‘Stand by Me’ stars reflect on the movie, Rob Reiner and its return to theaters 40 years later
Rob Reiner's beloved coming-of-age film “Stand by Me” is coming back to theaters for one week. The 40th anniversary has reunited stars Jerry O’Connell, Corey Feldman and Wil Wheaton who are eager to remember and honor their director, who died in December. They say the timing of the anniversary has given them a shared place to grieve and remember. It also makes them think about their late co-star River Phoenix. They say the film still connects across generation for its simplicity and authenticity. Audiences at screenings range in age from kids to grandparents. The return to theaters starts Friday.
Stephen Colbert and son will co-write a 'Lord of the Rings' movie
NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Colbert, famous devotee to J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth, is co-writing a “Lord of the Rings” movie with his son. Warner Bros. announced early Wednesday that Colbert will script “The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past” along with series veteran Philippa Boyens and Peter McGee, Colbert’s son. Producer Peter Jackson revealed Colbert’s involvement in a social media video that introduced a “very special partner” on the film. “Shadow of the Past” will come after Andy Serkis’ upcoming “The Hunt of Gollum,” which is set to arrive in theaters next year.
A woman prosecutors say fired shots at Rihanna's home in attempt to kill her set to appear in court
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A woman who prosecutors fired shots at Rihanna’s home while the singer and her family were there is set to appear in court. Thirty-five-year-old Ivanna Lisette Ortiz of Orlando, Florida, expected to enter a plea in Los Angeles to more than a dozen felony counts. She is charged with the attempted murder of Rihanna and 10 counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm against other people at the home, including Rihanna's partner A$AP Rocky and three young children. Prosecutors haven't said what might have motivated the shooting. Ortiz could face life in prison if convicted.
Music Review: Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea realizes lifelong dream with solo jazz album, 'Honora'
LOS ANGELES (AP) — After decades with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, bassist Flea introduces a jazz-heavy solo debut in “Honora.” The album opens with a psychedelic instrumental that hints at rock, but the album shifts quickly to jazz. That, and trumpet more specifically, is the focus of the album, writes The Associated Press’ Krysta Fauria in her review. The record leans on big collaborators like Thom Yorke and Nick Cave and includes covers, including of songs from Frank Ocean and Funkadelic. The album is easy to enjoy for jazz newcomers. Flea's foray into the genre may come as a surprise, but the rocker has long maintained the trumpet and jazz were his first musical loves.
Savannah Guthrie in NBC News interview appeals for help finding her missing mother
Savannah Guthrie says in a tearful interview on NBC that "'somebody needs to do the right thing” and provide information that leads to a resolution of the case of her missing 84-year-old mother. Guthrie says she wakes up every night wondering about the terror that her mother went through. The “Today” show aired a portion of Hoda Kotb’s interview with her colleague Wednesday and says it will air more on Thursday and Friday — the first interview Guthrie has given since her mother went missing nearly two months ago. Investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped or otherwise taken against her will.
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Jason Benetti steps into the spotlight as NBC’s lead voice for 'Sunday Night Baseball'
When Sam Flood learned in November that NBC would be back doing baseball, he immediately knew who he wanted as his play-by-play voice and the format for it. Viewers will get their first look and listen on Thursday when NBC has an Opening Day doubleheader. The prime time game between the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks will be Jason Benetti’s debut as the network’s lead baseball announcer. Benetti will be the voice of “Sunday Night Baseball,” which moves to NBC and Peacock after 26 seasons on ESPN. He handled play-by-play for the “MLB Sunday Leadoff” package on Peacock in 2022.
'Project Hail Mary' adds to a winning streak for originality at the movies
NEW YORK (AP) — Franchise movies have been the dominant currency in Hollywood for years, but, lately, the upside of originality has been hard to miss. A week after “One Battle After Another,” “Sinners” and “KPop Demon Hunters” triumphed at the Academy Awards, “Project Hail Mary” notched the biggest non-franchise opening weekend since “Oppenheimer.” In the first three months of 2026, the two biggest hits are it and the Pixar original “Hoppers.” None of these successes didn't come at some expense. “Project Hail Mary,” based on the Andy Weir bestseller, cost close to $200 million to make. But its $80.5 million debut vindicated Amazon MGM's big bet, and gave the studio its biggest box-office hit.
Now a true pop star, Miley Cyrus returns to her 'Hannah Montana' roots to fete anniversary special
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Miley Cyrus went back to her “Hannah Montana” blond mane and to her roots as Miley Stewart, the tween with a big secret. The now real-life pop star reunited Monday evening with cast members in Los Angeles to celebrate the “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special.” The original show was launched in 2006 on the Disney Channel. In it, middle-schooler Miley led a double life as a pop singer. Cyrus is now 33 and reflected to The Associated Press how the milestone has given her a new perspective on the show that launched her stardom. The anniversary special began streaming Tuesday on Disney+ and Hulu.
Composer of iconic 'Lion King' chant sues comedian over 'Circle of Life' translation
The Grammy-award winning South African composer of the iconic chant that opens “The Lion King” is suing a comedian, saying he's denigrated the “Circle of Life” song with an intentional mistranslation. Lebohang Morake says Learnmore Jonasi devalued the composer's contribution to the song, which he performed for the 1994 Disney hit movie. Morake wants $27 million in damages. He says Jonasi described the meaning of the chant's Zulu lyrics as facts, not jokes, and so his statements aren't entitled to First Amendment protections. Jonasi said Morake’s reaction ignores his more nuanced critique of how Americans understand African identity.
A group of Oscar winners set out to make the definitive AI documentary
A new documentary tries to explain generative AI fast, clearly and without taking sides, even as the technology keeps changing. On Friday, “The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist” reaches theaters after nearly three years of work. Directors Daniel Roher and Charlie Tyrell say they set out to answer basic questions about what artificial intelligence is, why it is good and why it is bad. They found it almost impossible to fit into one film. The team interviews more than 40 people, including major AI leaders and critics.
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