AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 6:04 a.m. EST

Brendan Fraser's new horizons include 'Rental Family' and rental hedgehogs

BEDFORD, N.Y. (AP) — “Rental Family” is Brendan Fraser’s first leading role since winning the best actor Oscar for “The Whale.” In it, the 56-year-old plays a struggling actor living in Japan who, out of desperation and curiosity, takes a job with an agency that hires out actors to fulfill roles in real people’s lives. In an interview, Fraser discusses his life since the Oscar win, his eye-opening experiences in Japan and what returning to the “Mummy” series means to him. His time in Japan included a visit to a hedgehog cafe. “Rental Family” opens Friday in theaters.

Frida Kahlo self-portrait poised to shatter auction records

NEW YORK (AP) — A 1940 self-portrait by Frida Kahlo, titled “El sueño (La cama),” could make auction history Thursday at Sotheby’s in New York. With an estimated price of $40 million to $60 million, it may surpass the record for a female artist's work, currently held by Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1” at $44.4 million. The painting shows Kahlo asleep in a bed with a skeleton above her. Sotheby’s describes it as a meditation on the boundary between sleep and death. The painting is part of a sale featuring over 100 surrealist works.

2026 Oscars broadcast will include all 24 awards, including new casting prize

The Oscars are making room for one more award on their live broadcast in 2026. The academy says the new prize for achievement in casting will be part of the 98th Academy Awards in March. That brings the total to 24 awards for the Oscars broadcast. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the new prize last year. This marks the first addition since the best animated feature film category in 2001. Earlier this year, the academy also announced a stunt design award for 2028. Conan O’Brien has agreed to return as host for the 98th ceremony on March 15.

Novelist Rabih Alameddine and poet Patricia Smith win National Book Awards

NEW YORK (AP) — The 76th annual National Book Awards have been presented by the nonprofit National Book Foundation, with winners including Rabih Alameddine for fiction, Patricia Smith for poetry, and Omar El Akkad for nonfiction. Hundreds of writers, publishers, editors and other industry professionals gathered Wednesday night to see the awards presented in downtown Manhattan. The event included honorary medals for writers George Saunders and Roxane Gay. Actor Jeff Hiller hosted, and Grammy winner Corinne Bailey Rae was the musical guest.

Movie Review: Joel Edgerton delivers a profound, understated performance in ‘Train Dreams’

Joel Edgerton plays a logger at the beginning of the 20th century in “Train Dreams.” Clint Bentley's film is an adaptation of Denis Johnson's novella, about the toll of progress and the people left behind. Edgerton stars alongside Felicity Jones and William H. Macy in the meditative film. In her review, Associated Press Film Writer Lindsey Bahr praises Edgerton's understated performance and adds that, “Bentley’s film is haunting and patient, a dreamlike journey through a world that was disappearing in real time and an ode to the beauty that’s remained.” Rated PG-13, “Train Dreams” is streaming on Netflix Friday.

For Brandon Lake, crossing over means more opportunities to spread a Christian message

NEW YORK (AP) — Christian music is gaining in popularity, and Brandon Lake is one reason why. The singer-songwriter's latest album, “King of Hearts,” melds pop, rock, country and hip-hop. That is unusual in contemporary Christian music, and it's one reason why he's seeing a lot of success. Lake is up for Grammys in February. This year he was nominated for his first Country Music Association Award. He told The Associated Press that he views this as a crossover moment and an opportunity to further his message of worship. Lake also made headlines earlier this year when he performed at a memorial for conservative personality Charlie Kirk. Lake says he was not making a political message and that he was simply going to minister for Kirk's widow.

Chef Lidia Bastianich hits the road in search of community in a divided country

NEW YORK (AP) — Lidia Bastianich is highlighting community togetherness in her 14th TV special. “Lidia Celebrates America: A Nation of Neighbors” premieres Nov. 25 on PBS. She travels to places like wildfire-scarred neighborhoods in California, a pay-what-you-can café in Denver, and the nation’s first legislatively supported free grocery market in San Francisco. She showcases acts of kindness. Bastianich believes these connections make people feel more human and foster positivity. Her journey includes meeting volunteers and visiting a free grocery market in San Francisco. Bastianich, who once lived in a refugee camp in Italy, emphasizes that small gestures can make a big difference in building community spirit.

Texas man indicted on murder charge in shooting of 'King of the Hill' voice actor Jonathan Joss

HOUSTON (AP) — A grand jury in Texas has indicted a man on a murder charge in the shooting of “King of the Hill” voice actor Jonathan Joss. But it's unclear if Joss’ killing will be considered a hate crime. Police in San Antonio did not immediately return an email seeking comment Wednesday on whether its investigation had determined that Joss’ sexual orientation played a role. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment. A grand jury returned the indictment Monday against Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez for Joss' June 1 death. Police allege Ceja Alvarez confronted Joss and his husband as they were checking their mail at their San Antonio home.

On the world’s coldest stage, a military musician plays with a plastic horn and double gloves

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Natalie Paine, a French horn player in New Zealand’s navy, has been stationed in Antarctica on a military posting since October. She practices her music in one of the most remote places on Earth using a plastic instrument that won't freeze to her fingers. Growing up in Adelaide, Australia, Paine dreamed of visiting Antarctica as a scientist but pursued music instead. Years later, she learned that New Zealand military members could be stationed there. After four years of unsuccessful applications, she finally landed a posting. Paine finds inspiration in the wild beauty around her, playing music in her limited free time.