Arts & Culture Archives – Page 2 of 171

A screen shot from the film The Innocents

Movie Reviews: ‘The Innocents’ is a Devastating Must-See

By Jennifer Merin ● Arts & Culture ● July 1, 2016

The truth-based film looks at the aftermath of Polish nuns who were raped during WWII. Another amazing French film opening July 1 is “Microbe & Gasoline,” a delightful charmer that provides rare insight into the way kids’ minds work.

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Elle Fanning stars as Jesse in "The Neon Demon"

Movie Reviews: ‘The Neon Demon’ is a Thrilling Tour de Force

By Jennifer Merin ● Arts & Culture ● June 24, 2016

Other must-see films opening June 24 include the femme-centric action thriller “The Shallows” and “Septembers of Shiraz,” a drama about a Jewish family in Iran who must abandon their home.

Movie Reviews: Pixar’s ‘Finding Dory’ Offers Deep-Sea Escape

By Jennifer Merin ● Arts & Culture ● June 16, 2016

Another highly recommended film that opens tomorrow is “Bang Gang (A Modern Love Story),” in French. There’s also moviemaking news this week concerning Geena Davis and competing documentaries about Hollywood’s history of dismissing female filmmakers.

Irish Lesbian Recounts Paralyzing Fear of Coming Out to Her Mother

By Rebecca Murphy & Charlie Bird ● Arts & Culture ● June 11, 2016

In “A Day in May,” journalist Charlie Bird interviews those impacted by legalizing same-sex marriage in Ireland. Here, Rebecca Murphy recounts her experience of coming out.

Movie Reviews: ‘Diary of a Chambermaid’ Is Superb

By Jennifer Merin ● Arts & Culture ● June 10, 2016

And if you are in New York, try to catch some of the 11 documentaries about women in the Human Rights Watch Film Festival (June 10-19). Many will also be online at mubi.com and some will travel the country later this year.

Sahar Ishtiaque Ullah, co-founder of the Hijabi Monologue

Muslim Women Tap the Power of Telling Their Own Stories

By Saher Khan ● Arts & Culture ● June 8, 2016

The Hijabi Monologues uses entertainment while other programs take a different approach, but the goal is the same: to share the diverse lived experiences of Muslim women.

Movie Reviews: ‘The Fits’ Is a Stunning First Feature

By Jennifer Merin ● Arts & Culture ● June 3, 2016

This week also brings us “Honeyglue,” an unusual love story that will stick with you. Another must-see is “Love, Sweat and Tears,” a documentary about the doctor determined to end the stigma that still clings to menopause.

In India, Sex Education Struggles with Taboo Status

By Gagandeep Kaur ● Arts & Culture ● June 1, 2016

Sex is a taboo topic in India, but schools are nonetheless mandated to teach it. Parents with an eye on what their children might be doing on the Internet are also anxious to find ways of discussing the issue.

Movie Reviews: ‘Princess’ is Hard to Watch, But a Must-See

By Jennifer Merin ● Arts & Culture ● May 27, 2016

This is the second feature film from the provocative Israeli writer-director Tali Shalom-Ezer. Other winners this week include “Chevalier,” “Unlocking the Cage” and “The Ones Below,” a chilling thriller.

Movie Reviews: ‘The Nice Guys’ Deliver Hilarious Dark Comedy

By Jennifer Merin ● Arts & Culture ● May 20, 2016

“Maggie’s Plan,” which also opens May 20, congregates New York indie film royalty, but disappoints any high hopes. “The Abolitionists” also just opened, a documentary about child trafficking.