Reviews
Arts & Culture, Reviews
3 Idiots, Written and Directed by Rajkumar Hirani
Clytze Sun March 11, 2022
3 Idiots (2009), a Hindi-language coming-of-age film, follows the story of three engineering students at one of the top engineering universities in India. It focuses on the happiness a man can achieve when he lives for himself.
Arts & Culture, Reviews
The Book of Boba Fett, Created by Jon Favreau
Thomas Walker-Werth February 18, 2022
Star Wars is great for two principal reasons: A clear, moving story about good triumphing over evil; and likable, interesting characters. Unfortunately, The Book of Boba Fett falls short in both regards.
Arts & Culture, Reviews
Louis Sullivan’s Idea by Tim Samuelson and Chris Ware
Timothy Sandefur December 16, 2021
Louis H. Sullivan's buildings are the remaining monuments to a genius who gave voice, as no artist had ever done before, to the distinctive achievement of the modern age: the skyscraper. Hopefully, books such as this will help ensure that this master builder is never forgotten.
Arts & Culture, Reviews
Law of the Land, by Elmer Kelton
Timothy Sandefur November 26, 2021
One reason critics often ignored Elmer Kelton was that his novels celebrate the virtues of integrity, honor, hard work, and bravery, with none of the nihilism or mournfulness that mark other Western authors. “Critics don’t read a Western unless the book is contemptuous of its subject matter,” Kelton once said.
Arts & Culture, Reviews
Lucifer, Written by Tom Kapinos and Joe Henderson
Clytze Sun November 26, 2021
If you like a romantic story with heartwarming friendships, thought-provoking questions, and a side of dark comedy, check out Lucifer. You might just become possessed by the devil himself.
Economics, History, Reviews
The Financial Programs of Alexander Hamilton, by a Farmer’s Daughter by Dianne L. Durante
Raymond C. Niles October 22, 2021
Despite some of Hamilton’s surprising errors, such as his support for mercantilism, his programs prevented the new republic from floundering, as Dianne Durante has shown. Hamilton is worthy of our admiration, and so is Dr. Durante for having done such a fine job of bringing Hamilton and his policies to life.
Arts & Culture, Reviews
Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland
Andreea Mincu September 24, 2021
By explaining how one can create good art via hard work and rational processes, “Art & Fear” dispels myths of inborn talent and mystical inspiration, and it encourages artists to cultivate skills, just as in any other profession.
History, Politics & Rights, Reviews
A Profile of Hong Kong by Bruce Herschensohn
Timothy Sandefur September 17, 2021
Written in the final days of his life, as Herschensohn learned of the arrests of brave friends, A Profile of Hong Kong was left unfinished, and it ends on a tragic note, with a run-on sentence that reads like a wail of grief.
Arts & Culture, Good Living, Reviews
Touching the Art: A Guide to Enjoying Art at a Museum by Luc Travers
Angelica Walker-Werth September 3, 2021
In an easy-to-read, seventy-four-page volume, Travers relays his approach to art appreciation: You don’t connect with an artwork by learning which period it’s from or who painted it. Rather, you connect with an artwork by immersing yourself in it and finding personal connections with its characters and themes.
Arts & Culture, Reviews
Free Guy, Written by Matt Lieberman and Zak Penn
Thomas Walker-Werth September 2, 2021
The bulk of Free Guy is propelled by a compelling, original story (a rare thing in today’s movie landscape) with well-written, well-acted characters and a powerful theme, as well as a delightful dose of humor.