It’s a short work-week but that doesn’t mean that the weekend can’t come soon enough. You might use the next few days to make a sartorial game plan for Head of the Charles or hash out where you’ll watch the Red Sox throw down against the Tigers. If all else fails, there’s a movie coming out on Friday that might just win every Academy Award.
Movies: The Oscars may already have a best picture winner, considering the way critics have been talking up “12 Years a Slave.” Steve McQueen directs this period piece about a free black man who is abducted and sold into slavery, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Brad Pitt. Oscar chatter continues with Cumberbatch in starring role, playing Wiki-leaks mastermind Julian Assange in “The Fifth Estate.”
Other notable movies opening this week: The Arnold Schwarzenegger-Sylvester Stallone pissing contest “Escape Plan,” Robert Redford lost at sea in “All Is Lost,” and this year’s remake-that-probably-should-have-never-happened, “Carrie.”
TV: Not much in the way of premieres this Sunday, but plenty of excuses to drink beer and eat shit that’s bad for you while you get your sport on. The Patriots visit the love-to-hate Jets on their home turf at 1 p.m. And if the Red Sox need it, games five and six are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, as well.
Oct. 17-18: Boston Winter Film Festival
The second annual event at the Revere Hotel’s Theatre 1 Boston features some of the best ski and snowboard films from around the country. Even if you can’t shred the gnar pow-pow with the best of them, you may be intrigued by some of the shots these filmmakers get. $20-$55
Oct. 18: ABSOLUT Lunch Break with feature DJ Questlove
Questlove just seems like a cool dude. Flavorpill’s “Lunchbreak” series, in coordination with ABSOLUT vodka, welcomes The Roots’ drummer for a special mid-day DJ set from 1 to 2 p.m. Attendees get a free drink in addition to free admission, though the location has not yet been revealed. Sign up here.
Oct. 18-20: Armitage Gone! Dance
The ICA hosts a special dance performance choreographed by Tony Award nominee Karole Armitage. The event will feature 26 dancers, including 18 students from the Boston Conservatory, and will mix dance, capoeira, vogueing, Chinese martial arts, and several other wild components. $45-$50
Oct. 19-20: Head of the Charles
-The 49th annual rowing competition brings competitors from schools around the country to paddle the hell out of our dirty water. The free event tends to bring out the best in elitist fashion, too. Almost like the Kentucky Derby on water.
