Stephen Colbert's long goodbye is coming to an end, leaving a void
NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Colbert's run on “The Late Show” ends Thursday, marking the conclusion of his on-air feud with President Donald Trump. Colbert began hosting in 2015 and often criticized Trump and his policies. CBS announced last summer that the show would end in May, citing economic reasons. However, Colbert and others suspect political pressure played a role. The decision follows Paramount's settlement of Trump's lawsuit and its pending sale to Skydance Media. Colbert's departure leaves a void in late-night TV, with fans missing his unique perspective and humor. Other hosts like Jimmy Kimmel have shown support.
As 'The Boys' ends, actors reveal their craziest stunts and what's next for Vought
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “The Boys” is airing its series finale after five seasons of death, depravity and digs at the capitalistic superhero-industrial complex. However, the Vought Cinematic Universe isn't ending, with spinoffs “Vought Rising” and “The Boys: Mexico” coming to Amazon Prime Video. “Vought Rising” is set for 2027, explores the origins of the “supe” program. Showrunner Eric Kripke says the final season drew unsettling parallels to real-world events. Cast members reflect on their experiences, with emotional goodbyes and memorable stunts that included toe-sucking and discovering a fear of heights. There were also many memes. The show premiered in 2019 and was adapted from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's comic book series.
'Minotaur,' about murder and corruption in Putin's Russia, jolts the Cannes Film Festival
CANNES, France (AP) — Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev sent shock waves through the Cannes Film Festival with a soberly damning crime film about murder and corruption in Russia. “Minotaur” is set against the conscription of young men into President Vladimir Putin's war with Ukraine. “Minotaur” debuted Tuesday night at the French festival and was one of the most anticipated selections at this year’s Cannes. The film rewarded those expectations. It received one of the festival’s most enthusiastic reactions and put the Russian filmmaker squarely in the mix for the Palme d’Or.
'Once Upon a Time in Harlem' has its day at the Cannes Film Festival, 50 years after it was shot
CANNES, France (AP) — No movie at the Cannes Film Festival has had a longer road to get here than “Once Upon a Time in Harlem.” In August 1972, William Greaves assembled as many artists, writers, poets, musicians and organizers from the Harlem Renaissance as he could. They came for a cocktail party at Duke Ellington’s Harlem townhouse. There, they talked about the seminal 1920s cultural movement. Greaves never finished the film and died in 2014, but his family worked to finish the project. Now, “Once Upon a Time in Harlem” is being hailed as the nonfiction event of the year.
Movie Review: Boots Riley's 'I Love Boosters' is a wild, surrealist social satire
Keke Palmer stars in Boots Riley's social satire “I Love Boosters,” in theaters Friday. The madcap, surrealist film follows a group of organized shoplifters, who steal from high end stores and sell the goods on the street at a deep discount. In her review for The Associated Press, film writer Lindsey Bahr writes that “the film is a go-for-broke expression of wild imagination and social consciousness that’s impossible not to admire for its wacky, bold vision” but adds that it is not quite laugh out loud funny. Rated R, “I Love Boosters” also stars Demi Moore and LaKeith Stanfield.
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Ten years later, the cult of ‘The Nice Guys’ keeps growing
NEW YORK (AP) — When “The Nice Guys” debuted 10 years ago, the writing was on the wall for the big-screen comedy. It came out sandwiched between “Captain America: Civil War” and “X-Men: Apocalypse.” It opened against “Angry Birds.” Ryan Gosling has lamented “Angry Birds” “just destroyed us.” And yet, on its upcoming 10th anniversary this month, “The Nice Guys” has established itself as one of the most beloved comedies of the last decade in which Hollywood studios largely left the genre for dead. A 1970s-set comic noir directed and co-written by Shane Black, “The Nice” Guys” paired Gosling and Russell Crowe as private eyes in a Los Angeles crime caper that still keeps getting better.
Movie Review: 'Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu' makes a clumsy big-screen debut
“Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” hits theaters nearly seven years after the last “Star Wars” movie. Creator Jon Favreau's Disney+ series about a minor character becomes a summer cinematic tentpole. Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy says it lacks scale and ambition, turning the Mandalorian into a trigger-happy figure. The movie relies heavily on computer effects and puppetry, with small stakes and familiar elements like X-wings and Stormtroopers. Pedro Pascal returns as the Mandalorian, with Grogu taking center stage later. The plot involves a dangerous mission, but Kennedy says it feels formulaic. The PG-13-rated movie opens Friday in theaters.
Judge orders mental health evaluation for the woman accused of attempting to murder Rihanna
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge has paused the prosecution of a woman charged with the attempted murder of Rihanna while it is determined whether she is mentally competent to stand trial. Deputy Public Defender Derek Dillman told a Los Angeles judge on Tuesday that he has doubts about the competence of his client, 35-year-old Ivanna Lisette Ortiz of Orlando, Florida. She has pleaded not guilty to more than a dozen felonies. A mental health court will now decide whether she should go to trial. Authorities allege that Ortiz sprayed at least 20 bullets at the property of Rihanna, her rapper-partner A$AP Rocky and their three young children. No one was hurt.
Ryusuke Hamaguchi makes gentle, quiet, long films. And he might win the Palme d'Or
CANNES, France (AP) — The Cannes Film Festival is not a place that’s conducive to taking your time. Festivalgoers rush frantically between screenings. The protocol department enforces precisely timed red carpet premieres. Standing ovations are clocked. But one of the most lauded films of this year’s Cannes is a patiently plotted, sensitively told three-hour drama about giving people the time they deserve. Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “All of a Sudden” has been one of the most widely acknowledged knockouts of the festival — in part because of how much it cultivates and nurtures its own gentle rhythm. For anyone who feels life may be moving too fast, the ironically titled “All of a Sudden” may be welcome recalibration.
Channel 4 pulls all episodes of 'Married at First Sight UK' after sexual misconduct claims
LONDON (AP) — Channel 4 has pulled all episodes of “Married at First Sight UK” after three contestants claimed they were sexually assaulted by on-screen partners. The broadcaster calls the allegations “very serious.” The British government said on Tuesday there must be “consequences for criminality or wrongdoing.” The claims were made during a BBC investigation, but the claimants have not contacted the police. The men involved dispute the allegations. The show matches strangers, who move in together after mock weddings. The U.K. version has run for 10 seasons on Channel 4. The broadcaster has ordered a review of its welfare standards and procedures, emphasizing contributor well-being.

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