AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 8:39 p.m. EDT

From 'Moana' to 'Leviticus,' here are summer movie breakouts you need to know

This summer's movies are spotlighting fresh talent. Catherine Lagaʻaia stars in the live-action “Moana,” set to release July 10. “Leviticus,” a “conversion therapy” horror film, features Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen and hits theaters June 19. It explores themes of love and identity. Kara Young and Mallori Johnson lead “Is God Is,” a story of revenge and sisterhood, in theaters May 15. Other highlights include the assistants of “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” the 20-year-old “Backrooms” filmmaker and the “SNL” cast members leading the Netflix comedy “72 Hours.”

Music Review: Kacey Musgraves’ ‘Middle of Nowhere’ is where you’ll want to be

New York (AP) — Crossover country-pop star Kacey Musgraves will release her sixth album Friday. Titled “Middle of Nowhere,” it celebrates her Texas roots with a blend of genres, from country pop to norteño. The album isn’t so much a love letter to her home of the Lone Star State as much as it is a place for profundity, writes The Associated Press Music Writer Maria Sherman in her review. It is a celebration of sounds familiar, new, old and revived, delivered with her glassy vocal style and cheeky wit. She says collaborations with fellow Texans Miranda Lambert and Willie Nelson amplify these wise songs about making your own way.

An Oscar is lost, then found, after director forced to check it on a flight out of JFK

NEW YORK (AP) — After being forced to check his Academy Award on a trans-Atlantic flight, recent winner Pavel Talankin’s Oscar went missing before an airline tracked it down two days later. Talankin, who co-directed the best documentary winner “Mr. Nobody Against Putin,” didn’t expect to have to check his statuette for a flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport for Frankfurt, Germany, on Wednesday. But a Transportation Security Administration agent said it couldn’t go on board. Then, it disappeared. On Friday, the airline Lufthansa said it had found the Oscar and is expediting its return to Talankin.

Oscars organization expands international film eligibility, addresses AI in new rules

The organization behind the Oscars is for the first time addressing the use of artificial intelligence in performances and scripts for the 2027 Academy Awards. New rules emphasize human authorship but do not ban AI. The academy released updates Friday across many categories. Significant changes include expanding the international film category to include films that won top awards at prestigious festivals like Cannes and Venice. The academy also stresses that humans must be at the center of the creative process. Screenplays must be human-authored to be eligible. The academy will review AI-related cases individually. The academy says the updates reflect its global focus and commitment to honoring filmmakers.

Weinstein accuser finishes five days of tense testimony

NEW YORK (AP) — The accuser at Harvey Weinstein’s rape retrial has finished testifying. She returned to the witness stand Friday, a day after she said was having difficulty focusing. She faced further questioning from the former movie magnate’s lawyers. They spent the much of the day scrutinizing her communications and get-togethers with him after the alleged rape in March 2013. Weinstein says everything that happened between the two was consensual and part of a four-year, caring relationship. The trial continues Tuesday.

Gerry Conway, comic book writer who co-created Punisher character in Spider-Man, dies at 73

Gerry Conway, a renowned comic book writer who helped create characters and stories for Marvel and DC, including the Punisher character in the Spider-Man comics, has died. He was 73. In a Monday statement announcing his death, Marvel described Conway as “legendary.” He was well known for his work related to Spider-Man, including the creation of the Punisher, a vigilante antihero with a skull logo on his chest. Conway also wrote for a range of other major titles such as the Avengers and Iron Man. Conway is survived by his wife, Laura Conway, and two daughters from previous marriages.

The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards are coming up. Here's who's nominated and how to watch

NEW YORK (AP) — The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards are just around the corner. The awards ceremony has left Texas and will take place May 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Shania Twain will host for the first time. She's taking over the role from Reba McEntire. Women dominate the nominations. Megan Moroney leads the nods with nine. She’s followed by Miranda Lambert with eight. Lambert is the most-decorated artist in ACM Awards history. Then it is Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson with seven. Performers will include Lambert, Wilson, Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, Riley Green and more.

What to know about the Eurovision Song Contest as it turns 70 with a Vienna extravaganza

LONDON (AP) — The Eurovision Song Contest is celebrating its 70th anniversary, with political tensions hanging over the musical extravaganza. The contest, held in Vienna from May 12-16, features 35 countries competing for the continent's pop crown. Five countries are boycotting due to Israel's participation and protests are planned in Vienna during the event. Eurovision began in 1956 to promote unity after World War II and has grown into a global celebration of diversity and pop music watched by 166 million people last year. Despite its motto “United by Music,” the contest often faces political controversies. This year, Finland is favored to win the grand final at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna on May 16.

Foo Fighters bring their stadium show to a modest NYC venue. Inside the exclusive, surprise concert

NEW YORK (AP) — Foo Fighters have performed a surprise, secret concert at New York City's Irving Plaza. Tickets for the Thursday night show were priced at $30. They were limited to two per purchaser and available only on a first-come, first-served basis at 10 a.m. Thursday. Over two and a half hours, the band ripped through songs old and new. Surprises abounded. The band debuted a new song, “Window.” The group opened a five-song encore with “A320,” a contribution to the oft-overlooked 1998 “Godzilla” soundtrack. At one moment a concertgoer shouted, “Taylor Hawkins forever!” That was in memory of the band’s late drummer. Front man Dave Grohl instinctively responded: “That’s right!”