Arts

Alexander, a former kickboxing champ, came to the U.S. about 20 years ago to work as a stuntwoman. She has also worked with Marines and women in domestic violence shelters.

Arts

Kickboxing Director Lexi Alexander Uses Activism To Bust Out Of 'Movie Jail'

6:49pm May 26, 2016

by Neda Ulaby

After her 2008 movie, Punisher: War Zone, flopped, Alexander had a hard time getting new projects. She was in what's known as Hollywood's "movie jail," a common experience for female directors.

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Arts

Cult Survivor Documents 2 Decades Inside 'Holy Hell'

6:49pm May 26, 2016

Will Allen directed the documentary Holy Hell, which depicts his experience as a videographer and member of The Buddhafield cult. Allen used his own footage, as well as his interviews with other former members, to make this documentary.

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The Idol recounts the true-life story of Mohammed Assaf, winner of "Arab Idol".

Arts

In 'The Idol,' A Singer Faces More Than Just Harsh Judges

5:00pm May 26, 2016

by Mark Jenkins

Based on the real story of Mohammed Assaf's run on Arab Idol, the film follows a boy whose dreams as a singer eventually lead him into a tricky journey toward his big moment.

Johnny Depp in Alice Through The Looking Glass.

Arts

There's No Wonder Left For 'Alice'

5:00pm May 26, 2016

by Andrew Lapin

Other than brand extension, there seems to be no reason at all for Alice Through The Looking Glass to exist. And it shows in the final product.

They promise us that's Oscar Isaac under there playing Apocalypse in X-Men: Apocalypse.

Arts

'X-Men' Issues: Hiding Oscar Isaac Is Only The Beginning

5:00pm May 26, 2016

by Chris Klimek

The latest period installment of the mutant franchise gets the gang back together, but the time machine seems to be running out of juice.

Arts

Competitive Men Are At Sea In 'Chevalier'

5:00pm May 26, 2016

by Ella Taylor

Athina Rachel Tsangari's black comedy about men who undertake a petty but brutal competition while aboard a yacht together may or may not be a political allegory.

Malachi Kirby plays Kunta Kinte in the updated version of the miniseries Roots.

Arts

In Its Retelling, 'Roots' Is Powerful, Must-See Television

1:31pm May 26, 2016

by David Bianculli

This weekend, an eight-hour remake of the 1977 miniseries begins airing on A&E, Lifetime and The History Channel. TV critic David Bianculli says the new Roots deserves to be seen and talked about.

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Moby's new memoir, Porcelain, is a tale of dance clubs, DJs, and New York City in the 1990s.

In 'Porcelain,' Moby Searches For Validation And Finds Unlikely Success

9:00am May 26, 2016

by NPR Staff

The electronic musician's new memoir traces his journey from Connecticut suburbs to New York City raves. It's a tale of dance clubs, DJs and Manhattan in the 1990s full of self-deprecating humor.

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Books
Arts

'Too Tough To Die,' Cass Neary Cuts A Jagged Path Through Crime Fiction

7:00am May 26, 2016

by Jason Heller

This week, the NPR Books Time Machine is rewinding Elizabeth Hand's gritty, punk-inflected Cass Neary mystery series. "Scary Neary" is an aging rocker with addiction issues and a talent for trouble.

Georgia O'Keeffe's 1926 painting The Barns, Lake George, which has been privately owned and rarely displayed, now joins the collection of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe.

O'Keeffe Museum Acquires Rarely Seen Work By The Famed Artist

6:47am May 26, 2016

by Barbara Campbell

An atmospheric image of barns in Lake George, N.Y., is joining the collection at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, N.M. The painting reveals a lesser-known genre of the artist's work.