Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Culture Archive

Archives for December 2014

Culture
Actor Edward Herrmann has died at 71. Here’s why he was the definitive FDR.Actor Edward Herrmann has died at 71. Here’s why he was the definitive FDR.
Culture

He played the 32nd president not once, not twice, but five times.

By Emily St. James
Culture
The 10 best movies of 2014The 10 best movies of 2014
Culture

From giant blockbusters to tiny documentaries, these were 10 films that we loved in 2014.

By Emily St. James
Culture
Netflix is posting a fake New Year’s Eve broadcast to trick kids into going to bed earlyNetflix is posting a fake New Year’s Eve broadcast to trick kids into going to bed early
Culture

Parents can fake the countdown to the New Year the same way they watched a fire crackle on Christmas morning — in the alternate reality of online streaming!

By Kelsey McKinney
Culture
Serial revisited: Jay’s interview shreds the case against Adnan SyedSerial revisited: Jay’s interview shreds the case against Adnan Syed
Culture

How can anyone still say Adnan’s guilt is beyond a reasonable doubt?

By Ezra Klein
Culture
Indie theaters rescued The Interview. But Sony’s online release could squeeze them outIndie theaters rescued The Interview. But Sony’s online release could squeeze them out
Culture

The film was resurrected, in part, because of a petition signed by theater owners.

By Emily St. James
Culture
The 15 best songs of 2014The 15 best songs of 2014
Culture

These aren’t the top selling or chart-performing songs of the year. These are just the 15 best songs of 2014:

By Kelsey McKinney
The best books we read in 2014
Features

Vox editors, writers, and designers on the titles that grabbed their attention this year.

By Vox Staff
Technology
Vin Diesel wants you to think he’s in Marvel’s next big franchiseVin Diesel wants you to think he’s in Marvel’s next big franchise
Technology

On Monday morning, there was a buzz about a movie we won’t even see until 2018.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Almanac
What the world values, in one chartWhat the world values, in one chart
Almanac

The Inglehart-Welzel map offers a global look at our values and beliefs.

By Brandon Ambrosino
Culture
Why the Bone Clocks was one of 2014’s cleverest new novelsWhy the Bone Clocks was one of 2014’s cleverest new novels
Culture

David Mitchell’s genre-spanning new novel, The Bone Clocks, is one of the year’s best. Here’s why.

By Zack Beauchamp
Culture
Thirsty for a hot take, Bae? Here are the words that defined 2014.Thirsty for a hot take, Bae? Here are the words that defined 2014.
Culture

For better or worse, here are some of the words that filled our sentences in 2014.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Media
The Interview’s filmmakers should donate their proceeds to a charity for North KoreansThe Interview’s filmmakers should donate their proceeds to a charity for North Koreans
Media

Seth Rogen and James Franco can prove their critics wrong — and maybe save some lives in the process.

By Max Fisher
Roman Coppola tells us how his new show, Mozart in the Jungle, fits into his wild career
Culture

He’s written with Wes Anderson, directed terrific movies, and now gotten involved in Amazon’s latest bid for streaming domination.

By Emily St. James
Politics
The invisible primary: Can party elites pick a nominee before anyone votes?The invisible primary: Can party elites pick a nominee before anyone votes?
Politics

Why we might be headed for a Clinton vs. Bush election.

By Andrew Prokop
What is Paul Krugman afraid of?
Features

Mass pandemics? Yes. Artificial intelligence? Nope.

By Ezra Klein