Movies

Forest Whitaker plays Jeronicus Jangle, the eccentric toy maker in David E. Talbert's new holiday musical on Netflix, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.

Arts

'Jingle Jangle' Director David E. Talbert Calls Film 'A Love Letter To My Childhood'

12:15am December 20, 2020

Talbert wanted to write a holiday movie that would not only inspire him but also his son, the way Willy Wonka or Mary Poppins sparked his imagination as a child.

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David Talbert Talks New Holiday Musical 'Jingle Jangle'

6:03pm December 19, 2020

NPR's Michel Martin talks with David E. Talbert, writer and director of the Netflix Christmas musical Jingle Jangle.

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A scene from 76 Days, a new documentary about frontline health workers and patients during Wuhan's lockdown.

A Doc About Wuhan's Lockdown Was 'Too Real' For My Wuhan-Born Dad. I'm Glad I Watched

7:00am December 19, 2020

by Laura Gao

The reviewer's father, who was born in Wuhan and lived there until he was 28, couldn't bear to keep watching. But she did — and was deeply moved by this new documentary film.

Chadwick Boseman's Last Movie, 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' Reviewed

3:49pm December 18, 2020

by Bob Mondello

August Wilson's award-winning play, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, about a recording session in 1927 Chicago, comes to the screen with Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman in his final role.

Arts

'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' Is A Parting Gift From Actor Chadwick Boseman

1:46pm December 18, 2020

by Justin Chang

Boseman died of cancer in 2020, not long after he finished shooting this adaptation of August Wilson's play. His final screen performance — as a troubled trumpet player — ranks among his best.

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A Sugar & Spice Holiday, starring Jacky Lai and Tony Giroux, is Lifetime's first Chinese American Christmas romantic comedy.

Arts

Holiday Rom-Coms Go Beyond Diversity To Center New Christmas Stars

1:03pm December 18, 2020

by Neda Ulaby

2020 has given us an unprecedented number of new Christmas movies centering on characters who used to be, at most, sidekicks in holiday fare.

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Chadwick Boseman as Levee, Colman Domingo as Cutler, Viola Davis as Ma Rainey, Michael Potts as Slow Drag, and Glynn Turman as Toledeo in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

Arts

Reclaiming Black Culture in 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'

5:00am December 18, 2020

by Aisha Harris

George C. Wolfe's adaptation of the classic August Wilson play features electrifying performances by Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman.

Arush Nand plays the young Arjie at his make-believe wedding in Funny Boy.

In 'Funny Boy,' A Young Sri Lankan Gay Man Comes Of Age As Ethnic Tensions Explode

7:49pm December 16, 2020

by Bilal Qureshi

Deepa Mehta's new film, Funny Boy, is Canada's Oscar submission. It's being distributed by Ava DuVernay's company and premieres on Netflix. It's based on the novel by Shyam Selvadurai.

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National

Difficulties Of Movie Production During The Pandemic

3:59pm December 16, 2020

by Andrew Limbong

Actor Tom Cruise was caught on tape admonishing the crew for breaking safety protocols on the set of Mission: Impossible 7. NPR discusses the difficulties of moviemaking during the pandemic.

Director Christopher Nolan (left) and actor John David Washington on the set of Tenet.

Arts

Christopher Nolan On 'Tenet' And Time, 'The Most Cinematic Of Subjects'

7:12pm December 15, 2020

by Ari Shapiro

The director, producer and writer discusses the making of Tenet, directing actors who are moving and talking forwards and backwards, and why he's drawn to exploring time in his films.

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