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Movies
A Boy And His Bear, At Large In A Man's World
June 29, 2012 Ted, the first film from Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, is about 35-year-old Johnny (Mark Wahlberg) and his decidedly adult talking teddy bear. NPR's Bob Mondello has to confess that in time, he warmed up to this movie for and about overgrown kids.
Movies
'To Rome With Love': Eternal City, Scrambled Time
June 21, 2012 Woody Allen's latest comedy features four unrelated stories taking place — in theory at the same time. But as NPR's Bob Mondello points out, that's logically impossible.
American Dreams: Then And Now
Hollywood Dreams Of Wealth, Youth And Beauty
June 19, 2012 American movies have been telling stories that idealize hard work, strong character and the rise of the little man for decades. But there's always a catch. NPR's Bob Mondello looks at what Hollywood means when it talks about the American dream.
Movies
Of Best Friends, Siblings And Too Much Tequila
June 15, 2012 Lynn Shelton returns with Your Sister's Sister, an improvised comedy about the complications that arise from alcohol-fueled sex, starring Mark Duplass, Emily Blunt and Rosemarie DeWitt. Critic Bob Mondello says the film seduces through its spontaneous wit and understated charm.
Monkey See
Home Video Picks: 'The Sting'
June 5, 2012 Bob Mondello recommends the new Blu-ray release of the con-man comedy The Sting.
Movies
A Selective Preview Of Summer Movies
May 28, 2012 NPR's Bob Mondello recommends which blockbusters to see and which to avoid at the multiplex this summer — and which independent and art house gems to seek out.
Movies
Coming Soon — To A Theater Nowhere Near You
May 18, 2012 Feel like you're the last to see the new Hollywood blockbuster? You may be right — because studios have started premiering big films overseas before they come to the United States.
Movies
Board Game + Explosions + Aliens = 'Battleship'
May 17, 2012 Inspired by the popular board game, the summer blockbuster pits the U.S. Navy against an invading force of hostile aliens. NPR's Bob Mondello says the Transformers-like mayhem that ensues is more or less incoherent.
Monkey See
Home Video Picks: 'Being John Malkovich'
May 15, 2012 Bob Mondello recommends the Criterion Collection's Blu-ray release of Being John Malkovich, directed by Spike Jonze and starring Malkovich, John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, and Catherine Keener.
Movies
'Dark Shadows': A Retro Redo Lacking Life And Luster
May 11, 2012 Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's latest collaboration adapts the vintage Gothic soap opera, focusing on aristocratic vampire Barnabas Collins as a fish out of water in the 1970s. NPR's Bob Mondello says that except for Depp's clever turn as Barnabas, there isn't much to sink your teeth into.
Movies
'The Avengers': Slick Summer Superheroics
May 3, 2012 Marvel superheroes Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk and more band together to save the world. NPR's Bob Mondello says the Joss Whedon-directed genre flick is enjoyably zingy, delivering zippy banter, fun effects and spectacular battle scenes.
Monkey See
DVD Picks: 'Pillow Talk'
May 1, 2012 Bob Mondello recommends the Blu-ray release of Rock Hudson and Doris Day's first onscreen pairing, 1959's Pillow Talk.
Movies
'Headhunters': The Caper Flick, Raised To A Fine Art
April 27, 2012 A smooth corporate headhunter who moonlights as a high-end art thief runs afoul of the wrong mark. NPR's Bob Mondello says the grisly, humorous and altogether fascinating Norwegian thriller boasts thorough storytelling worthy of Hitchcock. (Recommended)
Movies
'Think Like A Man,' And We'll See What Happens
April 20, 2012 A battle-of-the-sexes comedy adapts Steve Harvey's self-help book Act Like A Lady, Think Like a Man, illustrating the comedian's words of wisdom with familiar dating situations and stereotypes. NPR's Bob Mondello says it's part rom-com, part infomercial, but with a pleasantly broad sitcom vibe.
Movies
An Inspiring Teacher, Exactly When He's Needed
April 13, 2012 The Canadian drama Monsieur Lazhar, about a teacher who steps into a job no one else wants, was nominated for this year's Oscar for Best Foreign Language film. NPR's Bob Mondello says the Montreal middle school at the film's center is populated with intriguingly complicated characters. (Recommended)
