With the arrival of the holidays comes a slew of Christmas films, both new and old. “Violent Night” is the most recent entry in this canon. While many recent releases fail to utilize the talent of their stars, David Harbor plays the perfect morally gray Santa in this creative Christmas tale, and grown-up fans of “Home Alone” are sure to enjoy this film’s gory gimmicks.

The Seahawk book club is spending December break in contemplation with a pick fresh off the press. This month’s selection is “Bigger Than Bravery: Black Resilience and Reclamation in a Time of Pandemic,” edited by Valerie Boyd.

Imagine spending a fun-filled weekend with your celebrity crush. That is exactly what happens to the witty protagonist in The Seahawk’s November book club pick, “Funny You Should Ask.” If you are a fan of BookTok rom-com novels, “Funny You Should Ask” is for you. While falling into the traditional rom-com pitfalls, there is still Hollywood-esque entertainment to be found throughout.

The 28th Cucalorus Film Festival came to a close on Nov. 20. After limited attendance following the pandemic’s onset, Cucalorus saw a high level of involvement this year, with 136 films and shorts shown across four days. Enjoy as The Seahawk staff writers Bradley Earnshaw and Eriq Dixon share the details of their favorites from the festival.

Twelve graduating senior Studio Art majors debuted their artworks at the opening reception for the Senior Art Exhibition on Nov. 18. As a graduation requirement for majors, many of the included artists used this show to ponder themes of personal trauma, forgiveness and capturing moments in time. Multiple exhibiting artists expressed interest in the female body that, in part, relates to recent political events that impact women’s bodily autonomy. This striking show is now on public view at the CAB Gallery until Dec. 14, the end of the semester.

With the rise of fast fashion in recent decades and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, remaining small businesses face challenges of existing in an oversaturated, fast-paced consumer landscape. In spite of the challenges, people like Courtney Rivenbark, owner and creator of Cococlem, persist with their small businesses, focusing on sustainable, ethical products that make a positive impact in the fashion world. As a size-inclusive, made-to-order clothing brand with all fabric prints designed by Rivenbark, her business is truly unique to her.

From films about parenthood to urban legends, conversations on poverty to Reading Rainbow, the 28th annual Cucalorus Film Festival is a multifaceted exploration of creativity with a huge variety of films and several stage performances to enjoy.

This October, WILMA Magazine announced the 35 finalists selected for the WILMA’s 2022 Women to Watch Awards, which included four current UNCW faculty. One of those four finalists iwas Sayantani Dasgupta, an Assistant Professor in UNCW’s Creative Writing Department. At the awards ceremony on Oct. 21, she was announced as the winner under the arts category.

After hitting theaters on Friday, Nov. 11, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” proves an instant success for the MCU franchise. An unsurprising verdict, the sequel follows the fan-favorite “Black Panther,” which broke theaters in 2018 with its very-needed inclusion of an African MCU superhero. “Wakanda Forever” now pays tribute to late actor Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa) whilst introducing a new Black Panther in his place.

The Honoring Southeastern NC Indigenous Peoples Celebration, held on Thursday, Nov. 3, served to commemorate the lives and culture of Indigenous peoples. The day featured many Indigenous performances in the amphitheater, celebrating both traditional Indigenous practices and modern life. Cheers filled the air of the Clock Tower Longue as three paintings recognizing Southeastern Indigenous cultures were revealed to the public. Artist Jessica Clark focused specifically on contemporary Indigenous peoples when creating her paintings.

UNCW’s Theatre Department prepares to share their final production of the fall semester. This story tells a witty version of the Biblical story of Adam and Eve through a sci-fi lens in their upcoming production “Fight Girl Battle World.” Fans of “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” will enjoy this action-packed tale that indeed takes place in a galaxy far, far away.

This October, WILMA Magazine announced the 35 finalists selected for the WILMA’s 2022 Women to Watch Awards, which included four current UNCW faculty. Mayra Robles, Program Coordinator of UNCW’s Centro Hispano, was one of those four finalists in the rising star category, which is only open to women under the age of thirty.

Nov. 7, 2022 kicks off the first day of UNCW’s 2022 Writers’ Week. This weeklong event is hosted annually by the Department of Creative Writing and is open to all students, staff and the general public.

The Seahawk’s book club pick for October is the perfect pick for a cozy autumn read. Written by up-and-coming author Annie Hartnett, the novel presents a comedic mystery complete with a dysfunctional family situation. At first glance, the reader expects a lighthearted tale that, if done correctly, will leave the audience on the edge of their seats. Hartnett gives all that and more as the novel explores familial and friendship roles while also tackling issues like substance abuse and terminal illness. If you enjoy a classic small-town story with an underdog protagonist, this novel is for you.