Arts and Entertainment

‘Lodge 49’ makes the unbelievable believable

Life can be absolutely absurd. It can also be pretty ordinary. Created by acclaimed short-story writer Jim Gavin, the new TV series “Lodge 49” knows these truths. It fully embraces both ends of the existential spectrum by being simultaneously the craziest and most relaxed show in this critic’s recent memory.

Idle Games: A digital kind of mindlessness

There is something precious about the interim period spent waiting for the campus shuttle or in line at the servery. These are times of idleness, and they feel like an oasis from the rat race of college life.  In these moments, I turn to idle games –  games on my phone that are perfectly situated for these idle times.

Sid 80’s Top 8 trends

It’s been nearly 30 years since the end of the 1980s. Most of us planning on attending Sid ’80s never really lived through the ’80s and if you did, you’re probably too old to be going to Rice public parties. However, don’t worry. You don’t need to be going Back to the Future to find out how to dress for Sid 80’s. We’ll tell you everything you need to fit right in!

​Summer’s belly flop: ‘The Happytime Murders’ disappoints

Rating: 2/5 It is fitting that the trailer for “The Happytime Murders” played at the screening of “Deadpool 2.” Operating under the tagline “All street, no sesame,” the trailer sold itself as a gritty repackaging of “The Muppets” franchise, complete with the rare R-rating that “Deadpool” brought to the superhero genre.

Experiencing the love in Daniel Caesar’s 'Freudian' performance

The denim manufactured in Japan is regarded as the highest quality denim in the world and is made with unique Japanese machines – the last of their kind.

Season one of ‘Jack Ryan’ falls prey to hokey plot lines

Rating: 2.5/5 Inspired by the popular series of novels by the late Tom Clancy, TV series “Jack Ryan” stars John Krasinski in the eponymous role of an ex-Marine-turned-CIA analyst who uncovers a terrorist threat during his research.

Pluko draws on various influences to deliver a beautifully crafted first album

Rating: 4.5/5 Pluko’s first album, “Sixteen” is relatively short, with a collective 36 minutes of new music.

‘Searching’ successfully brings parental fears to digital life

Rating: 4.5 / 5 In photographer Allan Sekula’s open letter to Bill Gates, he asks, “When you’re on the net, are you lost, or found?” This question is etched into every scene of Aneesh Chaganty’s new thriller “Searching” with remarkable results.

Tingles & Triggers: Delving Into the Calming World of ASMR

Ever open a can of soda and feel satisfied by the pop and sizzle? Or get chills throughout your spine when someone plays with your hair?

Troye Sivan's musicality blooms in sophomore album

Some students combat September storms with lots of blankets, napping and Netflix, but perhaps they should consider dancing around to Troye Sivan’s sophomore album, “Bloom.” Both thrillingly delicate and heavy-hitting, Sivan’s newest work features his characteristic reflective lyricism coupled with a diverse mix of exuberant classic pop sounds.

Houston Restaurant Week update: Fine dining for less

Rice colloquialisms explained as urban dictionary terms

To All The Boys I've Loved Before review

Rating: 5/5 I almost never forgave Netflix for “The Kissing Booth,” but then came “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” The film focuses on 16-year-old Lara Jean Covey (played by Lana Condor), an awkward and naive Korean-American teen who prefers to stay invisible.

​VADA alumnus transforms house into art studio

Embedded in Houston’s Third Ward lies Project Row Houses, a group of shotgun houses that includes converted Summer Studios for seven local art students and emerging artists.

Thread-sher exclusive: Top 10 college fall clothing essentials

​So matcha love: Matcha Café Maiko, Hawaiian cafe, opens

“Everything in Texas has to be bigger, so we couldn’t just have a stand,” said Thinh Quach, one of the partners of Matcha Café Maiko, which opened on July 17 in Chinatown.

Summer EDM releases

In a summer where electronic music seems to be shifting toward pop, there are a few artists whose unique tracks introduce new electronic styles and push the boundaries of the genre.

​Bo Burnham’s “Eighth Grade” portrays anxiety and social stress as a universal experience

In performance art, passion projects are rarely successful. With so much creative authority consolidated in one person, the final product is generally too much of one thing – too cerebral, too eccentric, too preachy, etc.

‘Crazy Rich Asians’: more than just a rom-com

Rating: 4/5 The last major Hollywood film featuring an all-Asian cast, Joy Luck Club, was released 25 years ago.

“Puzzle” affords a deserved spotlight for Kelly Macdonald, but nothing else shines

There’s not much to solve in Marc Turtletaub’s new film, “Puzzle.” The film follows Agnes, a suburban housewife who can best be described by the word “beige,” as she realizes her independence and self-worth through – you guessed it – jigsaw puzzles.