Accessibility links
David Edelstein David Edelstein is a film critic for New York magazine and for NPR's Fresh Air, and an occasional commentator on film for CBS Sunday Morning.
thumbnail
Stories By

David Edelstein

Review

Arts & Life

Reviews of 'Blood Diamond' and 'Apocalypto'

Fresh Air

Film critic David Edelstein reviews two controversial new films. Blood Diamond has caused an uproar by suggesting that many gems in the marketplace are from places where their harvest causes violent social upheaval. Apocalypto has generated controversy because of its association with writer, director and producer Mel Gibson.

Reviews of 'Blood Diamond' and 'Apocalypto'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6597939/6597940" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Review

Arts & Life

'Babel''s Wide-Ranging Lens

Fresh Air

The Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu won this year's directing prize at Cannes for Babel. His film 21 Grams was nominated for two Oscars and he scored an American art house hit with his first feature, Amores Perros. In Babel, he tells four interrelated stories set on three continents. The film stars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, and Gael Garcia Bernal.

'Babel''s Wide-Ranging Lens

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6467651/6467652" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Review

Arts & Life

'All the King's Men': Oscar Bait?

Fresh Air

A new film of Robert Penn Warren's novel All the King's Men stars Sean Penn as political boss Willie Stark, a role that won Broderick Crawford an Oscar in 1949. The remake also features Kate Winslet, Mark Ruffalo, Patricia Clarkson, and James Gandolfini. It's directed by Steven Zaillian, who won his own Oscar for the screenplay of Schindler's List.

'All the King's Men': Oscar Bait?

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6124431/6124432" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Review

Arts & Life

'Mutual Appreciation,' New from Director Bujalski

Fresh Air

Funny Ha Ha, the first film by 29-year-old director Andrew Bujalski, made a lot of critics top 10 lists in 2004 -- quite a feat for a film made with a minimal crew, a loose script, and the director's friends. Bujalski’s new film, Mutual Appreciation, features Justin Rice, lead singer for the indie pop band Bishop Allen. Now playing in New York and Los Angeles, it will open in more cities this fall.

'Mutual Appreciation,' New from Director Bujalski

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5788189/5788190" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Review

Arts & Life

'Idlewild' and 'Fried Worms'

Two new films try something different to find audiences: Idlewild is the musical brainchild of OutKast members Andre 3000 (Andre Benjamin) and Big Boi (Antwan Patton). How to Eat Friend Worms is a family drama based on the popular children's book.

'Idlewild' and 'Fried Worms'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5709471/5709472" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Review

Arts & Life

'Half Nelson,' a Twist on the Student-Teacher Theme

Fresh Air

Film critic David Edelstein reviews Half Nelson, starring Ryan Gosling. Gosling stars as a young inner-city junior high school teacher who develops a drug habit, and the friendship he strikes up with one of his students.

'Half Nelson,' a Twist on the Student-Teacher Theme

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5670204/5670205" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Review

Arts & Life

Oliver Stone's Take on the Sept. 11 Tragedy

Fresh Air

Oliver Stone's new film World Trade Center, starring Nicolas Cage and Michael Pena, follows two Port Authority policemen trapped in the rubble of the towers. Our critic says the film raises a lot of questions about how we grieve.

Oliver Stone's Take on the Sept. 11 Tragedy

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5626645/5626646" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Review

Arts & Life

Quirk and Circumstance in 'Little Miss Sunshine'

Fresh Air

The black comedy Little Miss Sunshine revolves around a 7-year- old girl and her dream of winning a childrens' beauty pageant. The movie is the feature debut of the husband-and-wife team of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, who made their names directing music videos for groups such as REM and The Smashing Pumpkins. Our film critic has a review.

Quirk and Circumstance in 'Little Miss Sunshine'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5617346/5617347" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Review

Arts & Life

'Miami Vice' Returns, on the Big Screen

Miami Vice, the '80s TV sensation starring Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as two vice squad detectives, has been given a makeover by its former executive producer. Michael Mann directs an updated version for the screen, starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. Our film critic has a review.

'Miami Vice' Returns, on the Big Screen

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5589330/5589331" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">