Movies Mix of Movies at Cannes Festival Fresh Air May 24, 2005 • It has been an eventful 11 days in Cannes, France, where the annual Cannes Film Festival wrapped up over the weekend. One surprise was first-time director Tommy Lee Jones, whose The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada won him top honors as best actor. The festival also included early showings of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
Movies Highlights of 58th Cannes Film Festival May 20, 2005 • L.A Times critic Kenneth Turan talks about notable films at the 58th Cannes Film Festival -- including Woody Allen's first feature filmed outside New York City. But Turan notes that despite the quality of this year's offerings, no one movie is causing a stir.
'Star Wars' Comes Full Circle Slate's Summary Judgment: 'Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist,' 'Revenge of the Sith' May 20, 2005 • Writer Mark Jordan Legan presents a roundup of what critics are saying about the weekend's film releases. This week, he examines Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist and the long-anticipated Stars Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
Movies Buzz Movies at the Cannes Film Festival May 20, 2005 • Alex Chadwick speaks with Liam Lacey, film critic for the Toronto newspaper Globe and Mail, about the films creating buzz at this year's Cannes Film Festival in the south of France.
'Star Wars' Comes Full Circle 'Star Wars' Ends With 'The Sith' Fresh Air May 19, 2005 • Film critic David Edelstein reviews Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, the sixth and final Star Wars film.
'Star Wars' Comes Full Circle 'Revenge of the Sith': The Power of the Dark Side May 18, 2005 • Has the power of the dark side been underestimated? Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan reviews Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, the final chapter of the Star Wars series. He says it's easily the best of the trio of Star Wars prequels.
'Star Wars' Comes Full Circle 'Sith' an Uneven Walk Down the Dark Side May 18, 2005 • Fabulous special effects have been George Lucas' calling card since the first Star Wars in 1977. He closes his saga with an engaging tale of Anakin Skywalker's route from fair-haired moppet to ultimate black-clad bad guy.
Culture 'Layer Cake' a Crime Thriller May 13, 2005 • NPR's Bob Mondello reviews the new British crime thriller, "Layer Cake." The film was directed by Matthew Vaughn. It stars Daniel Craig and Michael Gambon. The tricky noir plot is about a drug dealer planning to retire after one last errand for his boss.
Movies 'Mad Hot Ballroom' Dances into Audience's Heart May 13, 2005 • Some fourth and fifth graders in New York City are the stars of the new movie Mad Hot Ballroom. Los Angeles Times movie critic Kenneth Turan says these kids will fox trot, merengue, rumba, tango and swing their way into your heart.
Culture Arnaud Desplechin's 'Kings & Queen' Fresh Air May 13, 2005 • Film critic David Edelstein reviews the new French film Kings & Queen, directed by Arnaud Desplechin.
Culture 'Heaven' Stars Scott's Gift for the Visual May 6, 2005 • Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan reviews Kingdom of Heaven. Gladiator director Ridley Scott's take on the Crusades features actor Orlando Bloom as a young blacksmith who saves the people of Jerusalem.
Culture Film 'Crash' Explores Racial Divisions Fresh Air May 6, 2005 • Film critic David Edelstein reviews Crash, a new film by writer-director Paul Haggis. The movie's ensemble cast includes Brendan Fraser, Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Thandie Newton and hip-hop artist Ludacris.
Culture An Inside Look at Enron April 29, 2005 • Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan reviews Alex Gibney's award-winning documentary, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room. Gibney adapted a book that chronicles the fantastic rise and demise of the company that was engulfed in scandal when its outrageous accounting practices were exposed.
Culture Slate's Summary Judgment: 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,' 'XXX,' 'Ladies in Lavender' April 29, 2005 • Slate contributor Mark Jordan Legan looks at what movie critics are saying about this weekend's major movie releases, including The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, XXX: State of the Union and Ladies in Lavender.
Movies David Bianculli on 'The Hitchhiker's Guide' Fresh Air April 29, 2005 • David Bianculli, usually Fresh Air's small-screen critic, takes a look at the long-awaited big screen adaptation of Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.