Click here to play, and please let us know how you do by sharing on Instagram, Facebook, or X @RoughDraftATL.

This week’s quiz is sponsored by Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Enjoy Sounds of the Season at Symphony Hall

Join the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for Sounds of the Season at Atlanta Symphony Hall, December 23!

Celebrate the spirit of the holidays from around the world when your orchestra performs works that evoke the mystery and wonder of this magical time of year.  Bring in the holly with the whole family, featuring orchestral favorites like Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, White Christmas, and A Holly and Jolly Sing Along!

➞ Visit our website for tickets and information.

The post The Atlanta News Quiz for December 13 appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

It’s hostile takeover time

Dec. 12  — Happy Friday! We cannot start this week without talking about the biggest news in Hollywood – the bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. Last week, Warner Bros. announced that it would sell its movie studio and streaming business to Netflix for a whopping $72 billion. On Monday, Paramount Skydance, the other major player in the bid for Warner Bros., launched a hostile takeover bid for the entire company, including its cable networks, like CNN. 

It really feels like there is no good ending in this situation. There’s the general peril of consolidation in general – less jobs, less competition, etc. – and then there’s the choice we’re left with: a tech company with open disdain for the theatrical experience taking over a historic movie studio, or a Trump-approved company (although, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos is doing a bit of cozying up himself) taking over the movie studio and the news apparatus.

The second option is obviously much worse (Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison has reportedly told President Trump that he would make “sweeping changes” at CNN if he came out on top), but nothing feels GOOD. I generally don’t like to doomsday too much in this newsletter, and obviously, nothing is a done deal here – but the more I think about our options, the more everything feels bad. I’ve been reading and listening about this deal a lot this week. If you want to go more in-depth, I highly recommend this piece in The New Yorker from Richard Brody and this episode of “The Big Picture” podcast. 

Without further ado … Action!

Disney has entered into a billion-dollar licensing agreement with OpenAI, allowing users of Sora, the AI company’s short-form video generator, to use Disney characters in their content. 

The Sundance Film Festival has announced its lineup for next year’s festival, which will be its last time in Park City before moving to Boulder, CO in 2027.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” led the Golden Globe nominations with nine nods, while “The White Lotus” swept in the television categories. Check out the full list of nominations here. 

 Ticket packages for the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival are now on sale now through Jan. 4.   

The movie social media app Letterboxd just launched the Letterboxd Video Store, where users can rent films. The first group of films is called “Unreleased Gems,” and includes movies you can’t watch anywhere else. 

The Tara Theatre hosted a special screening of Andrew Durham’s award-winning film “Fairyland” on Saturday, featuring a post-show talkback with some of Atlanta’s longtime LGBTQ+ activists. Check out Collin Kelley’s rundown of the evening here.

 Japanese actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, known for his roles in the film “Mortal Kombat” and the television series “The Man in the High Castle,” has passed away at the age of 75.

This week’s newsletter includes a closer look into the new Atlanta-based podcast “Atlanta Is…,” which will release its last episode next week. We’ve also got a review of the new Chloé Zhao film “Hamnet,” and a new edition of Spotlight. Plus, what’s coming to the movies this week and some reading and listening recommendations for your lunch break. 

Thanks for reading!
Sammie

‘Atlanta Is…’ podcast dives into what makes the city unique

Peters Street. Morris Brown. Club 559. For any local who knows their stuff, all of these names are synonymous with Atlanta. And the new podcast “Atlanta Is…” is diving deeper into the institutions, art, and culture that make Atlanta unique.

The podcast, produced by Will Packer Productions and Complex, features eight episodes that spotlight the stories behind Atlanta’s music scene, politics, film, religion, and more. To help decide what those stories should be, the production team brought in a trio of experts.

Jewel Wicker, Maurice Garland, and Christina Lee serve as hosts of the podcast,  tasked with figuring out just how those eight episodes should be divided up. With seven of the eight episodes already out (the final one drops Dec. 17), the trio has covered everything from the influence of Atlanta’s Black churches on the rest of the world to the city’s status as a Mecca for Black businesses.

 Learn more about the podcast here.

Celebrate the Season with Wonder at Fernbank Museum

SPONSORED BY FERNBANK MEMBERSHIP

Looking for the perfect gift?

Something that sparks joy, incites hugs, induces smiles, and warms the heart? Share a year of exploration with a Fernbank Membership—unlimited daytime general admission to exhibits, films, and nature adventures.

Members enjoy 75 acres of outdoor fun in WildWoods and Fernbank Forest, plus three floors of hands-on science exhibits indoors. Seasonal activities, canopy walks, and nature play areas await.

And don’t forget: Fernbank is unveiling new museum experiences over the next two years, starting with “Our Place in the Cosmos” in late 2025.

 Look for our Holiday 2025 sale running Dec. 18-25, 2025.

‘Hamnet’ and the act of creation as communion

WEEKLY FILM REVIEW

From the moment Agnes (Jessie Buckley) and Will (Paul Mescal) – more commonly known as William Shakespeare – first meet, a particular dynamic arises. Her emotions come easy, raw, and unfiltered, while he finds it necessary to process his through art.

“Hamnet,” Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel of the same name, dramatizes that dynamic in connection with the death of the couple’s 11-year-old son Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe), which in turn inspires perhaps Shakespeare’s most famous play, “Hamlet.” (The film begins by telling us that those two names would have been interchangeable at the time.)

While a bit clunky in its narrative setup, “Hamnet” slowly nestles into your heart, evolving into a beautifully considered meditation on art and legacy, but not necessarily in the way you expect a movie that’s, at least in part, about William Shakespeare to be. Although “Hamnet” is unmistakably about grief, it feels trite to pin its considerations down to just the process of dealing with unimaginable loss. Instead, “Hamnet” is also about the pain and joy of creation, both in parenthood and art. It’s about two people in a constant dance with each other and the world, reckoning with their pasts in an attempt to build something stronger together. 

 Read my full review here.

At the Movies!

If you’re looking for a movie to see in theaters this week, here’s what you’ve got to look forward to!

Movies releasing this weekend:
 “Ella McCay” (pictured)
 “Dust Bunny”
 “Lone Samurai”
 “F*ck My Son!”
 “Cactus Pears”
 “Silent Night, Deadly Night”
 “You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine”
 “La Grazia”
 “Dick Van Dyke 100th Celebration”

Special Events:
 “Safe” in 4K @ The Plaza (Friday-Monday)
 “The Nightmare Before Christmas” @ The Plaza (Saturday-Wednesday)
 “Gremlins” Double Feature @ The Plaza (Saturday)
Soul Cinema Sunday: “The Wiz” @ The Plaza (Sunday)
 “Brazil” Director’s Cut in 4K @ The Plaza (Sunday-Wednesday)
 “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” @ The Tara (Friday-Thursday)
 Cineprov: “Die Hard” @ The Tara (Saturday)
 “The Lion in Winter” @ The Tara (Saturday-Tuesday)
 “The Shining” @ Multiple Theaters (Friday-Wednesday)
 “Sense and Sensibility” 30th Anniversary @ Multiple Theaters (Sunday-Wednesday)

Spotlight: Benicio del Toro in ‘One Battle After Another’

My favorite section of Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” is the part that involves Sensei Sergio St. Carlos (Benicio del Toro), and his “Latino Harriet Tubman situation.”

When the authorities crack down on the sanctuary city where our main characters live, Sensei works to smuggle immigrants out of the city via a hidden passageway (hence the Harriet Tubman reference). The sequence is the film’s most electric, the camera following Sensei and the hapless Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio) through an ever-expanding network of hallways and rooms, each hiding another person under Sensei’s care.

The reason this sequence, to be frank, rocks so damn hard is that it’s quietly getting at one of the main themes of the film — the importance of community within the context of a revolution. DiCaprio’s Bob isolates himself from the rest of the world. He did this when he was with the far-left group, The French 75, and he does so now that that part of his life is over. In contrast, Sensei knows everybody in town. As the sequence unfolds, it’s clear he has made a point to make himself an integral part of this community, gaining trust from even its most vulnerable members – and even from Bob and his daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti), who don’t trust anyone.

That’s in the text, but so much of the reason the audience believes in Sensei is due to del Toro’s performance. He’s always had an edge of cool about him, and here he uses it to great effect. He glides through rooms, calm and collected, but with purpose, a foil to Bob’s stumbling, zig-zagging gait. Sensei is funny, but content for those in authority to mistake him for silly – his little dance upon being caught by the cops (pictured above) betrays just enough goofiness so that he’s not taken seriously, and so that he can continue to scoot by unnoticed. But somehow, del Toro is able to imbue a guy who necessarily has to fly under the radar with so much raw power. It’s that Clint Eastwood kind of power – the kind where he doesn’t have to raise his voice to command attention, or deliver an order. The people who know him – and he makes sure his community knows him – would never mistake his good nature for guilelessness. He always has a plan. 

Lights, Camera, Action!

Speaking of “One Battle After Another,” I really love this piece about the movie from critic Angelica Jade Bastién. Since the film’s release, there’s been a lot of chatter about its handling of Black female characters, and I think Bastién does a great job at exploring those issues with nuance – celebrating the complicated characters at the center of the story and giving kudos to the amazing actresses who play them, all while considering where Anderson’s script might have fallen short. 

When the Golden Globes nominations came out, who else could I turn to but my old trusty prognosticators at the “Little Gold Men” podcast? Take a listen to this recent episode where they talk about the biggest snubs and surprises. 

Kristen Stewart made headlines this week for breaking down her issues with how some actors (namely, men) approach The Method, and the art of acting in itself. That was only a small bit of an interview she recently did with David Marchese of the New York Times, talking about her directorial debut, “The Chronology of Water.” You can read the whole thing – light Marlon Brando shade included – here. 

Today’s Scene was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.

The post 💗 ‘Hamnet’ has heart appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Tucker’d out and it’s only December 12

Dec. 13 — It’s Cathy from Rough Draft with my weekly newsletter on Tucker. Holiday fatigue is apparently a thing, which is sort of crazy when this is supposed to be the “hap-hap-happiest season of all.” Apparently, it has something to do with FOMO, sugar, lack of sleep, and weather. Check, check, check, and check.

But we aren’t here to complain. We’re here to give you a little news about Tucker, and then move on to eating more sugar, sleeping less, and trying to be in two places at one time.

 Let’s get on with the news,
Cathy and Stephanie

A send-off for Auman

Tucker’s final 2025 city council meeting served as an homage to Mayor Frank Auman, who will soon end his tenure as the city’s first mayor. 

A reception, a proclamation granting Auman a key to the city, and several tributes were sprinkled through the evening’s traditional council meeting.

One such tribute came from Allyson Gevertz, DeKalb County Board of Education’s vice chair and District 4 representative, who recalled meeting Auman in 2015 when he was laying the groundwork for Tucker’s cityhood bid.

“I knew at the time that you were amazing and that the grassroots effort with Tucker was going to make Tucker the best city in DeKalb, the best city in Georgia, and you’ve done it,” she said. “I mean, your leadership, it’s been amazing…You have worked with six superintendents at DeKalb County Schools. You have been so patient with us.”

  Here is Stephanie’s story

Celebrate the Season with Wonder at Fernbank Museum

SPONSORED BY FERNBANK MEMBERSHIP

Looking for the perfect gift?

Something that sparks joy, incites hugs, induces smiles, and warms the heart? Share a year of exploration with a Fernbank Membership—unlimited daytime general admission to exhibits, films, and nature adventures.

Members enjoy 75 acres of outdoor fun in WildWoods and Fernbank Forest, plus three floors of hands-on science exhibits indoors. Seasonal activities, canopy walks, and nature play areas await.

And don’t forget: Fernbank is unveiling new museum experiences over the next two years, starting with Our Place in the Cosmos in late 2025.

 Look for our Holiday 2025 sale running Dec. 18-25, 2025.

Swinson investigation has wrapped up, but …..?

The DeKalb County Internal Affairs Unit has completed its investigation into an incident involving a DeKalb County Police Department officer and a trans woman at Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library.

The officer, who has been identified as Officer GA Weaver, was issued violations regarding professional image, body-worn camera, off-duty employment, and duty to read/understand/comply with orders, according to a memo from DeKalb County Police Sgt. Joel T. Marshall. The internal affairs department, Marshall notes in the memo, is an administrative fact-finding unit that is “not involved with any disciplinary action.”

The investigation report has been placed in Weaver’s employee file, according to the memo. Whether putting a piece of paper into someone’s file can be seen as making a meaningful change is unknown.

 Read more about it here.

Holiday help X6

Spreading holiday cheer doesn’t have to end with your own friends and family.

After you’ve trimmed the tree and cleared the Amazon shopping cart, there’s an array of ways to become a Tucker family’s Secret Santa through donations of your time or resources.

From toy giveaways to volunteering, Tucker’s nonprofits, government agencies, and local businesses are ensuring all Tucker families feel the love this Christmas season.

6⃣  Here are six ways you can make an impact in your town.

Santa arrives in Tucker

 Tucker Parks and Recreation kicked off the city’s North Pole at Tucker on Saturday, Dec. 6, the first official event at the recently opened Tucker Town Green.

The hot chocolate was flowing throughout the nippy night, with temperatures dipping into the low 30s as the Christmas tree and menorah were lit that night. The evening also featured a visit from Santa and a Christmas Train, which remained in motion for most of the night. Which is kind of what everyone needed to do to prevent frostbite.

 Here’s a recap of the night.

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The post 😜 Christmas crazy appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Celebrating 20 years

Dec. 12 — Rough Draft is celebrating Sandy Springs’ 20th anniversary with a special edition of the Sandy Springs Reporter. You can find a copy of the print issue at many of your favorite Sandy Springs businesses, or check out the electronic version here. We are also featuring articles from the anniversary issue in our weekly newsletter over the next several weeks, starting today.

But first, here are some local headlines…

 Atlanta News First reports a Sandy Springs man has been arrested and charged with racketeering in a drug trafficking investigation after the GBI seized more than 400 pounds of suspected marijuana and other items earlier this month.

 Sandy Springs resident Kate Stice Stewart was on ABC’s “Shark Tank” this week hoping to get an investor for her Bauble Stockings. Find out how she did.

 El Azteca is celebrating 45 years on Roswell Road, and this Mexican restaurant staple is still going strong.

 Lauderhill’s Fine Jewelry is a family-owned business that has served Sandy Springs residents for more than 43 years. Read more about its history. 

SANDY SPRINGS SNAPSHOT: Young participants in last weekend’s Sparkle Sandy Springs annual parade.

 We would love to hear your thoughts on topics you would like us to include in your weekly Sandy Springs newsletter.

Thanks for reading!
The Rough Draft team

 Join Brendan Murphy, Director of the Bearing Witness Institute, for a three-part series exploring Jewish–Christian relations—from early antisemitism to the Holocaust and modern reconciliation. Featuring survivor George Rishfeld, this program deepens understanding and strengthens our shared moral responsibility. SPONSOR MESSAGE

Sandy Springs @ 20

SPONSORED BYMWT WINDOWS

 Sandy Springs’ long journey to cityhood: Businessman, author, and entrepreneur Oliver Porter played an instrumental role in the lobbying, cityhood, and structure of Sandy Springs’ city government more than two decades ago.

Located just north of the Perimeter, Sandy Springs has roots dating back to the 1800s when Native Americans frequented the area’s bubbling springs. Known as one of the first cities to follow a public-private partnership model, today the city boasts a population of 106,000, 950 acres of parks and green space, and a bustling arts-and-dining scene.

Porter was front and center when Eva Galambos, known as the mother of Sandy Springs, Tibby DeJulio (later a city council member), Leadership Perimeter’s Carolyn Axt, and others led a drive to the Georgia State Capitol with the idea that they could be better served as their own entity.

 Read more about Sandy Springs’ journey to becoming a city.

ALSO

 Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, who was recently elected to his fourth term, shares his plans to build on the momentum he helped create for the city.

 Check out our website for more stories on Sandy Springs celebrating 20 years.

Online coverage of Sandy Springs @ 20 is sponsored byMWT Windows.Get a free consultation today!

Join our January–February series on the history of Jewish–Christian relations

SPONSORED BY BEARING WITNESS INSTITUTE AT MARIST SCHOOL

From the roots of Christian antisemitism to the horrors of the Holocaust and the hopeful pathways of reconciliation today, participants will explore this complex story with clarity and compassion. The series includes an in-depth historical overview, a focused session on the Holocaust, and a moving testimony from survivor George Rishfeld.

 All are welcome to deepen understanding and strengthen interfaith commitment.

GDOT opens new lane to ease traffic on I-285 westbound in Sandy Springs

 Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) opened a new auxiliary lane on I-285 westbound between Roswell Road and Riverside Drive this week.

Drivers now have six travel lanes in operation between the Roswell Road on-ramp and Riverside Drive off-ramp. According to a news release, the auxiliary lane will help motorists merge more safely and reduce conflict points. It is expected to enhance traffic flow and improve operations on the I-285 general-purpose lanes.

The new lane is part of the larger I-285 Westbound Auxiliary Lane Extension project.

 Read more about the project.

Beloved Peachtree Yoga teacher retires

 On Dec. 11, Elizabeth Nix Smith, who was one of the first instructors at Peachtree Yoga Center in Sandy Springs, wished her students “blessings and love – namaste” for the last time.

Smith, whose gentle self-deprecating humor and ability to make yoga a comfortable and accessible practice for all – no matter their skill level – said it’s time for her to make room for the future generation of teachers.

“I’m ready to step aside from teaching and let the new crop of instructors to come through,” Smith said. “I’m stepping away from teaching, but not who I have become during these last 30 years.”

 Read more about Smith’s journey.

 Join Brendan Murphy, Director of the Bearing Witness Institute, for a three-part series exploring Jewish–Christian relations—from early antisemitism to the Holocaust and modern reconciliation. Featuring survivor George Rishfeld, this program deepens understanding and strengthens our shared moral responsibility. SPONSOR MESSAGE

What’s doin’ around Sandy Springs

 Dec. 12:Holiday Hoops Challenge at Sandy Springs Middle School

 Dec. 12:The Wizard of Oz at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center

 Dec. 13:Minis & Mimosas Brunch Paint & Sip at Battle & Brew (Also Dec. 27)

 Dec. 13: Center for Movement Challenges annual holiday party

 Dec. 13: Dunwoody Community Church Christmas Music Concert

 Dec. 14:Pitmaster Santa Toy Drive at Pontoon Brewing Company

 Dec. 14:The Music Class Holiday Ball at Temple Emanu-El

 Dec. 19:Hanukkah Latke Dinner & Hanukiyah Lighting at Congregation Or Hadash

 Add your event to our free, online event calendar.

The Sports Section

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCORE ATLANTA

 BOYS BASKETBALL

• Holy Innocents’ (7-2): Saturday vs. Campbell (3-1)
• Lovett (6-2): Friday vs. Cherokee Bluff (5-1); Saturday vs. South Gwinnett (5-3)
• Mt. Vernon (9-0): Monday vs. Marietta (4-3)
• North Springs (1-8): Friday vs. Lithonia (4-6); Saturday vs. Fellowship Christian (3-6)
• Pace Academy (2-4): Friday vs. Midtown (4-3); Saturday @ Westminster (7-0)
• Riverwood (2-6): Friday @ Creekview (4-5); Saturday vs. West Forsyth (5-2)
• Westminster (7-0): Friday @ Wesleyan (3-4); Saturday vs. Pace Academy (2-4)

 GIRLS BASKETBALL

• Holy Innocents’ (4-3): Saturday vs. Milton (5-0)
• Lovett (5-3): Dec. 19 vs. Rumson-Fair Haven, NJ. (N/A)
• Mt. Vernon (0-6): Friday @ Chapel Hill (10-0)
• North Springs (0-6): Friday vs. Lithonia (5-4); Saturday vs. Fellowship Christian (7-2)
• Pace Academy (2-2): Friday vs. Midtown (4-2); Saturday @ Westminster (6-2)
• Riverwood (3-7): Friday @ Creekview (8-1)
• Westminster (6-2): Saturday vs. Pace Academy (2-2)

The post 🥳 Sandy Springs @ 20 appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Friday for all

Dec. 12 — Time Magazine named the “Architects of AI” its 2025 Person of the Year, saying this was the year artificial intelligence fully broke into mainstream life, reshaping work, wealth, geopolitics, and daily routines, with no real option to slow down or opt out. The magazine’s tradition dates back to 1927, when aviator Charles Lindbergh was recognized.

Sunny and warmer today with a high of 61°. The weekend is looking like more of the same, but temperatures will plunge into the 20s on Sunday night.

Economists have offered a “sobering” forecast for 2026, marking the second consecutive year of slowed growth across the U.S. and Georgia.

DeKalb County Schools officials will meet with principals concerning ICE raids after community members voiced concerns about immigration protocols.

The Fulton County Commission rejected Commissioner Dana Barrett’s $1 million women’s health grant funding proposal during its December meeting.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens appointed Marquetta J. Bryan as city attorney and Vanessa Manley as executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services.

The AJC’s immersive “Headline House” pop-up is at Krog Street Market today through Sunday, featuring marquee conversations, multimedia installations, and food.

ELSEWHERE

Indiana’s GOP-controlled Senate rejected a congressional map that would have dismantled the state’s two Democratic districts, rebuffing intense pressure from the president. 

 The U.S. Senate on Thursday rejected a pair of competing healthcare bills as tax credits are set to end Dec. 31, and trigger big premium hikes for millions of Americans.

Tourists from 42 countries would have to submit five years of social media history to enter the U.S. under a new plan proposed by the White House.

Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:

• Dining out for Christmas• Movie Review: ‘Hamnet’ 

• Sandy Springs @ 20

• The Sports Section

AND 

• Top Stories of the Week 

Have a good weekend!

Sudden orthopedic need? Get fast, free care from Peachtree Orthopedics. Chat instantly with a live clinician via AskORTHO from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Get injury guidance, next steps, and expert support from Atlanta’s trusted orthopedic team. Learn more and Get Better. SPONSOR MESSAGE

1. Atlanta restaurants offering dine-in and takeout for Christmas

Planning to dine out on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Several restaurants around Atlanta will serve special holiday menus on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For people gathering at home, let a local restaurant do the cooking, from just the entrees to whole family feasts.

Check out OpenTable and Resy for more comprehensive lists of metro Atlanta restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Read more here.

Wrap Up a Year Full of Surprises  

SPONSORED BY FERNBANK MEMBERSHIP

Looking for a meaningful gift?

A Fernbank Membership offers a full year of discovery with unlimited daytime general admission to exhibits, films, and outdoor adventures.

 It’s a gift that inspires curiosity and connection. Members explore 75 acres of nature in WildWoods and Fernbank Forest, featuring seasonal programs, canopy walks, and a nature play area – plus three floors of immersive science exhibits indoors.

And exciting news: Fernbank is launching new museum experiences soon, beginning with “Our Place in the Cosmos“ in late 2025. 

Look for our Holiday 2025 sale running Dec. 18-25.

2. ‘Hamnet’ and the act of creation as communion

WEEKLY FILM REVIEW | BY SAMMIE PURCELL

From the moment Agnes (Jessie Buckley) and Will (Paul Mescal) – more commonly known as William Shakespeare – first meet, a particular dynamic arises. Her emotions come easy, raw, and unfiltered, while he finds it necessary to process his through art.

“Hamnet,” Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel of the same name, dramatizes that dynamic in connection with the death of the couple’s 11-year-old son Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe), which in turn inspires perhaps Shakespeare’s most famous play, “Hamlet.” (The film begins by telling us that those two names would have been interchangeable at the time.)

While a bit clunky in its narrative setup, “Hamnet” slowly nestles into your heart, evolving into a beautifully considered meditation on art and legacy, but not necessarily in the way you expect a movie that’s, at least in part, about William Shakespeare, to be. Although “Hamnet” is unmistakably about grief, it feels trite to pin its considerations down to just the process of dealing with unimaginable loss. Instead, “Hamnet” is also about the pain and joy of creation, both in parenthood and art. It’s about two people in a constant dance with each other and the world, reckoning with their pasts in an attempt to build something stronger together. 

Read Sammie’s full review here.

Stay in the picture with Scene by Rough Draft, our weekly newsletter about Georgia’s film industry. Subscribe for free.

3. Sandy Springs @ 20: Founders look back

SPONSORED BY MWT WINDOWS

 As Sandy Springs celebrates its 20th anniversary, Rough Draft Atlanta has compiled a series of stories celebrating its journey and looking towards the future.

Today, we hear from Sandy Springs Reporter founder Steve Levene on why local journalism remains important, and city founders remember Eva Galambos (pictured), the mother and inaugural mayor of Sandy Springs.

Online coverage of Sandy Springs @ 20 is sponsored by MWT Windows. Get a free consultation today!

4. Falcons win; GHSA Football Championships

BY SAMANTHA GARDELLA | SPONSORED BY NYO

Days after they were formally eliminated from the playoffs, the Falcons engineered a late comeback to beat the Buccaneers 29-28, capped by Kirk Cousins’ three-TD night and a walk-off field goal.

The Hawks are in Detroit tonight for a 6 p.m. game followed by a home game against Philadelphia on Sunday at 6 p.m. (FanDuel Sports; 92.9 FM).

Atlanta United signed Santiago Pita to a Homegrown contract for the 2026 season, with club options through 2029. 

 A group of European football fans has accused FIFA of betraying World Cup traditions after ticket prices for group matches up to $700 and finals nearing $9,000, far above earlier promises of affordable seats.

Here is the latest update on local college football playoffs:

• No. 3 Georgia’s next game is the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.
• Georgia Tech is heading to the Pop-Tarts Bowl against BYU on Dec. 27.
• Kennesaw State plays in the Myrtle Beach Bowl against Western Michigan on Dec. 19.

Here are this weekend’s local college basketball games:

• Georgia men are playing in the Holiday Hoopsgiving against Cincinnati at State Farm Arena tomorrow at 2 p.m. (ESPNU).
• Georgia women host North Carolina A&T on Monday at 11 a.m. (ESPN; 92.9).
• Georgia Tech women @ Wake Forest on Sunday at 2 p.m. (ACC Network Extra; 93.7 FM).
• Georgia Tech men host Marist on Tuesday at 7 p.m. (ACC Network Extra, 93.7 FM).
• Georgia State women host local rival Kennesaw State on Sunday at 2 p.m. (97.5 FM).
• Georgia State men host Jacksonville State tomorrow at 2 p.m. (97.5 FM).
• Morehouse @ Lane College at 4 p.m.

 Here is an overview of the Georgia High School Football Championship games set for Dec. 15-17 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:

• Class 6A: Buford vs Carrollton
• Class 5A: Gainesville vs Thomas County Central
• Class 4A: Creekside vs Benedictine
• Class 3A: Jefferson vs Sandy Creek
• Class 2A: Hapeville Charter vs Carter
• Class A Div I: Toombs County vs Worth County
• Class A Div. II: Bowden vs Lincoln County
• Class Private: Calvary Day vs Hebron Christian

The GHSA lifted the postseason ban it placed on Brunswick High School after their head coach, Garrett Grady, stepped down earlier this week. 

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Greene County High School football coach Darius Terrell Robinson was arrested and accused of assaulting multiple players.

Indulge your sweet tooth at Livable Buckhead’s Hot Chocolate Crawl this Sat., Dec. 13! Enjoy hot chocolate and specialty cocktails while strolling through Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, and Peachtree Road. Local musicians and visits from Santa add to the festive fun. Admission is free!

SPONSOR MESSAGE

5. Top stories of the Week

A look back at this week’s most-read stories from our website. Follow @RoughDraftATL on Instagram for regular updates.

① Raffensperger announces full-scale investigation of worker accused of scanning multiple ballots

② New lane to open on I-285 westbound to ease traffic flow

③ DeKalb board votes to name expanded Dunwoody High School stadium after Ryan Seacrest and his family (pictured)

④ After 45 years on Roswell Road, El Azteca is all in on Sandy Springs

⑤ Democrat Eric Gisler wins in Northeast Georgia House special election

Indulge your sweet tooth at Livable Buckhead’s Hot Chocolate Crawl this Sat., Dec. 13! Enjoy hot chocolate and specialty cocktails while strolling through Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza and Peachtree Road. Local musicians and visits from Santa add to the festive fun. Admission is free! SPONSOR MESSAGE

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