L.A. Times - Entertainment News

Movie review: 'The Dictator' rules with crudeness and smarts

By Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times Film Critic — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

'The Dictator' review: The genius and folly Sacha Baron Cohen displayed in 'Borat' are on display, as are the talents of Anna Faris.

Like its creator and star Sacha Baron Cohen, the comedy of "The Dictator" is mercurial to the extreme and as crude as the massive oil reserves of Wadiya, the fictional North African nation where his latest movie prank begins. By turns hysterical, heretical, guilty, innocent, silly, sophisticated, teasing and tedious, the film follows the power-mad leader Gen. Adm. Haffaz Aladeen as he loses his bearings, his beard and his heart in New York City.

Jay-Z rips anti-gay marriage movement as 'discrimination'

By Todd Martens — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:16:00 GMT

This week, the hip-hop star-entrepreneur and longtime supporter of Barack Obama echoed the president's sentiments on the topic of gay marriage.

This week, the hip-hop star-entrepreneur and longtime supporter of Barack Obama echoed the president's sentiments on the topic of gay marriage.

'America's Got Talent': Ratings down for Howard Stern premiere

By Scott Collins — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:47:00 GMT

'Game of Thrones': George R.R. Martin fights the genre wars

By Ned Vizzini — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:35:00 GMT

Los Angeles author and essayist Ned Vizzini¿s piece on the disdain and disinterest traditionally facing fantasy works.

Los Angeles author and essayist Ned Vizzini¿s piece on the disdain and disinterest traditionally facing fantasy works.

'Smash' finale recap: Let Megan Hilty be your star

By Rachel Syme — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:15:00 GMT

Katherine Jenkins OK, sore after 'DWTS' injury; will she be cut?

By Christie D'Zurilla — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:02:00 GMT

Katherine Jenkins of "Dancing With the Stars" may have been the one who got hurt, but the Welsh mezzo-soprano was the one offering comfort in the aftermath to fans who¿d seen her in tears after freezing up in pain during a back-bend dance move on national TV on Monday night.

'Casablanca' to screen on Facebook Wednesday

By Susan King — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:46:00 GMT

As part of the 70th birthday celebration for "Casablanca," Warner Bros. Digital Distribution will sponsor a free screening of the Oscar-winning World War II melodrama on the movie's Facebook page on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Eastern and Pacific times.

L.A. Film Fest to show premiere of Aaron Sorkin's 'The Newsroom'

By Julie Makinen — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:37:00 GMT

The L.A. Film Festival is dabbling in television this year, showcasing two programs: AMC's "Breaking Bad" and HBO's "The Newsroom."

William Friedkin to serve as L.A. Film Fest's guest director

By Nicole Sperling — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:33:00 GMT

William Friedkin, the Academy Award-winning director of 1971's "The French Connection," will serve as guest director of the Los Angeles Film Festival and will screen his new NC-17 movie, "Killer Joe," on June 15.

Ellen DeGeneres to receive Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

By Patrick Kevin Day — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:26:00 GMT

The Emmy-winning host of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" is being honored for her stand-up work, her daytime show, her various hosting gigs, activism and books.

The Emmy-winning host of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" is being honored for her stand-up work, her daytime show, her various hosting gigs, activism and books.

Upfronts 2012: ABC looks to more nighttime soaps for fall

By Steven Zeitchik — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:49:00 GMT

Upfronts 2012: ABC star Sofia Vergara promotes Univision

By Meg James and Yvonne Villarreal — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:43:00 GMT

'America's Got Talent' recap: Howard Stern makes his debut

By Amy Reiter — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:25:00 GMT

The "revolution" to which Cannon was referring was presumably the show's extremely well paid, highly controversial (before he even had a chance to do anything) new judge, Howard Stern.

The "revolution" to which Cannon was referring was presumably the show's extremely well paid, highly controversial (before he even had a chance to do anything) new judge, Howard Stern.

Warner Music revenue down 8%, but losses are narrow

By Alex Pham — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:53:00 GMT

Warner Music Group, whose artists include Bruno Mars, Lenny Kravitz and Eric Clapton, posted an 8% drop in revenue for its second quarter, due in large part to a light album release schedule.

Upfronts 2012: ABC unveils 2012-13 schedule

By Yvonne Villarreal — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:05:00 GMT

ABC is adding four comedies and five dramas to its slate next season, including the soap "Nashville," which is set in the capital of country music.

TV Skeptic: 'Weight of the Nation' is light on balance about obesity

By Ed Stockly — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:56:00 GMT

There is an 800-pound gorilla looming in the background of "The Weight of the Nation," the four-part documentary that began on Monday and concludes Tuesday on HBO.

There is an 800-pound gorilla looming in the background of "The Weight of the Nation," the four-part documentary that began on Monday and concludes Tuesday on HBO.

Will 'Think Like a Man' put Tim Story on Hollywood's A list?

By Patrick Goldstein — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:45:00 GMT

Story now has a ragtag success story of his own. His latest film, "Think Like a Man," made on a meager $12-million budget, is now a significant comedy hit, having grossed $82 million domestically in its first 24 days of release.

Yahoo's Movieland game for summer films

By Oliver Gettell — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Internet company Yahoo will attempt to stake a claim on the summer movie season Tuesday with the launch of Movieland, an interactive online game promoting some 35 big-budget films.

Album review: Best Coast's 'The Only Place'

By Randall Roberts, Los Angeles Times Music Critic — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:25:00 GMT

Shepard Fairey gets artsy with Neil Young's new 'Americana' album

By Jamie Wetherbe — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Shepard Fairey has a prominent new canvas — or 11.

'The Bachelorette' recap: Single-mom Emily Maynard meets her men

By Amy Kaufman — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:42:00 GMT

Study: Females 'dramatically under-represented' in top 2011 films

By Lee Margulies — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:38:00 GMT

Females were "dramatically under-represented" in the United States' top 100 grossing films last year, accounting for 33% of all characters at a time when they made up nearly 51% of the U.S. population, according to a study being released Tuesday.

'Dancing With the Stars' recap: Semi-final shake-ups and breakdowns

By Allyssa Lee — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:25:00 GMT

The judges seemed nit-pickier than usual, but we still ended up with two couples earning perfect 30 scores, as well as an injury that could put a former leading scorer's position in peril.

Bret Michaels settles lawsuit over onstage Tony Awards accident

By Jamie Wetherbe — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:05:00 GMT

Bret Michaels and organizers of the Tonys have settled a lawsuit that the Poison frontman had filed after he was hit by a piece of scenery during the 2009 award show.

News Corp. agrees to buy 19.9% stake in China's Bona Film Group

By Jonathan Landreth — Tue, 15 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The deal by 20th Century Fox's parent is Hollywood latest attempt to cash in on Asia's movie boom.

BEIJING — 20th Century Fox parent News Corp. has agreed to acquire a 19.9% stake in Beijing-based Bona Film Group, the latest attempt by Hollywood to cash in on Asia's movie boom. The deal also signals the global aspirations of China's second-largest independent movie production and distribution firm.