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

Troubled Teen Finds New Direction In Clear-Eyed 'Bull'

Kris (Amber Havard), a directionless 14-year-old, finds a possible purpose in Bull. Samuel Goldwyn FIlm hide caption

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Samuel Goldwyn FIlm

Review

Troubled Teen Finds New Direction In Clear-Eyed 'Bull'

April 30, 2020 • A 14-year-old girl finds herself drawn to bull riding in this "humble and low-key to a fault" debut feature.

Bollywood and Hollywood Actor Irrfan Khan Dies After A Long Illness

April 29, 2020 • Indian actor Irrfan Khan, 54, who leaped from small parts in Bollywood films to featured roles in Hollywood blockbusters such as Slumdog Millionaire and Jurassic World, has died after a long illness.

Bollywood and Hollywood Actor Irrfan Khan Dies After A Long Illness

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Irrfan Khan Dies; Indian Actor Appeared In Crossover Hit 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Actor Irrfan Khan has died at age 54, after an acclaimed film career in India and on the international stage. He's seen here in 2018, during a visit to Park City, Utah. Ray Tamarra/GC Images hide caption

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Ray Tamarra/GC Images

Culture

Irrfan Khan Dies; Indian Actor Appeared In Crossover Hit 'Slumdog Millionaire'

April 29, 2020 • The versatile actor vaulted to international stardom after playing a police inspector in the 2008 film. Khan, 54, was adored in India despite not being a Bollywood heartthrob.

Sports

'The Last Dance': ESPN Releases Michael Jordan Documentary

April 26, 2020 • NPR's Michel Martin speaks with ESPN's Michael Wilbon about the Michael Jordan documentary, The Last Dance.

'The Last Dance': ESPN Releases Michael Jordan Documentary

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Business

When It Comes To New Release Showings, A Drive-In Theater Stands Alone

April 25, 2020 • With cinema screens around the country closed and most new releases postponed, there's no way to see new releases at the theater. Unless you are at the drive-in.

When It Comes To New Release Showings, A Drive-In Theater Stands Alone

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Review

Movie Reviews

Chris Evans Plays A Prosecutor In 'Defending Jacob' Series

April 24, 2020 • Superhero movie star Chris Evans plays a more down-to-earth role of a prosecutor whose 14-year-old son is accused of a murder in Defending Jacob, a limited series on Apple TV+.

Chris Evans Plays A Prosecutor In 'Defending Jacob' Series

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Television

Remembering Tony Award-Winning Character Actor Brian Dennehy

Fresh Air

April 24, 2020 • The burly actor, who died April 15, played the leading role in Death of a Salesman, in both the Broadway production as well as the 2000 TV movie. Dennehy spoke to David Bianculli in 1999.

Remembering Tony Award-Winning Character Actor Brian Dennehy

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Portrait of the outlaw as a young man: 'True History of the Kelly Gang'

Outlaw Ned Kelly (George Mackay) slings his guns in True History of the Kelly Gang. IFC Films hide caption

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IFC Films

Review

Movie Reviews

Portrait of the outlaw as a young man: 'True History of the Kelly Gang'

April 23, 2020 • This slyly subversive revisionist take on an infamous Australian outlaw presents the burnished popular myth and a darker, brutal and tragicomic take alongside one another.

The Mom-And-Pop Bookstore That Sold Gay Porn: 'Circus Of Books'

For years, Karen and Barry Mason ran a Los Angeles bookshop that sold and distributed gay pornography. Netflix hide caption

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Netflix

Review

Movie Reviews

The Mom-And-Pop Bookstore That Sold Gay Porn: 'Circus Of Books'

April 23, 2020 • Rachel Mason and her siblings grew up unaware that their parents ran a gay bookstore. Her "affectionate but thinly realized" documentary skims the surface of stories that deserve deeper dives.

Georges (Jean Dujardin) goes beyond the fringe in Deerskin. Greenwich Entertainment hide caption

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Greenwich Entertainment

Review

Movie Reviews

'Deerskin' Is Buckwild

April 23, 2020 • A man (Jean Dujardin) becomes obsessed with a deerskin jacket — and pretending to be a film director — in a dark comedy that is "both outlandish and slight."

Netflix's 'Sergio' Chronicles Life Of U.N. Diplomat Killed In 2003

April 19, 2020 • NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks with director Greg Barker about the new Netflix movie "Sergio." The charismatic United Nations diplomat Sergio Viera de Mello was killed in Iraq in 2003.

Netflix's 'Sergio' Chronicles Life Of U.N. Diplomat Killed In 2003

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In New Film About Gospel Pioneers The Clark Sisters, The Music Comes First

The new Lifetime movie The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel tells the story of the one of the most important gospel groups of the 20th century. Amanda Matlovich/Courtesy of Lifetime hide caption

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Amanda Matlovich/Courtesy of Lifetime

Movie Interviews

In New Film About Gospel Pioneers The Clark Sisters, The Music Comes First

April 17, 2020 • Director Christine Swanson's new film is about the celebrated Detroit gospel group, The Clark Sisters. She talks to host Rachel Martin about being adamant about casting women who could actually sing.

In New Film About Gospel Pioneers The Clark Sisters, The Music Comes First

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Coronavirus Updates

'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' Cinematographer And Spielberg Collaborator Dies

April 16, 2020 • Five-time Oscar nominee, cinematographer Allen Daviau, 77, dies of COVID-19.

Tony Award-Winning Actor Brian Dennehy Has Died At The Age Of 81

Brian Dennehy, known for his interpretations of characters created by Eugene O'Neill and Arthur Miller, has died at the age of 81. Mike Piscitelli/Dennehy Family hide caption

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Mike Piscitelli/Dennehy Family