There's no history of the Golden Age of Hollywood that doesn't feature the distinctive face of Peter Lorre - those bulging eyes, that clammy visage. Yet it's his own history that hovers over the last two films in AFS Cinema's tribute to this émigré master of the small screen. Is it too much to imagine that he saw his own father, a former WWI prison camp superintendent, when he inflicted sadistic punishments on the convicts confined to the Island of Doomed Men (Thu. 21 & Sat. 23)? Or that audiences wouldn't wonder that he'd made two films about hands with lethal minds of their own, 1935's Mad Love and this season's inclusion, 1946's The Beast With Five Fingers (Tue. 26 & Sat. 30)? - Richard Whittaker
Monday 25, Wednesday 27 & Friday 29, AFS Cinema
If you've never seen Josephine Baker onscreen, you're missing out. To watch Baker is to watch the birth of "movie star" as a concept. She's all bright eyes and an effervescent smile, hilarious and beautiful all at once. Seriously, it's almost unfair for someone to be that gorgeous and that much of a natural clown. Zouzou was designed as a breakout starring role, and it showcases Baker's immense talent beautifully. She sings, she dances, she pines over the man who was raised as her twin brother in the circus, you know. Standard film fare. Zouzou is not the dry homework of foreign film history. It's a magnetic story, part romance, part tragedy, and part dance revue. - Cat McCarrey
Monday 25, Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
Video Vortex describes itself as what would result if "a local cable station was invaded by otherdimensional creatures at the stroke of midnight." Visitors to the Vortex know they will be treated to delightful visual rarities on a theme, and that's about it! This time the theme's "Teenage Wasteland," meaning found footage, shorts, and docs about the absurdity of teenhood - of which there is an abundance. By the way, the Who song "Baba O'Riley" originated the term "teenage wasteland," which was inspired by young people's music festival behavior. - Kat McNevins
Monday 25 - December 1, ICOSA
Many artists incorporate found objects into their practice, but Twister mats are a new object of focus for this author at least. Rosie Ganske uses not only the iconic game, but chip and mesh produce bags to create collaged installations referential of consumer waste. Ganske says her process is reminiscent of childhood play "with the paper and markers my parents provided at the mini art table in our kitchen." Today, she still uses the materials at hand - whether it's the accumulated detritus of adult life saved in the pantry door, or other people's trash gathered along daily walks. "Twister" runs the rest of the month with an artist reception on Nov. 25 from 7-9pm. - Lina Fisher
Tuesday 25, Alamo South Lamar
"Horror movies are political" is a wisdom that verges on being a cliche, but Jeff Barnaby's First Nations vivisection of the zombie flick is a gory reminder that those politics may not be comfortable for white suburban audiences. Michael Greyeyes plays a sheriff in a Mi'kmaq community where not only are the Indigenous people surviving the zombie plague, but they're the only people immune to the infection. Barnaby delivers a pointed attack on colonialism but reminds his own community that it still has the power to be its own worst enemy. - Richard Whittaker
November 25 - January 3, ICOSA
Catching a work mid-progress always excites me. New elements have been added to Albanian American artist Angel Hubris' sonic art show since its premiere on Montez Press Radio, but still future manifestations tease: a photobook, a horror story, etc. What comes to us on Monday, Nov. 25, and sticks around through the new year is a multidisciplinary presentation where Hubris has collected audio samples from rural Albanian shepherds. Their bells ring out with myriad interpretations, according to Hubris, from divine to dangerous. "I tell my friends in New York that I'm going to Church when I travel to rural Albania," the artist writes. "My intention for this sonic piece is to generate a gentle moment where the listener can daydream and ponder other possibilities." - James Scott
Tuesday 26, Double Trouble
Your craft is a muscle; you must exercise it! And where better than in the welcoming space of Queer Jam House, which serves as your artistic gym on this fine evening at this purveyor of killer coffee and vibrant vegan vittles. Bring your original music, a poem, a skit, a dance, or a sample of whatever your performance craft may be, and be prepared to share and support others. QJH's goal is to build community and connection, and they welcome anyone from newcomers to old hands. At this edition of the ongoing series, they'll feature a couple of cool vendors such as Gender Good Jeans, which can alter a pair to make them more gender-affirming for ya. - Kat McNevins
Tuesday 26, Palmer Events Center
All through the Lone Star State and Mexico, everyone's favorite massive Central-Texas-specific grocery chain pops up with their annual "festive gatherings." These are feasts featuring a traditional Thanksgiving turkey meal, served up by the ol' H.E. Butt as a thank you to customers and as part of their larger Hunger Relief Program. Food's free, as are the live music, arts & crafts, and other entertainment offerings. Volunteer sign-ups run until every spot's filled, so check heb.com/feast for more info. - James Scott
Wednesday 27, Violet Crown
When the Sundance Film Festival took its name from the annual ceremony of the peoples of the Great Plains, there were concerns that the organizers were appropriating First Nation culture. But since 1993, the festival has made purposeful space for indigenous creatives, from the original Native American & Indigenous Program to the more recent Indigenous Film Tour, which returns with short films from cultures as diverse as the Houma people of Louisiana and the Buryats of Siberia, plus an archival throwback from Reservation Dogs co-creator Sterlin Harjo. - Richard Whittaker
Wednesday 27, Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
If I may, the header on Sony Pictures Entertainment's Mega-Movie Palace née Alamo Drafthouse's description of Benedetta undersells the picture. "Paul Verhoeven's Naughty Nun Biopic" doesn't focus so much on a "naughty nun" as much as it explores what true faith requires and how religious institutions seek to pervert it (derogatory) in the pursuit of power. Just barely retelling real-person Benedetta Carlini's life story, Verhoeven once again proves to be the pervert king (compliment) by combining questionable stigmata creation with scenes of flat-down-there dream Christ on the cross. Oh yeah, also the Merovingian is in it! Like from The Matrix: Reloaded! The cake scene! - James Scott
Through January 9, Women & Their Work
Flatbed Press has championed local printmakers for 35 years. Not to be outdone, Women & Their Work has been putting the work of Texas women on their walls for 45 years. For the next couple of months the two organizations will collaborate by gathering 30 artists (who not-coincidentally are women and printmakers) and showcasing the variety of the medium and the skills of the creators. Who doesn't love a creative collab? - James Renovitch
Wednesday 27, BookPeople
Romantasy, as coined by News Editor Maggie Quinlan and nobody can convince me otherwise, combines genre elements from both romance and fantasy literature. As to the beauty of most entries in this literary chimera, well, that's up to the beholder's eye. This month's pick for BookPeople's queer lit book club follows a mage and royal guard whose desire for a quiet life keeps being interrupted by kidnappings, dragons, and murder. Can't Spell Treason Without Tea marks the first in the Tomes & Tea series by Rebecca Throne, whose author bio brag about averaging 2,700 words per day doesn't stir any envy in me at all. I'm actually feeling very normal about that big-ass number compared to my usual writing pace of about 500 words a day. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go put my face in a pillow and scream. - James Scott
Wednesday 27 & Thursday 28, multiple locations
In the real spirit of Thanksgiving and community pride, Operation Turkey asks volunteers to help give the less fortunate delicious memories through preparing T-Day staples. Hit up operationturkey.com before the big day to sign up for more volunteering specifics, and make sure to check your email for important day-of details. Wednesday before Thanksgiving at Dave & Buster's Austin will be prep time for all them smoked turkeys as well as sides. Then Thursday, aka Game Day, aka Thanksgiving, sets up Juliet Italian Kitchen locations on Barton Springs and Research as delivery locations for these great meals. - James Scott
Thursday 28, Long Center
Want to join the largest 5-mile run in Texas while helping aid your unhoused neighbors and fighting off tryptophan effects? Trek over to the Turkey Trot. Benefiting Caritas of Austin since 1991, the sub shop tradition kicks off Thanksgiving morning with timed and untimed divisions plus a 1-mile walk/run. Check the website for a map of free parking options and be sure to grab your packet early at First Texas Honda to guarantee a T-shirt. Or, you can fashion an inflatable turkey suit. - Amber Williams