Film

J. Robert Oppenheimer pointing to an image of the atomic bomb explosion

Why “Oppenheimer” Could Be That Teachable Moment Why “Oppenheimer” Could Be That Teachable Moment

Even if Oppenheimer won’t provide a resolution of our nuclear quandary, it could amplify awareness of the danger too often accepted as normal.

Jul 18, 2023 / John Mecklin

Black and white photo of young people protesting against nuclear weapons, holding sign that reads 'stop nuclear weapons'

Why I Will See “Oppenheimer” Before “Barbie” Why I Will See “Oppenheimer” Before “Barbie”

How my father’s life working to end the nuclear threat influences me.

Jul 18, 2023 / Michele Willens

SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America members picket in front of 30 Rockefeller Plaza on July 17, 2023.

Hollywood Bosses Are Trying to Scare Striking Workers Into Folding. They Won’t Win. Hollywood Bosses Are Trying to Scare Striking Workers Into Folding. They Won’t Win.

The studios are ramping up a campaign of fear in an effort to spook writers like me into taking a bad deal. But we’re not going to fall for it.

Jul 18, 2023 / Josh Gondelman

Still from campaign ad made by an anonymous Ron DeSantis supporter.

Ron DeSantis, American Psycho Ron DeSantis, American Psycho

The Florida governor’s irony-poisoned ad uses far-right memes to sanction homophobic and transphobic violence.

Jul 10, 2023 / Jeet Heer

A scene from “Asteroid City.”

Is “Asteroid City” Wes Anderson’s Greatest Film? Is “Asteroid City” Wes Anderson’s Greatest Film?

In his latest film, Anderson asks us how art and storytelling give our lives meaning.

Jul 5, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Jorge Cotte

Scene from History of the World Part I

Our Supreme Court Reactionaries Still Fear the French Revolution Our Supreme Court Reactionaries Still Fear the French Revolution

In John Roberts’s America, it’s good to be the king.

Jul 3, 2023 / Jeet Heer

The Great Collapsing Culture Bubble

The Great Collapsing Culture Bubble The Great Collapsing Culture Bubble

From classic movies to documentaries, the foundations of film culture are under siege from cost-cutting executives.

Jun 29, 2023 / Ben Schwartz

A sculpture called “Anything to Say,” which features life-sized bronze figures of whistleblowers (left-right) Edward Snowden, Julian Assange, and Chelsea Manning, is unveiled at Parliament Square, London, during a protest for Assange’s release from prison.

Julian Assange and Arnon Milchan: The Lopsided Scales of American Justice Julian Assange and Arnon Milchan: The Lopsided Scales of American Justice

One has boasted of espionage. The other revealed massive government wrongdoing. So why is the whistleblower in jail?

Jun 27, 2023 / James Bamford

Quintessa Swindell and Joel Edgerton in “Master Gardener.”

Paul Schrader’s Unlikely Optimism Paul Schrader’s Unlikely Optimism

Master Gardener seems designed to provoke. But in his late age, the filmmaker has settled into an earnest style, fixated on love and second chances.

Jun 15, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi

A scene from “Unrest”

The Swiss Village That Made Kropotkin an Anarchist The Swiss Village That Made Kropotkin an Anarchist

Cyril Schäublin’s Unrest may be the most orderly movie about anarchists ever made.

Jun 14, 2023 / Books & the Arts / J. Hoberman

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