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One Good Thing: 32 years after its debut, Microsoft Solitaire is still a blissful time-wasterOne Good Thing: 32 years after its debut, Microsoft Solitaire is still a blissful time-waster
One Good Thing

It’s time to celebrate the calming vibes of computer solitaire in this messed-up world we live in.

By Emily St. James
Will this grim satire help you understand what’s happening in Ukraine? Kind of.Will this grim satire help you understand what’s happening in Ukraine? Kind of.
Culture

After three years, “Donbass” is finally hitting American theaters. Its portrait of misinformation and institutional failure is all too timely.

By Alissa Wilkinson
One Good Thing: An unsolicited dik-dik picOne Good Thing: An unsolicited dik-dik pic
One Good Thing

It’s not NSFW. It’s a Twitter account that tweets photos of tiny antelopes.

By Benji Jones
One Good Thing: The hit feminist concubine drama that annoyed the Chinese Communist PartyOne Good Thing: The hit feminist concubine drama that annoyed the Chinese Communist Party
One Good Thing

Yanxi Palace was one of the most popular dramas on the planet. Watch it and you’ll immediately see why.

By Aja Romano
Kevin G. from Mean Girls is my favorite lifestyle influencerKevin G. from Mean Girls is my favorite lifestyle influencer
One Good Thing

On Homeboy, Rajiv Surendra wants me to make my own candles. You know what? Sure.

By Constance Grady
Season 2 of Bridgerton is better for everyone — except fans of the bookSeason 2 of Bridgerton is better for everyone — except fans of the book
Culture

Despite its many weaknesses, Bridgerton might be wobbling its way toward becoming a good show.

By Aja Romano
The Oscar-nominated Denzel Washington movie everybody forgotThe Oscar-nominated Denzel Washington movie everybody forgot
One Good Thing

Denzel Washington’s performance in “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” is one of his least typical — and one of his best.

By Emily St. James
One Good Thing: The movie you have to see if you loved Drive My CarOne Good Thing: The movie you have to see if you loved Drive My Car
One Good Thing

Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy explores the startling role of pure luck in our lives.

By Alissa Wilkinson
One Good Thing: The messy, glorious music videos of Paul Thomas AndersonOne Good Thing: The messy, glorious music videos of Paul Thomas Anderson
One Good Thing

The Licorice Pizza director has made beautiful loners out of Haim, Fiona Apple, Radiohead, and more.

By Alissa Wilkinson
One Good Thing: The movie that first made me sit up and take note of Jessie BuckleyOne Good Thing: The movie that first made me sit up and take note of Jessie Buckley
One Good Thing

Before the Oscar nominee was in The Lost Daughter, she starred in the terrific Wild Rose.

By Alissa Wilkinson
3 Oscar nominees, one little-seen musical about cheerleaders3 Oscar nominees, one little-seen musical about cheerleaders
One Good Thing

When Ariana DeBose and Lin-Manuel Miranda collaborated on a musical about cheerleaders, based on a Kirsten Dunst franchise.

By Constance Grady
One Good Thing: Music to dance to as a hurricane bears downOne Good Thing: Music to dance to as a hurricane bears down
One Good Thing

Laurel Hell sees the darkly brooding singer-songwriter Mitski confronting her extremely unlikely pop stardom.

By Emily St. James
One Good Thing: Love & Basketball is proof that sports can be sexyOne Good Thing: Love & Basketball is proof that sports can be sexy
One Good Thing

The stakes in Love & Basketball are higher because the rewards are so rare and small.

By Jayson Buford
Sam and Diane were TV’s first big romance — and maybe still its bestSam and Diane were TV’s first big romance — and maybe still its best
One Good Thing

TV’s will-they, won’t-they relationships stem from Cheers.

By Emily St. James
One Good Thing: The Left Hand of Darkness showed us that the greatest romances in life can be friendshipsOne Good Thing: The Left Hand of Darkness showed us that the greatest romances in life can be friendships
One Good Thing

Ursula K. Le Guin’s 1969 sci-fi tour de force can still teach us something about human connection.

By Muizz Akhtar
Hades tells a love story through song and side questHades tells a love story through song and side quest
One Good Thing

The video game shows that love can be found in the darkest places.

By Neel Dhanesha
A crop of new documentaries refuses to erase the pastA crop of new documentaries refuses to erase the past
Culture

Films from Tantura to Descendant challenge the powerful. But it’s still up to us to witness the truth.

By Alissa Wilkinson
One Good Thing: The celebrity art couple who turned love into performanceOne Good Thing: The celebrity art couple who turned love into performance
One Good Thing

Ulay and Marina Abramović’s legacy is often overshadowed by an elaborate breakup, but their body of work is a valuable lesson on love and creativity.

By Terry Nguyen
One Good Thing: A game that turns romance into a teetering tower, doomed to fallOne Good Thing: A game that turns romance into a teetering tower, doomed to fall
One Good Thing

Star Crossed is a tabletop RPG where every single stray brush of the hand could lead to a love affair’s collapse.

By Emily St. James
One Good Thing: Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask taught me about loveOne Good Thing: Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask taught me about love
One Good Thing

An anime romance between a heroine and a himbo was my original OTP.

By Victoria Dominguez
One Good Thing: Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is funny, just like loveOne Good Thing: Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is funny, just like love
One Good Thing

Northanger Abbey’s comedy has serious takeaways for the aspiring romantic heroine.

By Siobhan McDonough
One Good Thing: A park for the filthy rich and the rest of us, tooOne Good Thing: A park for the filthy rich and the rest of us, too
One Good Thing

Sometimes we get what we want, if there’s space to share.

By Tim Ryan Williams
One Good Thing: A soothing tabletop game about birdsOne Good Thing: A soothing tabletop game about birds
One Good Thing

Wingspan is ultimately about biodiversity, but I can’t help but see it fitting into a broader cultural reckoning.

By Brian Anderson
18 indie movies everyone will be talking about this year18 indie movies everyone will be talking about this year
Culture

The best and buzziest movies out of this year’s Sundance.

By Alissa Wilkinson
One Good Thing: Nothing in Criminal Minds makes sense and it’s perfectOne Good Thing: Nothing in Criminal Minds makes sense and it’s perfect
One Good Thing

The crimes on Criminal Minds are wild, as are the ways the FBI solves them.

By Emily Stewart
One Good Thing: ABC’s Abbott Elementary breathes new life into the mockumentaryOne Good Thing: ABC’s Abbott Elementary breathes new life into the mockumentary
Culture

The terrific new comedy remixes The Office to great, funny effect.

By Emily St. James
One Good Thing: The impish joy of the board game Sushi Go Party!One Good Thing: The impish joy of the board game Sushi Go Party!
One Good Thing

This holiday season, Sushi Go Party! may be the best solution to big gatherings or cabin fever.

By Emily St. James
The best documentaries of 2021 and how to watch themThe best documentaries of 2021 and how to watch them
Culture

It was a boom year for nonfiction.

By Alissa Wilkinson
One Good Thing: The only Christmas music playlist you’ll ever need is (almost) 8 days longOne Good Thing: The only Christmas music playlist you’ll ever need is (almost) 8 days long
One Good Thing

From disco drummer boys to familiar hits, this Christmas music playlist is essential.

By Emily St. James
Hanging out with the Beatles in Get BackHanging out with the Beatles in Get Back
Culture

Eight hours with the lads from Liverpool in Peter Jackson’s new documentary.

By Alissa Wilkinson
One Good Thing: Get lost in the gorgeous fantasy of the Daevabad trilogy, based on Islamic legendsOne Good Thing: Get lost in the gorgeous fantasy of the Daevabad trilogy, based on Islamic legends
One Good Thing

The book series is a triumph of world-building, with sneakily compelling characters.

By Emily St. James
The books that made us think and act differently this yearThe books that made us think and act differently this year
Culture

These book recommendations from the Vox staff will make you laugh, cry, and really think.

By Vox Staff
One Good Thing: The Mole is a relic of early reality TV that still holds upOne Good Thing: The Mole is a relic of early reality TV that still holds up
One Good Thing

Now streaming on Netflix, the spy-themed competition show lets viewers play along with the contestants.

By Steffan Triplett
One Good Thing: Money Heist, a joyful TV series about fighting the systemOne Good Thing: Money Heist, a joyful TV series about fighting the system
One Good Thing

Known as “Casa de Papel” in Spanish, the show has inspired real-life protests.

By Molly Lipson
December’s buzziest movies bring a wild movie year to a closeDecember’s buzziest movies bring a wild movie year to a close
Culture

The 13 must-see movies, from West Side Story to The Novice to The Matrix.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Netflix’s cute, whimsical “City of Ghosts” has layers for both parents and kids to enjoyNetflix’s cute, whimsical “City of Ghosts” has layers for both parents and kids to enjoy
One Good Thing

This kids’ show about hidden urban histories and child paranormal investigators is a delight.

By Emily St. James
One Good Thing: How fashion became a part of The Nanny’s legacyOne Good Thing: How fashion became a part of The Nanny’s legacy
One Good Thing

Fran Fine has remained a style icon for a generation of kids born during (and after) the years that the series aired.

By Terry Nguyen
Machismo is terror in Jane Campion’s The Power of the DogMachismo is terror in Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog
Culture

The Netflix film takes on the Western and makes something truly spectacular.

By Alissa Wilkinson
What can you even say about House of Gucci? It’s stupid. It’s perfect.What can you even say about House of Gucci? It’s stupid. It’s perfect.
Culture

Lady Gaga blows a potential dud of a movie straight into the stratosphere.

By Alissa Wilkinson
A guide to the must-read 2021 National Book Award winners and finalists
Culture

Here’s what this year’s best in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature, and young people’s literature is all about.

By Vox Staff