The Oscars: Awkward Spectacle The Oscars: Awkward Spectacle
The Academy Awards felt like a hyperactive fever dream, but really it was just a terribly engineered event that reeked of neediness and obsolescence and that was given its sole mom...
Mar 30, 2022 / Vikram Murthi
The Wonder and Horror of Delayed Adulthood The Wonder and Horror of Delayed Adulthood
With Worst Person in the World, Joachim Trier completes a trilogy of films that interrogates an aging generation facing a murky future.
Mar 10, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
Theater Kids and the End Times in “Station Eleven” Theater Kids and the End Times in “Station Eleven”
The HBO adaptation of Emily St. Mandel’s postapocalyptic pandemic novel examines, with mixed results, the endurance of art after society collapses.
Jan 31, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
The Ardor of “Licorice Pizza” The Ardor of “Licorice Pizza”
Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film is his most personal work yet.
Dec 29, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
Who’s to Blame in “The White Lotus”? Who’s to Blame in “The White Lotus”?
In the weeks since the release of Mike White’s latest HBO series, debate has centered on the show’s politics. Is it liberal satire or spectacle?
Sep 15, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
The Unfinished Evolution of Aziz Ansari The Unfinished Evolution of Aziz Ansari
With the latest season of Master of None, the comedian and director’s attempt at a reboot of his creative approach reveals the limits of his perspective.
Jun 23, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
The Caustic Grace of ‘French Exit’ The Caustic Grace of ‘French Exit’
This surreal “tragedy of manners” is a showcase for one of Hollywood’s most compelling actresses—Michelle Pfeiffer.
Apr 29, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
The Rigorous Satire of Search Party The Rigorous Satire of "Search Party"
In its fourth season, the HBO show cements its status as cutting, if imperfect, send-up of millennial self-actualization.
Apr 15, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
The Places John Lurie Can Take You The Places John Lurie Can Take You
A cult musician, actor, and director returns with a television show that’s nominally about painting but is in reality a creative and spiritual journey.
Mar 31, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
John Wilson’s Magically Poignant Urban Histories John Wilson’s Magically Poignant Urban Histories
His documentary series for HBO is a head-spinning interrogation of the chaos of New York City life.
Dec 1, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi