Movie Reviews

Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling dance in the musical, La La Land, critic David Edelstein's pick for the best film of the year.

Arts

In 'An Excellent Year' For Film, Critic David Edelstein Shares His 12 Favorites

1:40pm December 22, 2016

by David Edelstein

Edelstein estimates that he saw 400 films in 2016 — more than enough to fill "a couple of 10-best lists." He talks about a dozen of them with Fresh Air's Terry Gross.

'Rogue One' Wows With Fresh Special Effects And A Multinational Cast

1:28pm December 16, 2016

by David Edelstein

The nefarious Empire is building a giant weapon in the latest installment of the Star Wars saga. Critic David Edelstein says though Rogue One is part of a series, it also works as a stand-alone film.

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Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'Rogue One' And 'La La Land'

10:50am December 16, 2016

by Linda Holmes

It's a big week for movies, with the latest hotly anticipated Star Wars entry and a splashy musical starring Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, and a lamppost.

In this scene from Rogue One, Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) is looking for her dad, who has had a hand in making a certain planet-killing super weapon you might have heard of.

Arts

'Rogue One': The Force Will Be With Those Who Love Battle Scenes

10:49am December 16, 2016

by Bob Mondello

Rogue One is a movie that's part of the Star Wars firmament. But it's not a Star Wars movie — it's a Star Wars story. NPR movie critic Bob Mondello explains why.

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Felicity Jones plays Jyn Erso in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Arts

'Rogue One' Is 'A Star Wars Story' With Fewer Stars And A Lot More Wars

5:00pm December 15, 2016

by Chris Klimek

A footnote in the Star Wars saga gets its own movie — a tense, grubby, effective tale of interstellar combat that skimps on the series' mythic overtones.

(L-R) Helen Mirren as Brigitte, Keira Knightley as Amy and Jacob Latimore as Raffi in Collateral Beauty.

Arts

In 'Collateral Beauty,' Will Smith Meets Love, Time, Death — And A Terrible Script

5:00pm December 15, 2016

by Scott Tobias

An ad exec (Will Smith) mourning the death of his daughter meets actors portraying abstract concepts in this absurd, disingenuous film which lays bare Hollywood's inability to grapple with grief.

Denzel Washington as Troy Maxson and Viola Davis as Rose Maxson in Fences

Arts

'Fences': A Major American Play Finally Makes It To Screen; It Was Worth The Wait

5:00pm December 15, 2016

by Andrew Lapin

Director/star Denzel Washington faithfully adapts August Wilson's searing, Pulitzer-winning play. The brilliant result is "moviemaking as public service," says critic Andrew Lapin.

Alia Shawkat stars as Dory in the TBS comedy Search Party.

A Critic's Year-End 'Ghost File': Books, Movies And TV Shows He Didn't Review

2:44pm December 14, 2016

by John Powers

Every year, Fresh Air critic John Powers is haunted by all the terrific things he didn't get a chance to talk about on air. As 2016 winds down, he "un-haunts" himself with these six recommendations.

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Louis Hofmann (left) and Roland Møller (right) in Land of Mine.

Arts

'Land Of Mine': Explosively Understated

5:00pm December 09, 2016

by Bob Mondello

Denmark's Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language film is Land of Mine, a movie about German boys disarming landmines left behind after World War II.

Arts

Fantastically Stylized 'La La Land' Is A Musical Tour-De-Force

1:39pm December 09, 2016

by David Edelstein

A jazz keyboardist and an aspiring actress fall in love in Damien Chazelle's new romantic musical. Critic David Edelstein says La La Land features thrilling chemistry and magical music numbers.

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