Film

John Updike. America's preeminent writer has written forty-six books, including 17 novels. His latest work is a four-generation saga, a historical novel, "In the Beauty of the Lilies." (Knopf).

Steve Vineberg reviews the film City Hall, which stars Al Pacino, John Cusack, and Bridget Fonda.

Actor, director & writer Simon Callow. He's written a new acclaimed biography of Orson Welles, Orson Welles: The Road to Xanadu (Viking). Callow has appeared on stage and in many films, including "Four Weddings and a Funeral." He's also written two books on acting and a biography of Charles Laughton.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Broken Arrow."

Film Director and choreographer Stanley Donen He directed "On the Town," "Singin' in the Rain," "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," "Funny Girl," and more. He collaborated with Gene Kelly as dance director on such films as "Cover Girl," and "Anchors Away." There's a new biography of Donen, Dancing on the Ceiling: Stanley Donen and his Movies (Knopf), written by Stephen M. Silverman.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "The Juror."

Guest film critic Steve Vineberg reviews the French film "City of Lost Children."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "From Dusk Till Dawn" the new film starring George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, and Quentin Tarantino.

British filmmaker Kate Blewett. Using a concealed camera, Blewett and crew visited eleven state-funded orphanages in China and filmed in nine of them. They documented such things as toddlers whose hands and legs were tied to potty chairs all day, and the rooms where children are left to die. They also say that many of the children were girls, victims of China's One Child Policy, and the Chinese tradition that favors sons over daughters. "The Dying Rooms: China's Darkest Secret" debuts on CINEMAX (Jan 24 at 8 PM). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Guest film critic Steve Vineberg reviews "Georgia."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Waiting to Exhale."

Film critic for The Boston Phoenix, Steve Vineberg. He reviews "Richard III."

Actor/director/writer Sean Penn. The "reluctant actor" is starring in the new film "Dead Man Walking" directed by Tim Robbins, co-starring Susan Sarandon. (It's based on the book, of the same title, by Sister Helen Prejean). Penn has moved away from acting in favor of writing/directing: the 1991 film "The Indian Runner" which he wrote based on a Bruce Springsteen song, and last year's "The Crossing Guard" starring Angelica Huston and Jack Nicholson.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Dead Man Walking."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "12 Monkeys"

Film critic Stephen Schiff gives us his year's best.

Critic Steve Vineberg reviews the film adaptation of "Sense and Sensibility."

Critic Steve Vineberg reviews a new film version of Shakespeare's "Othello." It stars Laurence Fishburne as Othello, and Kenneth Brannagh as Iago.

Film director Ang Lee. He grew up in Taiwan, but studied theater and film production in the United States. His second feature film, "The Wedding Banquet," was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, as was his next film, "Eat Drink Man Woman." Lee's films often portray family relationships with poignancy, respect, and a light comic touch. His latest film is "Sense and Sensibility," the film based on the novel by Jane Austen.