Opinion About Oscar For Geeks Only: How Oscar Voting Works February 28, 2006 • Now that the identity of Deep Throat has been revealed, the accounting of the Academy Awards may be the last set of true secrets in American life. Bill Wyman explains what is known.
'Tsotsi' Tells a Tale of New Africa on Film Fresh Air February 27, 2006 • A hardened young South African gang leader steals a woman's car -– then finds out her baby is in the back seat. So starts the South African film Tsotsi, which is up for an Academy Award for best foreign film.
Opinion About Oscar Naomi Watts: Robbed! February 27, 2006 • Had she, in a just world, been nominated, Naomi Watts this Sunday would be accepting a best actress award for her role in King Kong, says Neda Ulaby. Herewith, an impassioned case for why Watts' performance makes her a giant among actresses.
Silent Movie Theater Keeps Film Goers Happy February 27, 2006 • The silent movie theater in Los Angeles has a storied, and slightly sordid, history. The 64th anniversary of the theater is this month, and people are still showing up to watch movies from another era.
78th Annual Academy Awards Oscar-Nominated Scores: 'Munich,' 'Brokeback' February 26, 2006 • Movie music buff Andy Trudeau continues his series on Oscar-nominated film scores. In this edition: Munich, composed by John Williams, and Brokeback Mountain, composed by Gustavo Santaolalla.
The First 'Pink Panther' and a Martinized Version February 25, 2006 • New York Times critic Elvis Mitchell and Scott Simon compare the remake of The Pink Panther, starring Steve Martin and an all-star cast, with the 1963 version, which featured the redoubtable Peter Sellers.
Review Culture 'Tsotsi,' a 'Gangster' Flick with a Heart February 25, 2006 • Out of South Africa comes Tsotsi, one of five Oscar nominees for Best Foreign Language Film. The title means gangster in the slang spoken in Soweto township. The title character is a rough young man who finds hope.
Review Culture 'Unknown White Male' Shows the Making of Memory February 24, 2006 • The documentary Unknown White Male follows the life of a man who awoke one day at Coney Island with no memory. The film tracks his attempts to get reacquainted with his life and the everyday events he can't remember ever having experienced.
World Turkish Movie Renews Free-Speech Debate February 24, 2006 • A new Turkish movie, The Valley of the Wolves, is attracting large audiences among the Turkish immigrant community in Germany. It has been condemned by some German politicians for its anti-American tone. Some have called for the film to be banned, renewing the debate about freedom of speech.
Culture Summary Judgment: 'Doogal,' 'Running Scared,' 'Tsotsi' February 24, 2006 • What are movie critics saying about this weekend's releases? Mark Jordan Legan of Slate takes note of reviews for Doogal, Running Scared and the Oscar-nominated South African film Tsotsi.
78th Annual Academy Awards February 24, 2006 • It's Oscar season again, when members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences vote to honor what they consider the best films of 2005. Follow NPR coverage of the awards and get reviews of many of the movies nominated for the industry's highest honor:
Review Culture The Alternative History of 'CSA' February 24, 2006 • Suppose the South had won the Civil War and slavery were still a part of America. Kevin Wilmot's mockumentary Confederate States of America dreams up a world where slaves are bought and sold over the Internet, and the U.S. has a tense relationship with Canada.
78th Annual Academy Awards Oscar-Nominee 'Tsotsi' Takes Trip to Soweto February 23, 2006 • One of the contenders for Best Foreign Film at this year's Academy Awards is an entry from South Africa, called Tsotsi. Renee Montagne talks to the writer-director and lead actor about the story of a brutal young thug living in the slums of Soweto. The film opens on Friday.
Movie Follows Fish Through the Global Economy February 22, 2006 • Filmmaker Hubert Sauper talks about his new documentary Darwin's Nightmare with Renee Montagne. The movie has been nominated for an Academy Award. It examines the global economy and its effect on one place and one commodity; in this instance, Nile perch in Tanzania's Lake Victoria.
Books Klugman Remembers 'Odd Couple' Partner with Book February 21, 2006 • Jack Klugman is perhaps most famous for his role as the gruff, messy sportswriter Oscar on TV's The Odd Couple. The actor has just written a book called Tony and Me. It's all about his friendship with the other half of the Odd Couple, Tony Randall.