Culture 'Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress' July 31, 2005 • The French-language film Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress is based on an autobiographical novel by Dai Sijie. The book was published all over the world, though not in the author's native China. Now he's adapted it as a screenplay, and directed the movie, too.
Culture 'Elevator to the Gallows' July 29, 2005 • Film critic Kenneth Turan, takes a look at the restoration of the iconic French film, Elevator to the Gallows. Made in 1957, it is a melding of French cinematography and American music that Turan is thrilled to see in theaters.
Documenting the 'March of the Penguins' Fresh Air July 29, 2005 • March of the Penguins is a stunning and endearing documentary about a year in the life of an Emperor penguin flock in Antarctica. Morgan Freeman narrates.
Culture Crashes Crush Coherent Story on 'The Island' July 22, 2005 • A summer movie season is hardly complete without a popcorn epic by Michael Bay (Pearl Harbor, Armageddon.) Bay's latest, The Island, has a scifi premise rooted in fear of genetic engineering.
Culture Gritty, Heartwarming 'Hustle & Flow' Fresh Air July 22, 2005 • A Memphis pimp with a midlife crisis tries to make it as a rapper in Hustle & Flow, a film featuring the prodigious acting talents of Terrence Howard. He spent nearly two years researching a role that he initially did not want to accept.
Movies 'Happy Endings' Weaves Ten Tales July 15, 2005 • Don Roos, the director of The Opposite of Sex, directs a film with 10 stories and intertwining characters. Happy Endings stars Lisa Kudrow, Laura Dern, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Ritter and others.
Culture 'Wedding Crashers' Likely to Win Hearts Fresh Air July 15, 2005 • Wedding Crashers stars Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson as two divorce mediators spending their spare time pursuing women at weddings. The comedy features what the reviewer describes as "crackerjack timing" by the co-stars.
Culture 'Murderball' Offers Raw Look at Life in a Wheelchair July 9, 2005 • NPR's Bob Mondello reviews Murderball, a new documentary about the U.S. Paralympic Rugby team. The film offers a honest and raw look at the fierce -- and inspiring -- group of disabled competitors.
Culture 'Cronicas' Sets a Thriller in Ecuador July 8, 2005 • In the new film Cronicas, a Miami reporter travels to a small Ecuadorian village to cover a series of brutal murders and get the biggest story of his career. He's tracking a possible serial killer dubbed the Monster of Babahoyo.
Culture Bergman Makes Welcome Return with 'Saraband' July 8, 2005 • Film critic Kenneth Turan reviews what Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman's calls his final movie, Saraband. The film features a divorced couple from one of his earlier works.
Culture Slate's Summary Judgment: 'War of the Worlds,' 'Rebound,' 'The World' July 1, 2005 • Is the latest Steven Spielberg epic worth your movie dollar this weekend? Slate senior editor Andy Bowers looks at what film critics are saying about the week's new movies, including War of the Worlds, Rebound and The World.
Culture 'War of the Worlds' Vies for Blockbuster Title June 29, 2005 • Steven Spielberg directs Tom Cruise in an adaptation of the 1898 H.G. Wells novel War of the Worlds. The movie has all the qualities of a summer thrill-ride, with a rush of surprises and special effects.
Culture A Brave New 'War of the Worlds' Fresh Air June 29, 2005 • Film critic David Edelstein reviews War of the Worlds, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise. Edelstein calls the movie "a masterpiece," combining momentous special effects with a subtle depiction of the human struggle.
Culture Spielberg Takes Cruise into 'War of the Worlds' June 29, 2005 • Steven Spielberg takes a new crack at the classic H.G. Wells novel War of the Worlds. Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins and the talented child star Dakota Fanning lead the cast. The film emphasizes the power of evil and highlights the volatile nature of human fear.
Movies A Social Tapestry on Film, in Verse: 'Yes' June 24, 2005 • The new movie Yes was directed by Sally Potter, who also wrote it -- entirely in iambic pentameter. Bob Mondello says it's about love -- and politics, class, race and religion. Potter was previously best known for Orlando, another challenging film.