Movies

Amina (right, Abakar Souleymane) tries to guide her 15-year-old daughter (Rihane Khalil Alio) through an unexpected pregnancy in the Chadian film Lingui, the Sacred Bonds.

Arts

Family ties are tested in 2 engrossing international films

1:17pm February 18, 2022

by Justin Chang

The Belgian drama Playground unfolds at a school where 7-year-old Nora watches her brother being bullied. The Chadian film Lingui, the Sacred Bonds centers on a mother whose teen daughter is pregnant.

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Douglas Trumbull in a publicity portrait from the film Close Encounters Of The Third Kind.

Arts

'2001' and 'Blade Runner' visual effects wizard Douglas Trumbull has died at 79

8:13am February 16, 2022

by Bob Mondello

Trumbull, who brought otherworldly landscapes to life pioneered physical, not digital, effects that catapulted audiences into hyperspace and became Hollywood's go-to guy for sci-fi imagery.

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National

Family of cinematographer killed on movie set sues Alec Baldwin and 'Rust' producers

5:17pm February 15, 2022

by Mandalit del Barco

The family of Halyna Hutchins, who was fatally shot on the New Mexico set of the film in October, is suing the actor and the movie's producers for wrongful death, attorneys say.

Hollywood special effects wizard Douglas Trumbull dies at 79

3:54pm February 15, 2022

by Bob Mondello

Hollywood special effects wizard Douglas Trumbull has died. He brought to life the impossible landscapes in 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner.

Composer Germaine Franco attends the world premiere of Encanto at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood in November 2021.

Sure, 'Encanto' has fun songs and a sweet story. But Germaine Franco made it groove

11:51am February 15, 2022

by Tim Greiving

She's the first woman to score a Disney animated feature, and a history-making Oscar nominee. But most importantly, Franco is a drummer, who brings a jam-band attitude to a by-the-book industry.

From left, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes and Amy Schumer will be hosting the Oscars this year.

Arts

Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer and Regina Hall will host this year's Oscars

11:12am February 15, 2022

by Elizabeth Blair

This is the first time three women will emcee the annual movie awards telecast. It will be on ABC on March 27.

Remembering film director and producer Ivan Reitman

4:26pm February 14, 2022

by Bob Mondello

Film director and producer Ivan Reitman, who tickled moviegoers' funny bones with such '70s and '80s smash comedies as Ghostbusters, Meatballs, Stripes and Kindergarten Cop, has died.

A history of romantic comedies

4:26pm February 14, 2022

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks to author Scott Meslow about his new book From Hollywood with Love: The Rise and Fall (and Rise Again) of the Romantic Comedy.

NPR's Culture Desk suggests movies, books and songs for Valentine's Day.

For Valentine's Day, a few of our favorite love stories to read, watch and hear

11:47am February 14, 2022

by Miranda Mazariegos

Valentine's Day reminds us we can relearn and redefine what it means to love and be loved. So, we offer some books, songs, and movies about passion, devotion, and relationships to take on the journey.

Ivan Reitman died over the weekend, his family said. The director is seen here last year at the premiere for Ghostbusters: Afterlife, a sequel to his 1984 film.

'Ghostbusters' director and 'Animal House' producer Ivan Reitman has died

10:31am February 14, 2022

by Bill Chappell

Reitman has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His movies often blended elements of comedy, horror and drama — a mix that was tricky to perfect.