Today's film and TV landscape features numerous new releases, including reviews for **“Five Nights at Freddy's 2,” “Jay Kelly,” “La Grazia,” and “Rosemead,” alongside examinations of independent features like “Little Trouble Girls” and “Happy Holidays,” and critiques of stage-to-screen adaptations such as “Merrily We Roll Along.”**

• ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ Review: The Robots Are Malfunctioning (Again) — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Jay Kelly’ Review: All His Memories Are Movies — New York Times Arts -
• ‘La Grazia’ Review: Paolo Sorrentino’s Portrait of Waning Power — New York Times Arts -

• ‘Rosemead’ Review: A Mother and Her Troubled Son — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ Review: It’s a Hit (Reprise) — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Little Trouble Girls’ Review: Teenage Infatuation — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Happy Holidays’ Review: Fissures in a Palestinian Family — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Fackham Hall’ Review: Keep Calm and Chuckle On — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Endless Cookie’ Review: An Animated Family History — New York Times Arts -
• ‘The Chronology of Water’ Review: Saved by the Pen — New York Times Arts -
• ‘100 Nights of Hero’ Review: A Feminist Fairy Tale — New York Times Arts -

The arts world is buzzing with diverse events, from December art gallery shows and the Alvin Ailey Gala to a dance performance marrying club dance with Latin jazz, while discussions emerge around Arthur Szyk's revived legacy and the controversy surrounding a skating rink around a Pavarotti statue.

• Art Gallery Shows to See in December — New York Times Arts -
• In Ephrat Asherie’s ‘Shadow Cities,’ Club Dance Meets Latin Jazz — New York Times Arts -
• Jennifer Packer: Art at the Cosmic Edges of Longing — New York Times Arts -

• Inside the Alvin Ailey Gala: Ciara, the Red Carpet and a Madonna Dance Party — New York Times Arts -
• A Skating Rink Was Built Around a Luciano Pavarotti Statue. People Aren’t Thrilled. — New York Times Arts -
• Arthur Szyk: Spotlight Returns to a Forgotten ‘Soldier in Art’ — New York Times Arts -
• Larry Mitchell and Ned Asta’s Queer Cult Classic Debuts in New York — New York Times Arts -
• Drag Antics and ‘a Political Bomb’: Bringing ‘La Cage aux Folles’ Home — New York Times Arts -
• It’s a Homophobic Slur. What’s It Doing in So Much Theater? — New York Times Books -

Significant industry developments include Eurovision's turmoil over Israel's participation, the rising profile of Mormon women on screen, reflections on the best TV shows of 2025, and a candid interview with Simon Cowell.

• Eurovision Is in Turmoil as Israel’s Participation Leads to Boycott — New York Times Arts -
• Mormon Women Are Taking Over Our Screens — New York Times Arts -
• Best TV Shows of 2025 — New York Times Arts -

• ‘The Interview’: Simon Cowell Is Sorry, Softer and Grieving Liam Payne — New York Times Music -
• Late Night Thinks the War on Drugs Has Gone a Bit Off the Rails — New York Times Arts -
• Classic Christmas Movies to Stream: ‘Meet Me in St. Louis,’ ‘The Family Stone’ and More — New York Times Movies -

The arts community mourns the passing of influential figures, including painter Mel Leipzig, soul music legend Steve Cropper (with an accompanying tribute of his essential songs), and transgender video game pioneer Rebecca Heineman.

• Mel Leipzig, Painter Called the ‘Chekhov of Trenton,’ Dies at 90 — New York Times Arts -
• Steve Cropper, Guitarist, Songwriter and Shaper of Memphis Soul Music, Dies at 84 — New York Times Arts -
• Rebecca Heineman, Transgender Video Game Pioneer, Dies at 62 — New York Times Arts -

• Steve Cropper: 9 Essential Songs — New York Times Arts -

Readers are spoiled for choice with various new literary selections, including last-minute holiday gift books and editor-recommended titles for the week.

• Our Favorite Books for a Last-Minute Holiday Gift — New York Times Books -
• Books Our Editors Loved This Week — New York Times Books -