The Perils of a Post-Racial Utopia The Perils of a Post-Racial Utopia
In Nicola Yoon’s One of Our Kind, a dystopian novel of a Black upper-class suburb’s secrets, she examines the dangers of choosing exceptionalism over equality.
Nov 21, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
The Empty Promise of “Megalopolis” The Empty Promise of “Megalopolis”
Francis Ford Coppola’s long-awaited magnum opus is a flop.
Oct 7, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
Did Beyoncé Conquer Country Music? Did Beyoncé Conquer Country Music?
On Cowboy Carter, the pop superstar’s bid to radicalize a parochial genre falls short.
Apr 2, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
The Life and Times of a Niche Rapper The Life and Times of a Niche Rapper
Vince Staples’s self-titled Netflix show is a probing look at celebrity culture, Hollywood, and the pitfalls of being only kind of famous.
Feb 28, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
The Misguided Satire of “American Fiction” The Misguided Satire of “American Fiction”
A buzzy film adaptation of Percival Everett’s Erasure, a novel about publishing’s racial politics, misreads what is truly ailing the book industry.
Dec 22, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
The Return of Noname The Return of Noname
In her new album, Sundial, the rapper melds her activism and artistry seamlessly.
Aug 17, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
The Strange Legacy of “Francisco,” a Novel of Black Bohemianism The Strange Legacy of “Francisco,” a Novel of Black Bohemianism
Over the years, Alison Mills Newman has become disillusioned with her work of experimental fiction. Its story is now caught between radical aesthetics and conservative politics.
Jul 12, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
M. Night Shyamalan’s Strange Renaissance M. Night Shyamalan’s Strange Renaissance
After watching his latest, Knock at the Cabin, one can't help but wonder: What is fueling his career revival?
Apr 5, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
The Melancholy Return of “Black Panther” The Melancholy Return of “Black Panther”
After the death of Chadwick Boseman, the makers of the superhero movie had to reimagine the series. The result makes for a sobering and affecting sequel.
Dec 8, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
Jordan Peele’s Extraterrestrial Americana Jordan Peele’s Extraterrestrial Americana
Telling a tale of cowboys, aliens, and Hollywood, the director's third feature film, Nope, is his most successful cinematic spectacle to date.
Sep 6, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse