Artsweek

January 25, 2021

Record Recap: How Good Of A Guitarist Was Kurt Cobain?

By Hayson Tasher

Cobain’s unique sound was at times met with criticism, especially given his slurred, non-virtuosic style.

January 23, 2021

In Review: Carey Mulligan Delivers a Career Highlight in “Promising Young Woman”

By Katie Caracciolo

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.

January 21, 2021

In Review: “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V. E. Schwab

By Shereen Mohammadzadeh

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.

January 20, 2021

“Script to Screen”: In Conversation with “The Big Short” Screenwriter Charles Randolph

By Sunidhi Sridhar

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.

January 19, 2021

In Review: Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” Offers Far Greater Frustration Than Spectacle

By Luc Le

“Tenet'' is not a good film but a collection of interesting ideas let down by the muddled, disjointed nature of its writing.

January 15, 2021

The Top 10 Most-Hyped Action Movies of 2021 (So Far)

By Avery Herman

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.”

January 10, 2021

Record Recap: In Memoriam of MF DOOM, “Your Favorite Rapper’s Favorite Rapper”

By Jadon Bienz

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.

January 9, 2021

On This Day: “1984” and Van Halen’s Jump into Superstardom

By Evan Gonzalez

“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.

January 6, 2021

Record Recap: What To Expect With Drake’s “Certified Lover Boy”

By Jadon Bienz, Evan Gonzalez

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.

December 27, 2020

In Review: Taylor Swift’s Storytelling Saves 2020, Again

By Sam Franzini

Swift’s new album, “evermore,” both lyrically and sonically picks up where “folklore” left off.

December 21, 2020

In Review: “Mank” Marks David Fincher’s Big Return in a Small Way

By Jonathan Kim

“Mank,” a film about filmmaking in the Golden Age of Hollywood, never quite manages to elevate itself above the trappings of the repetitive trope.

December 19, 2020

Carsey Wolf-Center Virtual Presents: An Afternoon with “The Queen’s Gambit” Creator Scott Frank

By Derek Mejia

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.

December 10, 2020

In Review: “The Queen’s Gambit” Should Be Everyone’s Next Binge

By Sophie Lynd

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.

December 3, 2020

UCSB Arts and Lectures Presents: Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott

By Marisol Cruz

The renowned Ma and Stott by no means need to prove themselves, yet every performance demonstrates their musical capabilities and their ability to work in tandem together.

December 2, 2020

In Review: “Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) ∞” By Kali Uchis

By Marisol Cruz

Uchis not only proves her artistic creativity and her ability to blend genres but also successfully embraces and highlights her Colombian roots in defiance of criticism.