All articles tagged with #cultural commentary
A curated list of 20 new book releases spanning biographies, novels, memoirs, and cultural critiques, highlighting diverse voices and contemporary themes, with notable titles on James Baldwin, Octavia Butler, Deadwood, and more, amidst a period of personal loss for the author.
The article reflects on the end of 'And Just Like That...' and the cultural significance of Carrie Bradshaw, emphasizing her messy, imperfect humanity as a reflection of real women's lives and the societal discomfort with women aging and embracing their complexity. It celebrates the show's honesty about life's chaos and the importance of female stories that include love, loss, and self-acceptance.
Hulu's 'King of the Hill' revival updates the beloved series by aging characters and placing them in modern times, exploring how their traditional values clash with contemporary culture, while maintaining the show's core themes of family and common sense.
Hulu's "Interior Chinatown," based on Charles Yu's novel, follows Willis Wu, a background character in a police procedural, as he navigates his surreal existence within a TV show. The series, starring Jimmy O. Yang, offers a humorous critique of TV tropes and explores themes of Asian American identity and immigrant experiences. While the show is entertaining and fresh, it struggles to delve deeply into its themes, leaving its narrative direction uncertain halfway through the season.
Ridley Scott's "Gladiator II" reflects a darker, more cynical view of modern America, drawing parallels between the decline of the Roman Empire and contemporary societal issues. The film, with its right-wing undertones and critique of decadence, captures the Trumpian zeitgeist, portraying a corrupt Rome akin to a decaying America. Despite its mass-market appeal, the film's narrative suggests a pessimistic outlook on the possibility of returning to a virtuous state, echoing fears of an uncertain future.
Devo, the visionary new wave band known for their satirical take on cultural de-evolution, reflects on their prescient lyrics and the impact of their music. Despite their lone hit "Whip It" in 1980, Devo's influence can be seen in the widespread use of their buzzy synthesizer tones, robotic moves, and retro graphics in commercials, cartoons, and possibly even K-pop. With a new 50-song boxed set and a continuing world tour, Devo is embracing and reaffirming their legacy. The band's founders, Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh, discuss their origins, their disillusionment with rock music, and their ability to foresee trends like music videos and artists marketing themselves as brands. While Devo's dystopian vision of American culture has become a reality, they remain hopeful for the future and continue to inspire with their music.
The documentary "Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields" directed by Lana Wilson explores the life of Brooke Shields, who played a child whose virginity was auctioned off in the 1978 Louis Malle drama "Pretty Baby" at the age of 11. The film delves into the culture that shaped Shields and the Hollywood exploitation she faced as a child star. The documentary's most absorbing ingredient is its excellent collage of archival footage, which builds a mood of reminiscence gone rancid and suggests a generation of women transformed by the prototypes society boxed them into.