A&E

LEGEND: The King of Pop is immortalized in Kenny Ortega’s concert documentary of his last performances.

ARTSY: The indie comedy “(Untitled)” is a witty satiric critique of the worlds of modern art and music.

Let’s get this out of the way: Some of my favorite musicians died before they were 35 – some musicians that I’m going to highlight in this column. Kurt Cobain pretty much ran my musical life back in elementary school; I would listen to every band he ever namedropped. “In Utero” is my immediate answer when anyone asks me what my favorite album of all-time is.

FAR OUT: Taking a trip to Middle Earth, with puppets as our guides: not a hallucination, but a much-beloved play.

INDIE ROCK: With “Embryonic,” the Lips return to an older, darker sound. But is it worth listening to?

EPIC: In this highly-anticipated video game, roadie Eddie Riggs takes center stage as a mighty axe-wielder.

HOMEMADE: Following in the footsteps of films like “The Blair Witch Project,” “Paranormal Activity” terrifies on a smaller scale.

Fall is depressing. The sun goes away – or, at least in California, it occasionally hides. School is starting all around the country; the general vibe amongst your friends is completely down; and there’s very little to look forward to outside of a disheartening school schedule resetting its batteries, ready to crush what little spirit you have left.

The sixth iteration in the infamous “torture-porn” franchise comes, surprisingly, as the most politically charged vent of the year. “Saw VI” bluntly addresses the issue of health care, giving us a ballsy indictment of the American Health Care system which would put Michael Moore to shame.

ROMANCE: Up-and-comer Carey Mulligan stars in the surprising and brilliant film, “An Education.”

SCARS: The dance pop duo returns with a new album chock-full of guest-star talent and pounding beats.

WEAVE: Comedian Chris Rock explores the strange and mysterious world of African-American hair.