News, reviews and analysis from WSJ, including books, movies, art, food, music, history, television and theater. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/ en-us Copyright © Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:51:27 GMT https://www.wsj.com/img/wsj_sm_logo.gif https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/ WP-WSJ-0003697276 New varieties beyond traditional Champagnes and Proseccos are inviting drinkers to reconsider bubbles https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/food-cooking/sparkling-wine-bottles-summer-9a427aec Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT Adam Chandler Elizabeth Arvelos Coetzee/WSJ WP-WSJO-0000326463 A selection of recent works of history and biography that chronicle the birth and youth of the American republic. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/what-were-reading-on-americas-250th-birthday-6cffae28 Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:04:00 GMT Uncredited WP-WSJO-0000327779 To celebrate the semiquincentennial this July 4, read a selection of essays from the Journal’s ‘Masterpiece’ column highlighting the artistry of monuments, paintings, books and more related to our country’s founding ideals. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/history/10-masterpieces-to-celebrate-the-nations-250th-birthday-2fcbaf4b Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:00:00 GMT Getty Images/iStockphoto WP-WSJO-0000329072 An exhibition at the American Folk Art Museum distracts from its charming objects with a a heavy-handed curatorial message. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/fine-art/folk-nation-crafting-patriotism-in-the-united-states-review-a-sketchy-view-of-national-pride-airdigital-5d891775 Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT Brian P. Kelly American Folk Art Museum WP-WSJO-0000323529 The New York Historical showcases the evolution of our nation’s hallmark idea of self-government in a thoughtful, if sometimes pessimistic, exhibition. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/history/democracy-matters-review-the-great-experiment-in-progress-de5a1837 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:48:00 GMT Julia M. Klein The New York Historical WP-WSJO-0000328757 Sasha Waters directs an affectionate documentary tribute to the lyrical, nature-loving writer. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/film/mary-oliver-saved-by-the-beauty-of-the-world-review-paean-to-a-poet-a226f098 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:47:00 GMT Zachary Barnes Kino Lorber WP-WSJO-0000326694 William Franklyn-Miller plays the president-to-be in a one-dimensional biopic co-starring Kelsey Grammer and Ben Kingsley. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/film/young-washington-review-a-flat-portrait-of-a-founding-father-7687f32a Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:40:00 GMT Kyle Smith Angel WP-WSJO-0000328139 Sharon D. Clarke returns on Acorn as a specialist sleuth working her way through the whodunits in the show’s second season. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/television/inspector-ellis-season-2-review-crime-across-the-pond-174906ab Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:34:00 GMT John Anderson Steffan Hill/AcornTV WP-WSJO-0000327959 From Mount Rushmore to work by Melvin Edwards and Nancy Holt, sculpture has been an essential medium in capturing the nation’s history and aspirations. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/fine-art/america-250-our-nation-in-three-dimensions-1763e0c3 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:28:00 GMT Eric Gibson Getty WP-WSJO-0000327457 Kicking off the channel’s ‘Sharkfest’—and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu—is an entertaining special on the search for the world’s most formidable marine predators. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/television/worlds-biggest-sharks-review-fishing-for-giants-on-national-geographic-f8035e97 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:25:00 GMT John Anderson Andy Brandy Casagrande IV/National Geographic WP-WSJO-0000322410 Adams and Jefferson were former presidents who had been friends, enemies and then friends again. They died, astoundingly, on the same day. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/a-perfect-coincidence-review-founders-in-sync-35d5fe02 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 20:38:00 GMT Uncredited WP-WSJO-0000326334 Financial lessons from the nation’s history as the U.S. reaches 250 years: take risks, don’t be afraid of debt, take in boarders if things get tight. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/how-to-get-rich-in-american-history-review-active-investments-8aa3d94b Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:50:00 GMT Roger Lowenstein Uncredited WP-WSJO-0000325741 Finding enough copy was a challenge for early printers. Most weeklies offered a daunting amount of space for small-town editors to fill. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/empire-of-ink-review-deadline-dilemmas-a034bc31 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:47:00 GMT Uncredited WP-WSJO-0000326182 Spies in wartime Japan, below-stairs love in Victorian England, desire and jealousy in the Italian countryside and more. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/june-fiction-6-books-to-read-now-83b071db Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:33:00 GMT WSJ Books Staff Uncredited WP-WSJO-0000324874 Paine was a direct witness to the desperation of late 1776. His exhortations to continue fighting kept the cause alive. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/tom-paines-war-review-a-good-man-in-a-crisis-48933b25 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:44:00 GMT Uncredited WP-WSJO-0000326179 Thomas Jefferson at home, the British aristocrat who backed American rebels, a garbage collector’s view of life and more. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/11-books-to-read-the-best-reviews-of-june-93fab49c Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:13:00 GMT WSJ Books Staff Uncredited WP-WSJO-0000327018 Marked by moody, lo-fi production, the group’s intense sophomore album explores the duality of despair and hope. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/music/your-day-will-come-review-chanel-beads-indie-goth-sound-0bd92ede Tue, 30 Jun 2026 21:09:00 GMT Mark Richardson Alexa Terfloth WP-WSJO-0000322609 Despite the art form’s foreign origins, composers such as Antonín Dvořák, George Gershwin and Charles Ives have managed to convey our country’s spirit. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/music/america-250-our-nations-classical-soundtrack-5696a389 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 20:55:00 GMT David Mermelstein Getty WP-WSJ-0003692709 From Elvis’s to Justin Bieber’s nuptials, here are the insider details guests revealed after the blowout celebrations. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/music/pop-star-weddings-kardashian-bieber-74a9c363 Sun, 28 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT Elias Leight Bettmann Archive WP-WSJO-0000318345 From ‘Ol’ Man River’ to ‘The House I Live In,’ these nine tunes capture the country’s struggles and spirit. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/music/america-250-our-nations-essential-songbook-159a72f9 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 20:24:00 GMT Will Friedwald Alamy WP-WSJO-0000322654 The adventurous English musician issues a meditative album of impressionistic beauty. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/music/the-ground-above-review-beth-ortons-transcendent-songs-55502b71 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 20:50:00 GMT Mark Richardson Partisan Records WP-WSJO-0000326971 ‘The Bear’ returns for its final season, Olivia Wilde directs a dinner-party dramedy, Woody and Buzz face down a tablet in ‘Toy Story 5,’ and much, much more. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/television/what-to-watch-the-12-best-movies-and-tv-shows-of-june-93326d16 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 21:25:00 GMT HULU WP-WSJO-0000326881 Starring charismatic newcomer Lexi Minetree, this formulaic prequel follows the blond protagonist as a high school student. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/television/elle-review-legally-bland-on-prime-video-15681bee Tue, 30 Jun 2026 21:23:00 GMT John Anderson Jessica Brooks/Prime WP-WSJO-0000326432 Following an ex-secret agent who is kidnapped by an unknown persecutor, Patrick McGoohan’s 1967 series creates a surreal atmosphere of surveillance that remains relevant today. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/television/the-prisoner-review-a-cult-classic-on-the-criterion-channel-668f6afb Tue, 30 Jun 2026 21:15:00 GMT John Anderson Criterion Channel WP-WSJO-0000323379 From the Apollo 11 moon landing to the miniseries ‘Roots,’ the small screen has often united the country by bringing history into every living room. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/television/america-250-our-nation-televised-a7a090c0 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 20:59:00 GMT John Anderson Getty Images WP-WSJ-0003689352 When “America’s Sweethearts” star Reece Weaver quit the Dallas Cowboys squad, fans blamed her marriage. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/television/reece-weaver-dallas-cowboys-cheerleaders-husband-7364e8c3 Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT Ellen Gamerman Netflix WP-WSJO-0000326794 Atlanta’s High Museum of Art presents an exhibition of the artist’s category-defying work—including sculpture, furniture, appliances and more. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/fine-art/isamu-noguchi-i-am-not-a-designer-review-an-innovators-enduring-forms-7745991d Wed, 01 Jul 2026 21:52:00 GMT Lance Esplund The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum/ARS WP-WSJO-0000325738 The Minions try to make a monster movie in the latest ‘Despicable Me’ flick, ‘Legally Blonde’ gets a prequel series, Madonna returns with a new album, and more. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/fine-art/arts-calendar-happenings-for-the-week-of-june-28-airdigital-96a99252 Sun, 28 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT Universal Studios WP-WSJO-0000237024 Television programs, musical performances, special exhibitions and more mark America’s 250th birthday. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/fine-art/america-250-calendar-ways-to-celebrate-the-nation-across-the-nation-airdigital-df7ecb23 Sat, 27 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT Yale University WP-WSJO-0000326029 A bewitching survey looks at the unexpected, centuries-old genesis of the divination cards, and the ways they endured and changed in the modern era. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/fine-art/tarot-renaissance-symbols-modern-visions-review-magical-history-at-the-morgan-airdigital-ef4f2aee Fri, 26 Jun 2026 20:45:00 GMT Brian P. Kelly The Morgan Library & Museum WP-WSJO-0000321512 The artist’s full-length painting of the president embodies the dignity and statesmanship that characterized both the man and the office. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/fine-art/the-lansdowne-portrait-forging-a-new-image-c8ac5af7 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:24:00 GMT Carrie Rebora Barratt National Portrait Gallery WP-WSJ-0003697867 To celebrate the country’s milestone year—and its many local flavors—put your epicurean expertise to the test https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/food-cooking/quiz-how-well-do-you-know-these-regional-american-dishes-f9c9feed Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT Adam Chandler Getty Images WP-WSJ-0003679805 Three generations have maintained the “mother stock” at Wattana Panich. It’s taken military precision, good taste buds and next to zero time off. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/food-cooking/the-family-keeping-watch-over-a-52-year-old-pot-of-soup-1e72f115 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 09:30:00 GMT Shan Li Mailee Osten-Tan for WSJ WP-WSJ-0003685591 Outdoor cooking has never been more confusing, what with pellet smokers that call themselves grills and charcoal grills that require electricity. Here’s what you need to know. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/food-cooking/best-grills-griddles-smokers-2026-0883357f Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:00:00 GMT Sal Vaglica Oklahoma Joe's WP-WSJO-0000317712 The French-born owner of a New York cake shop guides home bakers with recipes that use fragrant botanicals. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/food-cooking/cake-from-lucie-review-a-garden-of-desserts-a9e3ab95 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:31:00 GMT Angelina Torre Uncredited WP-WSJ-0003666452 Crafted 3,000 miles from Scotland, at Triple Eight Distillery on Nantucket, the Notch single-malt whiskey is turning heads among enthusiasts https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/food-cooking/single-malt-whiskey-triple-eight-distillery-91785071 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT David Thomas Tao Tony Luong for WSJ WP-WSJO-0000327267 A new off-Broadway play at MCC Theater follows, over 18 years and shifting personal and political landscapes, six friends who go on the titular trip to Israel together. https://www.wsj.com/articles/birthright-review-jonathan-spectors-generational-jewish-epic-d7a371e6 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:33:00 GMT Charles Isherwood Emilio Madrid WP-WSJO-0000326663 The company’s ‘Swan Lake’ and ‘Onegin’ featured broadly consistent performances despite the retiring dancer’s absence. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/theater/american-ballet-theatre-summer-2026-review-cory-stearnss-heirs-take-the-stage-6f7b7a46 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 21:19:00 GMT Robert Greskovic Steven Pisano WP-WSJO-0000323189 The off-Broadway company mounts Erica Murray’s moving drama about a mother mourning her adult son and the two women connected to him who show up at her home. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-loved-ones-review-an-unexpected-gathering-at-irish-rep-23bc5861 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 20:37:00 GMT Charles Isherwood Carol Rosegg WP-WSJO-0000320236 Playwrights, actors and directors have long brought the country’s essence to the stage, from Thornton Wilder’s ‘Our Town’ to August Wilson’s ‘Fences.’ https://www.wsj.com/articles/america-250-our-nation-in-the-limelight-40048d8c Mon, 22 Jun 2026 20:59:00 GMT Charles Isherwood Daniel Rader WP-WSJO-0000320053 Anna D. Shapiro directs a gripping revival of Eric Bentley’s drama, which draws directly from transcripts to recreate the trials of Hollywood and Broadway stars accused of Communist Party affiliations. https://www.wsj.com/articles/are-you-now-or-have-you-ever-been-review-a-red-scare-docu-play-65b00aeb Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:07:00 GMT Charles Isherwood Marc J. Franklin WP-WSJO-0000328364 The animated franchise returns with a story that sees the titular yellow creatures on a chaotic and fairly witless journey through cinema’s past. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/film/minions-monsters-review-the-imps-take-hollywood-170b5a3d Wed, 01 Jul 2026 21:44:00 GMT Kyle Smith Universal Studios WP-WSJ-0003697271 The Johnny Knoxville-led crew bids farewell to over 20 years of camaraderie and laughter. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/film/jackass-best-and-last-johnny-knoxville-0426ef4f Mon, 29 Jun 2026 20:37:00 GMT Esther Zuckerman ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection WP-WSJO-0000324234 Director Olivia Wilde stars alongside Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton in a smart and surprising dinner-party dramedy. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/film/the-invite-review-a-wilde-double-date-21687bf7 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:03:00 GMT Kyle Smith A24/Associated Press WP-WSJO-0000324272 Starring Milly Alcock as Superman’s antisocial cousin, the franchise’s latest installment has a lackluster storyline overloaded with jokey antics. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/film/supergirl-review-dcs-disaffected-heroine-ac671bc6 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:01:00 GMT Kyle Smith Warner Bros. Entertainment WP-WSJO-0000321336 For more than a century, filmmakers from Charlie Chaplin to Frank Capra to Terrence Malick have captured and even shaped this country’s identity and ideals. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/film/america-250-the-nation-on-the-big-screen-f97a80de Wed, 24 Jun 2026 21:01:00 GMT Zachary Barnes Alamy WP-WSJO-0000326168 With pictures of presidents, war, triumph and more, photographers have captured pivotal moments of our history and altered the country’s public consciousness. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/history/america-250-our-nation-through-the-camera-lens-fde6b54b Wed, 01 Jul 2026 21:23:00 GMT Isaac Sligh Joe Rosenthal/Associated Press WP-WSJO-0000321615 From the Capitol to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House, the structures that surround us have expressed and shaped the country’s ideals. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/history/america-250-the-nations-portrait-in-stone-and-steel-548e710d Sat, 27 Jun 2026 11:00:00 GMT Michael J. Lewis Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg News WP-WSJO-0000318629 Mount Vernon’s newly renovated Education Center unveils an illuminating exhibition on the nation’s first leader. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/history/george-washington-a-revolutionary-life-review-the-president-in-perspective-4cbd5bbf Thu, 25 Jun 2026 19:54:00 GMT Mark Yost The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association WP-WSJO-0000312147 The Founding Father became a genuine architectural thinker during his time in France, and upon returning to his Virginia home he transformed it into a work of unified neoclassical elegance. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/history/monticello-thomas-jeffersons-hilltop-temple-97ad27df Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:00:00 GMT Michael J. Lewis Getty WP-WSJO-0000319465 The new complex’s museum presents a bland, uninspiring collection of ephemera. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/history/the-obama-presidential-centers-lackluster-displays-9a5f619b Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:51:00 GMT Kyle Smith The Obama Foundation