Arts

In Blindspotting, the friendship between hotheaded Miles (Rafael Casal, left) and ex-con Collin (Daveed Diggs) is a window into the race and class politics of a gentrifying Oakland.

Arts

In 'Blindspotting,' A Cinematic Love Letter To A Changing Oakland

4:58pm July 22, 2018

by Michel Martin

Actors and spoken-word artists Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal wrote and star in a buddy comedy finely attuned to race and class politics. Of course, they set it in their hometown.

"This text has long been perceived as a masculine text," says Maria Dahvana Headley. "It's been perceived as: Oh that's about men and war. But I think this text is as much about domesticity ... it's a text about home." The Beowulf manuscript above is thou

Books
Arts

Beowulf In The Suburbs? 'The Mere Wife' Is An Epic Retelling

8:12am July 22, 2018

by Korva Coleman

For too long the Old English poem has long been perceived as a "masculine text," says Maria Dahvana Headley. Her new adaptation is told from the perspective of Grendel's mother.

Books
Arts

Muscle And Bone Meet Machinery In 'Hullmetal Girls'

7:00am July 22, 2018

by Caitlyn Paxson

In Emily Skrutskie's new book, two girls make the choice to give up part of their humanity and become bionic super-soldiers in service to the great fleet of spaceships they live among.

Arts

Not My Job: Former FBI Director James Comey Gets Quizzed On Loyalty Rewards

12:34pm July 21, 2018

Comey wrote a book called A Higher Loyalty and he told the Senate intelligence committee that President Trump demanded his loyalty over dinner. But what does he know about loyalty programs?

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When we saw this crew, we were impressed — and also curious about how long you can stay in an Iron Man suit that realistic.

Arts

Comic-Con Day 3: The Best Hawkeye

11:32am July 21, 2018

On their third day at San Diego Comic-Con, NPR's Mallory Yu and Petra Mayer get into the spirit of things by dressing up as their favorite heroes and checking out the amazing costumes on display.

Daniel Wu plays the starring role in the TV series Into the Badlands, and also serves as one of its executive producers.

Arts

A Superstar In China, Daniel Wu Emerges In His Native California

8:15am July 21, 2018

by Chloe Veltman

The Chinese-American actor became an action movie mainstay abroad over the last 20 years. Thanks to his leading role in the TV series Into the Badlands, he's finally getting noticed in the U.S.

The new TARDIS crew — Jodie Whittaker and companions Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill, plus showrunner Chris Chibnall and executive producer Matt Strevens.

Arts

Comic-Con, Day Two: Who's Day

3:31pm July 20, 2018

Our intrepid reporters Mallory Yu and Petra Mayer take on another day of San Diego Comic-Con, from immersive fan adventures to, yes, all the Doctor Who you can shake a sonic screwdriver at.

Sleep Scientist Warns Against Walking Through Life 'In An Underslept State'

1:53pm July 20, 2018

by Terry Gross

"Human beings are the only species that deliberately deprive themselves of sleep for no apparent gain," says sleep scientist Matthew Walker, author of Why We Sleep. Originally broadcast Oct. 17, 2017.

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News Brief: Trump Invites Putin To Washington, Comic-Con Preview

1:46pm July 20, 2018

Top Trump administration officials publicly diverge from their boss. A new surprise: Trump invites Vladimir Putin to Washington. And Comic-Con in San Diego brings costumes, cameos and creativity.

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Longtime friends Daveed Diggs (left) and Rafael Casal co-wrote and co-star in the film Blindspotting.

Arts

Oakland Gets A Starring Role In 2 Genre-Busting Films About Race And Inequality

12:54pm July 20, 2018

by Justin Chang

Critic Justin Chang says the city is experiencing a renaissance moment in film. Blindspotting and Sorry to Bother You are just two of the latest — both about young black men on quests for survival.