Autumn's hot 100: what to watch, read and do this season

Our critics' pick of the season – from Bridget Jones’s Baby to Bruce Springsteen’s memoirs, Picasso to Poldark

September

1. Pop: Bj?rk Digital

The remarkable Icelandic singer is celebrated in a groundbreaking exhibition featuring immersive virtual reality technology. To tie in with the spectacle, Bj?rk will play two London concerts: Royal Albert Hall (Sept 21) and Hammersmith Eventim Apollo (Sept 24). Somerset House, London WC2 (0844 844 0444), until Oct 23

2. Television: Poldark

The lusty period drama is back for a second series, and Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) is standing trial for murder. BBC One, Sept 4

3. Television: Cold Feet

We return to Manchester to see what kind of hand life has dealt Adam (James Nesbitt), Pete (John Thomson), Jenny (Fay Ripley), Karen (Hermione Norris) and David (Robert Bathurst). ITV, Sept 5

4. Comedy: The Boy with Tape on His Face

The extraordinarily gifted Sam Wills has been performing his bizarre mime act for over a decade but the New Zealander’s profile rocketed this summer after an audition on America’s Got Talent.  The 37-year-old is finally getting the recognition he deserves for a comic creation as technically complex and hilarious as you could hope to see. Guildhall Arts Centre (01476 406 158), Sept 6, and touring

5. Books: Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer

The new novel from the author of Everything Is Illuminated follows the lives of an American family, and explores what happens to three sons as their parents’ marriage collapses against a backdrop of global political uncertainty. Hamish Hamilton, Sept 6

6. Dance: Alvin Ailey

The scintillating contemporary New York troupe return to these shores with no fewer than three bills of dance. Sadler’s Wells, London EC1 (020 7863 8000), Tues-Sept 17, and touring  

7. Theatre: No Man’s Land

Little short of sensational in Waiting for Godot, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart reunite on the London stage to star as the down-at-heel Spooner and comfortably off Hirst in Harold Pinter’s 1975 masterpiece. Wyndham’s Theatre, London WC2. (0844 871 2118), Sept 7-Dec 17

8. Pop: Bestival

Veteran headliners The Cure promise a three-hour set of psychedelic Goth amidst a line-up heavy on cutting-edge dance music, hip hop and digital distortion. Robin Hill County Park, Isle of Wight (bestival.net), Sept 8-11

9. Books: Mount by Jilly Cooper

Soon to enter her ninth decade, the queen of the bonkbuster returns with a feverishly anticipated new novel starring her villainous recurring hero Rupert Campbell-Black. This time the story is set in the world of flat racing. Bantam, Sept 8

10. Comedy: David Brent & Foregone Conclusion

Fifteen years after BBC mockumentary The Office finished, David Brent is back: first the film; now the live tour. Ricky Gervais is clearly enjoying playing Brent again and the accompanying soundtrack to Life on the Road is a belter, full of cringe-inducing lyrics (“Ohh oh, Native American/ Soar like an Eagle, sit like a Pelican”) and catchy hooks.  Eventim Apollo, London W6 (020 8563 3800), Sept 8 and 9

11. Books: The Pigeon Tunnel: Stories from My Life by John le Carré

He’s made a career turning his experiences in Cold War intelligence into thrilling spy novels, but this autumn le Carré finally publishes his first memoir. Is truth stranger than fiction?  Viking, Sept 8

12. Theatre: A Streetcar Named Desire

Maxine Peake returns to the Royal Exchange to take on Tennessee Williams’ most famous female role: Blanche DuBois, whose bid to seek sanctuary in the New Orleans home of her sister Stella pits her against the mental pig-headedness and muscular prowess of the latter’s husband Stanley Kowalski (Ben Batt). Manchester Royal Exchange (0161 833 9833), Sept 8-Oct 15

13. Pop: Nick Cave

The uncompromising Australian singer-songwriter’s first work since the tragic loss of his son last year promises to be a raw affair. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’s album, Skeleton Tree, will be launched, alongside one night only, global cinema screenings of feature documentary One More Time With Feeling. One More Time With Feeling, cinemas Sept 8; Skeleton Tree released by Bad Seeds Ltd on Sept 9

14. Pop: The Beatles

Oscar-winning director Ron Howard has assembled a vast archive of footage into compelling narrative documentary Eight Days A Week: The Touring Years. It will be accompanied by Live At The Hollywood Bowl, a “demixed” and reconstructed version of the Fab Four’s only official live album (from 1964). Live at the Hollywood Bowl released by Capitol Records on Sept 9; Eight Days A Week in cinemas Sept 15

15. Opera: Macbeth

Oliver Mears’ bleak staging of Verdi’s Shakespearean adaptation enters Welsh National Opera’s repertory.  Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (08700 40 2000), September 10-24, then touring

16. Theatre: My Family – Not the Sitcom

David Baddiel’s comically disrespectful but emotionally resonant reflection on his late mother and his father’s struggle with dementia. Vaudeville Theatre, London WC2 (0844 871 2118), Sept 13-Oct 15

17. Exhibitions: Wifredo Lam

A close associate of Picasso and the Surrealists, Cuban painter Lam cut a swathe through the mid-20th century art world with his mysterious, visceral paintings, half a century before the current vogue for global modernism. Tate Modern, London SE1 (020 7887 8888), Sept 14-Jan 8

18. Theatre: The Rover

Aphra Behn’s 1677 Cromwellian-era romcom, involving three cavaliers and three wealthy sisters running amok in a Spanish colony, gets its first revival at the RSC since 1986. The re-emergent Loveday Ingram directs.   RSC Swan, Stratford-upon-Avon (01789 403493), Sept 15-Feb 11

19. Film: Blair Witch

Another reboot, but stifle your yawns: this one arrives care of Adam Wingard, whose You’re Next and The Guest positioned him as one of modern horror’s slyest, sparkiest sadists. Sept 15

20. Theatre: Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3)

Suzan-Lori Parks’s play moves across an epic three hours, following the fortunes of a slave who heads off to fight in the American Civil War on the Confederate side. Royal Court Theatre, London  (0844 871 2118), Sept 15-Oct 22

21. Film: Bridget Jones’s Baby

Twelve years have passed since Helen Fielding’s totemic singleton last toppled across our screens – but Bridget’s back with a swelling belly, adjusting to post-Darcy life with the assistance of new man Patrick Dempsey. Sept 16

22. Theatre: Imogen

Maddy Hill plays Shakespeare’s wronged heroine in a “renamed and reclaimed” production of Cymbeline. Shakespeare’s Globe, London SE1 (0844 871 2118), Sept 17-Oct 16

23. Classical: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 70th Birthday Concert

The orchestra founded by Sir Thomas Beecham is 70 this year, and has bagged three starry names for the anniversary concert. Fiery pianist Martha Argerich plays Schumann’s Piano Concerto, fine old-style virtuoso Pinchas Zukerman plays Bruch’s Violin Concerto, and suave French maestro Charles Dutoit presides at the podium. Royal Albert Hall, London SW7 (020 7589 8212), Sept 19

24. Books: Forward Prizes

The Forward Prizes are some of the country’s most prestigious poetry prizes. This year, the Best Collection category is contested by exciting books from Alice Oswald, Denise Riley, Choman Hardi, Vahni Capildeo and Ian Duhig. Winners announced Sept 20

25. Jazz: Youn Sun Nah

One of the finest jazz singers on the planet appears with elegantly subtle Swedish guitarist Ulf Wakenius, as part of London’s festival of Korean music, K-Music. Union Chapel, London N1 (serious.org.uk), Sept 20

26. Theatre: The Libertine

That smouldering young actor Dominic Cooper treads the West End boards as the Second Earl of Rochester in Stephen Jeffreys’s Restoration-era romp about the most notorious, libidinous aristocrat of 1670s London. Terry Johnson directs. Theatre Royal Haymarket, London SW1 (0844 871 2118), Sept 22-Dec 3

27. Theatre: Travesties

Tom Stoppard’s ingenious intellectual comedy of 1974 takes some known biographical curiosities – the contemporaneous residence in 1917 Zürich of James Joyce, Dada artist Tristan Tzara and Lenin – and runs with them after a meta-theatrical, Wildean fashion. Tom Hollander stars as the reminiscing erstwhile diplomat. Menier Chocolate Factory, London SE1 (020 7378 1713), Sept 22-Nov 19

28. Pop: David Bowie

A new box set, Who Can I Be Now (1974-79), promises previously unreleased soul-and-funk album, The Gouster, from 1975. The ghost of the Thin White Duke returns again in October, with the UK theatrical opening of his musical Lazarus. Who Can I Be Now released by Parlophone on Sept 23; Lazarus at Kings Cross Theatre, London N1  (0844 871 2118) from Oct 25

29. Pop: Bruce Springsteen

The most eagerly awaited rock autobiography since Keith Richards coughed into a tape recorder, Born to Run will be all Springsteen’s own work. His literary debut will be accompanied by Chapter & Verse, 18 songs handpicked by The Boss. Chapter & Verse is released by Columbia Records on Sept 23; Born to Run, Simon & Schuster, Sept 27

30. Exhibitions: Abstract Expressionism

Signature works by Pollock, Rothko, de Kooning, Kline and all the major names, as well as a few lesser known figures, promise a show as heroic in scale and ambition as the art itself. Royal Academy, London W1 (020 7300 8090), Sept 24-Jan 2

31. Classical: Stravinsky’s Myths

The penultimate instalment of the Philharmonia’s brilliantly conceived Stravinsky project revels in the composer’s love of all things Ancient Greek.  Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 (020 7960 4200), Sept 25

32. Dance: Natalia Osipova and Sergei Polunin

The Royal Ballet star Osipova dances world premieres of three works by three of the best contemporary choreographers in the business – Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Russell Maliphant and Arthur Pita – and is joined in two of them by her real-life partner, the electrifying Sergei Polunin. Sadler’s Wells, London EC1 (020 7863 8000), Sept 27-Oct 1

33. Dance: Akram Khan/English National Ballet – Giselle

One of the most brilliant contemporary choreographers alive tackles the most famous Romantic ballet.  Palace Theatre, Manchester (0844 871 3019), Sept 27-Oct 1, and touring

34. Dance: La fille mal gardée

The always welcome return of Frederick Ashton’s sun-dappled masterpiece, an exquisitely constructed romcom amid the hay bales that seldom fails  to charm.  Royal Opera House, London WC2 (020 7304 4000), in rep Sept 27-Oct 22

35. Theatre: A Room with a View

Written by Simon Reade and directed by Adrian Noble, this new adaptation of E M Forster’s novel is staged first in Bath then goes on tour, with Felicity Kendal as Charlotte Bartlett, the spinster cousin and chaperone to Lucy Honeychurch, whose trip through Italy brings her a romantic admirer of the wrong social sort. Theatre Royal Bath (01225 448844), Sept 28-Oct 8

36. Dance: Scottish Ballet

Having road-tested Crystal Pite’s exploration of swarm mentality, Emergence, at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival, Scottish Ballet now pairs it with talented company dancer Sophie Laplane’s all-new Sibilo. Theatre Royal, Glasgow (0844 871 7647), Sept 29-Oct 1, and touring

37. Opera: Don Giovanni

One of our greatest opera directors, Richard Jones, returns to ENO to tackle Mozart’s problematic tragi-comedy. London Coliseum, WC2 (020 7845 9300), Sept 30-Oct 26

38. Television: The Fall

After series two left us on a spectacular cliffhanger back in 2014, this gripping crime drama, starring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan, returns for a third season. BBC Two, September

39. Television: National Treasure

It was inevitable that Operation Yewtree would provide the inspiration for TV and film. This four-part series stars Robbie Coltrane as a fictional celebrity who is accused of historical rape. Julie Walters plays his wife of 40 years who must decide whether to believe his claims of innocence. Channel 4, Sept, exact date TBC

October

40. Comedy: The Catherine Tate Show Live

Catherine Tate dusts off some of her most famous creations for this first live tour of the BBC sketch show. Am I bovvered? You should be. O2 Apollo, Manchester (0161 273 6921), Oct 1, and touring

41. Dance: BRB – The Tempest

Birmingham Royal Ballet director David Bintley bravely turns Shakespeare’s late masterpiece into ballet, with the help of composer Sally Beamish and War Horse designer Rae Smith. Birmingham Hippodrome (0844 338 5000), Oct 1-8, and touring

42. Opera: Il Tabarro/Suor Angelica

An enthralling programme conducted by Jac van Steen combines two of Puccini’s one-act masterpieces.  Grand Theatre, Leeds (0113 222 6222), Oct 1-26, and touring 

43. Books: London Literature Festival

Stars descending on this year’s festival at the Southbank include Margaret Atwood, Naomi Alderman, Louis Theroux, Deborah Levy and  Teju Cole. Southbank Centre, London SE1 (southbankcentre.co.uk), Oct 5-16 

44. Opera: Madama Butterfly

Annilese Miskimmon directs a new production of Puccini’s searing tragedy. Glyndebourne (01273 815000), Oct 9-Nov 3, and touring

45. Theatre: The Dresser

Based on his experiences with the legendary Sir Donald Wolfit, Ronald Harwood’s 1980 classic, detailing the relationship between a fading actor-manager and his dresser backstage, returns with Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith.  Duke of York’s, London WC2 (0844 871 2118), Oct 5-Jan 14

46. Film: The Girl on the Train

Adapted from Paula Hawkins’s bestseller, this thriller finds Emily Blunt seeing (or imagining?) too much on her nightly commute.  Oct 5

47. Film: The BFI London Film Festival

Now in its 60th edition, the LFF continues to cherrypick the best of the year’s film festivals, while offering the odd locally sourced coup of its own: Amma Asante’s stately Belle follow-up,  A United Kingdom, opens proceedings; Ben Wheatley’s  Free Fire provides the high- octane climax. Various Venues, London (bfi.org.uk), Oct 5-16

48. Exhibitions: Picasso Portraits

Drawn from all periods of his career, with many works not seen before in this country, this show focuses on Picasso’s images of his family, friends and lovers, revealing his responses to the human presence as one of the most powerful aspects of his art. National Portrait Gallery, London WC2 (020 7306 0055), Oct 6-Feb 5

49. Pop: Kate Tempest: Let Them Eat Chaos

The dynamic, streetwise 30-year-old poet’s follow-up to her 2014 Mercury nominated debut album promises a big leap forward, musically and lyrically. Tempest tours the UK throughout December. The album is released by Fiction on Oct 7; the book is published by Picador on Oct 6; UK tour starts at Belfast Empire, Nov 30 (katetempest.co.uk)

50. Pop: Barry Gibb: In The Now

The last surviving Bee Gee releases his first ever solo album. One of the all-time great pop writers and singers, Gibb promises a masterclass in melody, harmony, lyrics and groove. In The Now is released by Columbia Records on Oct 7

51. Jazz: Kings Place Piano Fest

The enterprising Kings Place brings together a fine array of talent to celebrate the piano in all its guises. Kings Place, London N1 (020 7520 1490), Oct 7-9

52. Film: My Scientology Movie

Emerging only after lengthy and understandably careful legal negotiations, here comes Louis Theroux’s reportedly hilarious investigation into the ways and means of the Church of Scientology. Oct 7

53. Books: Bookshop Day

This is a day for celebrating your local bookshop and to encourage us onto the streets and away from internet shopping. Nationwide (booksellers.org.uk),  Oct 8

54. Exhibitions: JMW Turner: Adventures in Colour

Located on the waterfront where the great sea and landscape painter created some of his most vital images, Turner Contemporary presents 100 works, including a substantial selection of the Margate watercolours, focussing on an essential cornerstone of Turner’s art: colour.  Turner Contemporary, Margate (01843 233000), Oct 8-Jan 8

55. Books: Man Booker Prize

The 2016 Man Booker Prize longlist has already been controversial for the books it missed out, perhaps reflecting a particularly strong year in publishing. Among the worthy novels contesting the award this year are J M Coetzee’s The Schooldays of Jesus and Deborah Levy’s Hot Milk. Winner announced Oct 11

56. Exhibitions: Beyond Caravaggio

This fascinating-sounding exhibition explores the work of Caraveggiesque artists from Spain, France and Flanders and a Dutch group who powerfully affected the young Rembrandt. National Gallery, London WC2 (020 7747 2885), Oct 12-Jan 15

57. Pop: Justin Bieber

A hungover appearance at V Festival may not exactly bode well for the 22-year-old pop idol’s UK tour but at least he’s got an excuse to sing the inescapable Sorry like he really means it. Last year’s preposterously fine R’n’B album Purpose turned even his most sceptical critics into true Beliebers. The O2, London SE10 (020 8463 2000), Oct 11, 12 and 15 then touring

58. Film: American Honey

Autumn traditionally  favours homegrown filmmakers. Here Andrea Arnold expands her canvas, following the trail blazed by a squad of young subscription salesfolk across the American heartland.  Oct 14

59. Film: Inferno

Yes, they’ve adapted another Dan Brown novel. Tom Hanks returns as “symbologist” Robert Langdon; Felicity Jones is new sidekick Dr Sienna Brooks. Oct 14

60. Opera: Ulysses’ Homecoming

A moving and beautiful tale of wandering and reunion, drawn by Monteverdi from Homer’s Odyssey, in a new English Touring Opera production directed by James Conway. Hackney Empire, London E8 (020 8985 2424), Oct 15, and touring   

61. Comedy: Richard Gadd: Monkey See, Monkey Do

The winner of this year’s Edinburgh Comedy Award brings his confessional masterpiece about sexual assault, mental health and masculinity to London. It is, be warned, strong stuff but it confirms Gadd as a true one-off with what could well be a glittering future ahead of him.  Zedel, London W1 (020 7734 4888), Oct 11-12; Soho Theatre, London W1 (020 7478 0100), Oct 18-Nov 12

62. Opera: Billy Budd

Alan Oke sings the tormented Captain Vere in Opera North’s new production of Britten’s haunting tragedy of conscience clashing with repressed desire, set during the Napoleonic Wars.  Grand Theatre, Leeds (0113 222 6222), Oct 18-29, and touring

63. Classical: Tchaikovsky at the Barbican

Tchaikovsky used to be sneered at. Now everyone acknowledges the depths hidden under the music’s surface, and this BBC Symphony Orchestra series, conceived and conducted by Semyon Bychkov, aims to reveal them.  Barbican, London EC2 (020 7638 8891), Oct 19

64. Theatre: Amadeus

The late Peter Shaffer’s undoubted masterpiece – the reconstructed, reimagined life and rivalrous times of wunderkind Amadeus Mozart and the bitter and twisted court composer Antonio Salieri – comes back to the National for the first time since its 1979 premiere. National’s Olivier Theatre, London SE1 (020 7452 3000), Oct 19-Dec 31

65. Books: Super Thursday

In recent years publishers have become ever more interested in the growing tradition of “Super Thursday”, the day that would-be blockbuster books are published in time to hit the Christmas bestseller lists. Nationwide, Oct 20

66. Opera: The Nose

Shostakovich’s surreal comic fantasy about a man in pursuit of his lost nose is presented in a new Royal Opera production by Barrie Kosky, whose recent staging of Handel’s Saul was so successful.  Royal Opera House, London WC2 (020 7304 4000), Oct 20-Nov 9

67. Jazz: Joe Lovano & Chucho Valdés

Great jazz saxophonist Joe Lovano is a restless soul, always looking for new collaborators to stimulate his musical invention. Here it’s venerable Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés. With them are three young Cuban musicians, including fiery drummer Francisco Mela. Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London W1 (020 7439 0747), Oct 20 and 21

68. Film: I, Daniel Blake

The reissue of Poor Cow and the documentary Versus have bolstered Ken Loach’s claims to being eternal Leader of the Opposition. Here is his Palme d’Or-winning latest, with Dave Johns as a carpenter. Oct 21

69. Comedy: Tony Law: A Law Undo His-Elf What Welcome

The king of post-modern nonsense continues to create comedy that is as challenging as it is rewarding. For this latest show, which transfers after a successful Edinburgh run, Law introduces a new, madcap character. Leicester Square Theatre, London WC2 (020 7734 2222), Oct 21-29

70. Television: Black Mirror

Charlie Brooker’s Emmy-winning satirical series moves to Netflix for a third series. Netflix, Oct 21

71. Classical: Maxwell Davies in Manchester

Peter Maxwell Davies spent many formative years in Manchester, so it’s apt that the BBC Philharmonic is keeping his memory alive. Virtuoso trumpeter H?kan Hardenberger plays his brilliant trumpet concerto, alongside music by Shostakovich and Carl Nielsen. Bridgewater Hall, Manchester (0161 907 9000), Oct 22

72. Comedy: Sofie Hagen: Shimmer Shatter

The Danish comic, who won last year’s Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Fringe, has written a much darker follow-up, exploring depression. Don’t panic if that all sounds rather heavy: Hagen has one of the funniest minds in the business. Newport Arts Centre (01633 656 757), Oct 22, and touring

73. Exhibitions: The Mythic Method: Classicism in British Art 1920-1950

The first exhibition devoted to the British aspect of a phenomenon found across Europe in the painful aftermath of the First World War: artists’ focus on classical forms and ideas. Pallant House Gallery, Chichester (01243 774 557), Oct 22-Feb 19

74. Theatre: School of Rock

Based on the hit 2003 comedy film about an out-of-work musician who tries to busk it as a supply teacher at a posh American school, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical, currently wowing Broadway, comes to London. New London Theatre, (0844 871 2118), Oct 24-Feb 12

75. Exhibitions: Paul Nash

One of the few mid-20th century British artists whose reputation still stands up, Paul Nash is at once widely admired and peculiarly under-sung.  Tate Britain, London SW1 (020 7887 8888), Oct 26-Mar 5

76. Books: Float by Anne Carson

The Canadian TS Eliot Prize-winning poet, classicist and essayist publishes her hotly anticipated – and enchanting – new collection.  Jonathan Cape, Oct 27

77. Exhibitions: South Africa: the Art of a Nation

Archaeological, historic and contemporary artworks are used to plot 100,000 years of often traumatic history – from cave paintings to the birth of the Rainbow Nation. British Museum, London WC1 (020 7323 8299), Oct 27-Feb 26

78. Film: Doctor Strange

Because there won’t have been a comic-book movie for… oh, three months. But at least this Marvel item boasts some out-of-the-box casting: Benedict Cumberbatch plays a rogue neurosurgeon and Tilda Swinton an androgynous sorcerer. Oct 28

79. Television: Westworld

Michael Crichton’s 1973 film, about a futuristic theme park run by robots that go haywire and start killing people, is given a TV reboot. Its impressive cast includes Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Thandie Newton and Evan Rachel Wood. Sky Atlantic, Oct  

80. Television: Our Loved Boy

Sixteen years ago, 10-year-old Damilola Taylor was attacked by a group of teenagers on the streets of Peckham and bled to death. This drama tells the story from the point of view of the Taylor family and their subsequent struggle for justice. BBC One, Oct

November

81. Pop: Christine & The Queens

Brazenly bisexual French electro singer-songwriter, Heloise Letissier, aka Christine and the Queens, has been the break-out success of the year. Her flamboyant show was a sensation at Glastonbury. Catch this superstar’s UK tour before she’s packing out arenas. O2 Academy Brixton, Nov 2 & 3 then touring

82. Books: The Dark Flood Rises by Margaret Drabble

Dame Margaret Drabble’s new novel is a joyful and sad story about what makes a good life and a good death. It stars the ageing Fran, who’s not giving up her youth without a fight. Canongate, Nov 3

83. Classical: Russia in Scotland

Nikolai Lugansky overcomes huge virtuoso challenges and looks languidly elegant while doing so. He plays Prokofiev’s 1st and 5th piano concertos in these three all-Russian programmes, which also include Liadov’s The Enchanted Lake and Rachmaninov’s Symphony No 3. Caird Hall Dundee, (01382 434 940), Nov 3; also Edinburgh and Glasgow (rsno.org.uk)

84. Pop: Paul Simon

One of the greatest singer-songwriters ever is still going strong at 74, with this year’s album Stranger to Stranger giving him his fifth UK number one across a five-decade career. With grooves as inventive as any in modern pop, and lyrics that could give the edgiest rapper a run for their money, Paul Simon’s UK tour is sure to be a treat. Bournemouth International Centre (01202 456400), Nov 3, and touring

85. Film: The Light Between Oceans

Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander star in Derek Cianfrance’s tour-de-force weepie about a couple coming to terms with two miscarriages in close succession. Nov 4

86. Exhibitions: Portrait of the Artist

Examining the cult of the artist from the 15th century to the present, this intriguing exhibition offers major self-portraits from the Royal Collection – including Rembrandt, Rubens, Freud and Hockney – alongside images of artists by their friends, relatives and pupils, such as Francesco Melzi’s likeness of his teacher Leonardo da Vinci. The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London SW1 (0303 123 7301), Nov 4-Apr 23   

87. Theatre: King Lear

Deborah Warner directs Glenda Jackson in a feminised conception of Shakespeare’s disintegrating monarch; among the crack cast, Jane Horrocks stars as Regan, Celia Imrie as Goneril and Rhys Ifans as The Fool. Old Vic, London SE1 (0844 871 2118), Oct 25-Dec 2

88. Television: The Crown

This 10-part series stars Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II, and begins with her wedding to Prince Philip (Matt Smith), charting the early years of her reign. Netflix, Nov 4

89. Theatre: The Tempest

Gregory Doran directs Simon Russell Beale as Prospero in a production that promises to answer the magic of Shakespeare’s otherworldly play by pushing the technological envelope. Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon (01789 403493), Nov 8-Jan 21

90. Classical: Two premieres in Birmingham

Three cheers to The Birmingham Contemporary Music Group for embracing the thought-provoking and unfashionable Kevin Volans, the only composer inspired by Rothko, Liszt, and the South African thumb piano. CBSO Centre, Birmingham (0121 780  3330),  Nov 11

91. Film: American Pastoral

Philip Roth’s much-admired account of late-Sixties  social turmoil is brought to the screen by Ewan McGregor in a double shift as director and lead. Dakota Fanning also stars.  Nov 11

92. Film: Napoléon

The year’s most imperious re-release: silent maestro Abel Gance’s four-hour, three-screen 1927 biography of  Bonaparte, newly scrubbed up  and returned to cinematic battle.  Nov 11

93. Jazz: EFG London Jazz Festival

Highlights include Madeleine Peyroux at the Festival Hall, the Robert Glasper Experiment at Koko, and the great Wayne Shorter at the Barbican. Various venues, London (efglondonjazzfestival.org),  Nov 11-20

94. Film: Fantastic Beasts and Where  to Find Them

For anyone who feels that multiplexes have lacked magic since Harry Potter put away his wand, J K Rowling has now expanded the Potterverse, dramatising the 2001 textbook signed by wizardry specialist Newt Scamander. Eddie Redmayne stars. Nov 18

95. Pop: Metallica: Hardwired…  to Self Destruct

New album from the heaviest band on the planet, their first since 2008’s Death Magnetic.  Released by Blackened on Nov 18

96: Exhibitions: The Radical Eye: Modernist Photography from the Sir Elton John Collection

Drawn from one of the world’s greatest photographic collections – yes, Elton’s – this show focuses on  the pivotal Twenties to Fifties period, with a superb array  of portraits. Tate Modern, London SE1 (020 7887 8888), Nov 19-May 7

97. Exhibitions: New Design Museum

The Design Museum finally finds a permanent home in the old Commonwealth Institute,  a Sixties Brutalist building.   Kensington High Street, London W8 (020 7403 6933), permanent  from Nov 24

98. Television: Rillington Place

Tim Roth follows in the footsteps of Richard Attenborough by portraying  serial killer John Christie. BBC One, November 

99. Television: Tennison

The detective, played by Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect, gets her own prequel.  This six-part series is set in the Seventies and portrays Jane Tennison (Stefanie Martini) as  a 22-year-old police woman at  the start of her career. ITV, Autumn

100. Books: Swing Time by Zadie Smith

As her 2012 NW comes to BBC Two, Zadie Smith also publishes her first novel in three years, about two mixed-race girls in London who long to be dancers – but only one has talent. Hamish Hamilton, November