The Latest Breaking News from Mary McNamara

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

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

‘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: Why are TV's two big fantasy shows so epically humorless?

By definition, all fantasy epics involve a quest. Season 1 of "Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power," which ended last week, revolves around Galadriel's search for Sauron and, in the finale, sends the Stranger and Nori off on their own adventure. In "House of the Dragon," which ends…

Los Angeles Times · Oct 19, 2022

Mary McNamara: Angela Lansbury in 'Murder, She Wrote' wasn't 'cozy' — she was revolutionary

It isn't every five-time Tony winner and multiple Oscar nominee who is most famous for starring in a CBS mystery procedural. But as the many appreciations that marked her death on Tuesday made clear, Angela Lansbury was in a class by herself, and "Murder, She Wrote" was, all that quaintness…

Los Angeles Times · Oct 12, 2022

Mary McNamara: 'Derry Girls' is the brightest wee gem of TV's new jewel-box comedy trend

There's a scene in the second season of "Derry Girls" in which the cool new teacher at Our Lady Immaculate College oversees a bit of hurling practice, encouraging her students to hit the ball while thinking of something they really hate. "Injustice," shouts Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson); "Prejudice," yells Claire (Nicola…

Los Angeles Times · Oct 12, 2022

Column: Amid the pageantry and corgis, what made the queen’s funeral extraordinary was silence

On Monday morning London time, an unprecedented hourslong ceremony began as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was borne in splendid procession from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey, where the royal family, hundreds of Britain’s leaders and heads of state from around the world attended the funeral service for England’s…

Los Angeles Times · Sep 20, 2022

Mary McNamara: Sheryl Lee Ralph and Jennifer Coolidge helped save the Emmys from boring back-to-normal

LOS ANGELES — For an entertainment journalist, nothing says "back to normal" more than trying to figure out the logistics of attending an awards show. After two years of remote-work comfort, one rebels against even the thought of Spanx, and I am too old and jaded for heels. It's the…

Los Angeles Times · Sep 13, 2022

Mary McNamara: We bonded over Tolkien when my son was 4. So of course we live-texted 'Rings of Power'

I took my son Danny to see "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" when he was not quite 5 years old.

Los Angeles Times · Sep 6, 2022

Mary McNamara: Is 'The Patient' a full-blown allegory for the pandemic, or is it just me?

In the new FX for Hulu limited series "The Patient," Sam Fortner (Domhnall Gleeson) abducts and imprisons his therapist, Dr. Alan Strauss (Steve Carell) in the hope that Strauss can cure him of his homicidal compulsions. The story can be, and has been, described in many ways — a psychological…

Los Angeles Times · Sep 1, 2022