This period highlights Oscar nomination predictions for films like “One Battle After Another” and **“Sinners,” celebrates stars at the Gotham Awards, and reviews the best movies of 2025, alongside a roundup of new Christmas movies to stream**.

• Which Films Could Be Nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars? — New York Times Arts -
• See All the Stars at the Gotham Awards: Elle Fanning, Hugh Jackman and More — New York Times Arts -
• Best Movies of 2025 — New York Times Arts -

• ‘Oh. What. Fun.,’ ‘My Secret Santa’ and More Christmas Movies to Stream — New York Times Arts -

The entertainment landscape sees Mormon women increasing their pop culture profile on screens, the **return of “Vanderpump Rules” with a new cast, the conclusion of the “Bel-Air” reboot, and late-night hosts reviewing political social media activity**.

• Mormon Women Are Taking Over Our Screens — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Is Back With a New Cast. Here Are 4 Takeaways. — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Is Back With a New Cast. Here Are 4 Takeaways. — New York Times Arts -

• ‘Bel-Air,’ the ‘Fresh Prince’ Reboot, Ends Its Unlikely Run — New York Times Arts -
• Late Night Reviews Trump’s ‘Social Media Blitzkrieg’ — New York Times Arts -

December kicks off with a guide to fun things to do in NYC, sparks controversy with a skating rink around a Pavarotti statue, features the Royal Danish Ballet returning to Bournonville, offers holiday theater options, explores the **film adaptation of Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along,” and shares an encore personal story podcast**.

• 28 Fun Things to Do in NYC in December 2025 — New York Times Arts -
• A Skating Rink Was Built Around a Luciano Pavarotti Statue. People Aren’t Thrilled. — New York Times Arts -
• For Royal Danish Ballet, It’s Back to Bournonville — New York Times Arts -

• Holiday Theater: 15 Shows to Spice Up Your Festive Season — New York Times Arts -
• Sondheim’s ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ Is Now a Film. Here’s What to Know. — New York Times Arts -
• Finding the Magic, Just in Time (Encore) — New York Times Arts -

Users are engaging with **Spotify Wrapped’s ‘listening age’ feature, the A.A.C.M. jazz institution is celebrated, songwriter Paul Williams takes a bow, and Afrobeats music** gains prominence in American sports.

• Spotify Wrapped Has Users Talking About Their ‘Listening Age’ — New York Times Arts -
• 5 Minutes That Will Make You Love the A.A.C.M. — New York Times Arts -
• Paul Williams, Songwriter for the Muppets and the Carpenters, Takes a Bow — New York Times Arts -

• American Sports Are Turning Up the Volume of Afrobeats — New York Times Arts -

News includes the **sentencing of Matthew Perry’s doctor, the passing of painter Mel Leipzig at 90, the death of conservative writer David Pryce-Jones, and the loss of “Winter’s Bone” novelist Daniel Woodrell**.

• Doctor Who Gave Matthew Perry Ketamine Is Sentenced to 30 Months — New York Times Arts -
• Mel Leipzig, Painter Called the ‘Chekhov of Trenton,’ Dies at 90 — New York Times Arts -
• David Pryce-Jones, Conservative Writer With Clout, Dies at 89 — New York Times Arts -

• Daniel Woodrell, ‘Country Noir’ Novelist of ‘Winter’s Bone,’ Dies at 72 — New York Times Arts -

**Denis Johnson’s ‘Train Dreams’ reveals its dark secrets alongside a new biography and adaptation, and a book review of Janice Page’s ‘Year of the Water Horse’** offers a glimpse into an eventful childhood.

• The Dark Secrets of Denis Johnson’s ‘Train Dreams’ — New York Times Books -
• Book Review: ‘Year of the Water Horse,’ by Janice Page — New York Times Books -