Arts & Life

Books
Arts

'Natural Born Heroes' Is Self-Help The Special Operations Way

10:16am April 17, 2015

by Jean Zimmerman

Writer Christopher McDougall digs into the exploits of Britain's legendary World War II commandos to form a new definition of heroism: It's a skill you can learn, if you push your body to the limit.

In The Shame In Venice 2, Kenyan artist Michael Soi protests the makeup of his country's pavilion at the Biennale.

Why Are Chinese Artists Representing Kenya At The Venice Biennale?

12:57am April 17, 2015

by Gregory Warner

Kenya will participate in the Venice Biennale, the prestigious art show that opens on May 9. But only two of the artists representing Kenya will be Kenyan. Most aren't even African — they're Chinese.

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Hadas Yaron and Luzer Twersky in Felix and Meira.

Arts

Two Unmoored Souls Too Gloomily Drawn In 'Felix And Meira'

5:03pm April 16, 2015

by Ella Taylor

To its credit, this story of an Orthodox Jewish woman struggling with her faith doesn't shortchange all it offers. But her encounter with a man who might offer a different future doesn't satisfy.

Twenty-four competitors put their brewing techniques to the test last week at the World AeroPress Competition in Seattle.

Arts

How AeroPress Fans Are Hacking Their Way To A Better Cup Of Coffee

3:14pm April 16, 2015

by Emma Bowman

Coffee aficionados say the simple, syringe-like device makes exceptional espresso and allows for countless variations on the perfect cup. Not surprising, given that its inventor is a serial tinkerer.

Arts

Cooking With Emoji: We're Taking Eggplant Back From The Bros

2:39pm April 16, 2015

by Maria Godoy

The eggplant emoji has become a favorite of salacious sexters. To rescue its sullied rep, we turn to our emoji keyboards and conjure up recipes to highlight the fruit's, ahem, culinary attributes.

Arts

Is There Anything Left To Say About 'Saturday Night Live'?

10:33am April 16, 2015

by Linda Holmes

The Tribeca Film Festival opened Wednesday with a documentary that faces a massive challenge: Trying to find a new angle on one of the most thoroughly documented institutions we have.

Billy Crystal (left) says that onstage Josh Gad (right) "lights up."

Arts

Billy Crystal And Josh Gad: Separated By A Generation But United By Laughs

5:58pm April 15, 2015

The two play satirical versions of themselves on the new FX show The Comedians. But in real life they share "a lot of commonalities," says Crystal.

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Books
Arts

'All The Rage' Has All The Despair, And All The Confusion, Too

5:00pm April 15, 2015

by Tasha Robinson

Courtney Summers' new YA novel centers on a girl who was raped at a party, and the community that mostly doesn't believe her. Critic Tasha Robinson says the book's portrait of trauma packs a punch.

Books
Arts

'Cold Silver' Drags Epic Fantasy Through The Mud, Wonderfully

3:54pm April 15, 2015

by Jason Heller

Alex Marshall (a pseudonym for an established author taking an epic new path) creates a memorable heroine in Cobalt Zosia, a retired general who's drawn back into blood and struggle against her will.

Books
Arts

Lewis And Clark Battle Giant Spiders In 'Dead Lands'

2:43pm April 15, 2015

by Jason Sheehan

Benjamin Percy's new thriller re-tells the story of Lewis and Clark's expedition, against a postapocalyptic future backdrop where the Mississippi has dried up and monsters roam the West.