“People, they need to believe. And nowadays, they’ll believe anything.”
Movies
Posted inBooks, Arts and Culture
The Writers Guild’s Dispute Had a Prequel. Lew Wasserman and the Feds Were the Stars.
But this time around, the Justice Department isn’t interested in challenging antitrust violations.
Posted inEconomic Policy
Remaking 9 to 5? What Today’s Working Women Want to See
After viewing the 1980 film, a cross section of women recognized the persistent sexism—but noted a host of newer problems a remake would have to address.
Posted inBooks, Arts and Culture
How Private Equity Ate Hollywood—and Why Writers Are Fighting Back
Now largely owned by private equity firms, the big talent agencies have turned to producing films and shows—both representing and employing writers. That, say the writers, doesn’t work.
Posted inBooks, Arts and Culture
‘The Brink’: Inside Steve Bannon’s Plan to Ruin the World
After Breitbart, Brexit, and Trump, next up: smashing the European Union.
Posted inBooks, Arts and Culture
Will Oscars Go to Britain’s Fake History Films?
TAP Goes to the Oscars: Sidestepping history, Dunkirk and Darkest Hour are custom-made for Brexit-era Britain.
Posted inHealth and Social Policy
The Poverty on Disney’s Doorstep
TAP Goes to the Oscars: The Florida Project is a film about life as a poor kid. It doesn’t erase the innocence of childhood—or the harshness of poverty.
Posted inBooks, Arts and Culture
Ex Libris: A Conversation with Frederick Wiseman
In his latest film, the legendary documentarian journeys through the splendors of the New York Public Library and deconstructs the meaning of books, reading, and learning in the age of Trump.
Posted inBooks, Arts and Culture
The Vietnam War: A Conversation with Ken Burns
America’s foremost documentary filmmakers lift the curtain on the country’s psychic wounds in this stunning new history of our most divisive conflict since the Civil War.
Posted inBooks, Arts and Culture
‘Detroit’ and Charlottesville
Fifty years may separate the riots in the two cities, but the root causes and the remedies remain the same.
