What Makes Special Effects Work? What Makes Special Effects Work?
In Empire of Effects, Julie Turnock examines how George Lucas and Industrial Light & Magic transformed the way we make and view movies.
May 30, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Malcolm Harris
When Tina Turner Rocked Out for George McGovern When Tina Turner Rocked Out for George McGovern
The “Queen of Rock and Roll” usually stayed out of politics. But in 1972, she headlined a remarkable rally for the anti-war senator’s presidential campaign.
May 26, 2023 / John Nichols
Why Barack Obama’s “Working” Isn’t Quite… Working Why Barack Obama’s “Working” Isn’t Quite… Working
The former president explores what we do all day in a Netflix series that says little about what is to be done.
May 25, 2023 / Ben Schwartz
Workers of the Music World Are Uniting—and Winning Workers of the Music World Are Uniting—and Winning
Last week, staffers at Bandcamp voted to form a union. It’s the latest sign that a real labor movement is starting to take shape in the music industry. ...
May 22, 2023 / Jael Goldfine
The Curious Case of the Transcendental Painting Group The Curious Case of the Transcendental Painting Group
A touring exhibition of 20th-century painting from the American Southwest is poised to be the next big art world hit. Yet the show forces us to ask: What is fueling the revival?
May 22, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Max Pearl
The Indulgences of Rainer Werner Fassbinder The Indulgences of Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Ian Penman’s study of the German filmmaker’s work elucidates his “cocaine communism”—an aesthetics and politics of revolution and pleasure.
May 18, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Andrew Marzoni
After 50 Years, What’s Left for Hip Hop to Teach? After 50 Years, What’s Left for Hip Hop to Teach?
Chuck D and Rosa Clemente discuss the past and future of music and politics.
May 17, 2023 / Q&A / Laura Flanders
The Future of War Is AI The Future of War Is AI
AI, whatever its positives, looks like anything but what the world needs right now to save us from a hell on earth.
May 17, 2023 / Tom Engelhardt
Is There Anything Below the Surface in “Beau Is Afraid”? Is There Anything Below the Surface in “Beau Is Afraid”?
When mothers and dreams are involved, it is hard not to think of Freud. But in Ari Aster’s latest, very little is left to the imagination.
May 16, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Jorge Cotte
Proper Fat Proper Fat
Thin with disgust Fat with wordless joy And patience Thin like the opening of the gate You pray you’ll make it through Fat like the other side Fat with pubescence With moonstone or…
May 16, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Omotara James