Out with one month, in with another. As the semester really kicks into gear — can you feel it yet? — we are all striving to balance schoolwork and leisure time. If you do get a moment to catch your breath, consider checking out some of the media on this week’s list, brought to you by the Arts and Entertainment section. Whether you’re looking for a thought-provoking documentary or a soul album to unwind to, we have a variety of choices for everyone.
This week is a particularly exciting one for film, with the release of the long-awaited second Joker movie. As theaters begin to skew toward horror movies in preparation for Halloween, so does the book industry, with Model Home putting a spin on the haunted house trope. If scary stories aren’t your thing, there is also an interesting documentary about the American food industry set to be released on Wednesday.
As always, watch out for exciting live events on and around Homewood Campus. This week, there will be musical performances and presentations at the Peabody Library as well as in Shriver Hall as part of their concert series. If you get a chance, don’t miss out on these inspiring events!
Please enjoy our picks for this week. We hope you find something you’d like to check out!
To watch...
Food and Country, directed by Laura Gabbert — Oct. 2
Food and Country is an upcoming documentary that follows celebrated food writer Ruth Reichl as she investigates the American food industry. Shedding light on the struggles of American farmers, ranchers and chefs amidst a rapidly changing landscape, the documentary will deliver a compelling look into the nation’s food system.
Joker: Folie à Deux, directed by Todd Phillips — Oct. 4
In this much-anticipated sequel, Arthur Fleck (Joker) and Harley Quinn navigate a tumultuous relationship amidst Gotham City’s descent into madness. The film blends psychological intensity with romance, offering a twist on the DC Comics universe. Joaquin Phoenix reprises his Oscar-winning role while Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Quinn promises a fresh dynamic.
Things Will Be Different, directed by Michael Felker — Oct. 4
Combining horror with science fiction, this film tells the story of two estranged siblings and a farmhouse tucked outside of time. After escaping to the house to hide from the police, Sidney and Joseph must face an impending evil which tests their family bonds.
To read...
The Mighty Red, by Louise Erdrich — Oct. 1
Set in North Dakota’s Red River Valley, this book tells the story of a rural community grappling with the challenges of modern agriculture. With its rich blend of natural forces, love and personal struggles, the novel continues Erdrich’s exploration of small-town America.
Model Home, by Rivers Solomon — Oct. 1
In a reimagination of the haunted-house genre, Model Home follows three siblings who return to the suburban enclave outside Dallas where they were raised following their parents’ death. Together they confront dark secrets and racial tensions in a blending of supernatural elements and the realities of segregation. Offering a profound commentary on identity and trauma, Solomon pushes the boundaries of contemporary fiction with this release.
The Message, by Ta-Nehisi Coates — Oct. 1
This collection of essays takes readers on a powerful journey through three distinct locations: Senegal, South Carolina and Palestine. Coates delves into the world of storytelling and myth-making, exploring how narratives can shape and distort our understanding of the world — especially in times of discord.
To listen...
Got a Story To Tell, by Thee Sacred Souls — Oct. 4
Set to be released on Friday, Got a Story To Tell marks the second major album of Thee Sacred Souls. Having brought us warm love songs like “Can I Call You Rose?” and “Will I See You Again?”, the modern soul band prepares to explore personal and social themes in their new album while continuing their classic, heartfelt sound.
For Cryin’ Out Loud! by Finneas — Oct. 4
For the highly-anticipated follow-up to his first studio album, Finneas plans to showcase his evolution as an artist through a more collaborative studio approach. Featuring tracks like “Cleats,” with its bubbly electric guitar and easy melody, For Cryin’ Out Loud promises a variation in Finneas’s musical work.
Live events...
“Flee North” book talk at the Homewood Museum — Oct. 1, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Author and journalist Scott Shane will appear at the Homewood Museum to discuss his new book, Flee North: A Forgotten Hero and the Fight for Freedom in Slavery's Borderland. The story, which takes place in Maryland, follows a slave named Thomas Smallwood, who buys his freedom and moves to the North to become a shoemaker and journalist. As Shane discovered, Smallwood gave the underground railroad its name and was deeply involved in helping others escape from the slave trade, which was booming in Baltimore at the time. Tickets are $5 for students; registration is required.
Isata Kanneh-Mason at Shriver Hall — Oct. 6, 5:30 p.m.
To continue the musical performances of the Shriver Hall Concert Series, British pianist Kanneh-Mason will present a solo performance. Taking listeners on an emotional journey, she will play a work by Franz Joseph Haydn as well as Frédéric Chopin’s final sonata. Registration is required, and tickets vary in price. Hurry before they are sold out!
In the Stacks: Seasons of the Witch at the George Peabody Library — Oct. 3, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Soprano Mandy Brown and pianist Tatiana Loisha will perform a duet that draws inspiration from the Peabody Library’s rare book collection about witches and witchcraft. This event will also feature talks on the history of herbal medicine and the persecution of women who practiced it. The book collection will be on display for one night only! The event is free and registration is required.
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