Movies

Patima Tungpuchayakul (right), a Thai abolitionist, with members of her team on a trip to free enslaved fishermen.

This Fearless Woman Is Fighting To Keep Slavery Out Of Your Seafood

6:54pm July 15, 2019

by Samuel Fromartz

Ghost Fleet, a gripping new documentary about modern-day slaves in the global fishing industry, follows Patima Tungpuchayakul, a Thai woman who's devoted her life to freeing men from forced labor.

"Sometimes I just want to hide in my island home back in Hawaii and keep things simple," says surfer Bethany Hamilton. But she believes her story can be an example of "inspiration and hope" for young people.

Sports
Arts

For Bethany Hamilton, Surfing Is 'An Escape From All The Chaos On Land'

9:09am July 14, 2019

by Lulu Garcia-Navarro

Hamilton was 13 years old when she lost her arm to a shark while surfing in Hawaii. She went on to surf some of the biggest waves in the world. Hamilton tells her story in the documentary Unstoppable.

In The Farewell, Billi (Awkwafina, left) returns to China to spend time with her grandmother — who doesn't know she is dying thanks to an elaborate ruse.

Arts

In 'The Farewell,' The Bad News Bearers Keep A Secret

5:26pm July 13, 2019

by Michel Martin

Everyone in Lulu Wang's family knew her grandmother was dying — except her grandmother. Her new film about that episode stars Awkwafina in a surprisingly funny feature about terminal cancer.

The Art of Self-Defense is both scathing cultural commentary and dark comedy. The script is "the funniest thing I've ever read," says star Jesse Eisenberg.

Arts

Jesse Eisenberg's 'Art Of Self-Defense' Is No Motivational Sports Montage

6:14am July 12, 2019

Eisenberg stars as a stunted young man who seeks out martial arts lessons in Riley Stearns' dark comedy about toxic masculinity. And you won't find him running the steps of Philadelphia's art museum.

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Somebody's Uber rating is taking a hit. L to R: Vic (Dave Bautista), Stroker (Pico) and Stu (Kumail Nanjiani) in Stuber.

Arts

Collateral, Damaged: 'Stuber' Is A Tired Retread

5:00pm July 11, 2019

by Chris Klimek

The latest summer action-comedy to attempt to satirize summer action-comedies by upping the violence, Stuber wastes its two charismatic leads in an unfunny riff on 2004's Collateral.

Misery loves company in Ray & Liz, a semi-autobiographical drama about a working-class British family from photographer Richard Billingham.

Arts

'Ray & Liz' Is A 'Melancholic And Unsparing' Portrait Of A Household At Society's Edge

5:00pm July 11, 2019

by Andrew Lapin

Richard Billingham documented his parents' neglect and abuse in previous documentary projects. His first narrative film captures their brutality even as it affords them some measure of dignity.

L to R: Mary (Michaela Watkins), Cynthia (Jillian Bell), Nathaniel (Jon Bass) and Mel (Marc Maron) get taken to a second location in Sword of Trust.

Arts

In 'Sword Of Trust,' A Questionable Antique, An Unquestionable Cast

4:28pm July 11, 2019

by Bob Mondello

Director Lynn Shelton and writer Mike O'Brien constructed an outline and got a cast of great comics to improvise the details in this agreeably loose comedy about an antique sword.

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When her grandmother is diagnosed with a terminal illness, Billi (played by Awkwafina, center) reluctantly agrees to go along with her family's plan to pay respects to their matriarch — without letting her know she is dying.

Arts

Lots Of Love And One Big Lie — 'The Farewell' Reminds Us Time Is Short

1:43pm July 11, 2019

by Justin Chang

Awkwafina stars in Lulu Wang's funny ensemble drama about a Chinese American family and their elaborate ruse to pay respects to their matriarch — without ever letting on she has a terminal illness.

Halle Bailey will star in the live-action remake of the 1989 blockbuster The Little Mermaid.

Arts

Disney Cable Channel Defends Casting Black Actress As New 'Little Mermaid'

6:41pm July 09, 2019

Certain circles of the Internet are aghast that the ingenue — actress and singer Halle Bailey — is African American. "Spoiler alert ... the character of Ariel is a work of fiction," Disney said.

In Phil, Greg Kinnear plays the title character, a dentist fixated on a former patient who killed himself. It is also his debut as a director.

Arts

Greg Kinnear's 'Phil' Is Depressed, And Then Obsessed

7:36pm July 05, 2019

by Audie Cornish

The actor plays a dentist fixated on learning why a patient with a seemingly perfect life killed himself. For Kinnear, who is making his debut as a director, it was a "life-affirming" screenplay.

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