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Critics have rarely embraced Stephen King as a serious writer. But the prolific novelist, best known for his horror stories, is about to enter some serious company. The National Book Foundation is honoring the best-selling author with a lifetime achievement award whose previous recipients have included Arthur Miller, Eudora Welty and John Updike. King discusses the award and his writing with NPR's Susan Stamberg.

The Barbarian Invasions, winner of the "Best Screenplay" and "Best Actress" awards at this year's Cannes International Film Festival, opens in U.S. theaters. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition movie critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

A growing number of American movies are being filmed in Vancouver, Canada. The city offers a similar look to U.S. cities, experienced crews, tax breaks and lower production costs due to the difference between American and Canadian dollars. Trevor Hughes reports.

The Metropolitan Opera has revived La Juive, a 19th century French opera about religious persecution. Enrico Caruso once filled the lead tenor's role in the work by Jacques Fromenthal-Halevy. The new tenor star is Neil Shicoff, who speaks with NPR's Linda Wertheimer.

NPR's Bob Mondello says similarities often emerge among movies sharing a season, and that is especially apparent this year. The most obvious are the 19th-century war movies (Master and Commander, The Last Samurai, and Cold Mountain) -- but there are more obscure trends, like films that include a dead child in their plots (Mystic River, In America, 21 Grams).

Art Carney died Sunday at age 85; a small, private funeral service for the the popular actor was held Tuesday. Carney is most fondly remembered for playing Jackie Gleason's pal Ed Norton on The Honeymooners. He later won the 1974 Oscar for best actor in Harry and Tonto.

NPR's Steve Inskeep interviews Tobias Wolff, author of Old School. Set in a prep school attended by many young, would-be writers, the work raises themes of personal identity and literary integrity. It's the first full novel from the author of This Boy's Life.

The seafaring adventure Master and Commander, starring Russell Crowe, sails into theaters Friday. Like the Patrick O'Brian novels on which it is based, the film strives for historical authenticity on every last detail, including sound effects. NPR's Michele Norris talks with sound designer Richard King.

Dream Jungle is the third novel by Jessica Hagedorn, who was born and raised in the Philippines. Hagedorn places the story in her home country in the 1970s, and weaves together several narratives involving a number of characters, including a young country girl, an urban businessman and an American journalist. Alan Cheuse reviews the book.

Checkers and alphabet blocks beat out Candy Land, Clue and Big Wheel to win two coveted spots this year in the National Toy Hall of Fame. There are now 28 toys in the Hall of Fame, including Mr. Potato Head, Barbie, Etch-A-Sketch, Legos and the teddy bear. Brenda Tremblay from member station WXXI reports.