David Lynch, visionary filmmaker behind ‘Twin Peaks’ and ‘Mulholland Drive,’ dies at 78
David Lynch has died at 78. The filmmaker was celebrated for his uniquely dark vision in such movies as “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive” and the TV series “Twin Peaks.” His family announced the death in a Facebook post on Thursday. The cause of death and location was not immediately available, but Lynch had been public about the effect emphysema had had on his life. Lynch was a onetime artist who broke through in the 1970s with the surreal “Eraserhead” and rarely failed to startle and inspire audiences and peers in the following decades.
Donald Trump vows to help ‘troubled’ Hollywood with Mel Gibson, Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump wants to make Hollywood “bigger, better and stronger” and has chosen Mel Gibson, Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone to help. On Wednesday, the President-elect wrote on his social media site that the three actors would be his eyes and ears to the moviemaking town as special ambassadors. “It will again be, like The United States of America itself, The Golden Age of Hollywood!” Trump wrote. U.S. film and television production has been hampered in recent years, with setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hollywood guild strikes of 2023 and, in the past week, the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
Remembering David Lynch’s musical legacy: 10 songs to go beyond the films
NEW YORK (AP) — The loss of singular talent and visionary filmmaker David Lynch is not only felt in the world of cinema, but music, where he had inextricable influence on multiple generations of artists. He composed music for many of his films, collaborated with others, directed music videos, released albums and inspired legions of creatives. You know his films. Now learn about his musical legacy with this playlist. It features everything from Flying Lotus and Moby to Angelo Badalamenti’s “Twin Peaks” theme and “In Heaven” from his first film, “Eraserhead.”
Justin Baldoni sues Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds for $400M in new step in ‘It Ends With Us’ fight
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “It Ends With Us” actor and director Justin Baldoni has sued his co-star Blake Lively and her husband, “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds, for defamation. Baldoni’s suit seeks at least $400 million for damages that include lost future income. The lawsuit filed in federal court in New York on Thursday is the latest step in legal fallout from the dark romantic drama. It comes about two weeks after Lively sued Baldoni and several others tied to the romantic drama on Tuesday, alleging harassment and a coordinated campaign to attack her reputation for coming forward about her treatment on the set. That lawsuit came the same day that Baldoni sued the New York Times for libel, alleging the paper worked with Lively to smear him.
Sting, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to perform at FireAid Benefit Concert
NEW YORK (AP) — Sting, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are among the performers slated to take the stage at a benefit concert for Los Angeles-area wildfire relief called FireAid. It was originally scheduled to take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. But it has grown in size and will now take place in two venues, the Intuit Dome and the adjacent Kia Forum on Jan. 30. More artists will be announced at a later date. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday at 12pm PDT via Ticketmaster. All proceeds from FireAid will go directly to the event’s designated beneficiaries.
Steven Soderbergh, Questlove, Ron Howard and more pay tribute to David Lynch
Questlove, Ron Howard and Steven Soderbergh are among those mourning the death of movie director David Lynch. Sodebergh told The Associated Press that Lynch “was influential but impossible to imitate.” Howard called him a “gracious man and fearless artist who followed his heart and soul,” while Questlove praised him for stressing “the importance of not overworking and taking time out to breathe.” Filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun says Lynch showed her another world. Billy Corgan, whose band Smashing Pumpkins contributed to the soundtrack for Lynch’s “Lost Highway,” says “working with him was like a dream out of one of his movies.”
He is credited with one of history’s most indelible photos. A new documentary questions who took it
It’s one of the most enduring images of the Vietnam War — an Associated Press photograph of a young girl running naked down a street after being caught in a napalm attack. Nick Ut won a Pulitzer Prize for it, and a new documentary is calling into question, a half century later, whether someone else actually took the picture. The AP says it has investigated and hasn’t found any evidence to change the record, but says makers of “The Stringer” would not detail all that they found. A lawyer for Ut is trying to block the showing of the film at Sundance next week
Jessica Alba and her husband Cash Warren separate after 16 years of marriage
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jessica Alba and her husband Cash Warren are separating after 16 years of marriage. The couple married in 2008. Alba has opened up about their split in an Instagram post on Thursday. The actor says they are moving into a new chapter individually and their three children are their highest priority. Alba and Cash’s representatives have not responded to an email requesting comment. In 2004, the couple met on the set of “Fantastic Four.” Alba starred in the film as Sue Storm, while Warren worked as an assistant to director Tim Story. The ages of their three children are 7, 13 and 16.
From ‘The Brutalist’ to ‘Wicked,’ where to watch this year’s top awards movies
The 2025 movie awards season is in full swing but figuring out where to watch everything can be overwhelming. Take “The Brutalist,” a film that’s been dominating conversations since it premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September. You might be eager to see what all the fuss is about with Brady Corbet’s 215-minute post-war saga, but options have been limited over the past few weeks. The Associated Press has pulled together a guide for what you need to know about this season’s big contenders, and where to watch them. Several films like “Challengers,” “Conclave” and “Emilia Pérez” are available on streaming services.
‘Mr. Baseball’ Bob Uecker, Brewers announcer, dies at 90
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers who after a short playing career earned the moniker “Mr. Baseball” and honors from the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 90. In a statement released Thursday by the Brewers, Uecker’s family said he had battled small cell lung cancer since early 2023. Uecker, who was born and raised in Milwaukee, signed his first pro contract with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956 and reached the majors in 1962. He lasted six seasons in the big leagues. He then spent over 50 years broadcasting the Brewers, becoming synonymous with baseball in Wisconsin and beyond.