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Emily St. James

Emily St. James

Former Critic at Large

    Latest articles by Emily St. James

    Culture
    The confoundingly simple yet deep design of Azul, the best board game of 2018The confoundingly simple yet deep design of Azul, the best board game of 2018
    Culture

    It’s the game for anyone who loves shaking Scrabble tiles in the bag. (And you know you do.)

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    How Hallmark takes over your TV every ChristmasHow Hallmark takes over your TV every Christmas
    Culture

    The cheesy spectaculars are big business — and make Hallmark the top cable network among most women.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Welcome to Marwen is just about the worst movie anybody involved in it has ever madeWelcome to Marwen is just about the worst movie anybody involved in it has ever made
    Culture

    Worse, the Robert Zemeckis film — which stars Steve Carell, Leslie Mann, and many others — poorly fictionalizes a tremendous documentary.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Mahershala Ali on Moonlight, True Detective, and what art can say to 2010s AmericaMahershala Ali on Moonlight, True Detective, and what art can say to 2010s America
    Podcast
    Culture

    “I feel like filmmaking is really an opportunity to listen. You have to listen to these characters. You have to have empathy.”

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    10 years later, is The Hunger Games still shocking?10 years later, is The Hunger Games still shocking?
    Culture

    Four Hunger Games fans and one skeptic debate the franchise on its 10-year anniversary.

    By Alex Abad-Santos, Emily St. James and 3 more
    Culture
    2018’s best plot twist came in a video game2018’s best plot twist came in a video game
    Culture

    Unavowed lulled players into a false sense of security, then played against tropes to deliver a terrific twist.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Penny Marshall’s groundbreaking directing career, explained in 3 moviesPenny Marshall’s groundbreaking directing career, explained in 3 movies
    Culture

    With Big, A League of Their Own, and Awakenings, Marshall blazed a trail for women directors.

    By Emily St. James and Alissa Wilkinson
    Culture
    The Kids Are Alright is the fall’s most delightful new comedyThe Kids Are Alright is the fall’s most delightful new comedy
    Culture

    This ABC sitcom makes telling a story with 10 regular characters look easy.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    The 2 decisions — and 1 happy accident — that made The Office a hitThe 2 decisions — and 1 happy accident — that made The Office a hit
    Podcast
    Culture

    All hit TV shows are some combination of skillful craftsmanship and good luck, according to Office writer and Good Place creator Michael Schur.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Wild Thing, one of 2018’s most delightful new podcasts, dares to take Bigfoot seriouslyWild Thing, one of 2018’s most delightful new podcasts, dares to take Bigfoot seriously
    Podcast
    Culture

    A seasoned journalist unexpectedly learns she’s Bigfoot researcher royalty, then takes to the woods.

    By Emily St. James