Movie Review: An electric Timothée Chalamet is the consummate striver in propulsive ‘Marty Supreme’
A pitch-perfect Timothée Chalamet finds his greatest role to date in “Marty Supreme,” a breakneck ride from director Josh Safdie. Marty's a brash dreamer. His goal: to show the world he's the best table tennis player alive. It's a tall order for a kid from the Lower East Side but Marty never wavers in his self-belief. Chalamet, wire-thin with acne-scarred skin, small spectacles and a skimpy mustache, puts in an electric performance, writes Associated Press critic Jocelyn Noveck. And he's joined by an astonishing array of supporting players, especially a stylish Gwyneth Paltrow and terrific newcomer Odessa A'zion. Opens in theaters Christmas Day.
Pop culture in 2025: A ring for Taylor, an ill-timed KissCam ... and whatever ‘6-7’ means
In a year of pop culture moments, some things were old and some things were very new. What does the term “6-7” mean? Dictionary.com designated it the word of 2025 but even they couldn't define it. People were talking about “KPop Demon Hunters,” and especially singing its songs. They were talking about the Coldplay KissCam, and how adorable the capybara was. But then there were two names that have dominated our pop culture for years now. Taylor Swift kept making records with her album sales, and got engaged. And Beyoncé finally won her overdue Grammy for album of the year.
The Grammys split the country album category into traditional and contemporary. It might be great
NEW YORK (AP) — The Grammys' country album category has been split into two for the 2026 award show. The Recording Academy has announced that the best country album category is now the best contemporary country album and a best traditional album category has been created. Some view the decision as backlash to Beyoncé’s historic win in 2025 for “Cowboy Carter,” becoming the first Black woman to win best country album. Others welcome the addition of a new award and the creative doors it might open. Some question how the categories would be defined in a genre where the word “traditional” is loaded. But experts and musicians say if it keeps evolving, this is a good thing.
From Broadway understudy to star: John Skelley's magical journey with Harry Potter comes full circle
NEW YORK (AP) — John Skelley can't escape the pull of Harry Potter. The stage actor first joined Broadway's “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” as an understudy. He then led the cast in San Francisco before the pandemic hit. He returned to Potter on a national tour and now finds himself back on Broadway. Skelley wasn't initially a huge fan of Potter and hadn't read the books before auditioning. Once he landed the gig, he quickly immersed himself in the world of Hogwarts. Skelley hopes the play will inspire audiences to see more live theater in their communities.
'Avatar: Fire and Ash' launches with $88M domestically, $345M worldwide
NEW YORK (AP) — “Avatar: Fire and Ash” opened with $345 million in worldwide sales, according to studio estimates Sunday, notching the second-best global debut of the year and potentially putting James Cameron on course to set yet more blockbuster records. Sixteen years into the “Avatar” saga, Pandora is still abundant in box-office riches. “Fire and Ash,” the third film in Cameron’s science-fiction franchise, launched with $88 million domestically and $257 million internationally. The only film to open bigger in 2025 was “Zootopia 2.” But there was a tad less fanfare to this “Avatar” film. Sales were notably less than 2022's “Avatar: The Way of Water.”
Recommended for you
Nicki Minaj surprises conservatives with praise for Trump, Vance at Arizona event
Rapper Nicki Minaj has made a surprise appearance at a gathering of conservatives in Arizona. Speaking on stage at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention, the artist praised President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, calling them “role models” for young men. The rap star was interviewed by Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who has since taken over as leader of Turning Point. Kirk asked Minaj about her newly found support for Trump, whom she had condemned in the past. Minaj's appearance Sunday at the flagship event for the powerful conservative youth organization may shore up her status as a MAGA acolyte.
What to Stream: 'Stranger Things,' Jennifer Lawrence, 'Ne Zha II' and Kate Winslet
Jennifer Lawrence playing a new mother whose behavior becomes increasingly erratic in “Die My Love” and three more “Stranger Things” episodes are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time for the week of Dec. 22 as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade featuring Gwen Stefani and Nicole Scherzinger, the Chinese animated epic “Ne Zha II” and Simu Liu starring as an intelligence analyst whose brain has been hacked in Peacock’s “The Copenhagen Test.”
Celebrity birthdays for the week of Dec. 28-Jan. 3 includes Gayle King and Denzel Washington
Celebrities having birthdays during the week of Dec. 28-Jan. 3 include TV personality Gayle King, actor Denzel Washington and singer John Legend. Drummer Danny Wagner of Greta Van Fleet turns 27, singer Andra Day hits 41 and actor-comedian Tracey Ullman reaches 66. Other celebrities with big days during the week include singer Bryson Tiller, actor Florence Pugh and bassist John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin. Actor Victoria Principal turns 76, actor-director Mel Gibson hits 70 and musician Drew Taggart of The Chainsmokers greets 36. Two New Year's Eve birthdays are celebrated by rapper Grandmaster Flash and singer-guitarist Country Joe McDonald of Country Joe and the Fish.
Singer-songwriter Chris Rea, known for 'Driving Home for Christmas,' dies at 74
LONDON (AP) — Chris Rea, the singer-songwriter best known for “Driving Home for Christmas,” has died at 74. His family announced Monday that Rea died in the hospital after a short illness. Rea rose to fame in the 1980s in Britain with hits like “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” and “Let’s Dance.” His albums “The Road to Hell” and “Auberge” both reached number one. “Driving Home for Christmas” became a beloved festive song over the decades. Born in 1951 in Middlesbrough, Rea came to music later in life. He had faced health issues, including pancreatic cancer and a stroke.
'60 Minutes' holds off on airing critical piece on Trump deportation policy
AP Media Writer (AP) — Hours before airtime on Sunday, CBS News' “60 Minutes” held a planned story on President Donald Trump's deportation policy at the order of the network's new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss. Weiss, the founder of the Free Press website, had sought to get Trump administration perspective included in the story. The move is sure to increase scrutiny on CBS and “60 Minutes,” which Trump sued last fall over an interview with Kamala Harris and has recently complained about stories critical of him. Weiss said in a statement that holding stories that aren't ready, because they lack context or are missing critical voices, happen every day in newsrooms.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.