Fresh Air

Filmmaker Barry Jenkins and playwright Tarell McCraney drew on their own childhood experiences in making 'Moonlight,' a film about a boy growing up in a Miami housing project. 'Moonlight' is nominated for eight Academy Awards including best picture and direction. '20th Century Women' is nominated for an Oscar for best original screenplay. Writer and director Mike Mills was inspired by his desire to understand his mother. Set in Santa Barbara in 1979, it stars Annette Bening as a woman figuring out how to raise her teenage son on her own. David Edelstein reviews 'Get Out,' the new horror/comedy film by Jordan Peele.

After working mostly as a behind-the-scenes guy on 'Chappelle's Show' and 'Inside Amy Schumer,' comic Neal Brennan is stepping out as a performer with his new Netflix special, '3 Mics.' Brennan says he didn't get serious about stand-up until 'Chappelle's Show,' which he co-created and co-wrote, ended abruptly after Chappelle left the country. He talks with Terry about his friendship with Dave Chappelle, his family, and growing up with an alcoholic father.

Mark Mazzetti of The New York Times talks about some of the national security issues he's been following. He says that when it comes to national security, President Trump "doesn't trust the civilian national security establishment and they don't trust him." John Powers reviews 'My Favorite Thing is Monsters,' a new graphic novel by first-time writer Emil Ferris.

Journalist Glenn Frankel talks about a chapter of paranoia and persecution in America, in which the president, Congress, the courts and the press all played a part. Frankel's new book is about the Hollywood Blacklist and the making of the classic film 'High Noon,' which was written as a parable about the blacklist.

Author Mary Graham says President Trump has demonstrated a lack of transparency, in his refusal to release his tax records and health records, and in his immigration ban, which was issued without consultation from government lawyers, or agencies. Her book is 'Presidents' Secrets.' Also, 'Fresh Air' producer Sam Briger talks to Sebastian Barry about his novel 'Days Without End,' about an Irish immigrant who enlists in the U.S. Army in the 1850s.

Actor Mahershala Ali talks about 'Moonlight,' converting to Islam, and why he didn't feel understood as a kid. Filmmaker Raoul Peck's documentary 'I Am Not Your Negro' features the work of late writer and social critic James Baldwin. "Baldwin was one of the first authors ever where I felt not only at home, but he was speaking directly to me," says Peck. We'll also listen back to a 1986 interview that Terry Gross recorded with James Baldwin.