Movies: Whats the Buzz from National Public Radio

Here is the latest Movie News from National Public Radio.

Manipulative Editing Reflects Poorly On Couric And Her Gun Documentary
In the film, Couric asks gun owners a question and is met with dumbstruck silence. That’s not what happened in the interview. Instead, NPR’s David Folkenflik says, it was a foolish directorial choice.

Kickboxing Director Lexi Alexander Uses Activism To Bust Out Of ‘Movie Jail’
After her 2008 movie, Punisher: War Zone, flopped, Alexander had a hard time getting new projects. She was in what’s known as Hollywood’s “movie jail,” a common experience for female directors.

Cult Survivor Documents 2 Decades Inside ‘Holy Hell’
Will Allen directed the documentary Holy Hell, which depicts his experience as a videographer and member of The Buddhafield cult. Allen used his own footage, as well as his interviews with other former members, to make this documentary.

In ‘The Idol,’ A Singer Faces More Than Just Harsh Judges
Based on the real story of Mohammed Assaf’s run on Arab Idol, the film follows a boy whose dreams as a singer eventually lead him into a tricky journey toward his big moment.

Dear Hollywood, This Is How You Make A Movie With African Characters
Sean Penn’s new movie set in Africa got booed at Cannes. Critics said its African characters were “bleeding wallpaper.” Here are 4 films that give African characters (and actors) their due.

‘Weiner’ Is An Intriguingly Nuanced Look At An Easy Punch Line
Two years after he was caught texting crotch shots, former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner was back in the spotlight, running for mayor. A new documentary chronicles his scandal-plagued campaign.

Beyond The Scandalous Selfies: Documenting The Downfall Of Anthony Weiner
A new documentary shows the rise and fall of former congressman with unimaginable access. Co-directors Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg explain how they got the story.

Anthony Mackie On Portraying Martin Luther King Jr. In ‘All The Way’
All The Way is a drama from HBO that chronicles President Lyndon B. Johnson’s struggle to pass the Civil Rights Act. Michel Martin speaks with Anthony Mackie, who portrays Martin Luther King Jr.

Coming Up Sunday: The Directors Of ‘Weiner’
On Sunday’s All Things Considered, we will take a look at Weiner, a new documentary that chronicles the political failure of Anthony Weiner as he ran for New York City mayor.

In Life And In Film, The Past Is Ever Present For Director Terence Davies
Over the course of his 40-year career, Davies has only released six full-length feature films. His latest, Sunset Song, follows a young Scottish woman in the years before World War I.

The ‘Other Woman’ Tries To Fix The Marriage She Destroyed In ‘Maggie’s Plan’
In Rebecca Miller’s comedy, an affair leads to divorce and remarriage — until the new wife decides she wants out. Critic David Edelstein says that Maggie’s Plan doesn’t quite come together.

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Movie Stars And Eurovision
We do spend some time with movie stars this week, but let’s face it: you’re all here to talk about the Eurovision Song Contest.

Movie Director Shane Black Calls On His Paperbacks For Inspiration
Screenwriter Shane Black perfected the buddy-comedy-action genre with Lethal Weapon movies and transitioned to being a director. His new movie, The Nice Guys, stars Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe.

‘Loving’ Stands Out At Cannes Film Festival, Our Reviewer Says
Renee Montagne talks with critic Kenneth Turan about some of the movies coming out of this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Turan reviews movies for “Morning Edition” and the “Los Angeles Times.”

An Emotional Storm Breaks In Paradise In ‘A Bigger Splash’
An aging rock star’s respite in the Mediterranean is interrupted by an old lover in A Bigger Splash. John Powers calls the film, which stars Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes, a “gripping slow-burn.”

#NPRreads: 3 Stories To Stake Out This Weekend
Correspondents, editors and producers from our newsroom share the pieces that have kept them reading, using the #NPRreads hashtag. Each weekend, we highlight some of the best stories.

‘The Hollywood Reporter’ Woody Allen Story Provokes Backlash For Avoiding Sexual Abuse Allegations
The Hollywood Reporter’s affectionate cover interview with Woody Allen sidestepped accusations he abused his daughter more than 20 years ago, and stirred a backlash as a result.

Kate Beckinsale Talks Film Adaptation Of Jane Austen’s ‘Edgy’ Novella ‘Love & Friendship’
“Love & Friendship,” a new comedy of manners set in 18th century England, opens this weekend. NPR’s Scott Simon speaks with actress Kate Beckinsale, who plays Lady Susan Vernon.

‘The Lobster’: A Rom-Com With Satirical Claws
The Lobster is a comedy in which single people are given 45 days to fall in love before being turned into an animal of their choice.

Jane Austen’s ‘Love & Friendship’ Comes To Screen, And It’s An Absolute Treat
An impoverished widow has designs on a married lord — and a plans for her own teenage daughter — in Whit Stillman’s adaptation of the Austen novella, Lady Susan. Critic David Edelstein has a review.

Pop Culture Happy Hour: ‘Captain America’ And The Russo Brothers
We’re going all-Cap for this episode, in which a panel discussion about Captain America: Civil War is followed by an excerpt from Linda Holmes’ talk with the film’s directors.

Jodie Foster On Roles For Strong Women, On-Screen And Off
Foster is behind the camera on her latest film, Money Monster. She’s found that directing allows her to execute a complete vision: “It’s a full expression of who I am and what I think,” she says.

Lightshows, Fire, Nudity, Glitter, Wolves: Welcome To Eurovision 2016
The Grand Finals of Europe’s famous annual song competition are Saturday at 3 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast in the U.S. for the first time on Logo and LogoTV.com.

After A ‘Sunset Song,’ Tomorrow Is Another Day
Terence Davies’ Sunset Song is the tacitly feminist tale of a woman, played by Agyness Deyn, who is at least partially freed by owning land and acting on her own anger.

‘Last Days In The Desert’ Finds Truth Away From The Path
The most intelligent and engaging film about Jesus since The Last Temptation Of Christ, Rodrigo Garcia’s film finds Jesus in the desert, where he faces doubts from within.

Big Money Bad Guys Are Back In ‘Money Monster’
George Clooney and Julia Roberts star in a tale directed by Jodie Foster in which a cable TV host finds himself held hostage.

The Haves And Have-Nots Have At It In ‘High-Rise’
Based on J.G. Ballard’s novel, the film stars Tom Hiddleston as a man who finds himself in an apartment building that invites class warfare between the upper and lower floors.

Actor Gary Cole On ‘Veep’ And Why ‘Office Space’ Endures
The actor, who plays a political consultant on Veep, tells Fresh Air he landed his first major TV role only after a number of other actors turned it down. “It was very, very fluke-ish,” Cole says.

Ken Burns Delves Deeply Into America’s Complex Racial History
The documentary filmmaker has been chosen to deliver this year’s Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities, the highest honor bestowed by the federal government for work in the field.

Tilda Swinton May Be A Rock Star, But Her New Film Leaves Her Speechless
In A Bigger Splash, she and director Luca Guadagnino line up the trials for their lead — including leaving the rock star character voiceless. They say it was at once a challenge and a joy.

The Black Panther May Have His Roots In A 15th Century African Kingdom
Yes, he’s a comic book character. And he lives in an imaginary place. But it may be based on a regional powerhouse that flourished in what is now Zimbabwe.

2016: Age Of The On-Screen Black Superhero
From Black Panther to Luke Cage, filmmakers say audiences today demand superheroes that better reflect their world. Comic creators say it’s about time TV and movies caught up with diversity in comics.

Superheroes Engage In All Out ‘Civil War’ In The Latest ‘Captain America’ Film
The new movie from Marvel Studios features almost all the members of the Avengers superhero collective. Critic David Edelstein calls it an irresistible hodgepodge of special effects and superheroes.

‘Captain America: Civil War’ Captures Politics Of The Moment
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s new movie, Captain America: Civil War, opens Friday. As a character, Captain America has long responded to the politics of the time and this movie is no different.

‘I Don’t Think We Really See Migrants,’ Says Creator Of New Film ‘Dheepan’
French director Jacques Audiard won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival for his story of a Tamil Tiger who gives up the fight to try and find a better life in France.

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Comics, More Comics, Free Comics And Keanu
This week’s show takes us on a tour of what’s on offer for Free Comic Book Day and also finds us watching Key & Peele’s kitten-driven action comedy.

‘Captain America: Civil War’ Is The Mightiest Marvel Movie
“The Vibranium standard for super-team flicks” is reviewer Chris Klimek’s take on the 13th Marvel Cinematic Universe movie.

‘Captain America’ Is Trending In Nigeria, But You Might Be Surprised Why
Nigerian netizens are using the hashtag #CaptainAmericaInNigeria as a vehicle for cheeky social and political commentary.

A ‘Dark Horse’ In The Elite World Of British Racing
Louise Osmond’s documentary captures the spirit of a community group that came together to train and race a horse they named Dream Alliance.

A Father And Son Tell A Father-And-Son Story In ‘Being Charlie’
Rob Reiner directs from a screenplay co-written by his son Nick who, like the lead character in the film, has experience in rehab.

‘Dheepan’ Tells A Refugee’s Affecting Story, Until It Doesn’t
The winner of the Palme D’Or at 2015’s Cannes Film Festival, director Jacques Audiard’s latest begins with a gratifyingly specific story of one man’s life, but its trajectory works against it.

Captain America, Aaron Burr, And The Politics Of Killing Your Friends
Captain America: Civil War drops some of the politics of the comics on which it’s based, but it tells a different, equally current political story.

Theaters Welcome Another Superhero Movie: ‘Captain America: Civil War’
Captain America: Civil War is the latest offering from the Marvel universe and it’s a thriller with strong political themes.

Hollywood Rediscovers Cuba: Is It Too Soon To Call It Havanawood?
Fast & Furious 8 is the second U.S. movie, and the first big-budget Hollywood film, to be shot in Cuba since the recent improvement of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

From ‘Once’ To ‘Sing Street’: Director John Carney Infuses Movies With Music
The Irish director and screenwriter talks to Fresh Air’s Ann Marie Baldonado about his new film, which tells the story of a young teenager in 1980s Dublin who discovers pop music and starts a band.

Hollywood Rediscovers Cuba. Is It Too Soon To Call It Havanawood?
The first blockbuster since the U.S. embargo is filming in Cuba: Fast & Furious 8. Filmmakers are rushing to take advantage of the island’s distinctive look and it’s relatively cheap labor.