Arts & Culture

A seasonal guide to upcoming 2026 releases  By BELLA PETERSON — arts@theaggie.org    Many bookworms get the most out of their year by curling up with a good novel — one that perfectly fits into the current season they find themselves in. Whether it be a strong, exhilarating story for the heat of summer or […]

Artists Diane Williams and Maryann Steinert-Foley investigate persistence and the human experience By IQRA AHMAD — arts@theaggie.org  From Dec. 12 to Feb. 1, “The Realm of Possibility” is on display at the Pence Gallery, located on 212 D Street in Downtown Davis. Featuring works by Diane Williams and UC Davis Alum Maryann Steinert-Foley, the exhibition […]

This year’s Game Awards hinted at upcoming games and celebrated studios that won big By NATALIE SALTER—arts@theaggie.org  On Dec. 11, 2025, The Game Awards began at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, for both a live audience and an estimated 171 million livestream viewers. Hosted by Geoff Keighley, the awards served as both an opportunity […]

The animated children’s film is a simple reflection of the ways that narratives can be manipulated to promote injustice     BY JULIE HUANG — arts@theaggie.org   “Zootopia” (2016) was one of the defining animated children’s films of the 2010s, introducing young audiences toa world of anthropomorphic animals living in eye-catching habitats like deserts, rainforests, tundras […]

Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros. and what it means for the American film industry By JONAH BERMAN — arts@theaggie.org After 2025, the state of American cinema is two-fold. On one hand, films like “One Battle After Another,” “Sinners” and “Weapons” have been universally lauded for their originality. Conversely, the studio system — the historical foundation […]

Timothée Chalamet shines in this cinematic thrill-ride By JONAH BERMAN — arts@theaggie.org  Cringe-inducing Zoom meetings, confusing interviews, rap song features and appearances on the Las Vegas Sphere — what do these have in common? They’ve all been part of Timothée Chalamet’s press run for “Marty Supreme,” a film as eccentric and unpredictable as its lead […]

The Art Desk’s weekly picks for music, movies and more By HANNAH OSBORN — arts@theaggie.org  Album: “Forever Changes” by Love (1967)   When the weather is gloomy but hopes for the new year are high, “Forever Changes” perfectly complements January’s juxtapositions. Scored by folk-style acoustic guitars and a string and horn section, the album’s upbeat […]

The beauty of black and white film and its loss of recognition among audiences  By BELLA PETERSON — arts@theaggie.org  ‘Tis the season for the annual rewatch of “It’s a Wonderful Life”; despite its impact, this beloved 1946 holiday movie tends to be the beginning and end of present-day movie-lovers’ engagement with classic Hollywood films.  There […]

The latest installment in the ‘Knives Out’ series muses on faith, logic and the compassion we give to others By NATALIE SALTER—arts@theaggie.org  Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” films, though mysteries on the surface, have always been keenly interested in interrogating the landscape of their times. Outwardly, each one operates on a simple premise: the whimsical, highly […]

The Arts Desk’s weekly picks for music, movies and more  By SAVANNAH ANNO — arts@theaggie.org Album: “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party” by Hayley Williams (2025) While there’s nothing niche about Paramore — the iconic pop-punk band behind “Misery Business,” “Still Into You” and “Decode” from “Twilight” — I will argue that lead singer Hayley […]

Polzonetti expounded on the various ways in which cultures and musical genres affect the expression of winter in song By JONAH BERMAN — arts@theaggie.org  As UC Davis students approach the holiday season, an extensive list of rich musical traditions awaits them. Both classical and modern holiday tunes will reverberate throughout family gatherings, grocery stores and […]

The R&B artist experiments with soul, gospel and soft rock to examine themes of religion, love and the self  By SOPHIE LIN — arts@theaggie.org In an era where R&B often favors fleeting hooks and hyper-polished production, Daniel Caesar’s return with his fourth studio album “Son of Spergy” asks listeners to recognize his soul.  Released on […]