films

Is Die Hard A Christmas Movie?

Bill Barry — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 12:13:56 +0000

What doesn't say Christmas like a terrorist plot foiled by Bruce Willis? - Author Kevin Flynn, Die Hard die-hard

To many, any best-of action film list would ring hollow with the exclusion of Die Hard - but each year, as the holiday season approaches, it begins to fly under a different flag: an admittedly less warm, less traditional Christmas classic.

Where Soldiers Come From

Virginia Prescott — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:10:41 +0000

A new documentary follows the poignant journey of a group of three small town friends to Afghanistan and back again.

Screen Time: 3 Books That Haven't Seen The Reel

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 21:34:37 +0000

J.D. Salinger famously refused to sell the film rights to The Catcher in the Rye, saying it was "unactable." It's true the subtleties of such great novels can get lost in translation. But I thought I'd take a look at three of my favorite novels that have never made it to the multiplex in wide release. Each of these will transport you to another time and another place.

Slain Syrian Filmmaker Traded Study For 'Revolution'

Kelly McEvers — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 18:44:11 +0000

The Syrian uprising has claimed an estimated 12,000 lives. And since foreign journalists are rarely allowed in, many reports provide little beyond the number of people killed. But behind the numbers are lives. As part of an occasional series on those who have died, NPR's Kelly McEvers has this report.

Bassel Shehadeh started out as an IT major in Syria.

Smart films for Grownups

Virginia Prescott — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:28:03 +0000

Looking for smart scripts and stellar performances among summertime's usually SFX-laden fare? Here are some suggestions.

DVD Picks: 70 Years Of 'Casablanca'

Bob Mondello — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:42:00 +0000

Time now for a home viewing recommendation from NPR's movie critic, Bob Mondello. He's found himself swept up this week by the 70th Anniversary edition boxed set of Casablanca.

Even if you don't know this movie, you know this movie: Bogie and Bergman steaming up Rick's Cafe Americain, drummer Dooley Wilson pretending to tickle the ivories of a piano he couldn't actually play, Peter Lorre sniveling. Paul Henried standing tall, Claude Rains rounding up the usual suspects.

Nomad, rebel, expatriate, guitarist: Bombino

Virginia Prescott — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:54:13 +0000

The film Agadez: The Music and The Rebellion is the collaborative endeavor between film maker Ron Wyman and Tuareg guitarist Bombino (Omara Moctar) that captures Tuareg Culture in the Sahara and the extraordinary desert musicians. Deemed an “Overlooked Gem of 2011” the film will be showing this Friday at the Music Hall in Portsmouth.

Hollywood, Hunger Games, and How Small Screens Survive

Virginia Prescott — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:30:26 +0000

We turn to Garen Daly, our resident film industry expert, for an update on Hollywood happenings.

New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival Explores Theme of Connection

Brady Carlson — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:46:24 +0000

The theme of this year’s New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival is connection. Its films explore connections between cultures, between countries, between the past and the present and more.

Linda Gerson is co-chair of the festival, which is taking place all week at venues in Manchester, Concord and Merrimack. She tells All Things Considered host Brady Carlson more about this year’s films.

Some of the films they discuss:

Trash Dance: Curbside Choreography Hits SXSW

Virginia Prescott — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:07:20 +0000

A new film shows the softer, artistic side of Austin's garbage collectors.

The Extraordinary, Ordinary Life Of Alexander Payne

Susan Stamberg — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Alexander Payne watches a movie every day — or tries to, anyway. Lately, the writer and director of The Descendants has been busy going to nomination and awards dinners, in advance of Sunday's Oscar night — when the Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay prizes could be his.

On a recent morning, we joined Payne at his house, up a wriggling canyon road in the Santa Monica Mountains, to see how he was spending this "in between time" — the release of a well-regarded film, the waiting until Oscar night.

A Pond in Mont Vernon With a Controversial Name

Brady Carlson — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:28:53 +0000

Mont Vernon is home to a small body of water known as Jew Pond. Voters may consider renaming the pond at this year's town meeting.

Pakistan Through a Fresh Lens

Virginia Prescott — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:29:54 +0000

A new documentary explores how this vital and volatile country may be vastly different than what most Americans perceive.

Return of the Darkroom

Virginia Prescott — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:38:14 +0000

Old school photography is making its comeback, but may be threatened the likes of Instagram.

And the Oscar SHOULD go to...

Virginia Prescott — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:44:14 +0000

Film critic Garen Daly rounds up the surprise picks and aggregious snubs from this year's Oscar noms.