Movies

Questlove reflects on his journey with 'Summer of Soul,' now nominated for an Oscar

9:31am March 14, 2022

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Amir "Questlove" Thompson about his critically acclaimed documentary "Summer of Soul," which chronicles the all-but-forgotten 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival.

William Hurt and Heidi Henderson arrive at the Golden Globe Awards in 2012.

Arts

Actor William Hurt, star of 'Broadcast News' and 'Body Heat,' dies at 71

9:22pm March 13, 2022

by The Associated Press

In a long-running career, Hurt was nominated for an Academy Award three times, winning for 1985's Kiss of the Spider Woman.

Once, cultural ties to Russia were deliberate and hopeful. Now, they're eroding

6:00am March 13, 2022

by Linda Holmes

Russia's growing isolation in the cultural world is poignant for those who remember optimistic outreach of the 80s and 90s.

Aunjanue Ellis, Mikayla Bartholomew, Will Smith, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton and Daniele Lawson in King Richard.

Arts

There should be an Oscar for playing a real person

6:00am March 13, 2022

by Stephen Thompson

Playing someone real is a completely different task than playing a fictional character.

The making of the 'Lucy and Desi' documentary

5:46pm March 12, 2022

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz about the new documentary "Lucy and Desi."

The marquee is seen at the world premiere of Disney and Pixar's "Turning Red" at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. on March 1.

Arts

'Turning Red' is a turning point for Asians in film. Why is it seen as unrelatable?

11:57am March 12, 2022

by Deepa Shivaram

A review of "Turning Red" posted online this week sparked outcry for calling the film, which features a Chinese Canadian teenage girl, "limiting."

Marlon Brando in the film The Godfather (1972). Producers worried that at 47 he was difficult, and past his prime, but he won (and then declined) an Oscar for Best Actor.

Arts

'The Godfather' bridged old and new Hollywood to save American moviegoing

9:50pm March 11, 2022

by Bob Mondello

On its 50th Anniversary, The Godfather is one of the most influential and respected films in Hollywood history. But that outcome didn't seem likely at its premiere.

Queue Listen Now

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

7:00pm March 11, 2022

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: BTS, Sandra Oh and meditations on humor.

National

Alec Baldwin argues he's not liable for Hutchins' death, in filing against producers

5:28pm March 11, 2022

by Laurel Wamsley

The arbitration demand provides the fullest accounting yet of the accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins from Baldwin's perspective.

In Turning Red, 13-year-old Mei Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang) "poofs" into a giant red panda whenever she gets too excited.

Arts

'Turning Red' confronts the messiness of adolescence with refreshing honesty

1:59pm March 11, 2022

by Justin Chang

In Pixar's new animated film, a Chinese Canadian girl awakens one morning to find that she's turned into an enormous panda. Turning Red provides a lot to look at — and a lot of ideas to grapple with.

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