Welcome to Culture Hound, InsideHook’s deep dive into the month’s most important cultural happenings, pop and otherwise.
WATCH: Thor: Ragnarok
The Norse god (minus his hammer) tries to prevent the end of Asgard with help from a rogues gallery of heroes … including the Hulk. Directed by Kiwi up-and-comer Taika Waititi (What We Do In the Shadows, Hunt for the
ENJOY (NSFW):
An artistic mix of architecture and erotic photography by Brooklyn artist Giulia, who crafts “brazenly-feminine digital collages” on Instagram.
EXPLORE: Yayoi Kusama’s Festival of Life
David Zwirner presents two major exhibitions from the pivotal Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, in the Chelsea and Upper East Side galleries. Expect artful transcendence via sixty-six utopian paintings from My Eternal Soul, an iconic polka-dotted atmosphere, two Infinity Mirror Rooms, Infinity Nets paintings, large-scale flowers and a feverish slew of recaps flooding through Instagram. (Nov. 2 – Dec. 16)
CHUCKLE: Paul Ryan
An almost 200-page McSweeney’s/ClickHole-worthy parody of the House Speaker, “refracted through an absurd prism of magazine hell.” Each article parodies a different genre or glossy magazine. Bonus: Get a photo of Paul Ryan with the actual Paul Ryan, and you’ll win a cheese basket.
SUPPORT: A Night for Puerto Rico at NeueHouse
Conscious citizens unite! Enjoy a night of fine fare and entertainment in an effort to help raise the funds for 150+ Meal Boxes for families in need. Put in perspective, one Family Meal Box costs approximately $80 and provides a family basic nutrition for two weeks. Dance the night away and make an impact. (Nov. 3)
READ: Artemis
The Martian was a self-published phenomenon a few years back — and a pretty good movie that stripped out all the science (blame Ridley Scott). Andy Weir’s second book, however, is more of a hardboiled crime novel … set on the moon. A fun bit of sci-fi noir to read during your inevitable flight delays. (Nov. 14)
HONOR: Soldiers’ Stories From The Front
In recognition of Veterans Day, the 9/11 Tribute Museum event features veterans who have served overseas sharing their written fiction and non-fiction war stories in an effort to bridge those experience with their lives at home. (Nov. 9)
INDULGE: Dinner at the Philip Johnson Glass House
You and nine of the highest echelon of lucky guests will be dining privately atop a dramatic hilltop in the iconic Philip Johnson Glass House. The unforgettable evening includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the House, including the Studio Library and art collection with proceeds going to benefit the preservation of the legendary site.
SUBSCRIBE: Charcoal Book Club
The world’s first photobook-of-the-month club is here to sex up your home. Handpicked photo journals sourced from “the most respected photographers and publishers in the industry,” and a must-have for any man’s (or woman’s) bookcase. Our five favorites are here. (Nov. 8)
PLAY: Call of Duty WWII
After a few wayward missions to space, the first-person shooter heads back to its “boots on the ground” World War II roots. You, too, can experience D-Day! And a co-op mode where you fight Nazi zombies (note: it’s OK to punch Nazi zombies). (Nov. 3)
LISTEN: Our Spotify playlist
Thirty new tunes populate our playlist, including the Zep-loving kids of Greta Van Fleet, Sharon Jones (RIP), Thundercat, Sleigh Bells, Rhye and Franz Ferdinand.
BINGE: Godless
“Mister, we’re a lot f*cking stronger than you think we are.” An outlaw takes refuge in a town run by badass women (and only women) in this new Netflix limited series, a violent western overseen by Steven Soderbergh and Scott Frank (Logan). (Nov. 22)
And don’t forget … Richard Linklater made a war movie? Well, it’s a meditative one. With an all-star cast (Bryan Cranston, Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne), the indie director examines what happens long after the battle in Last Flag Flying (Nov. 3) … Good timing or horrible timing? Louis CK goes full Woody Allen in his controversial, black-and-white dramedy I Love You, Daddy, which, yes, features an older man in show business possibly seducing an underage girl (Nov. 17) … A privileged New York family sees their home life shattered in Heather, the Totality, the debut novel from Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner (Nov. 7) … Calling Stranger Things fans: Future Man is basically a comedic take on ‘80s cult hit The Last Starfighter, overseen by Preacher’s Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Nov. 14) … And finally, the welcome return of Stan Against Evil (Nov. 1) and Search Party (Nov. 19).
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