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Archives 2024

18 Reactions to the Debut Babygirl Trailer

I would gladly view a two-hour collection of Nicole Kidman disposing of waste, so perhaps I’m not the ideal judge of whether her forthcoming movie Babygirl—an A24 creation also featuring Harris Dickinson and Antonio Banderas—truly appears promising or merely has enough allure to entice the Carol-enamored audience flocking to cinemas on Christmas Day. (For what it’s worth, its critiques from Venice were fairly positive!) One element is certain, though: Babygirl is already generating conversation.

Watch the initial full Babygirl preview for yourself, then explore (literally) all my reflections about it below.

  1. At last, a wig worthy of Nicole Kidman!
  2. Hold on, is that actually a wig? Is that her authentic hair? Will wonders never cease?
  3. I’m opting to think the dog being referred to as a good girl is indeed Amy Adams in Nightbitch.
  4. Ooh, a Christmas-themed A24 emblem!
  5. Do they manufacture ornaments?
  6. All right, I was teasing, but it seems they do.
  7. It seems botox needles are the trendiest accessory in cinema right now.
  8. This entire busy, successful working-mom scenario is a frequent Kidman motif, yet that doesn’t mean I’m not thrilled to observe her embrace it once more.
  9. This time with a spicy-intern mystery, evidently!
  10. “I think you like to be told what to do.” Wow!
  11. Is this yet another May-December narrative?
  12. This tracking shot of what I presume is a luxurious New York residence is reminiscent of one of my all-time favorite film sequences: the segment where they burglarize Audrina’s home in The Bling Ring.
  13. Is this not also somewhat just…Fair Play, merely less corporate?
  14. Milk!
  15. Okay, I don’t dislike Harris Dickinson in a Connell–from–Normal People chain.
  16. Pool games? All right, that’s the type of steamy affair I can support.
  17. Hey, Antonio Banderas!
  18. I’ve long maintained we require more sensual Christmas films, so I’m going to be beyond eager for this one.
On the Tactile Delights of Being an AFOL (Adult Fan of Lego)
Kristin Chenoweth Shines in the Broadway Debut of The Queen of Versailles

Certain performers appear perfectly crafted for specific roles, and Kristin Chenoweth in The Queen of Versailles is one such example: Not since her spirited rendition of “Popular” wrapped in pink tulle has Chenoweth embraced a role so perfectly matching her skills. This harmony is understandable, considering The Queen of Versailles reunites Chenoweth with Wicked composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who conceived the character of Glinda the Good Witch with her in consideration during the early 2000s.

“Stephen has been playfully reminding me that he’s been keen on crafting an original musical for me over so many years!” Chenoweth shares with Vogue. “Every instance he declared, ‘I assure you, I’ll accomplish it before my time ends!’ my response was always, ‘Yeah, yeah, fine, buddy.’”

Although it required more than twenty years, Schwartz ultimately fulfilled his assurance. Presently showing at Boston’s Colonial Theatre, The Queen of Versailles features Chenoweth as Jacquelie “Jackie” Siegel, the actual pageant queen turned socialite who accumulates Birkin bags akin to Funko Pops. F. Murray Abraham takes on the role of her much older spouse, David Siegel, the originator of a timeshare corporation with a net value exceeding $6 billion.

Chenoweth during the standing ovation on The Queen of Versailles’s debut night

Photo: Nile Hawver

John Legend: Dreamy Lullabies, Sleep Composing, and a Memorable Encounter with Prince

John Legend has tunes on his brain even during slumber. There are instances when the artist is immensely inspired, dreaming of fresh harmonies and ideas, subsequently waking up to capture them on his mobile before they vanish.

The unceasing, sometimes obsessive whirl of Legend’s inventiveness can likely be attributed to the fact that the 45-year-old has been crafting songs since childhood, consistently drawing motivation from the void and transforming it into the compositions forming his vast collection.

In the two decades since his initial album, Get Lifted, came out, Legend has frequently documented pivotal instances of his life through his music; his iconic track “All of Me,” dedicated to Chrissy Teigen, was launched a month prior to their Lake Como nuptials in 2013. Now the parent of four children under nine years old (the youngest being a boy named Wren, who arrived last summer), Legend is unmistakably a family-oriented individual—hence, his tenth studio album, fittingly named My Favorite Dream, centers on lullabies and tunes for the young ones. For Legend, the album was an opportunity to leave his unique mark on a typically overlooked music category.

With Sufjan Stevens involved as a producer, My Favorite Dream features jubilant original pieces and renditions of Fisher-Price melodies that many parents recognize all too well. Legend shared insights with Vogue about this endeavor and the enchantment of inventiveness—alongside his notable recent appearance at the Democratic National Convention.

Vogue: Besides tunes like “Rainbow Connection” or Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts pieces, serious composing and children’s music haven’t always blended…

John Legend: I don’t wish to undervalue those who create music for youngsters, as many invest considerable effort and thought into it. However, it’s accurate that not many prominent pop artists have produced a complete children’s record like this. But I wanted to approach it in the same way I would any other album, maintaining standards of musical excellence, sonic quality, and other criteria to which I hold any of my albums.

Diving Deep: A Fan’s Enthusiastic Analysis of the ‘Wicked’ Movie Soundtrack

Starting from the beginning: “No One Mourns the Wicked” might possess one of the most legendary initial chord progressions in the realm of musical theater. Nonetheless, in Jon M. Chu’s movie, the introduction that enthusiasts are so familiar with is momentarily disrupted with—if you’re observant enough to notice them—the tunes of “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead” from The Wizard of Oz. And that’s merely one of Wicked’s numerous clever references to that 1939 film, featuring Judy Garland.

“10 Must-See Masterpieces in Whitney’s Captivating ‘Edges of Ailey’ Exhibition”

The exhibition “Edges of Ailey” at the Whitney Museum of American Art is a sensory delight. Spanning the entire fifth level of the museum, the exhibition assembles a vast collection—paintings, sketches, photos, videos, archival items, journal notes, and more—in homage to Alvin Ailey, the late luminary of modern dance whose impact on Black American culture resonates powerfully even today.

Curated by Adrienne Edwards, “Edges of Ailey” took six years to conceive. While Ailey is most renowned as the founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958, his artistic exploration extended beyond dance, much like this varied exhibition. Edwards meticulously examined Ailey’s archives and sought diverse art forms that reflect his enduring influence; the result is a convergence of outstanding Black and queer visual art that embodies struggle, victory, and upliftment—central motifs in Ailey’s captivating choreographic works.

The exhibition features over 80 artists, with creations dating from 1851 to the present year. Dominating the display is an 18-channel video (with audio) presenting performance excerpts and archival conversations. Though there’s much to absorb, it is precisely this richness that renders “Edges of Ailey” so profoundly impactful. A spirit of generosity marked Ailey’s professional journey. What better homage than gathering an array of remarkable works under one roof.

Below, discover 10 notable works from “Edges of Ailey” to explore as you navigate through this expansive exhibit.

Emma Amos, Judith Jamison as Josephine Baker, 1985

Emma Amos, Judith Jamison as Josephine Baker, 1985. Acrylic on canvas, 100 × 32 in. (254 × 81.2 cm). Ryan Lee Gallery. © Emma Amos. Courtesy Ryan Lee Gallery.

Adam Reich

Podcast Spotlight: Finneas – Breaking Away from Sentimentality

Finneas isn’t hesitant to relinquish things. Be it a track he’s penned or a souvenir, the 10-time Grammy victor explains that being attached isn’t part of his approach.

Initially recognized for co-authoring and producing tracks alongside his sister, Billie Eilish, within their family’s Los Angeles residence, Finneas has now crafted music for numerous artists like Drake, Rosalía, and Justin Bieber. In the latest episode, Chloe Schama and Chloe Malle chat with him regarding his second independent album, For Cryin’ Out Loud; his experience at the Met Gala; and collaborating with Alfonso Cuarón on the fresh Apple TV series Disclaimer.

Besides, Chioma Nnadi and Chloe Malle converse about the significant fashion happenings of the week, covering Chioma’s newfound admiration for Maria Callas style (motivated by Angelina Jolie’s latest movie Maria), the finest ensembles at the Academy Museum Gala, and an evaluation of Armani’s debut New York runway display.

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The Long Shadow of Kate Winslet’s Nude Scene in Titanic
Indulge in Rivals: A Hedonistic Escape

Nominalement, l’histoire concerne deux adversaires. D’un côté se trouve le petit bourgeois devenu artiste par mariage, Lord Tony Baddingham (un David Tennant délicieusement grincheux), dont la nature méprisable est bien en accord avec son nom à la Dickens. Il grimpe les échelons du pouvoir et du prestige en tant que directeur général d’une chaîne de télévision commerciale. De l’autre côté, il y a le séduisant, titré et insatiable Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell), un ancien cavalier olympique devenu ministre des Sports sous Thatcher, qui, avec Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner), un journaliste de diffusion irlandais fougueux attiré de la BBC vers la campagne, forme une chaîne concurrente.