Arts

I Am Not Your Negro uses the words of James Baldwin to analyze American attitudes toward race.

Arts

Studios And Audiences Had Lots To Celebrate In 2016

8:01pm December 29, 2016

by Bob Mondello

This is the time of year when critics release their best-of lists. Usually, they pick the 10 best — but our film critic Bob Mondello couldn't narrow it down that much. He picked 18 of his favorites.

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Moe stands behind her tiny bar in Shanghai, where there are only eight seats and reservations are a must.

In A Massive City, This Bar Serves Up Diverse Drinks — To 8 People At A Time

7:07pm December 29, 2016

by Rob Schmitz

Bar Moju in Shanghai is tiny and only serves authentic concoctions created by its owner, Moe. To visit, you must make a reservation.

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Debbie Reynolds and her daughter, Carrie Fisher, at the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in 2011 in Los Angeles. Reynolds' death, just one day after her daughter's, has led many to ask whether it's really possible to die of a broken heart.

Science
Arts

Is It Possible To Die Of Grief?

6:26pm December 29, 2016

by Maggie Penman

Actress Debbie Reynolds died just one day after her daughter Carrie Fisher's sudden death — which has led some to speculate that grief might have been a contributing factor.

How Tattoo Artist Brian Finn Is Covering Up Pain With Art

5:25pm December 29, 2016

by NPR Staff

Just over a year ago, Toledo, Ohio tattoo artist Brian Finn began offering free tattoos to people to cover their scars from trauma. We take a year-end look at his work.

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Luis Gnecco as Pablo Neruda in Pablo Larrain's Neruda.

Arts

'Neruda' Affectionately Dismantles The Myth Surrounding The Chilean Poet

5:00pm December 29, 2016

by Ella Taylor

Director Pablo Larrain digs beneath the poetry to offer a warm, humorous and revealing biopic of Pablo Neruda, neatly avoiding the genre's tendency to lionize its subjects.

Celebrating 50 Years Of Kwanzaa

4:19pm December 29, 2016

by NPR Staff

Tonight is the third night of Kwanzaa. Those who celebrate the seven-day festival will gather around the Kinara and light the last red candle. The holiday is also observing it's 50th anniversary.

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Arts

To Make 'The Godfather' His Way, Francis Ford Coppola Waged A Studio Battle

3:54pm December 29, 2016

Coppola was 29 years old when he signed on to direct a film. "I was young and had no power," he says, "so [the studio] figured they could just boss me around." Originally broadcast Nov. 16, 2016.

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The Gingerbread Demolition lets people destroy gingerbread houses for charity.

Run, Run, Fast As You Can! We're Smashing Your House, Gingerbread Man

2:03pm December 29, 2016

by Tove K. Danovich

They've been run over with cars, exploded by fireworks, bombarded by cannons and squished under children's snow boots. But in Australia, these baked buildings are demolished for charity — and fun.

Books
Arts

HGTV Real Estate Stars Find Yet Another Home In Print

9:54am December 29, 2016

by Lynn Neary

In addition to rehabbing homes, some HGTV stars are also selling a lot of books. In 2016, Drew and Jonathan Scott ("The Property Brothers") and Chip and Joanna Gaines appeared on best-seller lists.

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Debbie Reynolds on the set of For Love or Money.

Arts

Actress Debbie Reynolds Dies A Day After Daughter Carrie Fisher's Death

9:34pm December 28, 2016

by Ted Robbins

The 84-year-old star of film, TV, Broadway and Las Vegas died in Los Angeles.