Movie Reviews : NPR

Arts & Life

OutKast Goes Old School in 'Idlewild'

August 25, 2006 • You won't mistake Idlewild for Busby Berkeley's portrayal of Hollywood's golden age. But then, that was equally true of Martin Scorcese's New York New York and Francis Ford Coppolla's Cotton Club.

OutKast Goes Old School in 'Idlewild'

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Arts & Life

Summary Judgment: 'Beerfest,' 'Idlewild,' 'Invincible'

August 25, 2006 • Slate contributor Mark Jordan Legan summarizes what critics are saying about the week's new major movie releases -- Beerfest, Idlewild and Invincible.

Summary Judgment: 'Beerfest,' 'Idlewild,' 'Invincible'

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Arts & Life

'Idlewild' and 'Fried Worms'

August 25, 2006 • 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'

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Movies

'The Illusionist': A Gorgeous Bag of Tricks

August 18, 2006 • Hollywood does not regard summer as a time for costume epics, unless the costumes are made of spandex. Historical movies tend to be released in the fall. But The Illusionist, a romantic drama set in the early 1900s, is bucking that tradition.

'The Illusionist': A Gorgeous Bag of Tricks

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Movies

Snakes on a Plane, on a Silver Screen -- Finally

August 18, 2006 • Snakes on a Plane famously wasn't shown to critics before opening day. Something to do with letting the fans see it first, allowing them to enjoy a purer moviegoing experience, blah blah blah.

Arts & Life

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

Fresh Air

August 18, 2006 • 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

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Arts & Life

'Factotum' a Satisfying Blend of Sensibilities

August 18, 2006 • Factotum is a delicate melding of a trio of different sensibilities you wouldn't think would naturally cohere. It gracefully combines the bleak world of the despairing poet and novelist Charles Bukowski with the droll point of view of Norwegian director Bent Hamer.

'Factotum' a Satisfying Blend of Sensibilities

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Arts & Life

'Half Nelson' Turns Standard Plotline Inside-Out

August 11, 2006 • The movie Half Nelson, starring Ryan Gosling as a crack-addicted schoolteacher, turned heads at the Sundance Film Festival. It seems like a film that could jump-start the careers of everyone involved.

'Half Nelson' Turns Standard Plotline Inside-Out

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Arts & Life

Summary Judgment: 'Pulse,' 'Step Up,' 'Conversations with Other Women'

August 11, 2006 • Slate Mark Jordan Legan reviews what critics are saying about the weekend's movie releases: Pulse, Step Up and Conversations with Other Women.

Summary Judgment: 'Pulse,' 'Step Up,' 'Conversations with Other Women'

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Arts & Life

Stone's Sept. 11 Movie Is Forced and Unconvincing

August 9, 2006 • Oliver Stone's movie World Trade Center feels like an attempt to craft a feel-good movie out of a ghastly situation. That makes the film unconvincing. Reviewed by Kenneth Turan.

Stone's Sept. 11 Movie Is Forced and Unconvincing

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Arts & Life

Oliver Stone's Take on the Sept. 11 Tragedy

Fresh Air

August 8, 2006 • 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

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Arts & Life

Tangled Web for Williams in 'Night Listener'

August 4, 2006 • In the new movie The Night Listener, Robin Williams plays a radio personality who starts to believe he's being scammed. The drama revolves around a radio show that is based on a memoir; the film itself is based on Armistead Maupin's novel -- which in turn was based on a real event.

Tangled Web for Williams in 'Night Listener'

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Arts & Life

Summary Judgment: 'Night Listener,' 'Barnyard,' 'Talladega Nights'

August 4, 2006 • Slate contributor Mark Jordan Legan reviews what critics are saying about the weekend's major movie releases: The Night Listener, Barnyard: The Original Party Animals, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

Summary Judgment: 'Night Listener,' 'Barnyard,' 'Talladega Nights'

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Arts & Life

Quirk and Circumstance in 'Little Miss Sunshine'

Fresh Air

August 4, 2006 • 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'

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Arts & Life

'Talladega Nights' Might Make You Laugh

August 4, 2006 • Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is from the same pit crew that brought us Anchorman. Dutifully, Talladega Nights does for NASCAR what the earlier movie did for journalism.

'Talladega Nights' Might Make You Laugh

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