Film

Screenwriter Paul Mayersberg (MY-urz-burg). He penned the film “Croupier,” directed by Mike Hodges, whom we’ll hear from later in the show. “Croupier” is a thriller about a novelist who moonlights at a London casino, although he doesn’t gamble himself. He lives to watch others’ defeat. Mayersberg wrote the 1976 classic “The Man who Fell to Earth,” starring David Bowie. In addition to writing, he’s also directed several films, including “The Last Samurai.”

Rudy Behlmer (BELL-mur) is the editor of “Memo from David O. Selznick,” (Modern Library) a new collection of the producer’s private letters, telegrams and memos. The making of “Gone With the Wind” and other film classics are documented in this revealing look at the movie business in its early years. This book is part of a series of film books being reprinted by Martin Scorsese. Also in the “Modern Library: The Movies” series are “The Making of 2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Agee on Film” by James Agee, and “The Art of the Moving Picture,” by Vachel Lindsay.

Film critic John Powers reviews “Gladiator” directed by Ridley Scott starring Russell Crowe.

The new documentary “Well-Founded Fear” goes inside the Immigration and Naturalization Service to document the process by which asylum agents grant or deny asylum to refugees. The INS gave the filmmakers, Shari Robertson and Michael Camerini, unprecedented access. Terry talks with the two, and with Asylum Officer Robert Gerald Brown. (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW).

Film critic John Powers reviews “Time Code” the new film by Mike Figgis that features four different stories on the screen at one time, by dividing the screen into quadrants. Figgis did this by using four digital cameras, recording each story in real time without edits.

Director Sofia Coppola is the daughter of film director Francis Ford Coppola. She’s directed the new film “The Virgin Suicides” based on the novel by Jeffrey Eugenides, about five teenage sisters and the domino effect after the youngest kills herself.

Brazilian film director Bruno Barreto. His new film “Bossa Nova” is a romantic comedy starring his wife, American actress, Amy Irving. Barreto’s other films are the critically acclaimed “Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands” and “Four Days in September” which was nominated for an Academy Award for best Foreign Language Film.

Film director Mary Harron. She’s directed the new film “American Psycho” based on the controversial novel by Bret Easton Ellis about a murderous and misogynistic young man on Wall Street. The film stars Christian Bale. Harron also co-wrote the screenplay. One reviewer writes, “the movie establishes its insidious balance of humor and aestheticized gore.” Harron previously directed the film “I Shot Andy Warhol.”

Actor Edward Norton. His first major role was in the 1996 film "Primal Fear" as a quiet, stuttering altar boy accused of a brutal murder. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal. Norton went on to roles in Woody Allen's "Everyone Says I Love You," "The People vs. Larry Flint" and "Fight Club." He was nominated for an Academy Award again for his role in "American History X." He directed and stars in the new film "Keeping the Faith."

Film Critic John Powers reviews the new movie, American Psycho.

Director Barry Blaustein is making his directorial debut with the new documentary film “Beyond the Mat.” The movie takes a look at the personal lives of the stars of the World Wrestling Federation, men with names like “Mankind” and “Jake the Snake.” Blaustein previously was head writer and supervising producer at Saturday Night Live and he co-wrote many of Eddie Murphy’s best-loved characters like “Buckwheat,” “Velvet Jones,” “Gumby,” and “Mr. Robinson.”

Filmmaker Jim Jarmusch is new movie is called Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, starring Forrest Whitaker. Jarmusch often acts as writer, director, and producer of his films. His other films include Stranger Than Paradise, Down by Law, Mystery Train, Night on Earth, and Year of the Horse.

Film Critic John Powers reviews the new movie Black and White.

Actor Om Puri is a star of Bombay's film industry, known as Bollywood. In his two decades of acting he's worked with every major Indian film director including Satjayit Ray. In western films he had roles in "Ghandi" and "City of Joy," and in the TV series "The Jewel in the Crown." Recently he's had starring parts in two British films "My Son the Fanatic," and the new film "East is East."

Our rock historian Ed Ward steps in to review the new film “High Fidelity,” starring John Cusack.

Actor John Cusack He stars in the new film “High Fidelity” based on the novel of the same name. He plays a 35 year-old used record store owner who keeps top-five lists for everything, and can’t keep a relationship. By the time Cusack was 22 he had a number of films to his credit: “The Sure Thing,” “Eight Men Out,” “Say Anything,” and “Fat Man and Little Boy.” Later he went on to make “The Grifters,” “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” “The Thin Red Line,” and “Grosse Pointe Blank” which he cowrote.

Actress Joan Cusack. She has received two best supporting actress Oscar nominations -- in 1988 for her role in Working Girl, and in 1997 for her role in In and Out. Her other movies include Broadcast News, Addams Family Values, Grosse Pointe Blank, Arlington Road, The Cradle Will Rock and Runaway Bride. She stars with her brother John Cusack in the new film High Fidelity, based on the novel by Nick Hornby. (High Fidelity opens March 31st)

Film critic John Powers reviews “Erin Brockovitch” starring Julia Roberts.

Director/writer Kimberly Pierce and actress Hilary Swank from the film "Boys Don't Cry." The movie Is based on a true story about a Nebraskan teenage girl, Teena Brandon, who successfully passed herself off as a boy, Brandon Teena. When her true Identity Is discovered, she's raped by two men, and killed after bringing charges against them. SWANK has been nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal, so has her co-star Chloe Sevigny who plays Teena's girlfriend Lana.

Screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière is best known for his 19 year collaboration with French film director Luis Bunuel. Their films Include "Diary of a Chambermaid," "Belle du Jour," "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie" and "The Obscure Object of Desire." Carrière also wrote screenplays for "The Tin Drum," "The Return of Martin Guerre," and "The Unbearable Lightness of Being." On March 5th, Carrière received the highest award given by the Writers Guild of American, the Screen Laurel Award.