Film

Black Trans Liberation as History and Prophecy: The Art of Tourmaline

Black Trans Liberation as History and Prophecy: The Art of Tourmaline Black Trans Liberation as History and Prophecy: The Art of Tourmaline

The artist's first solo show, is a reminder that pleasure is inseparable from the joint projects of abolition and freedom.

Jan 21, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Tal Milovina

Out of the Ether

Out of the Ether Out of the Ether

On Mank, Let Them All Talk, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Minari, and more films from the end of 2020.

Dec 30, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Stuart Klawans

Jon Batiste plays a rainbow-colored piano outdoors as people in surgical masks walk by

Modern Hollywood Discovers Its Jazz ‘Soul’ Modern Hollywood Discovers Its Jazz ‘Soul’

Pixar’s Christmas release is the best jazz film in a long time. But then, there isn’t a lot of competition.

Dec 24, 2020 / Ethan Iverson

Herman Mankiewicz

‘Mank’ Recovers the Radical Roots of ‘Citizen Kane’ ‘Mank’ Recovers the Radical Roots of ‘Citizen Kane’

The biopic of writer Herman Mankiewicz recuperates the subversive politics of a cinematic masterpiece.

Dec 18, 2020 / Jeet Heer

A Salacious Press, an Unchecked Government: Heinrich Böll’s Prescient Fiction

A Salacious Press, an Unchecked Government: Heinrich Böll’s Prescient Fiction A Salacious Press, an Unchecked Government: Heinrich Böll’s Prescient Fiction

A 1975 film adaptation of his novel The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum looks how fragile freedom is under democracy.

Dec 8, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Phoebe Chen

A worn down marquee reads

Movie Theaters Aren’t Dying—They’re Being Murdered Movie Theaters Aren’t Dying—They’re Being Murdered

The Covid-19 pandemic is providing a perfect cover for media giants bent on replacing theatrical moviegoing with streaming at home.

Dec 4, 2020 / Jeet Heer

John Wilson’s Magically Poignant Urban Histories

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

Don’t Cancel Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!

Don’t Cancel Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer! Don’t Cancel Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!

Far from promoting homophobia, the classic holiday special celebrates the fellowship of outsiders.

Nov 27, 2020 / Jeet Heer

76 Days

Desperation and Hope Amid the Wuhan Outbreak Desperation and Hope Amid the Wuhan Outbreak

A director of 76 Days, a documentary on the harrowing first days of the Covid-19 crisis, finds compassion amid the suffering.

Nov 27, 2020 / Q&A / Nation contributor

The Horrors of Charlie Kaufman

The Horrors of Charlie Kaufman The Horrors of Charlie Kaufman

His latest existential love story, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, reveals the limits of his work.

Nov 18, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Erin Schwartz

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