Staff Picks: A New Wave journey and the most deliberately irritating improv game

This week's Staff Picks feature two unique selections. First, writer William Hughes recommends "The Most Upsetting Guessing Game In The World" by Australian comedy troupe Aunty Donna. This improvised game takes a classic short-form improv format, Party Quirks, and ramps it up to challenging and irritating levels. Players are tasked with guessing increasingly impossible quirks about their fellow participants, leading to a slow descent into frustration and discomfort.

However, for those who appreciate chaotic comedic situations, this game provides a perverse delight.

Second, film critic Monica Castillo suggests the Criterion Channel documentary "New Wave." This film takes viewers on a nostalgic journey through the Vietnamese New Wave music scene of the 1980s. Featuring multiple perspectives, including singers, DJs, and fans, the documentary paints a vivid picture of the fusion of American pop trends and Eurodisco.

The story is deeply personal, reflecting the struggles of Vietnamese immigrants to preserve their culture while forging new lives in America. The soundtrack, featuring drum machines and synthesizers, adds to the overall charm and appeal of this musical time capsule.