Why ‘Boardwalk Empire’ Has Always Been Extremely Good, But Never Great

There is a rumor, rather prevalent, that David Chase forbid the use of tight shots centered around the back of any actor’s head throughout production on The Sopranos. Too clichéd, Chase believed (with the exception of a minor dream sequence … Read MoreRead More

Moving On: The End

I was in the living room at my parents’ house when the call came, watching television as I picked up the phone. “Do you have a minute?” Meghan wondered. A harbinger of bad results. I had just returned from a … Read More

Ranking The Women In Don Draper’s Sex Life (1960-1969)

Don Draper is a philanderer. He philanders. And though the reasons for his philandering are varied, Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner may have put his finger on it when he said, “I think Don likes longing more than he likes … Read MoreRead More

Floyd Patterson on Losing (1962)

“It’s not a bad feeling when you’re knocked out. It’s a good feeling, actually. It’s not painful, just a sharp grogginess. You don’t see angels or stars: you’re on a pleasant cloud. But then this good feeling leaves you. You … Read More

Six Roles That Transformed Ryan Gosling Into One of The Gutsiest A-Listers in Hollywood

Two-thousand-thirteen was a polarizing year for Ryan Gosling, appearing – as he did – in both the best and worst motion pictures of his career. While Gangster Squad represented the shittiest A-List romp of that winter, it also represented the only … Read More

Moving On: When The Summer Leaves Me in September

When the last long week of August bled its way into September and green flies along the beach outnumbered all the worthwhile prey, when hotel balconies ran checkered and weekend vendors closed their kiosks, when short sleeves gave way to … Read More

Running: How I Went From 0 to 70 In Six Weeks (& Medaled In a 5K One Week Later)

SNAP! That is how it sounded, much more like the snapping of a car belt than the friction between fingers. I was sprinting, in mid-stride, and the jolt, it sent me tumbling, a spasm so intense I barely noticed fractured … Read MoreRead More

Joyce Carol Oates on Boxing & Pornography (1987)

“The spectacle of human beings fighting each other for whatever reason, including, at certain well-publicized times, staggering sums of money, is enormously disturbing because it violates a taboo of our civilization. Many men and women, however they steel themselves, cannot … Read More

The Blessing of The Ocean

Click through for full-image gallery. … Read More

Ira Glass’s Advice For Aspiring Writers (2014)

“I’d just say to aspiring journalists or writers – who I meet a lot of – do it now. Don’t wait for permission to make something that’s interesting or amusing to you. Just do it now. Don’t wait. Find a … Read More