Currently...

It’s Issue 3 of the Student Movement, and I cannot lie, the pressure is starting to build. Classes are ramping up, projects are starting, and clubs are organizing events. All of us are starting to feel the burn of a stressful college experience. So, why not something to take the edge off? Below, I have once again assembled a list of new fast and fun content for you to consume. So if you’re looking for some way to reward yourself after hours straight of studying, maybe check out a new movie or start a tv show. Either way, “Currently…” is the place to find your new obsession.

Movies

Blonde
Controversy has swirled around the NC-17 rated Marilyn Monroe “biopic” since its release was announced. The film is actually based on the 2000 novel by Joyce Carol Oates, and is a fictionalized take on the rise and eventual demise of Monroe’s film career. Early reviews laud Ana de Armas’ impressive acting, but say the story seems more trauma porn than anything else. It’s already received a lot of flak for graphic sexual assault scenes and for encouraging more consumption of Marilyn Monroe’s oft-fraught-with-trauma life. Most critics think it's time to lay her to rest and find a new way to exhibit our feminism, and this film certainly emphasizes why that might be important. Whether you choose to stream this for the sake of pop culture or not (and I certainly wouldn’t blame you if you chose not to), remember that Marilyn Monroe was a real complex human woman, not a fictionalized character to further a plot. Netflix; September 28.

Argentina, 1985
Do you love a classic true story? Do you love courtroom drama? Well then you’ll love this pick. “Argentina, 1985” is the true story of how a public prosecutor, a young lawyer, and their inexperienced legal team dared to prosecute the heads of Argentina’s bloody military dictatorship. The film promises real-life intrigue, politicking, and the triumph of good over evil. It’s also already been selected by Argentina as their Oscars candidate for the 2023 battle for Best International Feature. Amazon Prime; September 30.

TV Shows

The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead released the first half of their final season several months ago, but the second half wraps up the series in the next couple of weeks. Here’s to hoping they do a better job than “Game of Thrones” with some of your favorite characters. A standout in the zombie corner of the film industry, “The Walking Dead” set standards for stories that had never existed before and helped us to explore the beauty of being human among those who have been stripped of that privilege. AMC; October 2.

The Girls at the Back
Another banger of a Spanish-language series from Netflix releases just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month. “Girls at the Back'' is an effortless, emotional show that explores the friendships among several women while pulling at your heartstrings. The plot is that one of the women has cancer, and so the group gets back together to complete her bucket list before she passes away. The catch is, we don’t know which character has cancer. Stream for a heart wrenching look at female friendship, the fragility of life, and the beauty in the human experience. Netflix; Already released.

Entergalactic
Entergalactic is a brand-new animated series from Netflix and acclaimed musician Kid Cudi. The series stars Kid Cudi as the main character, and features well-known stars Timothee Chalamet, Ty Dolla $ign, Teyana Taylor, and more in various roles. Critics are saying the series is a celebration of human connection and the various networks of love we all share. Kid Cudi brings a whole new meaning to “visual album” with this most recent release, since it accompanies his brand new album release that goes by the same name. Netflix; September 30.

Music

"Entergalactic"; Kid Cudi
What a lead in! The same day the Entergalactic series drops on Netflix, Kid Cudi releases his newest album, full of fresh tracks and sounds. Personally, I view Cudi as an innovator in the world of music. He imbued rap and hip-hop with a shot of emotional vulnerability, offering artists the space to sing/rap about their true feelings and tackling deep topics like depression. In his documentary “A Man Named Scott”, he said fans shared that his music saved their lives and led them out of dark spaces. The documentary, which I recommend, also explores the convoluted path his music took, leading him from good mental spaces to darker ones, something noticeable if you really explore his discography. This upcoming album seems to explore a Cudi in love, and features Ty Dolla $ign, Don Toliver, and Steve Aoki in various places on the tracklist. Skipping this one is not an option. September 30.

"The End, So Far"; Slipknot
Currently… promises diversity, so Slipknot, a long-standing facet of American heavy metal culture, can’t miss out on a feature. The group comes out with their seventh studio album this week, and although I can’t say I’m as excited for this one as I am for Kid Cudi’s “Entergalactic”, the release is still worth a feature. If you love music whose emotion is played out in heavy drum beats and screaming (maybe this is a cheaper option than a rage room!), Slipknot's new album promises to be worth your valuable time. Their artistry is top-tier in their genre, so this is worth checking out. September 30.