The It List: Shia LaBeouf explores his own childhood in 'Honey Boy,' 'Doctor Sleep' reawakens terror of 'The Shining,' Felix the Cat turns 100 and the best in pop culture the week of November 4, 2019

The It List is Yahoo’s weekly look at the best in pop culture, including movies, music, TV, streaming, games, books, podcasts and more. Here are our picks for Nov. 4-10, including the best deals we could find for each.

WATCH IT: Shia LaBeouf exorcises some serious demons in the semi-autobiographical drama, Honey Boy

No actual exorcisms are performed during the course of Honey Boy, but you can tell that Shia LaBeouf is ridding himself of some demons via this moving, highly personal account of a young actor (played by Ford v Ferrari’s Noah Jupe and Lucas Hedges) navigating his relationship with his volatile father, played by LaBeouf and modeled after his own dad. Starting with the title — “Honey Boy” was LaBeouf's nickname as a child — the film is filled with overt allusions to its writer/star’s onscreen history (look for homages to Even Stevens and Transformers), and evokes his troubled offscreen existence with heart-wrenching, but never self-pitying, nuance. When Honey Boy premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January, LaBeouf said that he hadn’t had any contact with his father for several years prior to writing the script, and the film itself avoids implying that their deep-rooted problems will be easily resolved. By sharing this specific part of his life story, LaBeouf touches on universal themes of loneliness and parental love that's already resonated with critics, festival crowds and one superstar Avenger. — Ethan Alter

Honey Boy opens in limited release on Nov. 8; visit Fandango or Atom Tickets for showtime and ticket information.

WATCH IT: The Shining sequel Doctor Sleep awakens in cineplexes

Was there a more daunting prospect for any filmmaker in 2019 than making a 40-years-later sequel to Stanley Kubrick's bonafide classic The Shining? OK, wrapping up The Avengers and Star Wars's Skywalker saga in satisfying fashion both have to be pretty high on the list as well. But we can say Warner Bros. found the right man for the job in writer-director Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Gerald's Game, The Haunting of Hill House), a budding horror maestro who not only took on the reigns but managed to convince author Stephen King — a notorious critic of Kubrick's film — to let him make an adaptation of his book and a sequel to the 1980 favorite. The result is a fully compelling thriller that, while never fully capturing the utter creepiness of the original (big shoes, obviously), does manage to mesmerize in its own new ways. The film follows a grown-up Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor), now an alcoholic transient, who connects with a young girl who also has "the shine" (Kyliegh Curran) in order to bring down a cult (lead by scene-stealer Rebecca Ferguson) of other supernaturally enhanced folks preying on the young. It's definitely not a horror film that abides by the "less seen is more" rule — you can blame that on the revealing source material — but it still packs plenty of juicy (and gory) surprises. — Kevin Polowy

Doctor Sleep arrives in theaters Nov. 8; visit Fandango or Atom Tickets for showtime and ticket information.

CELEBRATE IT: Felix the Cat turns 100 in human years

A century ago this week, a trickster tomcat named Felix rocketed to fame on the strength of his cartoon cat-itude. While he later acquired a voice, a sprightly personality and a magic bag of tricks, in the very beginning — a four-minute Otto Messmer-directed short called “Feline Follies,” which first played in movie theaters on Nov. 9, 1919 — Felix (or, as he was introduced then, “Master Tom”) was just another lonely soul looking for love. While the character seems to meet a dark end in the final moments of his inaugural installment (seriously, maybe watch it yourself before sharing it with your kids), Felix’s future proved bright: Within months, he became one of the most popular cartoon characters around the world, his likeness eventually gracing comic strips, multiple TV shows, fighter planes and a Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade balloon. And while his popularity has waxed and waned over the past 100 years, his big-eyed visage is still instantly familiar to multiple generations of kids. Show your Felix pride on his centenary with some anniversary merch: Tilly’s has a collection of T-shirts, while Funko has a vinyl Pop figure and a Pez dispenser both available on Amazon, and Loungefly has your carry-on needs handled with Felix-themed backpacks and tote bags. — E.A.

Watch episodes of Felix the Cat’s animated escapades on Amazon and YouTube.

SEE IT: Last Christmas is a gift for romcom fans

Honestly, the premise of this movie alone, a woman still reeling from an illness that nearly killed her and finding love during the holidays, is intriguing. Then, add the heaps of talented people involved, and this one’s a must-see. Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding, Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), Emma Thompson and Michelle Yeoh star in the romantic dramedy co-written by Thompson (a noted holiday favorite, thanks to her role in Love Actually), directed by Bridesmaids director Paul Feig and featuring the music of George Michael. The music, the holiday lights, the romance... expect watching Last Christmas at home in between viewings of Sleepless in Seattle, Love Actually and Hallmark movies to become a holiday tradition. — Raechal Shewfelt

Last Christmas arrives in theaters Nov. 8; visit Fandango or Atom Tickets for showtime and ticket information.

READ IT: Game of Thrones art books bring Westeros to your coffee table

Whether you loved or loathed the polarizing final season, there’s no disputing that Game of Thrones is one of the most visually spectacular series ever. Thrones’s singular attention to detail (coffee cups notwithstanding) is painstakingly and lavishly chronicled in this trio of stunning coffee-table books from Insight Editions covering all eight seasons and focusing on, respectively, the museum-quality production art and designs from sketch to screen; still photos capturing the show’s most iconic and cinematic scenes along with intimate never-seen off-screen moments; and an in-depth look at the creation of the epic costumes across Westeros, from the sun-drenched denizens of Dorne to the Wildlings beyond the Wall. — Marcus Errico

The Art of Game of Thrones and The Photography of Game of Thrones are now available at Amazon; Game of Thrones: The Costumes will arrive Nov. 12 and is available for pre-order at Amazon.

WATCH IT: Heart-wrenching Oscar contender Marriage Story elopes in theaters

Admittedly, Divorce Story would be a more accurate title for this heartbreaking yet still funny drama from writer-director Noah Baumbach, who's already made one of the great marital dissolution films of our time with 2006's The Squid and the Whale. But like Kramer v Kramer for the iPad generation, his latest gem dares you to choose a side in portraying the brutally sad split between two very likable people, the theatre director Charlie (Adam Driver) and actress Nicole (Scarlett Johansson). Things get especially messy when Nicole jets cross-coast from New York to Los Angeles with their young son in tow, and even messier once the lawyers get involved (Laura Dern, Ray Liotta and Alan Alda, all excellent). Driver and Johansson have never been better in a superb film that hits nary a false note. While the flashier Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and The Irishman are the popular favorites to win Oscar's biggest prize this year, look for this one to quietly sneak into major contention. — K.P.

Marriage Story will open in select theaters Nov. 6 (get tickets on Fandango or Atom Tickets) a full month before premiering on Netflix Dec. 6.

READ IT: Take a beautiful day or two to immerse yourself in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: A Visual History

Between last year’s acclaimed Won’t You Be My Neighbor documentary and the upcoming A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood starring Tom Hanks as the beloved kid-show host, the Mister Rogers Renaissance is in full effect. Now comes this lovingly curated compendium brimming with behind-the-scenes images and anecdotes from Fred Rogers’s show, including rare memorabilia, never-seen looks at the Land of Make Believe’s puppets and sets along with an introduction to all the artists, cast and crew that brought to life that wonderful neighborhood — which remains the perfect place to visit for a fix of joy and kindness. — M.E.

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: A Visual History is available at Amazon.

HEAR IT: FKA twigs drops her second full-length studio album, MAGDALENE

The English art-pop chanteuse and performance artist recruits EDM megastar Skrillex, experimental/ambient composer Nicolas Jaar, rapper Future and fun./Bleachers super-producer Jack Antonoff for her latest ambitious project. — Lyndsey Parker

Download on iTunes; buy on CD/vinyl at Amazon.

BUY IT: Do you wanna play with Frozen 2 toys? Of course you do!

Still pretending you don’t care about the return Elsa, Anna and Olaf? Let it go already. With mere weeks to go until Frozen 2 hits theaters on Nov. 22, our collective anticipation for the sequel to Disney’s 2013 blockbuster is hotter than the average daytime temperature on Tatooine. And Hasbro’s wide assortment of toys and games ensures that you’ll be able to bring the magic — and music — home. One set of Elsa and Anna dolls croon tunes from the new movie, while others let you play hairdresser and/or wardrobe artist. Larger playsets allow you to re-enact the movie’s grand adventure with the sisters’ sidekicks Kristof and Sven, and board games offerings include a Frozen-themed edition of Monopoly, as well as a version of Trouble starring everyone’s favorite hug-loving snowman. So don’t hold those credit cards back anymore: Your kids, and your inner kid, will thank you. — E.A.

Hasbro’s Frozen 2 toys are available on Amazon, Target and Walmart.

READ IT: Resistance Reborn births some serious Skywalker hype

A must for the Star Wars completist who wants to be fully prepped going into December’s The Rise of Skywalker saga finale, Rebecca Roanhorse’s novel picks up after the events of The Last Jedi, with Leia Organa and the ragtag remnants of the Resistance, including Rey, Poe, Finn, Rose and Chewbacca, facing the existential threat of the First Order following the Battle of Crait. But all is not lost (there’s another movie coming, after all), as our heroes scour the galaxy to find some MIA allies not seen since the defeat of the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi. The story’s brisk pace and return of old favorites will geek up fans ahead of the film’s Dec. 20 release. — M.E.

Resistance Reborn: The Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is now available in print and audiobook formats at Amazon.

READ IT: Jenny Slate’s Little Weirds is getting a lot of love

No less than Mindy Kaling, John Mulaney and Amy Sedaris have kind words for the Obvious Child star’s latest library offering. Slate, a former Saturday Night Live cast member, is already the author of the whimsical Marcel the Shell books for children. In her first book for adults, she writes a collection of stories about a French-kissing rabbit, the ghost of a sea captain, a vagina singing sad old songs and more. But do you really need to know any more than that? — R.S.

Little Weirds is available at Amazon.

WATCH IT: Add a helping of Worst Cooks in America: Thanksgiving Redemption 2 to your holiday diet

We promise this will be healthier than sampling some of the dishes the contestants will concoct on this holiday edition of Worst Cooks in America. Food Network regulars Anne Burrell and Scott Conant will host four former contestants as they try — emphasis on try — to create a delectable Thanksgiving feast. Chefs Jonathan Waxman, Esther Choi and Clifford Crooks will determine which of them messes up the least. The winner will take home an early Christmas present: $5,000 in kitchen upgrades. — R.S.

Worst Cooks in America: Thanksgiving Redemption airs at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT Nov. 10 on Food Network. You can also stream it on Hulu.

PLAY IT: Mario’s bro ain’t afraid of no ghosts in Luigi’s Mansion 3

Keep your Halloween buzz going with Nintendo’s latest installment in the fan-favorite franchise that unfurls like a demented cross between The Shining and Ghostbusters. Starring the hapless plumber — who finds himself tasked with de-spooking a haunted hotel — alongside his ectoplasm-tactic doppelg?nger, Gooigi, the game is a clever concoction of puzzles, adventure, action and whimsy (not to mention a few genuine jump scares) playable by up to eight ghost hunters of all ages. — M.E.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is now available for the Nintendo Switch from Amazon and Walmart.

READ IT: Mo Rocca recounts forgotten facts in Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving

The former Daily Show correspondent and CBS Sunday Morning contributor explores the lesser known stories of Hollywood stars and gamechangers in politics, sports and other fields. It’s a skill he’s perfected in his podcast, Mobituaries With Mo Rocca, which is currently in its second season. One example he writes about in the book is Oscar-nominated actress Marlene Dietrich, who was remembered after her 1992 death for her turns in movies such as 1961’s Judgment at Nuremberg. Even more interesting, though, is that the German native helped Allied troops to defeat Hitler. He also turns his lens to late celebrities Sammy Davis Jr., Farrah Fawcett, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor, among others. — R.S.

Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving is available at Amazon.

HEAR IT: Foo Fighter Taylor Hawkins gathers multiple stars for Coattail Riders's Get the Money album

The Foo Fighters drummer’s latest all-star solo project features Queen’s Roger Taylor, the Pretenders’s Chrissie Hynde, Guns N’ Roses’s Duff McKagan, Queen’s Nancy Wilson, LeAnn Rimes, Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell, Joe Walsh and fellow Foo Dave Grohl and Pat Smear — ensuring a rockin’ good time will be had by all. — L.P.

Download on iTunes; buy on CD/vinyl at Amazon.

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