'Super Troopers' at 25: A quarter-century of mustaches and maple syrup — and a new film
NEW YORK (AP) — A quarter of a century is a long time for mustache rides and syrup binges, but “Super Troopers” has gotten a lot of mileage out of the simple joys of friends goofing around. The comedy troupe Broken Lizard started as a group of college buddies who started performing together while at Colgate University. They broke through with 2001’s “Super Troopers.” Not all movies look like they were fun to make, but “Super Troopers” did. For Broken Lizard, the difference between the movie and the blooper reel can be almost nonexistent. Ever since, the guys from Broken Lizard have been living out the dream of every group of funny college pals. They release “Super Troopers 3” on Aug. 7.
Former Golden Globes owners sue Penske Media alleging fraud in acquisition of awards show
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association have sued Penske Media and others, claiming they engaged in fraud to acquire the Golden Globe Awards. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in California, alleges that Penske Media and owner Jay Penske colluded with Eldridge Industries to devalue the Globes and deceive the HFPA into a pressured sale. The lawsuit accuses them of hiding Penske's involvement in the 2023 deal. Penske Media's assets include major entertainment publications and awards shows. The lawsuit seeks at least $150 million in damages and aims to cancel the agreement to dissolve the HFPA. Penske Media has denied the claims.
CBS' '60 minutes' announces new slate of correspondents for upcoming 59th season
NEW YORK (AP) — CBS's "60 Minutes" has announced a slate of new correspondents and contributors for its 59th season. The show's executive producer, Nick Bilton, shared the news Tuesday. Ross Douthat, an opinion columnist from The New York Times, and Norah O’Donnell, former anchor of ‘CBS Evening News,’ will join as correspondents. Sebastian Junger, Gianna Toboni and Trevor Phillips join as contributors. The moves come two months after a major shakeup at the news magazine, led by new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, which installed Bilton as executive producer and let to departures of three correspondents: Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega and Scott Pelley.
Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard dies in Dublin motorcycle crash
DUBLIN (AP) — Academy Award-winning Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard has died in a motorcycle crash. His management says the accident happened in Dublin on Wednesday. He was 56. Hansard was known for his dual career in acting and music. He played a member of a Dublin soul band in “The Commitments” and won an Oscar in 2008 for the song “Falling Slowly” from the film “Once,” in which he also starred. He was the front man for The Frames, part of the duo The Swell Season. He also released solo albums including “Didn’t He Ramble,” which was nominated for a Grammy in 2016.
Artist Betye Saar, whose work reflects Black identity, dies at 99
Artist Betye Saar has died in Los Angeles at 99. Saar’s death on Sunday was confirmed by relatives Monday. She would have turned 100 this week. Saar's work explored Black identity, culture and spirituality, and she was a central figure in the 1960s Black Art Movement. She began her art career at age 35 and continued creating works through her 90s. Roberts Projects gallery says Saar's “appropriation of Black collectibles, heirlooms, and utilitarian objects are transformed through subversion” and that “among the older generation of Black American artists, Saar is without reproach.” Saar’s artwork incorporated painting, printmaking, sculpture and found objects including dolls, washboards and other antiques.
Marlon James, Douglas Stuart and Elizabeth Strout are among Booker Prize semifinalists
LONDON (AP) — Booker Prize winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart are in the running for the 2026 edition of the prestigious fiction award. The list of 13 semifinalists announced Tuesday for the $66,000 prize includes James’ “The Disappearers” and Stuart’s “John of John.” Elizabeth Strout, a Pulitzer Prize laureate, is also on the list with “The Things We Never Say.” The longlist features authors from Britain, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, Turkey, and the United States, including three debut authors. Historian Mary Beard, head of the judging panel, described the list as literary “dynamite.” Six finalists will be revealed September 22 and the winner will be announced on November 9.
Defendant in Salman Rushdie stabbing declines to testify in terrorism trial
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The man on trial in the stabbing of Salman Rushdie has chosen not to testify or call any witnesses in the federal terrorism case. Hadi Matar’s lawyer told a court Tuesday that the 28-year-old wouldn’t take the stand. Closing arguments are expected Wednesday morning in Buffalo, New York. Rushdie, the prize-winning author and free speech advocate, testified last week about the 2022 attack that left him blind in one eye. Prosecutors contend that Matar was acting upon a former Iranian leader’s 1989 call for Rushdie’s death because of his novel “The Satanic Verses.” Some Muslims considered it blasphemous. Matar has pleaded not guilty. He already has been convicted of state-level attempted murder and other charges.
Japan's horror master Kurosawa's first samurai film arrives at US theaters
TOKYO (AP) — Kiyoshi Kurosawa, the Japanese director known as “the master of horror,” was a bit nervous about how viewers might react to his first samurai film. He needn’t have worried. “The Samurai and the Prisoner,” opening in New York and Los Angeles July 31, followed by a rollout in major U.S. cities through August, received an enthusiastic response when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. It’s turning out to be Kurosawa’s most popular film to date, if its reception in Japan, where it opened earlier this year, is any indication. That’s saying a lot for a director who counts to his credit dozens of respected works.
A ring before a playoff win for Justin Herbert, who gets engaged to singer Madison Beer
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Justin Herbert has his first ring, and it's not on the football field. The Los Angeles Chargers quarterback and singer-songwriter Madison Beer have announced their engagement in an Instagram post. It included a photo of Herbert proposing to Beer. The couple was first seen together last August. Beer attended some Chargers games last season, and they were spotted at Dodgers and Lakers games. Herbert appeared in Beer's “lovergirl” video this spring. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has been supportive of their relationship. Herbert begins training camp Wednesday for his seventh season with the Chargers.
Movie Review: In ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ a lonely superhero grows up and looks inward
It’s a cold, lonely new world for Peter Parker when we join him in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” The action picks up four years after Parker, in a supreme act of self-sacrifice, erased himself from the world’s memory. That means Peter’s beloved MJ has no idea who he is, nor does his best buddy, Ned. Far from the surprise-a-minute 2021 “No Way Home,” this latest film is a more somber and slower-moving affair. Its best reward is a very human, vulnerable Tom Holland in his latest outing as Peter, Associated Press critic Jocelyn Noveck writes in her review.
