Movies

Arts

Sci-Fi Saga 'Arrival' Asks: Can Humans Learn To Speak The Language Of Aliens?

1:44pm November 11, 2016

by David Edelstein

Amy Adams plays a professor tasked with talking to eight-tentacled aliens in Denis Villeneuve's new film. Critic David Edelstein says Arrival is a strange and tantalizing puzzle.

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Caught Without A Babel Fish: Amy Adams plays a linguist tasked with speaking fluent Alien in Denis Villaneuve's Arrival.

Arts

'Arrival' Is Smart, Stylish Sci-Fi About Language, Not Laser Beams

5:00pm November 10, 2016

by Andrew Lapin

Amy Adams plays a linguist recruited to translate the language of mysterious alien visitors in a twisty, sophisticated sci-fi thriller from director Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Sicario).

Zoe Kazan stars in The Monster, a horror movie written and directed by Bryan Bertino.

Arts

'The Monster:' A Mother, A Daughter And A Great Big Thing That Goes Bump In The Night

5:00pm November 10, 2016

by Mark Jenkins

Trapped in a car in the woods, Lizzy (Ella Ballentine) and her mother (Zoe Kazan) encounter a mysterious creature in a horror movie beset by a leaden script, slow pacing and a disappointing reveal.

Arts

Paul Verhoeven's 'Elle' Is A Brutal, Elegant, Pitch-Black Comedy

5:00pm November 10, 2016

by Ella Taylor

Director Verhoeven gleefully courts controversy with this bitterly sardonic film about the aftermath of a woman's violent rape.

Sisters Rachel (Gabrielle Union) and Cheryl (Kimberly Elise) in Almost Christmas.

Arts

'Almost Christmas,' But Far From Original

5:00pm November 10, 2016

by Scott Tobias

A by-the-numbers holiday film in which a soulful performance from Danny Glover fails to buoy the proceedings above familiar family squabbles that get dutifully, and too-tidily, resolved.

Alex (Aaron Costa Ganis) and Dean (Lucas Near-Verbrugghe) in Lazy Eye.

Arts

In 'Lazy Eye,' A Romance With An Old Flame, Rekindled

5:00pm November 10, 2016

by Chris Klimek

Two men reconnect 15 years after a painful breakup in writer/director Tim Kirkman's talky romantic drama.

Arts

Feminist Western 'Certain Women' Takes On Friendship And Stoicism

3:53pm November 08, 2016

by John Powers

Kelly Reichardt presents the interlocking lives of several Montana women in her new film, Certain Women. Critic John Powers calls it a work of "quiet restraint and unhurried rhythm."

Science
Arts

Astrophysicist Takes Deep Dive Into The Science Of 'Doctor Strange'

6:40pm November 07, 2016

by Adam Frank

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to astrophysicist Adam Frank about his role as physics and philosophy adviser on Marvel's newest movie, Doctor Strange, which opened last Friday.

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Encore: Renee Montagne Looks Back On Her Interview With Mel Brooks

4:22pm November 07, 2016

As Renee Montagne begins her final week hosting Morning Edition, we'll listen to some of her favorite interviews, including one with comedian Mel Brooks. This piece originally aired on Jan. 23, 2015.

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Arts

In 'Hacksaw Ridge,' A War Hero Changes Attitudes About Conscientious Objectors

4:20pm November 07, 2016

by Bob Mondello

NPR movie critic Bob Mondello reviews Hacksaw Ridge, a film about a World War II hero who changed American attitudes about conscientious objectors.