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Movie-goers this summer can expect an onslaught of sequels and a surprising number of independent and foreign films, according to Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition movie critic Kenneth Turan. Hear NPR's Renee Montagne and Turan.

Wayne Shorter's new record, Alegria, is being released just in time for the legendary jazz saxophonist's 70th birthday. From classical to avant-garde jazz, the album spans the myriad styles Shorter has embraced during his 50-year career. Michelle Mercer offers a review.

In Hollywood this year, it's deja vu all over again... and again... and again. So far, a record 25 sequels are set to hit U.S. theaters in 2003 -- everything from the final installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy to Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd. NPR's Liane Hansen and Peter Bart of Variety magazine discuss the sequel trend.

The 22-year-old American topped a competitive field Thursday in Beijing. Figure skaters from Japan came in second and third.

Growing budget deficits are forcing states across the nation to drastically cut or even eliminate funding for state arts councils. States pondering such measures include California, Oregon, New Jersey and Colorado. But the cost-cutting moves could jeopardize grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, which require states to match federal funds. NPR's Elizabeth Blair reports.

Impressionist Rick Miller has created a comic one-man version of Shakespeare's Macbeth, employing the wacky characters from the Simpsons -- the hit animated TV show. He's been on a U.S. tour, Homer and others in tow. Miller speaks with NPR's Jacki Lyden.

Marooned in Iraq is the latest film from Iranian-based Kurdish filmmaker Bahman Ghobadi, who won acclaim for his first effort, A Time for Drunken Horses. The story touches on Saddam Hussein's brutal crackdown on the Kurds in the 1980s, but it's really a "road movie musical" with an often comic sensibility. Pat Dowell reports.

The comic book mutants known as the X-Men are back on the big screen. X2: X-Men United, packs in more characters -- good and evil -- than the first X-Men film. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Thomas Edward Lawrence was the dashing, romanticized British officer credited with leading the Arab revolt against the Turks during World War I -- a feat depicted in the epic film Lawrence of Arabia. But his true story and legacy is still a subject of debate among historians. NPR's Jacki Lyden reports on the man and the myth. View rare portraits of Lawrence and characters from his classic book, Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph.

Style Wars celebrates New York City graffiti artists' modern-day hieroglyphics, and captures the days and nights when the young outlaws ruled the subway lines. NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports on the 20th anniversary re-release of the 1983 television documentary on DVD. See video clips and photos from the film.