Movies

Arts

Taut, Moving 'Black Girl' Helped Put African Cinema On The Map

2:42pm February 10, 2017

by John Powers

Fifty years after its debut, a restored version of Senegalese director Ousmane Sembène's first film is now available. John Powers says Black Girl feels "as timely today as it did half a century ago."

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Arts

Jeff Bridges Abides By His Actor Dad's Example: Bring Joy To The Set

2:42pm February 10, 2017

Bridges was nominated for an Oscar for his role as an aging Texas ranger tracking two bank robbers in Hell or High Water. Originally broadcast Jan. 9, 2017.

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Robin (Michael Cera), Alfred Pennyworth (Ralph Fiennes), Batman (Will Arnett), Batgirl (Rosario Dawson) in The LEGO Batman Movie.

Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour: LEGO Batman And Kids Who Cook On TV

9:34am February 10, 2017

by Linda Holmes

This week, we've got podcast cousins all over the place including Sam Sanders talking about 'The LEGO Batman Movie' and Kat Chow chiming in on 'MasterChef Junior.'

Keanu Reeves waxes wroth in John Wick: Chapter 2.

Arts

'John Wick: Chapter 2' Lives Its Life Like A Candle In A Hail Of Bullets

5:00pm February 09, 2017

by Chris Klimek

This kinetically shot and stylishly art-directed sequel "walks right up to the edge of parody, and then judo-throws a fool over the side," says critic Chris Klimek.

The Masque of the Bed Death: Christian (Jamie Dornan) and Anastasia (Dakota Johnson) try to keep things interesting in Fifty Shades Darker.

Arts

'Fifty Shades Darker' But Several Shades Short Of A Movie

5:00pm February 09, 2017

by Andrew Lapin

The sequel to the 2015 softcore BDSM film Fifty Shades of Grey gets a tiny bit smuttier than its predecessor, but its story and characters remain just as limp as ever.

Before Botswana: Ruth (Rosamund Pike) and Seretse (David Oyelowo) present a united front in A United Kingdom.

Arts

'A United Kingdom': A Tense Political Thriller Marred By A Dull Love Story

5:00pm February 09, 2017

by Ella Taylor

Director Amma Assante's film about the backroom gamesmanship that led to the birth of a new African nation grows "vigorous and sharp" once it gets past its lead characters' cliche-ridden courtship.

LEGO my ego: Batman (voiced by Will Arnett) learns to accept help from Robin (voiced by Michael Cera) in The LEGO Batman Movie.

Arts

'The LEGO Batman Movie' Really Clicks

5:00pm February 09, 2017

by Scott Tobias

The Dark Knight lightens up, already: In this frenetic, loosely structured Bat-sequel to 2014's The LEGO Movie, Will Arnett's arrogant Batman finally gets over himself.

Tower uses archival film, new interviews and animation to re-create the mass shooting that occurred at the University of Texas, Austin, in 1966.

Arts

'Tower' Pays Tribute To A 1966 Campus Shooting That Was 'Pushed Aside'

8:22am February 09, 2017

Fourteen people were killed by a sniper at the University of Texas on Aug. 1, 1966. But director Keith Maitland says people were "encouraged to move forward and not linger in the terrible tragedy."

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National

4 Black Directors Nominated For Best Documentary Oscar

6:02am February 09, 2017

by Shereen Marisol Meraji

For the first time, four black directors are among the nominees in the best documentary feature category. Three of them made films that deal explicitly with race and race relations in America.

Director Catalina Aguilar Mastretta behind the scenes of "Everybody Loves Somebody."

Most Latino Films Still In No-Man's Land Despite Growing Audience

6:01am February 09, 2017

by Manuel Betancourt

"This is a group — a population — that supports and consumes the most entertainment. But yet they have no representation, almost. I mean, we have Jane the Virgin, but where are the movies?"