Author Brian Raftery explains how a Japanese novelty has gone from punch line to worldwide pop-culture phenomenon.

An alloy of all the artist's incarnations: "Rather than starting your career with your name, I sort of finish it"

The results of my informal Salon music poll (hint: You REALLY like indie-rock!). Plus, new Tears for Fears, Prince, the Pale, Shannon Wright -- and a twisted new Sting.

"Love and Other Drugs" combines satire and tears in a sexy, bighearted love story

A university doesn't find "The S&M Man" so funny

How yacht rock went from punchline to cultural touchstone

From the eccentric, intimate "Lost in Translation" to the epic nobility of "Return of the King" to the rough-hewn affirmation of "In America," Salon critics Stephanie Zacharek, Charles Taylor and Andrew O'Hehir list 2003's best films.

Opposition to the film has come from fans of the Hollywood musical and admirers of jazz. Too bad they are wrong

Rami Malek steps into the role of the late Queen singer for the upcoming biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody"

The films he created in the decade of greed made adolescent angst funny and bearable without romanticizing it.

Winsome, sad and sweet, this Wes Anderson-style musical features lovely songs and the irresistible Emily Browning

The most powerful thing a father can leave his child is a collection of good times, memories and transferable love

Mary Harron's clinically ironic take on the infamous Bret Easton Ellis novel tastefully avoids showing murderous violence -- and making a point.

The moody British band is back, but they've ditched sensual black grooves and embraced their inner goth.

A round table on our favorites, from Molly Ringwald's misfit, misunderstood Andie to Ally Sheedy's defiant weirdo