Five Directors’ Cuts We’re Lucky Didn’t Happen
The director knows best? Not always. Here are five directors’ cuts that we’re lucky didn’t happen – these films were improved by studio interference.
Lists
These lists highlight the best in music, film, books, television, and games.
JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of Autumn 2023
Our jazz columnist chooses the best new jazz albums of Autumn 2023 while reflecting on a new documentary, Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity.
15 Jazz Albums for People Not Sure They Like Jazz
These 15 jazz albums for people not sure they like jazz provide a gateway to a style or artist – an invitation to enter and hopefully emerge wanting more.
Adam Driver’s 5 Best Film Performances
Adam Driver’s transforming, lizard-like qualities make him the modern paradigm of versatility in acting. These five films capture his best performances so far.
Featured: Top of Home Page/Features/Lists/Music/Music Features/PopMatters Picks/The Best Music of 2023
The 80 Best Albums of 2023
The best albums of 2023 challenged orthodoxies, blended and created new genres, and spanned a vast range of musical styles and traditions, while looking forward.
The Best Films of 2023
Our best films of 2023 include A-listers exploring new ground or new wrinkles in the familiar, lesser-knowns of singularly surprising work, and gut-punch comedies.
The Best Books of 2023
It won’t surprise PopMatters readers that many of our best books of 2023 are excavations of our increasingly clamorous culture. It wasn’t a year for escapism.
Featured: Top of Home Page/Features/Lists/Music/Music Features/PopMatters Picks/The Best Music of 2023
The 30 Best Album Re-Issues of 2023
The year’s best album re-issues include rock legends, essential R&B/soul artists, classic pop, jazz, alternative rock, global beats and so much more.
The Best Films of 2023 You May Have Missed
We have a long winter ahead of us. So strap yourselves in and prepare to see the best films of 2023 you may have missed but will want to see.
The Best Video Games of 2023
PopMatters’ best video games of 2023 are important cultural artifacts. These games also stand out for their artistry, innovation, and accessibility.
Featured: Top of Home Page/Features/Lists/Music/Music Features/PopMatters Picks/The Best Music of 2023
The 20 Best Brazilian Pop Albums of 2023
The Brazilian music industry is creating a pop scene that competes with the world’s biggest names. Get ready to enjoy the 20 best Brazilian pop albums of 2023.
Featured: Top of Home Page/Features/Lists/Music/Music Features/PopMatters Picks/The Best Music of 2023
The 15 Best Folk Albums of 2023
The best folk albums of the year are an eclectic lot brought to us by long-time notables, indie greats, and artists taking folk music in new directions.