MARK KENNEDY

Entertainment writer, editor and critic

This undated image released by Disney Theatricals shows actors Marcus M. Martin, from left, James Monroe Iglehart, and Michael James Scott in New York. Martin, Iglehart, and Scott have portrayed Genie in the Disney musical. (Marc. J. Franklin/Disney Theatricals via AP)

The ‘Aladdin’ stage musical turns 10 this month. Here are the magical stories of three Genies

The Broadway musical “Aladdin” is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and the Genies who have led it on tour and on Broadway are looking back.

This image released by Prime Video shows Conor McGregor, left, and Jake Gyllenhaal in a scene from "Road House." (Laura Radford/Prime Video via AP)

Movie Review: A remake of ‘Road House’ with Jake Gyllenhaal turns into a muscular, Florida romp

Jake Gyllenhaal steps into a role previously made famous by Patrick Swayze when he becomes a bouncer in the new remake of “Road House.”

This image shows a new pasta shape called cascatelli, created by food writer and podcaster Dan Pashman. Pashman's “Anything's Pastable” features dishes using 34 different pasta shapes, but especially features his cascatelli, a graceful, ruffled-edged curved shape that resembles a quotation mark. Time magazine declared cascatelli one of 2021’s best inventions. (Scott Bleicher via AP)

Dan Pashman created a new shape of pasta. His cookbook expands pasta’s possibilities

Food writer and podcaster Dan Pashman made the unusual step a few years ago of creating an entirely new shape of pasta. The obvious next step?

This image shows Count Sovall, center, with the cast during a performance of "American Rot," playing through March 31 at the Ellen Stewart Theatre in New York. (Steven Pisano/Sam Rudy Public Relations via AP)

Descendant of judge who wrote infamous Dred Scott decision pens a play about where we are now

Writer and actor Kate Taney Billingsley has been thinking a lot about America’s racial history and her family’s part in it.

This image released by Boneau/Bryan-Brown shows Joy Woods, left, and Ryan Vasquez during a performance of "The Notebook" in New York, the new musical based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks that inspired the iconic film. (Julieta Cervantes/Boneau/Bryan-Brown via AP)

Theater Review: Without Gosling or geese, Broadway’s ‘The Notebook’ goes for the guts, without guile

The romantic tearjerker “The Notebook” lands on Broadway in awkward musical theater form this spring having previously conquered books and movies.

This image released by PBS shows Domhnall Gleeson, left, and Andrea Riseborough in a scene from MASTERPIECE "Alice & Jack," premiering Sunday March 17 on PBS. (Kurt Patzak/Fremantle/PBS via AP)

PBS tells a winding and forever love story with the series ‘Alice & Jack’

Like most kids, Victor Levin was raised on fairy tales — and still resents it. Those stories in books, movies and TV that inevitably ended up with everyone happily ever after seemed dishonest.

This image released by Raspberries LLC shows Eric Carmen performing in Cleveland on Dec. 14, 2007. Carmen, who fronted the power-pop 1970s band the Raspberries and later had soaring pop hits like “All by Myself” and “Hungry Eyes” from the hit “Dirty Dancing” soundtrack, has died. His death was announced on his website by his wife, Amy Carmen, who did not reveal a cause, saying only that he died “in his sleep, over the weekend.” He was 74. (Gene Taylor/Raspberries LLC via AP)

Eric Carmen, the Raspberries frontman and ‘All by Myself’ and ‘Hungry Eyes’ singer, dies at 74

Singer-songwriter Eric Carmen, who fronted the power-pop 1970s band the Raspberries and later had soaring pop hits like “All by Myself” and “Hungry Eyes” from the hit “Dirty Dancing” soundtrack, has died.

Masaki Takahashi, from left, Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya and Tatsuji Nojima arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The monster wins one at last as ‘Godzilla Minus One’ nabs the Oscar for visual effects

Godzilla finally made it to the Oscars this year — and slayed. The movie “Godzilla Minus One,” set in the waning days of World War II, won the Oscar for best visual effects, pushing aside such big-budget behemoths as “Guardians of the Galaxy 3,” “Napoleon” and “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning P

FILE - Singer Steve Lawrence, left, and his wife Eydie Gorme arrive at a black-tie gala called honoring Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas on May 30, 1998. Lawrence, a singer and top stage act who as a solo performer and in tandem with his wife Gorme kept Tin Pan Alley alive during the rock era, died Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at age 88. Gorme died on Aug. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon, File)

Steve Lawrence, singer, entertainer and half of popular stage duo Steve & Eydie, dies at 88

Steve Lawrence, a singer and top stage act who as a solo performer and in tandem with his wife Eydie Gorme kept Tin Pan Alley alive during the rock era, died Thursday.

This image released by Universal Pictures shows characters Po, voiced by Jack Black, left, and Zhen, voiced by Awkwafina, in a scene from DreamWorks Animation's "Kung Fu Panda 4." (DreamWorks Animation/Universal Pictures via AP)

Movie Review: ‘Kung Fu Panda 4' is a sweet, fun and well executed passing of the torch

“Kung Fu Panda 4” finds our trusty, rotund hero Po at a career crossroads and he’s nervous. “Kung Fu Panda 4” also finds the franchise at an inflection point, but there’s no reason to be nervous, Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy says: DreamWorks knows what it’s doing.

This cover image released by Dirty Hit Records shows the self-titled album for Bleachers. (Dirty Hit Records via AP)

Music Review: Bleachers edge past The Boss as Jack Antonoff finds a new sort of peace

Self-titled albums are the traditional way for a musical act to introduce themselves. So what are we to make of Bleachers’ fourth and self-titled album?

Actors Ray Winstone and Giancarlo Esposito pose for photos at the premiere of the Netflix series "The Gentlemen", at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, in London, Tuesday March 5, 2024. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP)

Guy Ritchie serves up a meaty thriller-comedy series on Netflix with ‘The Gentlemen’

Guy Ritchie tries TV with the new Netflix series “The Gentlemen.” A sort of British take on “Breaking Bad,” the show follows an English aristocrat who inherits his family’s asset-rich but cash-poor estate and farm only to discover that it is also a massive secret weed farm, run by gangsters.

This image released by Polk & Co. shows Liev Schreiber as Father Flynn, left, and Zoe Kazan as Sister James, in Roundabout Theatre Company's new Broadway production of "Doubt: A Parable" by John Patrick Shanley. (Joan Marcus/Polk & Co. via AP)

Liev Schreiber dons a collar to play a Catholic priest in revival of ‘Doubt’ on Broadway

Liev Schreiber is chewing on big ideas in a revival of John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Doubt,” which lands on Broadway during Lent. It opens March 7.

This image released by Max shows animated characters Abe Lincoln, voiced by Will Forte, right, and JFK, voiced by Christopher Miller, in a scene from "Clone High." (Max via AP)

Once doomed to cult status, the animated satire ‘Clone High’ finds a new life on Max

In one of the weirdest high schools in history, Cleopatra is dating class president Frida Kahlo and John F. Kennedy’s best friend is Abraham Lincoln.

FILE - Comedian Richard Lewis attends an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles on Dec. 25, 2012. Lewis, an acclaimed comedian known for exploring his neuroses in frantic, stream-of-consciousness diatribes while dressed in all-black, leading to his nickname “The Prince of Pain,” has died. He was 76. He died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday night after suffering a heart attack, according to his publicist Jeff Abraham. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo, File)

Humorously morose comedian Richard Lewis, who recently starred on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’ dies at 76

Richard Lewis, an acclaimed comedian known for exploring his neuroses in frantic, stream-of-consciousness diatribes while dressed in all-black, leading to his nickname “The Prince of Pain,” has died.

This image released by Apple TV+ shows Noel Fielding in "The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin," premiering March 1. (Mark Johnson/Apple TV+ via AP)

New comedy series ‘The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin’ stands and delivers

Noel Fielding trades pastry for pistols in the new mouthful of a series “The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin,” a swashbuckling romp that’s miles from the genteel tent of “The Great British Bake Off.”

This image released by A24 Films shows Julio Torres, left, and Tilda Swinton in a scene from "Problemista." (A24 via AP)

Movie Review: Writer-director Julio Torres proves a storyteller to cheer with awesome ‘Problemista’

“Problemista” is clearly Julio Torres’ labor of love. He stars, directs and has written a movie that reflects his singular, idiosyncratic mind, says Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy.

This image released by FX shows Eita Okuno as Saeki Nobutatsu, from left, Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko, Hiromoto Ida as Kiyama Ukon Sadanaga in a scene from "Shogun." (Katie Yu/FX via AP)

FX reaches back over 400 years for its next ambitious series, adapting the hit novel ‘Shogun’

Almost 50 years after the novel “Shogun” became a massive hit, the James Clavell fictional saga makes its way to FX.

FILE - First graders listen as "The Cat in the Hat" is read to them at Chapman Elementary School in Spartanburg, S.C., March 2, 2007, in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday. Dr. Seuss Enterprises is celebrating the iconic children's author's 120th birthday with a free giveaway of “The Cat in the Hat” to U.S. residents who have a baby born this March 2, 2024. (Tim Kimzey/Spartanburg Herald-Journal via AP, File)

Congratulations, today is your day: A free book giveaway to honor Dr. Seuss’ birthday

Babies born this coming Saturday could get a birthday present featuring a guy who knows how to have fun — The Cat in the Hat. Dr.

This photo provided by Yellow Kite shows “Healthy Made Simple” by Ella Mills. (Yellow Kite via AP)

Home chef Ella Mills offers some plant-based recipes for anyone tempted by a healthier way to eat

Ella Mills knows we all want to eat healthier. But the English food writer and businesswoman also knows we’re busy and we want everything to taste good.

A beloved fantasy franchise is revived with Netflix’s live-action ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’

A new entry in the “Avatar” franchise is about to soar and James Cameron has no part in it.

This image released by Bond Theatrical shows Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan, top right, and, from left, Micah Turner Lee as John, Reed Epley as Michael and Hawa Kamara as Wendy, during a performance of an inclusive stage production of “Peter Pan.” The touring production kicks off in Maryland on Feb. 21 and travels to North Carolina, Ohio, Illinois, Washington, D.C., South Carolina, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, California, Missouri, Texas and Georgia. (Matthew Murphy/Bond Theatrical via AP)

Off to Never Never Land: ‘Peter Pan’ flies again in a new tour after some much needed changes

A new, inclusive stage production of “Peter Pan” flies out on a U.S. tour this month, telling the classic tale of a boy who refuses to grow up.

This image released by Apple TV+ shows Peanuts characters Charlie Brown, left, and Franklin in a scene from the animated special “Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin," premiering Friday. (Apple TV+ via AP)

Franklin from ‘Peanuts’ gets to shine in the spotlight of a new animated Apple TV+ special

The mild-mannered Franklin — the first Black character in the “Peanuts” comic strip — gets to shine in his own animated Apple TV+ special this month in a story about friendship.

Chef David Bouley appears at a promotional event for 2014 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau at Bouley in New York on Nov. 19, 2014. Bouley, the award-winning and frenetic chef whose idiosyncratic haute cuisine and crusty breads pleased critics and the public during a career chasing sleek deliciousness, died of a heart attack Monday at his home in Kent, Connecticut, according to Lisa Queen, his literary agent. He was 70. (Photo by Diane Bondareff/Invision for Les Vins Georges Duboeuf via AP)

David Bouley, New York City chef known for his idiosyncratic approach to fine dining, dies at 70

David Bouley, the award-winning chef whose idiosyncratic haute cuisine and crusty breads pleased critics and the public during a career chasing deliciousness, has died.

Boy George, center, is pictured on stage during the curtain call for his debut performance in "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Boy George of iconic band Culture Club returns to Broadway in a musical he calls ‘a slap of joy’

Boy George, the singer-songwriter and beating heart of the iconic band Culture Club, is these days playing the role of the impresario in the Tony-Award winning “Moulin Rouge” until May 12.

This combination of photos shows Mary J. Blige, from left, Cher, and Mariah Carey, who are among the 2024 nominees for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. (AP Photo)

Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Cher, Sade, Oasis and Ozzy Osbourne among Rock Hall nominees for ’24

Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Cher, Lenny Kravitz and the late Sinéad O’Connor are some the 2024 nominees for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

FILE - Kristin Chenoweth arrives at the AFI Awards Luncheon on Friday, March 11, 2022, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Chenoweth will star as socialite Jacqueline “Jackie” Siegel in the live adaptation of the 2012 documentary film “The Queen of Versailles.” The musical will make its world premiere at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre from July 16-Aug. 18. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

Stage musical ‘The Queen of Versailles’ starring Kristin Chenoweth to make Boston bow this summer

Visitors to Boston this summer will get a treat: A stage show that reunites singer-actor Kristin Chenoweth with her “Wicked” songwriter Stephen Schwartz.

This image released by Focus Features shows Kathryn Newton, right, and Cole Sprouse in a scene from "Lisa Frankenstein." (Michele K. Short/Focus Features via AP)

Movie Review: ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ lurches from idiocy to whimsy and ends up unwatchable

It may come as no surprise that the new movie “Lisa Frankenstein” is a real monster. Associated Press critic Mar Kennedy says it is stitched together from previous movies, painfully incoherent and deeply, deeply dumb.

Brittany Howard poses for a portrait in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, to promote her second solo album "What Now." (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Brittany Howard returns with a new album, ‘What Now,’ and songs she calls ‘like journal keeping’

Brittany Howard’s second solo album, the 12-track “What Now,” is a thrilling mix of songs that lean into jazz, R&B, soul, house and metal.

This image released by Animal Planet shows participants of the annual “Puppy Bowl” airing Sunday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT and will be simulcast across Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max and discovery+. (Animal Planet via AP)

‘Puppy Bowl’ celebrates 20 years of adorable counter-programming

The annual “Puppy Bowl” turns 20 this year, well over middle age in dog years. There are some changes this year to the canine football telecast: Four previous puppy players return to be inducted in the new Puppy Bowl Hall of Fame and the show, which has grown to include armadillos, hedgehogs and chi