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An Ecological American Epic with a Peculiar Charm

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Dances With Wolves," starring and directed by Kevin Costner, about a soldier in the 1860s preserving the frontier and forging alliances with American Indians. Schiff says it's corny and overdone, but reminds him of the entertaining Westerns of the 1950s.

03:55
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Other segments from the episode on November 8, 1990

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, November 8, 1990: Interview with Kenneth L. Woodward; Review of The Traveling Wilburys' album "The Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 3"; Interview with Anthony Holden; Review of…
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23:46

The Complicated Process of "Making Saints"

Newsweek magazine's religion writer Kenneth L. Woodward's new book examines the politics surrounding how the Roman Catholic Church decides who will become a saint. Woodward says it's the most democratic process in a profoundly undemocratic institution.

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06:25

The Wilbury's Sweetness Turns Sour

Rock critic Ken Tucker says The Traveling Wilburys' new, ironically titled second is filled with annoying jokes. But the band gives the members of the group a chance to relax and let loose -- which gives this album some charm.

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30:29

Stephen Schiff Discusses His Latest Adventures in Hollywood.

Screenwriter Stephen Schiff talks about writing the scripts for "True Crime" and "Deep End of the Ocean."He first established his reputation as a film critic for Vanity Fair and Fresh Air. He also wrote film essays and profiles for The New Yorker. He served an unprecedented three terms as chairman of the National Society of Film Critics. His first screenplay was for the most recent film adaptation of Lolita.

Interview
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34:15

Stephen Schiff on How "Lolita" Explores the "Beastly and the Beautiful"

Fresh Air's former film critic returns to discuss writing the screenplay for the controversial film adaptation of Nabokov's "Lolita." The $58 million film inspired such controversy that distribution in the U.S. was delayed. "Lolita," directed by Adrian Lyne (Flashdance, 9 1/2 Weeks) will premiere on the Showtime cable channel August 2nd. It's just been announced that the film will be released in movie houses in September. Schiff's screenplay, "Lolita: The Book of the Film" (Applause books), will be published next month.

Interview

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52:30

Daughter of Warhol star looks back on a bohemian childhood in the Chelsea Hotel

Alexandra Auder's mother, Viva, was one of Andy Warhol's muses. Growing up in Warhol's orbit meant Auder's childhood was an unusual one. For several years, Viva, Auder and Auder's younger half-sister, Gaby Hoffmann, lived in the Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan. It was was famous for having been home to Leonard Cohen, Dylan Thomas, Virgil Thomson, and Bob Dylan, among others.

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43:04

This fake 'Jury Duty' really put James Marsden's improv chops on trial

In the series Jury Duty, a solar contractor named Ronald Gladden has agreed to participate in what he believes is a documentary about the experience of being a juror--but what Ronald doesn't know is that the whole thing is fake.

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