Arts & Life

Arts

'Foxcatcher': A Bloated True-Crime Story Based On Wealthy Heir John du Pont

1:56pm November 14, 2014

by David Edelstein

The film is based on du Pont's fraught relationship with two Olympic wrestlers. Wealth isn't enough — his identity hinges on winning. It's a fascinating case study, but as drama, it's one sick joke.

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Ivonne Coll, Gina Rodriguez and Andrea Navedo star in Jane The Virgin from the CW.

Arts

Is America Ready To Fall In Love With The Telenovela?

1:13pm November 14, 2014

by Brenda Salinas

The CW took a big risk when it adapted a Venezuelan telenovela for American prime time. Now, Jane The Virgin is being renewed for a second season.

Books
Arts

A New Collection, Well-Furnished With Munro's Best

12:20pm November 14, 2014

by Jane Ciabattari

Family Furnishings collects 24 of short story master Alice Munro's best works. Reviewer Jane Ciabattari calls it a superb introduction to Munro, and a reminder that she's a writer to be cherished.

A drawing of two clinking martini glasses.

Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Revived Properties And Cultural Dichotomies

9:25am November 14, 2014

by Linda Holmes

On this week's show, we wonder whether it's ever too late to revisit the past and we dive into some divides that cut deep.

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Steve Carell plays John du Pont in Foxcatcher.

Arts

The Slow-Talking 'Foxcatcher' Goes Long And Comes Up Short

8:17pm November 13, 2014

by Mark Jenkins

Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo and Channing Tatum star in a bizarre tale of wrestling, wealth and talking very slowly while surrounded by mist.

Hilary Swank and Tommy Lee Jones in The Homesman.

Arts

In 'The Homesman,' A Most Unromantic American West

5:03pm November 13, 2014

by Ella Taylor

Hilary Swank and Tommy Lee Jones play two very different people taking a dangerous trip across the arid plains in a beautifully photographed film.

Rosewater is Jon Stewart's directorial debut. He filmed much of the movie in Jordan, and he says he grew a beard because after wearing a suit and shaving for most of his career, he wanted to let his "freak flag fly."

Arts

Jon Stewart's Debut Film Shows 'Humor Survives' In The Bleakest Conditions

3:00pm November 13, 2014

Rosewater is based on Maziar Bahari's experience of being tortured in an Iranian prison. "His humor sustained him," the Daily Show host says. "And I found that incredibly empowering."

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Visitors walk through the Hachette Book Group's exhibition in May at BookExpo America, the annual industry convention in New York.

Amazon And Hachette Reach A Deal On E-Book Pricing

2:00pm November 13, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

The multiyear agreement, which will take effect in early 2015, ends a months-long stalemate between the online retail giant and the publishing powerhouse.

Michelle MacLaren, seen here accepting an award as a producer on Breaking Bad, may direct the upcoming Wonder Woman movie.

Arts

A Great Director — Who's Also A Woman — Might Direct 'Wonder Woman'

12:06pm November 13, 2014

by Linda Holmes

Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones veteran Michelle MacLaren is reportedly a strong candidate to direct the upcoming Wonder Woman movie.

For decades, Kodak's Shirley cards, like this one, featured only white models.

Arts

How Kodak's Shirley Cards Set Photography's Skin-Tone Standard

9:45am November 13, 2014

by Mandalit del Barco

Named for the original model — an employee of Kodak — the portraits were used by photo labs to calibrate printers. But until the 1970s, that model was always white.

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