Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel on art, their friendship and 'The Christophers'
NEW YORK (AP) — As screen presences and cultural figures, Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel could hardly be more different. McKellen, a titan of Shakespeare, the Gandalf of the big screen, is more than twice the age of Coel, the multihyphenate whose autobiography-tinged work has made her a voice of a much different generation. But in Steven Soderbergh’s “The Christophers,” they make one of the more memorably on-screen pairs in recent memory. And it's turned them into great chums, too. Neon expands the film nationwide in theaters this Friday.
Warner Bros. to take the stage at CinemaCon as filmmakers oppose Paramount acquisition
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Warner Bros. is set to showcase its upcoming films at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Tuesday. The event comes amid its much-debated potential merger with Paramount. Filmmakers Denis Villeneuve and J.J. Abrams are expected to promote their films, “Dune: Part Three” and “The Great Beyond.” They also oppose the merger, joining over 1,000 others in signing an open letter against it. Greg Marcus of Marcus Theaters expressed concern about rising ticket prices due to studio power concentration. However, James Cameron supports the merger, praising Paramount Skydance's David Ellison as a passionate storyteller and producer.
The Kennedy Center wants to show that the building really needs a renovation
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Kennedy Center's new president, Matt Floca, is leading tours to show the building's need for major repairs. These tours highlight water damage and issues with the HVAC system and parking garages. The sessions began earlier this month and included staff for 10 lawmakers, such as Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The tours aim to demonstrate the need for updates after controversy arose over President Donald Trump's plans to close the center for two years. Critics argue the closure is a response to declining sales and it should go through a typical review process.
Library of Congress appoints Arthur Sze to a second 1-year term as US poet laureate
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. poet laureate Arthur Sze has been appointed to a second one-year term by the Library of Congress. Sze, a respected poet and translator, plans to travel the country with his project "Words Bridging Worlds." This initiative includes readings, discussions and workshops to celebrate poetry and translation. Sze began his first term last fall during a time of upheaval at the library, after President Donald Trump fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. Acting librarian Robert Randolph Newlen has praised the 75-year-old poet for opening the world of poetry to the public.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announces it has found a buyer to keep the newspaper open
NEW YORK (AP) — Owners of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said they have found a buyer who had agreed to keep the newspaper open, less than a month before it was due to shut down. Block Communications said that the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, publisher of the digital-only Baltimore Banner, had agreed to buy the Post-Gazette. The newspaper dates its history to 1786, and if it had been closed, it would have left Pittsburgh as the nation’s largest community without a city-based newspaper. Terms of the deal were not closed. The Post-Gazette said it would continue to publish print editions on Thursday and Sunday.
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FBI says suspects tried to rob Offset outside a Florida casino when he was shot in the leg
The FBI says rapper Offset was ambushed by a large group outside a Florida casino last week. The suspects tried to rob him and shot him in the leg. The incident happened Monday night outside Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood. Offset was hospitalized but quickly returned to perform in a wheelchair. The suspects fled in two SUVs. Police detained two people, including rapper Lil Tjay, who was charged with disorderly conduct. Offset, known for his work with Migos, rose to fame with hits like "Bad and Boujee." The group is celebrated for their influence on hip-hop.
Tom Holland says new 'Spider-Man' is the most emotional, most mature, yet
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is dealing with the fallout of making his friends forget his identity in the new “Spider-Man” movie. Sony Pictures unveiled new footage from “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” Monday at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Five years after “Spider-Man: No Way Home” became a sensation, the webslinger’s fourth standalone movie is highly anticipated. Its trailer already broke records. Tom Holland says it’s the most emotional Spider-Man movie yet. Destin Daniel Cretton directed this installment, which opens July 31. Sony Chairman Tom Rothman acknowledged industry challenges and urged theaters to improve the moviegoing experience.
Harvey Weinstein is going on trial again in a New York rape case
NEW YORK (AP) — Harvey Weinstein is going on trial again on a rape charge in New York City, after years of #MeToo infamy, legal peril and prison. Jury selection started Tuesday in the onetime movie mogul’s latest retrial. It's the third time that jurors will weigh whether he raped a woman in a Manhattan hotel in 2013. But this time, jurors will consider only one charge based on one accuser, rather than the array of allegations aired at Weinstein’s previous trials in New York and Los Angeles. The Oscar-winning producer denies all the claims. More than 80 prospective jurors asked to be excused during initial screening. About 60 others remained for further questioning.
Movie Review: In 'Mother Mary,' a pop star's costume crisis turns existential
A pop star’s need for a new dress sets in motion David Lowery’s “Mother Mary,” a fitfully spellbinding chamber drama that grows more operatic with every stitch. After more than a decade of estrangement, a reunion between Anne Hathaway's pop star and Michaela Coel's fashion designer reopens old wounds, stirs reinvention and spawns a ghost story sewn together by phantom threads. It’s best at its least adorned, writes AP Film Writer Jake Coyle in his review. As the movie grows more abstract, it looses momentum. But an impassioned melodrama and a curiously sincere belief in the transformative power of pop music wrap “Mother Mary” in a gothic garb all its own.
Oprah Winfrey names Maria Semple’s 'Go Gentle' as her latest book club pick
NEW YORK (AP) — Oprah Winfrey has chosen Maria Semple's comic novel “Go Gentle” for her book club. The story follows a Stoic philosopher and single mother facing challenges to her way of life. Winfrey praised the book for its wit and wisdom, saying it offers a wild ride with insights into Stoicism and relationships. Semple, known for bestsellers like “Today Will Be Different,” released her new book this week. Her interview with Winfrey is available on the “Oprah Book Club Podcast” via YouTube. Semple expressed joy and disbelief at receiving the call from Winfrey, calling it a dream come true.
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