The critics' circle
reviews on books, film, television, exhibitions, and
pop culture-defining phenomenons
Glamorous and Gracious: Takeaways From The Grammys
February 12, 2024
Megalopolis: The Single Worst Thing Everyone Should Go See
December 3, 2024
Hold On To Me Darling: Review
November 26, 2024
Mona Awad’s newest release Rouge is a scathing critique of the beauty industry, by Karina Rower
December 7, 2023
ON SUSTAINABLE FASHION, BY CHAD EVANS
December 13, 2019
Hot Ones, By Lea Veloso
November 20, 2018
Divine Flavored, by Simi Iluyomade
November 20, 2018
On the Nigerian Food Truck serving up flavorful, authentic Nigerian classics right in the middle of Manhattan.
Sarah Lucas: Au Naturel, by Hannah Rothbard
November 20, 2018
Sarah Lucas: Au Naturel is on view now at The New Museum through Jan. 20, 2019.
Wildlife, by Claire Jungmann
November 20, 2018
“Mulligan’s performance transitions her character from a contained and responsible mother to a lost young woman desperately trying to create herself. Her hysteria begins like a fire does, lit by the spark of her husband leaving, slowly then furiously burning up all semblance of certainty.”
I’ve Seen Gray Whales Go By, By Anna Brown
October 17, 2018
Mary Weatherford’s exhibition I’ve Seen Gray Whales Go By holds the eye and begs to be analyzed.
Chapo Trap hoUSE, by Zach Berger
October 17, 2018
On Chapo Trap House, a podcast run by five middle class white guys offering an alternative option from existing leftist media.
We the Animals, by Aliya Jones
October 17, 2018
On the 2018 film based off of the bildungsroman novel about three wild brothers of white and Puerto Rican heritage who live a trying childhood in rural upstate New York during the 1980s.
what was then a wheatfield, by georgina Hahn
March 09, 2018
A nostalgic commentary on contemporary public art.
lady bird, by andie newell
March 09, 2018
"Lady Bird's remarkable energy lives inside this hesitation, this tension, this gap between youth and everything that follows. It doesn't judge. Instead, it presents choices, and lets the audience decide."
snubbed at the grammys, by natalia barr
March 09, 2018
Snubbed series: Movies & films that didn't make the cut but should have.
the florida project, by sarah fischer
March 09, 2018
Snubbed series: Movies & films that didn't make the cut but should have.
atlanta: robbin season, by kayla herrerra-daya
March 09, 2018
"The debut of Atlanta's second season, 'Robbin' Season,' presents Donald Glover's self-aware, witty writing with acute instances of social commentary on gender relations, race, and the power dynamics across these intersections."
stranger things, by Tessa Keough
December 11, 2017
On the second season of the hit Netflix series and the politics behind the audience's gaze.
the crucible at gallatin mainstage, by Dannie giglevitch
December 11, 2017
An ensemble cast of 12 Gallatin students bring author Arthur Miller's The Crucible to life in their on-stage production of The Crucible co-directed by Kristin Horton and Ben Steinfield.
items: is fashion modern? by alexa Epstein
December 11, 2017
"The MoMA takes on fashion from a historical, cultural, and sociological perspective, exploring how fashion can inform the times as much as the times inform fashion."
gender as a tool and a weapon, by polina pittel
December 11, 2017
Trigger: Gender as a Tool and a Weapon is on view at The New Museum now through Jan. 21, 2018.
Calder: Hypermobility, by kevin yang
October 18, 2017
Calder: Hypermobility is on view at the Whitney Museum of American Art now through Oct 23, 2017.
incredible Jessica james, by andie newell
October 18, 2017
"How many times can a person embrace vulnerability before they get burned for good? The Incredible Jessica James shows us that in this world, the answer is simple: as many times as it takes."
beatriz at dinner, by stella lyonS
October 18, 2017
On the compelling, new drama-comedy starring Salma Hayek and John Lithgow.
Ingrid goes west, by alexa Epstein
October 18, 2017
"The film raises questions about the use of social media to curate our lives and the issue of authenticity, but it leaves these questions open for the viewer to ponder."
Chihuly at the new York botanical gardens, by polina pittel
October 18, 2017
CHIHULY by Seattle-based artist Dale Chihuly is open now at the New York Botanical Gardens through October 29th.
A piece of work, By kate glavan
October 18, 2017
"A Piece of Work" hosted by Broad City's Abbi Jacobson is the new podcast brought to us by The Museum of Modern Art and WNYC.
The ballad of sexual dependency, by firozah najmi
Fall 2016
"Beyond the blurry party shots and overexposed portraits lies something as fleeting as the moments [Goldin] photographs-the ability to convey the complex nature of human, relationships, especially of the flawed variety, in a universally comprehensible and heartbreaking way."
Here I Am, By RUBY SMITH
Fall 2016
On Jonathan Safran Foer's long-awaited return to the literary scene with his new novel Here I Am.
Coney island: Visions of an American dreamland, by Audrey stifle
May 10, 2016
Remembering Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland, 1861-2008 at The Brooklyn Museum.
The Americans, by eric eidelstein
May 10, 2016
In its fourth season, The Americans continues to be an unacknowledged masterpiece.
All the Single Ladies, by Zianna Milito
May 10, 2016
Unmarried women and the rise of an independent nation.
The Life of Pablo, by Ryan Wentz
May 06, 2016
Making sense of Kanye's seventh studio effort.
aboard the m train, by Kristyn seigert
December 09, 2015
On the memoir by the American singer, poet, and visual artist.
Jazz Age Modernist, by NICOLE CHAN
December 09, 2015
Archibald Motley: Jazz Age Modernist is on view at The Whitney Museum, now through Jan 17, 2016.
queen of the night, by diana fujii
December 09, 2015
A trip through The Fashion Institute of Technology’s new exhibit, Fashion Underground: The World of Susanne Bartsch, curated by Valerie Steele aka Queen of the Night.
mindy's moment, by Audrey stifle
December 09, 2015
"In her newest book, Why Not Me?, funny-woman Mindy Kaling uncovers adulthood and reflects on past relationships, imparting wisdom on her readers about a host of topics: beauty tips, relationship woes and Hollywood secrets."