Late crime-busting sheriff Buford Pusser inspired Hollywood. Investigators say he killed his wife
Tennessee authorities say a cold-case investigation reveals that a sheriff who inspired a Hollywood movie about an organized crime-busting law enforcement officer actually killed his wife in 1967 and led people to believe she was murdered by his enemies. Prosecutors said Friday that there is enough evidence that if former McNairy County Sheriff Buford Pusser were alive today, they would present an indictment to a grand jury for the murder of his wife, Pauline Mullins Pusser. Investigators also said they uncovered signs that Pauline suffered from domestic violence. Authorities acknowledged that the news may shock many who grew up as Buford’s fans and watched the 1973 “Walking Tall” movie he inspired.
Julia Roberts' 'After the Hunt' stirs #MeToo debate at Venice Film Festival
VENICE, Italy (AP) — Julia Roberts has made her Venice Film Festival debut with the psychosexual drama “After the Hunt.” And it's already stirring debate. The film, set in the world of higher education, premiered Friday evening. Roberts plays a beloved professor whose Ayo Edebiri-played mentee accuses her friend and colleague, played by Andrew Garfield, of crossing the line. Questions at the press conference revolved around complicity, #MeToo and even Woody Allen and fonts. Directed by Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, “After the Hunt” is playing out of competition, so it won’t be up for major awards. Amazon MGM Studios plans an Oct. 10 theatrical release in North America.
A Broadway show asks a white actor to replace an Asian one. The backlash was swift
NEW YORK (AP) — Broadway's “Maybe Happy Ending” faces backlash for casting a white actor to replace an Asian lead. The decision has sparked criticism from the Asian American Performers Action Coalition and other prominent artists. They argue it's a step backward for representation. Over 2,400 people have signed an open letter urging the show's creators to reconsider. Critics say the role should remain with an Asian actor, given the show's themes and previous casting. The controversy highlights ongoing issues of representation in theater, where Asian actors hold a small percentage of roles despite significant community presence.
Music Review: Sabrina Carpenter's 'Man's Best Friend' is a sincere but still sexy breakup album
Pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter is out with her seventh studio album, “Man's Best Friend.” Last summer's “Short n’ Sweet” celebrated the start of a romantic relationship, and Carpenter's new release is where it all comes undone in messy pieces. The Associated Press' Kiana Doyle says “Man's Best Friend” is a sincere but still sexy breakup album. Doyle says the album goes through the stages of a breakup with candidness and vulnerability, but not at the expense of sexiness and with plenty of variety, catchy choruses and lyrics to make you blush. “Man's Best Friend” is out Friday.
Taylor Kitsch's 'The Terminal List' character gets an origin story in 'The Terminal List: Dark Wolf'
Prime Video's new series “The Terminal List: Dark Wolf” starring Taylor Kitsch is a spinoff of 2022's “Terminal List.” It follows Kitsch as Ben Edwards, a Navy SEAL in Iraq who ends up working for the CIA. With “Dark Wolf,” Prime Video is expanding "The Terminal List" universe and plans more seasons for both shows and possibly also standalone films. The franchise is based on novels by former SEAL Jack Carr. The first three episodes of "Dark Wolf" are now streaming and a new episode will drop on Wednesdays. Chris Pratt also reprises his role from the original series.
Movie Review: Murder, she solved — Helen Mirren channels Angela Lansbury in 'Thursday Murder Club'
A life of retirement certainly seems pleasant at Coopers Chase, a community of pensioners nestled in the English countryside. There's Sudoku, yoga, aqua aerobics — and the “Thursday Murder Club,” where a few retirees meet to solve cold murder cases. They're led by no-nonsense Elizabeth, played by always-formidable Helen Mirren, and things really pick up when a real murder happens in their midst. Directed by Chris Columbus, the film could definitely be sharper and the comedy livelier, writes Associated Press critic Jocelyn Noveck in her review. But you could do a lot worse than spend a few hours with Mirren and colleagues. It streams Thursday on Netflix.
Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein dreams are alive
NEW YORK (AP) — “Frankenstein” may be the culmination of Guillermo del Toro’s artistic life. It’s his chance to, finally, unleash a movie — an epic of creator and creation, father and son, God and sinner — that he’s been dreaming of decades. On the first day of shooting “Frankenstein,” Guillermo del Toro held up a drawing of the creature he had made when was a teenager. For the Mexican-born filmmaker, Mary Shelley’s 1818 gothic novel and the 1931 film with Boris Karloff, is his personal urtext: the origin of a lifelong affection for the monsters del Toro has ever since, almost compulsively, breathed into life. Netflix will release “Frankenstein” in theaters Oct. 17 and on streaming in November.
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift attend Nebraska-Cincinnati game after engagement
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift have made their first public appearance since announcing their engagement. They attended the Nebraska-Cincinnati game at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night. Kelce, a former Bearcats player, spent time on the field before joining Swift in a suite for the game. On Tuesday, the couple revealed their engagement on Instagram after dating for about two years. Swift's publicist confirmed the engagement ring is an old mine brilliant-cut diamond. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Kelce's brother, Jason, were also present at the game. The Chiefs are gearing up for their season-opener against the Chargers next Friday in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Music Review: Hayley Williams' fierce 'Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party' is her best solo work
After surprise releasing 17 un-sequenced songs online, Paramore frontman Hayley Williams has dropped the final version of her third solo album. Titled “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party,” it is her strongest solo release to date, writes The Associated Press' music writer Maria Sherman in her review. It is her first record since completing a two decades-long contract with the major label Atlantic Records and it sounds like freedom. Williams' voice and emotional depth is elastic. She pulls from '90s alternative genres but moves beyond easy pastiche. Sherman says this is the Hayley Williams album listeners have been waiting for, whether they realize it or not.
