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Emily St. James

Emily St. James

Former Critic at Large

    Latest articles by Emily St. James

    Colors: Where did they go? An investigation.
    Culture

    Why do so many TV shows and movies look like they were filmed in a gray wasteland?

    By Emily St. James
    One Good Thing
    One Good Thing: The impish joy of the board game Sushi Go Party!One Good Thing: The impish joy of the board game Sushi Go Party!
    One Good Thing

    This holiday season, Sushi Go Party! may be the best solution to big gatherings or cabin fever.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    The very best TV show of 2021The very best TV show of 2021
    Culture

    And 12 other terrific shows, from You to Reservation Dogs.

    By Emily St. James
    Too many movies right now are “about trauma.” The Matrix Resurrections actually does the work.
    Culture

    The Matrix Resurrections’ take on trauma therapy is more nuanced than it seems at first.

    By Emily St. James
    One Good Thing
    One Good Thing: The only Christmas music playlist you’ll ever need is (almost) 8 days longOne Good Thing: The only Christmas music playlist you’ll ever need is (almost) 8 days long
    One Good Thing

    From disco drummer boys to familiar hits, this Christmas music playlist is essential.

    By Emily St. James
    Why The Matrix never stopped being relevant
    Culture

    The groundbreaking sci-fi franchise, explained in 5 eras.

    By Emily St. James
    One Good Thing
    One Good Thing: Get lost in the gorgeous fantasy of the Daevabad trilogy, based on Islamic legendsOne Good Thing: Get lost in the gorgeous fantasy of the Daevabad trilogy, based on Islamic legends
    One Good Thing

    The book series is a triumph of world-building, with sneakily compelling characters.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Station Eleven made me want to live in the post-apocalypseStation Eleven made me want to live in the post-apocalypse
    Culture

    Emily St. John Mandel’s beloved novel should be difficult to adapt for TV. The HBO Max version reinvents it.

    By Emily St. James
    The Vox guide to HBO’s “Succession”
    Nothing changed and everything changed in Succession’s third seasonNothing changed and everything changed in Succession’s third season
    The Vox guide to HBO’s “Succession”

    The one scene that sums up a messily perfect season.

    By Emily St. James
    The Vox guide to HBO’s “Succession”
    Let Succession be ambiguousLet Succession be ambiguous
    The Vox guide to HBO’s “Succession”

    The final shot of the latest Succession episode, explained and also not explained.

    By Emily St. James