At College, A 'Pitch Perfect' Musical Comedy
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Friday, October 05, 2012
'Heights' Scaled: A Savage Take On A Classic Tale
October 5, 2012 Andrea Arnold's adaptation of Emily Bronte's novel, Wuthering Heights, isn't the strait-laced take on 18th-century romance moviegoers may expect. Critic Jeannette Catsoulis says the film continually "attacks our very notion of what a costume drama should look like." (Recommended)
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Mandy Patinkin: 25 Years After 'The Princess Bride,' He's Not Tired Of That Line
October 5, 2012 Mandy Patinkin talks to Melissa Block about The Princess Bride as it turns 25.
Hollywood's Horror History — For Kids
October 5, 2012 There have been a slew of animated family comedies based on horror classics in theaters recently — ParaNorman, Hotel Transylvania and Frankenweenie, to name a few. NPR's Bob Mondello explores the monster movie's transition from scream-inducing to family fodder.
Monkey See
Two 'Genius Grants' For Women Experimenting With Documentary Film
October 5, 2012 The MacArthur Foundation gave "genius grants" to two documentary filmmakers — both women, and both experimenters with the documentary form.
Monkey See
Picking The Best Bond: Connery And Craig Rise To The Top
October 5, 2012 It's official: Sean Connery IS James Bond, according to NPR readers who weighed the question this week. Connery set the gold standard as 007, the spy known for his playfulness, his ruthlessness — and his ability to look good in a suit. The Bond film franchise turns 50 today.
Thursday, October 04, 2012
No Contest: Everything Is Better With 'Butter'
October 4, 2012 The world of competitive butter sculpting serves as the platform for a politically charged satire from Jim Field Smith. Critic Joel Arnold says that stellar performances from the film's ensemble cast, which includes Ty Burrell and Jennifer Garner, make for an excellently executed farce.
'2' Bad: Plot, Style Taken Straight From The Original
October 4, 2012 With a plot as unoriginal as its title, Olivier Megaton's Taken 2 lacks many of the charms of its predecessor, critic Stephanie Zacharek says. While Liam Neeson once again gets to wallop Albanian baddies, the film demonstrates an utter lack of subtlety and finesse.
'Sister': Children Living On The Fringe Of Society
October 4, 2012 Ursula Meier's film about Swiss siblings trying to make ends meet explores themes seen in her earlier work. As critic Mark Jenkins explains, the performances in the film help deliver a portrait of the challenges facing those in poverty, struggling to survive while others live in excess.
When It Comes To Drugs, A 'House' Deeply Divided
October 4, 2012 Eugene Jarecki's The House I Live In paints a contemporary portrait of the "war on drugs." Critic Mark Jenkins says the film excels at portraying the personal through firsthand accounts and commentary but leaves some questions untouched.
'Frankenweenie': Burton Revives A Morbid Favorite
October 4, 2012 Tim Burton's feature-length retake on his 1984 short film reflects the director's signature style — but, says critic Stephanie Zacharek, the material may be better suited to a shorter form.
'Oranges' Appeal: Not Your Average Suburban Holiday
October 4, 2012 Julian Farino's dramedy The Oranges is another riff on the cataclysmic holiday weekend — but critic Ella Taylor says the film's ensemble cast and its lack of cynicism bring freshness to a genre that can feel as stale as a fruitcake. (Recommended)
'The Paperboy': A Crime Drama Lacking Conviction
October 4, 2012 A swamp noir about a murder convict and the journalist who suspects he might not have committed the crime, Lee Daniels' film feels "spectacularly incompetent," says critic Scott Tobias.
