Ye attempts a comeback with sold-out LA-area concert, support from Lauryn Hill

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The artist formerly and possibly again known as Kanye West reveled in support from one of his musical idols, Lauryn Hill, as he staged a sold-out Southern California concert meant to mark a comeback from years of controversy. Eleven months after releasing a song titled “Heil Hitler” and just over two months after publishing an apology letter for his antisemitism, Ye let his two decades of hits — and 70,000 screaming fans — speak the loudest on Friday night at SoFi Stadium. Hill joined Ye on a stage for the first time ever for an energetic rendition of his 2004 hit “All Falls Down,” which originally sampled her voice.

'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' cast aren't the only influencers sowing curiosity about the church

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Latter-day Saint influencers have found an enthusiastic audience across the country, curious about their faith and family, but they are often imperfect and unofficial representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many of these social media influencers and the influencers-turned-reality stars on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” have created a version of the faith that appears more modern and flexible than the actual church leadership might like. Influencers who have more faith-focused content have said they feel the reality show is not representative of their experiences in the church or their lives in Utah.

Kids ate the multiplex: How family movies are taking over moviegoing, one blockbuster at a time

NEW YORK (AP) — As “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” lands in theaters, coloring stations, collectible popcorn containers and mascot Marios are all in place to entice arguably the most prized moviegoers to Hollywood today. Kids. Despite a lot of talk about the imperiled future of moviegoing, future moviegoers are turning out in droves and fueling today’s biggest blockbusters. By Sunday, Universal Pictures expects the five-day opening of the “Super Mario” sequel to reach $186 million domestically, and around $350 million worldwide. That would make it easily the biggest hit of the year. Increasingly, the multiplex belongs to kids.

Movie Review: Wahoo! ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ levels up the magic

Chris Pratt and Charlie Day return to voice Mario and Luigi in “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” which opens theaters globally on Wednesday. The sequel to the 2023 smash takes the Brooklyn plumbers, Princess Peach and Toad into space to help save Rosalina from a vengeful Bowser Jr. In her review for The Associated Press, film writer Lindsey Bahr writes that while the movie adds some family drama and backstories, and some unsavory merchandising, it's largely committed to keeping things light and playful and in the spirit of the games. “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is a Universal Pictures release rated PG.

Movie Review: 'The Drama' squanders Robert Pattinson and Zendaya on a grim, poorly thought set-up

Kristoffer Borgli’s film “The Drama” follows a soon-to-marry couple whose relationship falls apart after a drinking game reveals a shocking secret. The Associated Press' Mark Kennedy says in his review that the movie wastes the star power of Robert Pattinson and Zendaya. After Zendaya's character admits she once planned a school attack as a bullied teen, her would-be husband spirals and grows paranoid. He doubts their future marriage and even struggles with intimacy. Kennedy says the film sells itself as a sexy rom-com, but it turns grim and chaotic and adding a school shooting plot is tone deaf. The R-rated movie opens in theater Friday.

Hollywood's narrative on UFOs and ETs reaches back many decades

Hollywood has driven how Americans envision little green men with big eyes and bigger heads. But fiction soon could be separated from — or revealed as — fact if government agencies release secreted files related to extraterrestrials and UFOs as called for last month by President Donald Trump. Duke University professor Priscilla Wald says the science fiction genre has shaped how people think about intelligent life elsewhere in the universe. Retired Navy Rear Admiral Timothy Gallaudet has been pushing for the government to release what it knows about unidentified flying objects and unidentified aerial phenomena. He says Hollywood long has been preparing the public for the possibility of intelligent alien life visiting Earth.

Surprise! Zendaya wears something blue, after the old, new and borrowed

NEW YORK (AP) — First she wore something old. Then new, then borrowed — and now blue. Zendaya showed up at her New York premiere for “The Drama” in a dazzling blue Schiaparelli couture ball gown, completing a bridal tease she'd begun weeks ago. The fashion reveals have accompanied Zendaya's promotional tour for “The Drama,” in which she co-stars with Robert Pattinson as a couple whose wedding plans go seriously awry following a dark revelation. The film, which has attracted controversy and mixed reviews, opens Friday in theaters.

Former Turnstile guitarist is accused of hitting an ex-bandmate's dad with his car

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — A former guitarist for Grammy-winning Baltimore hardcore band Turnstile has been charged with attempted murder after authorities say he chased down and struck a former bandmate’s father with his car, badly injuring him. Court records show that 33-year-old Brady Ebert was arrested Tuesday and charged with attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault in Sunday's attack in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Silver Spring. According to police, a neighbor's video footage shows Brady chase 79-year-old William Yates with his car and then strike him. Yates underwent surgery for leg injuries. At a bond hearing Thursday, The Baltimore Banner reports that Ebert asked the judge to watch the footage, saying it contradicts authorities' narrative.

Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni tossed out but robust case remains

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge in New York has tossed out Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni over the movie “It Ends With Us" but left intact claims for retaliation. The written ruling by Judge Lewis J. Liman in Manhattan was released late Thursday. Lively will still be allowed to put many of her allegations before a jury. Her lawyer says she looks forward to testifying. A Baldoni lawyer praised the ruling. Lively sued Baldoni last December, alleging sexual harassment. Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios countersued Lively and her husband, “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion. The judge dismissed Baldoni’s claims in June.

Rapper Pooh Shiesty charged with kidnapping over alleged dispute involving rapper Gucci Mane's label

DALLAS (AP) — Federal prosecutors have accused rapper Pooh Shiesty and eight others of robbing three men at gunpoint and kidnapping them in Texas following a contract dispute in January involving rapper Gucci Mane’s record label. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Dallas declined to name the victims Thursday and an affidavit only refers to them by their initials. One victim, R.D., is described as the owner of 1017 Records, the label belonging to Gucci Mane, whose legal name is Radric Delantic Davis. Pooh Shiesty, whose legal is name Lontrell Williams Jr., did not immediately return an emailed request for comment.

AP-Scorecard

Duren and the Pistons visit conference foe Philadelphia

Siakam, Pacers to visit Mitchell, Cavaliers

Outdoor notes: NGPC offering pastures, hay tracts to those affected by wildfires