With 'Karate Kid: Legends,' Ben Wang is the 1st Asian American new 'Kid' on the block

It didn’t occur to Ben Wang right away that in taking on “Karate Kid: Legends,” he’d be the franchise’s first Asian American “Kid.” And that gives him a lot of optimism. “Karate Kid: Legends,” which opens Friday, unites OG Ralph Macchio’s Daniel and Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han from the 2010 movie to help Wang’s Li Fong win a New York City karate competition. In the original “Karate Kid” movie, which came out in 1984, Pat Morita was the only main Asian American cast member. His beloved Mr. Miyagi helped underdog Daniel wax on and wax off against white karate bullies. That arc has been replicated and flipped in sequels and offshoots for the past 40 years.

Movie Review: Wes Anderson's ‘Phoenician Scheme’ is as Wes Anderson as a Wes Anderson film can be

Wes Anderson has always been Wes Anderson, but with “The Phoenician Scheme” he somehow seems more Wes Anderson than ever before. Certainly that is true with the intricacy the director brings to both the production design and the plot. The former is as impressive as ever, the latter perhaps TOO intricate for some to follow along enthusiastically. The news here, writes Associated Press critic Jocelyn Noveck in her review, is the father-daughter duo amusingly and charmingly portrayed by Mia Threapleton and Benicio Del Toro, and the overdue entry of Michael Cera into the Andersonian universe. Opens Friday in theaters.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Kenyan author and dissident who became a giant of modern literature, dies at 87

NEW YORK (AP) — One of the world’s most acclaimed writers, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, has died at 87. A publicist for his U.S. publisher confirmed the death Wednesday. The Kenyan man of letters wrote dozens of fiction and nonfiction books that traced his country’s history from British imperialism to home-ruled tyranny and challenged not only the stories told but the language used to tell them. Whether through novels such as “The Wizard of the Crow” or “Petals of Blood,” or his landmark critique “Decolonizing the Mind,” Ngũgĩ embodied the very heights of the artist’s calling. He was a truth teller, rule breaker and explorer of myth.

What to know about reality TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley, who were pardoned by Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — Reality TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley have been pardoned by President Donald Trump after being imprisoned on federal convictions for bank fraud and tax evasion. Todd Chrisley was released Wednesday evening from a prison in Florida, while Julie Chrisley was freed from a facility in Lexington, Kentucky. The couple is best known for the long-running TV series “Chrisley Knows Best,” which followed their family and luxurious lifestyle. Prosecutors said that lifestyle was boosted by bank fraud and hiding earnings from tax authorities. Trump signed the pardons Wednesday. They are the latest example of the president pardoning high-profile friends, supporters, donors and former staffers.

Philadelphia honors Quinta Brunson with key, mural at alma mater that inspired 'Abbott Elementary'

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia's mayor has honored actor and producer Quinta Brunson with a key to the city in a ceremony dedicating a separate mural at Brunson’s alma mater, which was the inspiration for her award-winning show “Abbott Elementary.” Brunson used the ceremony held Wednesday at Andrew Hamilton School to celebrate the power of public education, teachers and music and arts education. Teacher Joyce Abbott, who inspired the name of the show’s fictional school, attended. The mural, titled Blooming Features, wraps around the school's exterior. Created by artist Athena Scott with input from Brunson and Hamilton students and staff, it features real people from Hamilton.

R&B singer Cassie gives birth to third child as Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial continues

Casandra Ventura, the R&B singer and actor known simply as Cassie, has welcomed her third child. News of the birth arrived Wednesday in the midst of the ongoing Sean “Diddy” Combs sex trafficking trial. Cassie has been an essential witness. She finished testifying earlier this month after four emotional days on the stand while visibly pregnant. Cassie, 38, is perhaps best known for the platinum-selling 2006 hit single “Me & U.” She married personal trainer Alex Fine in September 2019. Their first daughter Frankie Stone Fine was born that same year. They welcomed their second daughter Sunny Cinco Fine in 2021.

Movie Review: A deeply disturbing portrait of grief in gory horror ‘Bring Her Back’

Sally Hawkins plays a foster mother with a secret in the new horror movie “Bring Her Back.” Billy Barratt and newcomer Sora Wong star as the orphaned teens unlucky enough to be placed in her care. The film, in theaters Friday, comes from Australian filmmakers Michael and Danny Philippou who were also behind the teen chiller debut “Talk to Me.” In her review for The Associated Press, film writer Lindsey Bahr writes that the film is a slow burn, moody mystery featuring some great performances from Hawkins and Barratt that make up for some gaping plotholes. “Bring Her Back,” an A24 release, is rated R.

Dolly Parton leans on her faith after losing husband of nearly 60 years

NEW YORK (AP) — Dolly Parton says her faith has carried her through her fluctuating grief following the death of her husband, Carl Dean. The 10-time Grammy winner reflected on her marriage of nearly 60 years while promoting her new line of single-serve Southern-inspired frozen meals, following her popular Duncan Hines baking mixes with US-based Conagra Brands. Dean, who avoided the spotlight and inspired Parton's timeless hit “Jolene,” as well as her 2023 “Rockstar” album, died in March at 82. Parton, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honoree, is also releasing a new book this fall called “Star of the Show: My Life on Stage.” Her play, “Dolly: An Original Musical,” will premiere on Broadway next year.

Michael Cera and Wes Anderson were destined to make a movie together

CANNES, France (AP) — When Michael Cera was announced as joining the cast of a Wes Anderson movie for the first time, the prevailing response was: Hadn’t he already been in a Wes Anderson movie? So seemingly aligned in sensibility and style are Cera and Anderson that you could easily imagine a whole fake filmography. It is, for a slightly more corduroyed corner of the movie world, an actor-director pairing as destined as Scorsese and De Niro — even if “The Phoenician Scheme” is their first movie together. Cera and Anderson have been friends for 15 years and both say now that they've worked together, they'd like to continue doing so. “The Phoenician Scheme” is in theaters Friday.

Trump pardons rapper NBA Youngboy, who was sentenced for gun-related charges

Louisiana rap artist NBA YoungBoy has been pardoned by President Donald Trump. He was sentenced by a federal judge in 2024 to just under two years in prison after he acknowledged possessing weapons despite being a convicted felon. He was released from federal prison in March. His lawyer says the pardon means he won’t have to follow the terms of his probation, including drug testing. The rapper is among a number of high-profile people Trump pardoned this week, including a former New York congressman, a labor union leader and a reality TV star couple.