All Arts & Culture
First LookGucci announces it will no longer use fur in its designsThe Italian high fashion house announced this week that its designs will no longer include animal fur in response to changing consumer tastes. Gucci joins other fashion houses striving for more ethical and humane luxury lines.
Fifty years later, a look back at how the Monterey Jazz Festival changed cultureThe聽Monterey Jazz Festival, which took place this past September, inspired the legendary Monterey International Pop Music Festival and paved the way for events today like the popular Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.
Jimmy Kimmel's empathy touches a chord with late night viewersThe host's success, observers say, comes from finding personal connections to complex policies, and talking through partisan issues such as health care and gun control just like an average voter trying to understand politics.
In 'Blade Runner 2049,' 'visionary' is synonymous with slow and monotonousThere are flashes of visual grandeur in 鈥淏lade Runner 2049,鈥� which was shot by the always inventive Roger Deakins, but there鈥檚 not much reason for this film to exist outside of its fan base.
'Blade Runner 2049': Why some science fiction writers are tired of dystopiasThe long-awaited sequel to 1982's 'Blade Runner' seems inspired by present-day concerns. But amid the grim apocalyptic narratives, authors such as Neal Stephenson and Cory Doctorow argue that futuristic fiction should leave room for optimism and vision.
Top Picks: 'Rostam: Half-Light,' the SkySafari 5 app, and moreCritically acclaimed superhero box-office hit 'Wonder Woman'聽is now available on DVD and Blu-ray, the聽iHandy Carpenter聽app is a valuable companion if you鈥檙e looking to take care of some home improvement projects, and more top picks.
Remarkable 'The Florida Project' explores vagaries of childhoodMost of the film's cast, with the exception of Willem Dafoe and a few others, have had little or no theatrical experience.聽Brooklynn Kimberly Prince stars as 6-year-old Moonee.
Can immersive theater draw theatergoers?A recent local stage show聽was different from anything one young theatergoer had experienced before. She was no longer a passive member of the audience, but an active participant in the play.
'American Made' depicts drug cartels as occasion for blithe derring-doThe nefarious entanglements of real-life figure Barry Seal鈥檚 operations, jauntily detailed in the film, are depicted as high-flying fun.
鈥楲oving Vincent鈥� prompts respect for the effort that went into hand-painted film, if not the resultIn the movie about Vincent Van Gogh, the reproductions of the artist's paintings can鈥檛 possibly match the originals鈥� emotional fervor.
'Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House' leaves Felt's motivations ambiguousAs written and directed by Peter Landesman, the movie is a straightforward nuts-and-bolts affair of no particular consequence, except for Neeson鈥檚 performance.
Top Picks: Journeys of Invention app, 'Last Emperor of Mexico,' and moreAdd to the list of intriguing Hollywood romances the behind-the-scenes couple featured in the film 'Harold and Lillian,'聽the classic film 'The Princess Bride' returns to聽the big screen, and more top picks.
Steven Soderbergh's release plan, MoviePass program shake up movie businessIt鈥檚 been part聽of American life for decades: Consumers pay to see films and movie studios and movie theaters profit. But that process is being disrupted, and it鈥檚 happening against the backdrop of a tough summer for Hollywood.聽
鈥楤attle of the Sexes鈥� is a barely muted rallying cry for our timeThe movie, which聽centers on the tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs聽and stars Steve Carell and Emma Stone, is best when it鈥檚 not preaching to the audience.
'Stronger' actor Jake Gyllenhaal is better than the movieGyllenhaal聽plays Jeff Bauman, who lost his legs during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, and shows us the full effects of Bauman鈥檚 trauma.
Top Picks: 'The Wedding Plan' on DVD and Blu-ray, Ralph Towner's album 'My Foolish Heart,' and moreThe app聽Any.do聽brings together a calendar and a to-do list to make sure you鈥檙e on top of everything,聽be prepared for future weather emergencies聽with the聽Hurricane聽app from the American Red Cross, and more top picks.
Verbal EnergyRuth Walker, member of the Monitor familyMs. Walker has passed on. Here鈥檚 a brief bio and a link to some of her best columns.
FocusCan Hollywood learn to tell stories about women above a size 4?The character Kate in the Emmy-nominated 'This Is Us' has won acclaim for Chrissy Metz. But body image advocates say Kate also personifies a principal narrative for the fat person in Hollywood: In order for a character of size to be worthy, he or she needs to be trying to lose weight.
Toronto International Film Festival report: Fewer movies but still front-loaded with Oscar bait'The Florida Project' and 'Ex Libris: The New York Public Library' were highlights at the 42nd edition of the festival in Toronto.
Top Picks: Fantastical 2 app, 'Tommy's Honour' on DVD and Blu-ray, and moreThe app聽The Elements by Theodore Gray聽makes the periodic table interactive, musician聽Mondo Cozmo sounds like the grandson of Bob Dylan circa 'Like a Rolling Stone,' or the gifted offspring of 'The Spider from Mars'-era David Bowie, on 'Plastic Soul,' and more top picks.
