Pop Culture

As Thanos dominates the universe in Avengers: Endgame, so Disney dominates the box office — for the foreseeable future.

Arts

'Endgame' Nears All-Time Record, And The Age Of The Disney Mega-Blockbuster Is Upon Us

5:55pm June 25, 2019

by Bob Mondello

Critic Bob Mondello reviews the history of movie blockbusters and tracks how Disney's ownership of mega-blockbusting franchises is reshaping the multiplex.

I Like To Watch is Emily Nussbaum's new book.

'I Like To Watch' Is A Passionate, Brilliant Defense Of TV

11:51am June 25, 2019

by Annalisa Quinn

The collection of 32 mostly previously published essays by New Yorker TV Critic Emily Nussbaum includes a new consideration of the question "What should we do with the art of terrible men?"

Jerry Miller and his wife, Bea, at the picnic. The couple wears matching T-shirts that read "Gay? Fine by me."

National

'I Didn't Think It Was Possible': North Carolina City Rings In Its First LGBTQ Pride

5:25pm June 22, 2019

by Monique LaBorde

Organizer Laura Bannister says no one should have to leave their community to celebrate Pride. Despite some resistance from the community, the city was overwhelmed by the turnout.

Fresh out of prison, a Scottish single mother heads to Nashville to pursue her dream of country music stardom in Wild Rose.

Arts

A 'Wild Rose' Grows In Glasgow, With Dreams Of Getting Transplanted

8:18pm June 20, 2019

by Ella Taylor

Rose-Lynn (Jessie Buckley) is a scrappy Glaswegian single mom, fresh out of prison, who chases Nashville dreams in this beguiling, emotionally resonant film.

Brazilian filmmaker Petra Costa chronicles the rise and fall of democracy in Brazil from 1985 to the present in The Edge of Democracy.

Arts

'The Edge Of Democracy' Offers An Intimate Look At Brazilian Politics In Flux

5:01pm June 20, 2019

by Ela Bittencourt

Petra Costa's urgent, engrossing documentary mixes memoir and reportage, raising more questions than it manages to answer about the past, present and future state of Brazilian democracy.

The work and impact of iconic writer Toni Morrison is surveyed in a new documentary directed by filmmaker and portrait photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders.

Arts

'Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am': A Defiant Tour Of A Beloved Author's Life, Work

5:00pm June 20, 2019

by Andrew Lapin

Timothy Greenfield-Sanders' discursive documentary features Morrison addressing the camera and dispensing earned wisdom and zingers by the bushel.

Authentic Brands Group, which bought Sports Illustrated in May, has now licensed its print and digital publishing rights to another company.

National

Sports Illustrated Magazine Now Under Ross Levinsohn, Exec With Controversial Past

9:49pm June 17, 2019

by Sasha Ingber

The storied magazine was sold last month. And now editorial control of the 65-year-old magazine has been licensed to TheMaven, a digital outfit that is bringing in a controversial CEO.

Christian Siriano watches over the work of Hester Sunshine on Project Runway.

Arts

'Project Runway' Proves Change Can Be Healthy

3:20pm June 14, 2019

by Linda Holmes

Fans were worried when longtime host Heidi Klum and mentor Tim Gunn left the franchise. But Project Runway thrived in its 17th season, particularly because of new mentor Christian Siriano.

Burt Reynolds' Belongings Up For Auction

5:12am June 14, 2019

If you were a fan of Burt Reynolds, you might want to find your way to Beverly Hills this weekend. Many of his personal items will be up for auction.

Crime fighting is a family business in Shaft, the newest iteration of the 1971 film of the same name starring Jessie T. Usher, Samuel L. Jackson and Richard Roundtree.

Arts

In 'Shaft,' The Sex Machine Grinds Its Gears

5:01pm June 13, 2019

by Chris Klimek

The sequel to the sequel to the classic 1971 blaxploitation film is fueled by gay-panic jokes and poorly staged, violence-is-the-answer set pieces.