Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'hollywood'

What Would Happen If SAG Striked...

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

Hollywood could see another strike soon. The Screen Actors Guild and movie studio representatives are holding their first contract talks in four months with a federal mediator, but expectations of a deal are low.

Melvin Van Peebles Speaks Candidly On Honors, Criticism

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles' breakout hit Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song rattled the Hollywood status quo when it was released in 1971 with an "X" rating for adult content. Since then, Van Peebles has gone on to write, direct and act in many other projects, which has earned him upcoming tribute by the Gotham Indepedent Film Awards. Van Peebles discusses highlights of his career and addresses criticism of his work.

'Bolt': A Show-Biz Hero With More Bark Than Bite

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST

An animal actor, convinced his TV-show superpowers are real, scrambles to find his way from New York back to Hollywood. Kids will have a fine time, says critic Mark Jenkins, but adults might develop an allergy.

Obama Documentary Needs Emanuel Brothers

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Hollywood is buzzing about a documentary on Barack Obama. A film crew has been following Obama for two years. One of the talent agents involved with the project is Ari Emanuel. He's the brother of Congressman Rahm Emanuel, who has been chosen as White House chief of staff to Barack Obama. So far, the third Emanuel brother has not been involved with the project. Zeke Emanuel is a doctor at the NIH Clinical Center.

In Hollywood, Hard Times May Mean Good Times

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:12:00 EDT

The only bromide in Hollywood older than "boy meets girl" is that "movies are recession-proof." And it seems to be true — local theaters can offer a cheap getaway from life's troubles. John Ridley says that often, the boost in box-office sales seems to inspire some great movies.

Hollywood Bad Boy Eszterhas Writes About Faith

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Joe Eszterhas was one of the dirtiest, drinkingest writers in Hollywood. He wrote films like Show Girls, Jagged Edge, Basic Instinct and Music Box. After years of smoking and drinking, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. In his darkest moment, like something out of a Hollywood script, struggling with surgical recovery and his own addictions, Joe Eszterhas turned himself over to God. Seven years later, Eszterhas talks about his latest book Crossbearer: A Memoir of Faith with Scott Simon.

Emmys: Reality, Cable Take Center Stage

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:20:00 EDT

The red carpet is out in Hollywood for tonight's Emmy Awards. Five reality-show hosts will emcee, while AMC's cable hit Mad Men is up for 16 awards. NPR's entertainment blogger, Linda Holmes of "Monkey See," explains this seismic shift.

Mike Myers' Path From Wayne to 'Love Guru'

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:11:00 EDT

In The Love Guru comedian Mike Myers plays Pitka, a Hollywood guru charged with reuniting a famous hockey star with his estranged wife.

Kidman Tops List Of Least Bankable Stars

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

In Hollywood, it's not true that "you're only as good as your last picture." Some movie stars who don't fill seats are still highly sought after and highly paid. Forbes magazine is out with its list of the most overpaid stars. Oscar winner Nicole Kidman gets top billing for 2007. She earned studios just $1 for each dollar she was paid. By comparison, Vince Vaughn brought in nearly $15 for each dollar he was paid.

Theaters Look Beyond Movies To Fill Seats

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:27:00 EDT

Movie theaters are looking beyond Hollywood to attract audiences. The Metropolitan Opera has simulcast shows over the past couple of years. Broadway shows, marching-band competitions and political debates have followed suit. Sporting events are next.

An Oscar Crop With An Instinct For Change

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:06:00 EDT

Forty years ago, the best picture nominees signaled a stirring in Hollywood — an appetite for revolutionary realism, socially conscious stories and movies targeted at the long-ignored youth audience.

Lifestyle & Trends: Lisa Raye Fights Back

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:19:00 EDT

Actress LisaRaye has released photos to Essence magazine of what she says is domestic abuse. Plus, there's going to be a whole lot of Hollywood in Denver next week. For more, Farai Chideya speaks with Newsweek magazine's national correspondent Allison Samuels.

Hollywood and Technology

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EDT

We look at how Hollywood became a driving force in the invention of new technologies — from Technicolor to the rise of digital special effects — and how new ideas and technologies, such as the Internet, are still shaping the movie industry today.

In Election Movies, Playing By A Rule of Three

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:26:00 EDT

Hollywood has always recognized the potential drama inherent in elections — think The Manchurian Candidate. Bob Mondello and Michele Norris talk about the intersection of ballot box and box office.

'Tropic Thunder': A Category 2 Comedy Disaster

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:00:00 EDT

A Hollywood parody of the Scary Movie variety, Tropic Thunder becomes the butt of its own joke. Bombastic actors satirically play bombastic actors — without much effect, says critic Cynthia Fuchs. Ooh, how meta.

Remembering Hollywood's Hays Code, 40 Years On

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:58:00 EDT

For more than three decades, the Code applied rigid moral scrutiny to films, banning everything from interracial dating to "lustful kissing." It died officially in 1968 — but in practice, it was always taking hits.

In 'Swing Vote,' A Civics Lesson, Hollywood Style

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:32:00 EDT

Just in time for the political conventions: a morally muddled attempt to pay Capra-esque tribute to America's democracy. Kevin Costner plays a 50-something buffoon with arrested development.

Seth Rogen, Looking Less Geeky These Days

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:52:00 EDT

The Pineapple Express star often portrays less successful members of society — but he's hardly one of them. The actor and screenwriter has four Hollywood projects out this summer.

Comic Convention Draws Record Crowds

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The annual Comic-Con in San Diego drew record numbers of attendees over the weekend, from fans dressed like Darth Vader to Hollywood studio executives in suits. The presence of movie studios and video game companies has grown at the pop culture gathering over the years, as they look to connect even more with loyal legions of fans.

Summary Judgment: The Worst Beach Movies Of All-Time

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Surfers and beach bunnies used to abound on the silver screen, but the movies didn't age well. In fact, they stand almost unchallenged as one of Hollywood's most ridiculous genres. Slate.com's Mark Jordan Legan offers a list of the weirdest and worst beach movies ever made.

Comic Robert Smigel, Master Of 'Triumph'

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:38:00 EDT

Triumph the Comic Insult Dog's bark may be worse than his bite: The canine puppet has been mocking Hollywood celebrities for over a decade now. Robert Smigel, Triumph's creator, talks about the furry late-night fixture and his other comedy projects.

Excerpt: 'Hollywood Crows'

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:26:00 EDT

Excerpt From: 'Hollywood Crows' by Joseph Wambaugh

New 3-D 'Journey' Sparks a Trip Back to the '50s

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:55:00 EDT

There's a new Hollywood take on Jules Verne's 1863 novel; seeing it sent Bob Mondello back into the nearer past — to the wide-screen version of the tale he saw when he was a kid. Turns out it's still kinda fun.

Does The Military Wag Hollywood's Dog...

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:31:00 EDT

Every branch of the U.S. military has a liaison office in Hollywood. They also have a say-so about movie scripts that center around the war. A Pentagon correspondent speaks with an army liaison for Hollywood and a film critic about the love-hate relationship between Hollywood and the military.

Jimmy Smits on Patriotism, Politics and Hollywood

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Acclaimed actor Jimmy Smits will host the 28th annual broadcast of A Capitol Fourth on PBS this July 4th. But before his primetime duties, the actor stops by NPR to discuss his television career and why he's proud to be an American. Smits also discusses the possibility of his own run for public office.