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The Latest Articles by Mary McNamara

Mary McNamara: The studios thought they could handle a strike. They might end up sparking a revolution

LOS ANGELES — If you want to start a revolution, tell your workers you'd rather see them lose their homes than offer them fair wages. Then lecture them about how their "unrealistic" demands are "disruptive" to the industry, not to mention disturbing your revels at Versailles, er, Sun Valley.

Los Angeles Times · Jul 19, 2023

Karen Allen kept her 'Indiana Jones' cameo a secret for years, 'which was torture'

When "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, no one was happier than Karen Allen.

Los Angeles Times · Jun 30, 2023

Mary McNamara: There’s no movie star like Harrison Ford. And there never will be again

Is Harrison Ford trying to make the rest of us look bad?

Los Angeles Times · Jun 29, 2023

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Mary McNamara: Is it time to boycott Netflix? How streaming consumers could shape the writers strike

LOS ANGELES — As the writers' strike stampedes through its second month and the possibility of an actors' strike looms, it's time to ask: When — and how — should consumers get involved?

Los Angeles Times · Jun 28, 2023

Mary McNamara: LA vandals are targeting Pride flags. And it's not having the effect they hoped for

LOS ANGELES -- Whoever is stealing the Pride flags from the Shakespeare Bridge might want to reconsider their motives.

Los Angeles Times · Jun 17, 2023

Mary McNamara: Streaming set off an arms race of $100 million mega-deals. Were they worth it?

LOS ANGELES — For a minute there, a few years back, it seemed that Netflix was no longer content with upending the television industry. Instead, it seemed determined to consume it.

Los Angeles Times · Jun 14, 2023

Mary McNamara: It's hard to watch a 4-hour documentary on Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. That's the point

CANNES, France — British director Steve McQueen knows his documentary "Occupied City," which premiered on the first day of this year's Cannes Festival, may not be what people expect. From him, or from a documentary.

Los Angeles Times · May 25, 2023

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2 critics pick their highlights and lowlights from the Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, France — As the 76th Cannes Film Festival draws to a close, Los Angeles Times film critic Justin Chang and culture critic Mary McNamara got together to discuss their highlights (and lowlights) from this year’s event.

Los Angeles Times · May 24, 2023

Co-creator says 'torture porn' scandal will help make 'The Idol' the show of the summer

CANNES, France — The cast and creators of HBO's upcoming series "The Idol" used its Cannes Film Festival premiere to push back against rumors of a chaotic set and a Rolling Stone article that characterized the narrative as "torture porn" and a "rape fantasy" rooted in toxic masculinity.

Los Angeles Times · May 23, 2023

'The Idol' attempts to rouse Cannes. But it's not as shocking as it thinks it is

CANNES, France — The median age of the crowds along the Croisette dropped by about 20 years Monday night when the Cannes Film Festival held a gala premiere for HBO's upcoming, rumor-plagued series "The Idol."

Los Angeles Times · May 23, 2023

Mary McNamara: Yes, the Cannes Film Festival is super glamorous, but it’s also completely exhausting

When you tell someone you are going to the Cannes Film Festival, they are inevitably, and often quite vocally, envious. “Oh my gosh, can I come too?” All those amazing films, parties, movie stars, fashion icons — not to mention the French Riviera — it’s so cool, so glamorous, so…

Los Angeles Times · May 22, 2023

'Why does this movie exist?' Harrison Ford explains reprising 'Indiana Jones' at 80

CANNES, France — Harrison Ford is not an "80 is the new 40" kind of guy. He's very aware that he is old, and he has no problem with everyone else being aware of it as well. In fact, his decision to dust off the ol' fedora and resurrect his…

Los Angeles Times · May 19, 2023

Tearful Harrison Ford surprised with honorary Palme d’Or at ‘Indiana Jones’ premiere

CANNES, France — “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” premiered Thursday night at the Cannes Film Festival and Los Angeles Times film critic Justin Chang and culture critic Mary McNamara were there, walking the red carpet, watching Harrison Ford tear up as he accepted an unexpected honorary Palme d’Or…

Los Angeles Times · May 19, 2023

Mary McNamara: One of TV's most acclaimed shows took seven years off. It was planned all along

Even considering the interruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the often random timing of British television, seven years seems a long time to wait between seasons of a series.

Los Angeles Times · May 18, 2023

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Los Angeles Times · Apr 21, 2023

Mary McNamara: From BuzzFeed to Netflix, digital media promised revolution. And a bloody business it's been

The time has come for us to stop using the term "digital revolution" in such a catchphrase-cute way, with the inevitable emphasis on "digital" and little thought for the meaning, and historical realities, of "revolution."

Los Angeles Times · Apr 17, 2023

Mary McNamara: We can't afford another writers' strike. Not Hollywood, not LA, not the country

LOS ANGELES — I'm going to state the obvious because the obvious clearly needs stating:

Los Angeles Times · Apr 14, 2023

She launched the 'Twilight' films. But Hollywood franchises kept going to men

LOS ANGELES — Catherine Hardwicke's new movie, "Mafia Mamma," is a comedic fantasy about a smart, talented, too-long underestimated American woman, played by Toni Collette, who suddenly becomes the head of an Italian mob family.

Los Angeles Times · Apr 12, 2023

Mary McNamara: HBO is the jewel in Warner Bros. Discovery's crown. And apparently they hate it

LOS ANGELES — The network that put the prestige into prestige television has just been devoured by the artistic revolution it helped spark.

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Los Angeles Times · Apr 10, 2023

‘Succession’ just killed off a major character. Where does the show go from here?

That sound you heard Sunday night was the sound of the internet exploding at the news that one of TV’s most terrifying protagonists, Logan Roy, had died.

Los Angeles Times · Apr 10, 2023

Mary McNamara: The new 'Indiana Jones' trailer will make you nostalgic — for a thriving movie culture

The official trailer for "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" dropped last week and I am so excited it's embarrassing.

Los Angeles Times · Mar 22, 2023

The one thing L.A. novelist Mona Simpson does — and how she does it so well

When I contact Mona Simpson about setting up an interview timed to the publication of her new novel, "Commitment," she replies in what can only be described as an extraordinary way.

Los Angeles Times · Mar 10, 2023

Mary McNamara: Meet Shane Salerno, the 'Avatar' scribe who happens to be Hollywood's go-to book agent

LOS ANGELES — When the film series you worked on for years has broken all manner of box office records with its first installment, which is nominated for the best picture Oscar, you would be forgiven for wanting to talk about nothing else. Especially in the weeks running up to…

Los Angeles Times · Feb 21, 2023

Commentary: Here’s an idea: Maybe if we all stop talking about J.K. Rowling, she’ll just go away

Novelist J.K. Rowling is back in the news where, apparently, she longs to be. Never has a person who once claimed to have been “canceled” been allowed so much time, attention and diversity of platforms to continue her side-gig as a quasi-political commentator.

Los Angeles Times · Feb 21, 2023

Mary McNamara: Bishop O'Connell couldn’t bring me back to the church, but he restored my faith in faith

When I learned that Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell had been shot to death in his home, I felt as if I had been turned to stone. I was standing in the house he had blessed, about to head out on a long-planned trip with my youngest daughter.

Los Angeles Times · Feb 15, 2023

A New York bookfluencer launches her first bricks-and-mortar shop ... in L.A.

LOS ANGELES In a move that could cause certain members of the East Coast literati to lose their minds, the New York book scene is about to take up residence in Santa Monica, California.

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