Sasha Chapin

Sasha Chapin has written for The New York Time Magazine, Buzzfeed, and other outlets. He recently published his first book, All the Wrong Moves: a Memoir About Chess, Love, and Ruining Everything.
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Black Bird

One of the best dramas of 2022, the Golden Globe-nominated Black Bird rises above other true crime shows as a psychological drama that peels away the layers to get to the moral questions beneath.

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The Great Sleazy Sports Movies

The sporting life, when properly lived, is always a little bit sleazy: sweaty, smelly, bloody, and profane. What we require is not merely a list of great sports films, but of great sleazy sports movies.

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Decision to Leave

A romantic Korean noir from legendary director Park Chan-wook, Decision to Leave captivates as much for the chemistry between its detective and suspect as for the shocking psychological mystery that unfolds.

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Causeway

After a traumatic brain injury, a US soldier (Jennifer Lawrence) confronts memory loss, PTSD, and her family as she finds an unlikely comrade on her path to recovery.

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Barbarian

The rare horror movie to earn high praise from critics and non-horror fans, Barbarian is for viewers who want to be surprised with a flip on their expectations. It’s imaginative, shocking, and relevant.

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Stepmom

A classic that addresses tough topics like blending families and how to cope with grief, Stepmom can also serve as a kind of road map for how to broach tough topics like a terminal illness.

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The Leads of HBO’s “The Head” Explain What’s in Their Own

As an international show first released in 2020, The Head has flown under many radars, but the critically praised psychological thriller just returned for a gripping second season Antarctica Thriller From Hbo, and the Watercooler’s Felipe Patterson talked to the two leads to better understand the series and their characters. The Story: A team of

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The Inspection

A psychological drama about feeling alienated that captivates the lost loner in all of us, The Inspection also examines how men are “toughened up” by society. You’ll be hearing more about star Jeremy Pope.

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The US-UK Divide: Understanding Reactions to Harry & Meghan

The Harry & Meghan Netflix series has opened a new rift between Americans and their British friends (and foes). To understand why, US & UK journalist Sklyar Baker-Jordan sheds light on the history, class, and cultural divides that explain both sides.

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The stars of Manhunt on the history we did not learn

It’s a story that none of us learned in history classes, and it unfolds as a taut, complex conspiracy thriller — one that raises all new questions. Set in 1865, Manhunt focuses on the aftermath of one of America’s most tragic events: the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. With all of the biopics, TV shows, and

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Mary & George

A clever, dark and salacious historical drama that brings a much overlooked chapter of European history to vivid life. Mary & George is a richly drawn, rough and raunchy story about the quest for power – and survival – in 16th century England.

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A Career Reinvention Watchlist

As layoffs continue in the wake of a year of ominous headlines about the bots who are replacing us, a recent EY report found that over 70% of employees are reeling from AI anxiety. That actually sounds low. The idea of having to concoct a new livelihood – one that won’t be taken over by

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Dune‘s Creator on JFK, Catholicism, Tarot and Power

As critical praise and box office success for the new Dune movie draw new audiences into the science fiction epic, its mythic world and timely themes beg some fresh questions: How did the author behind the novels, first published 59 years ago, conceive of this story that foreshadowed so many of today’s biggest issues? From

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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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The Need-to-Know 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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Your Seasonal Mood Lift Movie Watchlist

How to cure your Season Mood funk? These 10 movies and TV series will lift you out of your winter blues and inspire your next vacation.

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Transport Me: The Best International Horror Movies

Most horror aficionados have seen the American classics and their derivatives: The Shining, The Exorcist, all the Halloween movies, or the other big franchises. Disturbing in their own ways, American horror often follows predictable patterns and tropes. If you’re ready to explore some new worlds and watch something unexpected, it’s time to head overseas. Each

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A Conversation Guide to Oscars’ Best Picture Contenders

It’s been nearly 30 years since a blockbuster won the big prize at the Academy Awards. The year Titanic won, in 1998, 57 million people tuned in for the awards show. Compare that to the 10.4 million who watched the 2021 ceremony, the year after Covid sunk the theatrical movie business, and you can see

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