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A weekly read for those who prefer art over algorithms. Every Thursday, Salon's culture critics highlight the films, shows, music and books that are being made — by humans — to last.

Archive

What the Ted Lasso Way doesn't get about women in sports

Aug 6, 2026

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6 min read

What the Ted Lasso Way doesn't get about women in sports

For some professional athletes, believing isn't the main challenge

Melanie McFarland
Melanie McFarland
A Miyazaki film that sees our heart

Jul 30, 2026

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5 min read

A Miyazaki film that sees our heart

"Howl's Moving Castle" is many things, but ultimately it's an honest appraisal of the human spirit

Melanie McFarland
Melanie McFarland
Your magical burnout cure is in this Miyazaki film

Jul 23, 2026

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6 min read

Your magical burnout cure is in this Miyazaki film

"Kiki's Delivery Service" is a family movie that holds practical magic for adulthood

Melanie McFarland
Melanie McFarland
"Princess Mononoke" is a warning we didn't heed

Jul 16, 2026

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6 min read

"Princess Mononoke" is a warning we didn't heed

Hayao Miyazaki's gorgeous epic is also his most humanist

Melanie McFarland
Melanie McFarland
The quiet joy of "My Neighbor Totoro"

Jul 9, 2026

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5 min read

The quiet joy of "My Neighbor Totoro"

To understand the heart of Hayao Miyazaki, start with this masterpiece

Melanie McFarland
Melanie McFarland
How “Spirited Away” inspired "Avatar: The Last Airbender"

Jul 2, 2026

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6 min read

How “Spirited Away” inspired "Avatar: The Last Airbender"

The beloved cartoon saga is one of many modern fantasies inspired by Hayao Miyazaki

Melanie McFarland
Melanie McFarland
A people's view of America, as seen on TV

Jun 25, 2026

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9 min read

A people's view of America, as seen on TV

13 sitcoms that highlight the real America, in all its glory

Melanie McFarland
Melanie McFarland
Without dragons, would fantasy have worked on TV?

Jun 18, 2026

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7 min read

Without dragons, would fantasy have worked on TV?

A lot of shows and movies crashed so Targaryens could fly

Melanie McFarland
Melanie McFarland
The coziest TV mysteries have a higher calling

Jun 11, 2026

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6 min read

The coziest TV mysteries have a higher calling

Some criminal cases call for divine intervention

Melanie McFarland
Melanie McFarland
The immortal thrill of The Vampire Lestat

Jun 4, 2026

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7 min read

The immortal thrill of The Vampire Lestat

Why vampires will always be the rock stars of the monsterverse

Melanie McFarland
Melanie McFarland
What Salon's DJs are spinning this summer

May 28, 2026

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7 min read

What Salon's DJs are spinning this summer

3 playlists to kick off all your parties

Melanie McFarland
Melanie McFarland
If what we say is true, the Shaolin and the Wu-Tang are unstoppable

May 21, 2026

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7 min read

If what we say is true, the Shaolin and the Wu-Tang are unstoppable

How the hip-hop collective turned their kung fu obsession into an immortal philosophy

Melanie McFarland
Melanie McFarland
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The Swell

A weekly read from Salon.com for those who prefer art over algorithms. Every Thursday, Salon's culture critics highlight the films, shows, music and books that are being made — by humans — to last.