AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 5:51 p.m. EST

George Clooney reflects on fame, failure and a life in movies with 'Jay Kelly'

George Clooney plays a movie star with regrets in “Jay Kelly.” The film, streaming Friday on Netflix, is fiction, co-written and directed by Noah Baumbach, who assembled a starry cast including Adam Sandler, Laura Dern and Billy Crudup to tell a story about Hollywood, fame and parenthood. Clooney and the others were all eager to sign on before they'd even read the script. The making of the film had everyone reflecting on their own lives in the business and the personalities involved. Sandler shadowed his agent to prepare to play Jay Kelly's manager, and Dern did the same with her publicist.

Detroit's own crime-fighter RoboCop finally stands guard in Motor City

DETROIT (AP) — RoboCop has found a permanent home in Detroit — all 11 feet and 3,500 pounds of him. A statue of the crime-fighting movie character has been welcomed by fans since it began standing guard over Detroit Wednesday afternoon in the Motor City's Eastern Market area. Jim Toscano says streams of people have driven by his FREE AGE film production company where the bronze mold-cast statue is bolted into concrete. “RoboCop” developed a cult following after it hit theaters in 1987. It was set in a crime-ridden near-future Detroit. The city's homicide numbers have now dropped below mid-1960s levels, and the statue was erected without objection from city officials.

Hollywood meets the Middle East as Red Sea International Film Festival opens in Jeddah

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The Red Sea International Film Festival has opened its fifth edition in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Running from Dec. 4 to 13, the festival showcases over 100 films from more than 70 countries. The prestigious “Red Sea: Competition” features 16 narrative films, animations, and documentaries from the Arab world, Asia, and Africa. The festival takes place in Jeddah’s Al-Balad district, blending Saudi heritage with international cinema. This year, the selection jury is led by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sean Baker. The festival opens with “Giant,” a film about legendary boxing champion Prince Naseem ‘Naz’ Hamed.

Movie Review: ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ is a messy, un-scary sequel

“Five Nights at Freddy’s 2" builds on the first film's chaotic foundation with even more confusion, says Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy. The sequel continues the story of murderous animatronics, expanding the Freddy's Cinematic Universe. Returning director Emma Tammi and the original cast, including Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Lail, attempt to navigate the convoluted plot. The film introduces a new, genuinely creepy character, The Marionette, but fails to utilize it effectively. The storyline remains unclear about whether the animatronics are evil or friendly, leading to confusion. Released Friday, the film is rated PG-13 for violent content, terror, and some language.

Parents under pressure offer creative tips for moving Santa's spy Elf on the Shelf

Santa's spy known as Elf on the Shelf is turning 20 this year. That's two decades of family memories and parental creativity and the occasional panic over where to move the elf to. Some parents go low-key. Others get into the creative spirit and the pressure that comes with it. The idea behind Elf on the Shelf is that Santa sent it to see whether kids are being naughty or nice. Every night, the elf moves around the house. One father had it paint a message on the kitchen wall. Others have sat the doll in the shower or hung it in the car. Unaffiliated with Elf on the Shelf, there’s also Mensch on a Bench, created by a Jewish father to teach kids about Hannukah.

A string of awards makes it clear: 'One Battle After Another' is the Oscar front-runner

NEW YORK (AP) — If there were any doubt, the first few days of Hollywood’s year-end awards has already made it abundantly clear. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” is the Oscar front-runner. On Monday, “One Battle After Another” won best film at the 35th Gotham Awards. On Tuesday, it was named best film by the New York Film Critics Circle. On Wednesday, it swept the National Board of Review Awards, winning best film, best director for Anderson and acting awards for Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio Del Toro and newcomer Chase Infiniti. Expect to hear this pun a lot: one award after another.

Ecuador's Otavalo Indigenous people use anime to inspire pride in their ancient culture and language

JATUN RUMI, Ecuador (AP) — In the Ecuadorian Andes, young Otavalo Indigenous people are using anime to inspire pride in their culture and language. They created an animated short film called “We’re Aya,” featuring Aya, a mythical Otavalo warrior. The film, inspired by Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, takes place in the mountains of Imbabura. Tupac Amaru, the film's director, says it's part of an effort to preserve Otavalo customs and language amid globalization. The film features 12 Quichua-speaking characters and aims to help Otavalo children appreciate their heritage. The team plans to release more films and video games in Quichua.

AP's top songs of 2025: 'Lo que le pasó a Hawaii,' 'Abracadabra' and more

NEW YORK (AP) — The Associated Press has selected the 10 best songs of the year, showcasing a diverse range of artists and genres. Bad Bunny's “Lo que le pasó a Hawaii” stands out as a powerful anthem for Puerto Rico's cultural autonomy. Lady Gaga's “Abracadabra” marks a triumphant return to her electro-pop roots. Chappell Roan's “The Subway” showcases her versatility with dream-pop influences. Wednesday's “Elderberry Wine” offers a poetic take on classic country. Other notable tracks include dexter in the newsagent's “Special,” Feeble Little Horse's “This is Real,” and Kehlani's heartfelt “Folded.”