Welcome to December! This time of year boasts an excellent line-up in the art world, with holiday-themed releases close on the horizon. The last week of classes is finally upon us, so be sure to take this time to curl up with a little something before final exams hit.
In film, Oscars hopefuls such as The Whale and Empire of Light are finally finding their way into theaters. Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio is set to stream on Netflix this week, and the six-part TV series George & Tammy will premiere on Showtime.
In books, Jack Ryan is back in the crime thriller Tom Clancy Red Winter. For those looking for suspense of a different kind, The Ingenue: A Novel tells a mother-daughter tale of intrigue. On the other hand, The Light Pirate offers a sweeping story of survival in a disintegrating world.
In music, German singer Nina Hagen releases her first album in 11 years, titled Unity. Enjoy!
To watch…
George & Tammy, created by Abe Sylvia — Dec. 4
The series chronicles the lives and love story of the king and queen of country music, Tammy Wynette (Jessica Chastain) and George Jones (Michael Shannon).
The Whale, directed by Darren Aronofsky — Dec. 9
Coming off an acclaimed reception at the Venice Film Festival, this drama tells of a severely obese gay teacher (Brendan Fraser) attempting to reconnect with his daughter (Sadie Sink).
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, directed by Guillermo del Toro — Dec. 9
Oscar-winner del Toro retells the classic tale of Pinocchio with a musical realized through stop-motion animation.
Empire of Light, directed by Sam Mendes — Dec. 9
Set in the turbulent 1980s, this romantic drama follows a cinema manager (Olivia Colman) and her new employee (Micheal Ward) as they fall in love surrounded by the magic of cinema.
To read…
The Light Pirate, by Lily Brooks-Dalton — Dec. 6
In a disaster-ridden Florida, a woman gives birth to an unusual child amid a coming hurricane, as the story follows her child’s coming of age in a collapsing society.
Tom Clancy Red Winter, by Marc Cameron — Dec. 6
Legendary Central Intelligence Agency analyst Jack Ryan must go behind the Berlin Wall to investigate a possible Soviet defector in this harrowing adventure.
The Ingenue: A Novel, by Rachel Kapelke-Dale — Dec. 6
When the mother of piano prodigy Saskia dies, leaving the family estate to another man, she must dig deep into her dark family history to find the answers she seeks.
To listen…
Unity, by Nina Hagen — Dec. 9
Punk pop sensation Hagen surprises with her latest album, featuring the title track “Unity” inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.
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