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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

Tuesday

Review

Theater

'Original Cast Album: Company' provides a glimpse of Sondheim's perfectionism

Fresh Air

In 1970, Stephen Sondheim's comic musical Company broke most of the conventions of American musical theater. Now, a newly restored documentary goes inside the making of the original cast album.

'Original Cast Album: Company' provides a glimpse of Sondheim's perfectionism

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'Passing' filmmaker Rebecca Hall shares the personal story behind her movie

Rebecca Hall (right) works on the set of Passing with actors Ruth Negga (left) and Tessa Thompson. Netflix hide caption

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Netflix

Movie Interviews

'Passing' filmmaker Rebecca Hall shares the personal story behind her movie

Fresh Air

Hall's new Netflix film centers on two light-skinned Black women — one of whom passes for white. The story is a personal one for Hall: Her grandfather and mother also passed as white.

'Passing' filmmaker Rebecca Hall shares the personal story behind her movie

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Presenting 'Pop Culture Happy Hour': is 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' stuck in nostalgia?

A view of a Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man figurine at the GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE World Premiere on November 15, 2021. Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Sony Pictures hide caption

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Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Sony Pictures

Review

It's Been a Minute

Presenting 'Pop Culture Happy Hour': is 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' stuck in nostalgia?

In this special episode from our friends at Pop Culture Happy Hour, guest host Ayesha Rascoe joins co-hosts Glen Weldon and Stephen Thompson as well as NPR contributor Cyrena Touros to talk about the new movie Ghostbusters: Afterlife. They discuss why it's hard to recapture the original Ghostbusters magic and if the latest installment of the franchise added more to its world — or not.

Presenting 'Pop Culture Happy Hour': is 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' stuck in nostalgia?

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'Encanto' is a Disney film filled with charming visuals and lackluster songs

Stephanie Beatriz voices Mirabel in the new Disney film Encanto. Disney hide caption

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Disney

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Encanto' is a Disney film filled with charming visuals and lackluster songs

Encanto is the latest animated Disney musical that tells the story of the Madrigal family, whose members are tucked away in the mountains of Colombia. The film is stuffed with characters who wield magical powers and perform lavish musical numbers written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. But for all its magical realism, it's also a fairly simple story about a family whose bonds need healing.

'Encanto' is a Disney film filled with charming visuals and lackluster songs

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Sunday

Author Interviews

'House of Gucci' author gives her take on the new film adapted from her book

NPR's David Folkenflik speaks with Sara Gay Forden about her book, The House of Gucci, which has just been released as a feature film starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver.

'House of Gucci' author gives her take on the new film adapted from her book

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Movie Interviews

Looking for a unique holiday movie? 'The Humans' is a dark, psychological drama

Kelsey Snell speaks with writer-director Stephen Karam and actor Jayne Houdyshell about their new movie, "The Humans." It's an exploration of dread and love among three generations of a family.

Looking for a unique holiday movie? 'The Humans' is a dark, psychological drama

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Friday

Review

Movie Reviews

Review: Paul Thomas Anderson's 'Licorice Pizza' may be the year's best film

Cooper Hoffman, the son of the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman, stars in Paul Thomas Anderson's Licorice Pizza, a warmly raucous look at an ambitious teen on the make in 1980s Los Angeles.

Review: Paul Thomas Anderson's 'Licorice Pizza' may be the year's best film

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New docuseries gives fans unprecedented access to The Beatles

The Beatles, seen preparing for their final show on Jan. 30, 1969 in London. Evening Standard/Getty Images hide caption

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Evening Standard/Getty Images

Music

New docuseries gives fans unprecedented access to The Beatles

NPR Music critic Ann Powers reviews a new docuseries called "The Beatles: Get Back". It centers around hours of unseen footage of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

New docuseries gives fans unprecedented access to The Beatles

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Thursday

Review

Movie Reviews

A peek at some of the 30 films that are opening this holiday season

More than 30 films are opening between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. Here's a selective peek at all the wanna-be blockbusters and awards contenders that Hollywood has wrapped up for the holidays.

A peek at some of the 30 films that are opening this holiday season

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Wednesday

Paul Thomas Anderson's 'Licorice Pizza' is an endearing slice of '70s Hollywood

Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim are unlikely friends in Licorice Pizza. MGM hide caption

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MGM

Review

Movie Reviews

Paul Thomas Anderson's 'Licorice Pizza' is an endearing slice of '70s Hollywood

Fresh Air

An enterprising teen and a 20-something photographer's assistant become unlikely friends — and then zig-zag from one comic episode to the next — in this altogether wonderful film.

Paul Thomas Anderson's 'Licorice Pizza' is an endearing slice of '70s Hollywood

Listen · 7:38
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Movie Interviews

Sandra Bullock on playing an ex-con trying to reenter society after 20 years

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with actor Sandra Bullock about her new film, The Unforgivable, a story about a woman who leaves prison after 20 years incarcerated and tries to rebuild her life.

Sandra Bullock on playing an ex-con trying to reenter society after 20 years

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HBO revolutionized TV, but the next few years are tipped to be pivotal for its future

Steven Van Zandt [left], James Gandolfini and Tony Sirico starred in HBO's hit television series, The Sopranos. HBO/Getty Images hide caption

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HBO/Getty Images

Author Interviews

HBO revolutionized TV, but the next few years are tipped to be pivotal for its future

Journalist James Andrew Miller and NPR TV critic Eric Deggans talk about how HBO changed television and why the next few years are pivotal for the network's future.

HBO revolutionized TV, but the next few years are tipped to be pivotal for its future

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Lin Manuel Miranda and Disney filmmakers traveled Colombia to prepare for 'Encanto'

Lin Manual Miranda, who wrote songs for the Disney's new movie Encanto, traveled to Colombia with crew members to learn about the country's history. Encanto celebrates the country's culture.

Lin Manuel Miranda and Disney filmmakers traveled Colombia to prepare for 'Encanto'

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Review

Movie Reviews

'The Humans,' 'House of Gucci' abound with family squabbling in time for the holidays

Familial squabbles fuel two films opening Thanksgiving weekend: House of Gucci, about a family famous for fashion, and The Humans, a pulitzer-winning look at a clan gathering for the holidays.

'The Humans,' 'House of Gucci' abound with family squabbling in time for the holidays

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