Critic Owen Gleiberman reviews Edward Scissorhands, the new movie directed by Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder. Gleiberman says the film shows Burton's artistry taking a new leap.
Journalist Hedrick Smith was a reporter for the New York Times for 26 years. He reported from the Soviet Union from 1971-1974. His new book, The New Russians, considers the changing political, economic and social cultures of the country under Mikhail Gorbachev's liberalizing reforms.
Ken Tucker reviews Monie Love's Down to Earth and Shazzy's Attitude: A Hip Hop Rapsody. Ken says these women provide a solid alternative to the prevailing misogynistic lyrics in contemporary rap and heavy metal.
Food writer Harold McGee investigates the science of everyday cooking -- things like whether blowing on soup really cools it, or why hot water turns into ice cubes quicker than cold water. His new book is called The Curious Cook.
Writer Wendy Smith is author of Real Life Drama, about the Group Theater, which was founded in the early thirties to bring social realism to the Broadway stage. The ensemble of actors and directors stayed together for ten years and had a lasting effect on American theater.
Diane Ravitch has written many books about American education, and she teaches history at Columbia University. Her new book, "The American Reader," is an anthology of classic speeches, poems, and songs that she feels should be taught in the schools. Ravitich believes American history should be inclusive the many cultures in the Unite States, but opposes ethno-centric curricula.
Rock historian Ed Ward discusses the musician's role in recent popular music. Before rising to prominence in the Velvet Underground, Cale studied with avant-garde composers like LaMonte Young.
Book critic John Leonard reviews "Angkor, the Hidden Glories," a new book about the ancient Cambodian city of Angkor Wat. The photos are by Michael Freeman; the writing is by Roger Warner.
Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Jelly Roll Morton: The Complete Victor Recordings," released on the occasion of the musician's 100th anniversary. Morton is widely considered to be the first great jazz composer, and is finding more acclaim now than he did while he was alive.
Television critic David Bianculli reviews the new documentary about Greta Garbo. He says it fails to capture her allure. But he's willing to forgive the misstep --- TNT will also broadcast 11 of Garbo's classic films.
Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews poet Robert Bly's new book Iron John, which explores what he sees as a crisis of masculinity affecting men today. She says it's a fascinating but far from perfect counterpoint to feminist writings of the 1970s and '80s.
Rock historian Ed Ward explains how American record companies repeatedly tried to capitalize on the popularity of blues music by repackaging it for pop audiences.
The actor started his career during the era of the Hollywood studio system. In 1988, he went to China in 1988, and directed an all Chinese production of "The Caine Mutiny." Heston's written about that project in a new book, Beijing Dairy. He joins Fresh Air to talk about his decades-long career in cinema.
National Organization for Women vice president Patricia Ireland says that the cultural place and treatment of women both in Arab countries and the American military is evidence of a gender apartheid. She joins Fresh Air to explain her organization's positions.
Journalist Dan Noyes is part of the Center For Investigative Reporting, and was in charge of the Center's investigation into the international traffic in toxic waste. Their findings reveal environmentally damaging practices and unethical business practices. The investigation resulted in the PBS documentary "Global Dumping Ground," reported by Bill Moyers, and companion book by the same name.
Linguist Geoff Nunberg explores the place factoids have in our lives -- those bits of information that pass off for facts but aren't actually verifiable.
Critics say Carter has no equal. Her career has spanned four decades, and she's earned three Grammy nominations. Carter's new album is called "Droppin' Things.
