Arts & Life

Books
Arts

'The Natural' Of 1952 Holds Lessons For Today's MLB

3:43pm February 26, 2014

A new edition of Bernard Malamud's classic baseball story, The Natural, was just released. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Howard Bryant of ESPN about how the 1952 novel is more relevant than ever.

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Books
Arts

These Stories Consider Solitude, With Echoes Of Emily Dickinson

2:20pm February 26, 2014

by Maureen Corrigan

It's been 15 years since acclaimed writer Lorrie Moore has brought out a new short story collection. Bark has some clunkers and some keepers, but critic Maureen Corrigan says it was worth the wait.

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Howard Blum is a former investigative reporter for The New York Times who's now a contributing editor at Vanity Fair.

Books
Arts

During World War I, Germany Unleashed 'Terrorist Cell In America'

12:06pm February 26, 2014

In Dark Invasion, Howard Blum explores the campaign of sabotage that Germany inflicted on an unsuspecting U.S. As ships and factories blew up, "no one really suspected a spy network," he says.

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Sure, you can try doing your Internet browsing this way, but we can't promise that it will help you protect your personal data online.

Books
Arts

If You Think You're Anonymous Online, Think Again

11:00am February 26, 2014

In Dragnet Nation, Julia Angwin describes an oppressive blanket of electronic data surveillance. "There's a price you pay for living in the modern world," she says. "You have to share your data."

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Joaquin Phoenix's Her character, Theodore, has a job writing intimate — and sometimes erotic — cards and letters on behalf of other people.

Arts

Phoenix To Self: 'Why Am I Talking About This? ... Joaquin, Shut Up'

5:56pm February 25, 2014

The elusive actor tells Fresh Air about his new film, Her -- but he insists he's not really that interesting. "If I was driving and I heard this, I'd change the channel," he says.

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A Major Oscar Dust-Up Over A Song From A Minor Movie

5:45pm February 25, 2014

The song "Alone Yet Not Alone" had been nominated for Best Original Song at this year's Oscars. Not anymore. Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter explains why.

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Matthew McConaughey stars as a man on the run from authorities in Jeff Nichols' Mud.

Arts

Matthew McConaughey, Getting Serious Again

5:30pm February 25, 2014

Known for rom-coms, the actor, currently starring in Mud, is taking on more dramatic roles.

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A '70s con artist (Christian Bale, right) is forced to team up with an FBI agent (Bradley Cooper, left) in American Hustle, inspired by a real-life sting targeting corrupt politicians.

Arts

At Last, David O. Russell Is Making The Films He Was Meant To Make

5:25pm February 25, 2014

David O. Russell, director of American Hustle and Silver Linings Playbook, first spoke with Terry Gross back in 1994. On Thursday, he tells her that after 20 years, he's finally met his aspirations.

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Ramis, shown here in Chicago in 2009, died of complications related to autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis on Monday.

Arts

Harold Ramis On Working At 'Playboy' And Writing 'Animal House'

3:02pm February 25, 2014

The comedy actor, writer and director had co-written and planned to star in the long-awaited Ghostbusters III — but did not get the chance. He died Monday in Chicago at age 69.

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Arts

'Invisible Woman' Charts Charles Dickens' Hidden Relationship

9:02pm February 21, 2014

by David Edelstein

A new film explores the affair between Dickens and a young actress for whom he left his wife, but who for years never showed up in biographies of Dickens. It's the second film directed by Ralph Fiennes, who also plays Dickens.

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