Photo: Phoebe Bridgers/YouTube |
Lost Weekend, a 1944 novel by author Charles R. Jackson, chronicled a writer’s rapid decline and redemption in the shadow of gripping alcoholism. The term has come to refer to any period of recklessness a person may not be able or want to remember, like John Lennon’s bender with Harry Nilsson during a year-and-a-half separation from Yoko Ono in the ’70s. Phoebe Bridgers borrows the title for her third album, a candid assessment of her failures, an intriguing batch of images and allegories, and a careful expansion of her musical wheelhouse, making for a follow-up that is every bit as painstakingly potent as her breakthrough, 2020’s Punisher. That album perfectly matched the spirit of a tumultuous year, as she sang about feeling trapped in her depression, fear, and insecurities. Amid growing renown for her diaristic songwriting and relationships (she was engaged to actor Paul Mescal and is now dating comedian Bo Burnham), Bridgers formed the indie supergroup Boygenius with kindred spirits Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus. A season as a supporting character fed (a little) less of her life to gossip authorities, but tons of people who’ve never met her still feel like experts on her life and motivations. Lost Weekend suggests it took time and distance to tell the story of her 2020s right. It’s a highlight of 2026.
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Israel’s destruction of Gaza since October 7, 2023, has included the Palestinian health system, leading foreign-aid groups to send doctors to work in hospitals the Israeli military could attack at any moment. The pointed, personal American Doctor follows three doctors — one Jewish, one Zoroastrian, and one a Palestinian Muslim — as they try to volunteer in the war zone and advocate, mostly unsuccessfully, against the war. A scene where one of the surgeons realizes the patient he recently operated on was killed by an Israeli missile hitting the hospital is just one of many infuriating moments.”
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But at least it’s not dull. |
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Union County’s most beautiful sequence highlights the gorgeous honesty of just watching two people chat. |
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The British actor is one of those who has stood out in supporting parts for so long that it seems high time he got some meaty lead roles. |
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The “Ice Cream Man” director may be known for his love of horror, but he’s raising his toddler on much sweeter fare, like ‘Goodnight Moon’ in Italian. |
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