Snow may land on top, but “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” barely builds to a flurry. The new prequel to “The Hunger Games” series takes place more than 60 years before the events of the original book but still lands on a familiar face. Read more...

Photo: Suzanne Collins’ latest installment in “The Hunger Games” universe expands upon what has been established in the original series, including mockingjay symbolism and President Snow’s development as a young boy. However, his lack of morality leads to stagnancy of his character. (Courtesy of Scholastic Review)

Time might not exist in quarantine, but Alfred’s iced vanilla latte does. Alfred, a local coffee shop with 10 locations across Los Angeles, has reopened its doors for contactless pick-up and created a delivery subscription program for its coffee beans and matcha tea tins. Read more...

Photo: The California-based coffee chain Alfred created a subscription-based program so customers can indulge in both coffee and less-caffeinated drinks like matcha. To adapt to the ongoing pandemic, Alfred offers contactless pick-up of its products.(Lauren Man/Daily Bruin)

Professor Gigi Johnson is interweaving the diverse sounds of music with her podcast, “Innovating Music.” The alumna said her podcast was inspired by traveling around the world meeting different types of creatives in the industry, such as DJs and composers. Read more...

Photo: Professor Gigi Johnson created her podcast, “Innovating Music,” four years ago. She said each guest shares how they stylistically innovate their own music and how they plan to improve the industry through new musical compositions and artificial intelligence technologies. (Ashley Kenney/Daily Bruin)