All Arts & Culture
Three musician-hosted podcasts you need to listen toFeist explores deeper meanings to her songs, while others talk about everything from books to parenting.聽
Make way for good neighbors: Top media picksNeighbor-themed options, from a Mister Rogers book to a podcast featuring everyday people, offer entertainment for winter months.
A toe-tapping ode to Appalachian musicFilmmakers explore the music they grew up on in 鈥淔iddlin鈥�,鈥娾�� an entertaining, if narrow, documentary on the music of Appalachia.
A religious experience at the movies? 鈥楢 Hidden Life鈥� aims high.鈥淎 Hidden Life鈥� explores how聽one man refused to take an oath to Hitler. How does the film compare to other faith-themed movies?
In a WordWhat should we call the decade that just ended?If you have a dim view of the past 10 years, you could call it the 鈥淭en-sions鈥�; if you look on the bright side, you might use the 鈥淥ne-ders.鈥�
In a WordChristmas by any other nameThe word Christmas itself is a relatively recent introduction, dating 鈥渙nly鈥� from 1123. You might be surprised to hear what came before it.
As Skywalker saga closes, a chat about values of 鈥楽tar Wars鈥�鈥淪tar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker鈥� brings to a close the nine-film Star Wars saga. What values do these films promote?
One of 2019鈥檚 best albums offers solace, compassionAfter Nick Cave鈥檚 son died in 2015, he found comfort in expressing empathy toward others. His band鈥檚 new album 鈥淕hosteen鈥� continues that theme.
Jay-Z offers America 鈥榳ords to live by鈥�Michael Eric Dyson鈥檚 new book, 鈥淛ay-Z: Made in America,鈥� continues to unpack the catalysts and consequences of black creativity, power, and wealth.聽
鈥楲ittle Women鈥�: A modern take on the March sistersSome 150 years after the publication of 鈥淟ittle Women,鈥� the latest film version offers more about how young women go after their dreams.聽
Hollywood鈥檚 woman journalist problem: Why does it endure?The film 鈥淩ichard Jewell鈥� suggests a real reporter slept with a source, continuing a clich茅d view of women journalists in Hollywood.
First LookThe Hallmark Channel backtracks: Same-sex marriage ads to returnAfter pulling a same-sex marriage ad, the Hallmark Channel said Sunday it will reinstate the commercials. "We celebrate all families," said a spokeswoman.
The year鈥檚 10 best movies: From 鈥楬oneyland鈥� to 鈥楢 Beautiful Day鈥�Critic Peter Rainer鈥檚 year-end list includes the documentary 鈥淗oneyland,鈥� but also 鈥淎 Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,鈥� 鈥淏ooksmart,鈥� and 鈥淧arasite.鈥�
In a WordWhen should you accept 鈥榝ulsome鈥� praise?The more research I did聽into the history of fulsome, the more confused I became. This slippery word has distinct, sometimes contradictory meanings.
In a Word鈥楢nd/or鈥� part 2: The fault lies not in conjunctions, but in ourselvesThe term 鈥渁nd/or鈥� rapidly became known for producing more problems than it solved, especially in the legal realm. Can sign language save us?
Buddy Holly鈥檚 back ... as a touring hologram. But is it 鈥榣ive鈥� music?Can holograms play 鈥渓ive鈥� music?聽The desire for authentic experiences and artist longevity is pushing the boundaries of what constitutes performance.- In a WordNo good substitute for the clumsy 鈥榓nd/or鈥�And/or聽may not be beautiful, but it usually does the job. It seems we are stuck with it 鈥� but perhaps聽Boolean logical operators offer a solution.
Cheeky 鈥楰nives Out鈥� keeps you guessing (and laughing)Director Rian Johnson infuses his modern whodunit with zippy dialogue, social commentary, and a star-studded cast.聽聽
In a WordBe Thankful, Stand Fast, and other Puritan namesPuritans frequently bestowed 鈥済race names鈥� as a way of encouraging children to strive for moral goodness.
Near-perfect 鈥楢 Beautiful Day鈥� captures the wholeness of Fred Rogers鈥淎 Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,鈥� inspired by an Esquire article, is about the beneficence bestowed by Fred Rogers upon all in his orbit.聽
