Entertainment

In the beginning, I searched for recovery loopholes. (Christopher Furlong / Getty Images) “The Shining” (book 1977, film 1980) is about a white-knuckle alcoholic’s descent into his disease and its effects on his mind, career and family. I didn’t learn this until recently. I just thought it was about how scary it is to be … Read more

(Micah Fluellen / Los Angeles Times) 1 Since starting my job in June 2020 as an illustrator and designer for the Los Angeles Times, I’ve made more than 40 plant memes for our plants Instagram account, @latimesplants. My main motivator for doing anything creative is to be able to have fun and ultimately make myself … Read more

After an extensive renovation, Talesai reopened with Kris Yenbamroong, grandson of the previous cook, as owner-chef. Though he’s kept his grandmother’s refined Thai cooking, he’s also made the menu shorter and more focused and added a modern vibe to the decor.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times) The West Hollywood spot has been on the … Read more

(Ross May / Los Angeles Times; Apple) How does it feel to be back in society — back outside — after months indoors, dreaming about finally seeing your presumed-to-be-hot barista’s face without a mask on or going to the club and brushing up against someone’s sweaty bicep on your way to the bar? For many … Read more

These are the top 7 issues facing the struggling restaurant industry in 2025 Operating a restaurant in Southern California continues to be a difficult endeavor, with many establishments still struggling from pandemic losses. Food and labor costs increased in 2024, remaining by far the largest expenses of running a restaurant, according to the Independent Restaurant … Read more

Novels by Ernest Hemingway, left, William Faulkner and John Steinbeck figure prominently in this year’s trove of newly copyright-free literary works. (Associated Press) Last year, it was Mickey Mouse. This year, Popeye the Sailor joins Mickey as a new entrant to the public domain — that is, shedding his core copyright protections on Jan. 1. … Read more

Elon Musk speaks at an America First Policy Institute gala on Nov. 14 in Palm Beach, Fla. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) Of all the rich and powerful people cozying up to President-elect Donald Trump, few have rushed to Mar-a-Lago faster than the crowned heads of big tech, including California’s own chiefs of Google and … Read more

Before and after: A South Pasadena garage is now a serene Kyoto-style ADU Elizabeth Altounian’s South Pasadena accessory dwelling unit is more than just a living space. It’s a manifestation of beauty, wonder and spirituality, all intertwined. This 400-square-foot former garage, adorned with traditional Japanese shoji screens, a platform bed with a tatami mat and … Read more

Willem Dafoe got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January. It feels like he’s been trying to earn it ever since. Dafoe appeared in six roles in four remarkable movies this year: Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu,” Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night,” Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” and Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Kinds of Kindness.” Not that the … Read more

Auteurs may be known for the distinctive personal themes their films often address. But several new works by noteworthy directors take on the subject everyone must deal with eventually: death. Of course, Azazel Jacobs’ “His Three Daughters,” Paul Schrader’s “Oh, Canada,” David Cronenberg’s “The Shrouds” and Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door” offer wildly different … Read more