Brigitte Bardot's funeral will be held next week in French Riviera resort of Saint-Tropez
PARIS (AP) — Local authorities in France say Brigitte Bardot’s funeral is set for next week in the French Riviera resort of Saint-Tropez which she helped make famous. The cinema star and animal rights activist died Sunday at 91 in southern France. Saint-Tropez town hall said Monday that a ceremony is scheduled on Jan. 7 and will be broadcast on large screens at the port and central square. The burial will be private at the local cemetery overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. A public homage will follow. Bardot retired from cinema in 1973 and lived in Saint-Tropez for more than a half-century.
France grants citizenship to George and Amal Clooney and their twins Ella and Alexander
PARIS (AP) — George and Amal Clooney, along with their twins, have been awarded French citizenship. France's government announced the naturalizations last weekend in the Journal Officiel. Amal Clooney, a human rights lawyer, was naturalized under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin. The couple purchased an estate in France in 2021. In an October interview with Esquire, Clooney described their French farm as their primary residence. He expressed concerns about raising their kids in Hollywood's culture, preferring a quieter life in France. Representatives for Clooney did not respond to requests for comment on Monday.
Chevy Chase is under the spotlight in a new documentary, warts and all — and he's OK with it
NEW YORK (AP) — Chevy Chase's new documentary, “I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not,” explores his complex personality and career. Directed by Marina Zenovich, it airs on CNN on New Year’s Day. The film covers Chase's journey from his troubled childhood to his time on “Saturday Night Live” and Hollywood success, ending with his stint on “Community.” Zenovich includes insights from Dan Aykroyd, Beverly D’Angelo and others. Chase's humor is seen as a coping mechanism for past trauma. Despite his reputation for being difficult, Chase approves of the film, calling it both painful and lovely, like a massage.
Tyler Perry's accuser sent messages of gratitude and friendship years after alleged assault
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Text message screenshots obtained by The Associated Press show that Tyler Perry and “Boo! A Madea Halloween” actor Mario Rodriguez remained in contact years after Rodriguez claims Perry assaulted him. Rodriguez filed a lawsuit last week alleging assaults between 2014 and 2019. The text message screenshots show Rodriguez reaching out to Perry as recently as Thanksgiving 2024 and August 2025, expressing gratitude and discussing financial distress. Rodriguez said in a statement Monday that asking for help doesn’t mean abuse didn’t happen. Perry’s attorney called the lawsuit a "$77 million money grab scam.” Perry has denied the allegations.
Movie Review: 'The Plague' dives into a sink-or-swim water polo camp
The undercurrents of adolescent cruelty churn queasily in Charlie Polinger’s stylish first feature, “The Plague.” The title of Polinger’s film might bring to mind Stephen King or recent global history, but “The Plague” is set entirely around the clear, chlorinated pools and shadowy hallways of a water polo camp, circa 2003. Polinger’s talent for crafting ominous, murky atmospheres and perceptive adolescent dynamics make “The Plague” an auspicious debut feature, writes Associated Press Film Writer Jake Coyle. “The Plague” expands wide in theaters Friday.
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Movie Review: Daisy Ridley holds onto hope in the zombie thriller ‘We Bury the Dead’
Daisy Ridley plays a woman searching for her probably dead husband in the new zombie thriller “We Bury the Dead.” The film imagines a world in which the U.S. accidentally detonates a weapon which leaves 500,000 people in and around Tasmania dead. But some are coming back to life. In her review for The Associated Press, film writer Lindsey Bahr writes that it is ultimately a movie about grief that seems to be unsure of how much it wants to go full zombie. “We Bury the Dead,” a Vertical release, is rated R and in theaters Friday.
AP Exclusive: China threatens detention in Xinjiang over banned Uyghur songs
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Authorities in China's Xinjiang region are threatening to detain residents over downloading, listening to and sharing Uyghur-language songs they consider sensitive. That's according to a recording of a public meeting obtained by The Associated Press. The tunes, ranging from traditional folk ballads to rap songs, are being targeted for allegedly threatening social stability, damaging the Chinese Communist Party’s reputation and bringing down the public’s morale, among other reasons. The renewed crackdown on cultural expression in Xinjiang suggests a continuation of the repressive policies over the past decade that have culminated in the extrajudicial detention, between 2017 and 2019, of at least 1 million Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and Huis.
Hollywood stars Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo recognized in New Year's honor's list
LONDON (AP) — Britons ranging from Hollywood stars Idris Elba and Cynthia Erivo to a 102-year-old judo instructor have been named in King Charles III’s New Year’s honors list, an annual tradition that recognizes people for their contributions to U.K. public life. Elba, who starred as a drug dealer in “The Wire” and the president of the United States in “A House of Dynamite,” was knighted for his services to young people after he and his wife, Sabrina, founded the Elba Hope Foundation to target issues such as knife crime, education and poverty. Ice dancing duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, author Richard Osman and D-Day veteran Mervyn Kersh were also among those recognized.
'Avatar' and 'Marty Supreme' propel strong ticket sales to wrap a turbulent 2025 for Hollywood
NEW YORK (AP) — Hollywood has wrapped up a turbulent 2025 with big ticket sales for “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Marty Supreme." As expected, James Cameron’s latest trip to Pandora dominated ticket sales over a busy holiday weekend in theaters. It collected an estimated $88 million over the four-day Christmas-to-Sunday period. But much of the heat in theaters over the holiday weekend belonged to “Marty Supreme." Josh Safdie’s 1950s-set table tennis drama collected $27.1 million over the four-day weekend. It's a smash success for the indie studio. Hollywood is ending a rough year with its best Christmas Day box office since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
What music and television to stream: A New Year's Eve tradition
The end of the year brings fewer new streaming options, but it's a great time to catch up on 2025's best movies, TV, music, and games. The Associated Press offers comprehensive guides on its Year in Review page. One standout this week is a music and television option perfect for New Year's Eve. On Dec. 31, you can enjoy all-star performances. “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” is available to stream on ABC.com. Performers include Chappell Roan, 50 Cent, Diana Ross, Chance the Rapper, and many more.
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