NPR Topics: Movies

NPR Topics: Movies http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1045&ft=1&f=1045 NPR Movies podcast, movie reviews, and commentary on new and classic films. Interviews with filmmakers, actors, and actresses. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg Movies http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1045&ft=1&f=1045 yes 'Avatar,' Family Films To Dominate Movie Screens Vampires and werewolves are so last weekend. Get ready for the blue-tailed navie in a special-effects blowout called <em>Avatar</em>. The movie's claim that its special effects will be an industry game-changer has scared away the season's usual sci-fi and sorcery flicks. This December features mostly down-to-earth stories about families, romance, crime-solvers and the occasional singing chipmunk. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120872717&ft=1&f=1045 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120872717&ft=1&f=1045 Vampires and werewolves are so last weekend. Get ready for the blue-tailed navie in a special-effects blowout called <em>Avatar</em>. The movie's claim that its special effects will be an industry game-changer has scared away the season's usual sci-fi and sorcery flicks. This December features mostly down-to-earth stories about families, romance, crime-solvers and the occasional singing chipmunk. no Vampires and werewolves are so last weekend. Get ready for the blue-tailed navie in a special-effects blowout called Avatar. The movie's claim that its special effects will be an industry game-changer has scared away the season's usual sci-fi and sorcery flicks. This December features mostly down-to-earth stories about families, romance, crime-solvers and the occasional singing chipmunk.

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]]> India's Muslim Film Stars Bridge Religious Divide India's biggest movie stars often come from its Muslim minority community. Though religious fault lines can sometimes rupture into violence and discord in India, the success of Muslim actors in its massive film industry stands in contrast to those divisions. NPR's Bilal Qureshi recently met one of the country's most respected Muslim stars, Naseeruddin Shah. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120863148&ft=1&f=1045 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120863148&ft=1&f=1045 India's biggest movie stars often come from its Muslim minority community. Though religious fault lines can sometimes rupture into violence and discord in India, the success of Muslim actors in its massive film industry stands in contrast to those divisions. NPR's Bilal Qureshi recently met one of the country's most respected Muslim stars, Naseeruddin Shah. 260 no India's biggest movie stars often come from its Muslim minority community. Though religious fault lines can sometimes rupture into violence and discord in India, the success of Muslim actors in its massive film industry stands in contrast to those divisions. NPR's Bilal Qureshi recently met one of the country's most respected Muslim stars, Naseeruddin Shah.

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]]> 'Pippa Lee': Escaping The Past, Unsure Of The Future Without any clear sense of herself, Pippa Lee (Robin Wright Penn) has been shaped by others — first her peers, then her husband and children, always living solidly in the present. But with her older husband's health failing, Pippa is forced to confront and ultimately define her identity in a film that gives her a chance to do just that. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:33:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120609933&ft=1&f=1045 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120609933&ft=1&f=1045 Without any clear sense of herself, Pippa Lee (Robin Wright Penn) has been shaped by others — first her peers, then her husband and children, always living solidly in the present. But with her older husband's health failing, Pippa is forced to confront and ultimately define her identity in a film that gives her a chance to do just that. no Without any clear sense of herself, Pippa Lee (Robin Wright Penn) has been shaped by others — first her peers, then her husband and children, always living solidly in the present. But with her older husband's health failing, Pippa is forced to confront and ultimately define her identity in a film that gives her a chance to do just that.

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]]> At The End Of The World, Another 'Road' To Trudge In an apocalyptic-movie age, <em>The Road</em> is the doomiest. A close translation of Cormac McCarthy's novel, the film tracks a father and son as they fight to survive in an ash-gray world haunted by death and global destruction. Critic David Edelstein says that in its depiction of unbearable extremity, John Hillcoat's film achieves a kind of sublimity. <strong><em>(Recommended)</em></strong> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:35:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120612276&ft=1&f=1045 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120612276&ft=1&f=1045 In an apocalyptic-movie age, <em>The Road</em> is the doomiest. A close translation of Cormac McCarthy's novel, the film tracks a father and son as they fight to survive in an ash-gray world haunted by death and global destruction. Critic David Edelstein says that in its depiction of unbearable extremity, John Hillcoat's film achieves a kind of sublimity. <strong><em>(Recommended)</em></strong> 333 no In an apocalyptic-movie age, The Road is the doomiest. A close translation of Cormac McCarthy's novel, the film tracks a father and son as they fight to survive in an ash-gray world haunted by death and global destruction. Critic David Edelstein says that in its depiction of unbearable extremity, John Hillcoat's film achieves a kind of sublimity. (Recommended)

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]]> Woo's 'Red Cliff' Is Traditional Movie Blockbuster Chinese director John Woo has brought his Hong Kong action style to Hollywood films such as <em>Face/Off</em> and <em>Mission Impossible II.</em> He's gone back to China for his latest, <em>Red Cliff,</em> which is the most expensive film in Chinese history. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120809073&ft=1&f=1045 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120809073&ft=1&f=1045 Chinese director John Woo has brought his Hong Kong action style to Hollywood films such as <em>Face/Off</em> and <em>Mission Impossible II.</em> He's gone back to China for his latest, <em>Red Cliff,</em> which is the most expensive film in Chinese history. 185 no Chinese director John Woo has brought his Hong Kong action style to Hollywood films such as Face/Off and Mission Impossible II. He's gone back to China for his latest, Red Cliff, which is the most expensive film in Chinese history.

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]]> Exploring The Politics Of 'Defamation' Israeli filmmaker Yoav Shamir's documentary is a bracing inquiry into arguments about the prevalence of anti-Semitism today. If the filmmaker displays an anthropologist's openness to complicated truths, he also has a contrarian's impish appetite for the opposing view — the more intemperately expressed the better, it would seem. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120452232&ft=1&f=1045 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120452232&ft=1&f=1045 Israeli filmmaker Yoav Shamir's documentary is a bracing inquiry into arguments about the prevalence of anti-Semitism today. If the filmmaker displays an anthropologist's openness to complicated truths, he also has a contrarian's impish appetite for the opposing view — the more intemperately expressed the better, it would seem. no Israeli filmmaker Yoav Shamir's documentary is a bracing inquiry into arguments about the prevalence of anti-Semitism today. If the filmmaker displays an anthropologist's openness to complicated truths, he also has a contrarian's impish appetite for the opposing view — the more intemperately expressed the better, it would seem.

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]]> A 'Ninja Assassin,' Out For Blood (And Revenge) Splattered blood and severed limbs abound, but James McTeigue's new martial-arts extravaganza is more video game than convincingly violent action flick. Hardly realistic, but still a hoot for martial-arts fans, <em>Ninja Assassin</em> makes an entertainingly edgy option among more saccharine seasonal fare. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120609604&ft=1&f=1045 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120609604&ft=1&f=1045 Splattered blood and severed limbs abound, but James McTeigue's new martial-arts extravaganza is more video game than convincingly violent action flick. Hardly realistic, but still a hoot for martial-arts fans, <em>Ninja Assassin</em> makes an entertainingly edgy option among more saccharine seasonal fare. no Splattered blood and severed limbs abound, but James McTeigue's new martial-arts extravaganza is more video game than convincingly violent action flick. Hardly realistic, but still a hoot for martial-arts fans, Ninja Assassin makes an entertainingly edgy option among more saccharine seasonal fare.

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]]> 'Me And Orson': Welles, He's Quite A Character Zac Efron is the nominal draw in <em>Me and Orson Welles</em>, a backstage drama set during the iconic director's 1937 production of <em>Julius Caesar.</em> But while Efron might bring the audiences, it's Christian McKay's turn as Orson Welles that's the real crowd-pleaser. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120611819&ft=1&f=1045 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120611819&ft=1&f=1045 Zac Efron is the nominal draw in <em>Me and Orson Welles</em>, a backstage drama set during the iconic director's 1937 production of <em>Julius Caesar.</em> But while Efron might bring the audiences, it's Christian McKay's turn as Orson Welles that's the real crowd-pleaser. no Zac Efron is the nominal draw in Me and Orson Welles, a backstage drama set during the iconic director's 1937 production of Julius Caesar. But while Efron might bring the audiences, it's Christian McKay's turn as Orson Welles that's the real crowd-pleaser.

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]]> Sam Fuller, Embodying The Best Of Pulp Fiction Martin Scorsese said of Sam Fuller's work, "If you don't like the films of Sam Fuller, then you just don't like cinema." The maverick screenwriter and director died in 1997, but a new 7-disc selection of his work embodies what's most enjoyable and enduring about pulp fiction. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120759654&ft=1&f=1045 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120759654&ft=1&f=1045 Martin Scorsese said of Sam Fuller's work, "If you don't like the films of Sam Fuller, then you just don't like cinema." The maverick screenwriter and director died in 1997, but a new 7-disc selection of his work embodies what's most enjoyable and enduring about pulp fiction. 347 no Martin Scorsese said of Sam Fuller's work, "If you don't like the films of Sam Fuller, then you just don't like cinema." The maverick screenwriter and director died in 1997, but a new 7-disc selection of his work embodies what's most enjoyable and enduring about pulp fiction.

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]]> For Disney's New Princess, Short Courtiers Swarm Lots of young fans — and many of their moms and dads — are excited about the arrival of Tiana, the heroine of <em>The Princess and the Frog</em>, the latest animated Walt Disney film. It's more than just a new movie to many: Tiana is Disney's first African-American princess, a role model many parents have been waiting for for a long time. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:30:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120633599&ft=1&f=1045 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120633599&ft=1&f=1045 Lots of young fans — and many of their moms and dads — are excited about the arrival of Tiana, the heroine of <em>The Princess and the Frog</em>, the latest animated Walt Disney film. It's more than just a new movie to many: Tiana is Disney's first African-American princess, a role model many parents have been waiting for for a long time. 278 no Lots of young fans — and many of their moms and dads — are excited about the arrival of Tiana, the heroine of The Princess and the Frog, the latest animated Walt Disney film. It's more than just a new movie to many: Tiana is Disney's first African-American princess, a role model many parents have been waiting for for a long time.

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]]> John Hillcoat, Chasing Humanity On A Grim 'Road' Based on Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Hillcoat's new movie is a dystopian tale of survival in a physically and morally ravaged world. The director talks to NPR's Steve Inskeep about the challenges of visualizing a post-apocalyptic landscape — and why the bleak tale is really a story of human goodness. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120618264&ft=1&f=1045 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120618264&ft=1&f=1045 Based on Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Hillcoat's new movie is a dystopian tale of survival in a physically and morally ravaged world. The director talks to NPR's Steve Inskeep about the challenges of visualizing a post-apocalyptic landscape — and why the bleak tale is really a story of human goodness. 440 no Based on Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Hillcoat's new movie is a dystopian tale of survival in a physically and morally ravaged world. The director talks to NPR's Steve Inskeep about the challenges of visualizing a post-apocalyptic landscape — and why the bleak tale is really a story of human goodness.

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]]> Examining The Business Of 'New Moon' <em>New Moon</em>, the second movie in the popular <em>Twilight</em>" series, brought in more than $140-million in ticket sales in North America, starting with midnight screenings on Friday. That's the third biggest opening on record. Ben Fritz, an entertainment business reporter for <em>The Los Angeles Times</em>, says the audience for the movie was overwhelmingly female. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120709884&ft=1&f=1045 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120709884&ft=1&f=1045 <em>New Moon</em>, the second movie in the popular <em>Twilight</em>" series, brought in more than $140-million in ticket sales in North America, starting with midnight screenings on Friday. That's the third biggest opening on record. Ben Fritz, an entertainment business reporter for <em>The Los Angeles Times</em>, says the audience for the movie was overwhelmingly female. 318 no New Moon, the second movie in the popular Twilight" series, brought in more than $140-million in ticket sales in North America, starting with midnight screenings on Friday. That's the third biggest opening on record. Ben Fritz, an entertainment business reporter for The Los Angeles Times, says the audience for the movie was overwhelmingly female.

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]]> Wes Anderson Covers New Ground With 'Mr. Fox' Director Wes Anderson has worked on a lot of film projects, but with his latest film, <em>Fantastic Mr. Fox,</em> he ventured into new territory: animation. Anderson says that making a stop-motion picture is the most involved filmmaking he's ever done, but he also says that the process has "a sort of magic." Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:07:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120682083&ft=1&f=1045 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120682083&ft=1&f=1045 Director Wes Anderson has worked on a lot of film projects, but with his latest film, <em>Fantastic Mr. Fox,</em> he ventured into new territory: animation. Anderson says that making a stop-motion picture is the most involved filmmaking he's ever done, but he also says that the process has "a sort of magic." 2204 no Director Wes Anderson has worked on a lot of film projects, but with his latest film, Fantastic Mr. Fox, he ventured into new territory: animation. Anderson says that making a stop-motion picture is the most involved filmmaking he's ever done, but he also says that the process has "a sort of magic."

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]]> Ambassador Vexed At Hollywood's British Vampires The vampire romance <em>The Twilight Saga: New Moon</em> was No. 1 at the movie box office over the weekend. It's not just tween girls who are paying attention. Vampire flicks are having an impact on trans-Atlantic relations. Britain's ambassador to the U.S. Sir Nigel Sheinwald tells Renee Montagne he takes issue with so many British actors playing what he calls "the unholy ranks of the silver screen's undead." Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120676344&ft=1&f=1045 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120676344&ft=1&f=1045 The vampire romance <em>The Twilight Saga: New Moon</em> was No. 1 at the movie box office over the weekend. It's not just tween girls who are paying attention. Vampire flicks are having an impact on trans-Atlantic relations. Britain's ambassador to the U.S. Sir Nigel Sheinwald tells Renee Montagne he takes issue with so many British actors playing what he calls "the unholy ranks of the silver screen's undead." 239 no The vampire romance The Twilight Saga: New Moon was No. 1 at the movie box office over the weekend. It's not just tween girls who are paying attention. Vampire flicks are having an impact on trans-Atlantic relations. Britain's ambassador to the U.S. Sir Nigel Sheinwald tells Renee Montagne he takes issue with so many British actors playing what he calls "the unholy ranks of the silver screen's undead."

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]]> Growing Up With Orson Welles As Her Father The name Orson Welles has the power to jog millions of memories. His radio work sent the nation into a panic. Host Liane Hansen speaks with Chris Welles Feder about her new book, <em>In My Father's Shadow</em>, an account of her life growing up as the daughter of Orson Welles. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120662005&ft=1&f=1045 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120662005&ft=1&f=1045 The name Orson Welles has the power to jog millions of memories. His radio work sent the nation into a panic. Host Liane Hansen speaks with Chris Welles Feder about her new book, <em>In My Father's Shadow</em>, an account of her life growing up as the daughter of Orson Welles. 406 no The name Orson Welles has the power to jog millions of memories. His radio work sent the nation into a panic. Host Liane Hansen speaks with Chris Welles Feder about her new book, In My Father's Shadow, an account of her life growing up as the daughter of Orson Welles.

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