The Rise of CliffsNotes Cinema
Oversimplified literary remakes miss the point of the works they are adapting.
Culture
Why Justin Bieber Played YouTube Onstage for Thousands of People
The pop star transformed the normal act of browsing your laptop into something interesting—and unsettling.
The New Age of Performance Anxiety
With the rise of screen culture, all the world has stage fright.
Where Did ‘Let Them’ Come From?
Years before Mel Robbins published her best-selling self-help book, a struggling writer posted a poem with a similar message.
Putin Is Loving This
Russian state TV is sounding an awful lot like Trumpworld these days.
Trump Is Breaking the Fourth Wall
Reality television helped propel Donald Trump to the White House. Now its conventions are helping him expand its powers.
Cling to Your Disgust
The artist formerly known as Kanye West thinks this is a great time for a comeback. He might be right.
When a Celebrity Offers a ‘Harsh Reality Check’
Artists’ attempts at activism often meet mockery on social media. One actor figured out a better way to do it.
Dear James: My Husband Is a Mess
It’s gotten so bad, I’m considering leaving him.
The Nicest Swamp on the Internet
Reddit’s not perfect, but it may be the best platform on a junky web.
A Thriller That’s Most Fun When It’s Boring
Even the most mundane moments are riveting in the new deep-sea drama film Last Breath.
The Tiny Film That Dominated the Oscars
Anora swept the awards, proving that Hollywood’s biggest night could still recognize indie movies.
Conan O’Brien Understood the Assignment
The Oscars host was silly and serious by turns—and delightfully in control of the evening.
What It Takes to Make Shane Gillis Funny
Sometimes, you need the SNL writers’ room.