Movies

Gene Wilder Dies From Complications Of Alzheimer's At Age 83

8:07am August 30, 2016

by Bob Mondello

Wilder played neurotic, funny and emotional characters in some of the classic movies of the 1960s, 70s and 80s — including The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and Silver Streak.

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Actor Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory in 1971. Wilder died Monday at 83.

Gene Wilder, Star Of 'Willy Wonka' And 'Young Frankenstein,' Dies

8:09pm August 29, 2016

by Glen Weldon

The actor and writer who brought his signature manic energy to comedy classics died at his home in Stamford, Conn., of complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 83.

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Gene Wilder's Nephew Remembers Late Actor Who Starred In 'Willy Wonka'

7:36pm August 29, 2016

NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Jordan Walker-Pearlman, the nephew of Gene Wilder, who died Monday at 83. Wilder is best known for his roles in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and The Producers.

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Arts

Tom Hanks Says Self-Doubt Is 'A High-Wire Act That We All Walk'

1:29pm August 29, 2016

"No matter what we've done, there comes a point where you think, ... 'When are they going to discover that I am, in fact, a fraud?' " Hanks says. Originally broadcast April 26, 2016.

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'Southside With You': Meet The Actors Who Portray Barack And Michelle Obama

10:12pm August 27, 2016

by NPR Staff

The romantic comedy opened in theaters Friday and is loosely based on President Obama's first date with Michelle Robinson when they were in their 20s, working at the same Chicago law firm.

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Arts

Rachel Weisz Plays With Identity In 'Complete Unknown'

8:44am August 27, 2016

Rachel Weisz plays a woman who reinvents herself through the years in her new movie "Complete Unknown." NPR's Scott Simon talks to her about the film.

Tika Sumpter and Parker Sawyers in Southside With You.

Arts

The First Couple's First Date Charms In 'Southside With You'

7:03pm August 26, 2016

by Bob Mondello

A Chicago couple go on a first-date-that's-not-a-date in 1989 in Southside With You. Her name is Michelle. His is Barack.

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Arts

'Southside With You' Has Us Asking: Where Is The Love In Black Movies?

7:01pm August 26, 2016

by Leah Donnella

The movie Southside with You is opening in theaters. The film follows Michelle and Barack Obama's very first date, and shows something we don't get too see too often in film: black romance.

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Arts

When Barack Met Michelle: 'Southside With You' Recreates The Obamas' First Date

4:12pm August 26, 2016

by David Edelstein

Richard Tanne's new film is a dramatization of Barack and Michelle Obama's first date in 1989. Critic David Edelstein says the movie's mix of politics and romance has a "naive kind of charm."

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Director Nate Parker, actors Armie Hammer, Penelope Ann Miller, and Chike Okonkwo discuss 'The Birth of a Nation' at the Deadline.com panel at The Samsung Studio during The Sundance Festival 2016.

More On Nate Parker And 'Birth Of A Nation': Join Our Twitter Chat, 2PM EST

12:06pm August 26, 2016

by Leah Donnella

On this week's podcast, we dug into rape allegations filed 17 years ago against the highly lauded black actor and director. Join Gene Demby and the Code Switch team to continue the conversation.