All Culture
First LookTed Olson, who argued for same-sex marriage, is remembered as a conservative legal titanFormer U.S. Solicitor General Ted Olson, who died Nov. 13, who argued 65 cases before the Supreme Court, including fighting for same-sex marriage. Mr. Olson聽鈥渓eft the law, our country, and each of us better than he found us,鈥� said聽former adversary David Boies.
鈥楨milia P茅rez鈥� breaks genres and bursts into song in a one-of-a-kind movie鈥淓milia P茅rez鈥� is a feminist musical crime thriller about a transgender cartel boss. Part operetta, part telenovela, it shimmies between the archetypal and the intensely personal, writes Monitor film critic Peter Rainer.
Juan Rulfo helped invent magical realism. His 鈥楶edro P谩ramo鈥� is now on Netflix.Mexican author Juan Rulfo helped invent magical realism and influenced a generation of beloved Latin American writers. His novel 鈥淧edro P谩ramo鈥� just received a twisty adaptation on Netflix.- Juan Rulfo helped invent magical realism. His 鈥楶edro P谩ramo鈥� is now on Netflix.Mexican author Juan Rulfo helped invent magical realism and influenced a generation of beloved Latin American writers. His novel 鈥淧edro P谩ramo鈥� just received a twisty adaptation on Netflix.
A 400-lb tree weighed on our marriage. A smart solution lifted the load.My wife and I have gardened together for years without marital incident 鈥� until the great birch tree challenge of 2024.聽
A silver rush built Nelson, British Columbia. It still has polish.With over 350 buildings lovingly restored, the city of Nelson聽boasts on its website that some call it 鈥渢he prettiest small town in Canada.鈥澛�
An unwanted kiss shook Spanish soccer 鈥� and society. A new documentary explores why.Just as the Spanish women鈥檚 national team was celebrating its 2023 World Cup victory, it found itself embroiled in a fight with the soccer federation president over an unwanted kiss. A Netflix documentary looks at the scandal.
Beyond the World Series and Bronny, the enduring love of fathers and sonsThe beautiful thing about the full-circle moments experienced this week by sports stars Freddie Freeman and LeBron James is what鈥檚 at the center of them, writes the Monitor鈥檚 cultural commentator 鈥� pure and abiding love.
In 鈥楢 Real Pain,鈥� a road trip whose emotional power sneaks up on you鈥淎 Real Pain,鈥� written by, directed by, and co-starring Jesse Eisenberg, is the kind of movie that creeps up on you, says film critic Peter Rainer. It has a way of seeing that, in its own modest way, owes something to the Yiddish sensibility that informed storytellers聽like Isaac Bashevis Singer.
Candy corn and leaf-pile cannonballs: Falling in love with fall, all over againCelebrating fall: The riot of russet tones, the brisk air, the crunchy leaves. The answer to what ails us? It鈥檚 often as simple as stepping outside.
Musician Fantastic Negrito wants to spread the light. He first had to face his past.With 鈥淪on of a Broken Man,鈥� Grammy winner Fantastic Negrito tackles his relationship with his father, and considers how to overcome the darkness in our lives.
Civil rights on the red carpet: Freedom Awards honor 3 iconsFilmmaker Spike Lee, attorney Sherrilyn Ifill, and civil rights advocate Xernona Clayton were honored with the National Civil Rights Museum鈥檚 Freedom Award in Memphis, Tennessee.
For descendants of Black Caribs, this heritage sail is about resilienceThe annual pilgrimage of the Garifuna from mainland St. Vincent to nearby Baliceaux island offers tribute and connection to their ancestors 鈥� and helps keep a unique culture alive.
鈥楻oad Diary鈥� documentary offers a front-row seat to stellar Bruce SpringsteenAfter a six-year hiatus from live concerts, what would Bruce Springsteen鈥檚 return offer? The rocker is 鈥渆ntirely captivating鈥� in the latest documentary capturing his craft, says the Monitor鈥檚 film critic.
First LookHuge audience of WNBA Finals in New York caps record-breaking seasonThe New York Liberty finally won its first WNBA championship after beating the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime of a decisive Game 5 on Oct. 20. The first three games of the series each had over a million viewers and huge crowds in attendance.聽
鈥楢nora鈥� thinks she鈥檚 found her Prince Charming. This 5-star movie is no fairy tale.People who live on society鈥檚 margins aren鈥檛 always treated with compassion and sympathy. But the director of 鈥淎nora鈥� offers both. 鈥淚鈥檝e rarely encountered a scene that moved me as completely and complicatedly as this film鈥檚 final moments,鈥� says the Monitor鈥檚 critic.
Sending smiles across the miles: Care packages bring comfort in troubling timesCare packages are a gesture of love and a reminder that, in times of turmoil, goodness can still cross the threshold. Here's how to create your own.
First LookThey ride low and slow. How a booming Latino car community celebrates art and heritage.Lowriding, a cornerstone of Latin identity in the United States, often battles negative stereotypes. A renaissance of the subculture, including car shows like those in El Paso, Texas, showcases how artistic lowriding brings people together.
This artist turned a forgiveness journey into a film 鈥� with the help of Steven SpielbergAs his new movie debuts, artist Titus Kaphar reflects on what it takes to arrive at forgiveness 鈥� and to share it with the world.
Oh, hoppy day! Going down the White Rabbit hole at the New York Botanical Garden.Installations inspired by Lewis Carroll鈥檚 children鈥檚 books are sprinkled throughout the garden as part of the 鈥淲onderland: Curious Nature鈥� exhibit.