All Arts & Culture
Comedies usually reward cynicism. Then came 鈥楾ed Lasso.鈥�As 鈥淭ed Lasso鈥� returns for a second season, culture watchers reflect on what has made a comedy show that aims for optimism and kindness a sleeper hit.
New generation of cooks lifts lid on India鈥檚 diverse cuisineRegional Indian cuisines with distinct ingredients and techniques are being rediscovered and celebrated through new cookbooks.
Russians say Marvel鈥檚 鈥楤lack Widow鈥� is 鈥榢lyukva.鈥� That鈥檚 not flattering.Marvel鈥檚 latest blockbuster is about former Soviet superheroes in Russia. But for Russian filmgoers, 鈥淏lack Widow鈥� doesn鈥檛 feel very Russian.
First Look'I felt seen': First trans actress nominated for EmmyMj Rodriguez stars in 鈥淧ose,鈥� a period drama about New York City鈥檚 drag ballroom culture. Critics say she has raised the bar for trans representation in media, while LGBTQ rights activists say聽her historic Emmy nomination is 鈥渓ong overdue.鈥�
鈥楻oadrunner鈥� brings Chef Bourdain 鈥撀燼nd his wanderlust 鈥撀爐o the big screen鈥淩oadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain鈥� sheds light on the late chef, who helped others see the world as he did via popular books and TV shows.
In a WordDid JFK really call himself a doughnut? It鈥檚 a great story.Embarazada聽means pregnant, not embarrassed. A Berliner聽is a man 鈥� and a pastry. And how did we get the name for the聽Yucat谩n Peninsula? We don't know.
Pop music: Fewer gatekeepers, more opportunitiesTechnology has made producing pop music more democratic. As songs flood streaming platforms, what opportunities are there for access and creativity?
In a Word鈥楾ranslation fails鈥� thrive on the webThe internet collects mistranslations found on T-shirts, menus, and instructions for tourists around the world. But there's beauty in those failures.
Five-star 鈥楽ummer of Soul鈥� captures the music, and unity, of 1969 Harlem festivalThe Monitor鈥檚 film critic gives five stars to 鈥淪ummer of Soul,鈥� a new documentary from Questlove about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival in New York.
Window dressing: Empty storefronts host New York City artistsArt on the Ave is filling retail vacancies with emerging artists鈥� work, bringing collectors and artists together without established galleries.
In Pictures: Drive-ins, dusk, and dashboardsAs moviegoers flocked to drive-in theaters in search of a pandemic distraction, they found something more.
In a WordAs English evolves, so too does the word 鈥榤aster鈥�Some Americans are uncomfortable with a word that, despite its long history, conjures images of plantation slavery. Others object to the objections.
First LookBruce Springsteen: The Boss helps reopen BroadwayBruce Springsteen returned to Broadway for a series of summer shows, fresh evidence of a revival of live entertainment after a 15-month pandemic pause.
Play them loud: 2021鈥檚 best albums so farEven if live music venues are still shuttered, these standout albums from 2021 encourage joy 鈥撀燼nd contemplation.
First LookIn new Netflix deal, Spielberg shoots for the small screenAfter a long courtship, Steven Spielberg has agreed to have his production company make multiple films per year for Netflix. The director who embodies big-screen enchantment says what matters is universal access to good stories, regardless of screen size.
In a WordObstreperous: A jovial word with an ominous back storyIt's a learned, yet folksy, way to describe someone as unruly or troublesome. Its roots are innocuous, but it was also used to describe slaves.
It鈥檚 no 鈥楴emo,鈥� but Pixar鈥檚 鈥楲uca鈥� will leave you smiling from gill to gillComing-of-age story 鈥淟uca鈥� isn鈥檛 quite on par with aquatic sibling 鈥淔inding Nemo,鈥� but it still offers summer vacation fun.聽
With prints and playing cards, painter puts Black art in people鈥檚 handsBecoming a father made painter Sharif Muhammad want to make art that would show his children the value and beauty of Black people and culture.
鈥楽isters on Track鈥� and 鈥楥ity of Ali鈥� bring athletes to lifeWhen judging athletes, we often consider their achievements, not their origins.聽鈥淪isters on Track鈥� and 鈥淐ity of Ali鈥� reverse that narrative.聽
Q&A: An 鈥榚veryday鈥� life in dance proves something quite extraordinaryGavin Larsen鈥檚 ballet memoir 鈥淏eing a Ballerina鈥� opens up the dance world to show the determination, camaraderie, and physical strength at its core.
