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Movies

Finding 'Great Beauty' Amid Rome's Corruptions

In The Great Beauty, director Paolo Sorrentino surveys the city of Rome through the eyes of jaded journalist Jep Gambardella (Toni Servillo), taking in the city's degeneracies alongside its eternal beauties. Gianni Fiorito/Janus Films hide caption

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Gianni Fiorito/Janus Films

Finding 'Great Beauty' Amid Rome's Corruptions

The Great Beauty is the latest portrait of the city onscreen, in all its wonder, decadence, sinfulness and ugliness. The film, directed by Paolo Sorrentino, is also Italy's official entry for this year's Academy Awards.

Finding 'Great Beauty' Amid Rome's Corruptions

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A Korean Cult Thriller Gets A Spike Lee Makeover

After 20 years in captivity, Joe (Josh Brolin) is released into the world with a hammer and an appetite for revenge in Oldboy, a Spike Lee remake of the 2003 South Korean film. Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/FilmDistrict hide caption

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Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/FilmDistrict

Review

Movie Reviews

A Korean Cult Thriller Gets A Spike Lee Makeover

Fresh Air

Oldboy, the director's remake of a 2003 film of the same name, follows a man who's held captive for 20 years — and out for revenge after his release. Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen and Samuel L. Jackson star.

A Korean Cult Thriller Gets A Spike Lee Makeover

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Business

Theater Chains Upgrade To Attract Homebodies

Movie theater seats are getting more deluxe. A couple chains are installing recliners in the latest effort to give movie goers more of the comforts of home.

Theater Chains Upgrade To Attract Homebodies

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Movie Interviews

Idris Elba Portrays Mandela In 'Long Walk To Freedom'

A new movie captures the story of one of the world's great leaders. It's a classic biopic of a towering figure: Nelson Mandela. And it takes audiences through the many chapters of his sweeping life. Morning Edition's Renee Montagne talks to Idris Elba about playing the legendary South African leader.

Idris Elba Portrays Mandela In 'Long Walk To Freedom'

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Review

Movie Reviews

Dench Makes Resolution In 'Philomena' Worth Waiting For

We're heading into Oscar season, and one name that seems to be on everyone's lips this year is Judy Dench. The actress stars in Philomena. It starts out like a comedy, but the more serious it gets, the more involving it becomes.

Dench Makes Resolution In 'Philomena' Worth Waiting For

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What Is The Best Holiday Movie Of All Time?

Now that the holiday season is officially here, Morning Edition is looking to stoke an age-old debate: What is the best holiday movie ever? Tweet your favorite holiday movie to us @MorningEdition and @NPRGreene.

What Is The Best Holiday Movie Of All Time?

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A 'Long Walk' With Mandela, But It Shorts His Story

Idris Elba plays Nelson Mandela in a biographical film based on the former South African president's memoir. Keith Bernstein/The Weinstein Company hide caption

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Keith Bernstein/The Weinstein Company

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Movie Reviews

A 'Long Walk' With Mandela, But It Shorts His Story

Directed by Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl) and starring Idris Elba, a biographical drama based on Nelson Mandela's memoir also stars Naomie Harris as Winnie Mandela — wife and sometime fierce adversary of the former South African president.

Silent For Years, A Riot Grrrl Steps Back To The Mic

Musician and riot grrrl Kathleen Hanna — formerly of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, now with The Julie Ruin — is the fascinating central figure in the biographical documentary The Punk Singer. Allison Michael Orenstein/Opening Band Films hide caption

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Allison Michael Orenstein/Opening Band Films

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Movie Reviews

Silent For Years, A Riot Grrrl Steps Back To The Mic

The documentary follows the life, career and recent re-emergence of musician and riot grrrl, Kathleen Hanna, from her beginnings with Bikini Kill to her latest venture, The Julie Ruin.

A Gospel Story, Reframed (Again) In 'Black Nativity'

Jacob Latimore (from left), Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson and Forest Whitaker power through the season in Kasi Lemmons' Black Nativity, a Christmas movie musical based on Langston Hughes' gospel oratorio. Phil Bray/Fox Searchlight Pictures hide caption

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Phil Bray/Fox Searchlight Pictures

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Movie Reviews

A Gospel Story, Reframed (Again) In 'Black Nativity'

A contemporary musical reimagining of the Langston Hughes oratorio, the film follows a teenage boy sent to stay with his estranged grandparents in Harlem. Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett and Jennifer Hudson star.

Holiday Movie Preview: What's Playing From Now To New Year's

A look at the 50 or so movies — Oscar bait and just plain entertainment — that Hollywood will be offering between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.

Holiday Movie Preview: What's Playing From Now To New Year's

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For Top-Flight Animators, The Gag Is An Art All Its Own

Frozen storyboard image. Walt Disney Pictures hide caption

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Walt Disney Pictures

For Top-Flight Animators, The Gag Is An Art All Its Own

In movies like Toy Story, Despicable Me and the new fairy tale Frozen, elaborate sight gags are critical to the cartoon humor. And the process of getting the laughs from storyboard to screen is more complicated than you might think.

For Top-Flight Animators, The Gag Is An Art All Its Own

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Books

Rick Najera: A Latino In Hollywood Is 'Almost White'

Rick Najera's name may not sound familiar, but his acting, writing and production work is famous in Hollywood. Host Michel Martin talks with Najera about his career and his memoir, Almost White: Forced Confessions of A Latino in Hollywood. This segment initially aired Oct. 3, 2013 on Tell Me More.

Rick Najera: A Latino In Hollywood Is 'Almost White'

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More Girls Target Archery, Inspired By 'The Hunger Games'

Y'Jazzmin Christopher, 7, takes up target practice at Archery in the Wild in Longmont, Colo. "She used to be a really shy person, but now she's opening socially," says Alicia Christopher, Y'Jazzmin's mom, about her daughter's archery. Grace Hood/KUNC hide caption

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Grace Hood/KUNC

National

More Girls Target Archery, Inspired By 'The Hunger Games'

KUNC

The popularity of The Hunger Games book and film series is leading to an uptick in the popularity of archery, especially among girls. USA Archery says membership is on the rise, and some sporting equipment outfitters have seen a big boost in bow and arrow sales in the years since the series began.

More Girls Target Archery, Inspired By 'The Hunger Games'

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