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Reviews and think pieces on music, movies, art, and theater.

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Scarlet doesn’t need your praise, but you’ll be giving it anyway

On Scarlet, an unapologetic Doja Cat showcases her vocal ability, lyricism, and sexuality with a brash confidence that oozes out of every track.

By October 7, 2023

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Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess is glamorous queer pop bliss

On The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, Chappell Roan is liberated in every sense of the word: unapologetically queer, flirtatious, and joyful.

By October 6, 2023

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Laufey’s spell-binding Bewitched is akin to a storybook fairytale

On Bewitched, Laufey invites you to float up into her fantasy world, reminding us of the transportive magic of jazz.

By October 5, 2023

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Victoria Monét stealthily taps into her starpower on JAGUAR II

On Jaguar II, Monét demonstrates mastery over R&B, bending the genre to her will while tapping into other sounds to further mold the album’s tropical feel.

By September 25, 2023

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On his self-titled album, establishment-rejecting singer-songwriter Zach Bryan turns inward

Bryan’s second official album is a triumph of authenticity and self-examination in a concise format.

By September 22, 2023

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Olivia Rodrigo unleashes her bloody female rage

On GUTS, the 20-year-old pop superstar bares the ugliest, messiest parts of herself in a staggeringly sophisticated work of pop-punk perfection.

By September 22, 2023

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Twisted Pine branches beyond its bluegrass roots

Equal parts folk, pop, jazz, and funk, Twisted Pine prides itself on its ability to turn crowds into communities.

By September 22, 2023

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MLK Jr. Library exhibit explores D.C.’s Black feminist history

The MLK Library’s exhibit weaves an intricate, illuminating tapestry of D.C.’s Black feminist history, and it leaves a profound impression.

By September 20, 2023

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Dumb Money is a smart movie about the stock market and the power of Reddit

If you mix up Jimmy Buffett and Warren Buffett, or if you’re simply in the mood for a good underdog story, Dumb Money will be right up your alley.

By September 18, 2023

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My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is a sincere tribute to Greece, family, and Windex

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 retains the charm and character of the first two films, while diving deeper into the darker themes of grief and belonging. 

By September 11, 2023

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Reneé Rapp’s Snow Angel will melt your icy heart

Snow Angel is the perfect companion to keep you warm through the cold months ahead.

By September 11, 2023

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A Foodie’s Guide to D.C. Restaurants

As a cultural melting-pot—a true microcosm of the United States as a whole—D.C. has everything a foodie would ever want!

By September 11, 2023

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Bottoms: In defense of “ugly, untalented gays”

Brought to life with a hearty dose of queer teen drama, hilarious antics, and endless quotable lines, Bottoms is sure to become an instant classic.

By and September 8, 2023

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Barbie: A hot pink return to monoculture

This summer, however, pink has dominated in both the box office and the zeitgeist—so much so that it may have temporarily revived the Anglo-American monoculture. 

By August 29, 2023

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Oppenheimer plays with fire

In Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan is begging us to learn from our past.

By August 29, 2023

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With Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), Taylor Swift says “Long Live” to an iconic album

Speak Now (Taylor's Version) represents the pinnacle of Swift’s preoccupation with using her music to connect with fans and control her own narrative.

By and August 12, 2023

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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse weaves a perfect web of story, style, and sound

Woven into Across the Spider-Verse's colorful animation and humor is a deft exploration of the complexities of morality and destiny.

By August 1, 2023

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Exclusion tactfully tackles representation in Hollywood by contemplating what’s true, what sells, and what’s funny

Exclusion investigates who gets the power of the pen and who gets silenced through a skillful incorporation of critical comedy.

By May 26, 2023

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Let Carmen dance you through darkness

A story of unlikely companionship, Carmen urges its audience to question what family means when blood runs out.

By May 25, 2023

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The Origin of Evil is tacky, timely, and true

The beauty of The Origin of Evil, and of Filmfest DC writ large, lies in its capacity to create kinship within hardship.

By May 23, 2023