Entertainment Coverage

Crews get set up to film 'Merv' starring Zooey Deschanel in Kure Beach

The film has a heavy focus on dogs, and crews have permission to have dogs on the beach while they work.

WECT staff

How Zendaya rose to every challenge in 'Challengers'

(CNN) -- Not that the film needs one, but "Challengers" actor Josh O'Connor has an alternate title idea in case the need arises: "This could be called 'Co-dependency: The movie.'"

By Rochelle Beighton, CNN

Music Review: Neil Young delivers appropriately ragged, raw live version of 1990's 'Ragged Glory'

The venerable Neil Young offers a ragged and raw live take of his beloved 1990 album "Ragged Glory" with a new album, titled "Fu##in' Up."

By SCOTT BAUER, Associated Press

Yoko Ono to receive Edward MacDowell Medal for lifetime achievement

NEW YORK (AP) -- One of the country's leading artist residency programs, MacDowell, has awarded a lifetime achievement prize to Yoko Ono. The groundbreaking artist, filmmaker and musician is this year's recipient of the Edward MacDowell Medal, an honor previously given to Stephen Sondheim and Toni Morrison among others.

By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer

Slideshow: Hozier and Allison Russel perform at Coast Credit Union Music Park

Photos provided by Jack Morton.

'Civil War’ continues box-office campaign at No. 1

NEW YORK (AP) — “Civil War,” Alex Garland’s ominous American dystopia, remained the top film in theaters in its second week of release, according to studio estimates Sunday.

By JAKE COYLE, AP Film Writer

Theater Review: Not everyone will be 'Fallin' over Alicia Keys' Broadway musical 'Hell's Kitchen'

If you were to close Alicia Keys ' big semi-autobiographical musical on Broadway with any of her hit songs, which would it be? Of course, it has to be "Empire State of Mind." That's the natural one, right? It's also as predictable as the R train being delayed with signal problems.

By MARK KENNEDY, AP Entertainment Writer

Original USS Enterprise Model From 'Star Trek' Is Returned to Creator's Son

The first model of the USS Enterprise, the starship that appeared in the opening credits of the original "Star Trek" television series, has been returned to Eugene Roddenberry Jr., the son of the creator of the series, decades after it went missing.

Emily Schmall, New York Times

Foodie News: Tacos, biscuits and cupcakes

Triangle Food Guy Sean Lennard has details about new businesses opening in the Triangle.

Sean Lennard, Triangle Food Guy

Weekend best bets: Cuegrass and more festivals

There are so many events coming up this weekend, including live music and a barbecue festival.

WRAL staff

Movie Review: 'Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare' amps up a true-tale WWII heist

The latest Guy Ritchie flick "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" has a spine of true story to it, even if it does all it can to amplify a long-declassified World War II tale with enough dead Nazis to make "Inglourious Basterds" blush.

By JAKE COYLE, AP Film Writer

Ryan Reynolds honors Michael J. Fox for helping people with Parkinson's disease, including his late father

(CNN) -- Ryan Reynolds is honoring his friend Michael J. Fox for a special occasion.

By Alli Rosenbloom, CNN

Lyrids meteor shower begins this week💫

The Lyrids meteor shower begins this week!

Travis Kelce picked to host 'Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?'

(CNN) -- Travis Kelce is returning to the small screen, but not on the field.

By Lisa Respers France, CNN

Courtney Love thinks Taylor Swift is 'not important' and has some thoughts about Beyoncé, Lana Del Rey and Madonna, too

(CNN) -- Courtney Love has a new radio show about women in music, but she is not much of a fan of several of the biggest female artists of our time.

By Lisa Respers France, CNN

Drew Carey explains why he helped striking writers pay for their meals

(CNN) -- Drew Carey picked up a really big tab last year and doesn't regret it.

By Marianne Garvey, CNN

Music Review: Jazz pianist Fred Hersch creates subdued, lovely colors on 'Silent, Listening'

Jazz pianist Fred Hersch fully embraces the freedom that comes with improvisation on his solo album "Silent, Listening," spontaneously composing and performing tunes that are often without melody, meter or form.

By STEVEN WINE, Associated Press

Olivia Rodrigo performs with No Doubt during group's Coachella reunion set

(CNN) -- No Doubt performed their long-awaited reunion set at the Coachella music festival this weekend, bridging the gap between their '90s roots and the festival's young audience with help from Olivia Rodrigo.

By Alli Rosenbloom, CNN

‘Civil War’ declares victory at the box office, toppling 'Godzilla x Kong'

Alex Garland’s provocative “ Civil War ” didn’t only ignite the discourse. The film also inspired audiences to go to the cinemas this weekend where it surpassed expectations and earned $25.7 million in ticket sales in North America, according to studio estimates Sunday.

By LINDSEY BAHR, AP Film Writer

Foodie News: Mac's Speed Shop and Yard Milkshake open in Raleigh

Triangle Food Guy Sean Lennard has details about two new Raleigh spots and more!

Sean Lennard, Triangle Food Guy

Weekend best bets: Pimento Cheese Festival, food truck rodeo

Lots of fun coming up this weekend, including the Pimento Cheese Festival!

WRAL staff

Universal Pictures teases 'Wicked' and announces 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2'

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- With the dust settled from a big 2023, winning best picture and topping the box office, Universal Pictures is looking to the future. The studio's upcoming releases include the big screen adaptation of "Wicked," "Twisters" and the newly announced sequel to "Five Nights at Freddy's."

By LINDSEY BAHR, AP Film Writer

When are the 2025 Oscars? The Academy Awards announce date, sticking to early start

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 97th Academy Awards will be held March 2, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced Wednesday.

Margot Robbie making ‘Monopoly’ movie and Blumhouse reviving ‘Blair Witch’

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Margot Robbie has her sights on another toy. The “ Barbie ” producer and star is making a Monopoly movie, with Hasbro and Lionsgate behind it, the companies announced Wednesday at the CinemaCon conference in Las Vegas.

By LINDSEY BAHR, AP Film Writer

'Civil War' might be the year's most explosive movie. Alex Garland thinks it's just reporting

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Garland’s films have vividly conjured a virus-caused pandemic (2002's “28 Days Later”), an uncontrollable artificial intelligence (2014’s “Ex Machina”) and, in his latest, “Civil War,” a near-future America in the throes of all-out warfare.

By JAKE COYLE, AP Film Writer