AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 11:30 a.m. EDT

In ‘Blue Moon,’ Richard Linklaker and Ethan Hawke's portrait of an artist

Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke have collaborated for over 30 years, but their latest film, "Blue Moon," pushed their partnership to new limits. The film, set over one night at Sardi’s, focuses on lyricist Lorenz Hart. Linklater admits he pushed Hawke hard during production. Hawke embraced the challenge, despite initial stress. The film explores Hart's complex character and his partnership with Richard Rodgers. As Rodgers moved on with Oscar Hammerstein, Hart was left behind. Linklater describes the film as a poignant reflection on artistic careers, capturing both beauty and devastation. “Blue Moon” opens in New York and Los Angeles on Friday and expands next week.

A character wouldn't leave Reese Witherspoon alone. It led to her first novel

NEW YORK (AP) — Reese Witherspoon has co-authored her first adult novel, “Gone Before Goodbye,” with Harlan Coben. The story revolves around Maggie McCabe, an Army combat surgeon who takes on a suspicious plastic surgery job. This leads her into a world of murder and mystery. Witherspoon and Coben discussed their collaboration this week in Manhattan. Witherspoon, known for her acting and producing, has long admired Coben's work. They met years ago and decided to collaborate on this project. Both authors emphasize that the book is meant to be enjoyed as a novel, with no immediate plans for a film adaptation.

Broadway enters an anxious time as labor action threatens to roil theaters

NEW YORK (AP) — Broadway is tense as two major labor unions have authorized strike action amid ongoing contract negotiations with producers. Actors’ Equity Association and the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 have voted in favor of a strike authorization. Members of both unions are working under expired contracts. They want pay increases and higher contributions toward health care costs. Broadway's financial health is strong, with the 2024-2025 season hitting a record $1.9 billion in box office revenue. Producers argue that increasing pay could lead to higher ticket prices. More than 30 members of Congress have urged all sides to bargain in good faith.

Angel Reese to be first pro athlete to walk in Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Here's how to watch

NEW YORK (AP) — Angel Reese is taking her game from the court to the catwalk and making history along the way. The Chicago Sky forward is expected to become the first professional athlete ever to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Wednesday. She will join the brand’s high-profile “Wings Reveal” lineup in New York. Reese, 22, will don the signature angel wings that have defined the show for decades. She is a former LSU national champion and NCAA Tournament most outstanding player. Reese has become one of the most visible figures in women’s sports, bridging the gap between sports, fashion, and pop culture.

D’Angelo, Grammy-winning R&B singer who became an icon with ‘Untitled (How Does It Feel),’ dies

D’Angelo, the Grammy-winning R&B singer recognized by his raspy yet smooth voice and for garnering mainstream attention with the shirtless “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” music video, has died. He was 51. The singer's family says in a statement that D'Angelo died Tuesday after a long bout with cancer. His family called him a “shining star of our family and has dimmed his light for us in this life.” D’Angelo's music blended hip-hop grit, emphatic soul and gospel-rooted emotion into a sound that helped spearhead the neo-soul movement of the 1990s. Jamie Foxx was among the stars mourning his loss Tuesday.

A team of artisans brings Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ to life

NEW YORK (AP) — In “Frankenstein,” metaphors are hard to resist. Moviemaking, itself, is a Frankenstein art. Each element of production — the costumes, the set design, the lighting, the music — is brought together like appendages stitched into one body. Guillermo del Toro’s new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic novel, in particular, is a feast of filmmaking arts. Del Toro called on many of his most regular collaborators to turn his long-held vision of “Frankenstein” into a living, breathing reality. Netflix releases “Frankenstein” in theaters Friday, and on its streaming platform Nov. 7.

Oprah Winfrey picks Megha Majumdar's 'A Guardian and a Thief' for book club

NEW YORK (AP) — Megha Majumdar's novel “A Guardian and a Thief” is now Oprah Winfrey's book club pick. The book is already a finalist for the National Book Award and Kirkus Prize. Set in the near future, it explores themes of drought, flooding, crime and food shortages. The story contrasts a family trying to emigrate from India to the U.S. with a thief who has stolen their papers. This is Majumdar's first novel since her acclaimed debut, “A Burning,” in 2020. Winfrey praised the book for its captivating storytelling. Her conversation with Majumdar is available on Winfrey's YouTube channel.

D’Angelo’s career-spanning playlist: Hits and hidden gems

LOS ANGELES (AP) — D’Angelo has blurred the lines between sacred and sensual, defining modern R&B with his unique voice and musicianship. This playlist reflects his career, from the smooth grooves of “Brown Sugar” to the urgency of “Black Messiah.” It highlights both his celebrated hits and lesser-known gems, capturing his evolution as an artist. Songs like “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” showcase his raw vocal power, while collaborations with artists like Lauryn Hill and Q-Tip reveal his versatility. D’Angelo’s music blends soul, hip-hop, and spirituality, making him a timeless figure in the music world.

Movie Review: Guillermo del Toro builds a handsome, grand ‘Frankenstein’ that is all his own

Guillermo del Toro puts his spin on “Frankenstein” in a new film coming to theaters Friday. The epic stars Oscar Isaac as the mad scientist and Jacob Elordi as his monestrous creation whom he comes to hate. Instead of a by-the-letter adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel, this is an interpretation by a filmmaker who has always had a soft spot for the monster. In her review for The Associated Press, film writer Lindsey Bahr writes that everything about “Frankenstein” is larger than life, from the runtime to the emotions on display. “Frankenstein” is rated R.