Products featured are independently selected by our editorial team and we may earn a commission from purchases made from our links; the retailer may also receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. When you think of flannel, the humble plaid shirt usually comes to mind. The word “flannel” though, refers to the soft wool or cotton fabric designed in a range of prints and patterns (not just plaid) — and these days, the popular checked button-down is one of the most versatile pieces out there. Just like the cardigan , the plaid garment’s story begins centuries ago in Europe. The material originated in Wales, where it was spun from the sheep-rich country’s plentiful supply of wool, and rubbed with a fine metal brush to create a texture that was soft and warm enough to wear in the winter. Mass production during the Industrial Revolution brought the already affordable silhouette to even more people, and it eventually hopped across the pond to America’s chilliest west coast … [Read more...] about The Best Flannel Shirts for Channeling Every Style, from Grunge to Cool Lumber Jack
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Juilliard Must Modernize, or It Will Disappear
“Who the hell is Bruce Springsteen?” I thought. Dashing out the stage door of a late-night Broadway show to beat the blundering crowds back in 2019, violin case in hand, I stepped onto the uptown C train for a swift escape out of midtown Manhattan. As I scrolled mindlessly through email, a message caught my attention: My colleague was requesting musicians to record with Bruce Springsteen — later to be disclosed as a live album recording of Western Stars . Not recognizing the all-American legend and turned off by the Jersey shoot location, I asked my spouse if I should waste my time with this gig. Shocked, my husband immediately went into a diatribe on the greatness of “The Boss.” I was shaken at the almost-missed opportunity. I’d been a musician for decades, graduated Juilliard in 2013, and studied works like Paganini’s technically demanding 24 Caprices and Bach Chaconne. But I’d really never heard of Springsteen. Related Stories Metallica on What They Have in Common … [Read more...] about Juilliard Must Modernize, or It Will Disappear
Oscars: Todd McCarthy’s Top Picks For Best International Feature Nominations
The 15 shortlisted films vying to become one of the five Best International Feature nominees at the 2021 Academy Awards are a surprising and creatively engaging bunch. Their stories often are drenched in history — much of it tragic and disturbing — and turbulent social and political currents course through any number of them. Just four of the 15 were directed by familiar names so, for the most part, the filmmakers behind these works are in the early stages of their careers, which can only create optimism and excitement about what these up-and-comers will do in the future. Oscar nominations will be revealed on March 15. I’ve now seen all of the contenders and must say that it was, for the most part, stimulating to encounter so many fresh voices from some often little-heard-from realms of the cinematic world. Fewer than half of the semi-finalists come from countries typically thought of as regularly representing the cinematic front-rank — France, Iran, Denmark, Mexico, … [Read more...] about Oscars: Todd McCarthy’s Top Picks For Best International Feature Nominations
Quality Control Music’s ‘Control the Streets Vol. 2’ Could’ve Used a Little More Quality Control
What’s the point of a label compilation? Ideally, it’s a showcase that communicates depth and shines a light on the lesser-known artists on a roster by placing them on the same stage as the label’s stars. Control the Streets Vol. 2 , the new compilation from Atlanta trap incubator Quality Control Music, features DAYYTONA FOX, YRN Murk, Migo Domingo, and the rest of QC’s dozen-odd prospects, but makes the listener wade to the second half of the 36-song compilation to hear any of them. Vol. 2 ultimately sags under the weight of its excessive length and uninspired performances from Migos and Lil Yachty, the QC lynchpins who carried the weight of the label’s first, much stronger Control the Streets installment in 2017. Related Reviews Meghan Markle's Suicidal Thoughts While Pregnant Shed Light on Silent Public Health Crisis 'Spoken Dialogue': Yola and PJ Morton Related Reviews R.E.M.'s 15 Greatest Music Videos Chasteness, Soda Pop, and … [Read more...] about Quality Control Music’s ‘Control the Streets Vol. 2’ Could’ve Used a Little More Quality Control
Int’l Critics Line: Anna Smith On Chile’s Oscar-Shortlisted ‘The Mole Agent’
An 83-year-old man goes undercover in a nursing home in The Mole Agent , Chilean director Maite Alberdi ’s Oscar hopeful that’s been shortlisted for both International Feature and Documentary. While it’s filmed and scored in the style of a playful spy movie, it’s most remarkable in its quieter moments, as the true heart of the story emerges. The Mole Agent is shot through Sergio’s spy glasses, more comes from the professional crew ostensibly filming a straightforward doc about the care home — as far as we know, no staff or residents know Sergio’s real reason for spending three months there. Like many a good cover story, his is credible because it’s rooted in reality. He’s grieving his wife, and much as he loves his grown-up children, he could use new company and a change of scene. The Mole Agent is a particularly compelling piece of cinema. Related Story Int'l Critics Line: Todd McCarthy On Tunisia's Oscar-Shortlisted 'The Man Who Sold His Skin' … [Read more...] about Int’l Critics Line: Anna Smith On Chile’s Oscar-Shortlisted ‘The Mole Agent’