All Culture
In a Word‘Merry’ versus ‘Happy’ ChristmasWhy is it overwhelmingly “Merry Christmas” in America, but “Happy Christmas” for many British people?
Rereading Dickens’s ‘A Christmas Carol’I’m transported miles away from to-do lists and shopping malls.
‘Mary Poppins’ makeover: A new story, a new vision of Cherry Tree LaneJohn Myhre was a fan of the 1964 classic film as a child, and now he’s helping bring its sequel to a new generation. How a production designer tackles envisioning the new with a nod to the old.
James Baldwin novel receives gauzy treatment in ‘Beale Street’Director Barry Jenkins goes for atmosphere over story.
'Ben is Back' is compelling at first but falls apartJulia Roberts works well with actor Lucas Hedges, who knows how to be volatile without chewing the scenery.
Top Picks: Amazon Studios' 'Vanity Fair,' Ingrid Michaelson’s 'Songs for the Season,' and more top picksSee how the robot InSight's successful landing happened with a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory video, the movie 'Eighth Grade' stars Elsie Fisher as Kayla, a teenager navigating middle school, and more top picks.
What are you watching? Readers recommend 'The Princess Bride,' 'Christmas in Norway with the St. Olaf Choir'Monitor TV and movie fans share what they've been watching lately.
Last-minute fruitcakeA classic recipe from the Monitor's archives is making the rounds again.
In a WordA Renaissance fruit has its climacteric momentWhile researching medlars I discovered that there’s a wonderful old word, dating back to Shakespeare as well, that’s still employed by botanists to categorize fruit: climacteric.
Why I talk to dogsTheir tethered humans might think I’m crazy, but I can’t help it.
In a WordWhere to stress words in pronunciationStress isn’t only important for proper pronunciation – sometimes it actually distinguishes the meaning of words.
To 'aitch' ... or not to 'haitch'?The thing is this: For as long as I can remember, the eighth letter of the alphabet has been spelled and pronounced “aitch.” But now it is frequently being pronounced “haitch.”
'Shirkers' is a one-of-a-kind reclamation projectThe documentary, directed by Sandi Tan, is a charming, wistful movie.
'Mary Queen of Scots' has sharp cast but is dull overallThe movie is about the oft-chronicled rivalry between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots.
Energy of the streets gives ‘Capernaum’ authenticityThe film is the Lebanese entry for the Oscar for best foreign film.
Top Picks: 'Mission Impossible: Fallout,' Mark Knopfler’s 'Down the Road Wherever,' and moreThe Transit app provides schedules and possible routes for public transportation, curators reveal the processes behind restoration and curation on the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s YouTube channel, and more top picks.
What are you watching? Readers recommend 'The Big Bang Theory,' 'Olive Kitteridge'Monitor TV and movie fans share what they've been watching lately.
Painting with fabric: The 'Marvelous' costumes that bring to life '50s New YorkPerhaps not since Kay Thompson urged fashionistas to “Think Pink” in the musical “Funny Face” have 1950s fashions popped from the screen as dramatically as in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” That sartorial verve comes from Emmy-winner Donna Zakowska, an artist who now uses fabric as her medium.
Seven November movies you should check outTwo of the movies that caught the attention of Monitor film critic Peter Rainer include a previously unreleased Orson Welles film and the latest from the Coen brothers.
‘Shoplifters’ asks, what is the true meaning of family?Director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s slow reveal of who these people are, and what they mean to each other, has its mystery story aspects, but this is essentially a character study.
