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'Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret.' is a great adaptation of a beloved classic

Rachel McAdams as Barbara and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Dana Hawley/Lionsgate hide caption

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Dana Hawley/Lionsgate

Review

'Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret.' is a great adaptation of a beloved classic

May 3, 2023 • Judy Blume's 1970 novel Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. was a staple of countless childhoods. But until now, it's never been adapted into a film. Like the book, the movie tells the story of a preteen girl who moves to New Jersey, makes new friends, and waits for the arrival of her period.

'Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret.' is a great adaptation of a beloved classic

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Joaquin Phoenix stars in the A24 film Beau Is Afraid. Takashi Seida/A24 Films hide caption

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'Beau Is Afraid' and living a nightmare

April 27, 2023 • In the extremely divisive film Beau Is Afraid, Joaquin Phoenix stars as a schlubby, anxiety-ridden man whose existence is an extended nightmare of guilt, shame, dread and paranoia. Written and directed by Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar), the film follows Beau as he attempts to visit his mother. But he gets repeatedly frustrated by a series of deeply disturbing obstacles that may be real, or may be entirely of his own making.

'Beau Is Afraid' and living a nightmare

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Judy Blume attends The 2020 MAKERS Conference on February 11, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for MAKERS hide caption

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Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for MAKERS

Our favorite Judy Blume books

April 20, 2023 • Judy Blume has been a prominent author for more than 50 years and her books are incredibly beloved. She's written for kids and adults, and has faced controversy. Perhaps her most treasured book, Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret, is about to get its first film adaptation, and Blume is the subject of a new documentary. Today, we're talking about why we love Judy Blume, and recommend some of our favorite books.

Our favorite Judy Blume books

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In 'Showing Up,' Michelle Williams just wants to make some art

Michelle Williams stars in Kelly Reichardt's latest film Showing Up. Allyson Riggs/A24 hide caption

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In 'Showing Up,' Michelle Williams just wants to make some art

April 18, 2023 • In Showing Up, Michelle Williams plays a sculptor preparing to exhibit her work in a small art gallery, even as family and friends complicate her life and steal her focus. It's the latest feature from Kelly Reichardt, a director known for quiet, intimate films about isolation, alienation, and community.

In 'Showing Up,' Michelle Williams just wants to make some art

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'My Name Is Mo'Nique,' and the evolution of an entertainment legend

Comedian Mo'nique in the Netflix special My Name is Mo'Nique. Netflix hide caption

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Review

'My Name Is Mo'Nique,' and the evolution of an entertainment legend

April 13, 2023 • Oscar-winner Mo'Nique has had a storied career in entertainment. She's a successful standup comedian, and a former sitcom star turned talk show host. But she's also had a contentious relationship with the industry, and alleges she was blackballed for not playing by Hollywood's rules. In her candid new Netflix comedy special My Name is Mo'Nique, she deconstructs her own public persona with keen observations about her childhood and family. She also reveals a long-held secret and, as always, keeps it very real.

'My Name Is Mo'Nique,' and the evolution of an entertainment legend

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'Beef' is intense, angry and irresistible

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Review

'Beef' is intense, angry and irresistible

April 12, 2023 • In the great new Netflix series Beef, two people have a lot of beef with each other. Created by Lee Sung Jin, the series stars Ali Wong and Steven Yeun as characters whose worlds collide when they engage in a manic road rage war. Neither can help trying to one up the other in a long-running, increasingly mortifying tit-for-tat that reveals past traumas and existential dread.

'Beef' is intense, angry and irresistible

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It's a lovely day in London with the romantic 'Rye Lane'

David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah star in the new romantic comedy Rye Lane. Searchlight Pictures hide caption

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Searchlight Pictures

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It's a lovely day in London with the romantic 'Rye Lane'

April 4, 2023 • The snappy new romantic comedy Rye Lane follows Dom and Yas, two South Londoners who meet in the restroom of an art show and wind up spending the day together. It's a day of adventures, long conversations and terrible exes. But it might just offer them a little bit of hope for the future. Directed by Raine Allen-Miller, the movie is streaming now on Hulu.

It's a lovely day in London with the romantic 'Rye Lane'

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Miss Piggy stars in Muppets Now. Disney+ hide caption

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Our Favorite Muppets

March 29, 2023 • Today we are tackling two of the most important questions of our time: who are our favorite Muppets? And which Muppets do we most identify with? As they always say, the Muppets are the window to the soul.

Our Favorite Muppets

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Settle in for the spy-show pleasures of 'The Night Agent'

Luciane Buchanan and Gabriel Basso star in Netflix's The Night Agent. Dan Power/Netflix hide caption

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Review

Settle in for the spy-show pleasures of 'The Night Agent'

March 28, 2023 • An FBI agent working in a lonely, secret office in the White House basement gets a phone call. A woman needs help, right away. That's the beginning of The Night Agent, a Netflix spy thriller series full of action and intrigue. Created by The Shield's Shawn Ryan, the series follows Peter and Rose — the agent and the tech expert he's protecting — as they try to uncover a conspiracy that goes right to the heart of the government.

Settle in for the spy-show pleasures of 'The Night Agent'

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Beck Harlan/NPR

Review

Books We Love: No Biz Like Show Biz

March 27, 2023 • NPR's Books We Love is full of stories. The feature rounds up fiction and nonfiction of many different kinds, and it gives you lots of ways to find what you might love, too. Today we're recommending great books for people who love show business, including a fictional take on a popular gossip Instagram account, a love story, and a memoir.

Books We Love: No Biz Like Show Biz

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The intense sting of 'Swarm' might be worth the pain

Dominique Fishback stars as Dre in Swarm. Warrick Page/Prime Video/Prime Video hide caption

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Warrick Page/Prime Video/Prime Video

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

The intense sting of 'Swarm' might be worth the pain

March 22, 2023 • In the new Amazon Prime series Swarm, Dominique Fishback plays Dre, a socially awkward young woman who is obsessed with the mega pop star Ni'Jah, a thinly veiled analog for Beyoncé. When a life-changing event occurs, Dre's obsession with Ni'Jah takes on a more sinister tone. Donald Glover co-created the show with Janine Nabers, and it definitely shares an off-kilter vibe with his previous hit Atlanta.

The intense sting of 'Swarm' might be worth the pain

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'Grand Crew' is a network comedy to sip and savor

Echo Kellum plays Noah on Grand Crew. Elizabeth Morris/NBC hide caption

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Elizabeth Morris/NBC

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Grand Crew' is a network comedy to sip and savor

March 21, 2023 • The very funny, bingeable NBC sitcom Grand Crew has a dependable sitcom setup: Six friends hang out together to decompress and commiserate about their careers and their love lives. They're Black, their hangout is a Silver Lake wine bar, and the show – like the vino they're always guzzling – has gotten better with age.

'Grand Crew' is a network comedy to sip and savor

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2023 Oscars Guide: International Feature

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Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

2023 Oscars Guide: International Feature

March 9, 2023 • The five films nominated for international feature at this year's Oscars wrangle with some tough ideas and issues. There's the brutality of war, the human cost of fascism, animal cruelty, neglectful parenting and the prison of masculinity. Yet all of these films find room to offer glimmers of hope — some more than others.

2023 Oscars Guide: International Feature

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Sara Dosa's film Fire of Love earned an Oscar nomination for documentary feature. National Geographic Documentary Films hide caption

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National Geographic Documentary Films

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

2023 Oscars Guide: Documentary Feature

March 7, 2023 • This year's Oscar nominees for documentary feature include films about two brothers who rescue birds, a man who takes on Vladimir Putin, and a couple that chases volcanoes. From Ukraine to India, Russia to New York City, these films will take you places you couldn't go otherwise. And you can stream them from home.

2023 Oscars Guide: Documentary Feature

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'Return To Seoul' might break you, in the best way

Park Ji-Min stars as Freddie in Return To Seoul. Sony Classics hide caption

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Sony Classics

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Return To Seoul' might break you, in the best way

March 2, 2023 • In the moving film Return To Seoul, a young woman named Freddie visits South Korea for the first time since her birth, when she was adopted by a French couple. Freddie's attempt to contact her biological parents sets her on an uneasy path toward self-discovery and reconciliation. Written and directed by Davy Chou, the film spans several years and many emotions, and features a vivid lead performance by newcomer Park Ji-Min.

'Return To Seoul' might break you, in the best way

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Don't put 'The Consultant' in the parking lot

Christoph Waltz stars in the new Amazon series The Consultant. Courtesy of Prime Video hide caption

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Courtesy of Prime Video

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Don't put 'The Consultant' in the parking lot

March 1, 2023 • In the darkly satiric, highly bingeable Amazon Prime series The Consultant, Christoph Waltz plays a mysterious businessman who takes over a videogame company upon the violent death of its founder and CEO. When two of the company's employees attempt to investigate Waltz's shady past, they get drawn into his sinister circle and realize that their jobs (and their lives) are on the line.

Don't put 'The Consultant' in the parking lot

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The New Black Film Canon is your starting point for great Black filmmaking

Mark Harris/Slate

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

The New Black Film Canon is your starting point for great Black filmmaking

February 27, 2023 • NPR has teamed up with Slate to expand the Black Film Canon, a collection of the best films directed by Black filmmakers. The intent is to challenge both gatekeepers and makers of best of lists to consider the breadth of artistry black creators have demonstrated on screen–despite the odds being historically stacked against them. In this episode, we're picking a few of our favorite additions, and you can check out the full list of 75 movies here.

The New Black Film Canon is your starting point for great Black filmmaking

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This is your bear on drugs: Going wild with 'Cocaine Bear'

Keri Russell stars in Cocaine Bear. Universal Pictures hide caption

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Universal Pictures

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

This is your bear on drugs: Going wild with 'Cocaine Bear'

February 24, 2023 • A movie called Cocaine Bear needs two things: a bear, and some cocaine. Both are abundant in the new action comedy about a large quantity of cocaine that accidentally winds up deep in the Georgia forest. And who eats it? That's right: a bear. The movie was directed by Elizabeth Banks, and the cast includes Keri Russell, Ray Liotta, Margo Martindale, and O'Shea Jackson Jr.

This is your bear on drugs: Going wild with 'Cocaine Bear'

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In 'The Last of Us,' there's a fungus among us

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey star in HBO's The Last Of Us. Liane Hentscher/HBO hide caption

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Liane Hentscher/HBO

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

In 'The Last of Us,' there's a fungus among us

February 23, 2023 • The HBO series The Last Of Us is a huge hit and it offers a novel, fungus-based twist on a zombie apocalypse. Civilization is in ruins, and its only hope is a young girl (Bella Ramsey) who's mysteriously immune to the fungal infection – and her gruff, taciturn protector (Pedro Pascal). Together they must travel across a desolate wasteland peppered with outposts of humanity that house violent factions competing for control, or at least, survival.

In 'The Last of Us,' there's a fungus among us

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Grab a tissue and get emotional with 'Dear Edward'

Colin O'Brien stars in the Apple TV+ series Dear Edward. Apple TV+ hide caption

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Apple TV+

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Grab a tissue and get emotional with 'Dear Edward'

February 22, 2023 • In the Apple TV+ series Dear Edward, a plane crashes, and there is only one survivor – a 12-year-old boy named Edward, who loses his whole family. He goes to live with relatives, and the web of people grieving loved ones who died in the crash grows and connects. The show was created by Jason Katims, who has a long history making high-octane emotional ensemble shows including Friday Night Lights and Parenthood.

Grab a tissue and get emotional with 'Dear Edward'

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Noa Denmon for NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

2022 Books We Love: Nonfiction

February 21, 2023 • NPR's Books We Love is full of stories. The feature rounds up fiction and nonfiction of many different kinds, and it gives you lots of ways to find what you might love, too. Today, we're diving into the category of nonfiction and highlighting some of our favorite picks.

2022 Books We Love: Nonfiction

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'Magic Mike's Last Dance': I see London, I see pants

Salma Hayek Pinault and Channing Tatum star in Magic Mike's Last Dance. Warner Bros. hide caption

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Warner Bros.

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Magic Mike's Last Dance': I see London, I see pants

February 10, 2023 • In the new movie Magic Mike's Last Dance, Channing Tatum returns as a dancer and male entertainer from Tampa. This time, he must put on a show bankrolled by a wealthy socialite played by Salma Hayek Pinault. The film is directed by Steven Soderbergh and is in theaters now.

'Magic Mike's Last Dance': I see London, I see pants

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'80 for Brady' assembles screen legends to celebrate [checks notes] Tom Brady

Rita Moreno, Jane Fonda, Sally Field and Lily Tomlin star in 80 for Brady. Scott Garfield/Paramount Pictures hide caption

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

'80 for Brady' assembles screen legends to celebrate [checks notes] Tom Brady

February 9, 2023 • In the movie 80 for Brady, four best friends (Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, Sally Field) take a road trip to the 2017 Super Bowl so they can see their favorite quarterback Tom Brady play in person. The film stars four legends of stage and screen, one superstar quarterback and a boatload of cameos.

'80 for Brady' assembles screen legends to celebrate [checks notes] Tom Brady

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Beyoncé accepts the award for best dance/electronic music album during the Grammys. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy hide caption

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

Our 2023 Grammys recap

February 6, 2023 • Beyoncé broke a major record at this year's Grammys and has now won more awards than any other artist. But she was shut out of the major categories and lost to Harry Styles, Lizzo and Bonnie Raitt. We break down the awards and telecast, including our favorite performances.

Our 2023 Grammys recap

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Wednesday May 3, 2023

Review

'Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret.' is a great adaptation of a beloved classic

Thursday April 27, 2023

Review

'Beau Is Afraid' and living a nightmare

Thursday April 20, 2023

Our favorite Judy Blume books

Tuesday April 18, 2023

Review

In 'Showing Up,' Michelle Williams just wants to make some art

Thursday April 13, 2023

Review

'My Name Is Mo'Nique,' and the evolution of an entertainment legend

Wednesday April 12, 2023

Review

'Beef' is intense, angry and irresistible

Tuesday April 4, 2023

Review

It's a lovely day in London with the romantic 'Rye Lane'

Wednesday March 29, 2023

Our Favorite Muppets

Tuesday March 28, 2023

Review

Settle in for the spy-show pleasures of 'The Night Agent'

Monday March 27, 2023

Review

Books We Love: No Biz Like Show Biz

Wednesday March 22, 2023

Review

The intense sting of 'Swarm' might be worth the pain

Tuesday March 21, 2023

Review

'Grand Crew' is a network comedy to sip and savor

Thursday March 9, 2023

Review

2023 Oscars Guide: International Feature

Tuesday March 7, 2023

Review

2023 Oscars Guide: Documentary Feature

Thursday March 2, 2023

Review

'Return To Seoul' might break you, in the best way

Wednesday March 1, 2023

Review

Don't put 'The Consultant' in the parking lot

Monday February 27, 2023

Review

The New Black Film Canon is your starting point for great Black filmmaking

Friday February 24, 2023

Review

This is your bear on drugs: Going wild with 'Cocaine Bear'

Thursday February 23, 2023

Review

In 'The Last of Us,' there's a fungus among us

Wednesday February 22, 2023

Review

Grab a tissue and get emotional with 'Dear Edward'

Tuesday February 21, 2023

2022 Books We Love: Nonfiction

Friday February 10, 2023

Review

'Magic Mike's Last Dance': I see London, I see pants

Thursday February 9, 2023

Review

'80 for Brady' assembles screen legends to celebrate [checks notes] Tom Brady

Monday February 6, 2023

Our 2023 Grammys recap