Best TV & Movies Of 2008 Kenneth Turan Picks His Favorite Films Of 2008 December 31, 2008 • How can a movie-loving critic pick only 10 films? Morning Edition and Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan names his favorites — and sneaks a few extra choices in for good measure. Tops on the list: Slumdog Millionaire.
Review Movies Tale Of 'Defiance' Among The Third Reich's Targets December 31, 2008 • Two brothers kept 1,200 Jews alive in the forests of Belarus during World War II. Edward Zwick's drama retells their story — and the film is best when it's honest about their tense relationship. Tale Of 'Defiance' Among The Third Reich's Targets Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98849255/98861520" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Tale Of 'Defiance' Among The Third Reich's Targets Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98849255/98861520" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Review Movies In 'Benjamin Button,' A Curiously Chilly Passion December 25, 2008 • David Fincher's romance — based on a story by F. Scott Fitzgerald — ages Brad Pitt backward until he's the right age to love Cate Blanchett. Kenneth Turan says the peculiar tale is an odd fit for the director's talents. In 'Benjamin Button,' A Curiously Chilly Passion Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98618345/98706006" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
In 'Benjamin Button,' A Curiously Chilly Passion Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98618345/98706006" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Review Movies 'The Wrestler': Low Blows, But No Punches Pulled December 17, 2008 • As year-end approaches, the Oscar chatter gets louder, and no actor has had more buzz than Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler. Critic Kenneth Turan says the hype is justified — sort of. 'The Wrestler': Low Blows, But No Punches Pulled Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98351748/98369777" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'The Wrestler': Low Blows, But No Punches Pulled Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98351748/98369777" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Review Movies Baz Luhrmann, Dreaming Big In 'Australia' November 26, 2008 • What would Thanksgiving weekend be without an epic film opening on the nation's big screens? This year is no exception: Critic Kenneth Turan says Baz Luhrmann's latest is as colorful and expansive as the Outback. Baz Luhrmann, Dreaming Big In 'Australia' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/97467639/97502328" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Review Movies 'Twilight': For Teens, A Swooningly Risky Romance November 21, 2008 • Morning Edition's movie critic is not, and never has been, a 13-year-old girl. But Catherine Hardwicke's dead-on screen take on Stephenie Meyer's vampire books makes him wish he could be — if only to get the full effect. 'Twilight': For Teens, A Swooningly Risky Romance Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/97210195/97296009" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Twilight': For Teens, A Swooningly Risky Romance Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/97210195/97296009" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Review Movies Bond's New Villain? He's A Gift In 'Christmas Tale' November 14, 2008 • Mathieu Amalric plays two completely different characters in Quantum of Solace, the new Bond film, and A Christmas Tale. Critic Kenneth Turan says the latter's licensed to thrill. Bond's New Villain? He's A Gift In 'Christmas Tale' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96957459/96993681" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Bond's New Villain? He's A Gift In 'Christmas Tale' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96957459/96993681" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Review Movies In 'Stranded,' Survival As A Team Effort November 7, 2008 • In 1972, a plane carrying a Uruguayan rugby team crashed in the Andes. Of the 45 members, 16 survived — on grit, resolve and the flesh of their dead companions. For the first time, they tell their own story. In 'Stranded,' Survival As A Team Effort Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96535717/96735142" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Opinion Movies Movie-Reality Check: How Real Is 'Real,' Anyway? October 31, 2008 • There's a reason people say "based" on a true story: Movies, however scrupulous, tend to heighten reality. Critic Kenneth Turan wonders how true a "true story" can ever really be on the big screen. Movie-Reality Check: How Real Is 'Real,' Anyway? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96294653/96369289" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Review Movies 'I've Loved You So Long': In Extremis, Sisters Still October 23, 2008 • Juliette Fontaine (Kristin Scott Thomas) has spent 15 years estranged from her family. When her younger sister reaches out to bring her back into the fold, long-buried secrets finally surface. 'I've Loved You So Long': In Extremis, Sisters Still Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96003616/96070746" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Review Movies Crowe, DiCaprio Clash In Tale of Spies And 'Lies' October 9, 2008 • Leonardo DiCaprio, as a CIA field agent, clashes with his spymaster, Russell Crowe, over methods and morals. Ridley Scott's direction is crisp, but this thriller is all surface, no intel. Crowe, DiCaprio Clash In Tale of Spies And 'Lies' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/95473521/95591116" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Crowe, DiCaprio Clash In Tale of Spies And 'Lies' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/95473521/95591116" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Review Movies 'Rachel Getting Married': Wedding Movie Bliss October 3, 2008 • In and out of rehab for a decade, a troubled young woman reunites with her family for her sister's wedding. Jonathan Demme's film dares to mix the bitter with the sweet, and it's suffused with both anxiety and joy. 'Rachel Getting Married': Wedding Movie Bliss Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/95222574/95329885" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Review Movies 'Appaloosa': Fun With The Guys, Until A Filly Arrives September 18, 2008 • With two laconic, unflappable heroes and a nicely psycho villain, Ed Harris' new Western does a lot right. The bit with the pretty young widow, unfortunately, isn't one of them. 'Appaloosa': Fun With The Guys, Until A Filly Arrives Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/94753888/94795846" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Appaloosa': Fun With The Guys, Until A Filly Arrives Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/94753888/94795846" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Review Movies 'Burn After Reading' — And Repeat As Necessary September 11, 2008 • The Coen brothers' latest may be a comedy, but it's a Coen brothers comedy — meaning it's as bleak and hopeless as comedies are allowed to get before the laughter dies bitterly on your lips. 'Burn After Reading' — And Repeat As Necessary Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/94526051/94545586" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Burn After Reading' — And Repeat As Necessary Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/94526051/94545586" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Review Movies 'Hamlet 2': Something Deliriously Rotten August 22, 2008 • Steve Coogan stars as an Arizona drama teacher inspired to save his failing theater program — with a musicalized sequel to the best-known drama in the English language. The results? Tragically funny. 'Hamlet 2': Something Deliriously Rotten Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93525052/93866199" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Hamlet 2': Something Deliriously Rotten Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93525052/93866199" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
