Accessibility links
Movie Reviews Reviews of new movies, classic and art films, foreign films, and popular movies. Featuring Bob Mondello, Kenneth Turan, David Edelstein, and Mark Jenkins.

Movie Reviews

Movies

Mix of Movies at Cannes Festival

Fresh Air

It has been an eventful 11 days in Cannes, France, where the annual Cannes Film Festival wrapped up over the weekend. One surprise was first-time director Tommy Lee Jones, whose The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada won him top honors as best actor. The festival also included early showings of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.

Mix of Movies at Cannes Festival

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4664229/4664230" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

'Star Wars' Comes Full Circle

Slate's Summary Judgment: 'Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist,' 'Revenge of the Sith'

Writer Mark Jordan Legan presents a roundup of what critics are saying about the weekend's film releases. This week, he examines Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist and the long-anticipated Stars Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Slate's Summary Judgment: 'Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist,' 'Revenge of the Sith'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4660309/4660310" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Movies

Buzz Movies at the Cannes Film Festival

Alex Chadwick speaks with Liam Lacey, film critic for the Toronto newspaper Globe and Mail, about the films creating buzz at this year's Cannes Film Festival in the south of France.

Buzz Movies at the Cannes Film Festival

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4660306/4660307" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Movies

Highlights of 58th Cannes Film Festival

L.A Times critic Kenneth Turan talks about notable films at the 58th Cannes Film Festival -- including Woody Allen's first feature filmed outside New York City. But Turan notes that despite the quality of this year's offerings, no one movie is causing a stir.

Highlights of 58th Cannes Film Festival

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4659781/4659782" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

'Star Wars' Comes Full Circle

'Sith' an Uneven Walk Down the Dark Side

Fabulous special effects have been George Lucas' calling card since the first Star Wars in 1977. He closes his saga with an engaging tale of Anakin Skywalker's route from fair-haired moppet to ultimate black-clad bad guy.

'Sith' an Uneven Walk Down the Dark Side

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4656886/4656889" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

'Star Wars' Comes Full Circle

'Revenge of the Sith': The Power of the Dark Side

Has the power of the dark side been underestimated? Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan reviews Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, the final chapter of the Star Wars series. He says it's easily the best of the trio of Star Wars prequels.

'Revenge of the Sith': The Power of the Dark Side

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4656188/4656189" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Arts & Life

'Layer Cake' a Crime Thriller

NPR's Bob Mondello reviews the new British crime thriller, "Layer Cake." The film was directed by Matthew Vaughn. It stars Daniel Craig and Michael Gambon. The tricky noir plot is about a drug dealer planning to retire after one last errand for his boss.

'Layer Cake' a Crime Thriller

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4651590/4651591" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Movies

'Mad Hot Ballroom' Dances into Audience's Heart

Some fourth and fifth graders in New York City are the stars of the new movie Mad Hot Ballroom. Los Angeles Times movie critic Kenneth Turan says these kids will fox trot, merengue, rumba, tango and swing their way into your heart.

'Mad Hot Ballroom' Dances into Audience's Heart

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4650745/4650746" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Arts & Life

Film 'Crash' Explores Racial Divisions

Fresh Air

Film critic David Edelstein reviews Crash, a new film by writer-director Paul Haggis. The movie's ensemble cast includes Brendan Fraser, Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Thandie Newton and hip-hop artist Ludacris.

Film 'Crash' Explores Racial Divisions

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4632982/4632983" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Arts & Life

'Heaven' Stars Scott's Gift for the Visual

Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan reviews Kingdom of Heaven. Gladiator director Ridley Scott's take on the Crusades features actor Orlando Bloom as a young blacksmith who saves the people of Jerusalem.

'Heaven' Stars Scott's Gift for the Visual

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4632970/4632971" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Arts & Life

Slate's Summary Judgment: 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,' 'XXX,' 'Ladies in Lavender'

Slate contributor Mark Jordan Legan looks at what movie critics are saying about this weekend's major movie releases, including The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, XXX: State of the Union and Ladies in Lavender.

Slate's Summary Judgment: 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,' 'XXX,' 'Ladies in Lavender'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4624793/4624794" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Arts & Life

An Inside Look at Enron

Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan reviews Alex Gibney's award-winning documentary, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room. Gibney adapted a book that chronicles the fantastic rise and demise of the company that was engulfed in scandal when its outrageous accounting practices were exposed.

An Inside Look at Enron

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4624295/4624296" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">