Media worth your time over break!

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

With the upcoming intercession, students may have extra time on their hands to close their books and turn on their screens.

As the former Arts & Entertainment editor of The Lamron, I feel it is only fitting to end this semester with something more familiar: some media recommendations to gander over our prolonged —but very much needed— break. Without wasting another breath, let’s get into it!

Television Shows:

Arcane (2021-2024): 

As with my latest Art & Entertainment entry, this series marks a turning point for streaming-service-fueled animated series— setting forth a path for aspiring creators through its exquisite storytelling. With various, multi-layered stories and action-fueled set pieces, this show will encapsulate the attention of nearly any watcher— regardless of familiarity with the source material. You can stream this exclusively on Netflix. 

Barry (2018-2023): 

I can never recommend this show enough to anyone looking for an engaging first-watch experience. It represents the perfect blend of comedy and drama while telling a story with so many messages to impart, specifically to its masculine-identifying audience. You can stream this masterpiece exclusively on Max. 

Chainsaw Man (2022- ):

If you’re looking for a show as goofy as it is entertaining, look no further than the absurdist comedy that is this manga-to-television adaption. This has everything you never knew you wanted in it, from insane fights to the mind-boggling and jarring world-building; it is sure to leave you hooked…you just have to roll with the craziness it throws your way. You can stream this exclusively on Hulu or Crunchyroll. 

Movies / Short Films: 

Sorry to Bother You (2018): 

Simply put, watching this movie for the first time has physically altered my brain chemistry and shaped me into the person I am today; no, I will not elaborate. You can stream this immaculate film on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or Pluto TV! 

They Cloned Tyrone (2023): 

In a similar, absurdist vein to Sorry to Bother You (2018), this film offers something that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go until the credits start rolling…maybe partly out of confusion, but predominantly because of the unbridled, well-structured chaos that unfolds before your eyes. You can stream this film exclusively on Netflix. 

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004): 

If you’re looking for a film to devastate you as much as it forces you to meditate on yourself, this is the film for you. That may be heavy-handed, but I promise, this is an experience that you will be glad you undertook. You can stream this film on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Peacock. 

YouTube Essays: 

The Deadly Aftermath of Hurricane Helene - The Story & Footage of a Storm’s Damage (2024) by Wendigoon

In a significant pivot, a major topic that has been cycling in every bit of the media we’ve been watching is the absolute devastation of Hurricane Helene in Appalachia (the eastern US coast). This video comes from a content creator I have watched for many years and who was one of the first responders to this tragedy. Give this video a watch— the earnings of every ad you get on that video will go to an Appalachia relief fund.

Gravity Falls' Secret Finale: The Cipher Hunt (Feat. Alex Hirsch) (2024) by Keyan Carlile

As many Gravity Falls (2012-2016) fans know, the series creator—Alex Hirsch— recently published his third book on the series, titled The Book of Bill, focusing on the fate of the series antagonist, Bill Cipher. Well, this creator took a step back and decided to focus on an event that majorly informed this book launch: The 2016 “Cipher-Hunt,” where fans searched across the world to find a statue of Bill. Give this video a watch and see the ludicrous but hilarious circumstances surrounding the event and the incredible amount of effort behind such a project. 

Injustice - Full Story Supercut (2024) by Comicstorian

In honor of the creator of the Comicstorian channel and the titular Comicstorian, Benny Potter —who passed on June 8, 2024, from a tragic and fatal car accident— I feel it’s only right to end off with something that initially got me hooked to his channel back in 2018. You do not have to watch this video explicitly, but I promise, Benny covered a story you have been dying to read, and it would mean the world to his family and fans if you let him into your lives, even if it’s only for a brief instance. Please, support this page in any way you can. 

Though this brief list is not the most profound, every bit of these projects deserves praise for the amount of time and dedication behind their production. Truly, to me, these are all must-watches and encapsulate the pinnacle that any piece of media can take based on the dedication and time someone puts behind a project— even if it is as minute as a series retrospective on YouTube. 

Try something new this break, and experiment now that you are free of Geneseo’s academic burden, at least for a time.