In Slight Defense Of Miss Utah USA, A Little Bit, With Reservations
by Linda Holmes
What do you expect when you ask a terrible question in a ridiculous setting?
Culture And Criticism
Monkey See posts about Culture And Criticism
When Your Data Is Currency, What Does Your Privacy Cost?
by Linda Holmes
Revelations about government surveillance have motivated a lot of reactions, some of which take into account that we gain something for some of the data we give up in our day-to-day lives. But the transaction is different when the government is involved.
Ahem: Asking Someone To The Prom Is Not A 'Proposal'
by Linda Holmes
Apparently, the "promposal" is a requirement for your more extravagant high school romantics.
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Bad News, Men: You're Not Very Charming
by Linda Holmes
A new piece in The Atlantic argues that American men lack charm, both in the movies and in real life.
Why Angelina Jolie's Op-Ed Matters
by Linda Holmes
Angelina Jolie's surgery perhaps shouldn't matter, but it will to someone.
Missed Sundance? Can't Do Cannes? Try Tribeca
by Joel Arnold
What's worth seeing at this year's 12th annual Tribeca Film Festival in Manhattan? Critic Joel Arnold lists a few movies he wants to see and explains why the little festival that could is still picking up steam and showcasing some great films.
Best Original Song, Least Original Category
by Nick Andersen
Nick Andersen says that the Academy Awards would be a lot more interesting with a few tweaks to one of the categories best suited, but least used, for showmanship.
Coastal Snobbery, 'The Masses,' And Respecting The Lowest Common Denominator
by Linda Holmes
The "lowest common denominator" isn't really a bad thing. It's commonality; it's one of the parts of culture that are richest and most beneficial, provided we can define it properly.
Circus Roboticus, Or: This Actor Is A Serious Heavyweight
by Randy Gener
A repurposed robot prototype named KUKA, originally designed by the auto industry, is the breakout star of Sans Objet, a performance piece making its debut in the U.S. this month. Randy Gener describes the rewards — and the challenges — involved in working with a nearly 3,000-pound diva.
The Critical Tyranny Of 'You're Doing It Wrong'
by Marc Hirsh
With the increasing prevalence in criticism that sets down arbitrary rules for cultural consumption, a look at the unnecessary tunnel vision of "You're Doing It Wrong."
The Veracity Of 'Titanic,' James Bond and 'Homeland,' And Why Recognizability Matters
by Marc Hirsh
What do the Mythbusters crew, Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Salon television critic Willa Paskin have in common? They're all reminding us of the importance of a recognizable reality in fiction.
Good Business, Bad Quality: How NBC Is Both Right And Wrong On The Olympics
by Linda Holmes
There's a lot of chatter — a lot — about the things people don't like about the Olympics on television. But it's not hurting the ratings. Does that mean the griping is misplaced? Not necessarily.
Sam Phillips And Trying To Describe The Indescribable Wow
by Marc Hirsh
Faced with a new reissue of Sam Phillips's 1994 album Martinis & Bikinis, a critic reveals his inability to write about the music that seems to be made with him in mind.
It Was All A Dream (Or: Turns Out Spoilers Are Good For You)
by Neda Ulaby
The combination of instant commentary on Twitter and delayed viewing on DVRs and Hulu has made fans especially careful about spoilers. But according to one study, spoilers actually make you enjoy a work more than if you didn't know what was going to happen.
Catharsis In A Cape: On Comic-Book Heroes And Real-World Violence
by Glen Weldon
In the wake of the Aurora massacre, our comics blogger explores the meaning of the violence that's such an integral part of the Batman mythos — and suggests that in the face of real horror, our fictional heroes mean more than ever.
