Hello and welcome! As we enter into the week of fall break, I hope each of you feels a slight release from the pressures of midterms. For your moment of free time, late night creative curiosities or general interest in the local arts scene, the Arts & Entertainment section is here with a list of media to inspire and satiate you. As always, we hope you enjoy our picks for the week and check some of them out!
This week will see a slough of great films released in theaters, from romances (starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield!) to surreal fantasies and horror-thrillers in time for the Halloween season. Ari Aster — the director of Midsommar and Hereditary — has executive-produced a political horror that seems to recall Wes Anderson and Jordan Peele set to be released on Friday. Kensuke’s Kingdom will provide a moving family watch, animated in a sweet style unlike any other studio I’ve seen.
Neither is there a shortage of exciting happenings in the worlds of books and music. Al Pacino will publish his long-awaited memoir, detailing his time as a young creative in New York City. Indie musician Jordana will release an EP with a fun, Lisa Frank-esque looking cover. Here is our selection to keep an eye out for this week. Please enjoy!
To watch…
Rumours, directed by Evan Johnson — Oct. 18
In this surreal satire horror-comedy, the leaders of the world’s seven wealthiest democracies get together in the woods to discuss global crisis. As night falls, zombies and other horrors descend upon the group. Executive-produced by Ari Aster who brought us twisted films like Midsommar and Hereditary, Rumours promises to be another delightfully uncanny production imbued with societal commentary.
We Live in Time, directed by John Crowley — Oct. 18
Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield starring together in a deeply moving romantic drama — who could resist? In We Live in Time, Pugh plays a chef who is initially averse to the idea of a heteronormative marriage, while Garfield plays a recent divorcee who is sure that he wants children. When the two meet in an unlikely encounter, they begin a decades-long love story which is constantly restricted by time running out. As Pugh puts it in an interview with Vanity Fair, this A24 film should be “one of those movies that will matter to a lot of people, and will live for a long time.”
Kensuke’s Kingdom, directed by Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry — Oct. 18
This sweet animated film tells a classic castaway story: A young boy is separated from his family during a sea storm then washes up on an island beach. Soon, he discovers that he is not alone, and his surroundings hold wonders and dangers he had never known before. Featuring Cillian Murphy and introducing Aaron MacGregor, Kensuke’s Kingdom will be released on Friday.
Smile 2, directed by Parker Finn — Oct. 18
Following up the first Smile movie, director Finn brings us an all-new expansion on the terrifying premise introduced two years ago. In this sequel, a global pop superstar is followed by an increasingly sinister series of events that threaten to unravel her. In theaters this Friday, this movie should be the perfect unnerving watch for your horror-seeking needs.
To read...
Sonny Boy, by Al Pacino — Oct. 15
A legend in popular culture, Pacino is known for his performances in The Godfather movies as well as in Serpico and Dog Day Afternoon. Pacino’s masculine stage presence and artistic spirit left an indelible mark on the creative world, and he returns now with a memoir equally rich and influential. As Pacino recounts his early days living in New York and his later career, he reveals a life which was both unpredictably loose and constantly driven towards one goal: his craft.
Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions, by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey — Oct. 15
This nonfiction collaboration exposes the American criminal justice system, laying bare its underbelly of wrongful conviction. Despite our promise to uphold the principle of “innocent until proven guilty,” Grisham and McCloskey’s meticulous research shows that oftentimes, a presumption of guilt guides the legal system with an iron grip. Told through 10 true stories, Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions uncovers a gripping reality that is seldom explored.
Polostan, by Neal Stephenson — Oct. 15
Blending historical fiction with science fiction, Stephenson’s new book follows a girl named Dawn as she navigates the thorny political world of the 1930s. Raised in the Russian Revolution before moving to the United States, Dawn becomes involved in dangerous missions in Washington, D.C. When a shocking truth about her past is revealed, Dawn returns to Russia to become a spy.
To listen...
Lively Premonition, by Jordana — Oct. 18
You may know Jordana from their popular collaboration with TV Girl this summer, which brought us tracks like “Better in the Dark” and “Summer’s Over.” On Friday, the indie artist will return with an album of their own. Featuring rejuvenating melodies and a wide range of instruments, Lively Premonition will bring just the right amount of sweetness and liveliness to your October listening.
Cunningham Bird, by Andrew Bird and Madison Cunningham — Oct. 18
In this collaborative album, folk instrumentals blend together with lively vocals. Tracks like “Crying in the Night” fuse Andrew Bird’s deft violin skills with Madison Cunningham’s guitar and harmonizing vocals. Others, like “Crystal,” have segments which are essentially stripped bare to just the melody. This is a creative and soothing listen that you should definitely check out.
Live events...
October Art Around Hampden in Hampden — Oct. 17 from 5–8 p.m.
Take a walk over to Hampden this coming Thursday to sample the local venues! There will be lots of art at Hampden’s various galleries as well as food and live music. This is the perfect chance to get a taste of some nearby community charm in the spirit of October. The event is free and no registration is required, though there will be vendors.
“Shot in the Arm”: Film Screening and Dialogue at Shriver Hall — Oct. 16 from 5–7:30 p.m.
Hosted by the Undergraduate Public Health Studies Program, this event will show a documentary film which centers on vaccine hesitation with the recent pandemic as its backdrop. After the screening, the filmmaker will join public health experts in a discussion about the value of scientific literacy and public health safety in the prevention of sickness and misinformation. This event is free, but please register in advance.
Peabody Computer Music Department Recital at Joe Byrd Hall — Oct. 16 from 6–8 p.m.
Ever wanted to experience a computer-synthesized concert? You can listen to one composed by the Peabody Institute’s talented musicians this coming Wednesday at the Joe Byrd Hall. The event is free; no tickets are required.
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