British playwright Tom Stoppard, who won Academy Award for 'Shakespeare In Love,' has died at 88
LONDON (AP) — British playwright Tom Stoppard, who won an Academy Award for the screenplay for 1998’s “Shakespeare In Love” has died. He was 88. In a statement Saturday, United Agents said Stoppard died “peacefully” at his home in Dorset in southern England, surrounded by his family. “He will be remembered for his works, for their brilliance and humanity, and for his wit, his irreverence, his generosity of spirit and his profound love of the English language,” they said. “It was an honor to work with Tom and to know him.” The Czech-born Stoppard was often hailed as the greatest British playwright of his generation and was garlanded with honors.
AI country hit 'Walk My Walk' built on Blanco Brown's sound sparks questions of attribution, ethics
LOS ANGELES (AP) — An AI-generated country song, “Walk My Walk,” recently topped Billboard's country digital song sales chart. It's credited to a fictional artist named Breaking Rust, but the vocal style is based on Grammy-nominated country artist Blanco Brown. Brown was unaware of the song until friends alerted him. The track's success highlights how generative AI is disrupting the music industry, allowing anyone to create songs using models trained on real artists' voices. Brown has since released his own version of the song. He sees this as a legal and cultural issue, emphasizing the unique value real artists bring to music.
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.
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.
25 holiday TV offerings to watch ranging from comedies to rom-coms and cozy mysteries
The holiday season is packed with festive TV specials and movies. On Dec. 1, Derek Hough hosts “The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular” on ABC, featuring artists like Nicole Scherzinger and Gwen Stefani. Reba McEntire hosts NBC's “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” on Dec. 3, with the iconic tree lighting. The Duchess of Sussex shares holiday tips on Netflix's “With Love, Meghan.” Apple TV's “The First Snow of Fraggle Rock” offers a magical tale. Hallmark, OWN, and UPtv bring new holiday movies, while classics like “The Sound of Music” and “Home Alone” air throughout December. Football fans can catch NFL games on Christmas Day.
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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.
A foot-tall elephant? 'Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age' on Apple TV reveals surprising creatures
NEW YORK (AP) — Apple TV has launched “Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age,” a five-part series that brings the Pleistocene era to life with stunning visuals. The series, narrated by Tom Hiddleston, combines cinematic storytelling with cutting-edge visual effects. Mike Gunton, co-executive producer, says it offers a unique look at ice age creatures. The series explores the diverse and dramatic changes of the ice age, showcasing creatures like 14-foot-tall bears and dwarf elephants. Jon Favreau, also a co-executive producer, highlights the use of traditional techniques over AI to create an emotional connection. The series aims to engage viewers with the complexity of animal relationships.
Epic tales and star power: How Tollywood is reshaping Indian cinema
HYDERABAD, India (AP) — Tollywood, the Telugu-language film industry, is rapidly gaining global attention, challenging Bollywood's dominance. Based in the Indian city of Hyderabad, Tollywood is known for its high-energy storytelling, epic visuals and star-driven spectacles. It produces around 300 films annually, featuring a mix of action, mythology and family dramas. Many films are dubbed or remade in other languages, expanding their reach. Tollywood stars enjoy immense fan followings, often celebrated with grand events. The industry's recent success is largely attributed to filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, whose films like "RRR" and "Baahubali" have achieved international acclaim, boosting Tollywood's global presence.
Paris prosecutor says arrested man is thought to be 4th member of Louvre heist gang
PARIS (AP) — French police have arrested a man believed to be the fourth member of the team that stole France’s crown jewels from the Louvre Museum. The Paris prosecutor announced Friday that the entire gang is now thought to be in custody. The 39-year-old suspect has a criminal record with six previous convictions. He faces preliminary charges of robbery as part of an organized gang and criminal conspiracy. The heist involved two people breaking into the museum's Apollo Gallery while two others waited outside to escape on motorbikes. The prosecutor's statement didn’t specify his exact role in the theft.
The best new holiday music releases for 2025
NEW YORK (AP) — ’Tis the season to put on some holiday music. The best way to get festive is to sing along to Christmas classics new and old. But don’t know what to press play on? We’ve got you covered. In honor of the most wonderful time of the year, The Associated Press has selected some of the best new holiday releases for the 2025 season. So, grab a loved one, a cup of eggnog and get to listening. The list includes new releases from Brad Paisley, Trisha Yearwood, Pentatonix, LeAnn Rimes and Mickey Guyton.
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