Seth Rogen’s Toothless Hollywood Satire Seth Rogen’s Toothless Hollywood Satire
The Studio is pitched as a send-up of the idiocy of the entertainment industry, but its potshots are harmless, even friendly.
Jun 25, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
David Lynch’s Guts David Lynch’s Guts
His visceral films, which reflect the best and worst of American life, affected viewers in realms both conscious and unconscious.
Jan 22, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
“Industry”’s Gleeful Critique of Capital “Industry”’s Gleeful Critique of Capital
HBO’s investment banking drama makes a soap opera out of the “useless” but lurid nature of finance.
Oct 31, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
Why Did “Furiosa” Flop? Why Did “Furiosa” Flop?
A web of interconnected reasons might explain why George Miller’s long-awaited new entry to his Mad Max series failed in the box office.
Jul 10, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
What’s Ailing Prestige TV? What’s Ailing Prestige TV?
In Netflix’s big budget series 3 Body Problem, the flaws of this era of streaming is laid bare.
May 15, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
The Odd Couples of “Drive-Away Dolls” The Odd Couples of “Drive-Away Dolls”
Ethan Coen's horny homage to American film history's many strains of queer comedy highlights the collaborative aspect inherent in his project as a director.
Mar 26, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
Edward Yang’s States of Flux Edward Yang’s States of Flux
His dark comedies and family dramas of life in late-20th-century Taiwan depict a generation’s crisis, confronting the forces of finance and globalization.
Jan 11, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
How “Reservation Dogs” Changed the TV Landscape How “Reservation Dogs” Changed the TV Landscape
The pioneering FX show offered a window into contemporary Native life in all its joys and vicissitudes.
Nov 21, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
The Small Gestures and Big Questions of Annie Baker’s Plays The Small Gestures and Big Questions of Annie Baker’s Plays
In Infinite Life, Baker asks: How do you reach out to others when everyone ultimately suffers alone?
Oct 31, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
Yo La Tengo’s Lifelong Love Story Yo La Tengo’s Lifelong Love Story
Across decades, the venerable band has quietly pioneered an intimate form of rock, at once adventurous and deeply personal.
Jul 3, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi