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Book Review: “Louis B. Mayer & Irving Thalberg: The Whole Equation” — More of the Same

February 4, 2025
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At some point during the writing of the book, Ken Turan must have realized, sadly, that the Mayer/Thalberg/MGM story has been done to death. All he could do was what he did: tell well what had been told well before.

Children’s Book Reviews: A Trio of Stories that Spotlight Healing and Helpful Friendships

February 4, 2025
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Three stories highlight the special benefits of friendship — between the old and young, and among children of different backgrounds.

Book Review: “Leonardo da Vinci — An Untraceable Life”

February 3, 2025
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This book is an anti-biography that argues Leonardo had little interest in autobiographical self-promotion and claims that the many gaps in the historical record prevent him from cohering as a biographical subject

Book Review: “Darkenbloom” — The Past is Prologue?

February 3, 2025
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“Darkenbloom” is a hefty novel, in which a blood-stained, depraved swath of history is laid bare by in-depth examination of a narrow geographical sample (think “One Hundred Years of Solitude”, or, for that matter, “Gone With the Wind”).

Coming Attractions: February 2 through 17 — What Will Light Your Fire

February 2, 2025
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Our expert critics supply a guide to film, visual art, theater, author readings, and music. More offerings will be added as they come in.

Book Review: “Plastic” Novel? Musical? Anime?

February 2, 2025
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“Plastic” would have been much more effective if it had taken the form of an anime or a cartoon.

Film Review: “I’m Still Here” — They’re Still Here

February 2, 2025
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Fascism is faced down in Walter Salles’s Oscar-nominated masterpiece.

February Short Fuses — Materia Critica

February 1, 2025
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Each month, our arts critics — music, book, theater, dance, television, film, and visual arts — fire off a few brief reviews.

Arts Remembrance: Marianne Faithfull — A Singular Talent Who Pursued an Oft-Perilous Life

February 1, 2025
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The resolute British singer/actress survived addiction, homelessness, cancer and Covid, which left her in a coma before she completed work on her final album in 2021.

Poetry Review: “Foxglovewise” — Contending With Presence and Absence

January 31, 2025
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The healing powers of poetry is a sieve through which Ange Mlinko pours bitterness and disunity, cosmic and personal.

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