What to Watch This Week
Economist’s weekly guide highlights three standout releases, including the Apple TV drama "Margo’s Got Money Troubles" starring Elle Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer, and two other titles that explore how fame shapes narratives. The column also warns readers to skip a newly released biopic that has sparked controversy over historical accuracy. Across the picks, the piece argues that fame can amplify both advocacy for causes and sensational scandals. The recommendations aim to steer audiences toward content that offers cultural insight while avoiding poorly vetted productions.
Judy Blume’s Radical Honesty Changed Literature for Ever
A new biography details Judy Blume’s journey from a shy New Jersey child to a pioneering novelist whose radical honesty reshaped young‑adult literature. The book highlights how Blume’s candid treatment of puberty, sexuality, and family dynamics broke taboos in the...
In a New Biopic, Michael Jackson Is an Eccentric Saint. Yuck
Lionsgate has released a new biopic that portrays Michael Jackson as an eccentric, almost saint‑like figure, emphasizing his whimsical traits while downplaying his controversial past. The film leans heavily on stylized visuals and a mythic narrative, casting Jackson as a...
In the AI Propaganda War, Iran Is Winning
Iran is leveraging inexpensive AI tools to produce high‑volume, hyper‑realistic propaganda videos that target U.S. audiences and regional rivals. By automating deep‑fake creation, Tehran can flood social media with disinformation faster and cheaper than traditional state media. The campaign includes...
What to Watch This Week
The weekly column spotlights four titles that thrive on conflict, ranging from club dramas to suburban feuds and small‑town rivalries, and recommends them as must‑sees. It also warns readers about one film deemed a box‑office disappointment due to its video‑game‑style...
The Dark Side of Posting About Your Children Online
The article spotlights the surge of “sharenting” and the nascent “kidfluencing” industry, highlighted by a new book that reveals how parents turn their children’s online personas into revenue streams. It cites a striking statistic that one in four Western children...
Mary Beard Offers a Spirited Defence of Studying Classics
Mary Beard’s new book mounts a vigorous defence of classical studies, arguing that the discipline has been unfairly encumbered by modern criticism. She contends that learning Greek and Latin sharpens logical reasoning, eases acquisition of other languages, and offers timeless...
Plot Twist Newsletter: The Plague of Picky Eating
A recent Plot Twist newsletter highlights that American parents spend an average of 67 hours each year negotiating meals with their children, underscoring the pervasive challenge of picky eating. The article cites a survey revealing the extent of these mealtime...
A Rom-Com Ignites a Row About Tragedy, Taste and Art
The new film "The Drama" markets itself as a romantic comedy but centers on a plot to stage a school shooting, provoking a fierce cultural backlash. Critics call the mash‑up grotesque, arguing it trivializes real‑world tragedy, while some defenders see...
Why Children Become Fussy Eaters
The Economist revisits the origins of children’s fussy eating, tracing it back to a 1915 inquiry where officials dismissed personal taste and blamed stomach problems. The article highlights how early 20th‑century assumptions that kids would eat anything have been overturned...
Six Books to Understand the Atomic Bomb
The Economist curates six titles that together map the atomic bomb’s birth, deployment, and lasting legacy. The books span scientific biographies, presidential decision‑making, Cold‑War strategy, survivor accounts, and contemporary ethical debates. By pairing technical detail with human narratives, the list...
The Great Comeback of Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is experiencing a rapid resurgence as health‑focused influencers tout it as a low‑carb substitute for flour, mayonnaise and other staples. Viral recipes—from protein‑packed wraps to low‑fat cookie dough—have sparked a surge in consumer demand across age groups, from...
He Said He Was an Oligarch’s Son. The Lie Had Tragic Consequences
Zac Brettler, posing as Zac Ismailov, claimed to be the son of a late Russian oligarch and asserted an inheritance of roughly $265 million. After his mother in Dubai evicted him from the family’s luxury assets, he relied on the fabricated...
What to Watch This Week
The Economist’s Culture roundup this week spotlights a series of wedding‑themed stories, from a Louisiana bride’s traditional ceremony to a secret, intimate nuptial of a famous couple. It also flags a new television series about a divorcee‑turned‑thief, calling it a...
Six Books About Basketball to Read After March Madness
The Economist highlights six must‑read basketball books to enjoy once the NCAA tournament concludes on April 6. The list spans memoirs, strategic guides, and cultural histories, offering readers a deeper dive into the sport beyond the frenzy of March Madness. Each...