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A new book on President Kennedy has attracted attention because of the disclosure that he had sex with a White House intern. But some historians dispute author Robert Dallek's assertion that Kennedy's presidency was not damaged by his risky sexual behavior and bad health. In an extended interview with NPR's Juan Williams, Dallek discusses Kennedy's medical history and his assassination.

He says he's so indecisive that it takes him hours to order food at restaurants. But when the part of Charles Howard in the movie Seabiscuit landed on his plate, actor Jeff Bridges did not hesitate. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Bridges about his work on the film, opening next week. They also chat about other roles in Bridges' 30-year career.

Jane Turner Rylands' first book, Venetian Stories, is a fictional journey into the heart of Venice. It's a series of stories about the people who live in the Italian city, drawn from the 30 years the author spent there. Hear Rylands and NPR's Lynn Neary.

Mexican cinema has experienced a renaissance in recent years with Amores Perros, Y Tu Mama Tambien and The Crime of Padre Amaro. Herod's Law is the latest Mexican film to reach the United States. The film, released in 2000, was the first to attack Mexico's then-ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) by name. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

From his hit television sitcoms to 'Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids' cartoons, children have played a major role in Bill Cosby's career. In his latest project, Cosby has written 'Friends of a Feather', a book he hopes will appeal as much to adults as to their kids.

The science-fiction action film The Matrix and the animated Monsters Inc. may belong to different genres, but they have a striking similarity: both tell the story of an alternate universe fueled by the efforts of humans who are unaware that they are doing the fueling. NPR's Bob Mondello offers his thoughts on the subject.

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle is the latest in a summer of sequels. Lucy Liu, Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz fight off a handful of evil doers and dangers from the trio's individual and collective pasts. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition movie critic Kenneth Turan says the film is "full of physical stunts, tons of popular culture references and a relentless teasing sexuality." Turan offers a review.

The film The Matrix Reloaded has excited philosophers, clerics and theologians who find rich in spiritual meaning in the film trilogy's underlying themes. NPR's Rick Karr speaks with authors and experts about the religion of The Matrix trilogy and the the significance of being "The One."

Twenty years ago Wednesday, Sally Ride became the first U.S. woman to go into space. But a new book, The Mercury 13, reveals a secret female astronaut program decades earlier, eventually scrapped by NASA's "boy's club." NPR's Melissa Block talks with author Martha Ackmann.

The Sunken Garden Poetry Festival got under way this past Wednesday evening. Pulitzer Prize winning poet Maxine Kumin inaugurated this summer's festival. We hear the poet read her poem "The Rendezvous" from the book "Looking For Luck." NPR's Weekend Edition will feature more poetry from the Sunken Garden every other week through August. (2:00)