Arts

Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei received a new passport four years after authorities confiscated it.

After 4 Years, Chinese Dissident Artist Ai Weiwei Gets His Passport Back

7:51am July 22, 2015

by Eyder Peralta

Authorities had seized Ai's passport in apparent retaliation for his social and political work. Ai's work is often fiercely critical of the Chinese government.

Songwriter Wayne Carson Dies At 72

7:47am July 22, 2015

by Andrew Limbong

Wayne Carson was a prolific songwriter who hit the top of the country and pop charts. He was best known for songs that included "Always On My Mind," recorded by both Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson.

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E.L. Doctorow, center, stands with other National Book Critics Circle award winners in March 2006 at a reception following the awards ceremony in New York. Doctorow's

Books
Arts

Novelist E.L. Doctorow, Author Of 'Billy Bathgate,' 'Ragtime,' Dies At 84

1:14am July 22, 2015

by Christopher Dean Hopkins

The writer was best known for his works of historical fiction set in the early 20th-century United States. His son told the New York Times that he died Tuesday of complications from lung cancer.

Alexandra (Taylor) and Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) take a break on Christmas Eve in Tangerine.

Arts

A Downtrodden LA Corner Inspires Comedy And Friendship In 'Tangerine'

9:48pm July 21, 2015

Director Sean Baker wanted to make a film about LA's transgender sex workers, but first he needed to find someone who knew that world well. Then he met Mya Taylor, and together they made Tangerine.

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Theodore Bikel, Who Starred In Broadway's 'Fiddler On The Roof,' Dies

6:23pm July 21, 2015

by Lynn Neary

The actor and singer, who recorded 37 albums, has died at 91. Bikel took over the role of Tevye for more than 2,000 performances of Fiddler on the Roof.

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Books
Arts

Book Review: 'How To Be Drawn,' Terrance Hayes

6:23pm July 21, 2015

Poet Tess Taylor reviews Terrance Hayes' collection of poetry, How to be Drawn.

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Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan

Books
Arts

Each Wave Tells A Story In 'Barbarian Days'

3:44pm July 21, 2015

by Drew Toal

A surfing memoir might not be what you'd expect from a seasoned New Yorker reporter, but William Finnegan's new book is a loving look back at his life on the water.

Books
Arts

The Waters Of 'Lagoon' Are Choppy But Enthralling

2:38pm July 21, 2015

by Amal El-Mohtar

Nnedi Okorafor's new book imagines an alien landing in the waters just off Lagos, Nigeria. Reviewer Amal El-Mohtar calls it chaotic and beautiful, though occasionally dizzyingly difficult to read.

Arts

The Meaning Of A Hero Cast In Shadow, In Harper Lee's 'Go Set A Watchman'

2:31pm July 21, 2015

The release of Harper Lee's long-lost novel — and its portrait of once-crusading attorney Atticus Finch — has shaken devotees of "To Kill a Mockingbird." One poet argues that nuance should be welcome.

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Amy Schumer and Bill Hader in Trainwreck.

Arts

'I Really Like You': Amy Schumer Makes A Fine 'Trainwreck'

2:30pm July 21, 2015

by Linda Holmes

The comedy Trainwreck, written by Amy Schumer and directed by Judd Apatow, takes a few risks with the romantic comedy formula on which it ultimately relies. Plus: LeBron James!

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