musicals
The surprisingly enduring appeal of Stephen Sondheim's Company
Two major productions have revealed new facets in a musical long thought to be hopelessly dated.
freelance
The Matrix Resurrections resonates with trans stories told across generations
The fourth film in the venerable sci-fi franchise locks in to the ways trans people see themselves in each other.
freelance
The unexpected brilliance of Livia Soprano's final onscreen appearance
A much-mocked visual effects sequence uses the odd and uncanny to incredible effect.
letterdrop
Mary Bailey is the hero of It's a Wonderful Life
George is the protagonist, but Mary's the one who keeps Bedford Falls going.
anime
The eerie prescience of Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue
The 1998 anime film predicted our world of online celebrity and all the terrors that come with it.
prince
1984: the greatest year in American pop music
From Michael Jackson to Prince and from Bruce Springsteen to Huey Lewis, the year rang with enormous, amazing hits.
freelance
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a love letter to our misunderstood teenage selves
The Japanese animated film is about so much more than a girl who can, uh, leap through time.
freelance
The food TV perfection of Big Zuu's Big Eats
The British series captures sides of the U.K. that most other foodie shows cannot.
bo burnham
Bo Burnham greets his audience
The comedian and filmmaker has navigated an increasingly fraught relationship with viewers since he burst onto the scene.
TV
The many joys of the Soviet Sherlock Holmes
It's one of the best TV shows there is.
horror
Empty horror: A recent string of films underlines the weariness of American life
The Empty Man and The Smiley Face Killers explore a world that is devoid of meaning and utterly hopeless.
trans
Searching for Transition: A Love Letter To Whatever It Is Charlie Day Is Doing In Pacific Rim
Or: The non-binary mad scientist manifesto