Film offers 'Hard Truths' about why some people are happy — and others are miserable
Marianne Jean-Baptiste gives a phenomenal performance as a profoundly unhappy woman. There isn't a lot of plot, but director Mike Leigh builds his stories from the details and detritus of daily life.
Nick Lowe Brings His 'Quality Holiday Revue' To America
Initially "appalled" by the notion of making a holiday album, Lowe came to see it as a challenge. Quality Street tackles old classics and adds originals to the mix. Originally broadcast Dec. 22, 2015.
With 'Have Moicy 2', Peter Stampfel Issues A Sequel 4 Decades In The Making
The singer-songwriter's original Have Moicy! album, released in '76, mixed folk, blues and country. Critic Ken Tuckers says that despite the long wait, Stampfel's follow-up has a real immediacy to it.
'Funny Or Die' Creator Adam McKay Takes On The 2008 Economic Crash In 'The Big Short'
Not only do the characters in McKay's new film warn about the collapse of the global economy — they make money off of it. McKay calls the movie, based on the book by Michael Lewis, a "traumedy."
Revisiting Mary Martin's Lighter-Than-Air Exuberance In NBC's 1955 'Peter Pan' Live
In 1955 and '56, NBC aired live telecasts of the Broadway hit Peter Pan, starring Mary Martin. Critic Lloyd Schwartz calls the performances, now available on Blu-ray, a "tribute to freedom and youth."
'Son Of Saul' Brings Viewers To The Heart Of The Nazi Death Machine At Auschwitz
Director László Nemes and star Géza Röhrig discuss Son of Saul, a film set in a Nazi death camp. The movie won the Grand Prix at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Originally broadcast Oct. 7, 2015.
From Hip-Hop To Country, Critic Ken Tucker Assesses The Best Of 2015
Rock Critic Ken Tucker presents his playlist for 2015, which includes the Alabama Shakes, Bruno Mars and Ashley Monroe, among others. For reading pleasure, he suggests Real Life Rock, by Greil Marcus.