In the year of 2024, there were many influential movies, television shows, actors, and artists. As January and February roll around, awards season takes place. The Grammys, Emmys, and many more award shows shine the spotlight on these artistic forms of expression in both film and music. Many are eager to see the results in hopes that some of their personal favorites take the trophy home.

     The Critics’ Choice Awards was a recently held and well-known award show. The C.C. Awards focus on the film industry: movies, television shows, talk shows, actors, and actresses. Chelsea Handler hosted the night’s ceremony, broadcasting live on CW. It was located at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar.

     There were many surprises for the viewers and winners that were presented on January 14, 2024. The most awards received were the films “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie.” 

     Here is a look at the full list of winners below.

     FILM

1. Best Picture: “Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures)
2. Best Actor: Paul Giamatti – The Holdovers
3. Best Actress: Emma Stone – Poor Things
4. Best Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr. – Oppenheimer
5. Best Supporting Actress: Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers
6. Best Young Actor/Actress: Dominic Sessa – The Holdovers
7. Best Acting Ensemble: Oppenheimer
8. Best Director: Christopher Nolan – Oppenheimer
9. Best Original Screenplay: Barbie – Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach
10. Best Adapted Screenplay: America Fiction – Cord Jefferson
11. Best Cinematography: Hoyte van Hoytema – Oppenheimer
12. Best Production Design: Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer – Barbie
13. Best Editing: Jennifer Lame – Oppenheimer 
14. Best Costume Design: Jacqueline Durran – Barbie
15. Best Hair and Makeup: Barbie
16. Best Visual Effects: Oppenheimer
17. Best Comedy: Barbie
18. Best Animated Feature: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
19. Best Foreign Language Film: Anatomy of a Fall
20. Best Original Song: “I’m Just Ken” – Barbie
21. Best Score: Oppenheimer

     TELEVISION:

1. Best Drama Series: “Succession” (HBO)
2. Best Actor in a Drama Series: Kieran Culkin, “Succession”
3. Best Actress in a Drama Series: Sarah Snook, “Succession”
4. Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Billy Crudup, “The Morning Show”
5. Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Elizabeth Debicki, “The Crown”
6. Best Comedy Series: “The Bear” (FX)
7. Best Actor in a Comedy Series: Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”
8. Best Actress in a Comedy Series: Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”
9. Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear”
10. Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Meryl Streep, “Only Murders in the Building”
11. Best Limited Series: “Beef” (Netflix)
12. Best Movie Made for Television: “Quiz Lady” (Hulu)
13. Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Steven Yeun, “Beef”
14. Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Ali Wong, “Beef”
15. Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Jonathan Bailey, “Fellow Travelers” (Showtime)
16. Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Maria Bello, “Beef”
17. Best Foreign Language Series: Lupin (Netflix)
18. Best Animated Series: Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (Netflix)
19. Best Talk Show: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
20. Best Comedy Special: John Mulaney: Baby J (Netflix)

     The day after the Critics’ Choice Awards, the 75th annual Emmys Award Show took place. The first Emmys took place on January 25, 1949 to celebrate and recognize the excellence in American television programming. 

     The current day Emmys are similar to the Critics’ Choice Awards, but focus on presenting awards to television shows and variety shows. It is now available to watch and stream on Hulu for viewers’ enjoyment. 

     Held in the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and hosted by Anthony Anderson, there were many noteworthy first-time winners. The night’s most successful victors at the awards ceremony were the shows, “The Bear,” “Beef,” and “Succession.” 

     This is the full list of all the Emmys winners of the year 2024:

1. Best Comedy: “The Bear” (FX)
2. Best Drama: “Succession” (HBO)
3. Best Limited Series: “Beef” (Netflix)
4. Best Actress (Comedy): Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
5. Best Actor (Comedy): Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”
6. Best Actress (Drama): Sarah Snook, “Succession”
7. Best Actor (Drama): Kieran Culkin, “Succession”
8. Best Actress (Limited Series or TV Movie): Ali Wong, “Beef”
9. Best Actor (Limited Series or TV Movie): Steven Yeun, “Beef”
10. Supporting Actress (Drama): Jennifer Coolidge, “The White Lotus”
11. Supporting Actor (Drama): Matthew Macfadyn, “Succession”
12. Supporting Actress (Limited Series or TV Movie): Niecy Nash-Betts, “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”
13. Supporting Actor (Limited Series or TV Movie): Paul Walter Hauser, “Black Bird”

14. Variety Talk Series: “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)

15. Scripted Variety Series: “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (HBO)

16. Outstanding Variety Special (Live): Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium (Disney+)
17. Reality Competition Program: “Rupaul’s Drag Race” (MTV)
18. Writing for a Comedy Series: Christopher Storer, “The Bear” (“System”)
19. Writing for a Drama Series: Jesse Armstrong, “Succession” (“Connor’s Wedding”)
20. Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Drama Special: Lee Sung Jin, “Beef” (“The Birds Don’t Sing, They Screech in Pain”)
21. Directing for a Comedy Series: Christopher Storer, “The Bear” (“Review”)
22. Directing for a Drama Series: Mark Mylod, “Succession” (Connor’s Wedding”)
23. Directing for a Limited Series: Lee Sung Jin, “Beef” (“Figure of Light”)
24. Documentary or Nonfiction Series: “The 1619 Project” (Hulu)
25. Documentary or Nonfiction Special: “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” (Apple TV+)

     The 66th annual Grammys came out on February 4, 2024. Insanely popular among the music-loving fans, this year has some amazing candidates that left viewers excited. It focuses on music and artists that have changed the year of 2023.

     The first ever Grammys took place on May 4, 1959. The past and the present gives recognition to the best of the music or recording industry.

     The night’s most successful artists were Phoebe Bridgers with four trophies (three with her band, boygenius), Victoria Monet, SZA, boygenius, Killer Mike, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, and Taylor Swift. Swift had a memorable night, breaking the record for most album wins and in turn becoming the first artist to earn four album of the year prizes. 

     The highlights of the Grammys were Taylor’s announcement of her  new album coming out in April, Joni Mitchell performing at the Grammys for the first time, and Tracy Chapman’s surprise performance was greatly recognized by viewers.

     The full list of winners:

1. Record of the Year: “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
2. Album of the Year: “Midnights” by Taylor Swift
3. Song of the Year: “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish 
4. Best New Artist: Victoria Monet
5. Producer of the Year (Non-classical): Jack Antonoff
6. Songwriter of the Year (Non-classical): Theron Thomas
7. Best Pop Solo Performance: “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
8. Best Pop/Duo Performance: “Ghost in the Machine” by SZA ft. Phoebe Bridgers
9. Best Pop Vocal Album: “Midnights” by Taylor Swift
10. Best Dance/Electronic Recording: “Rumble” by Skrillex, Fred again.. and Flowdan
11. Best Pop Dance Recording: “Padam Padam” by Kylie Minogue
12. Best Dance/Electronic Music Album: “Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022) by Fred again..
13. Best Rock Performance: “Not Strong Enough” by boygenius
14. Best Metal Performance: “72 Seasons” by Metallica
15. Best Rock Song: “Not Strong Enough” by Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus, songwriters (boygenius)
16. Best Rock Album: “This Is Why” by Paramore
17. Best Alternative Music Performance: “This Is Why” by Paramore
18. Best Alternative Music Album: “The Record” by boygenius
19. Best R&B Performance: “ICU” by Coco Jones
20. Best Traditional R&B Performance: “Good Morning” by PJ Morton ft. Susan Carol
21. Best R&B Song: “Snooze” by SZA
22. Best Progressive R&B Album: “SOS” by SZA
23. Best R&B Album: “JAGUAR II” by Victoria Monet
24. Best Rap Performance: “SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS” by Killer Mike ft. Andre 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane
25. Best Melodic Rap Performance: “All My Life” by Lil Durk ft. J. Cole
26. Best Rap Song: “SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS” by Andre Benjamin, Paul Beauregard, James Blake, Michael Render, Tim Moore, Dion Wilson, and songwriters
27. Best Rap Album: “Michael” by Killer Mike
28. Best Spoken Word Poetry Album: “The Light Inside” by J. Ivy
29. Best Jazz Performance: “Tight” by Samara Joy
30. Best Jazz Vocal Album: “How Love Begins” by Nicole Zuraitis
31. Best Jazz Instrumental Album: “The Winds of Change” by Billy Childs
32. Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: “Basie Swings the Blues” by The Count Basie Orchestra directed by Scotty Barnhart
33. Best Latin Jazz Album: “El Arte Del Bolero Vol. 2” by Miguel Zenón and Luis Perdomo
34. Best Alternative Jazz Album: “The Omnichord Real Book” by Meshell Ndegeocello
35. Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: “Bewitched” by Laufey
36. Best Contemporary Instrumental Album: “As We Speak” by Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer, featuring Rakesh Chaurasia
37. Best Musical Theater Album: “Some Like It Hot” by Christian Borle, J. Harrison Ghee, Adrianna Hicks and NaTasha Yvette Williams, principal vocalists; Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Bryan Carter, Scott M. Riesett, Charlie Rosen and Marc Shaiman, producers; Scott Wittman, lyricist; Marc Shaiman, composer and lyricist (Original Broadway Cast)
38. Best Country Solo Performance: “White Horse” by Chris Stapleton
39. Best Country Duo/Group Performance: “I Remember Everything” by Zach Bryan featuring Kacey Musgraves
40. Best Country Song: “White Horse,” Chris Stapleton and Dan Wilson, songwriters (Chris Stapleton)
41. Best Country Album: “Bell Bottom Country,” Lainey Wilson
42. Best American Roots Performance: “Eve Was Black,” Allison Russell
43. Best Americana Performance: “Dear Insecurity,” Brandy Clark featuring Brandi Carlile
44. Best American Roots Song: “Cast Iron Skillet,” Jason Isbell, songwriter (Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit)
45. Best Americana Album: “Weathervanes,” Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
46. Best Bluegrass Album: “City of Gold,” Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
47. Traditional Blues Album:“All My Love for You,” Bobby Rush
48. Best Contemporary Blues Album: “Blood Harmony,” Larkin Poe
49. Best Folk Album: “Joni Mitchell at Newport (Live),” Joni Mitchell
50. Best Regional Roots Music Album: “New Beginnings,” Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. and the Legendary Ils Sont Partis B and
51. “Live: Orpheum Theater Nola,” Lost Bayou Ramblers and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (tie)
52. Best Gospel Performance/Song: “All Things,” Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin, songwriter
53. Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song: “Your Power,” Lecrae and Tasha Cobbs Leonard
54. Best Gospel Album: “All Things New: Live in Orlando,” Tye Tribbett
55. Best Contemporary Christian Music Album: “Church Clothes 4,” Lecrae
56. Best Roots Gospel Album: “Echoes of the South,” Blind Boys of Alabama
57. Best Latin Pop Album: “X Mí (Vol. 1),” Gaby Moreno
58. Best Musica Urbana Album: “Mañana Será Bonito,” Karol G
59. Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album: “Vida Cotidiana,” Juanes
60. “De Todas Las Flores,” Natalia Lafourcade (tie)
61. Best Musica Mexicana Album (Including Tejano): “Génesis,” Peso Pluma
62. Best Tropical Latin Album: “Siembra: 45° Aniversario (En Vivo en el Coliseo de Puerto Rico, 14 de Mayo 2022),” Rubén Blades con Roberto Delgado and Orquesta
63. Best Global Music Performance: “Pashto,” Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Zakir Hussain featuring Rakesh Chaurasia
64. Best African Music Performance: “Water,” Tyla
65. Best Global Music Album: “This Moment,” Shakti
66. Best Reggae Album: “Colors of Royal,” Julian Marley & Antaeus
67. Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album: “So She Howls,” Carla Patullo featuring Tonality and the Scorchio Quartet
68. Best Children’s Music Album: “We Grow Together Preschool Songs,” 123 Andrés
69. Best Comedy Album: “What’s in a Name?,” Dave Chappelle
70. Best Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording: “The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times,” Michelle Obama
71. Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media: “Barbie: The Album” (Various Artists)
72. Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Includes Film and Television): “Oppenheimer,” Ludwig Göransson, composer
73. Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and other Interactive Media: “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor,” Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab, composers
74. Best Song Written for Visual Media: “What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie: The Album,” Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)
75. Best Music Video: “I’m Only Sleeping” (The Beatles), Em Cooper, video director; Jonathan Clyde, Sophie Hilton, Sue Loughlin and Laura Thomas, video producers
76. Best Music Film: “Moonage Daydream” (David Bowie), Brett Morgen, video director; Brett Morgen, video producer
77. Best Recording Package: “Stumpwork,” Luke Brooks and James Theseus Buck, art directors (Dry Cleaning)
78. Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: “For the Birds: The Birdsong Project,” Jeri Heiden and John Heiden, art directors (Various Artists)
79. Best Album Notes: “Written in Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos,” Robert Gordon and Deanie Parker, album notes writers (Various Artists)
80. Best Historical Album: “Written in Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos,” Robert Gordon, Deanie Parker, Cheryl Pawelski, Michele Smith and Mason Williams, compilation producers; Michael Graves, mastering engineer; Michael Graves, restoration engineer (Various Artists)
81. Best Engineered Album, Non-classical: “Jaguar II,” John Kercy, Kyle Mann, Victoria Monét, Patrizio “Teezio” Pigliapoco, Neal H Pogue and Todd Robinson, engineers; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer (Victoria Monét)
82. Best Engineered Album, Classical: “Contemporary American Composers,” David Frost & Charlie Post, engineers; Silas Brown, mastering engineer (Riccardo Muti and Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
83. Producer of the Year, Classical: Elaine Martone
84. Best Remixed Recording: “Wagging Tongue (Wet Leg Remix),” Wet Leg, remixers (Depeche Mode)
85. Best Immersive Audio Album: “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” George Massenburg and Eric Schilling, immersive mix engineers; Michael Romanowski, immersive mastering engineer; Alicia Keys and Ann Mincieli, immersive producers (Alicia Keys)
86. Best Instrumental Composition: “Helena’s Theme,” John Williams, composer (John Williams)
87. Best Arrangement, Instrumental, or a Cappella: “Folsom Prison Blues,” John Carter Cash, Tommy Emmanuel, Markus Illko, Janet Robin and Roberto Luis Rodriguez, arrangers (The String Revolution featuring Tommy Emmanuel)
88. Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals: “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning,” Erin Bentlage, Jacob Collier, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye, Kendrick and Amanda Taylor, arrangers (säje Featuring Jacob Collier)
89. Best Orchestral Performance: “Adès: Dante,” Gustavo Dudamel, conductor (Los Angeles Philharmonic)
90. Best Opera Recording: “Blanchard: Champion,” Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor; Ryan Speedo Green, Latonia Moore and Eric Owens; David Frost, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus)
91. Best Choral Performance: “Saariaho: Reconnaissance,” Nils Schweckendiek, conductor (Uusinta Ensemble; Helsinki Chamber Choir)
92. Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance: “Rough Magic,” Roomful of Teeth
93. Best Classical Instrumental Solo: “The American Project,” Yuja Wang; Teddy Abrams, conductor (Louisville Orchestra)
94. Best Classical Solo Vocal Album: “Walking in the Dark,” Julia Bullock, soloist; Christian Reif, conductor (Philharmonia Orchestra)
95. Best Classical Compendium:“Passion for Bach and Coltrane,” Alex Brown, Harlem Quartet, Imani Winds, Edward Perez, Neal Smith and A.B. Spellman; Silas Brown and Mark Dover, producers
96. Best Contemporary Classical Composition: “Montgomery: Rounds,” Jessie Montgomery, composer (Awadagin Pratt, A Far Cry and Roomful of Teeth)

     Film and music shape everyone’s lives one day at a time, continuing to spread the art of creativity through a camera or recording studio. In the year of 2024, there are bright hopes in which albums or movies that will be released throughout the year.

The new hit movie, Wonka has flown off the charts, topping the box office for the third time since its first release. Many are pleased with this film and have shown their love for it everywhere. 

     This movie revolves around the origin story of the beloved character Willy Wonka. We get a glimpse into his backstory and how he got to where he is in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory now. Paul King, the director of Wonka, does a wonderful job in showing the origin of Willy Wonka and gives us an insight into his childhood and how he was shaped into this magic chocolatier. Wonka’s genuineness, loyalty, and commitment to do the right thing made this film so worth watching.

     The film unfolds with Wonka’s quest to find and build his perfect chocolate empire. The focus on Wonka’s backstory and his search for this chocolate empire occasionally detracts from the original story’s simplicity. However, the film manages to tie everything together in the end, providing a nice resolution to the film’s new prequel and the familiar tale we all know and love. 

    Timothée Chalamet took on the lead role of Willy Wonka and did an amazing job at it. He really brought his character to life with such charm and charisma. The rest of the cast also did an incredible job in portraying their characters. Calah Lane as Noodle, Hugh Grant as one of the Oompa Loompas, Keegan-Michael Key as Chief of Police, Paterson Joseph as Slugworth, and so many more great actors. 

     The visual effects and cinematography in this movie are incredible. The vibrant colors of chocolate and candy shown throughout the whole film truly captures you and is displayed so beautifully. There is not a dull scene in this movie. 

     The film’s soundtrack, produced by Neil Hannon and Joby Talbot is also very well done. Each song exhibits every moment perfectly and enhances the magical atmosphere. The songs are very catchy and lively and you just can’t get them out of your head while watching. 

     Overall, this film was directed perfectly, bringing Roald Dahl’s characters to life. Providing the audience with the history of the brilliant Willy Wonka. This film is definitely great for everyone and a must see. 

     “I am Loki, of Asgard, and I am burdened with glorious purpose.”

     In the case of the hit Disney+ Marvel series, Loki, “glorious purpose” refers to continuing the next installment of the very intricately-designed universe, with extremely devoted and critical fans, which is none other than the Marvel Cinematic Universe: a multi-billion dollar media franchise of movies, television shows, and more, which are based upon the classic Marvel superhero comics.

     Following the release of the first two MCU television series, Loki was released onto the increasingly popular streaming platform, Disney+ on June 9th, 2021. Featuring Tom Hiddleston returning as beloved supervillain turned anti-hero turned hero, Loki, as well as with a supporting cast of Sophia Di Martino, Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Wunmi Mosaku, Loki became yet another Marvel project to feature the idea of the multiverse.

     After getting into trouble with the Time Variance Authority (TVA), Loki finds himself in a bit of a pickle. He ends up trying to catch a version of himself from a different universe, and along the way, discovers the disorder behind the TVA.

      The show is connected to many other Marvel projects, including Avengers: Endgame, Iron Man, Thor: The Dark World, Thor: Ragnarok, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.

     The first season received a pretty high IMDb score of 8.6, a great Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score of 92%, and a Rotten Tomatoes Audience rating of 90%.

      I found the first season to be quite enjoyable, albeit a bit difficult to follow at times. As you might expect, a show dealing with all of time across every single universe in the multiverse is, needless to say, complex.

     However, I enjoyed how they incorporated the stories into the plot. The multiverse parts of the story did feel a little forced (probably because they were) but they managed to create a very interesting story with lots of well-developed characters and fan-appealing scenes.

     The end of the first season also (finally) introduced Kang the Conqueror into the MCU. Presented as “He Who Remains” in the season finale, a variant version of the character, Kang himself goes on to be one of the main players in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.

     Kang the Conqueror is a beloved (and extremely powerful) supervillain in the Marvel comics, and the first episode of Loki’s second season seemed to not-so-subtly hint at his extent of power.

     The first episode of Loki, season two, was released on October 5th of this year. There are currently three episodes available to stream on Disney+, with more to come in the coming weeks.

     The season premiere, entitled “Ouroboros” after the new character played by Ke Huy Quan, follows Loki as he is being pulled in between two different timelines. The present timeline, where he has his friends, and the future — a disturbing timeline in which Kang Variant, “He Who Remains,” is the leader of the TVA. The episode received an IMDb score of 8.3/10.

     The first episode was very entertaining, and I cannot wait to finish the rest of the series when it comes out. It is clear that this story is going to be pivotal for the future of some other Marvel projects, yet it still manages to capture the comedically quirky vibe of the first season.

     So far, the whole second season itself has a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating of 85%, a Rotten Tomatoes audience rating of 91%, and an overall IMDb score of 8.1.

     Loki is only one step in the future of Marvel projects. In the next few years, fans can expect several highly-anticipated imaginations of well-loved Marvel Comics stories, including The Marvels (November 10), What If…? season 2 (Late 2023), X-Men ‘97 (Early 2024), Deadpool 3 (May 3, 2024), Captain America: Brave New World (July 26, 2024), Ironheart (2024), Daredevil: Born Again (2024), and something I am extremely excited for, Blade (February 14, 2025)!

     With years and years of planned content for the future, Loki is only one part. There are so, so many comics that have yet to be taken to the silver screen, and fans like me can appreciate the spectacle of a comic brought to life.