Movies

Arts

'Weiner' Offers A Riveting, Close-Up View Of A Scandal In Progress

1:33pm May 27, 2016

by David Edelstein

In 2013, a documentary team followed former Congressman Anthony Weiner in his bid to become mayor of New York. When a scandal hit, the cameras kept rolling. Film critic David Edelstein reviews Weiner.

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Music & Culture

'Presenting Princess Shaw': The Unlikely Story Of Samantha Montgomery

6:59am May 27, 2016

by Eve Troeh

Samantha Montgomery is an elder-care worker in New Orleans who also writes and sings her own songs on YouTube. A composer in Israel spotted her and via social media, they began to work together.

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Katie Couric (right) and White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett, speaking, participate in a panel discussion following a May 16 screening of Couric's documentary Under the Gun at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington.

National

Manipulative Editing Reflects Poorly On Couric And Her Gun Documentary

8:11pm May 26, 2016

by David Folkenflik

In the film, Couric asks gun owners a question and is met with dumbstruck silence. That's not what happened in the interview. Instead, NPR's David Folkenflik says, it was a foolish directorial choice.

Alexander, a former kickboxing champ, came to the U.S. about 20 years ago to work as a stuntwoman. She has also worked with Marines and women in domestic violence shelters.

Arts

Kickboxing Director Lexi Alexander Uses Activism To Bust Out Of 'Movie Jail'

6:49pm May 26, 2016

by Neda Ulaby

After her 2008 movie, Punisher: War Zone, flopped, Alexander had a hard time getting new projects. She was in what's known as Hollywood's "movie jail," a common experience for female directors.

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Arts

Cult Survivor Documents 2 Decades Inside 'Holy Hell'

6:49pm May 26, 2016

Will Allen directed the documentary Holy Hell, which depicts his experience as a videographer and member of The Buddhafield cult. Allen used his own footage, as well as his interviews with other former members, to make this documentary.

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The Idol recounts the true-life story of Mohammed Assaf, winner of "Arab Idol".

Arts

In 'The Idol,' A Singer Faces More Than Just Harsh Judges

5:00pm May 26, 2016

by Mark Jenkins

Based on the real story of Mohammed Assaf's run on Arab Idol, the film follows a boy whose dreams as a singer eventually lead him into a tricky journey toward his big moment.

A scene from the movie Timbuktu, nominated in 2014 for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

Health & Safety

Dear Hollywood, This Is How You Make A Movie With African Characters

2:22pm May 25, 2016

by Bob Mondello

Sean Penn's new movie set in Africa got booed at Cannes. Critics said its African characters were "bleeding wallpaper." Here are 4 films that give African characters (and actors) their due.

Weiner is an inside look at the ups and downs of a fiery political figure.

Arts

'Weiner' Is An Intriguingly Nuanced Look At An Easy Punch Line

9:18am May 23, 2016

by Bob Mondello

Two years after he was caught texting crotch shots, former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner was back in the spotlight, running for mayor. A new documentary chronicles his scandal-plagued campaign.

Politics & Government

Beyond Scandalous Selfies: Documenting Anthony Weiner's Downfall

3:45am May 23, 2016

by NPR Staff

A new documentary shows the rise and fall of the former congressman with unimaginable access. Co-directors Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg explain how they got the story.

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Anthony Mackie On Portraying Martin Luther King Jr. In 'All The Way'

5:30pm May 21, 2016

All The Way is a drama from HBO that chronicles President Lyndon B. Johnson's struggle to pass the Civil Rights Act. Michel Martin speaks with Anthony Mackie, who portrays Martin Luther King Jr.