Good morning, and welcome to the U-T Arts & Culture Newsletter.

I’m David L. Coddon, and here’s your guide to all things essential in San Diego’s arts and culture this week.

The eighth annual Coronado Island Film Festival is under way across the bridge. Continuing through Sunday at various venues there, it includes narrative features, shorts and documentaries along with all the panels, presentations and gala stuff that film festivals do.

As is customary with these festivals, what you choose to see depends on both your taste and your curiosity, and there’s far too much to round up here. So indulge me and consider a couple of my recommendations — one film that I’ve seen already and others that I’m curious about myself.

A film critic friend told me back in June that “Past Lives” (pictured) was the best movie he’d seen to that point in 2023. I took his advice, saw it and have to say that with only two months to go in the year, it’s my favorite so far. A quiet and beautiful story about love and friendship from South Korean filmmaker Celine Song, it screens at 4 p.m. Friday at the Village Theater, 820 Orange Ave.

“Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” (aka “Barbenheimer”) was the movie marketing sensation of the summer. A documentary screening at the Village at 1 p.m. Saturday is Lagueria Davis’ “Black Barbie,” which focuses on three Black women at Mattel and their relationship to the growth of the Barbie doll brand.

Meanwhile, Trent J. DiGiulio and Larry L. Sheffield’s “Oppenheimer After Trinity” documentary goes inside the fateful period in July 1945 in which the first atomic bomb was tested. It screens at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Village.

Among the shorts and just in time for the holidays is “Ties That Bind,” a collection of films connected by the theme of family dynamics. They screen at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Winn Room at Coronado Public Library’s, 640 Orange Ave.

Here’s the festival’s complete schedule: festival.coronadofilmfest.com/schedule

Comedy

They’ve made three films of their own together — “Mean Girls,” “Baby Mama” and “Sisters” — but erstwhile “Saturday Night Live” colleagues Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have collaborated on much more than that over the years. Their comic chemistry on the screen and in co-hosting the Golden Globes three times has established them as a dynamic duo. Their longtime friendship doesn’t hurt, either.

If you’re hankering for a quick Vegas trip this weekend, you won’t do better than catching Fey and Poehler’s “Restless Leg Tour” Friday and Saturday at Resorts World Theater on the Strip. This is the closest that their tour, which continues through February, will be to San Diego.

Rock music

If you’ve still got them, break out your flannel shirts and combat boots. Grunge is back, at least for a night, Sunday at the Casbah. Mudhoney, one of the pivotal bands of the Pacific Northwest grunge genesis of the late 1980s and early 1990s, hits town with three of its original members: guitarist Steve Turner, vocalist/guitarist Mark Arm and drummer Dan Peters.

The Seattle band that grew out of the earlier Green River (which at one time also included future Pearl Jam members Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament) is touring behind its new album “Plastic Eternity.” When Mudhoney cranks it up on Kettner on Sunday those airport-bound jets roaring overhead will have some competition.

Visual art

Sculptures, paintings and mixed media by Native American artists will be on display this weekend at Exclusive Collections Gallery downtown. It’s the fourth annual “Native American Art Show” presented in conjunction with Native American Heritage Month.

Nine Native American artists will attend the show, which is the brainchild of Ruth-Ann Thorn of the Rincon Band of Luiseno/Payomkawichum Indians. The gallery is at 621 Fifth Ave. in the Gaslamp Quarter. Admission is free. Visit ecgallery.com.

Streaming

“The Crown” is coming to an end. Not the reign of the royals in Britain, but the Netflix series about them.

Beginning next Thursday the sixth and final season of this popular show created by Peter Morgan will be available for streaming. Well, at least Part 1 (the first four episodes). The rest will arrive in December.

This final season will include the period between 1997 and 2005 — the chief drama will be the death of Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) and its aftermath. Imelda Staunton returns as Queen Elizabeth II.

The time has come for what has been in an immensely entertaining (if not always historically factual) series to conclude. I found Season 5 a bore, but I’m hopeful that “The Crown” will wind up regally. Then we’ll see if Morgan embarks on “The Crown: The Next Generation” or some other unnecessary sequel.

UCTV

University of California Television invites you to enjoy this special selection of programs from throughout the University of California. Descriptions courtesy of and text written by UCTV staff:

“Journaling for Wellbeing”: Join Morgan Appel and Irene Ekdahl for an insightful discussion exploring the magic of journaling. Journey with them into the heart of self-expression, where pen meets paper to release emotions, manage stress, and spark creativity. Journaling, more than just words, serves as a sanctuary for thoughts, feelings, and even artistic sketches. It’s a medium that transcends right or wrong, fostering self-discovery and clarity. From organizing one’s goals to experiencing the therapeutic solace it offers, discover the myriad benefits of this timeless practice. Whether you’re an adept scribe or just setting out, this episode unveils the transformative power of journaling, guiding viewers towards the path of introspection and imagination.

“Explore the Miraculous Healing Power of Food”: Anthony Lim, M.D., J.D. delves deep into health and nutrition, revealing the secrets to vibrant well-being. In this program, Lim uncovers methods to combat ailments such as kidney stones and fatty liver disease using a whole-food, plant-based diet. Learn not only about the foundational roles of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, but also how everyday food choices can be pivotal in transforming your health. With expert guidance and tangible solutions, this show dispels common diet myths and provides a roadmap to holistic wellness.

“Unlock the Secrets of Aging”: Dr. S. Jay Olshansky discusses the science of aging, emphasizing the potential to live healthier, extended lives. In his talk, he introduces the “longevity dividend,” highlighting the importance of understanding the biology behind our aging process. As evolution tailors species’ reproductive and aging rates to their environment, Olshansky urges viewing aging as an opportunity rather than a challenge. With the rise of artificial intelligence, possibilities in aging research broaden, holding promise for innovative disease treatments. Touching on mechanical body replacements, genetic factors in disease onset, and the exciting concept of compressing the “red zone” of frailty, Olshansky paints a hopeful future for the field of aging science, emphasizing a quality-driven approach to our later years.

And finally, top weekend events

Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Thursday, Nov. 9 to Sunday, Nov. 12.

Coddon is a freelance writer.