Reviews

Movie Reviews By Bob Mondello

A Movie Big Enough for the Little Sparrow

June 9, 2007 · A new biopic of the famed French singer Edith Piaf hits theaters. The film is named after one of Piaf's most famous songs, "La Vie en Rose."

Clear Views of Terror: DeLillo's 'Falling Man'

June 8, 2007 · In his new novel, Falling Man, Don DeLillo, one of the most admired American writers, squarely faces the awful events of Sept. 11, 2001, with eyes wide open. DeLillo narrates the viewpoints of a number of people — including one of the hijackers — in prose both exquisite and exhausting.

Movie Reviews By David Edelstein

Ocean's Crew Gets Lucky Again with 'Thirteen'

June 8, 2007 · George Clooney and the gang return to Vegas and to the casino caper for this third installment in Steven Soderbergh's hit franchise. David Edelstein has a review.

Summary Judgment: New Movies

June 8, 2007 · In this installment of Summary Judgment, a roundup of movie critics' verdicts from the online magazine Slate, we'll hear about Hostel: Part II Ocean's Thirteen and Surf's Up.

Summer Books 2007

Booksellers' Picks for the Beach — or the Backyard

June 8, 2007 · NPR Special Correspondent Susan Stamberg polls three independent booksellers for recommendations on fresh new reads — and old favorites — worth making time for this summer. Web Extra: Reviews, Excerpts

Movie Reviews By Kenneth Turan

'Ocean's Thirteen': A Slick Scam, Sure — and Smug

June 8, 2007 · Ocean's Thirteen is the latest Steven Soderbergh-directed movie, starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Clooney plays Danny Ocean, the mastermind behind a gang of thieves who steal from casinos. In this third installment of the franchise, their target is casino owner Willy Bank, played by Al Pacino. Web Extra: Watch Movie Clips

Teddy Afro, the New Reggae God of Ethiopia

June 7, 2007 · Though the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie was considered a god by Rastafarians, in Bob Marley's day, reggae music wasn't popular in Ethiopia. Now, though, reggae is huge in the East African nation, and there's no bigger star than Teddy Afro.

Short Takes By Bob Mondello

'Surf's Up'

June 7, 2007 · The premise — animated surfing mockumentary about penguins who supposedly invented the art of hanging, er, six — is high-concept enough to make you wonder how high the conceptualizers were. But it's a laid-back delight. Web Extra: Watch a Clip

Song of the Day By Lily Percy

The Clutters 'Surrender' to Rebellious Rock

June 7, 2007 · The opening riffs from The Clutters' "Surrender" represent a perfect cross between The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" and the theme song from School of Rock. Which, to channel the film's protagonist, means that the song pretty obviously rules.

CD Reviews By David Was

A Historic Blues Concert, Newly Released

June 5, 2007 · In 1977, there was a historic meeting of two musical currents: albino guitarist Johnny Winter played with legendary bluesmen Muddy Waters and James Cotton. Their 1977 concert has been released on a new album, Breakin It Up, Breakin' It Down.

Summer Books 2007

Summer Reads for Former Recess Rebels

June 4, 2007 · As kids we preferred indoor recess to the playground hullabaloo. As adults we're film dorks, comic book geeks and indie-music nerds. We do not, as a general rule, jet-ski. This is what we'll be reading as we try to avoid the sun.

Movie Reviews By Bob Mondello

'Knocked Up': Good Girl Meets Lost Boy, Sparks Fly

June 1, 2007 · Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin) is king of the dirty-minded-but-sweet relationship comedy, and the chemistry in his latest makes for a screwball movie with a pretty big heart. Web Extra: Watch Clips