Jordan Ramee joins Kurt Indovina to chat about his review of South of Midnight.

The first Nintendo Switch 2 Direct revealed not only a port of FromSoftwares modern classic Elden Ring, but also a new game from the studio called The Duskbloods. While details about this title are currently scarce, it is confirmed to be directed by Dark Souls and Elden Rings director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, and it is being advertised as a multiplayer game. According to the official FromSoftware website, The Duskbloods is an eight-player PvPvE title, though what that will mean for its structure and gameplay loop has yet to be fully explained. Regardless, gamers are already intrigued about The Duskbloods for a couple of key reasons.

Launch line-ups for consoles can be a tricky business, especially for Nintendo, fresh off of its Switch 2 reveal. The company has some of the best-loved IP in video gaming, but the double edge of this particular sword means that fans and consumers alike have lofty expectations whenever a new piece of hardware is unveiled. A new Nintendo console means the potential to start strong and offer revolutionary new ways to experience video games, or offer new spins on established classics.

Warner Bros. dropped a new sneak-peek teaser for James Gunns Superman on Thursday out of CinemaCon, and its mostly just the same trailer we saw back in December, with the same quick-cut looks at Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Guy worst haircut in the verse Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), a giant kaiju that might be Jimmy Olsen, and more. The difference is, theres an extra two minutes of footage that might just be the full theatrical cut of the sequence that follows after Superman crashlands in the snow near the Fortress of Solitude and its a long, agonizing two minutes.Worse, half of it is a grim comedy sequence where Krypto is torturing Superman and doesnt realize it. Hes just a good boy who wants to play by jumping all over the shattered, writhing body of his best friend. Supermans Fortress of Solitude robots also show up, and also kinda torture Superman, though much like Krypto, theyre just trying to help, even if that help leaves him screaming in pain.This is pretty classic James Gunn humor, seen throughout The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker, and the Guardians of the Galaxy movies dark, weird, boundary-pushing (most of us arent used to seeing Superman physically shattered, helpless, and spitting blood), and enough of a blend of tones that youre meant to struggle a bit with the response. David Corenswets performance as Superman in this scene is certainly designed to provoke sympathetic flinches.But after the internets ecstatic embrace of tail-wagging, cheerfully bouncing Krypto on screen, this scene is more than a little squirmy. Sure, Lex Luthor and other foes have beaten and broken Superman before, physically or emotionally. But watching him being hurt by a happy dog who loves him is an extra-cruel moment, and Gunn feeling that this was the scene to really sell people on the movie makes me wonder what else he has in store for the Big Blue Guy. Superman will hit theaters on July 11, 2025.

President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs on foreign goods Wednesday, with the reportedly arbitrary levies exceeding 60% in some cases. While the tariffs were long expected, one business analyst told CNBC that the administrations plans are worse than the worst case scenario. With most tabletop games produced overseas, many in China, the impact could be devastating. Developers and publishers are sounding the alarm.The games you play are likely to become much more expensive. Nearly 20 organizations that Polygon spoke with said that profits will be severely impacted. Many said jobs will be lost, companies shuttered, and games that have been in development for years may simply never come to market.Tabletop gaming, which includes board games, card games, and role-playing games, has enjoyed a roughly two-decade renaissance brought on in part by crowdfunding. Nevertheless, much of the industry consists of individual creators, sole proprietors, small family businesses, and remote teams of creatives. The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) said Thursday that the impact of these tariffs will be nothing short of a disaster.The latest imposition of a 54% tariff on products from China by the administration is dire news for the tabletop industry and the broader US economy, GAMA said in a news release. As an industry highly dependent on producing goods overseas and importing them into the US, this policy will have devastating consequences.Tariffs are essentially taxes on consumers, not on the countries where the products are produced, it continued. Publishers will be forced to pass these costs along to their customers or face the prospect of ceasing operations. Nearly a third of all US consumer goods including clothes, food products, appliances, cars, and entertainment items like games are imported. This means higher prices across the board as all these products will need to increase prices to compensate for these new Trump Taxes.Tariffs are essentially taxes on consumers. [] Publishers will be forced to pass these costs along to their customers or face the prospect of ceasing operationsIt went on to add that as prices rise domestically, discretionary spending will necessarily decrease, further constraining consumer spending on games.This one-two punch is likely to put many of our members out of business or force them to downsize and lay off employees to survive, GAMA concluded.The U.S. has a very small industrial capacity for manufacturing tabletop games especially board games. That was made clear in a statement issued Thursday by Steve Jackson Games CEO Meredith Placko.Some people ask, Why not manufacture in the U.S.? Placko said in an impact statement. I wish we could. But the infrastructure to support full-scale boardgame production specialty dice making, die-cutting, custom plastic and wood components doesnt meaningfully exist here yet. Ive gotten quotes. Ive talked to factories. Even when the willingness is there, the equipment, labor, and timelines simply arent.Nearly a dozen organizations expressed dismay in emails to Polygon. A member of the leadership team at an established tabletop role-playing publisher said uncertainty instigated by the incoming administration had impacted their revenues since at least January. Now the tariffs are poised to deliver a knockout blow. They asked for anonymity, citing concerns over reprisals from other U.S.-based businesses.The news is bad from every angle, but especially so for card games and RPGs printed in China, they said. The choice seems to be either 1) a massive price hike to pay the new import taxes, or 2) go to a direct sales model that removes the hobby distributors from the equation.Distributors are the connective tissue that helps keep GAMAs nearly 5,000 independent member retailers stocked with the latest games. Without their involvement there may be fewer titles on store shelves, causing further stress on an industry still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.The situation is especially problematic for companies that have used crowdfunding. Their products were bought and paid for years ago with backer dollars on platforms like Kickstarter, Gamefound, and BackerKit. Now as they near the final push to manufacturing, through overseas logistics networks, and into the hands of eager consumers, what little margin was available has all but vanished.In the short term, I just have to eat these costs to fulfill the Kickstarter, said Joshua M. Simons, founder of Broken Door Entertainment, who baked in an extra margin in anticipation of the tariffs. He says it wasnt enough.In the short term, I just have to eat these costs to fulfill the KickstarterThe tariffs will erase 20% of my expected profits off this initial print run, making it much harder to get my next round of products developed, Simons said. That hit to my budget means I will probably only be able to afford making one product instead of two for the rest of this year.As spreadsheets begin to bleed red, its the capricious nature of the Trump administration that continues to bedevil small businesses like Hit Point Press.Right now, HPP is prepping for our next Humblewood Kickstarter campaign launch next week, said CEO and founder Ricardo Evangelho. This news has me revising everything in advance of the campaign. But even then, with how things are going, we cant be sure that even this adjustment is correct. Trump could come out tomorrow with additional tariffs which makes everything uncertain.We have high hopes for this next campaign, Evangelho continued, but if everyone is afraid of buying because they dont know the final cost, I have concerns well raise what we need to continue building to the scale we currently are.Still other publishers are literally stopping the presses, terminating the production of games already promised to consumers.I had to cancel a print run of one of our board games this morning, said Michael Addison, whose Nerdy Pup Games is currently supporting the TTRPGs for Trans Right Bundle with the inclusion of Rebels of the Outlaw Wastes. Were basically putting all manufacturing on hold. We currently make both board games and TTRPGs. Theres a chance we are simply done making board games for the foreseeable future.Tariffs on China arent the only problem. Dozens of other international trading partners have also had tariffs levied against them.We had been looking at printing in either South Korea or Vietnam instead of China but with the all encompassing nature of the planned tariffs, I have no idea how feasible that would be, said Liana MacKenzie, owner of Valorous Games. She said the company may be forced to begin publishing digital-only content in the short term. Were entirely self-funded through my day job and whatever we can earn through conventions, so not having a physical book is not at all ideal but that may just be where were at.Others, like Coyote & Crow founder Connor Alexander, say this might simply be the end for now.[The proposed tariffs on China] will essentially kill my company, Alexander wrote in a deeply pessimistic post on Bluesky. In a follow-up email to Polygon, he sounded only slightly more hopeful: Im not panicking yet. Emphasis on yet.[The proposed tariffs on China] will essentially kill my companyIn its statement, tabletop trade organization GAMA was clear that the time to act is now before the tariffs have been firmly locked into place, and before more game publishers bow out of the industry entirely. GAMA will continue to oppose this policy and calls on Congress to show common sense and work together to avoid wrecking the US economy in a misguided tariff war that is neither necessary nor needed, the trade organization said in its news release. We urge all US members to contact their representatives and senators to step in and vacate this damaging policy. You can find your representative and senators contact information at house.gov and senate.gov. Please write or call them to express your concerns and demand action to protect our industry and the broader economy.

Paint is the cheapest, easiest renovation you can do: it makes everything fresh and new, it covers defects, and its something almost anyone can do to a reasonable level of quality.If you just read that last part and started shaking your head because your paint projects always turn out terriblypatchy, or with visible sheen or brush strokes, or a final color that doesnt seem to match what you chose in the store at allthe cause probably isnt your work ethic, or an evil spirit inhabiting your house. The problem probably lies in your prep work. If all youre doing before you start slapping paint on the walls is applying some painters tape and covering the furniture, the chances that the final paint job will look terrible are actually pretty high. Here are all the things you should take into account before you dip that brush.Consider temperature and humidityThe weather can affect the quality of your paint job. Extreme temperature or humidity can have an adverse impact on the drying time. At colder temperatures, paint can thicken, extending its drying time. At hotter temperatures, it can dry too quickly, affecting adhesion. High humidity that leaves moisture on the walls will also result in a sub-par paint job.Your home is probably climate controlled, so painting inside even during extreme weather is certainly possiblejust make sure the temperature is between 50 and 90 degrees and the humidity levels are between 40 and 60%.Prep the wallsIts usually a good idea to wash your walls before painting them to ensure there is no dust or dirt that could adversely affect adhesion. While youre at it, look for cracks, dents, peeling tape, or other defects and patch everything up (including crayon or grease stains that will probably show through your paint unless theyre scrubbed off). A small flaw that isnt noticeable now might become a glaring problem when a fresh coat of paint brings it to the forefront.Cleaning walls with a dry microfiber cloth followed by warm water and a sponge is usually sufficient, unless your walls are really dirty. If youre worried about it, add a small amount of dish washing liquid or trisodium phosphate (if your walls are greasy and very dirty)but avoid colored soaps that might leave a tint behind.Choose the right rollersOne big reason paint jobs look like crap? The nap on your roller cover. The nap of your roller describes the thickness of the fibers. Generally speaking, the smoother your wall surface is, the smaller the nap of your roller cover should be. Painting kitchen cabinets? Go with a 1/4-inch nap. Painting a brick wall? An inch or even a 1 1/4-inch nap is best. Smaller fibers pick up less paint, while thicker fibers hold more painta too-short nap can result in a patchy finish on rough surfaces, while a too-long nap can add unwanted texture to smooth surfaces. Most interior paint jobs will call for a nap between 3/8 inch (very smooth walls) and 3/4 inch (textured walls, like stucco).Apply a separate primer coatThese days you can buy paint and primer together, which is a terrific time saver. But if your walls arent in great shape, even after cleaning and patching, you will usually get a much better result with a separate primer coat. This step might not be 100% necessary on your walls, but taking the extra time to prime properly will guarantee the best possible outcome.Identify the paint's undertonesAlmost all paint has an undertone (its base color )and a masstone (its overall hue). The undertone can be subtle and difficult to suss out, which is why its so important to paint a few samples on the wall before you commit. The paints undertone will interact with everything else in the room in ways that arent always obvious in the store. You brought home a beige paint, for example, but it has a green undertone, and suddenly it looks all wrong on your walls because your wood floors have yellow undertones.You can ask about the paints undertone at the store where youre buying it. You can also use a color wheel to compare it to primary colors to get a sense of the undertones involved.Combine multiple buckets of paintIf youre painting a small room and using just one can of paint, youre good to go. If your project is larger and youll be using multiple cans of the same color, you should combine all your paint into a larger bucket and mix it upa process called boxing. This is a good idea because even if you bought your paint from the same store at the same time, there can be subtle variations between cans. Maybe the pigments dispersed incorrectly, or the mixing process was slightly off. Whatever the reason, even the tiniest variation between cans will be incredibly obvious when you switch to the new can. Boxing it eliminates the danger.Check out your window tintYour windows can throw a wrench into your paint colors. This is because many windows have a very subtle green tint due to the presence of iron oxide in the glass. This isnt noticeable in any way to the naked eye, as a rule, but it can cast a greenish tint on your paint thats just strong enough to make it look inexplicably wrong in the daylight. Putting samples on the wall to judge the color is a great ideabut make sure you paint those samples in a spot where the light from your windows will hit them. Samples that look perfect in a more shadowed area may suddenly look weird when light hits it through the window.Figure out the color temperature of your lightsAnother lighting issue is your light bulbs. All the bulbs youre using in your light fixtures have a color temperature, and that can affect how your paint looks. Generally speaking, bulbs with higher color temperatures will brighten darker paint and mute lighter colors and vice versa. This means that a paint color that looks terrific in daylight can suddenly look grim or faded at night when the lights come on. Its best to check your samples in all kinds of light to make sure youve chosen wiselyand change your bulbs to support your paint if necessary.You should also check the color rendering index (CRI) of your bulbs. This is a rating between 50 and 100 that indicates how accurate the color rendering of the bulb will be. A CRI of 90 to 100 will show your paint as accurately as possible, reducing the chances that it will look worse when the sun goes down.Load your roller upFinally, when actually painting, dont be shy with your roller. When initially loading paint onto a dry cover, take your time and work paint deep into the nap. This can take a few minutes, so dont rushyou want a nice, wet roller when you hit the wall. When painting, dont roll until the roller is exhaustedreload frequently and keep the nap damp. Exhausting your roller will just leave streaks and faint spots that may or may not get covered by a second coatand may or may not haunt you for years afterward.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.Imagine, if you will, a time of wild economic inequality, global conflict, and Donald Trump every freakin' time you turn on your TV. But all of that in neon, and with a way cooler soundtrack. Im talking, of course, about the 80s: the decade that gave us Spike Lee, Hayao Miyazaki, Tim Burton, John Hughes, and Cher (but, you know, the serious actress). Arnold blew up a whole bunch of stuff; Michael J. Fox went back in time to avoid sleeping with his mom; Eddie Murphy made cops seem fun and approachable; and people went around asking Wheres the beef? for reasons that remain unclear even to historians. It was quite a time.It was also an era when beloved blockbusters could come in all shapes and sizes, and there were nearly 100% fewer Marvel movies. The massive hits of the decade include action movies, but also romantic comedies, horror movies, and family dramas. It doesnt have the reputation of the 1970s as a cinematic golden age, but theres something to be said for the sheer volume of enduring classics that the decades filmmakers produced. Here are some of the very best, and where to find them.Steel Magnolias (1989) Mention this movie in the right crowd and watch the tears start to well up in eyesbut its also very funny, thoroughly quotable, and full of great performances from the all-star team of Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts, and Daryl Hannah. You can stream Steel Magnolias on Max or rent it from Prime Video. Steel Magnolias (1989) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Moonstruck (1987) Cher won an Academy Award for her performance as an Italian-American widow Loretta Castorini, deciding whether to settle into comfortable middle age with the man her parents want for heror` go wild with his brother, played by Nicolas Cage. You can stream Moonstruck on Prime Video, The Criterion Channel, The Roku Channel, and Pluto TV. Moonstruck (1987) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Do the Right Thing (1989) Director Spike Lee had his greatest triumph with this funny, quotable, and ultimately explosive film about the racial tensions percolating in a Brooklyn neighborhood on a hot summer day. You can stream Do the Right Thing on Netflix or rent it from Prime Video. Do the Right Thing (1989) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Beverly Hills Cop (1984) Eddie Murphy was never hotter than in the first film of this action comedy that rocketed him from comic genius to international superstar. If you grew up in the 1980s, try listening to anything on the soundtrack without being transported. You can rent Beverly Hills Cop from Prime Video. Beverly Hills Cop (1984) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) Rosanna Arquette stars in director Susan Seidelman's cult classic as a bored New Jersey housewife who sets out in pursuit of a free-spirited punk chick (Madonna) who's she's become enthralled by, eventually taking on her persona to find fulfillment. Madonna was on the cusp of megastardom, but the film also provided breakout roles for Laurie Metcalf, Aidan Quinn, John Turturro, and Giancarlo Esposito. You can stream Desperately Seeking Susan on Max or rent it from Prime Video. Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max The Terminator (1984) James Cameron broke into the big time with this smart, satisfying sci-fi action movie about a robot assassin from the future (Arnold Schwarzenegger) sent back in time to murder a waitress before she can give birth to humanity's savior. (As if you didn't know all of that.) Arnold is the marquee name, but Linda Hamilton's beleaguered Sarah Conner steals the franchise. You can stream The Terminator on MGM+ and The Roku Channel or rent it from Prime Video. The Terminator (1984) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Beetlejuice (1988) Tim Burton was at his weirdest and wildest in this tribute to the afterlife, in which the ghosts Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin team up with Michael Keatons raunchy poltergeist to scare a living family out of their home. You can rent Beetlejuice from Prime Video. Beetlejuice (1988) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Top Gun (1986) Tom Cruise feels the need for speed in this fast-paced movie about sweaty jock pilots who are definitely into girls. Definitely. You can stream Top Gun on Paramount+ and Prime Video. Top Gun (1986) at Paramount+ Learn More Learn More at Paramount+ My Neighbor Totoro (1988) This gorgeously animated Hayao Miyazaki favorite follows sisters Satsuke and Mei as they move to an old country house with their father to await their mothers hoped-for recovery from an illness. What they find in the house are playful spirits who lead them on an adventure. You can stream My Neighbor Totoro on Max or rent it from Prime Video. My Neighbor Totoro (1988) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Desert Hearts (1985) An about-to-be-divorced professor, Vivian (Helen Shaver) goes to stay on a cattle ranch where she meets Cay (Patricia Charbonneau), the ranch owners daughter who helps to bring Vivian out of her shell. A charming romance, its also, refreshingly, one of the few LGBTQ+ movies from the era that doesnt lean to tragedy. You can stream Desert Hearts on Max and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. Desert Hearts (1985) Learn More Learn More Back to the Future (1985) Great Scott! Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd are brilliantly paired in this time-travel comedy that sees Marty McFly visiting the 50s and exploring the lives of his parents when they were in high school. And finding that his mom has a crush on him. Heavy. You can rent Back to the Future from Prime Video. Back to the Future (1985) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Child's Play (1988) The progenitor of one of our most enduring slasher franchises (seven movies and a TV series, all written and/or directed by Chucky creator Don Mancini), Child's Play works in large part because it knows how ridiculous the premise is. Brad Dourif voices killer Charles Lee Ray, who performs a spell to transfer his soul into a doll before he dies. It's got solid thrills and a self-aware sense of humor that would serve the series well over the decades, even as it got much weirder. You can stream Child's Play on Max or rent it from Prime Video. Child's Play (1988) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) In a sea of teen slacker comedies that were popular in the early 1980s, Fast Times is something different: Director Amy Heckerling and writer Cameron Crowes capture the dumb minutiae of high-school life. Theres plenty of raunchy humor, but, at its heart, its a coming-of-age movie about the awkwardness of budding sexuality. You can rent Fast Times at Ridgemont High from Prime Video. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) at Prime Video Get Deal Get Deal at Prime Video Dirty Dancing (1987) Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze are on fire here in what is, without a doubt, the sexiest movie ever to be set at a family vacation resort in the Catskills. But also still heartwarming, somehow? You can rent Dirty Dancing from Prime Video. Dirty Dancing (1987) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Im sure nobody way back at the beginning of the 1980s thought that wed still be going to Indiana Jones moviesbut Raiders of the Lost Ark is just that good. Sequels might have diluted its power a bit, but this one is pure adventure. You can stream Raiders of the Lost Ark on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ Lean on Me (1989) Morgan Freeman plays the real-life Joe Louis Clark, principal of Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey. The true story might have been a bit more complicated, but Freemans Clark is electric: a tough, no-nonsense educator willing to do whatever it takes to bring his students to the movies rousing finale. You can rent Lean on Me from Prime Video. Lean on Me (1989) Learn More Learn More Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) Star Trek had a broader pop culture moment in the 1980s, capped by this heartfelt and genuinely funny time-travel adventure in which the crew has to travel back in time to save the whales. The result feels both like a time capsule of the era and a timelessly charming fishes-out-of-water story, filled with colorful metaphors and nuclear wessels. You can stream Star Trek IV on Paramount+ or rent it from Prime Video. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) at Paramount+ Get Deal Get Deal at Paramount+ Batman (1989) Travel back with me to an era when we weren't all sick to fucking death of superheroes. Tim Burton's weird and stylish take on the comic book crimefighter is weird, funny, and sexy in ways that would scare the hell out of today's branded blockbusters. You can stream Batman on Max or rent it from Prime Video. Batman (1989) Learn More Learn More My Beautiful Laundrette (1985) Johnny (Daniel Day-Lewis) and Omar (Gordon Warnecke) are a thoroughly mismatched couple: Johnny's a former right-wing skinhead, while Omar's a Pakistani-British man from a well-off family. Despite the trials of being a gay interracial couple in Thatcher's Britain, romance blossoms when the two set about fixing up a run-down laundrette. You can stream My Beautiful Laundrette on Prime Video and Pluto TV. My Beautiful Laundrette (1985) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Return of the Living Dead (1985) This horror comedy with punk style is both a knowing parody of zombie movies while also managing to be an impressively gory thriller in its own right that moves the whole genre forward. Plus, its got a great death-rock soundtrack. You can stream Return of the Living Dead on MGM+, Tubi, and Pluto TV or rent it from Prime Video. Return of the Living Dead (1985) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Im Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) Prior to creating the iconic In Living Color in the 1990s, Keenan Ivory Wayans directed this deeply goofy, but frequently hilarious, spoof of blaxploitation films of the previous generation. The cast includes not only up-and-coming (at the time) actors like Chris Rock and Dawn Lewis, but many of the stars of the movies that it parodies (Bernie Casey, Isaac Hayes, etc.) You can stream I'm Gonna Git You Sucka on Pluto TV and The Roku Channel or rent it from Prime Video. Im Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Body Heat (1981) Kathleen Turner stars in Lawrence Kasdan's essential neo-noir as one of cinema's ultimate femmes fatale, playing a very dangerous (and very frequently naked) game with William Hurt. A super steamy erotic thriller classic. You can rent Body Heat from Prime Video. Body Heart (1981) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Color Purple (1985) Steven Spielberg's adaptation of the Alice Walker novel is both a deeply intimate story and an epic. The life of the poor, abused, abandoned Celie (Whoopi Goldberg) plays out like a hero's journey, as compelling as any in cinematic mythology, set agains the backdrop of the larger crisis of slavery and prejudice in the young United States. The recent musical adaptation is great, but there's still plenty of room for this quieter adaptation. You can rent The Color Purple from Prime Video. The Color Purple (1985) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Hollywood Shuffle (1987) Robert Townsend directs himself as Bobby Taylor, a satire about the perils of navigating the Hollywood system for an actor simultaneously too black and not black enough for the tastes of studio bosses. Through elaborate fantasy sequences and parodies of popular movies, Townsend creates a sharp and often extremely funny sendup thats sadly still relevant. You can stream Hollywood Shuffle on Prime Video, Tubi, The Roku Channel, and Pluto TV. Hollywood Shuffle (1987) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Stand By Me (1986) One of the best Stephen King adaptations doesnt qualify as horror at all, instead being a coming-of-age drama set in the 1950s about four best friends setting out on a quest to see a dead body. The movie captures both the real and imagined trials of growing up. You can stream Stand By Me on Max or rent it from Prime Video. Stand By Me (1986) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Purple Rain (1984) The plot is thin, sure...but not really the point. Prince plays The Kid, who fled an abusive home to make his mark in the music world, and faces off against a rival trying to steal the spotlight and his girl. Part narrative, part concert film, and part music video, Purple Rain was conceived as a showcase for Prince's talents, and it absolutely captures him at the height of his purple powers. You can rent Purple Rain from Prime Video. Purple Rain (1984) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Field of Dreams (1989) One of the most beloved sports films ever is also a dreamy fantasy about a farmer (Kevin Costner) building a baseball diamond in the middle of a cornfield in order to attract a bunch of ghosts who might want to play a few games therebut who really just wants to play catch with his dad one last time. A silly premise? Maybe, but it plays out like a fairy tale, and generates real emotion. You can stream Field of Dreams on Netflix or rent it from Prime Video. Field of Dreams (1989) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Karate Kid (1984) The movie that kicked off not only a mania for karate in the 1980s, but also a franchise thats had a surprisingly long life, this one has everything you need in a rousing underdog sports movie: Nerdy loser Daniel (Ralph Macchio) comes to a new town where hes the immediate target of bullies (including William Zabkas Johnny)until he meets up with mentor Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita). It all builds to a cheer-worthy finale with some rousing 80s tunes. You can stream The Karate Kid on Hulu or rent it from Prime Video. The Karate Kid (1984) at Hulu Learn More Learn More at Hulu The Empire Strikes Back (1980) The second Star Wars movie remains the best of the entire series. Building on the Flash Gordon-inspired original, Empire goes deeper and darker, finding real emotional resonance among its core characters while also putting truly kick-ass space action front and center. This is a high the franchise (and perhaps all of blockbuster filmmaking) has been chasing for decades. You can stream The Empire Strikes Back on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video. The Empire Strikes Back (1980) at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ Spaceballs (1987) Maybe you're getting a little bored with Star Wars-style outer space action? No better antidote than the Mel Brooks classic that effectively skewers not just the sci-fi tropes on which that series leans, but the vast merchandising empire to which it gave birth ("Spaceballs: The Flamethrower!"). Even George Lucas loved it. You can stream Spaceballs on Prime Video. Spaceballs (1987) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Cinema Paradiso (1988) In a war-torn Sicilian town, young Salvatore escapes from, his alternately mundane and terrifying everyday and life into the movies, befriending an old projectionist who later encourages him to pursue his love of filmmaking. It's a lovely ode to the power of cinema, packed with memorable, colorful characters and with an all-time great ending. You can rent Cinema Paradiso from Prime Video. Cinema Paradiso (1988) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Ferris Buellers Day Off (1986) One of John Hughes funniest (andbonusleast problematic) movies is a joyous tribute to the power of blowing off whatever youre supposed to be doing in favor of much cooler stuff. Theres no way that the movies core trio (Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara, and Alan Ruck) would have learned nearly as much if theyd gone to school. You can stream Ferris Bueller on Pluto TV or rent it from Prime Video. Ferris Buellers Day Off (1986) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988) The beloved horror host stepped onto the big screen for the first time with this gloriously silly movie involving Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) traveling to the small, conservative town of Fallwell, Massachusetts, where her revealing clothes and sassy attitude quickly turn most of the town against her. Its like Footloose with black magic and boobs. You can stream Elvira on Tubi, Pluto TV, AMC+, The Roku Channel, and Prime Video. Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Dark Crystal (1982) Jim Henson and company followed up The Muppet Show with this rich, dark fantasy following a couple of gelflings on a quest to restore balance to their world. The endlessly covetous Skeksis are the stuff of nightmares, but they also feel like a warning about the dangers of unchecked greed that we should have taken seriously. Henson wasn't afraid to challenge viewers of any age with a complex moral message. You can stream The Dark Crystal on Prime Video, Hulu, Peacock, Pluto TV, and Shout Factory TV. The Dark Crystal (1982) at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988) A technical triumph from director Robert Zemeckis, Roger Rabbit is also a fun tribute to Hollywood of yore, and to the hard-boiled detective movies that were once a ubiquitous genre unto themselves. Bob Hoskins plays Eddie Valiant, a boozy and embittered gumshoe hired to investigate allegations that the wife of cartoon star Roger is having an affair. Cartoon luminaries from Bugs Bunny to Betty Boop pop in for cameos. You can stream Who Framed Roger Rabbit on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988) at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ Police Story (1985) The plot is nothing new: Jackie Chan plays a cop who singlehandedly puts away a major Hong Kong drug dealer, but then has to protect the man's secretary with some help from his own girlfriend (Maggie Cheung). No matter: The action comedy includes several of the most breathtaking sequences of Chan's career (which is really saying something), including a legendary sequence during which the actor falls several stories through a series of exploding light bulbs and fixtures. You can stream Police Story on Max and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Apple TV. Police Story (1985) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max My Dinner with Andre (1981) A casual dinner conversation between Andr Gregory and Wallace Shawn gets wildly existential in director Louis Malle's endlessly fascinating classic. "Boring" in the best way. You can stream My Dinner with Andre on Max and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. My Dinner with Andre (1981) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Highlander (1986) Immortal beings wander the earth, forced to fight each other to the death with swordsbecause there can be only one. Or something. The goofy premise is played with absolute seriousness by Christopher Lambert as the titles highlander. As a result, the film works both as a sci-fi action epic as well as pure camp, ably assisted by Sean Connerys Ramirez, an Egyptian immortal from Spain who, for some reason, sounds entirely Scottish. The Queen theme song, Princes of the Universe, kicks ass. You can stream Highlander on Tubi, Peacock, Prime Video, and Pluto TV. Highlander (1986) at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock The Untouchables (1987) Brian De Palmas very loose history lesson on Elliot Ness (Kevin Costner) as he forms the titles team (with help from Sean Connery) to bring down Al Capone (Robert de Niro). Its a crowd-pleasing crime thriller that also offers up some brilliant performances and artful, smart direction. You can stream The Untouchables on Peacock and MGM+ or rent it from Prime Video. The Untouchables (1987) at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock Harlem Nights (1989) Eddie Murphy directed and stars in this period piece set in a Prohibition-era speakeasy full of gangsters and gamblers. It doesnt entirely work, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime cast that includes Murphy, Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, Della Reese, Jasmine Guy, Arsenio Hall, etc., and its a lot of fun to see them all share the screen together. You can stream Harlem Nights on Tubi, Paramount+, and Pluto TV or rent it from Prime Video. Harlem Nights (1989) at Paramount+ Learn More Learn More at Paramount+ Ghostbusters (1984) There was a craft to 80s comedies that Im not sure still exists: Take something like Ghostbusters, or Back to the Future, sci-fi comedies that dont feel excessively bombastic, and with jokes that land at least as often as they dont. Theres a reason why were still watching them. You can stream Ghostbusters on Max or rent it from Prime Video. Ghostbusters (1984) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max The Little Mermaid (1989) As much as there is to love about the recent live-action remake, its unlikely to entirely replace the original, gorgeously animated Disney classic. With its subtly subversive themes and massive box office, its also the movie that almost singlehandedly revived a then-flagging Disney and made it the company it is today (with all the good and bad that implies). You can stream The Little Mermaid on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video. The Little Mermaid (1989) at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ Blue Velvet (1986) David Lynchs neo-noir starts with a college student finding a severed human ear in a field and leads to a world of weird sex and violence. It introduces several of the directors major themes, particularly the idea of a small town that seems completely normal until you pull back the curtain, at which point it looks like, well, a David Lynch movie. Isabella Rossellini, Kyle MacLachlan, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern, and Dean Stockwell lead the impressive cast. You can stream Blue Velvet on Max or rent it from Apple TV. Blue Velvet (1986) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Akira (1988) Set in a dystopian 2019, this beautiful cyberpunk classic finds biker Kaneda forced to face down his friend Tetsuo after he gains telekinetic abilities in an accident. The wildly kinetic movie and its highly detailed world set a new standard for animewere still living in the animation world that Akira gave birth to. You can stream Akira on Crunchyroll. Akira (1988) at Crunchyroll Learn More Learn More at Crunchyroll They Live (1988) The metaphor isnt particularly subtle in this John Carpenter classic, but thats all for the better. Roddy Piper plays a nameless drifter who comes to understand that there are secret subliminal messages everywhere: telling us to shop more, to stick to the status quoin other words, never question American-style capitalism. It all comes under threat when our lead gets a pair of glasses that allow him to see the truth all around him. You can rent They Live from Prime Video. They Live (1988) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Clue (1985) An all-star comedy murder mystery? Clue was doing the Knives Out thing before that movie was even a glimmer in Rian Johnsons eye, and its delightfully silly. It wasnt terribly popular upon its initial release, but its become a cult classic in the years since. You can stream Clue on Pluto TV or rent it from Prime Video. Clue (1985) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Running Man (1987) Its the future as visualized in the 1980s and, well, its not all that far off, actually. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a framed criminal forced to compete in a competition program, the movie foresaw our reality-driven television culture, the use of AI and other technologies to alter perceived reality, as well as our ever-increasing willingness to let entertainment distract us from whats really going on around us. This fun little action movie feels almost prophetic. You can stream The Running Man on Paramount+ and MGM+ or rent it from Prime Video. The Running Man (1987) at Paramount+ Learn More Learn More at Paramount+ The Princess Bride (1987) A flawlessly entertaining fantasy, The Princess Bride works on almost every level: as a quotable comedy, a soaring romance, and a Robin Hood-style action movie that has fun with the tropes of those kinds of movies. Just a delight. You can stream The Princess Bride on Disney+ and Hulu or buy it from Prime Video. The Princess Bride (1987) at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ Raising Arizona (1987) Its not always the first movie that comes to mind when we talk about the Coen brothers, but this deliriously over-the-top crime comedy about a kidnapping (by Nicholas Cage and Holly Hunter) is, as deranged as it is, ultimately, pretty sweet. You can rent Raising Arizona from Prime Video. Raising Arizona (1987) Learn More Learn More Die Hard (1988) Its the Christmas movie that came along and kicked Its a Wonderful Life right off the 35th floor of Nakatomi Plaza tower. A brilliantly entertaining action classic. You can stream Die Hard on Prime Video and Hulu. Die Hard (1988) at Hulu Learn More Learn More at Hulu

Verizon just revealed a new price lock policy that guarantees certain plans wont go up in cost for three years. This is for both new and existing customers. It was announced the day after President Trump decided to tariff the entire world, which put markets into a tailspin. Verizon didnt specifically mention this policy, but did say that the move was intended to give predictability to its customer base.However, there are some caveats. Customers have to be enrolled in one of the companys newer myPlan subscriptions to be eligible. Also, the guarantee only covers the base charge for the rate plan. It doesnt do anything regarding those mysterious little fees that carriers use to raise prices on the down low. BIG NEWS! Verizon is introducing a 3-Year Price Guarantee for ALL new and existing customers on myPlan & myHome, PLUS a FREE phone with trade-in and free satellite messaging! Learn how to save big:https://t.co/tabDgx5jgZ Verizon News (@VerizonNews) April 3, 2025 Theres also nothing in the fine print regarding autopay discounts, so those arent locked in. This could force a rate hike if Verizon decides alter the discount. Of course, the company will likely try to persuade consumers to increase the monthly bill of their own accord. This carrot usually takes the shape of a free phone.To that end, Verizon announced it will be giving free phones to new and existing customers. This requires a suitable trade-in device and enrollment in a myPlan subscription. The three-year price lock also covers the companys myHome 5G internet plans. Current myPlan members dont have to do anything to start this price lock process. The enrollment is automatic.This is just the latest promotion to lure customers to its myPlan subscriptions. The company recently started offering cheaper subscriptions for Netflix and Max to members. It did something similar for Google One AI Premium subscriptions. Verizon owns a minority stake in Engadget's parent company, but this didn't impact our coverage.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/verizon-just-announced-a-three-year-price-lock-plan-but-there-are-caveats-182320983.html?src=rss

Googles Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds are on sale via Amazon for just $179. This is a record-low price, as they normally cost $229. This deal is available for multiple colorways, including black, pink, beige and green. These little cuties easily made our list of the best wireless earbuds. We admired the comfortable and secure fit and the addition of the Tensor chip to handle audio and ANC processing. They also offer a hands-free way to initiate Gemini AI. However, the main reason we recommend these earbuds is that they sound great. They provide a good low-end, which is tough to do with earbuds, and crunchy highs. Google says it redesigned the entire audio system and it shows. We called out the noticeable improvement over the original Pixel Buds Pro earbuds in our official review. There are plenty of nifty features to set these earbuds apart from the competition. They can detect conversations and automatically adjust audio accordingly. Find My Device support is also included. They offer spatial audio with certain apps. The buds get around eight hours of use per charge, but 30 hours when considering the included charging case. There are only two downsides here. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds are incredibly small, which is cool, that means making adjustments on their equally tiny touch panels can be difficult. Also, the original asking price of $229 is certainly high. This sale alleviates that particular issue. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/googles-pixel-buds-pro-2-are-back-on-sale-for-an-all-time-low-price-164743950.html?src=rss

All new 2025 Samsung TVs get the HDR10+ upgrade, but it's surprisingly vague beyond that.