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In the latest movie from Chinese director Chen Kaige, a young violin prodigy moves to the big city with his father. As Beth Accomondo of KPBS in San Diego explains, the movie is about music, family and the conflicts between "old" and "modern" China.

The film The Matrix Reloaded has excited philosophers, clerics and theologians who find rich in spiritual meaning in the film trilogy's underlying themes. NPR's Rick Karr speaks with authors and experts about the religion of The Matrix trilogy and the the significance of being "The One."

The science-fiction action film The Matrix and the animated Monsters Inc. may belong to different genres, but they have a striking similarity: both tell the story of an alternate universe fueled by the efforts of humans who are unaware that they are doing the fueling. NPR's Bob Mondello offers his thoughts on the subject.

Leon Uris, a master of historical fiction, died Saturday of heart failure at his home on Shelter Island, N.Y. Uris was best known for his novel Exodus, which told the story of Jews trying to establish modern Israel. NPR's Michele Norris speaks with Jill Uris about her ex-husband's life and work.

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle is the latest in a summer of sequels. Lucy Liu, Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz fight off a handful of evil doers and dangers from the trio's individual and collective pasts. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition movie critic Kenneth Turan says the film is "full of physical stunts, tons of popular culture references and a relentless teasing sexuality." Turan offers a review.

The Sunken Garden Poetry Festival got under way this past Wednesday evening. Pulitzer Prize winning poet Maxine Kumin inaugurated this summer's festival. We hear the poet read her poem "The Rendezvous" from the book "Looking For Luck." NPR's Weekend Edition will feature more poetry from the Sunken Garden every other week through August. (2:00)

From his hit television sitcoms to 'Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids' cartoons, children have played a major role in Bill Cosby's career. In his latest project, Cosby has written 'Friends of a Feather', a book he hopes will appeal as much to adults as to their kids.

The sort of movie popularized by Doris Day and Rock Hudson has returned to the screen. Down with Love stars Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor in a '60s-style, battle-of-the-sexes romp. NPR's Bob Mondello provides a review.

Mexican cinema has experienced a renaissance in recent years with Amores Perros, Y Tu Mama Tambien and The Crime of Padre Amaro. Herod's Law is the latest Mexican film to reach the United States. The film, released in 2000, was the first to attack Mexico's then-ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) by name. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Twenty years ago Wednesday, Sally Ride became the first U.S. woman to go into space. But a new book, The Mercury 13, reveals a secret female astronaut program decades earlier, eventually scrapped by NASA's "boy's club." NPR's Melissa Block talks with author Martha Ackmann.