Movie Review: 'Zootopia 2' is a cuddlier, tamer sequel
The original “Zootopia” was a minor miracle. Here was a Disney animated film that took themes of race and prejudice and managed to make a sensitive-to-all-sides tale, anthropomorphize it and, as a bonus, sneak in a Department of Motor Vehicles sloth gag that the DMV is still wincing from. A sequel coming almost a decade later, “Zootopia 2” isn’t as good. It’s a more timid and tame movie that leans largely on the still winning duo of Judy Hopps and the small-time hustler fox Nick Wilde, writes AP Film Writer Jake Coyle in his review. Both are now out-to-prove-themselves rookies on the police force in this fun but watered down sequel.
Clair Obscur leads the AP's list of 2025's top video games
In a year in which technology news was dominated by artificial intelligence, the outstanding video games were still being designed by human beings. Top of the list is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which Associated Press writer Lou Kesten calls “a landmark achievement" with profound storytelling, stunning graphics and music and impeccable voice acting. The rest of 2025's top 10 includes The Outer Worlds 2, Silent Hill f, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Donkey Kong Bananza, The Séance of Blake Manor, Avowed, Ghost of Yōtei, South of Midnight and The Alters.
Movie Review: Wagner Moura is on the run in Brazil, 1977, in ‘The Secret Agent’
Wagner Moura plays a man on the run in oppressive times in “The Secret Agent.” Opening in theaters in limited release Wednesday, the Kleber Mendonça Filho film is set in 1977 in Brazil during Carnival festivities. In her review for The Associated Press, film writer Lindsey Bahr writes that the film maintains a tense and foreboding tone, while also leaving room for humor and absurdity. She praises the ensemble cast and adds that it is “the best kind of personal film, imbued with so many things that Mendonça Filho loves, both resurrection and elegy.” “The Secret Agent” is rated R.
American menswear designer Jeffrey Banks is finally sharing his story and starting a new chapter
NEW YORK (AP) — Menswear designer Jeffrey Banks' memoir is a love letter to his family and the fashion community. The book is a visual feast of photos from Banks' early days working at Ralph Lauren and later building his own menswear brand. He even includes a recipe or two. Banks says he wanted to write the book for his mother who is turning 105 in January. Banks has whole sections of the book dedicated to those who supported him throughout his career. Even with more than 50 years in the fashion business, Banks is not close to being done as he plans on relaunching his menswear label next year.
The greatest mystery of Rian Johnson's 'Knives Out' movies? Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc
NEW YORK (AP) — The greatest mystery in Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” movies might be Benoit Blanc. Over the course of three films, Johnson and Daniel Craig have stingily dropped clues to Blanc’s past and personal life. Since Blanc first introduced himself in “Knives Out” as “a respectful, quiet, passive observer … of the truth,” following the breadcrumbs has been a sport of its own. Every “Knives Out” movie is a wholesale change. New setting. New case. New cast of characters. But Craig and Johnson are the mainstays. Together, they’ve turned Blanc, the gentleman sleuth, into one of the greatest protagonists in recent movies.
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4 more arrested in $102M Louvre jewel heist, Paris prosecutor says
PARIS (AP) — The Paris prosecutor has announced four more arrests in connection with the $102 million jewel heist at the Louvre Museum. The arrests involve two men and two women from the Paris region, aged 31 to 40. The prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, did not specify their roles in the October 19 theft. French media report that one of those arrested, a 39-year-old man, is believed to be the fourth member of the team thought to have carried out the daring daylight robbery. The stolen jewels have not been recovered. Police have previously arrested other suspected members of the so-called “commando" team. Investigating magistrates have filed preliminary charges against three men and one woman arrested in October.
Rick Atkinson's Revolutionary War trilogy to be adapted into graphic editions
NEW YORK (AP) — Military historian Rick Atkinson, known for his Revolutionary War trilogy, is venturing into graphic books. Ten Speed Graphic plans to release a graphic edition of “The British Are Coming” next June, just before the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Five more graphic books are planned, with Nora Neus writing and Federico Pietrobon illustrating. Atkinson, a Pulitzer Prize winner, collaborates closely on the project. Initially skeptical, he changed his mind after seeing other adaptations. The aim is to reach a wider audience without simplifying the complex history.
PEN America launches digital site to support incarcerated writers
NEW YORK (AP) — PEN America has launched a digital portal to help writers in U.S. prisons connect with the literary world. The Incarcerated Writers Bureau, announced Tuesday, aims to make the literary community more inclusive of incarcerated writers. Supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the initiative provides information on publishers, agents and journalists. It also offers advice on payment, ethics and logistical challenges for writers without computer access. The portal includes biographies and writing samples from 21 writers. PM Dunne, a PEN award recipient, highlights the long history of masterpieces created by those in confinement.
Court order prevents LA coroner from releasing details of teen's body found in singer d4vd’s Tesla
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office says a court order forbids the coroner from releasing details of the investigation into the death of a teen girl whose body was found in the trunk of a car registered to the singer d4vd. Multiple news outlets have said police consider the Houston-born alt-pop singer a suspect in the death of Celeste Reivas Hernandez. The LA Police Department has not confirmed that and d4vd’s lawyer did not respond to request for comment. The LAPD says the court order was sought to protect the ongoing investigation.
Udo Kier, striking German actor from 'My Own Private Idaho' and 'Ace Ventura,' dies at 81
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) — A German actor known for his icy gaze and unique screen presence, Udo Kier has died at 81. His partner, Delbert McBride, told Variety that Kier died Sunday in Palm Springs, California. Kier was a favorite of filmmakers like Andy Warhol and Lars von Trier. He appeared in over 200 films, including “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and the recent Brazilian thriller “The Secret Agent.” Kier's breakout roles were in Warhol's “Flesh for Frankenstein” and “Blood for Dracula.” He was introduced widely to American audiences in Gus Van Sant's “My Own Private Idaho.” Kier had lived in Palm Springs since the early 1990s.
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