arts and entertainment
‘American Utopia’: Still making sense
January 4, 2021Byrne and director Spike Lee have combined to reexamine themes they both have explored individually over the years.
Read moreComing undone: ‘The Undoing,’ ‘Big Sky,’ ‘The Deceived’ and the limits of MeToo
December 16, 2020“The rich are different,” said Fitzgerald, in a languishing dreamy tone. “Yes,” replied Hemingway brusquely, “they have more money.”
Read moreJohn Brown’s maid: Brown as buffoon in ‘The Good Lord Bird’ vs. Brown as radical in ‘Underground’
December 7, 2020The last two episodes of Ethan Hawkes' recounting of the John Brown story have some emotional resonance.
Read moreHow capitalism underdeveloped Appalachia: The economic truth ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ ignores
December 1, 2020It’s a tough trip for J.D. Vance and the viewer, but as the ride bumps along, it stays safely above the larger issues that actually shape the afflictions of Appalachia.
Read more‘Lovecraft Country’: Liberating 1950s apartheid America one monster at a time
November 20, 2020It’s now a done deal with the series already out in its entirety, but the best pilot and one of the best shows of the year is HBO’s Lovecraft Country.
Read more




