Increases in opioid overdoses in Pennsylvania varied by county during COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the opioid epidemic, according to our new research, which finds that opioid overdoses increased in Pennsylvania in 2020 compared with 2018 and 2019. Yet general trends obscure critical local variations. Specifically, 19 Pennsylvania counties saw statistically significant increases in opioid overdose rates. The people who live in those 19 counties are […]
Congress declares Aug. 11 ‘Hip-Hop Celebration Day,’ a turning point in American music history
Whenever I teach courses on hip-hop at the University of Virginia, I provide a brief overview of where hip-hop music began. One of the important dates I use is Aug. 11, 1973. That’s when DJ Kool Herc, who was 18 at the time, threw a “Back to School Jam” for his sister Cindy in the […]
Oscars 2021: 5 experts break down the winners, speeches, fashion, music, and more highlights
Chloé Zhao has made history at the 93rd Academy Awards as the first Asian-American woman and first woman of color to win Best Director. She won for “Nomadland,” which Zhao also edited, produced, and adapted as a screenplay (from the book by Jessica Bruder). Only one other woman has ever won Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow […]
Godzilla vs. Kong – science weighs in on which monster would actually win the fight
The 2021 film “Godzilla vs. Kong” pits the two most iconic movie monsters of all time against each other. And fans are now picking sides. Even the most fantastical creatures have some basis in scientific reality, so the natural world is a good place to look to better understand movie monsters. I study functional morphology […]
Who won the Super Bowl LV ad war? Social media’s reactions to the best and worst commercials
Live sporting events are among the few remaining places where advertisers can ensure that no one fast forwards through their commercials, which is why companies were willing to pay $5.5 million for just 30 seconds of air time on Super Bowl Sunday. So who “won” the Super Bowl ad war? For the last two years, […]
How the Super Bowl evolved from a football game to an entertainment extravaganza
In just over 50 years, the Super Bowl has become one of the biggest “shared experiences” in American culture, up there with attending religious services, voting in presidential elections, and playing Pokémon Go. But curiously, many of the tens of millions who tune in don’t actually want to watch football. Perhaps it’s because the game […]
How the philosophy in ‘Groundhog Day’ can help us through pandemic times
Today, many of us will recall the American comedy film “Groundhog Day.” Originally released in 1993, it stars the incomparable Bill Murray as Phil Conners, an insufferable Pittsburgh weatherman. A minor local celebrity who believes himself destined for much better things, he resents his piddling assignment to report on the Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney, […]
Are the streaming wars really a threat to the film industry?
In a world of countless entertainment opportunities, movies are one of the few remaining proven ways to attract a new audience and retain existing ones. Yet the dominant narrative seems to be that, in the age of the Internet, the old system of theatrical release can no longer cater for audiences worldwide – or so […]
Why being stuck at home, unable to hang out in cafes and bars, can drain creativity
While the pandemic has caused thousands of small businesses to temporarily close or shutter for good, the disappearance of the corner coffee shop means more than lost wages. It also represents a collective loss of creativity. Researchers have shown how creative thinking can be cultivated by simple habits like exercise, sleep, and reading. But another […]
‘All is right’ – why Christmas movies are so appealing during the holiday season
With the pandemic limiting travel over the holiday season, many Americans will be settling in front of the television to watch their favorite holiday movies, along with their favorite drink – a cup of hot apple cider or a glass of wine – to add some cheer. Holiday movies have become an essential part of […]
