How to be a ‘Fall Guy’: Stunt performers on their rough-and-tumble life

How to be a ‘Fall Guy’: Stunt performers on their rough-and-tumble life

NEW YORK — There are two things to keep in mind while being burned alive for a movie scene. The first, says stunt performer Ben Jenkin, is not to breathe in a flame. That would be bad. Jenkin was reminded of that over and over before doing his first fire burn (and then seven more) … Read more

Documentary focuses on man behind a cruelly bizarre 1990s Japanese reality show

Documentary focuses on man behind a cruelly bizarre 1990s Japanese reality show

TOKYO — Naked and frail, a shaggy-haired man films himself as he endures solitude in a tiny room for months, and months more. “The Contestant,” directed by Clair Titley, explores the story behind the late 1990s hit reality TV show from Japan, “A Life in Prizes,” in which a comedian nicknamed Nasubi is forced to … Read more

What to stream this week: Dua Lipa, Seinfeld’s ‘Unfrosted’ ‘Hacks’ and ‘Welcome to Wrexham’

What to stream this week: Dua Lipa, Seinfeld’s ‘Unfrosted’ ‘Hacks’ and ‘Welcome to Wrexham’

The return of “Hacks” and a new Jerry Seinfeld movie are some of the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: New episodes of “Behind the Music,” Selena Gomez taking her cooking skills to … Read more

‘There’s Still Tomorrow’ director Paola Cortellesi talks success, toxic relationships and hope

‘There’s Still Tomorrow’ director Paola Cortellesi talks success, toxic relationships and hope

LONDON — Actor Paola Cortellesi has long been a staple on the Italian pop culture scene, mostly known for her work as a comedian. Then she turned to directing and her first feature movie, “There’s Still Tomorrow,” took Italy by storm. The black-and-white film about an ordinary woman trapped in a toxic marriage in post-World … Read more

Sony’s ‘Kraven the Hunter’ release is delayed until December

Sony’s ‘Kraven the Hunter’ release is delayed until December

The summer movie season may kick off next weekend, but the release calendar is still a work in progress. The latest movie to shift spots is Sony’s comic book film “Kraven the Hunter,” which will now open in December instead of on Labor Day weekend. The studio announced the move late Friday, leaving Disney and … Read more

Zendaya tennis movie ‘Challengers’ scores at weekend box office

Zendaya tennis movie ‘Challengers’ scores at weekend box office

The sexy tennis drama “ Challengers ” won the box office this weekend with $15 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino’s original film, which opened in 3,477 … Read more

Once dominant at CBS News before a bitter departure, Dan Rather makes his first return in 18 years

Once dominant at CBS News before a bitter departure, Dan Rather makes his first return in 18 years

NEW YORK — Dan Rather returned to the CBS News airwaves for the first time since his bitter exit 18 years ago, appearing in a reflective interview on “CBS Sunday Morning” days before the debut of a Netflix documentary on the 92-year-old newsman’s life. After 44 years at the network, 24 as anchor of the … Read more

Nicole Kidman, who ‘makes movies better,’ gets AFI Life Achievement Award

Nicole Kidman, who ‘makes movies better,’ gets AFI Life Achievement Award

LOS ANGELES — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Morgan Freeman spoke the words, but pretty much everyone who took the stage at the presentation of the AFI Life Achievement Award agreed: “ Nicole Kidman. She makes movies better.” The line came in a video parody of Kidman’s AMC Theatres “we make movies better” ad that opened … Read more

Nicole Kidman Honored With AFI Life Achievement Award

Nicole Kidman Honored With AFI Life Achievement Award

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Morgan Freeman spoke the words, but pretty much everyone who took the stage at the presentation of the AFI Life Achievement Award agreed: “ Nicole Kidman. She makes movies better.” The line came in a video parody of Kidman’s AMC Theatres “we make movies better” ad that opened the Saturday night … Read more

Chasing ‘Twisters’ and collaborating with ‘tornado fanatic’ Steven Spielberg

Chasing ‘Twisters’ and collaborating with ‘tornado fanatic’ Steven Spielberg

Growing up in the Midwest, filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung developed both a healthy fear of tornadoes and a reverence for Jan de Bont’s 1996 disaster film “Twister.” He saw the movie in the theater with his family when he was a teenager. “I remember thinking, ‘I didn’t know you could chase after these things,’” Chung … Read more