A celestial game of hide and seek will take place in the night sky on Jan. 13, and lucky space fans across most of the US can witness the fun. Mars will look reddish and bright as the moon passes in front of it, obscuring the planet for over an hour in some areas. This is known as an occultation. "An occultation is when one celestial object passes directly in front of another, hiding the background object from view," NASA said in a skywatching guide.The timing of Mars' disappearing act will vary depending on your location. It'll be visible from the contiguous US. The Astronomical League published a map with viewing timesfor major cities across the country. Set a reminder to catch both the disappearance and reappearance of the only planet in the solar system where we have rovers exploring the surface. Enlarge Image A NASA view of Mars shows the planet's bright ice cap. NASA/JPL/USGSThe Astronomical League suggests using binoculars for the event and starting your viewing 10 minutes ahead of time so you can spot Mars before the moon covers it up. You may have to hunt around to find the planet when it returns to the sky."Mars' time and position of reappearance is difficult to judge since the planet lies concealed behind the moon beforehand," the league said.The moon will be full during the Mars occultation. January's full moon is popularly known as the Wolf Moon, so you can imagine the Wolf Moon gobbling up Mars and then spitting it out again.January is full of good skywatching events, including a parade of planets and the fiery show of the annual Quadrantids meteor shower.This is a particularly fun month for viewing Mars. The red planet reaches opposition when it's opposite from the sun, with Earth in the middle by the evening of Jan. 16. It's the closest Mars will be to Earth this year, so the planet can appear a little brighter than usual. Look to the east after sundown and to the west near sunrise to find Mars.As the moon does its sleight of hand on Jan. 13, be sure to wave goodbye and then wave hello again to NASA's Perseverance and Curiosity rovers far away on the red planet. They'll be hard at work exploring Mars while you're enjoying the magic show from Earth.

Naughty Dog was sold to Sony because the "stress of ballooning budgets was enormous" says co-founder"Looking back, it was the right call."Image credit: Naughty Dog / Universal / Eurogamer News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Jan. 4, 2025 Naughty Dog co-founder Andrew Gavin has opened up about why the studio was acquired by Sony back in 2001.In a lengthy post on LinkedIn, Gavin cited the spiralling costs of game development as one of the reasons the studio was sold, saying "a systemic issue in the AAA space" wherein developers "almost never have the resources to fund their own games [...] gives publishers enormous leverage".Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet Announcement Trailer.Watch on YouTube"Why did we sell Naughty Dog? It's a question I've been asked countless times. The answer is simple: budgets were skyrocketing," Gavin - who worked at Naughty Dog for almost 20 years before leaving in 2004 - said (via Gameranx)."When we started Naughty Dog in the 1980s, game development expenses were manageable. We bootstrapped everything, pouring profits from one game into the next. Our early 80s games cost less than $50,000 each to make. Rings of Power ('88-91), saw budgets rise to about $100,000, but yielded slightly more than that in after tax profits in 1992."In 1993, we rolled that $100k from Rings into a self-funded Way of the Warrior. But Crash Bandicoot ('94-96) cost $1.6 million to make. By the time we got to Jak and Daxter ('99-01), the budget busted the $15 million mark."By 2004, the cost of AAA games like Jak 3 had soared to $45-50 million - and they have been rising ever since," Gavin added. "But back in 2000, we were still self-funding every project, and the stress of financing these ballooning budgets independently was enormous."It wasn't just us. This was (and still is) a systemic issue in the AAA space. Developers almost never have the resources to fund their own games, which gives publishers enormous leverage. Selling to Sony wasn't just about securing a financial future for Naughty Dog. It was about giving the studio the resources to keep making the best games possible, without being crushed by the weight of skyrocketing costs and the paralysing fear that one slip would ruin it all."Looking back, it was the right call."Gavin ended by admitting that "AAA games have only gotten more expensive since then", citing costs for today's big-budget games "easily" top "$300, $400, or even $500 million"."Would we have been able to keep up? Maybe. But selling - to the right party - gave Naughty Dog the stability it needed to thrive and to continue making the kinds of games we'd always dreamed of!"Several months after studio lead Neil Druckmann confirmed Naughty Dog had a number of games in the works, the team has lifted the lid on its next, all-new title: Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet for PS5."Set thousands of years in the future, Intergalactic puts players into the role of Jordan A. Mun, a dangerous bounty hunter who ends up stranded on Sempiria a distant planet whose communication with the outside universe went dark hundreds of years ago," teases the blurb."Jordan will have to use all her skills and wits if she hopes to be the first person in over 600 years to leave its orbit," reads the game's official blurb."

Elden Ring Nightreign has removed one of Elden Ring's most iconic featuresPraise the message!Image credit: FromSoftware News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Jan. 4, 2025 Elden Ring Nightreign will not include the game's signature in-game messaging system because there will be "no time" to read or write messages.Whilst Nightreign's announcement trailer featured plenty of familiar elements like sites of grace and Evergaols - as well as enemies from Dark Souls like The Nameless King from Dark Souls 3 - Elden Ring Nightreign director Junya Ishizaki has confirmed the studio is pulling its in-game communication because with sessions around 40-minutes long, there simply isn't any time to waste.Elden Ring: Nightreign reveal gameplay trailer.Watch on YouTube"You can still see the ghosts of other players, but the ability to leave messages has been removed," Ishizaki told IGN Japan via machine translation."The reason we removed the message feature is that in this game, where each session is about 40 minutes long, there is no time to write your own message, and no time to read messages written by others.""The concept was to make a 'condensed RPG'. RPGs have their ups and downs, and players sometimes gain and sometimes lose," Ishizaki added. "I think the best part of RPGs is that all of these experiences ultimately come to fruition. In order to create a harmonious experience that allows players to experience the true essence of RPGs, each game took place over three days."Interestingly, this means defeated foes will not revive during the match - not even when you rest at a site of grace - and although ashes will make an appearance in Nightreign, how they're "handled" will differ from the original Elden Ring game.The interview also revealed that Miyazaki was involved "up until the creation of the initial concept" for Nightreign, but he has since stepped aside for the new director, who has been at FromSoft since 2011."Elden Ring spin-off Nightreign is a very exciting game that will excite players," Ishizaki concluded. "It will provide a sense of accomplishment and joy that is different from previous titles, so please look forward to it."ICYMI, a network test for Elden Ring: Nightreign will take place in February, with registration beginning on 10th January.

Life comes at you slow.Reformatted and revised with a couple of new additions. Enjoy!If you're looking for a change of pace and some welcome distraction from everyday life, few mediums offer such engrossing, ongoing escapism as video games. Even the best books have an ending, but some games can go on almost indefinitely and come to form a calming part of our daily routines.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

PCs have been through a number of evolutions in terms of form factor, transforming from big, heavy, and quite ugly beige boxes that took up a lot of desk space to something no bigger than a hardback book that packs enough power to handle all but the most demanding of workloads. And when gaming PCs came along, with increased power and cooling demand, they were even bigger and bulkier.But it doesn't have to be that way. Mini gaming PCs are now very much a thing, so your gaming rig need not be a huge, noisy box.What is the best mini gaming PC right now?I've researched the current mini PC offerings on the market, examining specs, and paying close attention to user reviews, and my top pick for the best mini gaming PC is the TOPGRO T1-Pro. This is the closest to a full-sized gamig PC that you can get, but in mini form, and on top of that it's been built with expansion in mind. Sort by All The best mini gaming PCs of 2025 Show less View now at Amazon The TOPGRO T1-Pro mini gaming PC has it all. It features a 13th-gen Intel Core i9-13900H processor, a high-performance GeForce RTX 4060 mobile graphics card, 32GB of fast DDR5-5200 RAM, and 1TB of M.2 NVMe storage. There's also Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet.There's loads of room for expansion, too, with the system taking up to 64GB of RAM and 8TB of storage. All this hardware needs space to breathe, and the system is equipped with fans that can go from whisper quiet when workload is low to full-on maximum cooling when needed.Mini gaming PCs don't get much better than this one. Yes, it commands a serious price tag, but this is a system that delivers.TOPGRO T1-Protech specs: 13th Gen Core i9-13900H | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 mobile| 32GB DDR5-5200 RAM | 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe4.0 SSD| 4 x USB 3.0 and 2 x USB2.0 | Windows 11 Pro Pros Powerful Easily expandable Excellent reviews Cons Expensive The TOPGRO T1-Pro mini gaming PC has it all. It features a 13th-gen Intel Core i9-13900H processor, a high-performance GeForce RTX 4060 mobile graphics card, 32GB of fast DDR5-5200 RAM, and 1TB of M.2 NVMe storage. There's also Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet.There's loads of room for expansion, too, with the system taking up to 64GB of RAM and 8TB of storage. All this hardware needs space to breathe, and the system is equipped with fans that can go from whisper quiet when workload is low to full-on maximum cooling when needed.Mini gaming PCs don't get much better than this one. Yes, it commands a serious price tag, but this is a system that delivers.TOPGRO T1-Protech specs: 13th Gen Core i9-13900H | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 mobile| 32GB DDR5-5200 RAM | 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe4.0 SSD| 4 x USB 3.0 and 2 x USB2.0 | Windows 11 Pro Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon The MINISFORUM Neptune HX99G mini PC is proof that performance can be packed into a tiny package. This mini gaming PC is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor, AMD Radeon RX 6600M GPU, 64GB of RAM, and a 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSD--this is a system built on performance.A lot of effort has been put into cooling this system: there are dual fans and as many as seven heat pipes (three for CPU and the remaining four for GPU), liquid metal is used as a thermal compound due to its high performance, and there are dual air outlets.There's also no shortage of ports, from USB-A and USB-C to 2.5 Ethernet and mic/headphone ports. Everything you need to game and win.MINISFORUM Neptune HX99Gtech specs: AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor| 64GB RAM | 1TB M.2 2280 storage |USB-A and USB-C, 2.5 Ethernet and mic/headphone ports | OS Pros Powerful Close to silent Quad display support No bigger than a book Cons Plastic case is a bit on the flimsy side The MINISFORUM Neptune HX99G mini PC is proof that performance can be packed into a tiny package. This mini gaming PC is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor, AMD Radeon RX 6600M GPU, 64GB of RAM, and a 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSD--this is a system built on performance.A lot of effort has been put into cooling this system: there are dual fans and as many as seven heat pipes (three for CPU and the remaining four for GPU), liquid metal is used as a thermal compound due to its high performance, and there are dual air outlets.There's also no shortage of ports, from USB-A and USB-C to 2.5 Ethernet and mic/headphone ports. Everything you need to game and win.MINISFORUM Neptune HX99Gtech specs: AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor| 64GB RAM | 1TB M.2 2280 storage |USB-A and USB-C, 2.5 Ethernet and mic/headphone ports | OS Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less For $600, you get this mini gaming PC that has an Intel Core i9-11900H processor, Intel UHD Graphics, 32GB of DDR4, and a 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe3.0 SSD--that's a lot of hardware packed into a small footprint. There's also room for upgradesthe side panel is held in place using magnetic latches, allowing access to the RAM slots (which supports 64GB), the M.2 slow (which supports 2TB), and space for a 2.5-inch SATA SSD up to 2TB.The system features a control dial that allows the user to choose between three different performance settings, a handy touch because this way power consumption and noise can be kept to a minimum.ACEMAGIC i9 11900H AD03tech specs: Intel Core i9-11900H | Intel UHD Graphics | 32GB DDR4 RAM | 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe3.0 SSD | 4 x USB 3.2 Type-A and 1x USB 3.2 Type-C | Windows 11 Pros Tiny Powerful enough to drive two 4K displays Cons Not fanless, so may become a little noisy when pushed with heavy workloads For $600, you get this mini gaming PC that has an Intel Core i9-11900H processor, Intel UHD Graphics, 32GB of DDR4, and a 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe3.0 SSD--that's a lot of hardware packed into a small footprint. There's also room for upgradesthe side panel is held in place using magnetic latches, allowing access to the RAM slots (which supports 64GB), the M.2 slow (which supports 2TB), and space for a 2.5-inch SATA SSD up to 2TB.The system features a control dial that allows the user to choose between three different performance settings, a handy touch because this way power consumption and noise can be kept to a minimum.ACEMAGIC i9 11900H AD03tech specs: Intel Core i9-11900H | Intel UHD Graphics | 32GB DDR4 RAM | 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe3.0 SSD | 4 x USB 3.2 Type-A and 1x USB 3.2 Type-C | Windows 11 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon The GMKtec Nucbox M7 Pro is built around the Intel Nuc form factor a 7.6 x 7.4 x 4.9-inch box packed with high tech components. There's an AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H with built-in AMD Radeon 680M GPU. There's also 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB PCIe 3.0 M.2 2280 SSD.Multiple displays are no problem for this gaming PC, and it's capable of support quad displays (one over HDMI and DisplayPort, and two on the USB 4 ports). There's also a built-in OCuLink port, a connector system that allows users to connect PCIe devices to a system using an external cable, and this would allow an external graphics card to be added to the mini gaming PC, giving it a great deal of expandability.GMKtec Nucbox M7 Protech specs: AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H | MD Radeon 680M GPU | 32GB DDR5 RAM | 2TB PCIe 3.0 M.2 2280 SSD | 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 and 2 x USB 2.0 | Windows 11 Pro Pros Familiar Intel Nuc form factor OCuLink port for external GPU Quad display support Cons Fan can get loud under load The GMKtec Nucbox M7 Pro is built around the Intel Nuc form factor a 7.6 x 7.4 x 4.9-inch box packed with high tech components. There's an AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H with built-in AMD Radeon 680M GPU. There's also 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB PCIe 3.0 M.2 2280 SSD.Multiple displays are no problem for this gaming PC, and it's capable of support quad displays (one over HDMI and DisplayPort, and two on the USB 4 ports). There's also a built-in OCuLink port, a connector system that allows users to connect PCIe devices to a system using an external cable, and this would allow an external graphics card to be added to the mini gaming PC, giving it a great deal of expandability.GMKtec Nucbox M7 Protech specs: AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H | MD Radeon 680M GPU | 32GB DDR5 RAM | 2TB PCIe 3.0 M.2 2280 SSD | 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 and 2 x USB 2.0 | Windows 11 Pro Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best mini gaming PC? Best mini gaming PCPriceProcessorGraphicsRAMStorageTOPGRO T1-Pro$1,500Intel Core i9-13900HNvidia GeForce RTX 4060 mobile32GB DDR5-52001TB M.2 SSDMINISFORUM Neptune HX99G$800AMD Ryzen 9 6900HXAMD Radeon RX 6600M64GB DDR5-48001TB M.2 SSDACEMAGIC i9 11900H AD03$600Intel Core i9 11900HIntel UHD Graphics32GB DDR41TB M.2 SSDGMKtec Nucbox M7 Pro$550AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HAMD Radeon 680M32GB DDR52TB M.2 SSD Show more Which is the right mini gaming PC for you? Choose this mini gaming PCIf you wantTOPGRO T1-ProThe best of the best. This is the closest you're going to get to a full-size desktop PC in mini PC format.MINISFORUM Neptune HX99GA mini gamin PC for under $1,000.ACEMAGIC i9 11900H AD03A good middle-of-the-road system. And if you want more, the unique magnetic latch system makes upgrading the system a snap.GMKtec Nucbox M7 ProA budget system with a twist. The built-in OCuLink port allows the use of external PCIe devices, such as a graphics card. Show more Factors to consider when choosing a mini gaming PC In many ways, choosing a mini PC is much like a regular PC. There are all the usual performance, price, and support for all your peripherals to keep in mind. But if you are after a mini PC, then the mini part does come into play, so there is a size issue to bear in mind. The good news is that mini PCs come in a range of sizes, from systems that can fit in the palm of your hand to systems so small you could fit several of them in the palm of your hand.Do you need a mini gaming PC? This is the top question when choosing a mini gaming PC. Do you actually need one, or would a full-size gaming PC be more apt for you?Performance: Pretty standard PC consideration here. This is normally a case of more speed, more spend.Budget: Small doesn't always mean cheap, but you can save money by choosing a mini PC that suits your needs.Upgradability: How much upgradability do you want your mini gaming PC to have? Show more How did we choose these mini gaming PCs? There are a lot of mini PCs on the market from a variety of different vendors, and I've tested and used mini gaming PCs from all the vendors listed here, I've based my selections on my experience using these brands, as well as current model user reviews.Product specs and price also come into play, but being able to draw on dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of other people's views allows me to get a broad sense of how well-received a selected mini gaming PC is. I've paid particular attention to reports of performance, stability, how quiet or noisy the PC is, and weeded out many that seemed to have a poor lifespan.What we're left with is the best of the best, in a broad selection of categories that are applicable to mini gaming PCs. Show more FAQs on mini gaming PCs What is a mini gaming PC? A mini PC is a compact yet fully functional computer that offers many, if not all of, the capabilities of a desktop PC, but is packaged into a smaller form factor. Mini PCs are designed to save space and can be used for a variety of tasks, from basic computing to more demanding applications such as programming or even gaming.A mini gaming PC takes this one step further, and is a system that's built with gaming in mind. Show more What are the advantages of using a mini PC? People often choose to invest in a mini gaming PC for these reasons:Space-saving:The top benefit of going for a mini gaming PC is that it takes up significantly less space than traditional desktop PCs.Portable:Mini gaming PCs are lightweight and easy to move, making them ideal for users who need computing power on the go.Energy efficiency:Most mini gaming PCs consume significantly less power than a similarly-specced desktop system, which can lead to cost savings on electricity.Quiet:While a mini gaming PC isn't going to be fanless, these systems are far quieter than a standard desktop system. Show more Are mini gaming PCs upgradeable? It depends on the model. Most mini gaming PCs allow for upgrades -- sometimes very easy upgrades -- to components like RAM and storage. There's also a system with an OCuLink port that allows the use of an external graphics card.On the whole however, like laptops, mini PCs are better aimed at those situations where you buy the PC with the spec that you need rather than relying on an upgrade down the line. So if you want the maximum upgradability possible, a regular desktop gaming PC might be better for you. Show more Other mini gaming PCs worth considering Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends

Answers for today's NYT Mini Crossword are just ahead.New York TimesIn case you missed Fridays NYT Mini, you can find the answers here:Wondering what material Frostys pipe is made from? Not sure what a GameCube successor might be? Dont worry, because I'm here to help you with the answers for today's NYT Mini crossword.The NYT Mini is a quick and dirty version of the newspaper's larger and long-running crossword. Most days, there are between three and five clues in each direction on a five by five grid, but the puzzles are sometimes larger, especially on Saturdays.Unlike its larger sibling, the NYT Mini crossword is free to play on the New York Times website or NYT Games app. However, youll need an NYT Games subscription to access previous puzzles in the archives.MORE FOR YOUTo help you avoid getting stuck and having to reveal missing letters, here are the NYT Mini Crossword answers for Saturday, January 4 (spoilers lie ahead, of course):NYT Mini Crossword Clues And AnswersNYT Mini Across Answers1 Across: Baby polar bear CUB4 Across: Arctic ___, big-eared critters in white winter coats HARES6 Across: Material for Frosty's pipe CORNCOB8 Across: "I'm fr-fr-freezing!" BRR9 Across: Poem of high praise ODE10 Across: Frosty, e.g. SNOWMAN12 Across: Pigs' digs STIES13 Across: Someone who might give bro hugs? SISNYT Mini Down Answers1 Down: Noses for many a 10-Across (but not Frosty's!) CARROTS2 Down: Caterer's coffee dispenser URN3 Down: Turns into BECOMES4 Down: Don't confuse them with antlers HORNS5 Down: CRUSH, SPRITE, SQUIRT and STARRY, in a Connections category SODAS6 Down: Network that's aired the Grammy Awards since 1973 CBS7 Down: ___ & Jerry's BEN11 Down: GameCube successor WIICompleted New York Times Mini crossword for Saturday, January 4New York TimesIt took me 1:48 to complete today's NYT Mini.Not a bad time for a Saturday Mini! Ill take that.I initially thought 4 Across was foxes and had never heard of a CORNCOB being used as Frosty the SNOWMANs pipe, so those slowed me down a bit. But getting CARROTS quickly was a big help in unlocking many of the answers.The only reason I was able to get 5 Down so quickly despite only being familiar with one of those as SODAS is because that was a group of words in Connections a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, BRR and the Nintendo WII seem very much like filler answers to make the rest of the grid work but now Ive got a sudden urge to play bowling on Wii Sports.Make sure to follow my blog for more coverage of the NYT Mini and other word games, as well as video game news, insights and analysis. It helps me out a lot! Also, follow me on Bluesky! Its fun there.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphone (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty ImagesLater this month, Samsung will host its latest Galaxy Unpacked launch event, and the Samsung community will get their first look at the presumptively-named Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra. When can they expect to see the new handsets, when will pre-orders open, and when will the new OneUI-powered Android flagships reach them?When Will The Galaxy S25 Ultra Be Announced?It is widely assumed that Samsung will host the Galaxy Unpacked event on January 22nd. This date was first mooted through leaked promotional images of an Italian launch event. The photos (which have since been taken offline, included the date of 22nd January 2025.Since then, various tipsters have pushed the January 22nd date. While some have highlighted January 23 instead, a careful look at the timezones of all the reports points to a morning time slot on the West Coast of America on the 22nd.When Will Pre-Orders For The Galaxy S25 Ultra OpenIn previous years, the pre-order window for the new Galaxy S handsets has opened at the end of the event, allowing those watching the livestream to sign up immediately. The current information is that pre-orders will launch two days after the event, on Friday January 24th, and remain open until Tuesday February 4th.If Samsung follows the same pattern as in previous years, the pre-order window will have several offers to encourage consumers to sign up. These have included discounts on accessories (including the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds), a bump up to the next storage level, and web-exclusive colors only available through Samsungs website.MORE FOR YOUWhen Will The Galaxy S25 Ultra Go On Sale?Following the pre-order window, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, along with the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+, will go on sale on Friday February 7th. This sticks with Samsungs traditional two-week gap from the opening of pre-orders to the handsets going on sale in various regions around the world.Now it remains to be seen if we will see any new features, or even the early tease of the fourth Galaxy S25, the Special EditionNow read more about the features that will help sell the Galaxy S25 Ultra

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsA story of two men, bound by war and honorOur obligation to each otherMany a movie has been made about the cultural differences between the East and the West. From action epics like The Last Samuraito contemplative dramas like The Farewell and Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, the cultural clash of East versus West has proven to be a subject capable of withstanding multiple approaches and takes. Few American films have, however, tried to tackle it as unsentimentally or as thoughtfully as The Yakuza.The Yakuza (1974) Trailer HD | Robert Mitchum | Ken TakakuraThe underrated, Sydney Pollack-directed neo-noir gem is very much the grimy potboiler crime thriller that its title suggests, but it is also just as thematically rich as its screenwriting duo of Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver) and Robert Towne (Chinatown) would lead you to suspect it is. It turned 50 years old last month, and while it isnt nearly as well-known outside cinephile circles as it deserves to be, its never too late to check it out. You wont regret doing so, either. Its a moody 70s thriller that will not only get your pulse racing, but also leave you sitting in silent astonishment over its twisty, emotionally thorny story.Recommended VideosWarner Bros.The Yakuza follows Harry Kilmer (Robert Mitchum), a retired police detective, who is hired to travel to Tokyo to save an old friends daughter from her Japanese kidnappers. Harry, we learn, spent time in Japan as a marine following the end of World War II during the Allies occupation of the country. While there, he helped and fell in love with a Japanese woman, Eiko (Keiko Kishi). Their romance was complicated by the return of Eikos brother, Ken (Ken Takakura), a dedicated Imperial Japanese soldier who was left stranded for months on a remote island. Ken was predictably outraged by Harry and Eikos relationship, but his gratitude to Harry for saving Eiko and her daughters lives also left him with a lifelong burden of gratitude, or giri, to the American soldier. A conflicting storm of emotions ensued that compelled Ken to leave his family behind.RelatedKens return and quick departure caused a fracture within Eiko and Harrys relationship that is still present when he returns, as lovelorn as ever, to Japan at the start of The Yakuza. Looking to save his friends daughter, Harry seeks out not only Eiko, but also Ken, and he calls upon the latter to reenter the world of the yakuza and honor his obligation to Harry. Ken reluctantly agrees to do so, and it isnt long before he and Harry find themselves caught up in a conspiracy even more dangerous and twisted than they expect. Along the way, new discoveries are made about Kens actual connection to Eiko and the full, difficult complexity of his and Harrys bond is brought to light. Their shared past is undeniably convoluted, but The Yakuza elegantly lays out Harry, Ken, and Eikos complicated history in its first act, and the film wisely relies on the different shades of heartbreak portrayed by Mitchum, Kishi, and Takakura to do much of its early emotional heavy-lifting.The Yakuza 1974 - TANNER!Ken and Harrys many debts to each other allow their onscreen bond to achieve an operatic kind of dramatic grandeur one befitting of a connection between two men that frequently feels like a mirror for America and Japans postwar relationship. While The Yakuza takes its time winding its way through its story, Pollack punctuates its runtime with thrillingly staged, brutal bursts of violence, including a midpoint home invasion sequence that is as technically impressive as its outcome is shockingly unsparing. Towne and Schraders screenplay, meanwhile, contains beautifully lyrical pieces of dialogue, such as when one character notes, Ken is a tormented man. It is Eiko, of course, but it is also Japan. In a different scene, Mitchum wryly responds to Eikos questioning about Ken by noting, Hes been unhappy ever since he lost the war. I keep trying to tell him its not his fault. He wont take my word for it.Warner Bros.As effective as Pollacks blunt, no-nonsense direction and Towne and Schraders considered, elliptical script are, The Yakuza is ultimately elevated most notably by Robert Mitchum. The actor, one of the greatest of all Hollywood stars, holds your attention every time he is in the frame, and he gives a performance that, much like his late-career turn in The Friends of Eddie Coyle, effortlessly evokes a sense of quiet resignation and desperation that is deceptively powerful. He plays Kilmer not as an arrogant American, but as a good man who yearns to honor a culture he doesnt fully understand.It is only when he discovers the full scope of his impact on Ken and Eikos lives, how much he has inadvertently taken from them simply by stepping unthinkingly into their circle, that Mitchums former marine is able to understand the Japanese beliefs and customs that have haunted and mystified him for three decades. There exists a clear metaphor here for American interventionism and how even the most just or well-intentioned interventionist acts can cause unforeseen consequences and devastating social ripples. But The Yakuza does not hit viewers over the head with its larger thematic ideas.Warner Bros.Instead, the film arrives at a conclusion that manages to powerfully recognize the obligation that we, regardless of and sometimes because of our cultural differences, have to each other. The Japanese, of course, would call that giri. However, while our duty to each other may sometimes feel like a burden, it is also an honor, one we can only try our best to bear well.The Yakuza is available to rent now on all major digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video.Editors Recommendations

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl Score DetailsWallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl proves that the 35-year-old franchise hasn't yet lost its cheerful, hilarious touch.ProsA scene-stealing villainMany memorable, silent comedic gagsA reliably funny star duoConsA world that could be fleshed out moreYoud never know from watching Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowlthat its been nearly 20 years since The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, the franchises last feature film, hit theaters. The long-running stop-motion animated series latest entry slips so effortlessly back into its signature screwball, charming groove that its hard to believe the Netflix film is technically a sequel to a movie that came out back when Netflix was still nothing more than a DVD rental service. A lot has changed since viewers last saw Wallace and Gromit, but the pair remain like so many other iconic screen duos timelessly funny and endearing.Recommended VideosVengeance Most Fowl never quite matches its franchises highest highs, but it comfortably delivers many of the same kinds of laughs, visual gags, and cozy details that have elevated Wallace and Gromits kooky adventures from the very beginning. Its a film that knows how to make the most out of what its got whether that be a silent, mean-mugging penguin or a journalist with a minor narrative role whose name is the perfectly cheeky Onya Doorstep. Its also a sequel with a lot on its mind, and it isnt particularly subtle in communicating its ideas about the dangers that technology and AI pose to the deeply human connections, including those between a man and his dog, that keep us all together.NetflixWallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl begins by flashing back to the night that its heroes helped catch the would-be diamond thief known as Feathers McGraw at the end of the Oscar-winning 1993 short film The Wrong Trousers. The film then follows the penguin as he spends his next many years living a prison-like existence in a local zoo, working out, silently loathing his arrogant guards, and waiting for the moment when he can finally enact some vengeance on the man and dog who put him away. This opening sequence proves to be the perfect intro to Vengeance Most Fowl, a film that rarely fails to tell its story in as economical and humorous a fashion as possible. All it takes is co-directors Merlin Crossingham and Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Parks first canted close-up of Feathers silently scowling penguin face to realize what funny, safe hands youre in.NetflixFeathers gets the chance hes been waiting for when the ever-eccentric, aloof Wallace (voiced here by Ben Whitehead, who comfortably steps into the late, great Peter Sallis shoes) ignores his loyal companion Gromits growing dislike of his inventions and invents a robotic garden gnome named Norbot (Reece Shearsmith). Wallace initially creates Norbot to help Gromit manage his garden, but it isnt long before hes decided to use the robot as a much-needed source of income by leasing him out to his neighbors. In doing so, Wallace unwittingly creates a window for Feathers to not only reinsert himself back into his enemies lives, but also mastermind his long-awaited escape from his zoo prison by stealthily reprogramming Norbot and his many copies.RelatedThis premise is utterly absurd, and Vengeance Most Fowl knows it. The film has a lot of fun running wild with its technology-gone-wrong plot filling its second act with plenty of inspired, Silent Era-esque visuals involving an army of off-putting gnome robots. Park and Crossingham pack Vengeance Most Fowl to the brim with so many funny details and images that you may be inclined to rewatch it simply to see what you missed the first time. Feathers long-distance hacking of Norbots artificial brain, for instance, includes a quick shot of the villainous penguin scrolling through the robots attitude settings, which range from pleasant to bit selfish to really nasty and, ultimately, evil. Like the Paddington films and a few other, modern British comedies, Vengeance Most Fowl finds the right balance between its dry English sense of humor and the kind of blunt-edged, yet clever comedic gags that would make iconic screen comedians like Buster Keaton and W.C. Fields proud.NetflixIt isnt long before Gromit ends up embarking on a solo adventure that, thanks to the characters dialogue-free persona, allows Vengeance Most Fowl to let its visual playfulness take center stage. Amid all of its many entertaining stop-motion set pieces, though, the film manages to thematically tie its ridiculous heist-revenge story together by exploring the fissure created between Wallace and Gromit by the formers growing dependence on his machines. This subplot isnt easy to miss, not with Wallace repeatedly and obliviously raving about the merits of a technology-reliant lifestyle in Vengeance Most Fowls first act. The films clearly modern ideas about the worrisome nature of AInonetheless strike a surprisingly emotional chord.This is due in no small part to Vengeance Most Fowls stunning stop-motion animation, which is employed particularly well in its opening 10 minutes. This section of the film reintroduces viewers to Feathers, Wallace, and Gromit, and the animation teams masterful ability to communicate Gromits emotions and reactions using just his eyebrows, eyes, and ears makes it easy to grasp the distance, disappointment, and loneliness that he feels because of his owners obsession with technology. Few could have ever predicted that Vengeance Most Fowl would explore AI of all things, but by showing the many deeply felt ways that automation and AI threaten to irrevocably separate its lovable leads, the film successfully highlights how easily and unnoticeably technology can come between us and even those we love most.Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl | Official Trailer | NetflixVengeance Most Fowl is so keyed into its lead characters strained relationship that, outside of one fairly forgettable B-plot involving a rookie cop and her halfway-out-the-door boss, it rarely explores the world beyond Wallace and Gromits home. This can make the film feel surprisingly insular at times, despite how lovingly all of its individual frames are brought to life. Fortunately, the comedy saves its biggest set pieces and most beautiful images for its finale, which sends Vengeance Most Fowl out on a high note. Its flaws are, in other words, minimal, and while it almost never exceeds its franchises set standards, the film delivers everything that preexisting fans might expect and so much more than newbies ever possibly could. Its an exciting, welcome jolt of fun and good humor to kick off the new year.Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is streaming now on Netflix.Editors Recommendations

The New York Times has plenty of word games on its roster today with Wordle, Connections, Strands, and the Mini Crossword, theres something for everyone but the newspapers standard crossword puzzle still reigns supreme. The daily crossword is full of interesting trivia, helps improve mental flexibility and, of course, gives you some bragging rights if you manage to finish it every day.While the NYT puzzle might feel like an impossible task some days, solving a crossword is a skill and it takes practice dont get discouraged if you cant get every single word in a puzzle.Recommended VideosIf youre having trouble completing todays NYT Crossword, were here to help. Weve got all the answers for todays clues down below.Please enable Javascript to view this contentNew York TimesAcross1 Home in the country? : USEMBASSY10 Red container, maybe : CASK14 Second woman, after Kathryn Bigelow, to win a best director Oscar (2020) : CHLOEZHAO15 ___ Huang, whose Fresh Off the Boat memoir was turned into an ABC sitcom : EDDIE16 Alternative to a chop or shank : LAMBSTEAK17 Rage : CRAZE18 Shopping meccas of old : AGORAE19 Sauce named after a steward to Louis XIV : BECHAMEL21 Hit entertainment org. in Vegas? : UFC22 Informal suggestions : RECS23 Historic founder of the Shakers : ANNLEE26 Totally didnt see that one coming, sarcastically : SHOCKING30 Head shop purchase, nowadays : VAPE31 Language spoken in northern New York : MOHAWK33 What goes around in the Pacific? : LEI34 [Back off!] : GRR35 Supports : UPHOLDS36 Recording inits. : VHS37 ___ on ones 38-Across : ACT38 See 37-Across : BEHALF39 Name combining with El-, Eg- or Engel- : BERT40 Just *done* with something : SOOVERIT42 Development area : UTERUS44 Un animal del zodaco : TORO45 Hip-hop group with the 1990 hit 100 Miles and Runnin' : NWA46 Truly awful : THEWORST50 Fudge substitute : DARNIT54 Holy oleo! speaker : ROBIN55 Designation for some apartments : LOWINCOME57 Vacuous : INANE58 Creature whose name means forest person : ORANGUTAN59 Simon of Shaun of the Dead : PEGG60 Get carried along, in a way : PIGGYBACKRelatedDown1 Holder of the longest winning streak in N.C.A.A. mens basketball history (88 games) : UCLA2 High-piled style : SHAG3 Popular red Halloween costume : ELMO4 Ochlocracy, by another name : MOBRULE5 Take care : BESAFE6 Ancient figure called the huey tlatoani by his subjects : AZTECEMPEROR7 ___ Came to Me (2023 rom-com) : SHE8 Maker of the 900 in 94 and the 9-3 in 99 : SAAB9 Join the team? : YOKE10 Music stand : CDRACK11 David Sterns successor as N.B.A. commissioner : ADAMSILVER12 L or M, but not N or O : SIZE13 Collapse, with over : KEEL15 Things sent from some online accounts : ECHECKS20 Kickstarter activity : CROWDFUNDING23 Portmanteau term for airplane fuel : AVGAS24 Traffic figure, in brief : NARCO25 Iconic bit of media merch : NPRTOTEBAG26 Tiny swine : SHOAT27 Room for a meal, perhaps : HALL28 Writer of 1929s Letters From a Father to His Daughter while imprisoned : NEHRU29 Essences : GISTS32 Hesitant response to Is that you? : OHHI35 Premium service with discounts on rides : UBERONE39 Babe in the woods? : BEARCUB41 Oath activity : VOWING43 Like some country singers voices : TWANGY46 Word with round or power : TRIP47 Perfect over time : HONE48 Refuse to eat? : SLOP49 Spelling seen in credits : TORI51 ___ chance : NOTA52 Cooks offering with chips? : IMAC53 Many a charity run : TENK56 Jokester : WAGEditors Recommendations