The Weekly Wow List: 1/9/26

Happy Friday everyone! We’re back with the year’s first Weekly Wow List, chock full of the entertainment that we can’t stop talking about and can’t wait to share with you! If you have any recommendations for us, feel free to share them in the comments!

Bugonia

Bugonia is an unusual movie that mixes very dark humor, science fiction, and social commentary. Inspired by the South Korean film Save the Green Planet!, it slowly blurs the line between what’s real and what might be imagined, keeping us, the moviegoers, engaged from start to finish.

Director Yorgos Lanthimos has a very distinct style, and this film follows that, with exaggerated performances and moments that feel intentionally uncomfortable. It’s definitely not for everyone! But it offers plenty to think about, especially around themes of power, fear, and how easily people can become convinced of an idea. It’s a movie where even if it made you uncomfortable watching it, you’re still thinking about it weeks later.

Bugonia is best suited for viewers who enjoy dark and/or surreal films with a deeper message, and are comfortable with violence/gore. – Erin Brown

Jim Leahy’s Vintage Avalon Signs

The Avalon Historical Society, the Borough of Avalon, the Avalon Free Public Library and the Avalon History Center are teaming up to honor the iconic signs of painter and designer Jim Leahy that once welcomed visitors to our town. Four of his classic signs, dating from as far back as 1964 will be recreated and displayed throughout the year to drivers entering the town via Avalon Boulevard, starting this month changing quarterly. While each is on display, you are invited to stop by the Avalon History Center to pick up a free, limited-edition collector’s card of it, while supplies last. Versions of the signs are also expected to be available on T-shirts at various shops around town this Summer. Click below for more information on the initiative. – Sean Farrell

Art House Film Night: Escape from the 21st Century

In this Chinese film, a trio of friends discover they are able to quickly travel back and forth 2 decades into the future. Unfortunately, it turns out not to be such a great place and they find themselves to be the only people with the power to fix it. Hailed by Screen Rant as, “a fantastic time… wacky, inventive, and all around very entertaining. An hour and a half of pure bliss,” this is one “that has to be seen to be believed” according to Region Free. We will be showing it at 5pm here at the Library on Monday, January 12th. – SF

The Outer Worlds 2

As one gets older, it can be hard to find the time to immerse yourself into the world of a video game, which is why I am only just now getting around to playing last Fall’s The Outer Worlds 2. This sequel to Obsidian Entertainment’s highly entertaining first game is an equally enjoyable return to the creative, colorful, and morally gray world they introduced to us back in 2020. Fans of that game, or action-rpg’s in general will want to check this out. – SF

People We Meet on Vacation

Emily Henry’s hugely popular book of the same name is given the movie treatment by Netflix. Screen Rant calls it “wildly entertaining and heartwarming” and Collider says “Not only will you be rooting for Poppy and Alex to make things work, but you’ll also probably end up with a little wanderlust yourself.”

Fans of the book will want to check it out, as will anyone in the need of a well-made romcom or an escape from the January chill. – SF