Culture Week Highlights: Films, Music, Books, Reality TV and Celebrity News

Turner Classic Movies: Film School Fridays

Turner Classic Movies is transforming Fridays into an engaging film education experience. The channel introduces ‘Films on Film,’ a series focused on the artistry, history, and preservation of movies. Longtime TCM host Ben Mankiewicz leads the series, presenting documentaries alongside classic features. The program covers various subjects like Charles Grodin and Latino representation in Hollywood. It also highlights the impact of comedies such as Charlie Chaplin’s ‘The Great Dictator’ on global fascism.

Charlie Tabesh, Senior Vice President of Programming at TCM, stated, “These documentaries provide fascinating new perspectives on filmmaking, film history and preservation, and pairing them with classic features gives viewers an opportunity to experience those stories in a deeper, more meaningful way.” Movies aren’t merely a glimpse into our cultural heritage, but a guide to understanding our identity and aspirations. TCM offers viewers these insights weekly, enriching our cultural perspective.

Oasis Documentary: A Long-Awaited Reunion

After fifteen years of estrangement, Oasis’s Liam and Noel Gallagher reunite for a joint interview in the documentary ‘Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger.’ The film chronicles their 2025 reunion tour and fulfills fans’ long-standing desire to see them together again. Written by Steven Knight of ‘Peaky Blinders’ and directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace, the documentary premieres at the Venice Film Festival on September 5 and releases in U.S. theaters on September 11, followed by streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

The documentary provides not just the reunion, but also a monetary incentive. Whether the brothers adhere to the song title’s guidance remains uncertain. The title itself highlights the dynamic between the Gallagher brothers and their complex relationship.

Sarah J. Maas Returns to Prythian

Sarah J. Maas revisits her popular ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ series after a five-year hiatus with ‘A Court of Splintered Harmony’ set for release on October 27, followed by ‘A Court of Forgotten Melody’ on January 12, 2027. These books are anticipated to dominate BookTok discussions and bookstore displays.

Maas reveals this series is designed to be read as a continuous story rather than a traditional trilogy, diverging somewhat from the series’ earlier format. Fans are reacting with mixed responses to the departure from the inner circle themes and the new multicolored covers. With popular series like ‘Throne of Glass’ and ‘Crescent City,’ Maas continues engaging readers worldwide.

‘Dancing with the Stars’: Redemption Stories

The 35th season of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is filled with redemption tales for reality TV queens, Ciara Miller from ‘Summer House’ and Maura Higgins from ‘Love Island UK’ and ‘The Traitors.’ Their personal narratives and appearances promise entertainment as they vie for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

Other participants include Guillermo Rodriguez, Jimmy Kimmel’s sidekick, and Jackson Olson from Savannah Bananas, who will showcase their dance skills. Former champion Sharna Burgess returns after a five-year break, aiming to repeat her 2018 victory with Bobby Bones. The show’s popularity is often influenced by personal stories as much as dancing skills.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Controversial Dinner Party

Actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow faces criticism for hosting a dinner party for OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Known for generating controversies like vagina-scented candles and ‘conscious uncoupling,’ Paltrow’s party plans caused a stir online.

Despite building her brand around wellness, Paltrow’s support for a figure associated with data pollution and job market disruption seems puzzling. Her Instagram response featured humorously fabricated party invites for fictional characters, attracting comparisons with Marie Antoinette and the film ‘The Menu.’ The response added to her reputation of being out-of-touch with public sentiments.