Movies

Rapayet (José Acosta) and Zaida (Natalia Reyes) perform a public dance in Birds of Passage.

An Indigenous Community Is Drawn Into The Drug Trade In 'Birds Of Passage'

2:44pm February 15, 2019

by Justin Chang

An epic new film by Colombian director Ciro Guerra taps into the family versus business tension captured in great American mob sagas like The Godfather and The Sopranos.

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Arts

Director Paul Schrader Tests His Faith In 'First Reformed'

2:44pm February 15, 2019

by Terry Gross

First Reformed, which Schrader wrote and directed, is up for an Oscar for best screenplay. It tells the story of a divorced minister experiencing a crisis of faith. Originally broadcast June 12, 2018.

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The Academy Awards will have four award categories not aired live in the broadcast this year, which is drawing criticism from members of the movie industry.

Arts

Academy Defends Decision Not To Present 4 Awards Live

5:10pm February 14, 2019

by Merrit Kennedy

Some Hollywood luminaries have criticized truncating the broadcast of awards for best cinematography, film editing, live action short, and makeup and hairstyling. Some parts will be shown later.

Jeremy Comte's live-action short film "Fauve" took home a Special Jury prize at Sundance. It's nominated now for an Oscar at the 91st Academy Awards.

Arts

More 2019 Short Film Oscar Nominees, Reviewed: Live-Action And Documentary

5:01pm February 14, 2019

by Andrew Lapin

Critic Andrew Lapin reviews the 10 short films nominated in the live-action and documentary categories this year, and offers his picks for both what will — and what should -- win.

Alita: Battle Angel leaves the Uncanny Valley behind to map the Uncanny Canyon. Eye-yi-yi.

Arts

Teenage Wasteland: 'Alita: Battle Angel' Doesn't Quite Earn Its Wings

5:01pm February 14, 2019

by Chris Klimek

Despite a surfeit of impressive talent behind and before the camera, and solid set-pieces, Robert Rodriguez's adaptation of a popular manga about a deadly teenage-ish robot feels thin, and dated.

Ki Joo-bong stars in Hotel By The River, the latest from South Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo.

Arts

In A 'Hotel By The River,' Guests Contemplate Love, Death And Art

5:00pm February 14, 2019

by Mark Jenkins

The latest from South Korean director Hong Sang-soo explores his usual theme of existential regret. The film's complex structure leads its characters to simple, if revealing, insights.

Aleta Dignard-Fung says she battled her ex-boyfriend for control of what music would play on her Spotify account.

When Your Shared Netflix Account Outlasts The Relationship

5:01am February 14, 2019

by Yuki Noguchi

Sharing of online streaming video and music passwords among sweethearts is a territorial marker, like wearing a boyfriend's sweater. But what happens to custody of the accounts when the love is gone?

Arts

Ken Jeong's Netflix Comedy Special Comes Out On Valentine's Day

5:56am February 13, 2019

You might know actor Ken Jeong from the movie The Hangover. NPR's David Greene talks to him about his new Netflix special, and how he went from being a medical doctor to a comedian and actor.

Glenn Close plays Joan, the titular wife in The Wife. The role has earned her an Academy Award nomination for best actress.

Arts

Well Before 'The Wife,' Glenn Close Was Ready For Her Close-Up

6:41pm February 12, 2019

by Audie Cornish

Her latest movie role earned her a nomination for the best actress Oscar. Ahead of the ceremony, she talks about facing the camera, her viral Golden Globes speech and her love of theater.

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In An Effort To Shorten Academy Awards Telecast, 4 Awards Won't Be Presented Live

5:06pm February 12, 2019

by Bob Mondello

In the interest of cutting the Academy Awards telecast down to three hours, awards in four categories will be presented during commercial breaks, and edited for inclusion later in the broadcast.

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