Movies

Julia Roberts poses at a red carpet premiere in London in September. That same month, she spoke publicly about her family's friendship with Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King.

Arts

Martin Luther King Jr. paid the bill for Julia Roberts' birth. Here's the backstory

11:37am November 01, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

As fans marked Julia Roberts' birthday last week, they also uncovered a connection between her family and that of the civil rights icon. It all started when her parents opened an acting school.

Alana Mayo speaks at the Austin Convention Center on March 14, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Arts

Meet Alana Mayo, the young, Black, queer studio executive who greenlit 'Till'

5:00pm October 31, 2022

by Neda Ulaby

Mayo may be the new face of Hollywood star-makers. The president of Orion Pictures is under 40, and dedicated to realizing unique artistic visions in a risk-adverse industry.

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Critic Bob Mondello remembers the movie fright-fests he conjured in his youth

4:41pm October 31, 2022

by Bob Mondello

Halloween has a film critic remembering the movie fright-fests he conjured in his youth.

Think you're not a fan of horror films? Try starting with these picks

5:12pm October 30, 2022

Halloween is peak scary film season. But can a horror film enthusiast convince a reluctant public radio host to check out a film or two this year?

NPR's Nikki Jones can't go one week without watching a horror film.

Arts

My mom passed down her love of horror to me — and a big lesson about courage

8:00am October 30, 2022

by Nikki Jones

It took me years to fully realize why my mother loved her spooky books so much. Those horror stories gave my mother the courage to leave her abuser.

The lobby of the new multiplex movie theater before afternoon screenings in Srinagar, on Oct. 1.

Cinemas have reopened in Kashmir after 2 decades — but few moviegoers are showing up

7:02am October 30, 2022

by Raksha Kumar

The cinemas, shut down after threats from separatist militants, reopened last month. Moviegoers pass through an Indian police checkpoint and are frisked at the theater entrance for bombs and weapons.

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Elizabeth Banks was drawn to 40-year-old's coming-of-age story in timely 'Call Jane'

4:54pm October 29, 2022

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with actress Elizabeth Banks about her new movie Call Jane, based on a real-life underground network that provided access to safe abortions in the Chicago area.

Arts

Movie review: 'All Quiet on the Western Front'

5:10pm October 28, 2022

by Rob Schmitz

The Netflix adaptation of "All Quiet on the Western Front," the classic novel about the horrors of World War I, was directed by a German man and is in the German language.

Frankie Corio as Sophie and Paul Mescal as Calum in Aftersun.

Arts

What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend viewing

5:00pm October 28, 2022

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Andor, Aftersun, Southern Baptist Sissies and more.

Books
Arts

Fresh Air's Halloween special, with horror masters Stephen King and Jordan Peele

1:34pm October 28, 2022

by Terry Gross

King talks about what terrified him as a child — and what frightens him as an adult. Peele talks about the fears that inspire his filmmaking. Originally broadcast in 1992, 2013 and 2017.

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