Movies

Arts

In 'Thor: Love and Thunder,' Waititi's familiar strains feel familiar and strained

9:00am July 05, 2022

by Glen Weldon

Director Taika Waititi goes back to the Thor: Ragnarok well for another sprawling romp starring Chris Hemsworth's pompous thunder god. The water's still thirst-quenching, but not as fresh.

British director Peter Brook smiles after receiving the 2008 Ibsen Award for bringing new artistic dimensions to the world of theater.

Arts

Influential theater director Peter Brook dies at 97

4:32pm July 04, 2022

by Bob Mondello

Brook's work ranged from classical star-studded productions to radical experiments in theater. He reinvented King Lear and explored the fragility of civilization in the film Lord of the Flies.

Aris Servetalis plays a man who inexplicably loses his memory in Apples.

Arts

In the Greek film 'Apples,' a mysterious condition leaves people without memories

1:06pm July 04, 2022

by Justin Chang

An unnamed man inexplicably loses his memory in this strange and singular film. Apples is about how we deal with grief and loneliness, especially when memory becomes more of a curse than a blessing.

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Mike Stoller, 89, the songwriter and producer who, with his producing partner, wrote many of Elvis's biggest songs, poses for a portrait at his home in Los Angeles, CA.

Elvis songwriter Mike Stoller looks back on his hits

5:11pm July 03, 2022

by Tim Greiving

Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber wrote hit songs for Elvis, along with a whos-who of other artists including Big Mama Thornton, Ben E. King, and more.

Samara Weaving as Olivia and Eugenio Derbez as Antonio in the new Hulu film The Valet.

Books
Arts

What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend reading, listening and viewing

5:00pm July 01, 2022

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: The Valet on Hulu, watching wrestling, and a playlist crafted for the perfect summer vibe.

Books
Arts

'Noir Alley' host celebrates cinema's double crosses and doomed characters

1:36pm July 01, 2022

by Terry Gross

Eddie Muller's book, Dark City, chronicles film noir from the '40s and '50s. He says the genre draws on a "very dark vision of existence." Originally broadcast Oct. 21, 2022.

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Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù plays Mr. Malcolm, the most desirable bachelor in 1818 London.

Ticking down a checklist of qualifications in 'Mr. Malcolm's List'

2:44pm June 30, 2022

by Bob Mondello

A 19th-century British gentleman's requirements for his bride lead to a scheme with many complications in Mr. Malcolm's List, a Bridgerton-like romance based on Suzanne Allain's 2020 novel.

Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell, winners of the Oscar for Original Song for No Time to Die, have been invited to join The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Arts

Troy Kotsur, Billie Eilish and Ariana DeBose are invited to join Oscar's Academy

5:11pm June 28, 2022

by Elizabeth Blair

This year, the academy invited 397 artists, including actors, directors and people who play other roles in filmmaking.

Jenny Slate talks new 'Marcel the Shell' movie

5:15pm June 25, 2022

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with actor and comedian Jenny Slate about her new film Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.

Arts

Baz Luhrmann's gaudy 'Elvis' is a shapeless blur of a musical biopic

1:25pm June 24, 2022

by Justin Chang

Elvis' longtime manager Col. Parker plays an oversized role, but that's not this film's only problem. There may be a great movie hiding in Elvis, but it's buried under an awful lot of visual clutter.

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