Artsweek

On This Day: The Best And The Worst Of The National Anthem

January 27, 2021 by and

The national anthem has had its share of musical and sociopolitical controversies throughout the years.
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UCSB MCC Presents: Sex Work In The Time Of COVID-19

January 26, 2021 by

The problems that sex workers have faced for years have only amplified with the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
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Record Recap: How Good Of A Guitarist Was Kurt Cobain?

January 25, 2021 by

Cobain’s unique sound was at times met with criticism, especially given his slurred, non-virtuosic style.    
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In Review: Carey Mulligan Delivers a Career Highlight in “Promising Young Woman”

January 23, 2021 by

As we look back on 2020, “Promising Young Woman” stands as an example of the thrilling work that can come out of even the darkest of times.
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In Review: “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V. E. Schwab

January 21, 2021 by

The read is a reminder that every person’s time on Earth is limited, yet filled with so many opportunities to make an eternal existence out of themselves.
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“Script to Screen”: In Conversation with “The Big Short” Screenwriter Charles Randolph

January 20, 2021 by

Matt Ryan was joined by screenwriter Charles Randolph for an engaging conversation about his work on “The Big Short," a true-crime comedy that takes place during the financial crisis of 2008. 
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In Review: Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” Offers Far Greater Frustration Than Spectacle

January 19, 2021 by

“Tenet'' is not a good film but a collection of interesting ideas let down by the muddled, disjointed nature of its writing.
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The Top 10 Most-Hyped Action Movies of 2021 (So Far)

January 15, 2021 by

What follows is a comprehensive list of the most anticipated action films, and yes, I have taken extreme liberties with the definition of “action film.”
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Record Recap: In Memoriam of MF DOOM, “Your Favorite Rapper’s Favorite Rapper”

January 10, 2021 by

Being the perfect fictional anti-hero of rap, DOOM consistently maintained a villainous shroud of mystery, while audiences could only stand back and watch him flex his rapping superpowers.
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On This Day: “1984” and Van Halen’s Jump into Superstardom

January 9, 2021 by

“1984” is an important body of work for modern listeners as a timestamp in the evolution of rock music — the birth of hedonistic rock with pop appeal.
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Record Recap: What To Expect With Drake’s “Certified Lover Boy”

January 6, 2021 by and

Given Drake’s success with his stylistic charisma, the naming of his next album hints at the project being symbolic of a victory lap filled with allusions to his previous work.
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In Review: Taylor Swift’s Storytelling Saves 2020, Again

December 27, 2020 by

Swift’s new album, “evermore,” both lyrically and sonically picks up where “folklore” left off.
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In Review: “Mank” Marks David Fincher’s Big Return in a Small Way

December 21, 2020 by

“Mank,” a film about filmmaking in the Golden Age of Hollywood, never quite manages to elevate itself above the trappings of the repetitive trope. 
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Carsey Wolf-Center Virtual Presents: An Afternoon with “The Queen’s Gambit” Creator Scott Frank

December 19, 2020 by

On Dec. 3, the Carsey-Wolf Center (CWC) invited showrunner and UC Santa Barbara alumnus Scott Frank to talk about the show and its success.
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In Review: “The Queen’s Gambit” Should Be Everyone’s Next Binge

December 10, 2020 by

The series documents Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) from her life as an orphan in rural Kentucky to her journey in Moscow, where she becomes the greatest chess player in the world.
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