Film

Filmmaker James Toback. His new film is called "The Big Bang."

Michael Herr. He wrote what's considered the definitive Vietnam book, "Dispatches." His new book is a novel based on the life of Walter Winchell.

Film critic Stephen Schiff checks in from the Cannes Film Festival.

Actor Tim Robbins. He starred in the film, "Bull Durham." He now stars in the new film "Cadillac Man" with Robin Williams.

Actor Martin Landau. He was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his roles in "Crimes and Misdemeanors," and "Tucker." And he's starring in the new HBO movie, "By Dawn's Early Light." He plays a President of the United States who is trying to avert a full-scale nuclear war with the Soviet Union.

Guest film critic Owen Gleiberman reviews "Bird on a Wire," a new movie starring Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn.

Musician and actor John Lurie. He appeared in Jim Jarmusch's off-beat films "Down By Law," and "Stranger Than Paradise." Lurie also scored the music for these films, and he performs and records with his group, The Lounge Lizards. Lurie has a new album, Voice of Chunk, which he produced and is marketing himself through TV ads and an 800 number.

Mahoney, who died Sunday, was born in Britain and didn't start acting until he was 37. He went on to appear in films like Say Anything and Barton Fink. Originally broadcast 1990.

Actor John Mahoney. He started out in Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater. His film roles include "Tin Men," "Eight Men Out," the randy professor in "Moonstruck," and the father in "Say Anything."

Guest film critic Owen Gleiberman reviews "Longtime Companion." It's about how AIDS affected the gay community in New York in the 1980's. The film, written by playwright Craig Lucas, was originally produced for the PBS series American Playhouse.

Actress Pam Grier. She got her start playing tough, scantily-clad women in black exploitation films, such as "Black Mama, White Mama," "Foxy Brown," and "Sheba Baby." She played a hooker in "Fort Apache: The Bronx," and is now appearing in the new film, "The Class of 1999."

Writer Hanif Kureishi (kah-REE-she). He wrote the screenplays for the critically-acclaimed movies "Sammy and Rosie Get Laid," and "My Beautiful Launderette." Now he's just published his first novel, called "The Buddha of Suburbia." It's published by Viking.

Author Hubert Selby, Junior. His first novel, "Last Exit to Brooklyn," was published in 1957. It's just been made into a movie, and Selby was an advisor and plays a small part in the film, which opened this week. Selby teaches at the University of Southern California, and is working on a new novel.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new thriller, "Q & A," starring Nick Nolte.

Television critic David Bianculli takes another look at the ABC series "Twin Peaks."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the controversial new film "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover." It's by British director Peter Greenaway, who directed "The Draftsman's Contract."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Miami Blues," starring Alec Baldwin, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Fred Ward.

Theatre and film director and screenwriter Peter Brook. In 1985, Brook staged an epic, nine hour play based on the Indian sacred text, "The Mahabharata (mah-hah-ber-rah-tah)." He's also directed a 6 hour T-V version and a 3-hour film version. Previously, Brook directed the Royal Shakespeare Company, founded the International Center for Theater Research, and directed the premiere of the groundbreaking play "Marat/Sade."

Film critic Steven Schiff reviews the latest media breakthrough of those heroes on a half-shell, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,"--the movie.

Filmmaker John Waters. His latest film is "Cry Baby," a juvenile delinquent love story set in the 1950's, which brings together such performers as Patty Hearst, Johnny Depp (of Fox's tv show "21 Jump Street"), Ricki Lake, David Nelson, and Polly Bergen. Waters is known for his independent, off-beat films, such as "Pink Flamingos," "Female Trouble," and "Polyester." In 1988 Waters entered the mainstream with his popular film, "Hairspray."