Arts

Timothy Spall says he had to use a lot of empathy to play a character like Mr. Turner, who wasn't always "very pleasant" and was a "man of massive contradictions."

Arts

Timothy Spall Takes On Painter J.M.W. Turner, A 'Master Of The Sublime'

3:42pm December 15, 2014

The 19th century painter wasn't always "very pleasant" and he was a "man of massive contradictions," Spall says. So Spall says he had to "dig deep" to play the title role in Mr. Turner.

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Denzel Washington in The Great Debaters.

What The Movies Taught Us About Teaching

2:09pm December 15, 2014

by Bob Mondello

As part of the 50 Great Teachers series, NPR's Bob Mondello looks at what Hollywood has taught us about teachers.

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Quvenzhané Wallis, who was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Beasts of the Southern Wild, plays little orphan Annie in the new film adaptation of the 1977 musical.

Books
Arts

The Annie Of Tomorrow Has The Same Hard Knocks, But Different Hair

2:09pm December 15, 2014

by Neda Ulaby

The famously redheaded orphan is played this time by African-American actress Quvenzhané Wallis. "The original Annie had a red Afro," points out Indiana University scholar Terri Francis.

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Pages from El Deafo by Cece Bell. Click here to enlarge.

Books
Arts

'El Deafo': How A Girl Turned Her Disability Into A Superpower

1:59pm December 15, 2014

by NPR Staff

Navigating elementary school is already hard enough — try adding in a bulky metal hearing aid. Cece Bell's new young adult graphic memoir captures the experience in a poignant and humorous way.

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Hank Magnuski (left) feeds hikers at his pop-up Sonora Pass Cafe. Some of his diners also took the opportunity to use his wi-fi.

A Pop-Up Cafe Caters To Hikers Along The Pacific Crest Trail

1:47pm December 15, 2014

by Lisa Morehouse

The 2,650-mile trail is grueling. But for a few weekends each season, hikers on the stretch near California's Sonora Pass encounter a hiker's dream: fresh fruit, cakes and other goodies for the weary.

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The Fuller family's Christmas light display in Clayton, N.C.

Arts

Watts Going On: The Gaudy Excess Of 'The Great Christmas Light Fight'

12:11pm December 15, 2014

by Linda Holmes

If you've never seen hundreds of thousands of lights used to do things like animate wire-frame animals, you're going to love this bonkers piece of television.

When it comes to salty french fries or pizza served at lunch, schools may get more time to dial back sodium content, thanks to a provision in the federal spending bill headed for a vote on Capitol Hill.

From Potatoes To Salty Fries In School: Congress Tweaks Food Rules

11:00am December 15, 2014

by Allison Aubrey

The giant federal spending bill that's expected to go to a vote Thursday will give schools some flexibility in implementing nutrition standards. Also a winner: the potato lobby.

Arts

Twin City Stage Presents "Yes, Virginia: The Musical"

10:07am December 15, 2014

by David Ford

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We asked, you delivered — photos of holiday sweaters galore.

Your #NPRUglySweaters: The Joy Of Knitwear We Ought Not Wear

11:08pm December 14, 2014

by Camila Domonoske

A bright, blinking, tinsel-covered, delightfully tacky peek inside of NPR listeners' closets — check out some of our favorite photos of your favorite Christmas attire.

So bad it's ... good? Consumer appetite for ugly Christmas sweaters — the tackier, the better — has had an impact on how retailers stock for the season.

Arts

It's Ugly Christmas Sweater Season — Share Your Best (Bad) Attire

9:56pm December 14, 2014

by Eleanor Klibanoff

The themed party trend is on us again, and holiday garb bedecked with bells, lights and way too much tinsel is selling fast. Show us your best holiday monstrosity — use the hashtag #NPRuglysweaters.

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