Movies 'Venus' Fresh Air January 19, 2007 • A review of the movie Venus, starring Peter O'Toole and Vanessa Redgrave. It was written by Hanif Kureishi, the writer of the films My Beautiful Laundrette and London Kills Me.
Culture Go Tough. Go Dance. Go 'Stomp the Yard' January 12, 2007 • The new movie Stomp the Yard is about a young man who leaves Los Angeles to go to a historically black college — and gets caught up in its step-dancing rivalries. Step has been a tradition in black fraternities and sororities for decades.
Culture 'The Painted Veil' and 'Miss Potter' Fresh Air January 5, 2007 • Film critic David Edelstein reviews The Painted Veil, from a novel by W. Somerset Maugham, and Miss Potter, about the life of the author and illustrator of Peter Rabbit.
Movies Mexican Directors Give Commentary, not Blockbuster December 30, 2006 • Mexico's top three filmmakers have had successful careers in Hollywood, but Bob Mondello says that their latest works Pan's Labyrinth, Children of Men and Babel are more social commentaries than Hollywood blockbusters.
Culture 'Pan's Labyrinth' Is Realer than Reality Itself December 29, 2006 • What Guillermo del Toro has accomplished in Pan's Labyrinth cannot easily be put into words. That's because the Mexican-born director is a master creator of images, atmosphere and mood.
Movies 'Painted Veil' a Portrait of Marriage Coming Unglued December 24, 2006 • The Painted Veil, a new film starring Edward Norton and Noami Watts, is based on W. Somerset Maugham's romantic epic. It was filmed exclusively in China -- the first time a major western picture has been allowed to do that in decades.
Culture Stallone, O'Toole Age Well in New Films December 21, 2006 • In Rocky Balboa and Venus, veteran film stars Sylvester Stallone and Peter O'Toole give spry performances as the durable boxer and an aging actor who becomes involved in the life of a young woman.
Culture 'Letters from Iwo Jima' Astonishes with Empathy December 20, 2006 • Clint Eastwood continues to astonish. His latest film, Letters from Iwo Jima parallels his recent Flags of Our Fathers, but it takes audiences to a place that would seem unimaginable for an American director.
Wrapping Up the Year 2006 with 'Fresh Air' The Year in Movies: The Best of 2006 Fresh Air December 19, 2006 • Film critic David Edelstein presents his top ten movies of 2006, and also discusses the best of the holiday options.
Culture The Year in Movies: The Best of 2006 December 19, 2006 • Film critic David Edelstein presents his top ten movies of 2006, and also discusses the best of the holiday options.
Culture 'Dreamgirls' Does Justice to a Cinematic Musical December 15, 2006 • Jennifer Hudson is among the main attractions in Bill Condon's strong film adaptation of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, opening in limited release Friday.
Culture Preston Sturges Collection Fresh Air December 15, 2006 • Critic at-large John Powers reviews Preston Sturges: The Filmmaker Collection, a new DVD set of classic 1940s Preston Sturges films. Titles include The Palm Beach Story, The Lady Eve and Christmas in July.
Culture 'Dreamgirls' Is a Triumph of Old School Glamour December 15, 2006 • Based loosely on the career of Diana Ross and the Supremes, Dreamgirls is alive with the sound of music. It's a love song two times over, a tribute to both a vibrant period of American popular music and the big-budget Hollywood musical.
Culture Reviews of 'Blood Diamond' and 'Apocalypto' Fresh Air December 8, 2006 • Film critic David Edelstein reviews two controversial new films. Blood Diamond has caused an uproar by suggesting that many gems in the marketplace are from places where their harvest causes violent social upheaval. Apocalypto has generated controversy because of its association with writer, director and producer Mel Gibson.
Culture 'Apocalypto' is Trademark Mel Gibson Gore December 8, 2006 • Who knows what violence lurks in the hearts of men? Mel Gibson knows. And like he did in The Passion of the Christ, Gibson just can't resist putting every last ounce of it on screen in Apocalypto.