archive
Movies
A Remake That Will Leave Fans Seeing 'Red'
November 20, 2012 Dan Bradley's remake of 1984's Red Dawn retells a story of high schoolers fighting off communist invaders. Critic Mark Jenkins says the new version suffers the same fate as many reboots, lacking weight and coming off as an inadvertently comic misfire.
Movies
For Pi, A Wonderful 'Life' Finds Its Way To Film
November 20, 2012 Ang Lee's adaptation of Yann Martel's 2001 best-seller employs cinema's most advanced digital techniques in the service of an adventure yarn that's gloriously old-fashioned — and often just glorious. (Recommended)
Monkey See
Making The Comedy Podcast: Julie Klausner's Life Of Conversation
November 20, 2012 Julie Klausner talks about what makes the comedy podcast such an appealing form for comedians. Is it the connection with the audience? The creative freedom? The loose conversations? (Spoiler alert: Yes.)
The Salt
Why Americans Go Crazy For Pumpkin And Pumpkin-Flavored Stuff
November 20, 2012 With pumpkin or pumpkin spices going into more products every year, we wondered, what's the deal with the pumpkin obsession? Turns out pumpkins have been a symbol of Americans' longing for simpler, rural times since we began moving to the cities in the 19th century. And marketers know it.
Author Interviews
A Model Career: 'Grace' Goes From Runway To 'Vogue'
November 20, 2012 In a new memoir, Grace Coddington explains how she grew up on a remote island off the coast of Wales, started modeling as a young woman and ended up as creative director at Vogue magazine. Coddington speaks with Fresh Air's Terry Gross about her life in the fashion industry.
Book Reviews
Hungry Hearts And Family Matters In 'Middlesteins'
November 20, 2012 Jami Attenberg's black comedy about the fallout of one woman's food addiction is a tough but affecting story about family members putting up with each other. Critic Maureen Corrigan says the novel's fragmented narration and jumpy timeline add to its emotional punch.
Book Reviews
Famous Father Had Highest 'Expectations'
November 20, 2012 The latest book by former New Yorker editor Robert Gottlieb, Great Expectations: The Sons and Daughters of Charles Dickens, reads more like scintillating gossip about the famous writer and his family than literary scholarship. NPR's Heller McAlpin is fine with that.
Movies
Controversial Casting For A Nina Simone Biopic
November 20, 2012 The producer of an upcoming Nina Simone biopic has cast Afro-Latina actress Zoe Saldana in the lead role — a move that's proved controversial. Critics say that while Saldana is a talented actress, she's too close to traditional light-skinned Hollywood beauty standards.
Oscars 2013: The 85th Annual Academy Awards
Bradley Cooper On Getting Back To His Roots
November 20, 2012 Bradley Cooper has been a comedy star — and People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive." In Silver Linings Playbook, he plays an emotionally damaged schoolteacher trying to get his life together after being institutionalized. He speaks with Linda Wertheimer about the film.
Author Interviews
Talking Turkey (And Pie) In 'Thanksgiving'
November 20, 2012 New York Times editor Sam Sifton has this important piece of Thanksgiving advice: Forget innovation. No ham, no swordfish, no beef tenderloin, just turkey and pie. His new book, Thanksgiving: How to Cook It Well, provides recipes for a simple, stress-free holiday meal.
Oscars 2013: The 85th Annual Academy Awards
When 'Unfilmable' Books Make Memorable Movies
November 20, 2012 Life of Pi and Cloud Atlas are two complicated, ambitious novels recently adapted for the big screen. NPR's Elizabeth Blair explores what makes some singular narratives workable on film — and what makes some fail.
Monkey See
Football, Fandom and 'Friday Night Lights'
November 19, 2012 Sports are not for everyone. However, the story of the currently first-ranked Notre Dame football team is one that fans of sports movies and Friday Night Lights might find oddly familiar.
The Salt
Could Nate Silver Predict How Good Your Pumpkin Pie Will Be?
November 19, 2012 Scientists have come up with an algorithm to guess how many stars a recipe will receive online. By building "social networks" for ingredients, the algorithms also reveal how we mix and match spices, make dishes more healthful and customize flavor profiles.
Holiday Recipes
Don't Panic! It's Not Too Late To Plan A Turkey Feast
November 19, 2012 Thanksgiving is fast approaching, but what if you're pressed for time or just a kitchen klutz? Cookbook author Katie Workman says pulling off the holiday meal boils down to simplifying, delegating and letting the supermarket do some of the work.
The Salt
Sandwich Monday: Breathable Chocolate
November 19, 2012 For this week's Sandwich Monday, we try Le Whif breathable chocolate. It's a great way to get your chocolate fix without all the pesky chewing. It's also the perfect thing if you've been meaning to start smoking but want to ease your way in.
