Kenneth Turan : NPR

Review

Actors as Directors

February 24, 2003 • Host Bob Edwards talks to film critic Ken Turan about actors who turn to directing movies. The latest is John Malkovich, whose picture The Dancer Upstairs opens in April. Turan talks about why directing appeals to actors and gives examples of successes and failures.

Actors as Directors

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'Blind Spot' Chronicles Hitler's Last Days

February 14, 2003 • Hitler's secretary recalls the dictator's final days in Blind Spot, a minimalist documentary from Germany. After wide acclaim at Berlin Film Festival attendees a year ago, it's finally opening in U.S. theaters. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

'Blind Spot' Chronicles Hitler's Last Days

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Film Tracks Gilliam's Quixotic 'La Mancha' Effort

January 31, 2003 • It's a film about a film that never was. The documentary Lost in La Mancha follows director Terry Gilliam -- of Brazil and Monty Python fame -- as he attempts a screen version of Don Quixote. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Film Tracks Gilliam's Quixotic 'La Mancha' Effort

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Seeking Independents at a 'Corporate' Sundance Festival

January 24, 2003 • The independent nature of the annual Sundance Film Festival has been eroded in recent years as more films shown there have already landed distribution deals. But despite criticism that it's become too "corporate," Sundance still produces surprises. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards and Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan.

Seeking Independents at a 'Corporate' Sundance Festival

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Vintage French Film 'Quai des Orfevres' Returns

January 17, 2003 • The French film noir classic Quai des Orfevres makes a new tour of U.S. theaters half a century after its 1948 release, with a restored print. It features a lost Paris full of music halls, cigarette smoke and a criminal investigation. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Vintage French Film 'Quai des Orfevres' Returns

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A Film Trip Through St. Petersburg's Hermitage

January 10, 2003 • The new movie Russian Ark takes viewers on a journey through St. Petersburg's famed Hermitage museum. And it's shot in a single, uniterrupted take. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

A Film Trip Through St. Petersburg's Hermitage

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Kidman, Streep and Moore Fill 'The Hours' on Film

January 3, 2003 • The Hours is a new film based on Michael Cunningham's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about the writer Virginia Woolf and two women living in a later time who Woolf profoundly influences. Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore star. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Kidman, Streep and Moore Fill 'The Hours' on Film

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2002: The Year in Film

December 27, 2002 • Film critics say 2002 was a roller coaster of a year for movies, with staggering hits and blockbuster bombs. NPR's Bob Edwards talks with Los Angeles Times critic Kenneth Turan about the 2002 booms and busts and the cinematic prospects for 2003.

2002: The Year in Film

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Scorsese's 'Gangs of New York' Opens, 25 Years Later

December 20, 2002 • Director Martin Scorsese spent 25 years making the film Gangs of New York, a story of murder and revenge set against a lavish recreation of 1860s Manhattan. Daniel Day Lewis, Cameron Diaz and Leonardo DiCaprio star. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Scorsese's 'Gangs of New York' Opens, 25 Years Later

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'Drumline' a Diversion from Holiday Blockbusters

December 13, 2002 • It's holiday film season and that usually means big budgets and special effects. But the film Drumline puts the emphasis on storytelling. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

'Drumline' a Diversion from Holiday Blockbusters

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'Adaptation,' a Surprising and Innovative Film

December 6, 2002 • Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition film critic, Kenneth Turan reviews the movie, Adaptation. (3:37)

'Adaptation,' a Surprising and Innovative Film

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New Film, 'Solaris'

November 27, 2002 • Film critic Kenneth Turan says the remake of the Tarkovsky masterpiece, Solaris loses some of it soul after being whittled down from almost three hours to 90-minutes. Even with George Clooney cast as the lead.

New Film, 'Solaris'

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Greene's 'Quiet American' Comes to Screen

November 22, 2002 • The new film The Quiet American -- based on the Graham Greene novel -- comments on western attitudes toward Vietnam in the 1950s. Michael Caine stars. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Greene's 'Quiet American' Comes to Screen

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Quiet 'Tully' Hides in Shadow of 'Harry Potter'

November 15, 2002 • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, number two in the series, is sure to dominate current movie box-office sales. But the quieter, character-driven Tully is also in theaters. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Quiet 'Tully' Hides in Shadow of 'Harry Potter'

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Eminem Tries Out Big Screen in '8 Mile'

November 8, 2002 • Grammy-winner Eminem flexes his acting muscles in the new movie 8 Mile. His character may seem familiar: the movie is set in Eminem's native Detroit and he plays a struggling rap musician. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Eminem Tries Out Big Screen in '8 Mile'

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