Film

One of del Toro's early acting teachers taught him to understand his character before learning lines. He's up for an Oscar for his role in One Battle After Another. Originally broadcast June 12, 2025.

Our film critic, Justin Chang, says the new animated film "Hoppers" is the strongest Pixar movie in years. It's a science-fiction comedy about a college student who wants to protect the local wildlife and stumbles on an extremely high-tech way to do it. The movie opens in theaters this week and features the voices of Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan and Jon Hamm. Here is Justin's review.

Delroy Lindo, an actor whose presence has shaped film and theater for more than 50 years. From West Indian Archie in Spike Lee's "Malcolm X" to the charming and cruel drug kingpin in "Clockers" to a father guarding an unspeakable secret in "The Cider House Rules," for me, Delroy's characters often feel lived in, complicated and hard to shake. In Ryan Coogler's latest film "Sinners," Lindo plays Delta Slim, a hard-drinking, deeply knowing blues harmonica player in 1930s Mississippi.

The new Japanese film "Kokuho" set box office records in its home country. It's now playing in theaters here. The movie, which received an Oscar nomination for hair and makeup, tells the story of a gangster's son who dreams of being a star in Japan's famously rigorous Kabuki theater. Our critic-at-large John Powers says "Kokuho" carried him away into a fascinating subculture whose demands are at once familiar and unfamiliar.

Jessie Buckley, who is nominated for an Oscar for her starring role on "Hamnet." She's already won a Golden Globe for her performance.

In the psychological drama "Dreams," Jessica Chastain plays a San Francisco philanthropist whose foundation supports a dance academy in Mexico City. The movie, which also stars the Mexican actor and ballet dancer Isaac Hernández, is the latest from the writer and director Michel Franco, who previously worked with Chastain in the 2024 film "Memory." "Dreams" opens in select theaters this week. And our film critic, Justin Chang, has this review.

Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard, has had a long and interesting career, which only seems to get more interesting with age. Now in his 70s, he's just earned a Golden Globe award and an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor for his performance in the widely acclaimed film "Sentimental Value," from the Danish Norwegian director Joachim Trier.

Kate Hudson. She's up for an Oscar for her role as Claire in the film "Song Sung Blue," starring opposite Hugh Jackman as one half of Lightning & Thunder, a Neil Diamond tribute band.

Wiseman's narration-free documentaries, including Titicut Follies, Hospital and Central Park, examined institutions and neighborhoods. He died Feb. 16. Originally broadcast in 1986.

Duvall, who died Feb. 15, often played intense, combative characters. His film credits include The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, The Great Santini and Lonesome Dove. Originally broadcast in 1996 and 2010.

The new thriller "Crime 101" stars Chris Hemsworth as an LA jewel thief who gets involved with a police detective and a high-end insurance agent. The movie also stars Halle Berry and Mark Ruffalo. Our critic-at-large John Powers says the movie is a deliberate throwback, and he had a swell time watching it.

Emily Brontë's 1847 novel "Wuthering Heights" has been adapted for the screen numerous times. The latest version stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as Brontë's ill-fated lovers, Catherine and Heathcliff, and opens in theaters this week. It was written and directed by Emerald Fennell, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind "Promising Young Woman" and "Saltburn." Our film critic, Justin Chang, has this review.

Saadiq helped shape modern R&B and soul in Tony! Toni! Toné! and as a solo artist. Now he's up for an Oscar for his song, "I Lied to You" from the film Sinners. Originally broadcast July 8, 2025.

Our film critic, Justin Chang, recommends the new romantic dramedy "Pillion," which opens in theaters this week. It stars Harry Melling as a mild-mannered young man who falls for the leader of a gay biker gang, played by Alexander Skarsgard. Their unconventional love story earned the film's writer and director, Harry Lighton, a screenplay prize last year at the Cannes Film Festival. Here is Justin's review.

filmmaker Julia Loktev. Her latest film, "My Undesirable Friends: Part I - Last Air In Moscow," is a 5 1/2-hour documentary structured in chapters, following a close-knit group of independent Russian journalists and activists during 2021 and early 2022 as the Russian government branded reporters foreign agents in the months leading up to and just after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Del Toro's Frankenstein, which reimagines Mary Shelley's 1818 Gothic novel, has been nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Originally broadcast Oct. 23, 2025.

In the new film "Islands" out this week, a washed-up tennis pro gives lessons at a fancy hotel in the Canary Islands. But when he meets an elegant woman with an unlikable husband, things take a noir-ish turn. Our critic at large, John Powers, says the plot may sound familiar, but "Islands" takes you places you don't expect.

Brooks is the subject of a new two-part HBO documentary, Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! TV critic David Bianculli reviews the documentary, plus we listen back to archival interviews with Brooks.

Sound of Falling weaves together the experiences of four generations of women living in the same rural stretch of northern Germany, and the secrets that have accumulated over that time.

Jodie Foster. Her new film is called "A Private Life." She plays a Freudian psychoanalyst who's compelled to investigate the mysterious death of a patient. The film is set in Paris, and Foster speaks French throughout. She's had a six-decade career which started at the age of three. She won Oscars for "Silence Of The Lambs" and "The Accused" and, more recently, was nominated for an Oscar for her work on the film "Nyad" and won an Emmy for her role in the latest season of HBO's "True Detective."