Paweł Pawlikowski, master of the 90-minute movie, returns with 'Fatherland'

NEW YORK (AP) — Storytelling economy can be in short supply at the movies. But Paweł Pawlikowski has made a career out of a concision that now seems almost radical. His last three films — “Ida,” “Cold War” and his latest, “Fatherland” — are all 90 minutes or less. Each is shot in black and white, in a boxy academy ratio. And none has a single ounce of fat on it. In an era where three-hour movies are commonplace, the 69-year-old Polish filmmaker has refined a style of less is more. His movies are brief but unhurried, lean yet profound. “Fatherland,” starring Sandra Hüller, opens in select theaters Friday.

What to know as 6 women testify in Russell Brand rape and sexual assault trial in London

LONDON (AP) — Actor and comedian Russell Brand is facing allegations of rape and sexual assault in a London trial. Six women have testified in court about the instances which allegedly occurred between 1999 and 2009 in various locations. The 51-year-old Brand denies all charges. He pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of rape and assault. Prosecutors describe him as a manipulative predator with a strong desire for sexual contact. The women didn't report the assaults initially out of shame and because of Brand's celebrity status. They came forward after a 2023 television program aired accusations. Brand is known for his contentious comedy and social media presence. He hasn't testified yet. The trial could last up to 10 weeks.

Tom Cruise to receive life achievement award from the American Film Institute

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tom Cruise is being honored with a life achievement award from the American Film Institute. AFI's board of trustees announced Wednesday that the award will be presented at a gala tribute in Los Angeles next April. Kathleen Kennedy, chair of AFI's board, praised Cruise as a global icon and highlighted his dedication to film. Cruise, 64, has starred in numerous films over four decades, earning three Academy Award nominations. He also received an honorary Oscar last year. The AFI Life Achievement Award recognizes individuals whose work has advanced film and stood the test of time.

Movie Review: 'Clayface' arrives as a pretty good R-rated revenge thriller-horror romance

DC Studios has turned to an unlikely character for its next feature movie, says AP critic Mark Kennedy. “Clayface,” directed by James Watkins, is a revenge thriller-romance and body-horror origin story for a lesser-known Batman villain. Tom Rhys Harries stars as Matt Hagen, a rising actor whose life changes after a mobster disfigures him. He turns to a scientist, played by Naomi Ackie, for help. The film explores themes of identity and Hollywood's obsession with beauty. Kennedy says that despite being Batman-less, "Clayface" is a crowd-pleaser with practical effects and biting satire. The R-rated movie hits theaters Friday.

Fall Movie Preview: In an AI world, Laika makes handmade wonders — and 'Wildwood'

NEW YORK (AP) — In an increasingly AI world, the stop-motion animation studio Laika is trying to keep handmade craft alive. “Wildwood” is the Portland, Oregon-based studio’s most ambitious film ever. And it has already proved audiences are hungry for something tactile and soulful. The movie’s trailer has gained more than 90 million views on YouTube. The film's director and Laika's chief executive, Travis Knight, believes it's the best thing Laika has ever done. He's the son of Nike co-founder Phil Knight. But he's used his family fortune to keep an old way of making movies alive. The film opens in theaters Oct. 23 and is based on Colin Meloy’s 2011 fantasy novel.

Vladimir Kara-Murza memoir 'One Day Free' to be released May 18

NEW YORK (AP) — Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza has written a memoir he's calling “One Day Free.” Public Affairs announced Wednesday that the book will be published May 18. Kara-Murza describes it as a personal testimony and historical chronicle of life under President Vladimir Putin. The book examines Putin's rule and those who supported or opposed it. Kara-Murza, an activist and journalist, was arrested in 2022 for opposing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and sentenced to 25 years. He was released in 2024 and now lives in the United States. He says he remains optimistic about Russia's future.

CNN threatens new legal action, saying it's still being denied access to Air Force One

CNN has threatened further legal action if its journalists continue to be denied access to Air Force One. The network has been in a legal battle with Donald Trump’s administration since the president banned it and two other outlets from White House grounds, calling their content “Fake News.” Last week, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction against the ban. However, CNN remains barred from TV pool coverage of Trump’s travel on Air Force One. CNN attorney Theodore J. Boutrous Jr. wrote a letter Monday to the Justice Department threatening additional legal action. The department did not respond to a request for comment.

'The Simpsons' resurrects Apu after nearly a decade of silence

The Halloween-themed episodes of “The Simpsons” have always been a treat of spooky stand-alone storylines. On Sunday, the show surprised viewers with the resurrection of Apu. The beloved Indian Kwik-E-Mart operator had not been heard onscreen in almost a decade. Once voiced by Hank Azaria, he's now voiced by Indian American actor Sunil Malhotra. Apu’s surprise return is a remarkable twist to a long-running discourse about the character representing a painful stereotype to some South Asian Americans. Comedian Hari Kondabolu made the 2017 documentary “The Problem With Apu.” He commended “The Simpsons” on bringing Apu back.

Taiwan indicts 5 accused of trying to injure comedian who mocks Xi and Chinese Communist Party

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Five people have been indicted in Taiwan on charges they tried to injure a comedian who mocks the Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party in his performances. Prosecutors said Wednesday the five suspects are accused of accepting money to harm comedian Huang Yihao. Huang said a car swerved toward him last month, hitting him and his scooter. He escaped severe injury. Prosecutors said the five are Taiwanese but received directions and funding from someone in mainland China. They said the suspects installed a tracking device on his scooter and followed him to arrange the crash.

Movie Review: 'Once Upon a Time in Harlem' is more than a staggering time capsule

The new film “Once Upon a Time in Harlem” is a staggering documentary event. As AP Film Writer Jake Coyle writes in his review, the movie is about a single day in 1972 when the filmmaker William Greaves gathered luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance for a cocktail party at Duke Ellington's town house. The result is less an act of preservation than a lively and dynamic reminder that history is an ever-unfolding continuum. Coyle says it's a miracle of a movie. For decades, the footage sat unused. Only after Greaves' death in 2014 did the 16 mm film get restored and ultimately assembled into a documentary by the director's son, David Greaves.