Movies

Oscars Get Political, As Acceptance Speeches Wade Into Social Issues

3:02pm February 23, 2015

by Mandalit del Barco

At the Academy Awards, many of the big winners were expected — but the ceremony drew energy from their speeches, which addressed a gamut of issues, from equal pay for women to immigration.

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Bradley Cooper stars in American Sniper, based on the life of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle.

Arts

'American Sniper' Exposes Unresolved Issues About The Iraq War

2:47pm February 23, 2015

by Elizabeth Blair

American Sniper, based on the life of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, has been a surprise hit at the box office. But as NPR's Elizabeth Blair reports, some say the movie misrepresents Kyle and glorifies war.

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Alejandro Gonzalez IÃ±Ã¡rittu (center) and the cast and crew of Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) accept the award for the best picture at the Academy Awards Sunday night in Los Angeles.

2015 Oscar For Best Picture Goes To 'Birdman'

2:14pm February 23, 2015

by Camila Domonoske

At the 87th annual Academy Awards, Julianne Moore won best actress for her work in Still Alice, and Eddie Redmayne won best actor for playing Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.

In "Road to Hell," Wild Tales' third story, Walter Donado plays a man who gets in a fight with a driver on an empty highway. The film opened last year in Argentina and is the country's highest-grossing movie ever.

Arts

1 Film, 6 Stories On The 'Pleasure Of Losing Control'

1:56pm February 23, 2015

by NPR Staff

Wild Tales includes six stories of people who are set off by things like road rage or infidelity. Then, says director Damián Szifron, "they cross the line that separates civilization from barbarism."

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Arts

The Oscars: What People Are Saying The Day After

1:16pm February 23, 2015

by Bill Chappell

From civil rights to immigration and health issues such as Alzheimer's and Lou Gehrig's diseases, advocacy was a big part of last night's show. Here's what people are saying about it Monday.

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'Birdman,' Julianne Moore, Eddie Redmayne Win Big Oscar Prizes

11:25am February 23, 2015

by Mandalit del Barco

Birdman was named best picture at the 87th Annual Academy Awards. Julianne Moore won best actress for her work in Still Alice, and Eddie Redmayne won best actor in The Theory of Everything.

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Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu accepts the Academy Award for best picture for Birdman.

Arts

'Birdman' Wins Big On A Soggy Night At The Oscars

9:53am February 23, 2015

by Linda Holmes

Sunday night's Oscars brought expected wins for actors like Julianne Moore and J.K. Simmons, and big awards for the quirky showbiz satire Birdman.

In Birdman, Michael Keaton plays both the actor Riggan Thomson, who is having an identity crisis, and his alter ego, Birdman, who badgers him because he gave up a lucrative Hollywood career for a play in an old Broadway theater.

Arts

From 'Batman' To 'Birdman,' Michael Keaton Knows Suits And Superheroes

8:59am February 23, 2015

Keaton says his 1989 bat suit was downright claustrophobic, but he somehow made it work. In the existential comedy Birdman, Keaton plays a washed-up, insecure actor looking for a second shot at fame.

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This year's Oscars will be given out at the 87th Academy Awards on Sunday night. At O'Brien's Pub in Santa Monica, Calif., pub trivia regulars — including many former game show champs — had their own competition, answering harder-than-average question

Arts

'I'll Take Insanely Hard Oscar Trivia For 400, Alex'

8:57am February 23, 2015

by Neda Ulaby

Can you name the longest title of a film nominated for best picture? Or most Oscar-nominated family? At O'Brien's Irish Pub in Santa Monica, the trivia night regulars are former game show champions.

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Chris Pine and Cheryl Boone Isaacs announce the film The Theory of Everything during the Best Picture category at the Oscar Nominations announcement on Jan. 15 in Beverly Hills, Calif.

National

'Birdman,' 'Grand Budapest Hotel,' With 9 Nominations Each, Lead Oscar Race

8:56am February 23, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

They were followed by The Imitation Game with eight Oscar nominations and American Sniper and Boyhood, with six each.