NPR: Movies Podcast

Movie critic Sean Moore explains how Hollywood misses the mark in depicting other cultures; NPR movie critic Bob Mondello says a recent coming of age film is both hip and fresh; the science of cartoons is explained in ways that brings the wackiness down to earth; NPR film critic Ken Turan says a new film about a self absorbed action hero misses its mark; and NPR's Talk of the Nation invites a film maker to take to the phones to talk about his new film about a journalism outlaw/pioneer.

This week in our NPR movie podcast; Hollywood's story of the Eighth Wonder of the World has undercurrents of racism and sexism; actor Jason Bateman speaks of his transition from child star to indie darling; Beastie Boy Adam Yauch moves from the concert stage to the basketball court for his new documentary film; and NPR film critic Bob Mondelo reviews a new film that has echoes of the past while it looks to the future.

Judging character isn't always easy. A new documentary on Dalton Trumbo digs deep. Bob Mondello reviews "Get Smart" and "Love Guru." "Operation Filmmaker" pushes the boundaries of the documentary genre. And the star and director of "Brick Lane" share their thoughts on making the film.

The politics of power. A review of "The Happening." A report on the hottest new film genre: eco-terror. A look at the filmmaker Roman Polanski. And a conversation about female soccer players in Iran.

Transformations large and small. Pandas and hairdressers switch jobs on screen. Julianne Moore discusses the different roles she's played. And M. Night Shyamalan talks science with Ira Flatow.

Different definitions of success. "Sex and the City" dominates at the box office. John Cusack's new film takes a critical look at war. Netflix tracks what members in certain areas are renting most often. A museum in London honors man who created James Bond. And a new box set of Joan Crawford's work draws attention...but is it the right kind?

Strong personalities, unique visions. Mel Brooks opines on musicals and more. Uwe Boll throws an upper cut at the title "worst director in the world." Bob Mondello weighs in on summer cinema options. Fatih Akin's newest film looks at the different facets of multiculturalism. And we have an appreciation of director Sydney Pollack, who died this week.

Reading film, reading reaction. Kenneth Turan encounters Indiana Jones in Cannes. The Japanese comic book Death Note goes from the page to the screen. "Reprise" faces review. And the director of "The Battle for Haditha" describes toeing the line between fact and fiction.

This week: the challenges of translation and interpretation. David Folkenflik reports on why movie critics are disappearing. Andrea Seabrook talks with the director of "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian." Kenneth Turan looks ahead to this summer's movies. And Rachel Martin talks with the director of a documentary about a Chinese TV singing contest that's one of the largest examples of democratic voting - ever - in modern China.

This week: the search for strength and self control. NPR's Cory Turner describes the nine-year process of making his first film. Alex Chadwick talks with "Redbelt" director David Mamet about jiu jitsu. Scott Simon muses on a proposed Bollywood booze ban. Bob Mondello reviews the film "Son of Rambow." And Neal Conan discusses the physics of "Iron Man" with the author of the book "The Physics of Superheroes."

This week: different forms of control and their unexpected consequences. Bob Mondello looks at Judd Apatow and the many movies he's been involved with. Sarah Marshalls around the country react to an advertising campaign that hits too close to home. Madeleine Brand talks with Errol Morris about his documentary "Standard Operating Procedure." And Richard Gonzales reports on one filmmaker's effort to highlight the man who convinced 800 Japanese soldiers to surrender in one day during World War II.

This week: translating the everyday and extraordinary experiences of life into film. David Greene explores the presidential campaign through a cinematic lens. Rambo hits the movie theaters in Vietnam. Helen Hunt talks about producing, directing, writing and starring in her latest film. David Edelstein reviews the break-up movie "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." And Christopher Joyce profiles Indiana Jones, PhD.

Stories: 1) Light-Activated Teeth Whitening Versus Other Methods 2) How Much You Sleep Affects Weight 3) Contaminated Blood Thinner Deaths Surpass 100 4) How Low Is Too Low for Blood Pressure and Cholesterol? 5) Emergency Room Crowding Surprise

This week: movies that focus on the ways passions and compulsions can shape a life. Scott Simon checks the math behind card-counting in the gambling movie "21." Elizabeth Blair reports on characters taking a leap of faith in the film "The Visitor." Laura Sydell offers an in-depth profile of Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter. And Robert Siegel talks with action movie star Jackie Chan.

This week: movies that focus on the ways passions and compulsions can shape a life. Scott Simon checks the math behind card-counting in the gambling movie "21." Elizabeth Blair reports on characters taking a leap of faith in the film "The Visitor." Laura Sydell offers an in-depth profile of Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter. And Robert Siegel talks with action movie star Jackie Chan.

Stories: 1) When the Devil You Know Turns Out to be Family 2) Oscar May Come Calling to Lumet's Stellar 'Devil' 3) 'Real Life' Rarity: A Romantic Comedy for Grownups 4) Weekend Movies: Men Who Can't Cope 5) 'Lions for Lambs' May Revive United Artists 6) 'Redacted' Producer Blocks Real, Horrifying Images

Stories: 1) 'Charlie Wilson's War' a Satirical Spin on History 2) Sondheim & Co., Taking 'Todd' from Stage to Screen 3) In 'Sweeney Todd,' Blood Will Most Certainly Flow 4) Summary Judgment: 'Charlie Wilson,' 'Dewey Cox' 5) 'Charlie Wilson's War' Was Unlikely, But True 6) Ridley Scott Refines His Vision of 'Blade Runner'

Stories: 1) Francis Ford Coppola Seeks Answers in 'Youth' 2) 'I Am Legend' a One-Man American Metaphor 3) Film Version of 'Kite Runner' Faithful to Book 4) 'Atonement', 'Gangster' Up for Golden Globe 5) Child Star, Now Grown Up, Re-releases 'Red Balloon' 6) Summary Judgment: 'Kite Runner,' 'I Am Legend'

Stories: 1) Taking 'Atonement' from the Page to the Screen 2) This Season, the Scrappy Heroes Are Wearing Skirts 3) Amid the Humor, Dewey Cox's Music is for Real 4) Religious Groups Question Direction of 'Compass' 5) Romance Amid the Sweep of History in 'Atonement' 6) Ellen Page, Playing 'Honest, Whole Young Women'

Stories: 1) 'Diving Bell' Celebrates Life of the Mind 2) With a Sad Subject, 'Diving Bell' Surprisingly Funny 3) A Beautiful Movie: 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' 4) 'Diving' into a Personal Story 5) Laura Linney Explores the Art, Artifice of Acting 6) 'The Savages' Captures Realities of a Family Crisis

Stories: 1) Summary Judgment: New Releases 2) Tribute to a Film Classic 3) Film Marks 40th Anniversary with DVD 4) Simon Wrote Songs for Classic Film 5) Role Launched Hoffman's Career 6) 'The Mist' Based on King Novel

Stories: 1) Afghan 'Kite Runner' Actors Say They Were Misled 2) Big Screen Takes Liberties with 'Beowulf' 3) Doomed Nuclear Worker Steals Weapons in 'PU239' 4) 'Beowulf' Sexes Up, Dumbs Down an Epic 5) New Technology Sharpens 3-D Movies 6) Kidman Shines in 'Margot at the Wedding'

Stories: 1) 'Country' Star Brolin: Offbeat is Familiar Territory 2) Violence Overwhelms 'No Country' 3) Mexico Produces New Wave of Cinema Talents 4) 'Country' Boys: Coen Brothers Out for Blood Again 5) Mel Brooks Back on Broadway with 'Frankenstein' 6) Highly Acclaimed 'Persepolis' Denounced by Iran

Stories: 1) A-Pollen-ly Personal 'Bee Movie' Doesn't Exactly Fly 2) Gangster Life Depicted on Film 3) Cult Appeal of 'Darko' Film Spawns Stage Version 4) Seinfeld Brings Comedy to the Hive in 'Bee Movie' 5) 'Eat Cheese' Explores Compulsive Eating 6) How Scary Movies Stoke Fear

Stories: 1) When the Devil You Know Turns Out to be Family 2) Oscar May Come Calling to Lumet's Stellar 'Devil' 3) 'Real Life' Rarity: A Romantic Comedy for Grownups 4) Weekend Movies: Men Who Can't Cope 5) 'Lions for Lambs' May Revive United Artists 6) 'Redacted' Producer Blocks Real, Horrifying Images

Stories: 1) Innocents Lost: Is Hollywood Mourning Something? 2) 'Things We Lost' Explores Family, Addiction, Death 3) Stage, Screen Actress Deborah Kerr Dies at 86 4) When 'Lust' Meets Caution, Is It Still Art? 5) DVDs of Early Films Show Nothing Was Taboo 6) 'Control:' A New Spin on Rock Tragedy

Stories: 1) 'Lars and the Real Girl' Heralds Friendship 2) 'Michael Clayton' Turns Camera on Corporate Law 3) Ang Lee Tackles Tough Subjects in 'Lust, Caution' 4) Venezuela's Chavez Promotes Nation's Films

Stories: 1) 'Michael Clayton' Tells of Suspicion and Suspense 2) 'Kite Runner' Delayed Out of Fear for Actors 3) Movie Boosts Traffic to 'Into the Wild' Shrine 4) Summary Judgment: What's on at the box office? 5) Sputnik Left its Mark on the Silver Screen 6) Family Accuses 'Sugar' Filmmakers of Defamation

Stories: 1) Coming Soon, to a Theater Near You: Naked People 2) 'The Kingdom' Mirrors the Headlines 3) 'The Darjeeling Limited': Self-Discovery, by Rail 4) Will Paramount and DreamWorks Really Split? 5) Filming 'The Jane Austen Book Club'

Stories: 1) In the Wild West, Death Becomes an Outlaw Icon 2) For Ken Burns, a 'War' Not as Advertised 3) Film Captures Young Man's Journey 'Into the Wild' 4) Summary Judgment: A look at weekend offerings 5) Film of 'Kite Runner' Novel Sparks Safety Concerns 6) Aidan Quinn's 'Wounded Knee' Role