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Curated cultural journalism — essays, criticism, profiles — from publishers across the open web, narrated for your daily commute or workout.
‘The Boys’ Finale Review: An Annoying Little Sh*t to the End, Mostly for the Better — Spoilers
Eric Kripke's superhero satire-turned-political allegory wraps up with the long-promised showdown between Homelander (Antony Starr) and The Butcher (Karl Urban).
Today's curated set
Storyflo's agent monitors thousands of partner publishers and promotes stories into the trending feed when they get multiple sends or operator curation.
Blake Lively and Olivia Wilde Bonded Over Baguettes at Fendi’s Bash Honoring the Iconic Handbag
Blake Lively and Olivia Wilde were spotted bonding over baguettes at a recent Fendi event celebrating the iconic Baguette handbag. The gathering provided attendees with an exclusive preview of the new Baguette 26424 Re-Edition, which was first introduced in Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Fall 2026 collection. In addition to showcasing the new handbag, the event featured The Baguette Lab, an innovative restoration and refurbishment service aimed at preserving vintage Baguettes. This service is set to launch nationwide in July, allowing fans of the brand to maintain the quality and longevity of their cherished pieces. The evening highlighted the continuing popularity of the Baguette, a staple in the fashion world, and the efforts being made to keep its legacy alive through both new designs and restoration services.
CORTIS Announce First North American Tour Dates: How to Get Tickets
__DEGRADED__ CORTIS have announced their first-ever shows in North America, an eight-date outing dubbed the “Put Your Phone Down” tour. The K-pop group — MARTIN, JAMES, JUHOON, SEONGHYEON, and KEONHO — will play theaters in Toronto, New York, Atlanta, Irving, Los Angeles, and San Francisco across August, hitting venues including New… Please click the link below to read the full article.
Mastodon Announce Fall 2026 North American Tour with Deafheaven and Alcest
__DEGRADED__ Mastodon have announced a fall 2026 North American tour featuring stacked support from acclaimed blackgaze bands Deafheaven and Alcest. The outing, dubbed “The Poisonous Weapons Tour,” kicks off September 16th in Orlando, Florida, and runs through an October 22nd show in Mastodon’s hometown of Atlanta, with a previously announced appearance… Please click the link below to read the full article.
Stereogum·28sJack White’s Debut Art Exhibition Met With Skepticism, Critic Harassed By Fans
__DEGRADED__ Jack White's debut art exhibition is underway, and not without drama. White brought an exhibition called These Thoughts May Disappear to Damien Hirst's Newport Street Gallery in London on Friday after a Thursday night opening event. Its running until Sept. 13, and admission is free. The post Jack White’s Debut Art Exhibition Met With Skepticism, Critic Harassed By Fans appeared first on Stereogum.
ArtNews·3 minKoyoltzintli’s Clay Instruments Channel Sounds from Distant Pasts
__DEGRADED__ “I feel like I am in constant conversation with the past and we are discussing what we’re going to do with the future,” said Koyoltzintli, surrounded by dozens of flutes, whistles, drums, and other handmade instruments scattered around her studio in upstate New York. She was talking about her connection to the Pacific coast of Ecuador, home to some of the oldest ceramic practices and ceramic instruments in the Americas. But she was adamant about her roots in the present—“as someone who carries a lineage while doing my own thing.” Koyoltzintli started out working primarily in photography, as a photojournalist in Ecuador with a particular interest in the expansion of Amazonian cities and healers in the Andes Mountains. But while she continues to work with the medium—as well as others, including painting, drawing, and sculpture—she had an epiphany around sound in 2020 that continues to resonate. Unable to travel back to Ecuador from the US—where she had moved to attend the School of Visual Arts in 2001—because of the pandemic, she started going to museums in search of communion and found herself rapt by ceramics she suspected possessed sound-making capabilities that had been lost to time. “There was a switch that got me deeper into sound and deeper into clay,” she said. “It was like something woke up in me.” A desire to play instruments that might otherwise be trapped in silence in vitrines informs much of Koyoltzintli’s art, which includes making instruments of her own and organizing performances and workshops to share traditions she works to keep alive. She has performed in shows for fellow artists Guadalupe Maravilla (at Performance Space New York) and Delcy Morelos (at Dia Art Foundation), and created installations in which her instruments are accompanied by photographs, videos, and drawings that double as graphic scores. For “How to Play a Broken Bone,” her exhibition at the Al Held Foundation in Boiceville, New York, on view into June, Koyoltzintli made works inspired by a centuries-old bone flute she acquired from a private collector who had never heard it played. “This is what happens when instruments are collected by people who are not so sound-oriented,” she said. The show includes a pair of eight-foot-tall drawings related to carvings on the flute and part of a series of “spirit being” works titled “An arrow to the sky” (2026), for which she painted with liquid clay on linen to be hung by windows. “The way I was raised, you always put food [or other offerings] by the windows, because that’s where the spirits come in and go out,” she explained. The exhibition also features 9 Tz’lkin (2026), a large ceramic water whistle comprising columnar spires topped with candles that she lights and lets burn. The title alludes to a day in the Mayan calendar that is “good for ceremonies for water and fire and giving thanks to the feminine,” Koyoltzintli said, and the materials correspond with the four elements of earth, water, fire, and air. The work’s whistling sounds are activated by pouring liquid into a spout and swirling it around to create changes in atmospheric pressure within. It feels, she said, like “the wind that comes when you’re in front of the ocean.”
Screen Rant·19sThere's A New Way To Get One Of Arc Raiders' Best Blueprints Right Now
__DEGRADED__ Arc Raiders ' newest trader, Ermal, sells hot items at his Nomadic Envoys shop, but they'll cost you a pretty penny. And as with previous weeks, his stock has changed once again, meaning there's some really good new stuff to check out, including one of the best blueprints in the game.
Collider·15s10 Greatest Sci-Fi Movie Masterpieces of the Last 50 Years
The last 50 years have seen significant growth in the science fiction genre, with numerous masterpieces being produced. Science fiction allows filmmakers to explore human fears and hopes through imaginary worlds, making it a unique and captivating genre. This period has been particularly fertile for science fiction, resulting in the creation of many iconic films. Several notable films have contributed to the genre's success, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and special effects. These movies have not only entertained audiences but also sparked important conversations about the human condition, technology, and the future. The best science fiction films have managed to balance action, suspense, and intellectual curiosity, making them appealing to a wide range of viewers. Some of the most iconic science fiction films of the last 50 years have explored complex themes such as artificial intelligence, space travel, and alternate realities. These films have often served as commentary on current societal issues, providing thought-provoking commentary on the human experience. By combining stunning visuals, engaging storylines, and philosophical themes, these movies have become ingrained in popular culture. The impact of these science fiction masterpieces can still be felt today, with many continuing to influence contemporary filmmakers and inspire new generations of fans. The genre's ability to imagine and shape the future has made it a vital part of cinematic history, and its influence will likely be felt for years to come. As technology continues to advance and new ideas emerge, it will be exciting to see how science fiction evolves and what new masterpieces are created.
Screen Rant·1 minHBO’s 10-Part Sci-Fi With Near-Perfect RT Redefined The Post-Apocalyptic Genre
__DEGRADED__ A 10-part HBO sci-fi show not only boasts a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 98% but also deserves credit for redefining the post-apocalyptic genre. Viewers have an ever-growing fascination with post-apocalyptic stories that walk through bleak tales of humanity's struggles after a world-ending event. Almost every year, a new set of shows are added to the genre, and it is hard not to notice how they are all quite similar.
Collider·1 minApple TV’s Best Sci-Fi Series Officially Returns With First Season 3 Trailer
Hey, guess what’s coming back on Apple TV? The sci‑fi series Silo is set to drop its third season, and the trailer just landed. It’s that underground thriller we fell for—no massive starships or alien armies, just a tightly built world beneath the surface where every level adds a fresh layer of danger. The new season kicks off on July 3, and Apple’s rolling it out in a binge‑friendly way: the first episode drops all at once, then a fresh episode rolls out every Friday. That means you’ll be getting new installments right through early September, wrapping up on the 4th. What’s exciting is how the trailer hints at the show’s next moves. The paranoia we’ve been feeling finally seems to have some solid footing, and the threats are getting more personal and claustrophobic. It feels like the creators are leaning even deeper into that “down‑the‑well” vibe that made the first two seasons so gripping. So, if you’ve been waiting to see what’s next for the residents of the silo, mark your calendar. Ten episodes, weekly drops, and a lot more intrigue waiting just below the surface. Enjoy the ride.
Screen Rant·22s5-Part Workplace Sitcom From The 1990s Has One Of The Best Casts Ever
__DEGRADED__ A five-season workplace sitcom from the 1990s has one of the best casts you're going to find on television, with several actors who were in the middle of incredible runs or went on to have outsized careers. TV shows of the 1990s aren't necessarily known for their fantastic ensemble casts.
