Entertainment Columns

Ann Hornaday

Ann Hornaday

Best movies of 2013 from ‘12 Years a Slave’ to ‘Frances Ha’

It was a great year for movies. Here are the 21 best of 2013, as picked by Ann Hornaday.

Ann Hornaday

Ann Hornaday

David O. Russell, ‘American Hustle’ and the art of survival

David O. Russell talks about ‘American Hustle,’ comebacks and the dangers of ‘going Hamlet.’

Ann Hornaday

Ann Hornaday

Bale, Affleck dominate downbeat ‘Out of the Furnace’

Christian Bale and Casey Affleck deliver galvanizing star turns in the rust-belt thriller ‘Out of the Furnace.’

Chris Richards

Chris Richards

CBS tries to drum up some noise for Grammys with nominations concert

Four things that jumped out about the telecast announcing the nominees for the Jan. 26 awards.

Chris Richards

Chris Richards

At 73, Herbie Hancock is still searching for the next sound

The pianist, one of this year’s Kennedy Center Honors recipients, seeks new collaborators and ideas.

The Style Blog

Chris Richards

The best pop songs of 2013

Pop music critic Chris Richards picks his favorite songs of the year.

Hank Stuever

Hank Stuever

Best TV shows of 2013 (and biggest letdowns)

TV critic Hank Stuever picks his favorite shows: “Breaking Bad,” “Orange Is the New Black” and more.

Hank Stuever

Hank Stuever

‘Sound of Music Live’ proves to be an impossible climb after all

TV REVIEW | Props to NBC for the ambition, but stiff acting zaps the beloved musical of its ebullience.

Hank Stuever

Hank Stuever

What to Watch: TV chat with Hank Stuever

Post TV critic Hank Stuever discusses the good, bad and so-bad-its-good of TV.

Philip Kennicott

Philip Kennicott

Library of Congress to unveil work by key ‘outsider’ artist

Drawing by Martín Ramírez, one of the most famous self-taught artists of the 20th century, was found in 2009.

Philip Kennicott

Philip Kennicott

A kunsthalle for Washington

The old Franklin School would be the perfect place for a museum that focuses on bold work by living artists.

Philip Kennicott

Philip Kennicott

Perfect accompaniment at Kimbell Art Museum

ARCHITECTURE | New building at Fort Worth museum both contrasts, complements Kahn classic.

Anne Midgette

Anne Midgette

Energy and sensitivity from 22-year-old piano virtuoso

Behzod Abduraimov shows technical brilliance, power and grace at the Phillips Collection.

Anne Midgette

Anne Midgette

Martina Arroyo, a star who never forgot who she was

Throughout her opera career, the same down-to-earth, riotously funny, and not at all diva-esque person.

Anne Midgette

Anne Midgette

From NSO’s sour first note, little magic on slipshod night

Thursday night’s performance, conducted by Christoph Eschenbach, was bombastic and unbalanced.

Lisa De Moraes

Lisa De Moraes

The TV Column: Alec Baldwin’s puzzling Nat Geo Channel gig

The actor and animal rights supporter will narrate documentaries about, among other things, bear-hunting.

Lisa de Moraes

Lisa de Moraes

Emmy and Tony can’t seem to get enough of Neil Patrick Harris

Actor will host the Emmy Awards for the second time this year after hosting the Tonys for the fourth time

Lisa de Moraes

Lisa de Moraes

Animal Planet nets biggest audience with ‘Mermaids’

TV COLUMN | “New Evidence” “documentary” follows last year’s “Mermaids: The Body Found.”

Sarah Kaufman

Sarah Kaufman

Dance review: ‘Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty’

The familiar fairy tale is subtitled ‘A Gothic Romance’ and is more dance theater than ballet.

Sarah Kaufman

Sarah Kaufman

A ballet program that’s annual frustration

REVIEW | The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, as always, is so close, but ultimately frustrating.

Sarah Kaufman

Sarah Kaufman

‘Play/Pause’: Lovely dance, but ultimately disappointing

Susan Marshall’s interesting new work, at the Terrace Theater, ends up seeming self-important, overworked.