Liza Batkin
Contributor
The Dangerous, Aimless Optimism of 'La La Land'
After the election, many reviewers took solace in the candy-colored joy of the new musical starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. But the film's bright yet vague values align deceptively well with the dark forces in American politics.
‘Future Sex’: Exploring the Illusion of Choice After Tinder and Monogamy
In her new book, Emily Witt outlines the hidden restrictions of modern relationships and attempts to answer a deceptively difficult question: "What do you desire?"
'Bridget Jones's Baby': A Bad Rom-Com Disguised as Definitely Not a Rom-Com
As critics announce the death of the romantic comedy, the newest iteration in the Bridget Jones series attempts to remake the beloved clumsy protagonist into a worldly modern woman.
'Bad Moms' Is What Happens When Men Attempt to Make a Feminist Movie
In "Sisters" and "Bad Moms," the dissatisfied female protagonists set out to get wrecked, aiming to destroy the stereotypes of middle-aged women along the way. But if all women needed to do to be happy is "let go," why didn't we do that a long time ago?