Film/TV

President-elect Donald Trump attends a meeting at Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Heavy Lies 'The Crown': What Donald Trump And Queen Elizabeth Have In Common

The loosely-biographical Netflix series, “The Crown,” is shockingly relevant today, writes Joanna Weiss. It’s about how to deal with power you expected, but aren’t prepared to assume.

Cognoscenti

Jan 4, 2017

In this March 1, 2016 photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign stop in Columbus, Ohio. (John Minchillo/AP)

Why The Idea Of A Trump Media Empire Is Terrifying

Steve Almond on how the death of the Fairness Doctrine gave way to the birth of Trumpism.

Cognoscenti

Oct 18, 2016

Single Screen Unites Family? 'Stranger Things' Have Been Known To Happen

All of a sudden, writes Jack Cheng, instead of parent culture and tween culture, we had a family cultural moment.

Cognoscenti

Sep 21, 2016

Jose Hernandez, right, cries as he looks at a photo of his friend Amanda Alvear, who was killed in the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub, as he visits a makeshift memorial with friends, Monday, June 13, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. (David Goldman/AP)

The Last Season Of America? Horror, Hope And Orlando

Orlando is America. It's time to write ourselves a new script.

Cognoscenti

Jun 14, 2016

Johanna Pittman: "One evening every week, their anticipation in high gear, my parents turned off the living room lights... And I was told to leave the room." (Bryan Costin/flickr)

What Price Convenience? Twin Peaks, And The Rewards Of Delayed Gratification

One evening every week, their anticipation in high gear, my parents turned off the living room lights... And I was told to leave the room.

Cognoscenti

Jun 9, 2016

Hodor is played by Kristian Nairn. (HBO)

Seeing My Son In Hodor: A Look At The Depiction Of Disability In 'Game Of Thrones'

In its portrayal of people with disabilities, GoT shines as a beacon of inclusion.

Cognoscenti

May 27, 2016

Steve Almond: "What scares me about all this isn’t just that the Presidential front-runner of the Republican Party appears eager to foment civil unrest, but that the networks are so desperate for ratings that they’ve become his de facto enablers." Pictured: Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, left, face off with protesters after a rally on the campus of the University of Illinois-Chicago was cancelled due to security concerns Friday, March 11, 2016, in Chicago. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)

Bring It, Donald: Why The Media Love The Trump Tape Loop

What scares me about all this isn’t just that the Presidential front-runner of the Republican Party appears eager to foment civil unrest, but that the networks are so desperate for...

Cognoscenti

Mar 15, 2016

Yolanda Hadid, right, and her daughter Bella attend the Global Lyme Alliance Inaugural Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in New York. (Evan Agostini/AP)

The Real Stigma Of Beverly Hills: Why The Controversy Over Yolonda's Illness Matters

Much about Bravo's "Real Housewives" franchise may be fake, but Yolanda Hadid's chronic Lyme disease is very real.

Cognoscenti

Feb 19, 2016

A Risk Worth Taking? In Spite Of 'Concussion,' Football Remains Vital As Ever

Some thought the new football drama, “Concussion,” might do real damage to the sport. That appears to be a very unlikely outcome.

Cognoscenti

Jan 7, 2016

Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca, left, and Harrison Ford as Han Solo in the original 1977 "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope" film. The new film, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," opens in U.S. theaters on Dec. 18, 2015. (AP/Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment)

'Star Wars,' And The Force It Awakened In Me

“Star Wars” and its sequels were touchstones, mind-bending fantasy movie experiences into which I poured my longings for escape, creativity and adventure.

Cognoscenti

Dec 18, 2015

The venerable holiday special turns 50 this month. But its key message remains as relevant as ever. (Charles M. Schulz/ AP)

50 Years On, 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' Is The Gift That Keeps On Giving

The venerable holiday special turns 50 this month. (Good grief!) But its key message remains as relevant as ever.

Cognoscenti

Dec 9, 2015

Cardinal Bernard Law, left, celebrates mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston Sunday, July 21, 2002. Law resigned in disgrace as archbishop of Boston over his role in the clergy sex abuse crisis. (John Bohn/ AP)

A Catholic Contemplates 'Spotlight'

The new film about the clergy sex abuse scandal offers a lesson on the perils of blind faith.

Cognoscenti

Dec 1, 2015

In this photo, James Jones of Woodbridge, Va., brings his two sons Riley, 7, and Grayson, 5, to a memorial outside the gates of the French Embassy in Washington, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Friday's attacks on a stadium, a concert hall and Paris cafes that left more than 120 people dead and over 350 wounded. (Andrew Harnik/ AP)

Why I’m Not Talking To My Kids About The Paris Attacks

I have three small children. I have not yet said anything to them about these events, and I don't plan to.

Cognoscenti

Nov 17, 2015

Taran Killam, left, Republican presidential candidate and guest host Donald Trump, center, and Darrell Hammond perform during the monologue on "Saturday Night Live", Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. Trump's 90 minutes in the "SNL" spotlight followed weeks of growing anticipation, increasingly sharp criticism and mounting calls for him to be dropped from the show. (Dana Edelson/ AP)

The Age Of Politainment: How Celebrity Has Devoured Our Civic Culture

Our political system has become just another branch of our popular culture, slavishly devoted to entertainment and brazenly hostile toward the very idea of governance.

Cognoscenti

Nov 12, 2015

Marty Baron: "Many charitable nonprofits... get a pass on close examinations because they are seen as doing good. And many do good, but that shouldn’t exempt them from accountability.” Pictured: Baron, former editor of The Boston Globe, walks the red carpet as he attends the Boston-area premiere of the film "Spotlight." (Steven Senne/AP)

In Film About Breaking The Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal, A Spotlight On Deference

The film "Spotlight" might celebrate investigative journalism, but it also warns of the dangers to journalists -- and the rest of us -- of uncritically deferring to authority.

Cognoscenti

Nov 5, 2015

Michael Keaton as Spotlight team editor Walter Robinson, left, and Mark Ruffalo as reporter Michael Rezendes, in a still from the film "Spotlight." (Open Road Films)

In 'Spotlight,' Investigative Journalism Gets Its Due

If this respectful, honest tribute can restore some of the shine to a struggling profession and remind the public why quality journalism is worth paying for, it’s a start.

Cognoscenti

Oct 30, 2015

Meryl Streep's T-Shirt Is Not The Issue

A slogan from another time and place can spark useful debate about our understanding of language and history.

Cognoscenti

Oct 26, 2015

Jacqueline Miller and Thomas Max Roberts: "'The Martian' should be required viewing for all middle and high school students, and it should serve as a call to action for improving science education." Pictured: NASA Astronaut Drew Feustel, left, Actor Matt Damon, Director Ridley Scott, Author Andy Weir, and Director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters Jim Green, participate in a question and answer session about NASA’s journey to Mars and the film "The Martian," Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015, at the United Artist Theater in La Cañada Flintridge, California. NASA scientists and engineers served as technical consultants on the film. (Bill Ingalls/NASA)

Science Is Cool In 'The Martian.' Can It Be Compelling In The Classroom, Too?

'The Martian' should be required viewing for all middle and high school students, and it should serve as a call to action for improving science education.

Cognoscenti

Oct 21, 2015

Make It Work: Why Political Contests Should Emulate 'Project Runway'

As the political process becomes ever more like a reality series, why not learn from the best of them?

Cognoscenti

Oct 14, 2015

Andrew Lincoln plays Rick Grimes in "The Walking Dead." The sixth season of the AMC series premieres Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015. (AMC)

The Morality Of Zombies: Or, Why We Watch 'The Walking Dead' As A Family

Families do a lot of different activities together to promote bonding. Some bake. Others play Trivial Pursuit. My family? We watch a TV show about the zombie apocalypse.

Cognoscenti

Oct 9, 2015

TED Radio Hour

Heavy Lies 'The Crown': What Donald Trump And Queen Elizabeth Have In Common

Why The Idea Of A Trump Media Empire Is Terrifying

Single Screen Unites Family? 'Stranger Things' Have Been Known To Happen

The Last Season Of America? Horror, Hope And Orlando

What Price Convenience? Twin Peaks, And The Rewards Of Delayed Gratification

Seeing My Son In Hodor: A Look At The Depiction Of Disability In 'Game Of Thrones'

Bring It, Donald: Why The Media Love The Trump Tape Loop

The Real Stigma Of Beverly Hills: Why The Controversy Over Yolonda's Illness Matters

A Risk Worth Taking? In Spite Of 'Concussion,' Football Remains Vital As Ever

'Star Wars,' And The Force It Awakened In Me

50 Years On, 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' Is The Gift That Keeps On Giving

A Catholic Contemplates 'Spotlight'

Why I’m Not Talking To My Kids About The Paris Attacks

The Age Of Politainment: How Celebrity Has Devoured Our Civic Culture

In Film About Breaking The Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal, A Spotlight On Deference

In 'Spotlight,' Investigative Journalism Gets Its Due

Meryl Streep's T-Shirt Is Not The Issue

Science Is Cool In 'The Martian.' Can It Be Compelling In The Classroom, Too?

Make It Work: Why Political Contests Should Emulate 'Project Runway'

The Morality Of Zombies: Or, Why We Watch 'The Walking Dead' As A Family