[Album Review] Rumer expertly cuddles Bacharach & David catalog

Rumer“This Girl’s in Love: A Bacharach & David Song Book” (Rhino Records)Rumer sprinkles moon dust over a dozen tunes from the Bacharach/David catalog, putting her smooth imprint on songs of love and heartbreak. Rumer and husband/producer Rob Shirakbari opt mostly for subtle changes in tempo or mood on tunes best known in versions by the likes of Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, The Carpenters and Jackie DeShannon.The album comes with Burt Bacharach’s seal of approval, the master adding piano

PerformanceNov. 25, 2016

[Box Office] Latest movie releases

My Annoying Brother(Korea)Opened Nov. 23Comedy, Drama. Directed by Kwon Soo-kyungNational judo athlete Ko Doo-young (Do Kyung-soo) loses his sight after an unfortunate accident and spends his days in deep depression. His con artist older brother (Jo Jung-suk) uses Doo-young’s health issues as an excuse to be granted early release from prison. The meek younger brother is stuck with his rowdy sibling as the two begin an unpredictable cohabitation. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them(US)Opened

FilmNov. 25, 2016

In 'Allied,' with Brad Pitt, love in the fog of war

Deeply nostalgic moviemaking is rendered with digital precision in Robert Zemeckis’ highly manicured World War II romance “Allied.”Zemeckis’ control of his camera is absolute, if self-consciously so. In “Allied,” with Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard, he has resurrected the espionage thriller in all its classical glamour with a knowingness that’s both impressively grand and stiffly hollow. The crisp period images of “Allied” never feel far removed from their storyboards. “Allied,” despite its high

FilmNov. 25, 2016

Use your Thanksgiving leftovers in this tasty hash

Too early to think about leftover turkey? Transform your leftovers into this tasty, quick hash using turkey, cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes. And you don’t need to wait for turkey leftovers. You can buy roasted turkey pieces in the meat department or roasted turkey in the deli. If you buy deli meat, ask them to slice it thick so you can cut it into cubes.This is a one-pot meal that tastes great the second day. Double the recipe if you have time and save the rest for another day. It also freez

FoodNov. 25, 2016

How to see Chichen Itza without the crowds

Sounds of the jungle were as thick as the humidity. Birds chirped and trilled. A deep hoot added a bass note. An almost mechanical staccato clicking joined in. I was following a Mayan guide, Juan Gualberto Tun Pat, down a garden path on the grounds of my hotel, where life is so insistent that young trees sprout in the middle of the gravel walkway.At a wrought iron gate, two guys sat at a weathered Formica-topped table, the young one working on math problems, the older one tuning a radio. They pa

TravelNov. 25, 2016

[Travel Bits] Upcoming festivals, travel news

Lotte World Christmas MiracleLotte World is gearing up to play host to its annual Christmas Festival every day until Dec. 27. This year’s festival will tackle the theme of “A White Christmas,” allowing visitors the chance to see spectacular Christmas decorations at every corner of the theme park. The park will also feature a Santa Village and a snowman photo zone for the children.There will also be a special snowfall show twice a day at the Adventure Park and during the new Christmas Parade. The

TravelNov. 25, 2016

For Kanye West, a swirling, eventful year ends in a hospital

NEW YORK (AP) -- It's been a hectic year for Kanye West. There was a new album that had a tortured, months-long release. Two fashion shows that were plagued by last-minute changes and long delays. There also was the reopening of a bitter feud with Taylor Swift, an ambitious US concert tour, a newborn son, and a harrowing robbery of his wife.“When was the last time I wasn’t in a hurry,” West asks on the song “Real Friends” from the new CD “The Life of Pablo.” On another track, West admonishes his

PerformanceNov. 25, 2016

YouTubers make jump to TV

YouTubers, who gained recognition through self-created content shared online, are now jumping onto the small screen to star in scripted TV shows. Entertainment giant CJ E&M on Wednesday announced the launching of DIA TV, a television network that will exclusively star one-person content creators. The new TV channel’s content will be created through a collaboration between CJ E&M’s writers and the featured YouTubers, according to Yang Song-chul, an in-house producer at the company.“The YouTubers

TelevisionNov. 24, 2016

Hyesang Park returns home to play Juliet

Rising opera star Hyesang Park is returning to South Korea to take on the role of one of the most iconic leading ladies -- Shakespeare’s Juliet. Park will be performing in the Korea National Opera’s upcoming staging of Charles Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet” from Dec. 8-11. The Korean opera singer has been making waves in the international opera realm, winning numerous competition titles and even having been praised by the New York Times for her “bright, clear voice and impressive coloratura techniq

PerformanceNov. 24, 2016

Lee Hyori to make comeback next year

Singer Lee Hyori has confirmed her return to the spotlight. After denying speculations around her comeback last month, Lee -- from veteran K-pop girl group Fin K.L. -- is working with composer and producer Kim Hyung-suk on new releases, according to entertainment agency Kiwi Media Group, where Kim serves as chairman, Thursday.“Since signing on with Kiwi Media Group, Lee has begun her album production,” the company announced. “She will be collaborating with composer Kim Do-hyun, behind Lee’s hit

PerformanceNov. 24, 2016

Sechs Kies returns with new album in 16 years

First -generation K-pop band Sechs Kies has finally revealed its plans for the group’s upcoming releases. Sechs Kies, consisting of five of its six original members, will unveil its first album in 16 years next week, according to YG Entertainment. The 10-track album, titled “2016 Re-Album” is a compilation of some of Sech Kies’ biggest hits, rearranged and remastered with a fresh and modern twist.  Since appearing on MBC’s popular variety show “Infinite Challenge” earlier this year, the boy band

PerformanceNov. 24, 2016

Latin American art sells for nearly $23m at Christie's auction

NEW YORK (AFP) -- Christie’s on Wednesday wrapped up one of its biggest auctions of Latin American art at $22.7 million, with seven Cuban painters drawing record prices as interest in the region's artists climbs.In a two-day sale, Christie’s auctioned nearly 300 lots of five major private collections. Although the total came in below the expected $30 million, it was still one of the auction house's largest takes for Latin American art. “There were strong results for the collection of Cuban works

PerformanceNov. 24, 2016

Zemeckis hopes glamour, intrigue will draw 'Allied' audience

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- In a world of franchises, reboots and comic-book films, the original espionage thriller “Allied” is a comparatively bold gamble for a studio. Glamorous, serious, and classically made (with a healthy dose of Camera-generated Imagery), “Allied,” from director Robert Zemeckis and screenwriter Steven Knight, looks to harken back to a bygone Hollywood of David Lean epics and sweeping romances between larger-than-life movie stars. In “Allied,” the would-be Bogart and Bergman are Br

FilmNov. 24, 2016

Spike Lee sued for failing to pay union health contributions

NEW YORK (AP) -- Filmmaker Spike Lee and his companies are being sued by the directors of three union benefit plans who contend he didn't make sufficient health and pension contributions.The lawsuit was filed Wednesday against Lee, Forty Acres and a Mule Filmworks and Black Butterfly Productions. It claims an audit found nearly $45,000 in unpaid contributions between September 2007 and March 2010.The suit said Lee controlled Black Butterfly, a signatory to collective bargaining agreements, and t

FilmNov. 24, 2016

FBI clears Brad Pitt over abuse claim

LOS ANGELES (AFP) -- Brad Pitt has been cleared after a probe into allegations he mistreated one of his children in a mid-air altercation, the FBI said Tuesday.The claims centered on an alleged incident with his 15-year-old son Maddox in September on a flight from France to Los Angeles. Pitt’s wife Angelina Jolie claimed he had struck the boy.“In response to allegations made following a flight ... carrying Mr. Brad Pitt and his children, the FBI has conducted a review of the circumstances and wi

FilmNov. 24, 2016

Stairs from Eiffel Tower sell for over half a million euros

PARIS (AFP) - A section of stairs from the Eiffel Tower in Paris sold for more than half a million euros, auctioneers said Wednesday -- more than 10 times the pre-sales estimate.The 14 wrought-iron steps from a winding staircase between the second and third floors of the Paris landmark went for 523,800 euros ($556,000) after furious bidding at the sale in the French capital.Auction house Artcurial said the dramatic sale Tuesday had “unleashed the passions” of several international buyers, with b

CultureNov. 24, 2016

Korean dramas escape to fantasy

While K-dramas are known for their far-fetched plot twists, they look set to take the bizarre to a new level this winter. Wrapping itself in fantasy, Korean television is offering two hotly anticipated dramas featuring supernatural creatures -- a mermaid and a goblin -- as lead characters who fall in love with ordinary human beings.On Dec. 2, tvN will air “Goblin,” the latest project by Kim Eun-sook, the scriptwriter behind the smash-hit military drama “Descendants of the Sun.” Kim, known in the

TelevisionNov. 23, 2016

K-pop groups soar on Billboard World Albums Chart

K-pop stars are finishing off the year with strong rankings on global music charts. Boy band BTS and rookie girl group Black Pink have ranked among the top 10 on Billboard’s World Albums Chart for the most recent week, dated Dec. 3, with their latest releases. Since releasing their second full-length album, “Wings,” last month, BTS has garnered wide international attention with the album’s lead track “Blood Sweat & Tears.”Four-member group Black Pink -- the winner of the Best New Artist Award at

PerformanceNov. 23, 2016