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Pop Culture

TV, movies, pop music and more.

TV, movies, pop music and more.

Highlights

  1. PhotoBenedict Cumberbatch in “The Power of the Dog,” left, Kristen Stewart in “Spencer” and Ariana DeBose in “West Side Story.”
    CreditFrom left: Kirsty Griffin/Netflix; Pablo Larrain/Neon; Niko Tavernise/20th Century Studios

    Best Movies of 2021

    Even when a film wasn’t great, filmgoing was. But there were some truly wonderful releases, ranging from music docs and musicals to westerns and the just plain weird.

    By A.O. Scott and Manohla Dargis

  2. Photo“The White Lotus,” Pose” and “Laetitia” (with from left, Murray Bartlett, Mj Rodriguez and Marie Colomb) were among television’s best in 2021.
    CreditFrom left: Mario Perez/HBO; Eric Liebowitz/FX; Jerome Prebois/HBO

    Best TV Shows of 2021

    From Bo Burnham to “We Are Lady Parts,” the best in television this year offered ingenuity, humor, defiance and hope.

    By James Poniewozik, Mike Hale and Margaret Lyons

    1. PhotoOlivia Rodrigo, Moneybagg Yo and Allison Russell stood out in 2021.
      CreditFrom left: Grant Spanier; Noam Galai/Getty Images; Bethany Mollenkof for the New York Times

      Best Albums of 2021

      Less isolation didn’t mean a return to normalcy. Albums with big feelings and room for catharsis made the most powerful connections.

      By Jon Pareles, Jon Caramanica and Lindsay Zoladz

  2. Photo“I used to think that I needed spontaneity and anxiety to propel me into something truthful,” Kristen Stewart said of her acting evolution.
    CreditRyan Pfluger for The New York Times

    Kristen Stewart’s Princess Diaries

    The actress is drawing Oscar talk for her portrayal of Princess Diana in “Spencer,” a role that required the sort of performance she had never given before.

    By Kyle Buchanan

  4. Photo
    CreditMona Chalabi

    In the Company of Wes Anderson

    What is it about the director that draws stars like Frances McDormand and Tilda Swinton again and again? There are many reasons, but the nightly feasts don’t hurt.

    By Melena Ryzik

  1. How ‘Lord of the Rings’ Became ‘Star Wars’ for Millennial Women

    With tender male relationships and fearless female characters, the trilogy drew in tween girls who still hold the films dear in their 20s and 30s.

    By Nikita Richardson

  2. Paul Rudd Hosts a Year-End ‘S.N.L.’ Disrupted by the Omicron Variant

    “Saturday Night Live” sought to persevere with an episode featuring special guests, but no musical performer and only two regular cast members.

    By Dave Itzkoff

  3. Kangol Kid, Early Rapper Who Sought ‘Roxanne,’ Dies at 55

    As a member of the group UTFO, he was heard on one of the most influential and widely imitated songs of commercial hip-hop’s early years.

    By Jon Caramanica

  4. The Playlist

    Cécile McLorin Salvant Branches Out, and 7 More New Songs

    Hear tracks by FKA twigs and the Weeknd, Leon Bridges and Khruangbin, Animal Collective and others.

    By Jon Pareles, Jon Caramanica and Giovanni Russonello

  5. With ‘1883,’ Taylor Sheridan Expands His Western Empire

    Sheridan’s “Yellowstone” is an enormous hit, and its success has positioned him to become one of TV’s most prolific creators. Next up is a prequel series premiering Sunday.

    By Noel Murray

  6. Anatomy of a Scene

    How Bradley Cooper Deceives Cate Blanchett in ‘Nightmare Alley’

    The director Guillermo del Toro narrates a sequence from his film noir.

    By Mekado Murphy

  7. Best Comedy of 2021

    The return of indoor shows brought comedy closer to normal, and there were plenty of specials from Bo Burnham, Tig Notaro, Roy Wood Jr. and others.

    By Jason Zinoman

  8. How Much Watching Time Do You Have This Weekend?

    This week our critic recommends a gentle British dramedy, a silly ’80s parody and a bunch of “Magic Mike” wannabes.

    By Margaret Lyons

  9. Review: ‘The Witcher,’ a Netflix Heavy Hitter, Finally Returns

    Still ranking in the service’s Top 5 in viewership, the medieval fantasy is back for a second season after a two-year hiatus.

    By Mike Hale

  10. ‘Yellowstone’ Gets a Prequel in ‘1883,’ but It Wasn’t Easy

    This Paramount+ series tracks the Dutton family’s migration from Texas to Montana. Making it tested the mettle of the cast and crew.

    By Noel Murray