'Close Your Eyes' is the best film of 2024 — but these 10 others are also contenders
Fresh Air's film critic takes stock of the past 12 months' worth of movies, pairing 10 of his favorites, and picking one that stands alone.
Whether you're merry or miserable, David Byrne's holiday playlist will resonate
The singer-songwriter and Talking Heads frontman presents some of his favorite holiday music — including songs by The Pogues, James Brown and LCD Soundsystem. Originally broadcast Dec. 20, 2023.
A Jon Batiste holiday jam session
In part two of our interview, Batiste joins us from the piano and plays some of his favorite Christmas songs. He's the former band leader and music director for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
'Fresh Air' presents: Christmas with Questlove
Roots co-founder Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson shares his Christmas playlist, which includes songs by DRAM, James Brown, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Originally broadcast Dec. 21, 2022.
To make 'The Godfather' his way, Francis Ford Coppola waged a studio battle
Coppola was 29 when he signed on to direct a film. "I was young and had no power," he said in 2016, "so [the studio] figured they could just boss me around." Coppola is a 2024 Kennedy Center honoree.
Bonnie Raitt shares her blues inspirations
The singer/songwriter is one of the 2024 Kennedy Center honorees. In 1996, Raitt spoke to Fresh Air about about the musicians that inspired her, including Mississippi Fred McDowell.
Interview
Interview
'Lights on a Satellite' revisits a three-set Sun Ra show from 1978
The Philadelphia bandleader didn't always connect with traditional jazz audiences, but he found a second home doing so in Baltimore. A new double album revisit a show he and his "Arkestra" gave there.
Miranda July talks 'All Fours' -- and the risks and rewards of changing your life
July's been surprised by the reaction to her novel, which centers on a 45-year-old married woman who has an erotic affair: "I've had people tell me that ... it was all there, all their true feelings."
With a January ban looming, TikTok's future in the U.S. is more uncertain than ever
A new law gives TikTok a Jan. 19 deadline to sell to a non-Chinese company or face a nationwide ban. Law professor Alan Rozenshtein explains what this means and how President-elect Trump might intervene.
A critic looks back at some of the year's most striking culture moments
John Powers celebrates the books, shows and performances that stayed with him, including Miranda July's novel All Fours, Interior Chinatown on Netflix and an iconic Olympic moment with Simone Biles.
