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'Ben is Back' is compelling at first but falls apartJulia Roberts聽works well with actor Lucas Hedges, who knows how to be volatile without chewing the scenery.
Top Picks: Amazon Studios' 'Vanity Fair,' Ingrid Michaelson鈥檚 'Songs for the Season,' and more top picksSee how the robot InSight's successful landing happened with a聽NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory video, the movie 'Eighth Grade' stars Elsie Fisher as Kayla, a teenager navigating middle school, and more top picks.
What are you watching? Readers recommend 'The Princess Bride,' 'Christmas in Norway with the St. Olaf Choir'Monitor TV and movie fans share what they've been watching lately.
Last-minute fruitcakeA classic recipe from the Monitor's archives is making the rounds again.
In a WordA Renaissance fruit has its climacteric momentWhile researching medlars I discovered that there鈥檚 a wonderful old word, dating back to Shakespeare as well, that鈥檚 still employed by botanists to categorize fruit: climacteric.聽
Why I talk to dogsTheir tethered humans might think I鈥檓 crazy, but I can鈥檛 help it.聽
In a WordWhere to stress words in pronunciationStress isn鈥檛 only important for proper pronunciation 鈥� sometimes it actually distinguishes the meaning of words.
To 'aitch' ... or not to 'haitch'?The thing is this: For as long as I can remember, the eighth letter of the alphabet has been spelled and pronounced 鈥渁itch.鈥� But now it is frequently being pronounced 鈥渉aitch.鈥�
'Shirkers' is a one-of-a-kind reclamation projectThe documentary, directed by Sandi Tan, is聽a charming, wistful movie.
'Mary Queen of Scots' has sharp cast but is dull overallThe movie is about the oft-chronicled rivalry between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots.
Energy of the streets gives 鈥楥apernaum鈥� authenticityThe film is the Lebanese entry for the Oscar for best foreign film.
Top Picks: 'Mission Impossible: Fallout,' Mark Knopfler鈥檚 'Down the Road Wherever,' and moreThe聽Transit app聽provides schedules and possible routes for public transportation,聽curators reveal the processes behind restoration and curation on聽the Metropolitan Museum of Art鈥檚 YouTube channel, and more top picks.
What are you watching? Readers recommend 'The Big Bang Theory,' 'Olive Kitteridge'Monitor TV and movie fans share what they've been watching lately.
Painting with fabric: The 'Marvelous' costumes that bring to life '50s New YorkPerhaps not since Kay Thompson urged fashionistas to 鈥淭hink Pink鈥� in the musical 鈥淔unny Face鈥� have 1950s fashions popped from the screen as dramatically as in 鈥淭he Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.鈥� That sartorial verve comes from Emmy-winner Donna Zakowska, an artist who now uses fabric as her medium.
Seven November movies you should check outTwo of the movies that caught the attention of Monitor film critic Peter Rainer include a previously unreleased Orson Welles film and the latest from the Coen brothers.
鈥楽hoplifters鈥� asks, what is the true meaning of family?Director Hirokazu聽Kore-eda鈥檚 slow reveal of who these people are, and what they mean to each other, has its mystery story aspects, but this is essentially a character study.
'The Favourite' is self-satisfyingly smart-aleckyThe film is聽about Queen Anne (Olivia Colman), the last of the Stuart monarchs, and the two women (Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone) who are vying for her favors.
Top Picks: 'Custody' on DVD and Blu-ray, the HappyCow appThe聽Royal Opera House鈥檚 YouTube channel gives you聽a fascinating peek behind the scenes of a world-renowned performance hall, Sheryl聽Crow鈥檚 six-piece band jams out on old hits and new classics for 'Live at the Capitol Theatre,' and more top picks.
What are you watching? Readers recommend 'Antiques Roadshow,' 'Amadeus'Monitor TV and movie fans share what they've been watching lately.
Why are ticket prices so high?Here's why you may experience some sticker shock if you聽purchase concert tickets聽for a loved one this holiday season 鈥� as well as possible solutions.聽
