Arts

Get ready for lots of toy-based movies trying to duplicate the success of 'Barbie'

5:41pm August 18, 2023

by Stephen Thompson

The Barbie movie is on pace to be the top-grossing film this year. This means we're about to get a lot of movies trying to duplicate that success in a toy-filled cinematic future.

Filmmakers behind Latinx superhero movies like 'Blue Beetle' hope to inspire change

5:11pm August 18, 2023

by Mandalit del Barco

Many of the new movie superheroes star Latino actors or have Latino characters with diverse origin stories — and their creators hope the heroes will influence change.

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DJ Crazy Times and the Eurodance parody that captured a nation

5:11pm August 18, 2023

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with comedian Kyle Gordon, aka DJ Crazy Times, about his new hit song "The Planet of the Bass" — a 1990s Eurodance parody that has taken the internet by storm.

Rachel Zegler will star as Snow White in a new adaptation.

Another Disney princess, another online outrage. This time it's about 'Snow White'

5:09pm August 18, 2023

by Manuela López Restrepo

Rachel Zegler finds herself at the center of another Disney princess outrage. But the way this particular one came about demonstrates the inner workings of a fine-tuned cycle for whipping up fury.

Arts

What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend reading and listening

5:00pm August 18, 2023

Each week, guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: The Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery series, Good One podcast and The Kaiju Preservation Society.

Books
Arts

Isabel Cañas' 'Vampires of El Norte' elegantly navigates a multiplicity of genres

2:06pm August 18, 2023

by Gabino Iglesias

In many ways — setting, historical elements, the mix of romance and horror, the use of Spanish — Vampires of El Norte is the spiritual sister of The Hacienda, and a perfect example of genre mixing.

Arts

'Reservation Dogs' co-creator says the show gives audiences permission to laugh

1:39pm August 18, 2023

by Terry Gross

Sterlin Harjo says society has a tendency to be "very precious with Native people." The third and final season of the irreverent series dropped recently. Originally broadcast Sept. 19, 2022.

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Arts

Remembering 'Exorcist' director William Friedkin

1:39pm August 18, 2023

by Marty Moss-Coane

Friedkin, who died Aug. 7, won an Oscar 1972 for The French Connection. "Some of the most interesting, fascinating people that I've ever known are on the other side of the law," he said in 1988.

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Hannah Gross, Sophia Lillis and Michael Cera play grown siblings in The Adults.

Arts

Snark and sarcasm rule the roost in 'The Adults,' a comedy about grown siblings

1:39pm August 18, 2023

by Justin Chang

Michael Cera plays a man who returns home to see his two sisters after three years apart. This squirmy film about adults who act like overgrown children might just break your heart.

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Michael Oher of the Carolina Panthers celebrates with his family after the NFC Championship Game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank Of America Stadium on January 24, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C.

Arts

'The Blind Side' drama just proves the cheap, meaningless hope of white savior films

11:19am August 18, 2023

by Aisha Harris

The true story behind the hit Oscar-winner has only gotten ickier — and Hollywood is complicit.