Arts

During her lifetime, singer and dancer Carmen Miranda (shown here in a dressing room at the London Palladium in 1948) was a huge success in the United States, but rejected at home in Brazil as a sellout.

Of Fruit Hats And 'Happy Tropics,' A Renaissance For Carmen Miranda

6:12pm May 08, 2015

by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

The Brazilian performer was a huge hit with American audiences who loved her outrageous costumes and beautiful voice. But she's been less appreciated in her homeland — until now.

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Ted Lewis' gritty storytelling takes readers inside London's seedier quarters.

Books
Arts

Gangsters, Goons And 'Grievous Bodily Harm' In Ted Lewis' London

5:29pm May 08, 2015

by John Powers

Soho Press recently reissued the late British crime writer's final novel. Critic John Powers says Lewis' GBH is a pulp-fiction triumph worthy of Jim Thompson or James Ellroy.

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Books
Arts

Remembering Ruth Rendell, Master Of Smart And Socially Aware Suspense

4:23pm May 08, 2015

by Maureen Corrigan

The British novelist set shocking crimes in mundane settings — always adding a dash of social criticism. Critic Maureen Corrigan says she is forever giving Rendell's books to friends.

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A recent Death over Dinner party in San Francisco. From left: Tim Ferriss, Laura Deming, Luke Nosek, Eric Weinstein, Mason Hartman, and Max Hodak.

Let's Talk About Death Over Dinner

3:50pm May 08, 2015

by Lesley McClurg

Over the last two years, more than 70,000 people around the world have gathered to dine and discuss their own deaths, and the end-of-life decisions that entails. We eavesdrop on one such gathering.

Arts

Schwarzenegger Meets Zombies In A Haunting, Slow-Paced New Film

1:56pm May 08, 2015

by David Edelstein

The zombie movie Maggie examines an array of cultural anxieties such as plague, environmental catastrophe and big government. Critic David Edelstein says the film is more art flick than blockbuster.

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Books
Arts

'Fresh Air' Remembers Mystery Novelist Ruth Rendell

1:56pm May 08, 2015

The British author wrote crime novels for 50 years, many featuring Chief Inspector "Reg" Wexford. Rendell died May 2. Originally broadcast in 1989 and 2005.

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Arts

Playwright Beth Henley, Artist Alexis Lavine, "The Wire", and Composer Tom Hauser

12:59pm May 08, 2015

by David Ford

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Ellen McLain (standing fourth from left) and John Lowrie (standing in center) are unlikely celebrities in gaming culture. But they are the voices behind some of the video game world's most popular characters.

Arts

The Unlikely Stars Of Americans' Favorite Video Games

11:14am May 08, 2015

by Ashley Gross

More than a third of Americans play video games three or more hours a week. Part of the appeal is the richly developed characters in the games.

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Arts

Class Publishes "Critical Media Studies: Student Essays on The Wire"

8:47am May 08, 2015

by Eddie Garcia

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The Hamburglar is all grown up, slimmed down â and with a family.

Arts

From Cartoon Chubster To Handsome Hipster: McDonald's Revamps Hamburglar

9:02pm May 07, 2015

by Maria Godoy

Gone is the short, goofy burger thief of the 1970s and '80s. In his place, the chain has created a hunky masked man in skinny jeans and a fedora. An improvement? Tell us what you think.