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The Pianist is a holocaust film from a holocaust survivor: director Roman Polanski. But while Polanski shares a special connection with the lead character -- an artist who endures many horrors -- the story is not Polanski's. NPR's Bob Mondello offers a review.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences refuses to accept the Palestinian entry Divine Intervention in the Best Foreign Film category, saying Palestine is not a nation. Critics say it shows a pro-Israel stance in Hollywood. But the Academy's rules confuse many. David D'Arcy reports.

From cowboys on the dusty trail who sang to their cattle at night, to Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and other stars of the silver screen, the legend of the singing cowboy is part of the American landscape. NPR's Bob Edwards interviews Douglas B. Green, author of Singing in the Saddle.

Annie Proulx (The Shipping News) writes about strange people in lonely places. Her latest novel, That Old Ace in the Hole, explores the vanishing Texas panhandle. Proulx, 67, says it may be her last novel, though she'll keep writing short stories. Tom Vitale reports.

Victorians received the first installment of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations in December 1860. Now, Stanford University has serialized the story and is mailing out chapters to readers every two weeks. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Bluesy Blind Pig Records has now been around 25 years -- a long life span for an independent. It grew from a basement operation in Michigan to one of music's top specialty labels. Hear from NPR's John Ydstie, Blind Pig co-founder Edward Chmelewski and singer Deborah Coleman.

The new film The Quiet American -- based on the Graham Greene novel -- comments on western attitudes toward Vietnam in the 1950s. Michael Caine stars. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

The independent nature of the annual Sundance Film Festival has been eroded in recent years as more films shown there have already landed distribution deals. But despite criticism that it's become too "corporate," Sundance still produces surprises. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards and Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan.

Film critics say 2002 was a roller coaster of a year for movies, with staggering hits and blockbuster bombs. NPR's Bob Edwards talks with Los Angeles Times critic Kenneth Turan about the 2002 booms and busts and the cinematic prospects for 2003.

In January 1940, Irving Berlin, the most popular songwriter in America, raced into his office and asked his musical secretary to take down a new song. NPR's Susan Stamberg reports on the history of "White Christmas," a song Berlin said was the best he — or anyone — ever wrote.