Movie Reviews http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4467349&ft=1&f=4467349 Reviews of new movies, classic and art films, foreign films, and popular movies. Featuring Bob Mondello, Kenneth Turan, David Edelstein, and Mark Jenkins. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:19:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Movie Reviews http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4467349&ft=1&f=4467349 It Takes A (Gay) Village In 'Call Me Kuchu' An excellent documentary looks at Uganda's controversial Anti-Homosexuality Bill — both its personal and political implications — through the story of activist David Kato. While emotionally crushing, the documentary is unmistakably a celebration of LGBT activists. <em><strong>(Recommended)</strong></em> Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:19:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/14/190459352/it-takes-a-gay-village-in-call-me-kuchu?ft=1&f=4467349 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/14/190459352/it-takes-a-gay-village-in-call-me-kuchu?ft=1&f=4467349 An excellent documentary looks at Uganda's controversial Anti-Homosexuality Bill — both its personal and political implications — through the story of activist David Kato. While emotionally crushing, the documentary is unmistakably a celebration of LGBT activists. (Recommended)

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]]> 'Sound' Scares In An Homage To '70s Italian Horror Set in an Italian movie-sound lab circa the '70s, Peter Strickland's <em>Berberian Sound Studio</em> takes audiences into an unsettling world where life imitates art — and the difference between reality and nightmare becomes increasingly difficult to discern. <em><strong>(Recommended)</strong></em> Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/14/190419962/sound-scares-in-an-homage-to-70s-italian-horror?ft=1&f=4467349 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/14/190419962/sound-scares-in-an-homage-to-70s-italian-horror?ft=1&f=4467349 Set in an Italian movie-sound lab circa the '70s, Peter Strickland's Berberian Sound Studio takes audiences into an unsettling world where life imitates art — and the difference between reality and nightmare becomes increasingly difficult to discern. (Recommended)

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]]> Whedon's Touch Finds A Match With 'Much Ado' Sandwiched into Joss Whedon's busy schedule of TV series and big-screen features was an unexpected low-budget adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy <em>Much Ado About Nothing</em> — shot in black and white. Film critic David Edelstein says it's a delight. <em><strong>(Recommended)</strong></em> Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/14/191352446/whedons-touch-finds-a-match-with-much-ado?ft=1&f=4467349 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/14/191352446/whedons-touch-finds-a-match-with-much-ado?ft=1&f=4467349 Sandwiched into Joss Whedon's busy schedule of TV series and big-screen features was an unexpected low-budget adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy Much Ado About Nothing — shot in black and white. Film critic David Edelstein says it's a delight. (Recommended)

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]]> 'Bling Ring': When Fame-Obsessed Teens Go Rogue As with many of Sofia Coppola's films, it's the quiet mundanity of <em>The Bling Ring </em>that really hits home. Based on a <em>Vanity</em> Fair article, the story follows a group of privileged but troubled teens as they rob the homes of various Hollywood A-listers. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:05:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/10/190414994/bling-ring-when-fame-obsessed-teens-go-rogue?ft=1&f=4467349 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/10/190414994/bling-ring-when-fame-obsessed-teens-go-rogue?ft=1&f=4467349 As with many of Sofia Coppola's films, it's the quiet mundanity of The Bling Ring that really hits home. Based on a Vanity Fair article, the story follows a group of privileged but troubled teens as they rob the homes of various Hollywood A-listers.

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]]> 'More Than Honey' Sees A World Without Bees <em>More Than Honey</em> is an expansive journey of a documentary — ranging from California to China — on a topic whose implications are even more far-reaching: the rapid disappearance of bees, or "colony collapse." Filmmaker Markus Imhoof looks at our global dependence on the threatened insects. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/13/190348698/more-than-honey-sees-a-world-without-bees?ft=1&f=4467349 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/13/190348698/more-than-honey-sees-a-world-without-bees?ft=1&f=4467349 More Than Honey is an expansive journey of a documentary — ranging from California to China — on a topic whose implications are even more far-reaching: the rapid disappearance of bees, or "colony collapse." Filmmaker Markus Imhoof looks at our global dependence on the threatened insects.

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]]> 'Steel' Trap: Snyder's Superman, Between Worlds Director Zack Snyder doubles down on the sci-fi DNA of America's definitive superhero, but his <em>Man of Steel </em>never quite becomes the inspirational saga some fans may have been expecting. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:50:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/13/189284063/steel-trap-snyders-superman-between-worlds?ft=1&f=4467349 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/13/189284063/steel-trap-snyders-superman-between-worlds?ft=1&f=4467349 Director Zack Snyder doubles down on the sci-fi DNA of America's definitive superhero, but his Man of Steel never quite becomes the inspirational saga some fans may have been expecting.

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]]> 'This Is The End': The Apocalypse Is One Hot Party Seth Rogen's new end-of-the-world comedy turns out to be as funny as anyone could have hoped — and maybe more clever than you might have expected. <em><strong>(Recommended) </strong></em> Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:39:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/12/189279297/this-is-the-end-the-apocalypse-is-one-hot-party?ft=1&f=4467349 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/12/189279297/this-is-the-end-the-apocalypse-is-one-hot-party?ft=1&f=4467349 Seth Rogen's new end-of-the-world comedy turns out to be as funny as anyone could have hoped — and maybe more clever than you might have expected. (Recommended)

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]]> A Yearly 'Purge' For A Society Working Out Its Issues Director James DeMonaco (<em>Little New York</em>) turns in a nail-biter featuring Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey. Set in an orderly future where citizens enjoy one lawless, annual 12-hour "purge," the film flops as social comment — but sure keeps you on the edge of your seat. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 17:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/06/188946336/shell?ft=1&f=4467349 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/06/188946336/shell?ft=1&f=4467349 Director James DeMonaco (Little New York) turns in a nail-biter featuring Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey. Set in an orderly future where citizens enjoy one lawless, annual 12-hour "purge," the film flops as social comment — but sure keeps you on the edge of your seat.

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]]> Covert Conflicts, Decried In 'Dirty Wars' Jeremy Scahill, author of the <em>New York Times</em> best-seller <em>Blackwater,</em> contemplates what he considers the "dirty" side of America's wars. But it's what he doesn't ask — or answer — in his documentary's 90-minute narrative that's really thought-provoking. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 17:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/06/188991466/covert-conflicts-decried-in-dirty-wars?ft=1&f=4467349 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/06/188991466/covert-conflicts-decried-in-dirty-wars?ft=1&f=4467349 Jeremy Scahill, author of the New York Times best-seller Blackwater, contemplates what he considers the "dirty" side of America's wars. But it's what he doesn't ask — or answer — in his documentary's 90-minute narrative that's really thought-provoking.

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]]> Resnais' Lively, Metatheatrical Look At Death Alain Resnais' latest film, <em>You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet,</em> is a surprisingly lighthearted — if disorienting — take on two Jean Anouilh plays, <em>Eurydice</em> and <em>Dear Antoine: Or, the Love That Failed</em>. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 17:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/06/189201758/resnais-lively-metatheatrical-look-at-death?ft=1&f=4467349 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/06/189201758/resnais-lively-metatheatrical-look-at-death?ft=1&f=4467349 Alain Resnais' latest film, You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet, is a surprisingly lighthearted — if disorienting — take on two Jean Anouilh plays, Eurydice and Dear Antoine: Or, the Love That Failed.

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]]> Movie Reviews: What 'After Earth' And 'Kings' Have In Common Bob Mondello reviews <em>After Earth</em>, which stars father and son Will and Jaden Smith as father and son a thousand years from now. Mondello also reviews the suburban indie comedy <em>Kings of Summer</em>. Fri, 31 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=187586641&ft=1&f=4467349 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=187586641&ft=1&f=4467349 Bob Mondello reviews After Earth, which stars father and son Will and Jaden Smith as father and son a thousand years from now. Mondello also reviews the suburban indie comedy Kings of Summer.

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]]> Rediscover Your Inner Anarchist In The Anti-Corporate 'East' <em>The East</em> is a romantic activist outlaw fantasy in which Brit Marling plays an agent who poses as a radical activist to catch an eco-terrorist group. It's one of those melodramas in which someone on the morally wrong side has a spasm of conscience and maybe crosses over. Maybe. Fri, 31 May 2013 13:29:34 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/31/187312451/rediscover-your-inner-anarchist-in-the-anti-corporate-east?ft=1&f=4467349 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/31/187312451/rediscover-your-inner-anarchist-in-the-anti-corporate-east?ft=1&f=4467349 The East is a romantic activist outlaw fantasy in which Brit Marling plays an agent who poses as a radical activist to catch an eco-terrorist group. It's one of those melodramas in which someone on the morally wrong side has a spasm of conscience and maybe crosses over. Maybe.

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]]> 'Now You See Me': An Unconvincing Con Job A new gang caper film — populated by the likes of Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo and Michael Caine — makes promises it can't deliver. An FBI agent and and Interpol detective chase thieving magicians called the Four Horsemen, but a portentous tone and redundancy outweigh the action and flash. Thu, 30 May 2013 18:30:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/30/186927880/now-you-see-me-an-unconvincing-con-job?ft=1&f=4467349 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/30/186927880/now-you-see-me-an-unconvincing-con-job?ft=1&f=4467349 A new gang caper film — populated by the likes of Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo and Michael Caine — makes promises it can't deliver. An FBI agent and and Interpol detective chase thieving magicians called the Four Horsemen, but a portentous tone and redundancy outweigh the action and flash.

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]]> Anarchists Tempt A 1 Percenter In 'The East' In this slightly batty new thriller, rising star Brit Marling plays a former FBI agent infiltrating an anarchist group. Will she give up her corporate ways? Will the eco-terrorists be able to eat their vegan meals while straitjacketed? Watch and see. Thu, 30 May 2013 17:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/30/186940684/anarchists-tempt-a-1-percenter-in-the-east?ft=1&f=4467349 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/30/186940684/anarchists-tempt-a-1-percenter-in-the-east?ft=1&f=4467349 In this slightly batty new thriller, rising star Brit Marling plays a former FBI agent infiltrating an anarchist group. Will she give up her corporate ways? Will the eco-terrorists be able to eat their vegan meals while straitjacketed? Watch and see.

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]]> Teenage 'Kings Of Summer' Rule A Predictable Sitcom World In a TV director's film debut, jokes overwhelm the characters and plot. Though the cast includes such likable personalities as Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman, the runaway boys at the film's core subsist on rotisserie chicken, telegraphed situations and sour gags. Thu, 30 May 2013 17:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/30/186925952/teenage-kings-of-summer-rule-a-predictable-sitcom-world?ft=1&f=4467349 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/30/186925952/teenage-kings-of-summer-rule-a-predictable-sitcom-world?ft=1&f=4467349 In a TV director's film debut, jokes overwhelm the characters and plot. Though the cast includes such likable personalities as Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman, the runaway boys at the film's core subsist on rotisserie chicken, telegraphed situations and sour gags.

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