Prequel to one of the most successful TV sitcoms of all time, the Big Bang Theory (2007 - 2019), Young Sheldon (2017 - 2024) recently premiered its seventh and final season. It shouldn’t be news that the CBS original is a massive success; millions of viewers tune in weekly to check in on their favorite characters and enjoy the comfort of a digestible story. If you’re wondering whether Young Sheldon’s popularity is warranted, I come to you as a hater of the Big Bang Theory to answer—absolutely. 

George Lucas is an individual most associated with the science-fiction-fantasy franchise Star Wars, and/or in a more negative light, his trademark wooden dialogue and his consistent re-edits of his films. Lucas is more than just the man who made Star Wars, though, and created the idea for Indiana Jones, as well. He is as much an auteur—an individual with full creative and personal control over a film, allowing them to create a reflection of themself through the film—as peers such as Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, or Steven Spielberg. 

With Dune: Part Two (2024) hitting theaters in a few weeks, what better time to revisit the world of Arrakis? For those unfamiliar, Dune is a film series based on the six Dune novels written by the late Frank Herbert. To complement this man’s creative genius, the film series is directed by visual genius Denis Villeneuve, a modern master of science fiction with previous works including Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Arrival (2016), and Enemy (2013). Though it may not have been clear to people going into the first film of this series, Villeneuve blew audiences away with his prowess on screen and crafted a visual recreation of the works which even the late Herbert would be impressed by; you can tell each shot had meticulous effort put into it.

*Heavy Spoilers Ahead*

Francesca Sloane and Donald Glover’s smash streaming hit Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2024) is a show marketed as an espionage drama that, in actuality, is a meditation on the pitfalls one can experience with a partner within a relationship, and the seeming implausibility of overcoming some of these inconveniences. It is a thoughtful and beautifully crafted show that focuses on this seemingly simple, but overlooked premise: To be in a relationship is to have a partner in crime, an equal in all regards meant to give and receive support.

With 123.4 billion watchers, this past Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 11, was the most-watched television event of the year! Beloved by many wing-eating, beer-drinking football fans, the 2024 Super Bowl hosted an intense game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. My apathy towards the Chiefs’ victory and the game itself couldn’t be stronger as I lay on the couch, using that night as an excuse to splurge on a Wegmans sub. In marketing major, non-sports fan fashion, I only cared for two things: the commercials and the halftime show. 

With a simple background of a room in his house, simple appearance, and simple text reading “sample this,” you would expect a simple tune from RJ Pasin. Ironically, that couldn't be further from the truth. All his beats are meticulously crafted— almost always incorporating an instrument like a guitar and some exquisite editing— and span widely through genres such as hyperpop to djent.

Welcome back loyal readers, it’s been a while! Over the last month or so, we haven’t had a chance to take a look at any of the newly released films, so I’d like to play a bit of catch-up! This is every major motion picture that came out from the day most of us left for break, to the first full day of classes. 

Each year, when writers and directors rush to make Christmas movies, the production team often focuses more on making a Christmas movie than making a quality movie. In the desire to manufacture a new holiday staple, many of these subpar Christmas movies are often garishly draped in all the holiday accouterment a studio can muster; expect conspicuous needle drops of every classic Christmas song you can think of, a set design tastelessly decorated with every available ornament, and, of course, for the movie to climax with a supposedly heartwarming Christmas Eve celebration. Indeed, this kind of corny holiday affair—think movies like Christmas with the Kranks (2004), Deck the Halls (2006), or Four Christmases (2008)—seems to be dressed up in everything except likable characters, charming scripts, and legitimate respect for the audience that make a real classic.

With all episodes of Ahsoka now streaming on Disney+, along with both the writers’ and actors’ strikes finally concluding, now is the best time to look at one of the year’s most highly anticipated Disney series. Over the last weeks, I’ve found myself extremely excited to see how the series would unfold, hopefully bringing with it a new side to Star Wars many feel is lacking under the current management.

Noah Kahan took the world by storm with his 2023 album Stick Season, a display of raw emotion and some incredibly catchy songs. Kahan was able to captivate listeners with his powerful yet somber attitude, timely lyrics, and musical energy that feels both foreign and homely. All of this to say: Kahan is hard to explain, and his rise to fame is even more complex—a perfect storm, if you will. Kahan now has billboard-charting songs and collaborations with some of pop’s biggest stars, such as Post Malone and Hozier. While he is by no means the most successful folk star, he shines a great spotlight onto modern folk; however, most folk artists aren’t able to break through the fame barrier. 

During this jolly time of the year, many families will sit down together by an open fire, make a nice cup of eggnog, and watch a wholesome holiday classic like Elf (2003), Home Alone (1990), or The Polar Express (2006). Other families will stray from the Christmas convention and watch John McTiernan’s Die Hard (1988) or Bob Clark’s Black Christmas (1974). As for me, the best way to spend Christmas with the movies is to revisit the works of one of the most intelligent writers in the business. He is a man who has consistently provided the scripts for some of the best action comedies since the 1980s, and the pinnacle of his work takes place during the holidays: Lethal Weapon (1987) and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005). This man is Shane Black, one of Hollywood’s most intelligent and witty writers.

After facing a stressful day, many turn on their television or open a book to unwind. Reality shows are a favorite for those who enjoy laughing at the conceited (it’s easier to laugh when the egotistical are on your screen, rather than in your group project); horrors and thrillers are chosen by those looking for their heart rate to increase after a dull day. Yet, at the mention of tragedy—a devastating movie that ensures at least a few tears from the consumer—it’s difficult to understand why we’d willingly subject ourselves to the genre. 

On Nov. 9, 2023, the hard working members of Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) ended their strike with significant gains, a deal valued at $1 billion! In solidarity with the writer’s and actor’s strikes, many of us journalists chose not to report on works that had been “struck,” i.e., films and television programs produced or distributed by studios that are members of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Now that the strike is over, we have a lot of catching up to do. The following is a series of reviews for most major films released during the strike, limited to a few sentences because full reviews would be far too long—I don’t want to cause that much pain for our lovely Lamron editors.

As the weather becomes colder, the world becomes still. We can no longer take advantage of beautiful, sunny days to partake in summer’s outlandish and outgoing activities. Instead of parasailing, we draw a warm bath. Where we would cliff jump near rapids, we now shut the doors and sip hot chocolate. 

I must admit that I rarely use my (parents’) Apple TV subscription. Though I know many incredibly noteworthy shows and movies are in their repertoire, I always end up on Netflix rewatching Gilmore Girls for the hundredth time. Right after Halloween, however, I found myself perusing Apple TV for the first time since Ted Lasso finished airing, and subsequently came across my new obsession: Lessons in Chemistry.