Entertainment

Saudi Arabia faced pushback for its human rights record, but now that seems to be waning, as the country once again tries to make inroads into U.S. entertainment.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The new Netflix docuseries “African Queens” explores the lives of some of the most powerful women in the continent’s history. It debuts on February 15.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Joe Manganiello has often explored identity in his various film and television roles, yet the “Magic Mike” actor had large holes in his own family’s history and genealogy.

Actor Joe Manganiello on finding his own surprising roots

Joe Manganiello has often explored identity in his various film and television roles, yet the “Magic Mike” actor had large holes in his own family’s history and genealogy.

from The Treatment

Actor Jason Segel has a long history of playing likable guys in comedies.

Actor Jason Segel on the currency of his likable roles

Actor Jason Segel has a long history of playing likable guys in comedies.

from The Treatment

Director Elegance Bratton cites Diego Velázquez’s portrait of his enslaved assistant as a favorite, but also questions whether the Spanish artist was its true painter.

The Treat: ‘The Inspection’ director Elegance Bratton on Diego Velázquez’s Portrait of Juan de Pareja

Director Elegance Bratton cites Diego Velázquez’s portrait of his enslaved assistant as a favorite, but also questions whether the Spanish artist was its true painter.

from The Treatment

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer talks about his early co-producing days, the rocky road to get the “Top Gun” sequel off the ground, and the movie's success.

Jerry Bruckheimer on career, how Tom Cruise saved ‘Top Gun’ sequel from premiering on streamer

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer talks about his early co-producing days, the rocky road to get the “Top Gun” sequel off the ground, and the movie's success.

from The Business

Filmmaker James Gunn and his partner, Peter Safran, have revealed their plan for DC movies at Warner Bros. Discovery. What will it look like?

James Gunn reveals new DC plan. What does it look like?

Filmmaker James Gunn and his partner, Peter Safran, have revealed their plan for DC movies at Warner Bros. Discovery. What will it look like?

from The Business

Co-chairs of DC Studios at Warner Bros. Discovery James Gunn and Peter Safran have unveiled a new plan. Will they deliver?

James Gunn, Peter Safran present a new DCU plan. Will they deliver?

Co-chairs of DC Studios at Warner Bros. Discovery James Gunn and Peter Safran have unveiled a new plan. Will they deliver?

from Hollywood Breakdown

Critics review the latest film releases: “Knock at the Cabin,” “80 for Brady,” “The Amazing Maurice,” and “Pamela, A Love Story.”

‘Pamela, A Love Story’ is a moving, important film to have out there, says critic

Critics review the latest film releases: “Knock at the Cabin,” “80 for Brady,” “The Amazing Maurice,” and “Pamela, A Love Story.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A new Frontline documentary explores why American presidents have declined to aggressively confront Vladimir Putin as he tried to rebuild the Soviet Union.

Putin’s relationship with 5 US presidents led to his invasion of Ukraine

A new Frontline documentary explores why American presidents have declined to aggressively confront Vladimir Putin as he tried to rebuild the Soviet Union.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Academy is investigating the promotional campaign behind Andrea Riseborough’s Oscar nomination for her role in “To Leslie.”

Did ‘To Leslie’ promo campaign involve lobbying and harassing?

The Academy is investigating the promotional campaign behind Andrea Riseborough’s Oscar nomination for her role in “To Leslie.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The new documentary “Sometimes When We Touch” explores the rise of soft rock during the 1970s and 1980s.

How 1970s saccharine soft rock influenced early hip-hop

The new documentary “Sometimes When We Touch” explores the rise of soft rock during the 1970s and 1980s.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Director Kasi Lemmons’s films span over two decades and include “Eve’s Bayou” and “Talk to Me.” Her latest is “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”

Director Kasi Lemmons on Whitney Houston’s divided self

Director Kasi Lemmons’s films span over two decades and include “Eve’s Bayou” and “Talk to Me.” Her latest is “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”

from The Treatment

Sandy King Carpenter had a successful career as a film producer before starting Storm King Comics, a comics publisher that recently celebrated its tenth anniversary.

Storm King Comics publisher Sandy King Carpenter on economic storytelling

Sandy King Carpenter had a successful career as a film producer before starting Storm King Comics, a comics publisher that recently celebrated its tenth anniversary.

from The Treatment

New York Times culture reporter Joe Coscarelli has used the 2004 documentary “Dig!” as inspiration for his journalistic career.

The Treat: Writer Joe Coscarelli on indie rock film ‘Dig!’

New York Times culture reporter Joe Coscarelli has used the 2004 documentary “Dig!” as inspiration for his journalistic career.

from The Treatment

Netflix just announced some major reshuffling of its top executives. How will this play out? Plus, a quick look at the 2023 Oscar noms.

How will Netflix’s top exec reshuffle play out?

Netflix just announced some major reshuffling of its top executives. How will this play out? Plus, a quick look at the 2023 Oscar noms.

from The Business

Sarah Polley discusses her career from traumatic experiences as a child actor, to the challenges, and surprises of directing the Oscar-nominated film, “Women Talking.”

Sarah Polley’s career: From child actor to award-winning director

Sarah Polley discusses her career from traumatic experiences as a child actor, to the challenges, and surprises of directing the Oscar-nominated film, “Women Talking.”

from The Business

Will the Academy attract viewers with two nominees having the highest total gross in history? Plus, a look at Oscars surprises and snubs.

Big stars, popular films are nominated. Will audiences watch the Oscars?

Will the Academy attract viewers with two nominees having the highest total gross in history? Plus, a look at Oscars surprises and snubs.

from Hollywood Breakdown

Rogét Chahayed’s work is nominated for six Grammys this year, including Album of the Year for Mary J. Blige’s “Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe).”

Rogét Chahayed goes from San Fernando Valley to the Grammys

Rogét Chahayed’s work is nominated for six Grammys this year, including Album of the Year for Mary J. Blige’s “Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe).”

from Greater LA

Critics review the latest films: “Infinity Pool,” “The Man in the Basement,” You People,” and “Close.”

‘Close’ is moving and emotional, but plays upon queer trauma, says critic

Critics review the latest films: “Infinity Pool,” “The Man in the Basement,” You People,” and “Close.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand