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Movies

Wednesday

Review

Culture

'War of the Worlds' Vies for Blockbuster Title

Steven Spielberg directs Tom Cruise in an adaptation of the 1898 H.G. Wells novel War of the Worlds. The movie has all the qualities of a summer thrill-ride, with a rush of surprises and special effects.

'War of the Worlds' Vies for Blockbuster Title

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Theater Backs 'Cinderella' with Refund Offer

AMC theaters offer full refunds to any patrons dissatisfied with the movie Cinderella Man. The deal, aimed at getting more people to take a chance on the film, has resulted in only a handful of refunds, according to the company. Employees at AMC theaters are instructed that any guest who presents a valid Cinderella Man ticket stub for a same-day show and asks for a refund should receive a full discount. Michele Norris talks with Dick Walsh, film group chairman at AMC Entertainment, Inc.

Theater Backs 'Cinderella' with Refund Offer

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Review

Culture

A Brave New 'War of the Worlds'

Fresh Air

Film critic David Edelstein reviews War of the Worlds, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise. Edelstein calls the movie "a masterpiece," combining momentous special effects with a subtle depiction of the human struggle.

A Brave New 'War of the Worlds'

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Review

Culture

Spielberg Takes Cruise into 'War of the Worlds'

Steven Spielberg takes a new crack at the classic H.G. Wells novel War of the Worlds. Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins and the talented child star Dakota Fanning lead the cast. The film emphasizes the power of evil and highlights the volatile nature of human fear.

Spielberg Takes Cruise into 'War of the Worlds'

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Tuesday

Business

Movie Industry Refocuses Amid Box-Office Slump

For 18 straight weeks, movie box-office grosses have been lower than they were a year ago. To address the problem, movie studios are trying new strategies. They're simultaneously releasing films in theaters, on pay TV and on DVD.

Movie Industry Refocuses Amid Box-Office Slump

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Xeni Tech

A Digital Film Studio on Prime S.F. Real Estate

Our own Day to Day technology contributor reports on Star Wars director George Lucas' new home for creating films, the Letterman Digital Arts Center in San Francisco -- a "campus" of virtual studios at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge.

A Digital Film Studio on Prime S.F. Real Estate

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Monday

Opinion

From Our Listeners

Contribute to NPR's Search for Sound

Hollywood sound designer Randy Thom has helped create the sound for such films as The Incredibles, The Polar Express and the upcoming release War of the Worlds. He wants NPR listeners to help him find new audio to help bring movies to phonic life.

Contribute to NPR's Search for Sound

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'Rize': Dancing Above L.A.'s Mean Streets

The new documentary film tells the story of a street dance phenomenon from the rough streets of South Los Angeles -- krumping. For the dancers, it's a moment to rise above the crime and drugs that often plague their South-Central Los Angeles neighborhood.

'Rize': Dancing Above L.A.'s Mean Streets

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'Rize' Documents Dance on L.A. Streets

The film Rize, which opened in theaters last weekend, documents the creators of a new style of dance from the streets of South Central Los Angeles. Frenetic and edgy, "krumping" has its roots in African dance, and is making news around the country.

'Rize' Documents Dance on L.A. Streets

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Sunday

Saying 'Yes' in Iambic Pentameter

Sally Potter's new film Yes is unusual in that its dialogue is entirely in iambic pentameter. The film takes its title from the last word of James Joyce's novel Ulysses -- and is Potter's response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Howie Movshovitz of Colorado Public Radio reports.

Saying 'Yes' in Iambic Pentameter

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Pop Culture

Revisiting 'War of the Worlds'

This Wednesday, Steven Spielberg's version of The War of the Worlds opens across the country. The film is based on H. G. Wells' classic novel, which has been adapted many times since it was published in 1898. Most famous is Orson Welles' 1938 radio play, which frightened millions who mistook it for a news report. The 1953 film version appeared during a wave of sci-fi movies that hit American screens in the 1950s, a time of great fear in the United States.

Revisiting 'War of the Worlds'

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Documentary Captures 'March of the Penguins'

An amazing new nature film follows the epic journey of Emperor penguins across frozen landscapes as they migrate -- single-file -- to a familiar, yet mysterious destination. And at journey's end, life literally begins anew.

Documentary Captures 'March of the Penguins'

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Saturday

Romero Returns with 'Land of the Dead'

Director George Romero unveils another installment in his series of B-movie zombie classics. At the world premiere of Land of the Dead in Pittsburgh, where Romero filmed most of his movies, fans sing his praises.

Romero Returns with 'Land of the Dead'

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Push for Oscar in Stunt Category Rebuffed

For 15 years, stunt men and women have asked for an Oscar category for "best stunt coordinator." Despite support from Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and others, the bid was rejected. Veteran stuntman Loren Janes tells Scott Simon why he feels his colleagues go unrecognized.

Push for Oscar in Stunt Category Rebuffed

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Friday

Culture

Slate's Summary Judgment: 'Bewitched,' 'Herbie: Fully Loaded,' 'Land of the Dead'

Slate contributor Mark Jordan Legan reviews what the critics are saying about this week's new movie releases, including Bewitched, Herbie: Fully Loaded and Land of the Dead.

Slate's Summary Judgment: 'Bewitched,' 'Herbie: Fully Loaded,' 'Land of the Dead'

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