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03:46

A Corny, but Effective Film.

Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new movie "Shadowlands" starring Anthony Hopkins and Deborah Winger. It's based on the lives of British writer C.S. Lewis and the American poet who became his wife, Joy Gresham. Whitehead, who is Fresh Air's regular jazz critic, is filling in for film critic Stephen Schiff this week.

Review
22:59

A. E. Hotchner Discusses his Childhood.

Writer A.E. Hotchner. His memoir, about growing up in a flophouse during the depression, "King of the Hill," is being made into a movie, directed by Stephen Soderbergh (who directed "Sex, Lives, and Videotape). Hotchner is best known for his controversial 1966 biography of his personal friend Ernest Hemingway, "Papa Hemingway: A Personal Memoir." Presented in the unusual form of dialogue, Hotchner faced criticism from the literary community and an attempt by Hemingway's widow to ban the sale of the book. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Interview
15:39

Actress Angela Bassett on Becoming Tina Turner

Bassett recently had the intimidating job of playing the legendary singer in the new film, "What's Love Got to Do with it." Her performance has been widely praised. Bassett's other roles include the mother of a troubled teenager in "Boyz N the Hood," and the wife of the black Muslim leader in Spike Lee's "Malcolm X."

Interview
23:00

Film Director Peter Medak.

Film director Peter Medak. Medak's new movie, "Let Him Have it," is the true-life story of two London teenagers who shot a policeman in 1952. What makes the case controversial is that the boy who actually pulled the trigger was a minor, and therefore couldn't get the death penalty. The other boy was put to death, even though there's evidence that he was trying to surrender.

Interview
24:03

Filmmaker Robert Altman on His New Biopic

Altman is establishing himself as a Hollywood director; he also gained acclaimed for his television series Tanner 88, cowritten by Gary Trudeau. His new movie is "Vincent and Theo," about painter Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Theo.

Interview
10:55

The Producer and Director of "My Left Foot."

Fresh Air producer Amy Salit interviews producer Noel Pearson and director Jim Sheridan of the film "My Left Foot." The film tells the story of Christy Brown, who became a painter and writer in spite of having cerebral palsy. Pearson, who produced the film, knew Christy and his family and Sheridan co-wrote as well as directed it. "My Left Foot," a first film for both, has been nominated for Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Picture.

03:48

An Angry, Powerful Rant of a Film.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new movie "Born on the Fourth of July," directed by Oliver Stone and starring Tom Cruise. It's based on the autobiography of the same name by Vietnam vet and anti-war activist Ron Kovic.

03:35

A Hollywood Time Capsule Now on Home Video

Critic Ken Tucker reviews the home video release of The Great Ziegfeld, a biopic about the famed impresario. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, an honor Tucker says was undeserved. Yet the film is fun, despite some slow moments, and paints a clear picture of a bygone era of of Hollywood.

Review
03:33

Aretha Franklin: An "American Master"

The PBS series' latest episode is a documentary of the legendary soul singer. TV critic David Bianculli say the film gives viewers a chance to see rare interviews and concert footage, but glosses over much of Franklin's personal life.

Review
06:53

Disc Jockey Alan Freed Brought Black Music to the Radio.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Alan Freed, one of the most famous, and most notorious, disc jockeys of the 50s and 60s. Freed was one of the first disc jockeys on a mainstream station (WJW in Cleveland) to play the black rhythm and blues that was the foundation of early rock and roll.

Commentary

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