The latest in cinema includes Oscar-nominated film news like Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein' and 'The Secret Agent', alongside new movie reviews and streaming recommendations for free and action films, with political discussions arising from the Berlin Film Festival and details on **Baz Luhrmann's 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert'**.

• Guillermo del Toro on Writing and Directing the Oscar-Nominated ‘Frankenstein’ — New York Times Books -
• The NYC Theaters Where the Oscar Nominees Are Playing — New York Times Arts -
• Watch an Ensemble Scene From ‘The Secret Agent’ — New York Times Arts -

• ‘The Secret Agent’ | Anatomy of a Scene — New York Times Arts -
• 5 New Movies Our Critics Are Talking About This Week — New York Times Arts -
• At Berlin Film Festival, the Politics Are Onscreen, Too — New York Times Arts -
• Five Free Movies to Stream Now — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Psycho Killer’ Review: Better the Devil You Don’t Know — New York Times Arts -
• Five Action Movies to Stream Now — New York Times Arts -
• How Newly Found Footage Became ‘EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert’ — New York Times Arts -
• How Newly Found Footage Became ‘EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert’ — New York Times Arts -
• ‘EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert’ Review — New York Times Arts -

The literary world mourns the passing of radio 'Bookworm' Michael Silverblatt and prolific author Cees Nooteboom, while also celebrating new book reviews for 'The Optimists' and new romcoms, featuring children's picture books and an initiative to bring poetry to the London Underground.

• Michael Silverblatt, Radio ‘Bookworm’ Who Interviewed Authors, Dies at 73 — New York Times Arts -
• Cees Nooteboom, Voyaging Author of Enigmatic Novels, Dies at 92 — New York Times Arts -
• Book Review: ‘The Optimists,’ by Brian Platzer — New York Times Books -

• 3 Fizzy, Fabulous New Romcoms — New York Times Books -
• How a New Yorker Put Poetry on the London Underground — New York Times Arts -
• Two Children’s Picture Books About Tantrums and Foul Moods — New York Times Books -
• Book Review: ‘So Old, So Young,’ by Grant Ginder — New York Times Books -

The stage sees a spring season preview of Broadway productions and plays mining movie material, a serious incident where a sword struck a playgoer during 'Richard III' in Berlin, and new works exploring sobriety onstage as a tiny troupe keeps its Kennedy Center dates.

• Sword Strikes Playgoer During ‘Richard III’ in Berlin — New York Times Arts -
• A Downtown Vibe Comes to Broadway This Spring — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ ‘Black Swan’ and 14 More Plays and Musicals to See This Spring — New York Times Arts -

• Why a Tiny Troupe Kept Its Kennedy Center Dates — New York Times Arts -
• 12 Steps and Cups of Coffee: Sobriety Has Its Moment Onstage — New York Times Arts -

The music scene acknowledges the passing of hitmaking lyricist Billy Steinberg, offers a **review of Kevin Puts' 'Emily — No Prisoner Be', and announces the Met Opera's 2026-27 season**.

• Billy Steinberg, Hitmaking Lyricist of Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin,’ Dies at 75 — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Emily — No Prisoner Be’ Review: Kevin Puts Reimagines Dickinson — New York Times Arts -
• Met Opera Announces 2026-27 Season: What We Want to See — New York Times Arts -

Developments in TV and pop culture include a new docuseries on 'America's Next Top Model', a recap of 'The Pitt' Season 2, Episode 7, Stephen Colbert's commentary on Trump's 'Board of Peace', and the rise of comedian Max Amini.

• In the ‘Top Model’ Docuseries, Tyra Is No Longer in Control — New York Times Arts -
• ‘The Pitt’ Season 2, Episode 7 Recap: Emotional Rescue — New York Times Arts -
• Max Amini Is a Global Comedic Success On and Off YouTube — New York Times Arts -

• Stephen Colbert Balks at Trump’s Board of Peace — New York Times Arts -

The visual arts sector features exhibitions on Van Gogh's use of yellow, a significant withdrawal of South Africa from the Venice Biennale due to a Gaza artwork furor, and insights into visionary art collector Eileen Harris Norton.

• Van Gogh and the Meaning of Yellow — New York Times Arts -
• South Africa Pulls Out of Venice Biennale After Gaza Artwork Furor — New York Times Arts -
• How a Visionary Collector Eyed Her Trophies — New York Times Arts -

In sports, figure skater Alysa Liu's artistic Olympic free skate is highlighted for its transcendent performance.

• Alysa Liu Trusted Her Artistry in Her Olympic Free Skate — New York Times Arts -