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Culture Archive

Archives for December 2014

Culture
Did Pope Francis really say all animals go to Heaven?Did Pope Francis really say all animals go to Heaven?
Culture

Here’s what actually happened.

By Brandon Ambrosino
Movies
Dave Chappelle says police choked him on his own movie setDave Chappelle says police choked him on his own movie set
Movies

The comedian retold the story at a show in New Orleans.

By German Lopez
Culture
Marco Polo’s Joan Chen on why America and China’s film industries misunderstand each otherMarco Polo’s Joan Chen on why America and China’s film industries misunderstand each other
Culture

She talks her new Netflix show Marco Polo and why the most popular Chinese films are ones you’ve never heard of.

By Emily St. James
Culture
2014, explained in Cher tweets2014, explained in Cher tweets
Culture

On Twitter, Cher is a digital oracle. Here are some of her best tweets.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Culture
The 8 most embarrassing revelations from the Sony hackThe 8 most embarrassing revelations from the Sony hack
Culture

Some of the hacked emails reflected the often absurd way Sony executives chat with each other.

By Kelsey McKinney
Culture
Watch Beyoncé explain Beyoncé in an inspiring new videoWatch Beyoncé explain Beyoncé in an inspiring new video
Culture

“I have dreams,” Beyoncé says, “and I feel like I have the power to actually make those dreams become a reality.”

By Kelsey McKinney
Culture
For his next trick, Stephen Colbert interviews a fire-breathing dragonFor his next trick, Stephen Colbert interviews a fire-breathing dragon
Culture

Here’s what happened when Smaug showed up on set.

By Brandon Ambrosino
Almanac
Here’s how students in the 1400s doodled during classHere’s how students in the 1400s doodled during class
Almanac

Modern students are hardly the first ones to zone out while reading a textbook.

By Brandon Ambrosino
The most underappreciated films of 2014, according to data
Technology

All of these were critically praised but made under $1 million.

By Dylan Matthews
Culture
9 things to know about the 2015 Golden Globes9 things to know about the 2015 Golden Globes
Culture

On Thursday, the nominations for the 72nd annual Golden Globe Awards were announced. Here’s a brief look at the nine biggest surprises.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Culture
True Detective, Fargo, and the problem with TV endingsTrue Detective, Fargo, and the problem with TV endings
Culture

Television is all about possibility. Why are so many shows now about closing that off?

By Emily St. James
Culture
Maddie & Tae top the charts with feminist country musicMaddie & Tae top the charts with feminist country music
Culture

They aren’t the first women in country to do so, but they’re certainly leading a new, more direct feminist country charge.

By Kelsey McKinney
Culture
Exodus: Gods and Kings is one of the year’s worst moviesExodus: Gods and Kings is one of the year’s worst movies
Culture

Imagine a movie written by an atheism subreddit, the congregation of a small evangelical Christian church, and a particularly excitable high school model UN team.

By Emily St. James
Culture
How the CIA used music to “break” detaineesHow the CIA used music to “break” detainees
Culture

How, and why, the CIA used some of America’s most beloved, iconic songs as an instrument of torture.

By Kelsey McKinney
Culture
Shonda Rhimes delivered the ultimate classy and inspiring acceptance speechShonda Rhimes delivered the ultimate classy and inspiring acceptance speech
Culture

“My sisters who came before me had already handled it.”

By Jenée Desmond-Harris