Arts & Culture

The eighth studio release from the 38-year-old legend is as much a Beck album as any of its predecessors, meaning that you can't really expect anything in particular. In this case, producer DJ Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton's funky, electronic beats contrast with Beck's grave lyrics and themes, creating a dichotomy that is simultaneously danceable and somberly beautiful.

Christopher Nolan gave new life to the Caped Crusader franchise with his 2005 adaptation Batman Begins. His second film about the comic book icon smashes all expectations of the much-hyped The Dark Knight. Serving endless climatic scenes and twisting the imagination with his unsettling use of darkness in the film, Nolan reminds the audience about the stuff heroes are made of.

Editor's picks:

The Dark Knight

Opens Friday at Regal Davis Holiday 6 on F Street

The Zim-Zims, Joe Finkel, Mistlefinger

Saturday, 8:30 p.m., $3

Delta of Venus

If the French language is the universal language of love, then movie lovers will fall in love all over again at this year's Sacramento French Film Festival.

Created to introduce the Sacramento public to French films, the seventh annual film festival will open Friday with its opening night reception and open wine bar at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento.

It's understandable, but it's stifling - Davis tends to house students throughout their college careers, but never for much longer. It's terrible for bands, in particular, which dissolve not long after their inceptions.

Ever wish to DJ at the famed Studio 54 in Vegas or dream about being an MC at the Hard Rock Café in Sacramento? Were you destined for the music industry and just need an opportunity?

Ever wish to DJ at the famed Studio 54 in Vegas or dream about being an MC at the Hard Rock Café in Sacramento? Were you destined for the music industry and just need an opportunity?

Editor's picks:

Emily Jane White, Garrett Pierce

Saturday, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21

Sophia's Thai Kitchen

Eat Skull, English Singles, Gonglians

Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Delta of Venus

It's been seven months since Weezer's lead vocalist River Cuomo's solo release, three years since Weezer released Make Believe and 16 years since Weezer's inception. After five albums, one would think they would take a change in direction after such a long history as an alt-rock figurehead.

As a follow-up to 2006's Flatlanders exhibition, which presented the work of 46 artists residing in the Davis, Woodland and Sacramento areas, the Nelson Gallery is presenting its second biennial installment, Flatlanders 2.

English is his second language and Russian is his first, but for the Moscow-born artist Ted Vasin, his native tongue is his art.

Just don't ask Vasin to communicate his inspirations.

The past few years haven't been very kind to Coldplay.

After selling nearly 50 million copies worldwide of their first two critically-acclaimed albums, the guys from London disappointed many with 2005's X&Y, even getting dubbed the "Most Insufferable Band of the Decade" by the New York Times.

Music lovers in Davis know where in town to finger through a treasure trove of classic records. Offering a place to find music almost every day of the year is Armadillo Music at 205 F St.

Extreme Animals, Fortress of Amplitude, Driphouse, Pregnant

Today, 9 p.m.

The Witchdome in Sacramento

What do you get when you put rap and trance together? A frantic (and frankly, slightly frightening) combination from duo Extreme Animals - who, surprisingly, both performed in the same barbershop quartet back when they were in high school.

Last week marked the conclusion of this year's Co/Lab art and design collective, held at the now-closed Olipom Vintage Clothing Store in Sacramento. Founded in 2006 by graduate student Milan Phan and headed this year by UC Davis alumnus Cory Keller, the Co/Lab group explores the creative advantages of working and creating in coordination with others within and outside the art department.