NPR Topics: MoviesNPR Movies podcast, movie reviews, and commentary on new and classic films. Interviews with filmmakers, actors, and actresses.'Henry Poole,' Learning To Love His Neighbors- August 14, 2008 The Luke Wilson vehicle is a parable of averted martyrdom that turns on a Roman Catholic notion of the miraculous — though its fundamental message is closer to a Hallmark card than to the New Testament.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93523925&ft=1&f=1045 'Girl Cut in Two': An Old Scandal, Stylishly Redressed- August 14, 2008 There are ominous goings-on, yes — a murder, even — but mostly what gets slashed in Claude Chabrol's wittily accomplished new black comedy are bourgeois facades and upright reputations.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93523977&ft=1&f=1045 A Helen Thomas White House- August 14, 2008 As part of the Washington Press Corps, Helen Thomas has spent 60 years asking presidents tough questions. Rory Kennedy talks about her documentary, which chronicles the journalist's career.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93597393&ft=1&f=1045 Summer Movies: Going Nuclear- August 14, 2008 When movies went nuclear they took us through every genre, every apocalypse and every nightmare scenario that made us duck and cover. Continuing of our summer movies series, we look at nuke flicks.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93597387&ft=1&f=1045 A Filmmaker's Excruciating Return To Adolescence- August 14, 2008 One of the worst fears of adolescents everywhere is throwing a party that no one attends. This actually happened to director Paul Weiland, who was left alone at his Bar Mitzvah because of the 1966 World Cup. Now, Weiland recreates his embarrassment for the amusement of others in his new movie, Sixty Six.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93589825&ft=1&f=1045 Ben Stiller: Early Role Spawned 'Tropic Thunder'- August 13, 2008 It's a movie about making a (bad) movie: Actor-director Ben Stiller says he first got the idea for Tropic Thunder back in 1987. Now, the big-budget behind-the-scenes spoof is stirring up a real-world controversy.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93555903&ft=1&f=1045 'Tropic Thunder': A Category 2 Comedy Disaster- August 13, 2008 A Hollywood parody of the Scary Movie variety, Tropic Thunder becomes the butt of its own joke. Bombastic actors satirically play bombastic actors — without much effect, says critic Cynthia Fuchs. Ooh, how meta.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93523961&ft=1&f=1045 Disabled Group Calls For 'Tropic Thunder' Boycott- August 12, 2008 In the new comedy Tropic Thunder, Ben Stiller plays an action movie star who once played a mentally disabled character. The actors use the word "retard" more than a dozen times. Timothy Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics, says the word's use leads to suffering, injustice and exclusion.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93540773&ft=1&f=1045 Indie Filmmakers: 'Chicken Little Was Right'- August 12, 2008 In the art-house movie biz, the sky really is falling, observers say. Studios are folding. The survivors are releasing fewer movies. Even film-festival favorites are finding it hard to find distribution deals.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93387259&ft=1&f=1045 Is Ben Stiller A 'Tropic' Blunder- August 12, 2008 In Tropic Thunder, Ben Stiller portrays a movie star who potrays a cognitively disabled character. Stiller plays the part for laughs, but some are put off by the use of the word "retard."http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93531103&ft=1&f=1045 |