Key Takeaways:
- The latest installment of the Avatar franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is now out in cinemas.
- The Futureheads are performing in Sunderland and London, with a new Christmas album release.
- The exhibition Selves and Stand-ins at Modern One in Edinburgh explores the concept of self and identity through portraits.
- The Disney+ series The Lowdown, starring Ethan Hawke, is available to stream from Boxing Day.
- The game All Hands on Deck is a cute and colorful puzzle game perfect for co-op play during the holidays.
- Nas and DJ Premier have released a new album, Light-Years, which is the final installment in the Mass Appeal label’s Legend Has It… series.
Introduction to New Releases
The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes a plethora of new releases in the world of cinema, music, and art. James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash is now out in cinemas, promising to dazzle audiences with its motion-capture glory. Meanwhile, the Futureheads are getting into the festive spirit with a new Christmas album and performances in Sunderland and London. In the world of art, the exhibition Selves and Stand-ins at Modern One in Edinburgh is a must-see, exploring the concept of self and identity through portraits by artists such as Gillian Wearing and Robert Mapplethorpe.
Cinema and Theater
In addition to Avatar: Fire and Ash, other notable releases include Silent Night, Deadly Night, a horror film starring Rohan Campbell, and Fackham Hall, a parody of Downton Abbey-type films written by Jimmy Carr. The Silent Sherlock: Three Classic Cases collection is also out now, featuring three restored films starring Eille Norwood as the iconic detective. On the stage, A Christmas Carol is being performed at the Leeds Playhouse, with a diverse cast and a unique twist on the classic tale. The Almeida theatre in London is also hosting a production of Christmas Day, a play by Sam Grabiner that promises to be a festive fare with bite.
Music and Gigs
The Futureheads are not the only ones getting into the holiday spirit, with Miki Berenyi Trio performing in Glasgow and Newcastle upon Tyne. The Vortex Jazz Club in London is hosting a jam session with Nick Costley-White, featuring exciting drummer Jas Kayser and a variety of cutting-edge young horn players. Solomon’s Knot is also performing at the Wigmore Hall in London, with a distinctly unseasonal performance of Handel’s oratorio, Israel in Egypt.
Art and Exhibitions
The exhibition Selves and Stand-ins at Modern One in Edinburgh is a must-see, featuring portraits by artists such as Gillian Wearing and Robert Mapplethorpe. The Charles Dickens Museum in London is also hosting an exhibition, Showtime!, which surveys the timeless appetite for dramatizing his novels. The Holburne Museum in Bath is showcasing the delicate art of 18th-century pastel portraits, with works by Anna Tonelli, William Hoare, and others. The British Museum in London is hosting an exhibition on Sufi culture, featuring ecstatic art and music from the Islamic world.
Streaming and Games
For those staying in, the Disney+ series The Lowdown, starring Ethan Hawke, is available to stream from Boxing Day. The game All Hands on Deck is a cute and colorful puzzle game perfect for co-op play during the holidays. The game Lego Voyagers is also available, featuring an unexpectedly touching two-player story about two anthropomorphised blocks. Nas and DJ Premier have released a new album, Light-Years, which is the final installment in the Mass Appeal label’s Legend Has It… series.
Albums and Brain Food
New album releases include This Is Lorelei’s Holo Boy, Nas and DJ Premier’s Light-Years, and Jade’s That’s Showbiz Baby! The Encore. Kylie Minogue has also released a new version of her festive opus, Kylie Christmas (Fully Wrapped), featuring four new songs. For those looking to improve their focus and attention span, writer Daniel Pink’s video on YouTube offers useful insights and tips. The podcast No Tags explores developments in underground music, while the BBC World Service series The Origin of Famous Gifts examines the origins of popular gifts.