Film

The African American film director is best known for Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, which added a political dimension to the black action movie genre. Van Peebles says that, unlike his own work, the blaxploitation films that came later were apologies for systems of oppression, not critiques of them. Prior to his career in film, he lived in France as a writer. His new book, coauthored by his son Mario, is called No Identity Crisis.

Critic Owen Gleiberman says "Ghost" is a tense, touching, and funny love story starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg. Swayze's character dies, and Goldberg channels his spirit to communicate with his still-living love Demi Moore.

Peter Bart was a senior vice president of the MGM/United Artists studio, and has just written a new book called "Fade Out." He discusses his efforts to turn the company around as the Hollywood studio system came to a close.

Critic Owen Gleiberman reviews The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, which stars comedian Andrew Dice Clay as a rock and roll detective. Gleiberman calls the movie monotonous; Clay's performance, like his standup, is crass, but not without charisma.

Film scholar Douglas Gomery has a new essay in the anthology Seeing Through Movies, in which he discusses the history of the movie theater, and how theater owners designed the audience experience over the decades.

Film critic Owen Gleiberman says the original Die Hard succeed in part because it was tightly plotted and plausible -- for an action movie. But it's hard to imagine Bruce Willis's John McClane fighting terrorists throughout the sprawl of Washington, D.C.

Lee says his substantial height kept him from landing leading man roles. During his long-running career, he's appeared in over 150 films. Lee made a name for himself in horror, playing both Dracula and Frankenstein's monster. He's starring in the forthcoming sequel to Gremlins.

Film critic Owen Gleiberman reviews "Days of Thunder," starring Tom Cruise as a cocky stock car driver.

Actress Celeste Holm. She appeared in the films such as "All About Eve," "Gentlemen's Agreement," and "High Society," on Broadway in shows such as "Oklahoma!" and "The King and I," and in numerous television roles over the years. She's now taking part in a retrospective of 20th Century Fox films being held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Film critic Owen Gleiberman reviews Michael Caine's home video "Acting in Film."

Television critic David Bianculli reviews the season premiere of "POV," public television's series of independent documentaries.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Gremlins II: The New Batch."

Television critic David Bianculli reviews a new Siskel & Ebert special on CBS that looks at the future of the movies.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new movie "Dick Tracy." (Partial audio).

Film critic Owen Gleiberman (gly-ber-mann) reviews the home video release of "Let It Ride," last summer's comedy starring Richard Dreyfus as a man who can't stop betting on the horses.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Another 48 Hours," starring Nick Knolte and Eddie Murphy in a sequel to their movie, "48 Hours."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Madonna's new album, "I'm Breathless." It's music from, and inspired by, the new movie, "Dick Tracy." The album's on Warner.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Total Recall," starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Director Norman René and playwright Craig Lucas They collaborated on the film, "Longtime Companion."

Film critic Owen Gleiberman reviews "Back to the Future 3."