, the tween with a big secret. The now real-life pop star reunited Monday evening with cast members in Los Angeles to celebrate the “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special.” In the original show, launched in 2006 on the Disney Channel, middle-schooler Miley led a double life as a pop singer. Cyrus, now 33, reflected to The Associated Press how the milestone has given her a new perspective on the show that launched her stardom. The anniversary special began streaming Tuesday on Disney+ and Hulu.

A group of Oscar winners set out to make the definitive AI documentary

A new documentary tries to explain generative AI fast, clearly and without taking sides, even as the technology keeps changing. On Friday, “The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist” reaches theaters after nearly three years of work. Directors Daniel Roher and Charlie Tyrell say they set out to answer basic questions about what artificial intelligence is, why it is good and why it is bad. They found it almost impossible to fit into one film. The team interviews more than 40 people, including major AI leaders and critics.

Bob Woodward to 'lift the lid' on decades of reporting in new memoir 'Secrets'

Award-winning journalist Bob Woodward has a new book that will explain how he came to write so many inside accounts from Washington. Simon & Schuster announced Tuesday that “Secrets: A Reporter’s Memoir” comes out Sept. 29. The publisher says Woodward has kept “notes, transcripts, and files” from key interviews. The book covers his long reporting relationships and the major stories he has helped break and reaches from Watergate to the Trump administration. Woodward became a household name in the 1970s when he and fellow Washington Post journalist Carl Bernstein helped break the Watergate scandal and other news about the Nixon administration that eventually led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation. Woodward has written or co-written more than 20 bestsellers.

Music Review: Ozzy tribute highlights Black Label Society’s riff-filled 'Engines of Demolition'

Black Label Society's 12th studio album “Engines of Demolition” is a heavy, riff-filled collection that's highlighted by an emotional tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. The album drops Friday and includes “Ozzy’s Song,” a ballad Zakk Wylde sings as an homage to his late friend. The track includes a big electric solo. It's hardly the only song that shines, though, writes The Associated Press’ Dennis Waszak Jr. in his review. Songs like “Name In Blood,” “Lord Humungus” and “Pedal to the Floor” keep the engine running on an album to which old and new fans of Black Label Society will undoubtedly rock out.

Jury finds that Bill Cosby sexually assaulted woman in 1972 and awards her nearly $60 million

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California civil jury has found Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 1972. On Monday, jurors in Santa Monica awarded Donna Motsinger nearly $60 million after a nearly two-week trial. The amount included $40 million in punitive damages. Motsinger said in a lawsuit filed in 2023 that Cosby invited her to a show, gave her wine and pills. She says she later woke up at home partly undressed and concluded that Cosby had drugged and raped her. His lawyers called the claims speculation and say they plan to appeal. The verdict came nearly five years after Cosby was freed from prison in a criminal case.

Music Review: Robyn's 'Sexistential' is in a pop class all its own

NEW YORK (AP) — Swedish pop savant Robyn has returned with “Sexistential,” her first album in eight years. It is nine-tracks of shimmering synths (“Dopamine,” “Really Real”) ascendant choruses (“Into the Sun”) and rebellious pop songs that double as emotional life rafts (“Sucker for Love”). Robyn works again with collaborator Klas Åhlund and reunites with star songwriter Max Martin for the first time since 2010. The album also revisits older songs in fresh forms. The album is all about propulsion, Associated Press' Music Writer Maria Sherman writes in her review. She says it is a bright collection of sensual tunes about freedom, single motherhood, love and lust — often in the same breath.

Everything you need to know about 'BTS: The Return,' the new Netflix documentary

NEW YORK (AP) — On Friday, Netflix will release a documentary about the biggest band in K-pop, BTS. It is titled “BTS: The Return.” It is from director Bao Nguyen. He is known for his work on “The Stringer” and “The Greatest Night in Pop.” It was produced by This Machine, known for the “Martha” and “Karol G” films. It is also produced by HYBE, the South Korean entertainment company behind BTS and countless other international acts. The film offers an intimate look at BTS’ journey to their latest album, “ARIRANG.” It also traces how the seven-member group learned to reacclimate to their life in the fast lane. BTS is RM, Jin, Jimin, V, Suga, Jung Kook and j-hope.

Trump sued by historic preservation groups to block Kennedy Center changes

WASHINGTON (AP) — A coalition of preservation groups is suing to stop major physical changes at the Kennedy Center under President Donald Trump’s renovation plans. On Monday, the groups filed a lawsuit against Trump, the center, and other officials. They accept routine repairs. They say bigger changes must go through the usual Washington review process. Trump has hinted at dramatic work, including exposing structural steel. The suit says major reconstruction could damage historic features and the site’s memorial purpose. Trump has reshaped the center’s leadership and programming. Some artists and advisers have quit or pulled out in protest.