All Culture
First LookHat trick: How Oppenheimer鈥檚 iconic topper made it to the screenTo fans of the film, nothing quite says 鈥淥ppenheimer鈥� like the porkpie crown on Cillian Murphy鈥檚 head. That piece of Hollywood history came courtesy of the hat whisperer Mark Mejia, who has been working with costume designers for more than 30 years.
Stars and strife: Who gets to decide what appears on state flags?The recent wave of flag redesigns reflects awareness that a strong visual identity can bring residents together. The challenge states face, though, is how to agree on symbols that represent everyone.
Zen and the art of automotive maintenanceWhat do you get when four of five children reach driving age? A collision course in car chaos.聽
Back of the box recipes from Great-Grandma? Family treasure.I longed for sentimental family heirlooms 鈥� until I learned that pragmatism is inheritance, too.聽
In a year of meaningful roles, who deserves an Oscar?These actors fully embodied their roles, from an Osage survivor to a grieving mother to ... Ken.
鈥楢merican Fiction,鈥� Black culture, and the nature of joyWhether it鈥檚 Blaxploitation, blackface, or navigating the arts space in a country and world not truly honest about their racial past, the duality of being funny and sad 鈥� think the iconic comedy and tragedy masks 鈥� means something different in the Black experience.
鈥楧une: Part Two鈥�: Sandworms, slick villains, and a would-be savior鈥淒une: Part Two鈥� arrives almost 2 1/2 years after the first installment. With the possible exception of 鈥淟awrence of Arabia,鈥� our film critic writes, he鈥檚 never seen so much sand in one movie.
The unexpected bounty of winter gardeningIn nature and in life, some seasons, like winter, are less celebrated. Under the surface, however, lies growth.聽
Preserving culture, one textile at a timeFocus is often put on preserving disappearing languages, but what of other traditions? For some, vitality rests with maintaining a culture鈥檚 visual representations, too.
An indie publisher finds its future 鈥� with a public libraryAngel City Press in Los Angeles has long published local authors. In a bold move, its founders are now giving the press to the city鈥檚 public library.聽
The actor and the ironing board: An unlikely lesson in improvisationIn our middle school musical, an eighth grade star averted disaster 鈥� and imparted valuable lessons in improvisation.聽
Robert Smalls lived an action-hero life. Why isn鈥檛 he a household name?The founder of the first free public schools in America was born enslaved and won freedom not only for himself, but also his family, by commandeering a Confederate gunship. How is Robert Smalls not a household name?
Hygge season: Learning to winter like the DanesIn exploring hygge, the Danish art of coziness,聽I learned to rest and savor the season. It鈥檚 a counterintuitive lesson in slowing down.聽
Lyrical, harrowing 鈥業o Capitano鈥� offers epic immigration taleHow far would someone go to have a better life? Italy鈥檚 Oscar nominee offers an immigration story that features searing realism 鈥� and resilience.聽聽
A small town, public art, and the First AmendmentWould no public art be better than art someone found objectionable? In New Hampshire, a town has been roiled聽for months over that question.聽
First LookConductor Seiji Ozawa remembered as a kind and thoughtful humanitarianSeiji Ozawa, who died Feb. 6 in his native Japan, was a world-renowned conductor with a 29-year career with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The BSO described Mr. Ozawa as 鈥渁 musical genius鈥� with 鈥渁 balletic grace at the podium.鈥澛�
Beauty and the feast: Savoring 鈥楾he Taste of Things鈥�What happens when you combine sumptuous food with a tender drama? French film 鈥淭he Taste of Things鈥� features one of the most romantic movie moments our critic has ever seen.
First LookTikTok and a major label are in a standoff. How does this song end?TikTok videos featuring major artists鈥� music are being muted after Universal Music Group terminated its licensing deal on the platform. It鈥檚 part of a larger conflict over fair compensation for creators鈥� work 鈥� as well as questions about the use of AI.
鈥楶erfect Days鈥� asks, what constitutes a happy life?What does it mean to live a life of meaning? Wim Wenders鈥� new film argues for the importance of moments.
First LookWomen win big at Grammy Awards: Swift, Cyrus, EilishThe Grammy Awards showcased wins for women, including Taylor Swift鈥檚 fourth album of the year, Miley Cyrus鈥檚 record of the year, and Victoria Mon茅t as best new artist. The stage was lit up with performances by Tracy Chapman and Billy Joel, among others.
