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Emily St. James

Emily St. James

Former Critic at Large

    Latest articles by Emily St. James

    Culture
    Green Book’s frustrating Best Picture win, explainedGreen Book’s frustrating Best Picture win, explained
    Culture

    The road movie is a comforting fantasy, and comforting fantasies win Best Picture.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Queen and Adam Lambert opened the 2019 Oscars. It was fine.Queen and Adam Lambert opened the 2019 Oscars. It was fine.
    Play
    Culture

    No host? No problem, so long as you can recruit one of the greatest rock bands of all time to perform.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Almost every Best Picture nominee has a real chance of winning. Here’s the case for each one.Almost every Best Picture nominee has a real chance of winning. Here’s the case for each one.
    Culture

    This year’s Oscars race just might feature the most unpredictable Best Picture category ever.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    How Soviet hockey ruled the world — and then fell apartHow Soviet hockey ruled the world — and then fell apart
    Culture

    The director of Red Army, a riveting new documentary on the team, takes us through its history.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    All 5 nominees for the Animated Feature Oscar are worth seeing. One stands above the rest.All 5 nominees for the Animated Feature Oscar are worth seeing. One stands above the rest.
    Culture

    From Spider-Man to Mr. Incredible, this is a category full of winning, imaginative movies.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    BlacKkKlansman is a searing indictment of American racism. Should it win Best Picture?BlacKkKlansman is a searing indictment of American racism. Should it win Best Picture?
    Culture

    Our roundtable discusses the film’s Oscar chances and whether it might finally net Spike Lee the trophy he deserves.

    By Emily St. James, Zack Beauchamp and 2 more
    Culture
    Green Book is a Best Picture frontrunner. Should it be?Green Book is a Best Picture frontrunner. Should it be?
    Culture

    Our roundtable discusses the Oscar chances for Peter Farrelly’s road trip buddy comedy about racism, set in the 1960s.

    By Emily St. James, Alissa Wilkinson and 1 more
    Culture
    Standup comedy’s debate over political correctness, explained by HBO’s CrashingStandup comedy’s debate over political correctness, explained by HBO’s Crashing
    Culture

    The comedy series smartly breaks down “anti-PC” comedy without getting preachy.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Lady Gaga performed “Shallow” at the Grammys like a monstrous spider. It was awesome.Lady Gaga performed “Shallow” at the Grammys like a monstrous spider. It was awesome.
    Play
    Culture

    Her performance blended her weirdo pop star and traditional chanteuse sides beautifully.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    The Grammys were good this yearThe Grammys were good this year
    Culture

    Thank women, host Alicia Keys, and director Louis J. Horvitz for the most entertaining show in some time.

    By Emily St. James