Cloth masks are not nearly as effective as N95 respirators and they give wearers a false sense of security against the coronavirus.

The study authors are reckless to say we need to "recalibrate" public health approaches because the actual COVID-19 mortality rate might be lower.

A call to split the U.S. into separate republics based on our deep political divisions draws support from readers.

If you're a cancer patient, you should not avoid treatment because of the pandemic. Surgery and follow-up care cannot wait.

A resident of Sedona, Ariz., did not appreciate an L.A. Times story on wealthy out-of-towners fleeing to their second homes.

A patient who had server abdominal pain has a warning: If you think you need to do so, go to the ER, even with a pandemic raging.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a full-blown disaster, but if shortages mean Americans eat less meat as a result, then so be it.

Calls to open all beaches because Californians have a right to them are silly and dangerous. Gov. Newsom is making the right call.

There's no evidence that the use of plastic bags prevents exposure to the coronavirus, so why use them instead of reusable bags?

Californians feel hopeless, so some are protesting. The solution is to limit access to public spaces without completely closing them.

The people waving the American flag at lockdown protests are using it as a symbol of selfishness.

COVID-19 lockdowns are inflicting too much economic pain and misery. We need to do more cost-benefit analyses.

The fact that Trump refuses to wear a mask, a precaution meant to protect other people, is evidence of his lack of empathy.

Sweden's death rate is high compared with those of its neighbors, who took much more drastic and appropriate action against the pandemic.

Why the argument that we should reopen the economy because we don't shut it down over the thousands of car deaths every year is wrong.

As a divorce lawyer in 'Marriage Story,' Laura Dern calls out societal bias against mothers. She helped craft the speech with writer-director Noah Baumbach.

If an international film, like 'Parasite,' wins best picture, it only seems fair that a different film, like 'Pain and Glory,' gets the international Oscar.

Bong Joon Ho's mesmerizing movie deserves to win best picture. But can it?

The 'Ford v Ferrari' sound teams recorded 28 tracks' worth of period accurate Ferrari and Ford GT40 engines to add to the mix.

The Oscar-nominated animation shorts often share emotional themes, but they are a creatively diverse collection.

The five Oscar-nominated live-action shorts of 2020: 'Brotherhood,' 'Saria,' 'Nefta Football Club,' 'My Neighbors' Window,' 'A Sister.'

The motion picture academy's new museum should include an exhibit of the painful racist images created to maintain a system of dehumanization.

The Academy Awards are fast approaching and Oscar pools are being organized. Let our film critics Kenneth Turan and Justin Chang help you analyze the major categories with their predictions.

Oscar voting is ending and a few motion picture academy members are ready to share their picks.

"The Irishman," "1917," "The Lion King," "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," "Avengers: Endgame" — a rundown of the visual-effects Oscar finalists.

Sure, the Oscars are exciting, but what about the film moments they don't celebrate? That's where the Envy Awards step in.

Filming his World War I epic "1917" like it was one unbroken shot, Sam Mendes has dazzled audiences and critics. Is a best picture Oscar next?

From where and how to watch the ceremony to who and what is nominated, here's a complete guide to this weekend's Academy Awards.

Last movie to win best picture without any acting nominations? Last woman to win a screenplay Oscar? Take this Academy Awards trivia quiz and see how well you do.

From safe bets to long shots, a veteran oddsmaker walks us through the 2020 Oscars odds and tells us why Joaquin Phoenix is worth only $5.

A luxurious house in "Parasite" and visions of '80s urbanism in "Joker" paint vivid pictures of haves and have nots for #Oscars2020.

We can't control what wins best picture at the Academy Awards. Can we control our emotions when our favorite movie doesn't win?

Predicting the four acting races for the 2020 Oscars is easy this year, but there's still drama in the best picture race and others

What will Joaquin Phoenix say? What will Billie Eilish and Janelle Monáe sing? Five questions ahead of the 2020 Oscars.

I've spent 20 years covering the Oscars, and yes, they're splendid and ridiculous, flawed and inspirational. That's why they still matter.

"Did you know this is the 'Pretty Woman' hotel?" a publicist asked Dr. Amani Ballour.

The Times examined the filmographies of the last five years' worth of lead-actor academy award nominees to see how many female filmmakers they've worked with.

Hispanic, Latino or both? White or a person of color? The identity debate sparked after some declared Banderas a "person of color" when the Oscars' overwhelmingly white acting nominations were announced.

Before the Oscars on Sunday, watch the wildly different and entertaining acceptance speeches Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix have made this awards season.

¿Hispano, latino o ambos? ¿Blanco o de color? El debate sobre la identidad se desató después de que algunos declararan a Banderas como "persona de color" cuando se anunciaron las nominaciones de los Oscars de actuación abrumadoramente blanca.

Zellweger, who won at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards and British Academy Film Awards this year, has stuck to a flattering sartorial script.

Nominated for her work in 'Bombshell,' Theron has turned heads on the red carpet this season.

Cynthia Erivo, Oscar-nominated for 'Harriet,' has been a sartorial surprise at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards and Critics' Choice Awards.

Longtime Los Angeles Times photographers Al Seib and Jay Clendenin assess the 2020 setup.

'Harriet' star Cynthia Erivo already has a Daytime Emmy, a Tony and a Grammy. All that's left is Oscar — and she's nominated for two this year.

2020 Oscars winners list: Joaquin Phoenix, Laura Dern, Brad Pitt earn acting prizes

The 2020 Oscars kicked off with a rainy, chilly red carpet. But that didn't stop Hollywood's elite from wearing their most glamorous suits and gowns.

Natalie Portman arrived at the 92nd Academy Awards wearing a cape with the names of female directors who weren't nominated Sunday.

"Hair Love" writer-director-producer Matthew A. Cherry is the first former NFL player to win an Oscar. He is the second pro athlete to win after Kobe Bryant.

No other studio has more than three wins in the category; no other franchise has collected two.