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Movies: Movie Reviews and Commentary on New and Classic Films NPR Movies podcast, movie reviews, and commentary on new and classic films. Interviews with filmmakers, actors, and actresses.

Movies

Monday

Review

Movie Reviews

'Mosul' Offers A Look At Lives Of Iraqis Who Live On Front Lines Of War With ISIS

Netflix's Mosul is a scripted film centered on the fight by an Iraqi SWAT team against ISIS. It was produced by Anthony and Joe Russo, directors of the last two Avengers movies.

'Mosul' Offers A Look At Lives Of Iraqis Who Live On Front Lines Of War With ISIS

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Sunday

David Prowse, Actor Behind Darth Vader, Dies At 85

British actor David Prowse, who played Darth Vader in the first Star Wars trilogy, poses with a fan dressed in a Darth Vader costume during a Star Wars convention on April 27, 2013. On Sunday morning, Prowse's management company shared the news of his death at age 85. Thierry Zoccolan/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Thierry Zoccolan/AFP via Getty Images

Obituaries

David Prowse, Actor Behind Darth Vader, Dies At 85

Audiences heard James Earl Jones' voice as the iconic Star Wars villain, but it was Prowse behind Darth Vader's mask.

Saturday

Movie Interviews

Mary Steenburgen Discusses True Love And Holiday Cheer On 'Happiest Season'

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with actor Mary Steenburgen about her new holiday movie, Happiest Season.

Mary Steenburgen Discusses True Love And Holiday Cheer On 'Happiest Season'

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Friday

'Happiest Season' Is A Holiday Family Romcom With A Very Merry Cast

The big family in The Happiest Season includes Burl Moseley, Alison Brie, Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Mary Holland, Victor Garber and Mary Steenburgen. (Whew!) Hulu hide caption

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Hulu

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Happiest Season' Is A Holiday Family Romcom With A Very Merry Cast

Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis play Abby and Harper, a couple headed home to Abby's parents' house for Christmas. Dan Levy, Victor Garber and Aubrey Plaza are among the terrific supporting cast.

Thursday

Review

Movie Reviews

Holiday Film Preview: What To Watch Now And What To Expect Next Year

NPR offers an expanded holiday film preview to cover the movies that have had their releases delayed into January and February 2021.

Holiday Film Preview: What To Watch Now And What To Expect Next Year

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Wednesday

Twenty Years Later, Is 'The Emperor's New Groove'... A Classic?
Angela Hsieh/NPR

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Twenty Years Later, Is 'The Emperor's New Groove'... A Classic?

The Emperor's New Groove came out 20 years ago, during a time when Disney's animation department was going through an identity crisis. The plot is simple: David Spade is a bratty emperor. Eartha Kitt and Patrick Warburton turn him into a llama. And John Goodman is the peasant who helps make things right. It was originally gonna be an epic musical, but then it became a comedy, a box-office disappointment, and now, we would argue, a beloved classic.

Twenty Years Later, Is 'The Emperor's New Groove'... A Classic?

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Tuesday

How To Watch Classic Holiday Movies And Get Paid For It

Reviews.org wants a chief holiday cheermeister, who will watch 25 holiday films in 25 days and fill out a survey after each movie. The pay is $2,500 and a subscription to seven streaming services.

How To Watch Classic Holiday Movies And Get Paid For It

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Does 'Hillbilly Elegy' Really Have Something To Say?

Glenn Close and Amy Adams star in the film adaptation of the 2016 book Hillbilly Elegy. Lacey Terrell/Netflix hide caption

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Lacey Terrell/Netflix

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Does 'Hillbilly Elegy' Really Have Something To Say?

The book Hillbilly Elegy was a phenomenon in 2016. Writer J.D. Vance wrote about growing up in Ohio and Kentucky, and about his family's struggles with addiction, abuse and poverty. He tried to both explain and critique the white Appalachian experience, to profoundly mixed reviews. Now, a film adaptation on Netflix sticks mostly to the dramatic elements of Vance's story, from his mother's battles with addiction to his path to law school. It's directed by Ron Howard and stars Glenn Close and Amy Adams.

Does 'Hillbilly Elegy' Really Have Something To Say?

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Monday

Review

Movie Reviews

In 'Sound Of Metal,' A Man Whose Life Revolves Around Music Faces World Of Silence

The movie Sound of Metal, starring actor and rapper Riz Ahmed, tells the story of a drummer whose sudden hearing loss changes more than just his career.

In 'Sound Of Metal,' A Man Whose Life Revolves Around Music Faces World Of Silence

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Review

Movie Reviews

'Collective' Chronicles The Nightclub Fire — And Corrupt System — That Killed 64

Fresh Air

A new documentary reveals how corporate and government corruption led to the use of diluted disinfectants in Romanian hospitals. Collective is a gripping story that speaks to the present moment.

'Collective' Chronicles The Nightclub Fire — And Corrupt System — That Killed 64

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Sunday

Movie Interviews

Riz Ahmed Charts The Journey Of A Deaf Drummer In 'Sound Of Metal'

NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks to Riz Ahmed about his new movie, Sound of Metal, in which he plays a punk-rock drummer who loses his hearing.

Riz Ahmed Charts The Journey Of A Deaf Drummer In 'Sound Of Metal'

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Saturday

Movie Interviews

Paul Bettany On His Starring Role In 'Uncle Frank'

NPR's Scott Simon talks with Paul Bettany about his starring role in Uncle Frank, a road movie about a gay man who travels home with his niece for his father's funeral.

Paul Bettany On His Starring Role In 'Uncle Frank'

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Movie Interviews

RJ Cutler Honors John Belushi In His New Documentary

NPR's Scott Simon talks to filmmaker RJ Cutler about his new documentary called Belushi, on the life of comedian John Belushi.

RJ Cutler Honors John Belushi In His New Documentary

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