Culture
Impale and Cry: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” Impale and Cry: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey”
In the latest rendering of the epic, there is plenty to feel guilty about even if you did not mean it.
Nolan’s “Odyssey” Misses the Point Nolan’s “Odyssey” Misses the Point
The big-budget movie keeps much of the violence and spectacle but none of the nuance and wit of the classical epic.
Slavery’s Musical Threads Slavery’s Musical Threads
As ICE violence resurges in the US, the musical history of black Brazil offers lessons in resistance.
What’s So Scary About the Frankfurt School? What’s So Scary About the Frankfurt School?
In “The Cultural Marxism Conspiracy,” A.J.A. Woods looks at how the Frankfurt scholars became the latest bogeymen for the contemporary right.
Books
Emily LaBarge’s Life Stories Emily LaBarge’s Life Stories
In “Dog Days,” LaBarge blurs the lines between memoir and criticism.
The Cruel Optimism of Being a Mets Fan The Cruel Optimism of Being a Mets Fan
A new book by A.M. Gittlitz tells the story of a beloved baseball team.
The Radical Genius of Álvaro Enrigue The Radical Genius of Álvaro Enrigue
His new novel is as much a work of political philosophy as it is one of fiction.
Film
Impale and Cry: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” Impale and Cry: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey”
In the latest rendering of the epic, there is plenty to feel guilty about even if you did not mean it.
Nolan’s “Odyssey” Misses the Point Nolan’s “Odyssey” Misses the Point
The big-budget movie keeps much of the violence and spectacle but none of the nuance and wit of the classical epic.
Steven Spielberg’s Aliens Steven Spielberg’s Aliens
“Disclosure Day” has plenty of UFOs and extraterrestrial species but very little of the human insights found in the filmmaker’s past work.
Why Amazon Ditched Its Prestige Sam Altman Biopic Why Amazon Ditched Its Prestige Sam Altman Biopic
Artificial had a roster of premier talent and a topical subject—but it no longer fit in with Jeff Bezos’s financial ambitions.
The Curious Case of the Nadav Lapid Boycott Campaign The Curious Case of the Nadav Lapid Boycott Campaign
In seeking to punish artists for ties to Israeli organizations, are boycotters choosing the right targets?
Television
Why Amazon Ditched Its Prestige Sam Altman Biopic Why Amazon Ditched Its Prestige Sam Altman Biopic
Artificial had a roster of premier talent and a topical subject—but it no longer fit in with Jeff Bezos’s financial ambitions.
What’s Behind the Corporate Pillaging of “60 Minutes” What’s Behind the Corporate Pillaging of “60 Minutes”
By firing veteran correspondent Scott Pelley, the leaders of CBS News have elevated toadying over truth-telling.
Why Losing Colbert Hurts So Much Why Losing Colbert Hurts So Much
Trump would have all his comedian critics fired if he could. But Colbert represents a particular loss.
Architecture
What Makes American Architecture American? What Makes American Architecture American?
It’s never been afraid to play fast and loose and big.
How Trump Got His Tacky Arch Approved How Trump Got His Tacky Arch Approved
Neoclassical revivalists had to sell their souls.
What Would Happen if You Walked All of New York’s Shoreline? What Would Happen if You Walked All of New York’s Shoreline?
The art and architecture of New York’s vast and sweeping waterfront.
Music
Slavery’s Musical Threads Slavery’s Musical Threads
As ICE violence resurges in the US, the musical history of black Brazil offers lessons in resistance.
17 Rappers Have Supported Trump 17 Rappers Have Supported Trump
Is this the biggest blunder in Black history?
Sonny Rollins Lived to See Justice for His Wrongly Convicted Father Sonny Rollins Lived to See Justice for His Wrongly Convicted Father
The jazz legend fought for nearly 80 years to clear his father of racially motivated charges.
Bruce Springsteen Gave Us Exactly What We Need Right Now Bruce Springsteen Gave Us Exactly What We Need Right Now
His just-finished tour was a cleansing, healing experience—and a morale-boosting call to arms for everyone fighting for our democracy.
How De La Soul Changed Hip Hop And The World How De La Soul Changed Hip Hop And The World
Austin McCoy joins the show to discuss his new book on De La Soul
Publishing
Paying Tribute to Richard Lingeman—Longtime Executive Editor and a Quiet Force at “The Nation” for More Than Three Decades Paying Tribute to Richard Lingeman—Longtime Executive Editor and a Quiet Force at “The Nation” for More Than Three Decades
A man of few spoken words, on the page he was a marvel.
The Curious Case of the Nadav Lapid Boycott Campaign The Curious Case of the Nadav Lapid Boycott Campaign
In seeking to punish artists for ties to Israeli organizations, are boycotters choosing the right targets?
The Rise of the Sensitivity Reader The Rise of the Sensitivity Reader
Adam Szetela’s That Book Is Dangerous! examines the emergence of a new job in publishing—secondary readers who comb through books for possible offenses.
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