AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 1:58 p.m. EST

Harrison Ford to receive SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award for his career and humanitarian work

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Harrison Ford will receive a lifetime achievement award from SAG-AFTRA in March. The actor union's president, Sean Astin, praised Ford on Thursday as a “singular presence” in American culture. The 83-year-old Ford has starred in iconic roles like Han Solo in “Star Wars” and Indiana Jones. His career spans six decades, also including roles in “Blade Runner” and on television. Ford has earned numerous accolades, including the Golden Globes Cecil B. DeMille Award. He expressed gratitude for the recognition from fellow actors. The award ceremony will stream live on Netflix from the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall.

Movie Review: Wonder and war in 'Avatar: Fire and Ash'

“Avatar: Fire and Ash,” will probably be a rewarding experience for fans of James Cameron's saga. But for those whose trips to Pandora have made less of an impact, it's like returning to a half-remembered vacation spot, only one where the local ponytail style is a little strange and everyone seems to have the waist of a supermodel, writes Associated Press Film Writer Jake Coyle in his review. The 195-minute film is our longest stay yet on Pandora and the one most likely to make you ponder why you came here, in the first place. You can feel Cameron’s devotion to the dynamics of his characters, even when his interest outstrips our own.

Arab female directors drive change at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Arab female film directors are reshaping Arab cinema by telling untold stories and claiming space in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Four influential directors participated in this year's Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, showcasing diverse narratives. The festival highlights Saudi Arabia's investment in film, gaming and sports as part of its transformation efforts. Palestinian American filmmaker Cherien Dabis premiered “All That’s Left of You,” a multigenerational story about Palestinian displacement. Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen’s film “Hijra” won the Yusr Jury Prize. Palestinian Amira Diab and Jordanian Zain Duraie also presented films, emphasizing the importance of women's voices in cinema.

Romanian court sentences US rapper Wiz Khalifa to 9 months for drug possession

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A court in Romania has sentenced American rapper Wiz Khalifa to nine months in jail on drug possession charges. The ruling on Thursday came more than a year after he took part in a music festival in the Eastern European country. Khalifa was stopped by Romanian police in July 2024 after allegedly smoking cannabis on stage at the festival in Costinesti. Prosecutors said the rapper was found in possession of more than 18 grams of cannabis and that he consumed some on stage. The Constanta Court of Appeal handed down the sentence. The decision is final. It isn’t clear whether Romanian authorities will seek to file an extradition request since Khalifa is a U.S. citizen and doesn’t reside in Romania.

Here are 10 TV shows from 2025 to catch up on before it's 2026

If you're staying in this holiday season, it's a great time to catch up on some of 2025's standout TV shows. “Dept. Q” features Matthew Goode as a detective solving cold cases. “Paradise” stars Sterling K. Brown in a sci-fi drama on Hulu. “Love Island USA” continues to entertain with its seventh season on Peacock. “The Pitt” brings Noah Wyle back to TV as a doctor. Seth Rogen's “The Studio” offers a comedic take on Hollywood. Netflix's “Adolescence” and “The Beast in Me” deliver gripping drama. “St. Denis Medical” and “The Paper” provide laughs, while “Forever” explores young love.

Rob and Michele Reiner's son appears in court on murder charges while siblings speak of their loss

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nick Reiner, son of Rob Reiner, appeared in court as he faces charges of first-degree murder in the killing of his parents. The 32-year-old did not enter a plea as he appeared Wednesday from behind the glass wall of a custody area. He was in shackles and wearing a jail suicide prevention smock. The 78-year-old actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead from stab wounds in their Los Angeles home Sunday. The couple's other two children, Jake and Romy Reiner, released a statement saying they are feeling unimaginable pain at the loss of parents who were also their best friends.

A photo of Miss Finland sparks racist accusations and furor across Asia

HELSINKI, Finland (AP) — Finland's government is facing a backlash after its representative for the 2025 Miss Universe pageant, Sarah Dzafce, was seen pulling the corners of her eyes in a viral photo. The image, captioned “eating with a Chinese,” sparked accusations of racism from several Asian countries. Dzafce lost her Miss Finland crown last week. She apologized, explaining her gesture was meant to alleviate a headache and the caption was added without her input. The controversy snowballed when members of the parliament posted their own photos of them pulling the skin around their eyes. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo apologized to countries like Japan and South Korea.

Movie Review: SpongeBob is back in madcap ‘Search for SquarePants’

SpongeBob wants to prove he's a big guy in “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.” In theaters Friday, the movie takes SpongeBob and his loyal pal Patrick on an adventure to the underworld with the ghost of The Flying Dutchman, who is voiced by Mark Hamill. Voice actors Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke and Clancy Brown are all back as well. In her review for The Associated Press, Film Writer Lindsey Bahr writes that the 3D animation style doesn't add anything, but that the zany, madcap spirit of SpongeBob remains firmly intact seven years after its creator died. It's rated PG.

Alex Warren's year has been anything but 'Ordinary.' Now, the Grammys are calling

New York (AP) — Alex Warren's song “Ordinary” is, by many measures, a defining song of 2025. The song was certified three-times platinum and fast-tracked the former social media celebrity into mainstream musical fame. It blew up on TikTok and opened a lot of opportunities for the 25-year-old singer-songwriter. On Feb. 1, he competes for his first Grammy. The first-time nominee is up for best new artist. Warren tells The Associated Press that he is grateful for his breakout year and hopes that his music connects with people. Warren's debut album, “You’ll Be Alright, Kid,” was released last summer.