Movie Interviews

Arts

Remembering Character Actor Ned Beatty

1:51pm June 18, 2021

by Terry Gross

Beatty, who died June 13, made his film debut in Deliverance and then went on to appear in scores of movies, including Network, All the President's Men and Superman. Originally broadcast in 1987.

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How A Bunch Of Boys Changed Ballet Forever

4:26pm June 16, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with director Chana Gazit and dancer Peter Anastos about the new film Ballerina Boys, which details the history of an all-male ballerina troupe founded in the '70s.

Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) runs a corner bodega and dreams of returning to the Dominican Republic in In the Heights.

Arts

'In The Heights' Star Anthony Ramos Says The Movie Sees 'Good In Every Hood'

2:59pm June 14, 2021

by Terry Gross

Ramos says Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway musical In the Heights filled him with hope. Now he's starring — and singing and dancing and rapping — in the film adaptation.

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Jon M. Chu On 'In The Heights'

6:11pm June 12, 2021

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with director Jon M. Chu about his new movie musical, In The Heights. It was adapted from the Tony Award-winning musical.

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Benny (Corey Hawkins), Sonny (Gregory Diaz IV) and Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) chat in Usnavi's Washington Heights bodega.

How Lin-Manuel Miranda And Quiara Alegría Hudes Assert Dignity With 'In The Heights'

8:04am June 12, 2021

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Lin-Manuel Miranda and screenwriter Quiara Alegría Hudes about their new film In the Heights, based off the Tony-award winning musical Miranda created and starred in.

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Arts

Remembering 'Mod Squad' Actor Clarence Williams III

2:25pm June 11, 2021

by Terry Gross

Williams, who died June 4, acted on Broadway before moving on to TV and film roles, including The Mod Squad, Purple Rain, Half Baked and I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. Originally broadcast in 1995.

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Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights has been adapted for the big screen, directed by Jon M. Chu. Filming on the street, they'd stop for passing emergency vehicles and their time was limited by the natural light.

Arts

'In The Heights' Dances From The Stage, To The Streets, To The Screen

9:33am June 10, 2021

by Mandalit del Barco

Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony-winning musical is an ode to the neighborhood near where he grew up. Now a movie musical, the film's director, cinematographer and choreographer discuss the new adaptation.

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Rita Moreno won an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her portrayal of Anita in the 1961 film West Side Story.

Arts

Rita Moreno On 'West Side Story' And Becoming The Role Model She Needed

3:09pm June 07, 2021

by Terry Gross

Moreno moved to New York from Puerto Rico as a child. She says her West Side Story role is "the only part I ever remember where I represented Hispanics in a dignified and positive way."

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Arts

Remembering Charles Grodin, Of 'Heartbreak Kid' And 'Midnight Run' Fame

1:57pm May 21, 2021

by Terry Gross

Grodin, who died May 18, was known for his deadpan humor and his ability to make even the most unpleasant characters likable and funny. Originally broadcast in 1989.

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Arts

Actor John Boyega On 'Star Wars', 'Small Axe' And Telling 'Stories Of The Untold'

1:27pm May 19, 2021

by Sam Sanders

Boyega has been outspoken about systemic racism in Hollywood. Last year, he talked about how his character in Star Wars was sidelined, along with the other characters played by actors of color.

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