Film

The Dark History of Colonia Dignidad

The Dark History of Colonia Dignidad The Dark History of Colonia Dignidad

The Netflix series A Sinister Sect examines not only the history of a German community led by a Nazi in Chile but also the relationship between Latin American governments and ...

Mar 24, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Ilan Stavans

What We’re Still Getting Wrong About the Unabomber

What We’re Still Getting Wrong About the Unabomber What We’re Still Getting Wrong About the Unabomber

Ted Kaczynski’s violence—reexamined in a new biopic—fascinates US audiences, but not for the reasons we think.

Mar 15, 2022 / R.H. Lossin

The Infinite Possibilities of “Macbeth”

The Infinite Possibilities of “Macbeth” The Infinite Possibilities of “Macbeth”

Sparse and beautiful, Joel Coen’s Shakespeare adaptation focuses on why we continue to return to this story of power and downfall.

Feb 22, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Erin Schwartz

Manthia Diawara in the Archive of Postcolonialism

Manthia Diawara in the Archive of Postcolonialism Manthia Diawara in the Archive of Postcolonialism

His films put into practice the history of radical Black thought by placing generations of thinkers in conversation.

Feb 10, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Elias Rodriques

Is “The Matrix Resurrections” About Authorial Anxiety?

Is “The Matrix Resurrections” About Authorial Anxiety? Is “The Matrix Resurrections” About Authorial Anxiety?

At times myopic and contrarian, the latest entry in the series feels more like a copyright renewal than a narrative.

Feb 9, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse

When Sidney Poitier Picked Up the Gun

When Sidney Poitier Picked Up the Gun When Sidney Poitier Picked Up the Gun

Notes on a couple of native sons.

Jan 10, 2022 / Gene Seymour

The Ardor of “Licorice Pizza”

The Ardor of “Licorice Pizza” The Ardor of “Licorice Pizza”

Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film is his most personal work yet.

Dec 29, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi

That Time the FBI Scrutinized “It’s a Wonderful Life” for Communist Messaging

That Time the FBI Scrutinized “It’s a Wonderful Life” for Communist Messaging That Time the FBI Scrutinized “It’s a Wonderful Life” for Communist Messaging

The film “deliberately maligned the upper class,” according to a report that didn’t like the portrayal of Mr. Potter as a bad guy.

Dec 24, 2021 / John Nichols

What’s New in the New “West Side Story”?

What’s New in the New “West Side Story”? What’s New in the New “West Side Story”?

In Steven Spielberg’s version, we get a film that offers a far more inclusive vision of postwar America but one that still retains its flawed view of working-class tribalism.

Dec 20, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Ed Morales

The Last Days of the Beatles

The Last Days of the Beatles The Last Days of the Beatles

Does Peter Jackson’s eight-hour documentary give us the fullest picture of the band’s late history? 

Dec 15, 2021 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu

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