Best TV & Movies Of 2008 Kenneth Turan Picks His Favorite Films Of 2008 December 31, 2008 • How can a movie-loving critic pick only 10 films? Morning Edition and Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan names his favorites — and sneaks a few extra choices in for good measure. Tops on the list: Slumdog Millionaire.
Best TV & Movies Of 2008 Mark Jenkins: My 10 Movie Picks For 2008 December 31, 2008 • Critic Mark Jenkins says never mind the posh Brit accents and the somber themes crowding the holiday multiplex; they're awards-bait: The year's genuinely superb films came from all over, and in many languages.
From Our Listeners The Best Arts Releases Of 2008 December 31, 2008 • A. O. Scott points to Wall-E and The Dark Knight as standout hits. NPR's Felix Contreras loved albums from Pat Metheny and Picadillo O'Farril. What were your favorite movies and songs? How about video games, TV, and books?
Review Tale Of 'Defiance' Among The Third Reich's Targets December 31, 2008 • Two brothers kept 1,200 Jews alive in the forests of Belarus during World War II. Edward Zwick's drama retells their story — and the film is best when it's honest about their tense relationship.
Best TV & Movies Of 2008 Bob Mondello's Top 10, Plus 12 Bonus Picks December 31, 2008 • The economy may have turned sour, but with a total take of $9.5 billion at the box office — and 22 films on our critic's year-end best-movies list — Hollywood can look back at 2008 without shame.
Opinion Raise A Glass For Richard Yates December 30, 2008 • Author Richard Yates is best known for his novel Revolutionary Road, which has been adapted to a movie to be released in January. But a life defined by drunken nights left Yates' own life journey as rocky as it was revolutionary, says Alan Cheuse.
The Best Small Movies Of The Year December 30, 2008 • Slate.com movie critic Dana Stevens runs through the noteworthy end-of-year studio releases and lists some "small" films that shouldn't be overlooked.
Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets Movie Price Increases Mask Drop In Attendance December 30, 2008 • Movie ticket sales appear to have held their own. But dig deeper and sales are off about 5 percent. Ticket prices increased this year, which gives the initial appearance that attendance has stayed the same.
Business Grief For Christmas Box Office Numbers? December 28, 2008 • Historically, a ticket to the movies has been a ticket to a brief escape from the stresses of lean economic times, and a source of holiday entertainment during winter breaks from work and school. Were those traditional factors a boon for Hollywood, or is the movie industry is suffering financially like everyone else?
Jewish Brothers' Resistance Inspired 'Defiance' December 27, 2008 • The Bielski brothers gave shelter and protection to Polish Jews who, like them, fled into the region's forests and swamps to escape German persecution. Director Edward Zwick's new film tells their story, but why hasn't it been heard until now?
Injecting Noir Into A Comic-Book Classic December 26, 2008 • Frank Miller, who became known for bringing new depth to Batman in the '80s and expanding the audience for graphic novels, has directed The Spirit, created by comic-book pioneer Will Eisner. Miller says the key to keeping the movie dark is its tone.
Culture Movies To Watch While Home For The Holidays December 26, 2008 • Is it time to settle down and watch a good movie that the whole family can enjoy? DVD tips include Nanny McPhee; Hidalgo; The Water Horse; Five Children And It and Tuck Everlasting.
Leguizamo Wishes A Merry Latino Christmas December 26, 2008 • John Leguizamo's Christmas film, Nothing Like The Holidays, takes on traditional family themes as it spotlights generational differences within a Latino context. The award-winning comedian talks candidly about his career, his family and his identity.
Filmmaker Reflects On 'Waltz With Bashir' Reception December 26, 2008 • Although Ari Folman's father warned him not to create the animated film about Israeli involvement in a massacre during the 1982 Lebanon war, the filmmaker did so anyway, in part to dissuade teenagers from going to war. To Folman's surprise, it was embraced by the Israeli government.
Culture Actor Frank Langella Is Richard M. Nixon December 26, 2008 • Actor Frank Langella is an early favorite to be nominated for an Oscar — he's already been nominated for a Golden Globe. Langella plays Richard M. Nixon in the movie Frost/Nixon, which chronicles the president's interviews with British TV host David Frost. Langella played the same part in the Broadway play.