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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The Picture Show

Afghanistan's Love Of The Big Screen

The audience at Pamir Cinema in Kabul watches a Pakistani film

November 27, 2012 Unless you've been to Afghanistan, your imagination probably conjures up a pretty bleak picture of what has been a war-torn country for decades. Photographer Jonathan Saruk hopes to change that.

Summary

Monkey See

Is That A Budweiser In Your Hand?: Product Placement, Booze, And Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington plays Whip Whitaker in Flight.

November 27, 2012 Priska Neely peeks inside the fully stocked minibar of Denzel Washington's Flight to find out how all those brand-name bottles get on screen — and what happens when nobody gets permission.

Summary

Monday, November 26, 2012

Movie Interviews

'Life Of Pi' Life-Changing For Young Star

Suraj Sharma makes his motion picture acting debut as Pi Patel, a teenager who takes on an epic journey at sea.

November 26, 2012 How did Suraj Sharma end up starring in Oscar-winning director Ang Lee's new film Life of Pi? All he needed to do was learn to act, learn to swim, and learn to understand tigers.

Transcript

On Tell Me MorePlaylist

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Movies I've Seen A Million Times

The Movie Ed Burns Has 'Seen A Million Times'

Actor Robert Duvall in the film Tender Mercies

November 24, 2012 Actor-writer-director Ed Burns could watch the Oscar-nominated drama Tender Mercies a million times. "I love films that are not plot-driven," he says. "I like small character studies."

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Friday, November 23, 2012

What Happened To 'Baby Jane'? She's Turning 50

Bette Davis in the role of Jane Hudson in What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? The classic horror film, which has just turned 50, is being released on Blu-ray

November 23, 2012 On its 50th anniversary, Robert Aldrich's classic horror film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? has just been released on Blu-ray. Though it's far from a musical, classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says its musical elements are crucial to the film.

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On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

A Boy, A Boat, A Tiger: Reflecting On 'Life Of Pi'

Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) begins a journey of personal growth and spiritual discovery after being lost at sea.

November 23, 2012 Ang Lee's meticulously controlled style makes a perfect fit for Life of Pi, a passionately overcontrolled adaptation of a wondrous adventure story with a surprisingly harsh sting in its tail.

Transcript

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Rape, Race And The Press, Entangled In 'Central Park'

Yusef Salaam, wrongly accused of rape, is escorted by police. He and four other teens were eventually found guilty of a crime they didn't commit.

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)

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Close To The 'Bone': A French Connection, Haltingly

Stephanie (Marion Cotillard) is a marine-mammals trainer who works with killer whales at a French water park.

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

'Guardians' Doesn't Rise To Its Potential

Bunnymund (Hugh Jackman), Sandman, North (Alec Baldwin) and Tooth (Isla Fisher) welcome Jack Frost (Chris Pine) to a group of mythical characters sworn to protect the world's children.

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.

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'Hitchcock': Mr. And Mrs. 'Master Of Suspense'

Alfred Hitchcock (Anthony Hopkins) and his wife, Alma Reville (Helen Mirren), work together to produce Psycho.

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.

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Movie Interviews

We Ask A Historian: Just How Accurate Is 'Lincoln'?

Lincoln biographer Ronald White lauds the accuracy of Daniel Day-Lewis' depiction of the 16th president.

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

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

A Remake That Will Leave Fans Seeing 'Red'

From left: Matt Eckert (Josh Peck) and his friend Robert (Josh Hutcherson) join Matt's Marine brother Jed (Chris Hemsworth) on a mission to stop North Korean invaders.

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.

Summary

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