Arts

Oscar statuettes backstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017 in Hollywood, Calif.

Arts

At This Year's Oscars, Diversity And Social Consciousness Go Hand-In-Hand

2:41pm April 24, 2021

by Bob Mondello

After years of #OscarsSoWhite and #OscarsSoMale, industry observers are crowing over the 2021 nominations. This expanded diversity comes along with increased social consciousness in the year's films.

Books
Arts

'In Deeper Waters' Is A Frothy Romantic Confection

10:00am April 24, 2021

by Caitlyn Paxson

F.T. Lukens' earnest new seafaring romance follows a young prince desperate to hide his magical powers from the pirates who've kidnapped him — and the mysterious boy who comes to his rescue.

Empty frames that would normally hold movie posters hang on the front of an AMC theater shuttered by the coronavirus pandemic on Dec. 4, 2020, in Rosemont, Ill.

Arts

If Big Box Office Means Big Ratings, This Year's Oscars Are In Big Trouble

9:40am April 24, 2021

by Bob Mondello

Most awards seasons find film fans seeking out Best Picture nominees in the runup to the telecast, with the eventual winner reaping millions of additional dollars. But this year's bounce is a thud.

André De Shields attends The 73rd Annual Tony Awards Meet The Nominees Press Day on May 01, 2019 in New York City.

Arts

Not My Job: We Quiz Broadway Star André De Shields On Canals

8:21am April 24, 2021

De Shields is an actor, singer, choreographer, writer, musician, lyricist, a professor and an icon of style. He'll appear as King Lear at the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival this summer.

What's Not to Love, by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

Books
Arts

'What's Not To Love'? Only A Few Moments In This Otherwise Charming Story

7:00am April 24, 2021

by Alethea Kontis

The married-in-real-life team of Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka have a new YA romance, about a toxic (maybe too toxic) high school rivalry that, of course, turns to love in the end.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier explores the question of whether there can be a Black Captain America.

Arts

'The Falcon And The Winter Soldier' Finale Makes A Poignant Reveal

4:31pm April 23, 2021

by Eric Deggans

The final episode of the first season of Marvel's Disney+ series dropped Friday — along with a timely surprise.

Arts

'Soul' Creators On Passion, Purpose And Realizing You're 'Enough'

1:40pm April 23, 2021

by Terry Gross

Pete Docter and Kemp Powers' Oscar-nominated film challenges popular notions of success and failure by imagining a place where souls are matched with passions. Originally broadcast March 23, 2021.

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Arts

A Gay White Teen Struggles To Exist In Apartheid South Africa In 'Moffie'

1:40pm April 23, 2021

by Justin Chang

The brutal and mesmerizing new film takes place in South Africa in 1981, where 16-year-old Nicholas is coming to grips with his homosexuality in an environment that couldn't be more hostile to it.

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Nora McInerny: How Can We Face Life's Rough Edges?

8:59am April 23, 2021

When experiencing grief or hardship, how can we move forward? This hour, writer Nora McInerny shares ideas on navigating the most difficult parts of life... and living life fully in the face of loss.

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Jessie Buckley and Josh O'Connor as Romeo and Juliet, and Lucian Msamati as Friar Laurence, in the new Romeo & Juliet on PBS's Great Performances.

Arts

A Pandemic 'Romeo & Juliet' Finds A New Language Of Love And Loss

8:25am April 23, 2021

by Linda Holmes

A cleverly made Romeo & Juliet, adapted from a planned theatrical run to a filmed version, embraces the promise and the romance of a large and empty theater as a place to situate a classic story.