archive

November 22, 2012 Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon document the wrongful 1989 rape conviction of a group of teens in The Central Park Five. Critic Mark Jenkins says the directors' careful consideration of the topic sheds light on racism and the state of the criminal-justice system. (Recommended)

Summary

November 22, 2012 Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts star in a richly romantic adaptation of Rust and Bone, about an underemployed single father and a marine-mammals trainer who has suffered a tragedy. (Recommended)

Summary

November 22, 2012 Rise of the Guardians is based on the William Joyce book series The Guardians of Childhood. Critic Stephanie Zacharek says that on the big screen, the story of Santa Claus and other mythical figures saving the world's children is too cluttered and manic to be truly enjoyed.

Summary

November 22, 2012 Scottish comedian and actor Billy Connolly has been performing for more than 50 years, and says he has no plans of stopping. He summed up his style of comedy to the San Francisco Chronicle: "I believe in funny, not clever.... If I hear someone described as clever, I won't buy a ticket."

Transcript

On Talk of the NationPlaylist

November 22, 2012 Sacha Gervasi's Hitchcock contemplates the relationship between Alfred Hitchcock and his wife, Alma Reville, during the making of Psycho. Critic Ella Taylor says Anthony Hopkins' turn as the famous director falls flat, while the film adds little new insight into the story.

Summary

November 22, 2012 According to poet Kevin Young, the best poems are like the best meals — they're made from scratch. Young has edited a new collection of poems that celebrate the pleasures of food, from "butter disappearing into whipped sweet potatoes" to oysters that taste like "starlight."

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

November 22, 2012 Lincoln biographer Ronald White critiques the accuracy of Stephen Spielberg's new film about the Great Emancipator. White says that while not every detail of the film is true, "the delicate balance or blend between history and dramatic art comes off quite well."

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

November 21, 2012 Rob Delaney has almost 670,000 Twitter followers. He talks to NPR's Audie Cornish about what that means for his traditional standup career, and whether he cares if you call him a "Twitter comedian."

Transcript

On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

November 21, 2012 Margaret Talbot tells the story of her father, actor Lyle Talbot, in her memoir The Entertainer. He began his career as an assistant to a traveling hypnotist, and went on to star in movies with Shirley Temple and Humphrey Bogart — and played next-door neighbor Joe Randolph on Ozzie and Harriet.

Transcript

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

November 21, 2012 The Venetian painter Titian is one of the most enduringly influential artists of the Renaissance. Yet his last full biography was written in the 19th century. Sheila Hale's new book, Titian: His Life, contrasts the Italian master's quiet existence with that of the turbulent city that nurtured his talent.

Summary

November 21, 2012 Vampires and other creatures of the night are modern pop-culture staples — not least within the Twilight franchise — but these gothic novels show why sometimes older is better. Author John Connolly explores three of his favorite Anglo-Irish gothic thrillers.

Summary

November 21, 2012 America's Test Kitchen host Chris Kimball and Renee Montagne cook up a Julia Child-inspired Thanksgiving feast of roast turkey and mashed potatoes. And we remember that she would say, if things go wrong in the kitchen, just keep on going. And have a glass of wine.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

November 21, 2012 A fresh hot meal is a thing of beauty when you're having a tough go of things, and can literally bring tears to people's eyes. But a full freezer? That's money in the bank. So when it comes to feeding people in need, an extra meal for the freezer can be the best gift of all.

Summary

November 20, 2012 Rose Bosch's docudrama, La Rafle, recounts the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup in Paris, in which 13,000 Jews were sent to detention camps. Critic Joel Arnold says that although the film is compelling, it stretches the docudrama format nearly to the breaking point.

Summary