Arts

Mediocre Meaty Ogre: Joel Edgerton is an orc named Nick, Will Smith is a human named Daryl in Netflix's Bright.

Arts

Will Smith Plays Cops-And-Monsters In Unremarkable 'Bright'

5:10pm December 21, 2017

by Chris Klimek

Smith is a police officer paired with an orc (Joel Edgerton) in this fantasy-inflected buddy-cop movie that's "lazy but not boring" and "perfectly, stubbornly mediocre."

(L to R) Udo Kier as Konrad, Paul (Matt Damon), and Dusan (Christoph Waltz) in Downsizing.

Arts

'Downsizing': A Tone-Deaf, Less-Than-Incredible Shrinking Satire

5:01pm December 21, 2017

by Andrew Lapin

Director/co-writer Alexander Payne's film is "the rare movie that seems to execute every part of its concept absolutely wrong; a narrative, tonal, visual and sociopolitical fiasco."

Taking Up Spacey: J. Paul Getty (Christopher Plummer) and Fletcher (Mark Wahlberg) in All The Money In The World.

Arts

'All The Money In The World' And Worth Every Penny

5:00pm December 21, 2017

by Ella Taylor

The sudden de-Spaceying of a lead role is the least interesting thing about Ridley Scott's propulsive thriller that features a standout performance by Michelle Williams.

The idea of hygge hosting is to make it casual, comfortable, and imperfect.

How To Host A Hygge Holiday Party: Get Cozy, Embrace Imperfection

4:51pm December 21, 2017

by Deena Prichep

The Nordic concept of hygge loosely translates to a feeling of coziness, and for many hosts, it's the perfect antidote to a high-stress year and the typical fussiness associated with holiday parties.

Black cake, a rich, molasses-spiced cake filled with drunken dried fruits, is a part of Christmas festivities throughout the Caribbean. The cake varies from island to island. Above, a Trinidad black cake.

For Many Caribbean Immigrants, It Wouldn't Be Christmas Without Black Cake

4:47pm December 21, 2017

by Katherine Hernandez

Many in New York's large Caribbean diaspora cling to the rich, molasses-spiced cake filled with drunken dried fruits. It takes months to prepare and is central to festivities throughout the islands.

This year marks the 25th anniversary since David Sedaris' "Santaland Diaries" first aired on Morning Edition.

Arts

David Sedaris, Ira Glass And 25 Years Of 'Santaland Diaries'

1:55pm December 21, 2017

Writer David Sedaris talks about the 25th anniversary of the radio piece that launched his career. Ira Glass, who produced it for Morning Edition, knew when he recorded it that it was special.

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Arts

'Better Call Saul' Tops Critic David Bianculli's Picks For The Best TV Of 2017

1:39pm December 21, 2017

by David Bianculli

Fresh Air's TV critic spends a lot of time watching television — in part because there are so many great shows to watch. Godless, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Fargo are also among his favorites.

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When it comes to podcasts, 2017 saw an embarrassment of riches.

Arts

9 Favorite New Podcasts Of 2017 (That Aren't 'S-Town')

10:31am December 21, 2017

by Lauren Ober

Big Listen host Lauren Ober recommends a drama set in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, an entire show about self-help books and a musical based on the 36 questions that allegedly lead to love.

A Look At The Evolution Of Sexual Harassment Training Videos

4:48pm December 20, 2017

by Stacey Vanek Smith

Sexual harassment training videos were once blunt and direct, almost laughably so. After studying 74 of them, a researcher says all the nuance in the newer videos might be why they aren't effective.

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The Fulbright Triptych by Simon Dinnerstein.

Arts

A Painting Stored Away And The Artist Who Wants It To See The Light Of Day

4:47pm December 20, 2017

by Jon Kalish

Critically-acclaimed when it was first shown, Simon Dinnerstein's painting The Fulbright Triptych has been in storage for 25 of its 41 years — and Dinnerstein is working to change that.