Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons Star in Dark Comedy ‘Bugonia’

Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons star in the new film Bugonia, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Plemons encourages audiences to step away from streaming platforms like Netflix and experience the film in theaters. The story follows Plemons’ character, a conspiracy theorist who kidnaps Stone’s character, a pharma CEO, under the delusion that she is an alien. Despite its seemingly limited scope, the film boasts a grand narrative enhanced by a powerful score and compelling performances.

Bugonia premiered at the renowned Venice Film Festival and will be showing in select theaters starting this weekend. The film is an adaptation of the 2003 South Korean movie Save the Green Planet!, with screenplay by Will Tracy. Stone not only stars in the film but also took on production responsibilities, ensuring the project maintained its artistic integrity.

Jodi Picoult Responds to Censorship of Musical

In other news, bestselling author Jodi Picoult has expressed her discontent after the musical adaptation of her novel Between the Lines was canceled by Mississinewa High School in Indiana. The school’s superintendent cited concerns over “sexual innuendo” and alcohol references as the reasons for the cancellation. Picoult, whose work often explores challenging themes, criticized the decision, highlighting the dangers of allowing one parent’s views to dictate what is deemed appropriate for all students.

Interestingly, the same school previously staged productions of Grease, which also contains similar themes. The musical adaptation had already been modified to suit a more conservative audience. This incident reflects a broader trend of censorship facing Picoult’s works, with her novel Nineteen Minutes being banned 16 times in the current year alone.

Harry Potter Characters Return with New Voices

In the realm of children’s literature, the iconic characters of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley are being brought to life by a new generation of voice actors. Young British talents Frankie Treadaway, Arabella Stanton, and Max Lester will lend their voices to the beloved characters for an upcoming audiobook edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, set to release on November 4, 2023.

The audiobook will feature a unique approach, with each character voiced by different actors rather than a single narrator. While recording, the young actors expressed their enthusiasm for voice acting and their enjoyment of being part of the magical world of Harry Potter. Their excitement is fueled in part by a snack cupboard stocked with chocolate, keeping their spirits high during the sessions.

Broadway Musicians Reach Labor Agreement

In a significant development for the theatre community, the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 has reached a tentative labor agreement with commercial producers, effectively averting a potentially damaging strike that could have affected nearly two dozen Broadway musicals. The union represents approximately 1,200 musicians.

The agreement comes after negotiations intensified, with a deadline looming. The shows at risk included major productions such as Hamilton and The Lion King, as well as newer titles like Queen of Versailles and Chess. This deal follows closely behind another agreement reached with the Actors’ Equity Association, which represents around 51,000 actors and stage managers.

Songwriters Hall of Fame Announces Nominees

Among the nominees for the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame class are prominent figures like Taylor Swift, Kenny Loggins, and LL Cool J. This diverse group represents various musical genres, including pop, hip-hop, folk, and rock. Other nominees include members of The Go-Go’s, The Guess Who, and Kiss.

Eligible voting members have until midnight Eastern on December 4 to submit their ballots, making this an exciting time for songwriters and fans alike.

New Children’s Booker Prize Announced

In literary news, the Booker Prize Foundation has launched the Children’s Booker Prize, aimed at recognizing outstanding fiction for children aged 8 to 12. This new award will be valued at £50,000 (approximately $67,000) and will accept submissions starting early next year, with the inaugural award set for 2027. A jury of both children and adults, led by author Frank Cottrell-Boyce, will select the prize winner.

Graffiti Art Gains Acceptance in West Africa

Meanwhile, in West Africa, graffiti art is becoming increasingly accepted as a legitimate form of expression. In Conakry, Guinea, artist Omar Diaw is reshaping public perceptions of street art. Once regarded as vandalism, Diaw’s work now garners support from both local officials and residents, thanks to his focus on public awareness murals that celebrate musicians and independence leaders. His collective, Guinea Ghetto Graff, is playing a crucial role in this cultural transformation.

Diaw, mentored by the region’s first graffiti artist, Amadou Lamine Ngom, aims to showcase “our reality, our values” through his art, reflecting the changing attitudes toward street art in the region.

Bon Jovi Announces Upcoming Tour

Lastly, music fans can look forward to Bon Jovi’s return to the stage with their new Forever Tour, scheduled for 2026. The tour will feature seven nights of performances, beginning with four shows at Madison Square Garden in New York City, followed by stops in Edinburgh, Dublin, and London. This marks the band’s first tour in four years, following frontman Jon Bon Jovi‘s vocal cord surgery.

Bon Jovi’s last concert took place on April 30, 2022, in Nashville, an event documented in the upcoming Hulu film, “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story.” An artist presale for the tour begins on October 31, with general sales opening at 10 a.m. Eastern.