Monthly Archives: December 2021

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour share what’s bringing them joy. This week: the trailer for The Northman, the novel The School for Good Mothers and more.

NPR pop culture critic Linda Holmes lists highlights from the year, including Ted Lasso, a TikTok dog, a twisty mystery, some great performances, and a moment in a mall.

The new movie The Lost Daughter shows a side of motherhood that Hollywood doesn’t often depict.

We asked children’s media experts to recommend their favorite new books, TV shows and video games with characters and storylines representing the diversity of the U.S.

Filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar takes a long, colorful look at motherhood in his melodrama Parallel Mothers, starring Penélope Cruz.

For NPR’s series, “We Hold These Truths,” Scott Simon spoke to film critics Wesley Morris and Mark Harris about movies that have shaped how Americans think of democracy.

NPR’s Ari Shapiro talks with actress Maggie Gyllenhaal about her directorial debut The Lost Daughter, which takes a unique look at motherhood. Now in theaters, the film will be on Netflix on Dec. 31.

In 2004, Waters shared music from his album A John Waters Christmas, an anthology of catchy, entertaining and ridiculous holiday songs that reflect his fascination with the odd and unusual.

Denzel Washington takes on the title character in Joel Coen’s Bard-based film, The Tragedy of Macbeth, with murder-minded Lady Macbeth played by Coen’s wife, Frances McDormand.

Director Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth is a bewitching piece of craftsmanship, featuring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand as the murderous power couple.

Long before writers Lilly and Lana Wachowski confirmed that the original film was written as a trans allegory, fans connected to its themes of self-actualization.

The Tony Award-winning actor previously wrote about his childhood in Scotland and his abusive father. Cumming’s new memoir centers on love, sexuality, career and mental health.

Aaron Sorkin’s take on the scandals and controversies of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz is Sorkin-y to a fault. But Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, and the rest of the cast keep things interesting.

NPR’s Sacha Pfeiffer speaks with actress Uzo Aduba about her new movie, National Champions.

NPR’s Sacha Pfeiffer speaks with director Adam McKay about his newest film, Don’t Look Up.

Scott Simon speaks with Michael Willian, author of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Scene-by-Scene Guide to the Classic Film,” about the 75th anniversary of the movie.

Authorities say the phone could hold evidence that might be helpful as they investigate a deadly shooting on a New Mexico film set. Baldwin was holding a revolver during rehearsal when it fired.

Drive My Car tops Chang’s list of the year’s best movies, but plenty of other films made the return to theaters extra special.

Marvel’s latest superhero film, Spider-Man: No Way Home finds its hero battling foes he thought he’d already vanquished.

In Being the Ricardos, Nicole Kidman portrays Lucille Ball and Lucy Ricardo, Ball’s character in the I Love Lucy show. Kidman received a Golden Globe nomination for the role.

The original musical and film have been criticized for lack of representation in casting and hurtful stereotypes, and some critics have also questioned the new adaptation.

NPR’s Debbie Elliott talks to Javier Bardem, who stars in the new film — Being The Ricardos — about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and their hit 1950s sitcom: I Love Lucy.