Bob Mondello
In the first of our six-part series, NPR’s Bob Mondello explains how the theater that most Americans see is being transformed.
A look at the possible awards contenders and blockbusters that Hollywood has in store for autumn.
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.
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.
Motion pictures went to the moon long before Apollo 11 did, and they keep going back. Critic Bob Mondello reflects on the many films, from 1902 to today, that have made the journey.
As summer gives way to fall, blockbusters give way to award contenders. Here are some of the best, buzziest and otherwise noteworthy films coming to theaters.
In 2006, Al Gore issued a forceful warning about the threat of climate change in An Inconvenient Truth. He’s followed it up with a sequel that shows how far we’ve come — but with plenty of caveats.
A new film starring Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara is provocative — if you’ve got the patience.
Hollywood’s long history of not putting interracial romance on-screen goes all the way back to the Hays Code, which prohibited the depiction of “sex relationships between the white and black races.”
With all the recent talk about politics and the judiciary, NPR’s Bob Mondello has been thinking about how judges are depicted on screen. He takes us on a tour from Duck Soup to Judgment at Nuremberg.
In her latest role, Streep plays a real-life laughingstock who fancied herself an opera singer.
When the co-founder of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., made her theater a nonprofit, hundreds of small regional stages followed suit. Fichandler died July 29 at the age of 91.
The BFG is the new Steven Spielberg movie based off the Roald Dahl book. It’s about a girl and a friendly giant triumphing over bullies and adversity. And it’s got something familiar about it, too.
Sean Penn’s new movie set in Africa got booed at Cannes. Critics said its African characters were “bleeding wallpaper.” Here are 4 films that give African characters (and actors) their due.
The Meddler is a new comedy starring Susan Sarandon about mom who’s just a bit much — just in time for Mother’s Day.
The CEO of AMC Entertainment says he’s considering allowing texting during some movie showings at AMC Theaters. A good thing? Our pop culture blogger and movie critic weigh in.
France’s Standing Tall and the Maori drama The Dark Horse both feature adults reaching out to teens in unorthodox ways.
Batman V Superman positions DC Comics’ best known heroes as tragic Greek figures. NPR film critic Bob Mondello says it tries to go big on the psychological nuances but skimps on fun.