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Peter Jackson's film trilogy The Lord of the Rings has computerized one of the most memorable characters in J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novels. Gollum was a hobbit named Smeagol whose possession and loss of the powerful ring, which he calls his "precious," turned him into a distraught creature of animalistic drive. NPR's Liane Hansen talks to Andy Serkis, the actor who plays Gollum and Smeagol. He documented his experience in the book Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic.

A new feature film about serial killer Aileen Wuornos stars Charlize Theron as the rough-and-tumble drifter who was executed in Florida in 2002. Critics are praising Theron's portrayal of a woman whose story has inspired at least two documentary films in addition to a Hollywood studio picture. NPR's David D'Arcy reports.

The Sundance Film Festival opens Thursday in Park City, Utah. But so far, festival organizers have largely ignored an independent film genre thriving in their backyard: Mormon cinema. As NPR's Howard Berkes reports, films with Mormon-centered themes fill a niche market, and some have won critical acclaim.

Actor Will Geer is perhaps best remembered as grandpa on The Waltons. But in the 1950s, he founded an outdoor theater in California. Iris Mann reports.

After a record-setting Christmas, Hollywood wraps up the year with more than $9 billion in the till -- the second biggest box office total in its history. Film critic NPR's Bob Mondello says a large part of that money was well-earned: some of 2003's most popular movies were also among the year's best. He offers a list of his top movie picks for the year.

NPR's Scott Simon talks with New York Times critic Elvis Mitchell about the quirky television sitcoms Scrubs and Arrested Development. Mitchell talks about what makes their brand of comedy so refreshing.

The film House of Sand and Fog tells the story of an Iranian immigrant whose legal struggle over a home purchase escalates into tragedy. NPR's Bob Mondello has a review.

Western culture has long romanticized the image of the young artist, but for some people, creative inspiration comes at the other end of life. A new exhibit at Baltimore's American Visionary Art Museum pays tribute to the late onset of creativity, showcasing the works of 50 elderly artists. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.

Astronomer Ian Griffin of Baltimore, Md., is the guest on a new edition of "What Are You Listening To?" His musical selections range from Bruce Springsteen to themes from 1960s British TV shows. NPR's Steve Inskeep listens along.

New movies being released are increasingly violent, offering graphic views of death and gore. NPR's Bob Mondello surveys the current blood offerings in theaters, and analyzes why anti-violence advocates don't seem to be seeing red.