Movies

In Which We Learn Michael Caine's Other Name

7:10am July 25, 2016

Airport security personnel often recognize Sir Michael Caine, just not the name on his passport — Maurice Micklewhite, his birth name. Tired of the confusion, he has legally adopted his stage name.

Wonder Woman display at Comic-Con International 2016 preview night on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California.

At 75, Wonder Woman Lassos In A New Generation With An Ageless Fight

7:55am July 24, 2016

by Petra Mayer

As the launch of the upcoming film coincides with the heroine's Comic-Con fandom, Wonder Woman appears to be hooking new fans for the same reasons she was birthed in 1941: justice, peace and feminism.

Books
Arts

Comic-Con Fans Continue The Epic Battle Between Science And Fiction

5:03pm July 23, 2016

by Glen Weldon

Fans of science fiction have long wrestled with the question of just how much science should be in their fiction. Advocates of different approaches met at San Diego's Comic-Con.

Tami Sagher (left), Gillian Jacobs, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Birbiglia, Chris Gethard and Kate Micucci star in Don't Think Twice, about a improv troupe called The Commune.

Arts

How Mike Birbiglia Applies 'Yes, And ...' To Improv And Beyond

5:32am July 23, 2016

by Elizabeth Blair

Birbiglia's new film follows a fictional New York improv troupe. Don't Think Twice explores the tension between personal ambition and being an "endlessly generous" team player.

Arts

'Star Trek Beyond' Director Recalls Classic Show's 'Sense Of Family'

4:32pm July 22, 2016

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to director Justin Lin about leading the third installment of the Star Trek reboot, directing popular movie series, and the growing importance of international movie markets.

Arts

What Happens When You Ask Celebrities What They're Wearing ... In Klingon?

4:00pm July 22, 2016

by Glen Weldon

Glen Weldon was with NPR's Nina Gregory when she asked some of the stars of the new film on the red carpet a standard question in a non-standard way.

Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones), Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) and Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon) are the Ghostbusters.

Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'Ghostbusters' And 'Mr. Robot'

2:07pm July 22, 2016

by Linda Holmes

On this week's show, we bust some ghosts — well, we don't, but we watch those who do — and we address the beginning of the second season of USA's Emmy-nominated conspiracy thriller.

Queue Listen Now

Arts

'Star Trek Beyond' Is An Unapologetically Wild Ride, Steeped In Human Drama

2:02pm July 22, 2016

by David Edelstein

The Enterprise has been destroyed and its inhabitants have been thrown to the winds in the latest of the Star Trek series. Critic David Edelstein calls it a well-made action-adventure film.

Queue Listen Now

Arts

Turns Out, Fighting Fat Shaming And Racist Trolls Is Also A Ghostbuster's Job

2:00pm July 22, 2016

by Tanya Ballard Brown

Ghostbusters star Leslie Jones quit Twitter this week after getting her fill of racist and sexist trolls. But, as the saying goes, every goodbye is not gone.

Anton Yelchin and Chris Pine in Star Trek: Beyond.

Arts

Bigger Budgets Boost 'Star Trek: Beyond,' But Small Screens Might Work Better

11:00am July 22, 2016

by Chris Klimek

Chris Klimek says the fancy effects and swooping camera work of the new Star Trek film are fun to watch, but the story's civilization-seeking imperatives might still be better served by TV.