Movies: Movie Reviews and Commentary on New and Classic Films : NPR

Words You'll Hear

Spooky Sounds To Leave Your Ears Trembling

October 30, 2016 • With Halloween around the corner, we asked Peter Brown, sound editor behind the movie Paranormal Activity to share his secret behind scary sound effects.

Spooky Sounds To Leave Your Ears Trembling

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Director Werner Herzog: 'You Can Throw Anything At Me'

For his latest documentary, Into the Inferno, filmmaker Werner Herzog traveled to volcanoes around the world, including this one in Vanuatu. Andrew Hreha/Netflix hide caption

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Andrew Hreha/Netflix

My Big Break

Director Werner Herzog: 'You Can Throw Anything At Me'

October 30, 2016 • Filmmaker Werner Herzog says the biggest career break he can think of is that his drive to make movies has never been broken, despite many difficulties over the course of his career.

Director Werner Herzog: 'You Can Throw Anything At Me'

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We've Got A New Horror Genre To Add To Your Halloween Movie Binge: Brains!

October 30, 2016 • Halloween movies usually revolve around monsters and vampires. But this year, author and critic Colin Fleming introduces NPR's Rachel Martin to an old horror genre, movies about demonic brains.

We've Got A New Horror Genre To Add To Your Halloween Movie Binge: Brains!

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Movie Interviews

Action Film Director Park Chan-Wook Transports Erotic 'Handmaiden' To 1930s Korea

October 30, 2016 • The new lesbian romance thriller is a big change from the novel it's based on — 2002's "Fingersmith" set in Victorian England. It's also a change of pace for the acclaimed South Korean director.

Action Film Director Park Chan-Wook Transports Erotic 'Handmaiden' To 1930s Korea

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Review

Movie Reviews

Lush And Romantic 'Handmaiden' Is The Year's Most Irresistible Love Story

Fresh Air

October 28, 2016 • Though he's known for making quasi-horror films, director Park Chan-wook's latest movie is a melodrama set in 1930s Korea. Critic David Edelstein says The Handmaiden is fun and full of twists.

Lush And Romantic 'Handmaiden' Is The Year's Most Irresistible Love Story

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'Inferno' Stokes The Embers Of A Dying Franchise

Tom Hanks and Felicity Jones star in Inferno, a film based on the book by Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code. Sony Pictures Entertainment hide caption

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Sony Pictures Entertainment

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Movie Reviews

'Inferno' Stokes The Embers Of A Dying Franchise

October 27, 2016 • After three adaptations, including The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, the lively heresies of Dan Brown's bestselling thrillers have sunk into timid incoherence.

'Gimme Danger': Finding Cool On The Brink Of Catastrophe

"We weren't like the other bands," says The Stooges drummer Scott Asheton in the music documentary Gimme Danger. Danny Fields/Courtesy of Amazon Studios/Magnolia Pictures hide caption

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Danny Fields/Courtesy of Amazon Studios/Magnolia Pictures

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Movie Reviews

'Gimme Danger': Finding Cool On The Brink Of Catastrophe

October 27, 2016 • In Jim Jarmusch's jagged documentary, Iggy Pop reflects on the necessary recklessness that made The Stooges punk legends.

We've Seen This Election Before, In Classic Movies

Andy Griffith as a pre-reality TV star turned populist in A Face in the Crowd. Courtesy of The Kobal Collection / Warner Bros hide caption

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Courtesy of The Kobal Collection / Warner Bros

We've Seen This Election Before, In Classic Movies

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Games & Humor

Mark Twain Prize: Bill Murray Accepts Nation's Top Humor Award

October 24, 2016 • Bill Murray received the 2016 Mark Twain Prize Sunday evening at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He was gently roasted by friends and fellow comics, and he was droll and deadpan and heartfelt.

Mark Twain Prize: Bill Murray Accepts Nation's Top Humor Award

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Movie Interviews

In 'Fire At Sea,' Glimpse The Migrant Crisis From The Heart Of Mediterranean

October 23, 2016 • Filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi talks about his documentary Fire at Sea. The film tells the story of the ongoing migrant crisis as experienced by residents of Lampedusa, an island off the coast of Sicily.

In 'Fire At Sea,' Glimpse The Migrant Crisis From The Heart Of Mediterranean

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'Moonlight': A Film About A Black Man's Coming-Of-Age In South Florida

October 21, 2016 • NPR's Kelly McEvers talks to actor Mahershala Ali about the complex and nuanced ways his characters exemplify black masculinity - particularly in the new film, 'Moonlight.'

'Moonlight': A Film About A Black Man's Coming-Of-Age In South Florida

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Movie Reviews

'Moonlight': A Cinematic Poem Of Love, Loneliness And Coming Out

October 21, 2016 • The most rewarding coming-of-age film in many a moon, lyrically luminous Moonlight is the story of a gay African-American youngster in Miami who experiences trouble, trauma and unexpected grace.

'Moonlight': A Cinematic Poem Of Love, Loneliness And Coming Out

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Movie Reviews

'13th' Maps The Road From Slavery To Mass Incarceration

Fresh Air

October 21, 2016 • Ava DuVernay's new film takes its name from the amendment that abolished slavery, but allowed for prisoner servitude. Critic John Powers says 13th puts forth a searing interpretation of U.S. history.

'13th' Maps The Road From Slavery To Mass Incarceration

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Movie Interviews

To Make 'Hate Rising,' Jorge Ramos Spent Time With Hate Groups

October 21, 2016 • Renee Montagne talks to Univision anchor Jorge Ramos, who traveled the country to make his film Hate Rising — meeting with KKK members and white nationalists and others.

To Make 'Hate Rising,' Jorge Ramos Spent Time With Hate Groups

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A Melancholy Youth Finds Himself Under The Heavenly Glow Of 'Moonlight'

Ashton Sanders in Moonlight, a film directed by Barry Jenkins. David Bornfriend/Courtesy of A24 hide caption

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David Bornfriend/Courtesy of A24

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Movie Reviews

A Melancholy Youth Finds Himself Under The Heavenly Glow Of 'Moonlight'

October 20, 2016 • In Barry Jenkins' incandescent coming-of-age tale, three different actors cover three phases in the life of an African-American who takes a wayward path into manhood.