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Culture Archive

Archives for December 2015

Culture
Homeland reclaims its cynicism and has its best season since its firstHomeland reclaims its cynicism and has its best season since its first
Culture

The series veers toward quiet intimacy — and suggests nobody’s hands are clean.

By Emily St. James
Culture
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a movie we can’t evaluate until we see Episode VIIIStar Wars: The Force Awakens is a movie we can’t evaluate until we see Episode VIII
Culture

Don’t call it a remake until we see what happens next.

By Matthew Yglesias
Culture
The scandal over Brooklyn’s small-batch artisanal chocolate factory, explainedThe scandal over Brooklyn’s small-batch artisanal chocolate factory, explained
Culture

It turns out the Mast Brothers’ too-twee-to-be-true origin story was, in fact, too twee to be true.

By Libby Nelson
Culture
Star Wars: The Force Awakens — what’s up with the Republic and the Resistance?Star Wars: The Force Awakens — what’s up with the Republic and the Resistance?
Culture

Here’s how the “war” in Star Wars actually works.

By Zack Beauchamp
Culture
Star Wars: The Force Awakens beat every box office recordStar Wars: The Force Awakens beat every box office record
Culture

There are 247 million reasons to keep making Star Wars movies.

By Alex Abad-Santos
The best TV shows of 2015: 35 top-notch series, from Mad Men to Jessica Jones
Culture

Which show was the best of the year?

By Emily St. James
Culture
A black actress is playing Hermione in the Harry Potter play, and J.K. Rowling loves itA black actress is playing Hermione in the Harry Potter play, and J.K. Rowling loves it
Culture

“Brown eyes, frizzy hair, and very clever. White skin was never specified,” Rowling tweeted.

By Libby Nelson
Culture
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a prime example of Hollywood’s nostalgia problemStar Wars: The Force Awakens is a prime example of Hollywood’s nostalgia problem
Culture

The movie proves why sequels should expand worlds instead of just revisiting them.

By Peter Suderman
Culture
Netflix’s Making a Murderer is grim, riveting, and satisfying true crime TVNetflix’s Making a Murderer is grim, riveting, and satisfying true crime TV
Culture

This 10-part documentary isn’t flashy, but it’s instantly absorbing.

By Emily St. James
Sports
FIFA president Sepp Blatter is banned from soccer for 8 yearsFIFA president Sepp Blatter is banned from soccer for 8 years
Sports

Blatter defiantly said he’s been made a “punching ball” for FIFA’s corruption.

By Libby Nelson
Culture
5 ways Star Wars: The Force Awakens outright copies the original film5 ways Star Wars: The Force Awakens outright copies the original film
Culture

Rey is basically Luke Skywalker, for one.

By Emily St. James
The 13 funniest TV shows of 2015
Culture

An irrefutable (and highly subjective) list.

By Caroline Framke
Culture
Manhattan blows up an atomic bomb in the best season finale of the yearManhattan blows up an atomic bomb in the best season finale of the year
Culture

Season two goes out with the biggest bang of them all.

By Emily St. James
Culture
Watch: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler bring Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton back to SNLWatch: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler bring Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton back to SNL
Culture

They gave 2015 Hillary some advice for Christmas.

By Caroline Framke
Culture
Netflix’s F Is for Family resurrects the ‘70s, warts and allNetflix’s F Is for Family resurrects the ‘70s, warts and all
Culture

The animated comedy is well worth a weekend afternoon binge

By Emily St. James