Critics often slam movies. Sometimes the movies slam back.
Ian McKellen plays a brutal theater critic in a new film. That sent our own film critic back into the archives, musing about portrayals of critics on screen.
Remembering James Earl Jones, legend of the stage and screen
Jones, who died Sept. 9, voiced Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King. He started out in theater in the 1950s, and later won a Tony and an honorary Oscar. Originally broadcast in 1993.
Ian McKellen relishes Machiavellian role in new film ‘The Critic’
NPR’s Leila Fadel speaks with actor Ian McKellen about his starring role as a powerful London theater critic who savages “bad performance” in Anand Tucker’s new film The Critic.
Fall is right around the corner — a great time to think about movies to watch
A rundown of the fall movies that we should be looking forward to the most, and the standouts from the Toronto International Film Festival.
Never visit James McAvoy’s house, and other lessons of ‘Speak No Evil’
Never visit your weird new friends at their enormous isolated country estate. That’s a basic rule that an American family fails to follow in the new horror thriller Speak No Evil starring James McAvoy. By the time they figure out they are in way over their heads, it’s much much too late.
A teen meets her middle-aged self in ‘My Old Ass’ and finds hindsight isn’t 20/20
Imagine camping out in the woods, taking mushrooms, and meeting your future self … played by Aubrey Plaza. That’s what happens to 18-year-old Elliott (Maisy Stella) in this charming, quirky comedy.
‘Rebel Ridge’ serves up revenge with restraint
In Netflix’s new film Rebel Ridge, Aaron Pierre plays Terry, a young Black man who enters a small Southern town to post bail for his cousin. But when the local cops seize his money, he faces off against the corrupt chief of police (Don Johnson). Things escalate, and soon he uncovers a sinister conspiracy that threatens his life.
Strong performances highlight the scary (and funny) ‘The Front Room’
Maybe you think you’ve seen every scary mother-in-law fiction has to offer — you absolutely haven’t. In the new movie The Front Room, a pregnant woman (Brandy Norwood) allows her mother-in-law (Kathryn Hunter) to move in. In a film that’s part creepy …
Actor and beloved baritone James Earl Jones dies at 93
Everything about Jones was big: his stage presence, the intensity of his glance and the brilliance of his craft. From Star Wars to The Lion King to CNN, his voice pervaded popular culture.
‘My Brilliant Friend’ returns for final season with two new stars
Alba Rohrwacher and Irene Maiorino discuss their roles as leads in the fourth and final season of the HBO series My Brilliant Friend, based on Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet novels.
Beetlejuice is back, in a supernatural screwball sequel
Director Tim Burton seems more interested in updating than duplicating his 1988 hit. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice demonstrates affection for the characters and genuine curiosity in how they’re doing now.
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