Laurence Pevsner

Laurence Pevsner served as Director of Speechwriting for the U.S. Ambassador to the UN and as a speechwriter for West Wing Writers. The inaugural Moynihan Public Scholar at the City College of New York and a contributor to McSweeneys, he is working on a non-fiction book about public apologies and a novel about buried treasure.
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What Franklin Can Teach Us About Diplomacy

As conflicts rage on across the world and the need for diplomacy rises, the new Apple TV+ series Franklin — about America’s first diplomat — offers lessons for our times, as a former speechwriter for the US Ambassador to the UN explains.

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Judas and The Black Messiah: How Impactful Work Still Leaves Black Youth Behind

It’s nominated for six Oscars, just earned a BAFTA for star Daniel Kaluuya’s performance, and made history as the first film with an entirely Black team of producers to earn a Best Picture nomination from the Academy. But is the history depicted in Judas and the Black Messiah a completely reliable picture? Directed by Shaka

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Can the BAFTAs Predict the 2021 Oscar Winners?

Let us explore some of the big wins from across the pond and how they might affect this year’s Academy Awards, now less than two weeks away.

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The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Recap Episode 4: “The Whole World is Watching”

This episode lays everything out on the table, with a gripping story about how great power can corrupt greatly, at any turn, revealing the strengths and vulnerabilities of each character.

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Mank

For a history lesson and trip down memory lane, movie fans should not skip Mank, a tribute to the cinematic legend of Citizen Kane.

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The Great Pottery Throw Down

Watching a group of craftsman create practical works of art before your eyes isn’t just entertaining, it’s a soothing escape from your day-to-day troubles.

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The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Recap Episode 3: “Power Broker”

The exposition is very heavy in this one, because it has to be—there are only three episodes (!) left. It’s worth it just to see Zemo dancing, though.

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What Will We Watch Post-Coronavirus?

Past as Prologue The Coronavirus is fundamentally reshaping our world, including the entertainment industry. Already Hollywood has scuttled production schedules, streamed would-be wide theatrical releases, and adopted DIY production values, with late shows helmed from hosts’ homes and FaceTime-powered interview series. Though the production side of content will likely return to “normal” once this is

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Uncle Frank

At a time when families have been divided by political disagreements, Uncle Frank explores the enduring, loving bonds of family and the ways they link us together – whether we live close or worlds apart.

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Hello, Me!

More laughter than tears, Hello, Me is a quirky crowd pleaser. Plot holes may arise from the time-travel storyline, but give yourself permission to enter the fantasy.

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Transport Me: Holiday Movies from Around the World

If you and your family are getting tired of the same old Christmas stories year after year, why not dig a little deeper and try these picks from around the world?

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From SNL to the Director’s Chair: Kyle Mooney Talks Nostalgia, Freestyle Raps & Y2K

He stood out for hilariously awkward and offbeat SNL characters like the eccentric Bruce Chandling and the painfully relatable Chris Fitzpatrick. Whether parodying cringeworthy YouTube personalities or channeling the overly sincere energy of ’80s public access TV, Kyle Mooney’s knack for finding humor in the bizarre and uncomfortable has always set him apart. Beyond SNL,

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Romance Me: Meet Your Holiday Streaming Date

Single this holiday season? Luck-y you. You’re free to binge – and fall for – all the charming, seductive, irresistible protagonists across the streamers. Check out these holiday-themed stories for starters.

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The Holdovers

A cross-generation comedy drama that’s earned five Academy Award nominations, The Holdovers will tug at your heartstrings as it wrestles with themes of grief and loneliness, and it will ultimately nurture hope.

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Dune: Part Two

A mesmerizing immersive experience, Dune: Part Two is a film you won’t quickly forget. From the collective talents of its high wattage ensemble cast to the stunning cinematography, costumes and sound design, its a blockbuster that will stimulate all the senses along with your emotions.

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What to Watch (and Avoid) with Friends and Family over Thanksgiving

What to watch – and what to skip – if you’re spending Thanksgiving with kids, teenagers, older generations, or all of them under one roof? Your 2022 Watercooler Guide to holiday movies.

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Tokyo Vice

On one level, Tokyo Vice is the story of one man’s kamikaze mission to bring down the Yakuza. But it’s also a mesmerizing noir drama that unfolds into a tense thriller — and ultimately serves as an important reminder that freedom of the press is worth fighting for.

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Awards Season Catchup: A Watercooler Guide to Shōgun

An immersive must-watch embraced by critics, the new Shōgun brings a new perspective on the epic historical drama about the battle between East and West in 17th century Japan.

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What the Netflix Hit The Diplomat Can Teach Us All

In the midst of all the hype about a dating show (Love is Blind) and a dark, LA-set comedy (Beef), a complex political drama that requires undivided attention rose to the top of the Netflix chart in 2023.  At its core, The Diplomat is a series about bureaucratic machinations, yet the show ups the ante

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