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Culture Archive

Archives for August 2014

TV
5 reasons Masters of Sex is such a mess5 reasons Masters of Sex is such a mess
TV

This episode just confirms that the show has lost its way in season two. Can it find its way back?

By Emily St. James
Culture
Boyz II Men and Oasis likely wouldn’t chart todayBoyz II Men and Oasis likely wouldn’t chart today
Culture

These groups represent a time in music that no longer exists: When bands that would play to small niches today used to play to everyone who loved music.

By Kelsey McKinney
Culture
Celebrate the long weekend with this playlistCelebrate the long weekend with this playlist
Culture

You don’t have to work. Listen to music.

By Kelsey McKinney
Technology
Big Moves for Shane Smith: Vice Media Is Set to Raise $500 Million and Get Its Own Cable ChannelBig Moves for Shane Smith: Vice Media Is Set to Raise $500 Million and Get Its Own Cable Channel
Technology

Vice is set to get its own cable channel -- along with a bunch of cash -- from two new investors.

By Peter Kafka
Movies
New horror film As Above, So Below: see or skip?New horror film As Above, So Below: see or skip?
Movies

The movie has some effective, unsettling images, but it’s also got an essentially meaningless story.

By Emily St. James
Binge-watch some of 2014’s best TV so far
Culture

Watch these shows over your long weekend — or any other weekends in your foreseeable future.

By Alex Abad-Santos, Emily St. James and 1 more
Celebrity Culture
Beyoncé shows she’s not perfect, in one poemBeyoncé shows she’s not perfect, in one poem
Celebrity Culture

Beyoncé decided to tell readers of her greatness through poetry. Unfortunately, the written word did not fully cooperate.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Police Violence
Abuse is taken seriously when it’s caught on tapeAbuse is taken seriously when it’s caught on tape
Police Violence

It takes “overwhelming evidence” to get the public outraged over abuse — but more and more, incidents get caught on tape

By Dara Lind
TV
US album sales just hit their lowest point everUS album sales just hit their lowest point ever
TV

Music streaming is killing album sales.

By Kelsey McKinney
TV
FXX will never stop showing the SimpsonsFXX will never stop showing the Simpsons
TV

24 hours of Simpsons a week

By Kelsey McKinney
Culture
2014’s disappointing summer box office in 5 charts2014’s disappointing summer box office in 5 charts
Culture

Summer is when everyone’s supposed to go see the movies. But that didn’t happen this year.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Technology
Music Streaming Is Booming, and That’s a Problem for Music SalesMusic Streaming Is Booming, and That’s a Problem for Music Sales
Technology

Spotify, Pandora and YouTube are all growing. Music sales aren’t. There’s a connection.

By Peter Kafka
Culture
Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent was a huge summer hitAngelina Jolie’s Maleficent was a huge summer hit
Culture

The success of Maleficent, fronted by Angelina Jolie, proves there is a substantial market for films featuring women who are strong, complicated, and front-and-center.

By Kelsey McKinney
Sports
The NFL announces new policy on domestic violenceThe NFL announces new policy on domestic violence
Sports

First violations will result in six-game suspensions, and second offenses will lead to a lifetime ban.

By Joseph Stromberg
Sports
Fantasy sports are now a $1.4 billion industryFantasy sports are now a $1.4 billion industry
Sports

A nerdy fringe hobby has become a cash cow.

By Joseph Stromberg