Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'emamerican'

Josh Brolin Takes On The Legacy Of 'W'

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:50:00 EST

His starring role as George W. Bush in the Oliver Stone film W. was just one in a series of high-profile jobs for Josh Brolin — including the Oscar-winner No Country for Old Men. He was also seen last year in American Gangster and In The Valley of Elah.

Book Explores History Of The American Rifle

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:03:00 EST

A new book traces American history — though the sight of a gun. Alexander Rose, author of American Rifle: A Biography, and host Andrea Seabrook visit a shooting range to tell the story.

Hunting Buffalo In Alaska

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:35:00 EST

The American buffalo at one time swarmed the plains from Texas to Canada, but by 1911 they were near extinction. Steven Rinella, author of American Buffalo, talks about his experience hunting buffalo in Alaska and about his book.

Suicide May Require A Gentler 'American Idol'

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

The recent suicide of a former American Idol contestant has TV critic Andrew Wallenstein thinking about harsh critiques. So many aspiring contestants are rather viciously dismissed from the competition by the judges. Wallenstein says we'll probably see a gentler show next season.

One Critic, Three New Pop Singles

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:56:00 EST

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews a trio of new pop singles: Pink's "So What," Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," and "Crush," from onetime American Idol sensation David Archuleta.

David Cook: 'Idol' Busy With New Album

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Every fall, the latest winner of the American Idol competition arrives with an album. This year it's David Cook, who won by the largest margin in the show's seven-year history. Tom Moon

Op-Ed: Undecided Is Overrated

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:38:00 EDT

Ezra Klein, associate editor of the American Prospect, argues that U.S. electoral coverage focuses too much on undecided voters. He says most of these voters have already made up their minds.

Imagining The Life Of The President's Wife

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:41:00 EDT

American Wife follows the life of a demure school librarian who becomes first lady of the United States. The novel, inspired by the life of Laura Bush, is the third from Curtis Sittenfeld.

Taking Product Placement Another Step

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:13:00 EDT

Sure you've see the Coke cups sitting at the fingertips of American Idol judges. But do you know why the ad men of Mad Men take on Heineken as a client? Or why Dwight buys Office supplies at Staples?

Alan Ball Returns With 'True Blood' And 'Towelhead'

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:27:00 EDT

The writer of American Beauty and the hit series Six Feet Under has a new HBO drama about vampires in a Louisiana town — and a controversially titled movie, Towelhead, based on Alicia Erian's novel.

Reporter Helen Thomas Gets An HBO 'Thank You'

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:18:00 EDT

Documentarian Rory Kennedy, who's won acclaim and awards for her documentaries American Hollow and The Ghosts of Abu Ghraib, turns her lens on legendary White House correspondent Helen Thomas. David Bianculli has a review.

The Secret Life Of The 'American Teen'

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:22:00 EDT

Film critic David Edelstein reviews the new documentary American Teen. Directed by Nanette Burnstein, the film follows a group of seniors at a high school in Warsaw, Indiana.

Summer Movies: 'Dark Knight' And 'American Teen'

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Scott Simon talks to film critic Desson Thomson about movie archetypes and how they're portrayed in two very different films: the latest Batman flick, The Dark Knight, and American Teen, a documentary about teenagers and the roles they play, or try to escape, in their small-town high school.

American Teens Hog Spotlight; 'Boy A' Shies Away

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:45:00 EDT

Amid summer's blockbusters, two films offer a change of pace: American Teen, a documentary that plays like fiction, and Boy A, fiction that feels true to life.

Tone Deafness Study Yields Sweet Notes

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:32:00 EDT

Attention American Idol rebuffs: It's all in your head. In this week's journal PLoS ONE, researchers report that, while tone-deaf people cannot distinguish between "right" and "wrong" notes, their brains can hear the difference. Scientists working on the project discuss what the findings mean.

China's 'Super Girl' Navigates Her Own 'Idol' Fame

Fri, 23 May 2008 15:19:00 EDT

Three years ago, Chris Lee won a singing contest called Super Girl — a sort of Chinese version of American Idol. Her instant stardom overwhelmed her, and she is still finding her way, and her voice, in China's pop music industry.

Why 'Dance' Is Hotter than 'Idol'

Thu, 22 May 2008 13:00:00 EDT

While American Idol gets all the attention, television critic Andrew Wallenstein says that So You Think You Can Dance beats them all. The show succeeds, he says, because there's actual talent on display.

Does 'American Idol' Need a Shakeup...

Wed, 21 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

As the seventh season of American Idol reaches its finale tonight, the show remains a big hit. But Entertainment Weekly columnist Mark Harris thinks Idol needs a facelift — with less product placement and more spontaneity.

Fans Audition for 'Ball Game' Anniversary

Sat, 17 May 2008 15:12:00 EDT

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," Major League Baseball teams are auditioning fans to find the most talented performers of that iconic song. At Atlanta's Turner Field, home of the Braves, the search has taken on American Idol proportions.

Stage Star Turns to Martial Arts in 'Redbelt'

Thu, 01 May 2008 10:54:00 EDT

Chiwetel Ejiofor plays a martial arts instructor in the new David Mamet film, Redbelt. Before starring in movies, Ejiofor was a prominent stage actor in England. Since then, he has been in such films as Dirty Pretty Things, Children of Men and American Gangster.