Global Warming Al Gore Sounds Global Warming Alert May 31, 2006 • The new documentary An Inconvenient Truth is an important counterbalance to the misinformation about global warming, say Al Gore and film producer Laurie David. The movie is based on the former vice president's slideshow presentation on climate change.
A Cannes Recap Fresh Air May 31, 2006 • Critic at large John Powers has just returned from the Cannes film festival. The top prize winner at Cannes was director Ken Loach's The Wind That Shakes the Barley, a film about the Irish rebellion against British rule and the country's subsequent civil war.
Culture 'Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death' May 31, 2006 • Writer and director Melvin Van Peebles talks to Ed Gordon about his latest project, a new production of his 1971 Broadway hit, Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death -- a critically lauded play with music about black street life.
Opinion Analysis Are 'X-Men' Mutant Issues a Mirror on Society? May 30, 2006 • For the first time, mutants have a choice -- they can retain their uniqueness, though it isolates and alienates them, or give up their powers and become human. That's the ad line from the marketing material for the new film X-Men: The Last Stand. Mike Pesca looks at how "mutantism" in the movie represents real-life issues ranging from dwarfism to deafness to sexual orientation.
Environment Al Gore Screens His Global Warming Message Fresh Air May 30, 2006 • For 17 years, former Vice President Al Gore has been on the forefront of warning against global warming. But in his new documentary, The Inconvenient Truth, he says that he "failed to get the message out." He's now getting the message out with his documentary and new book of the same name (published by Rodale Press).
Review Summer 2006: Silliness, Superheroes and More May 29, 2006 • More superheroes and stupid comedies, plus a couple of flicks with public radio connections -- Bob Mondello looks forward to the films that will hit theaters during the summer of 2006.
The Impact of War 'When I Came Home': Fighting for Homeless Vets May 29, 2006 • As many as 400,000 veterans of U.S. wars are homeless at least part of the time, including hundreds recently returned from Iraq. A documentary follows the plight of many of those vets, including one who appeals for help on Capitol Hill.
'Baghdad ER:' The Wounded and the Healers Fresh Air May 29, 2006 • The new documentary Baghdad ER goes inside the 86th Combat Support Hospital in Iraq, the Army's premier medical facility in Iraq. Shot over two months in 2005, the film tells the stories of the hospital's doctors and wounded soldiers.
Obituaries Paul Gleason, Ever a 'Principal' Screen Presence May 29, 2006 • The character actor Paul Gleason dies at 67 of a rare form of cancer linked to asbestos. He played the authority figure a generation of teens loved to hate in films such as The Breakfast Club and Johnny Be Good.
Review Culture Slate's Summary Judgment: 'X-Men: The Last Stand, 'An Inconvenient Truth' May 26, 2006 • Movie fans who are heading to theaters this weekend might want to see the action film X-Men: The Last Stand. Then there's An Inconvenient Truth, former Vice President Al Gore's documentary about global warming. Slate contributor Mark Jordan Legan sums up what film critics are saying about this weekend's premieres.
Culture In Northern Iraq, a Revival of Kurdish Cinema May 26, 2006 • Kurdish culture is experiencing a Renaissance in Iraq since Saddam Hussein's overthrow -- and Kurdish cinema in particular is enjoying new attention. Ivan Watson reports on how Kurdish filmmakers are flourishing in northern Iraq.
Coppola, Cruz Two Highlights from Cannes May 26, 2006 • Film critic Kenneth Turan talks about what he's seen so far at the Cannes Film Festival. Turan weighs in on French reaction to Sophia Coppola's new film about Marie Antoinette, and says Penelope Cruz gives one of her career-best performances in Pedro Almodova's Volver. He also highlights an unusual sports film about the star of the French soccer team.
Global Warming Assessing the Art, Science of 'Inconvenient Truth' May 24, 2006 • The new documentary about Al Gore and global warming, An Inconvenient Truth, scores on two counts, say two NPR experts. It does a good job on the "big-picture" science of climate change while being a "pretty terrific movie," too.
The DVD Room Antonioni's 'Passenger' on DVD Fresh Air May 24, 2006 • One of the most acclaimed films of the 1970s was Michelangelo Antonioni's The Passenger, starring Jack Nicholson. On a new DVD release, home viewers can now see it in the original wide screen and with six additional minutes not shown in the American theatrical release. It's a personal favorite of critic John Powers, who says that it's not an easy film, but a good one.
Opinion Acting and Rapping Not Mutually Exclusive May 22, 2006 • Some actors have a hard time accepting hip-hop artists who turn to the big screen. But commentator Betty Baye supports rappers in film -- as long as they focus on their craft.