Rice noodle dishes are some of the most popular at Asian restaurantspad see ew, pad Thai, pho, and mei funbut cooking them at home can be tricky if youre not familiar with their quirks. Dont worry, though: None of the steps involved are that complex, and once you know how to handle rice noodles, you'll likely be able to use them in any dish without running into problems with them ever again. Here are three of my favorite tips for cooking rice noodles and avoiding a mushy mess.What are rice noodles?Rice noodles can be dry or fresh. Theyre made by grinding fermented rice and water down into a paste, from which noodles are shaped and then dried. Once dry, they have a translucent white appearance.Dry rice noodles are commonly available in most grocery stores. (Ive seen them everywhere from ShopRite, to Whole Foods, to Walmart.) They come in three sizes, with the largest being the least common outside of Asian markets. You may find thin, round noodles that are bundled up in big packages; medium-thickness flat noodles that are wrapped or cut into sticks; or large-thickness flat noodles that are wrapped or cut into sticks.Fresh rice noodles are made by spreading out thin layers of rice, starch, and water batter on a tray or pan and steaming the sheets to make tender, chewy, translucent noodles. These are well-oiled so they dont stick, and bagged up in plastic. I never see fresh rice noodles in big box American grocery stores, but you can usually find them in Asian grocery stores.Fresh rice noodles may include some cornstarch or tapioca starch, and theyre more opaque in color. The best way to cook rice noodles starts with a soakThe first step written on many of the boxed rice noodles in large grocery stores is to boil the noodles before adding them to your stir fry. The author of these instructions must love mushy noodles, because thats the easiest way to get stuck-together, over-cooked rice noodles. Here is an example of bad directions. Ignore them! Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann You dont need to boil them first. Like most starches (pasta, oats, potatoes), rice starches have a limit for water absorption before they burst and become gluey. If you boil them and then add them to a screaming hot pan, then youre bound to burst some starch globules. This manifests as noodles clumping and clinging together. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Unlike Italian pasta that might need to be par-cooked before using in another dish, dry rice noodles simply need some rehydration time in room temperature water. They will become flexible, but their starches wont begin to gelatinize until they hit the heat of the wok or frying pan. It's the simplest and the most important step to making the best rice noodles every time. To do this, place the rice noodles in a large bowl and cover them with room temperature water.Forethought is required here. Soaking usually takes 25 to 45 minutes, depending on the thickness of the noodle. To test, after 30 minutes just reach in and lift up a handful of noodles. They should feel floppy but not squishy. If theyre still sticking out straight, give them more time. The brand or thickness of the noodles might require it. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Its unlikely that youll over-soak rice noodles. If you go run an errand that takes 20 minutes longer than expected, your noodles will be fine. Drain them and theyre ready for stir frying, or blanch them for a few seconds to prepare them for soup.Dont forget to use some oilThose who fear fat will not like this step, but you cant skip the oil. Oil is crucial for conducting high heat in stir fries, but also for keeping those sticky starches slipping and sliding away from each other. If youre trying to stir fry noodles and they keep clinging to each other and the pan, try adding another spoonful of oil to the pan just before you toss them in.Its okay to add oil as you go too. I used to have an irrational limitation where I thought the initial measurement of oil, before the first ingredient went in, was the only oil I could use while cooking. It was only when my mom called me out on it that I realized what I was doing. It just seems like some days the ingredients use up more oil than others, and its okay to assess and add more. So when youre about to add the noodles, take a look at the pan. There should be some visible oil in there, pooling around the ingredients. If the pan is dry, thats your signal to add a splash more.Be careful of excess moistureThe last culprit of rice noodle demise is too much moisture in your pan. Unless youre making soup, a puddle of liquid in your wok or frying pan will have the same effect as boiling your noodles and trying to fry them afterward.If your vegetables are excreting a lot of moisture or youve added too much sauce to your pan and it doesnt seem to be cooking down, dont add your noodles yet. Wait for the moisture to cook off or, as a last ditch effort, pour off the liquid into the sink. Return the pan to the burner, add a bit of oil and now you can put the noodles in.Re-season as needed.Note that if your veggies are puddling up, you might be crowding your pan. Opt for a larger skillet or cook a smaller batch next go around.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.In this age of digital distraction, streaming services have given us easy access to thousands of films from across the last century. I never need to rewatch a movie again! And yet here I am, queuing up Back to the Future for the nth time.Because sometimes, you just want a known quantity, and some movies seem designed to be watched again and again. Others simply go down so agreeably that you can't help but find them comforting. The pop culture critic Sarah D. Bunting has a name for these endlessly rewatchable flicks: "poppy-fields movies." Like the enchanted flowers outside the palace in The Wizard of Oz (see below), you can't help but fall into them every time they're on TV. (There's also an entire podcast dedicated to them, called The Rewatchables, naturally.)The criteria for a rewatchable film varies, but there are some common themes: memorable set pieces, quotable dialogue, particularly colorful characters you love spending time with, and, most critically, a truly satisfying ending. Its also matter of tasteIll rewatch Citizen Kane as readily as Ill rewatch Charlies Angelsand nostalgia never hurts. Wicked has already proven itself to be a popular (get it) rewatch, with audiences having gone back to the theater for multiple screenings. If the second part manages not to blow it, I think one or both of those movies will earn a spot on this list someday.In the meantime, here are 50 films worth seeing more than once. Or twice. Galaxy Quest (1999) What makes it rewatchable: One of the best Star Trek movies isn't a Trek movie at all; instead, it's a parody about the fictional cast of a sci-fi TV series who become drawn into an interstellar conflict. That's a pretty goofy premise for a movie that plays out here with a lot of affection for its source material and an impressive amount of heart. Oh, and it's pretty funny, too. You can rent Galaxy Quest from Prime Video. Galaxy Quest (1999) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Jaws (1975) What makes it rewatchable: The ur-blockbuster changed the way movies are marketed forever, ushering in an era of summer tentpoles that strive for ever-larger box office returns. That's not really great, but you can hardly blame Steven Spielberg and his plucky little shark-attack film for being such a damn good time at the movies. You can rent Jaws on Prime Video. Jaws (1975) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Do the Right Thing (1989) What makes it rewatchable: Spike Lee's masterpiece isn't always an easy watchfor all the funny and joyful moments and rich characters, there's a tremendous undercurrent of trauma in the story of a Brooklyn block about to explode. But even for all of that, it's so brilliantly and cleverly constructed that it's impossible not to want to watch more than once. You can stream Do the Right Thing on Prime Video. Do the Right Thing (1989) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Spirited Away (2001) What makes it rewatchable: Perhaps Spirited Away is the best of director Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli films, or perhaps it's just that it's so thoroughly representative of what the artist is capable of. The first among nearly equally great films, you might say. The story of a young girl who takes a job at a bathhouse in a spirit world in order to save herself and her parents (who've been turned into pigs) is beautifully animated and, ultimately, deeply moving. You can stream Spirited Away on Max or rent it from Prime Video. Spirited Away (2001) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Get Out (2017) What makes it rewatchable: Like the best horror movies (and many of the best comedies), Get Out is rooted in deep, savage, real-life trauma. It's also a very funny satire that takes impressively choreographed swerves into harrowing horror. Satisfying and, Improbably, kinda fun. You can rent Get Out from Prime Video. Get Out (2017) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Scream (1996) What makes it rewatchable: Wes Craven's era-defining blockbuster kicks off with one of the most memorable chase sequences in horror movie history before going on to establish characters and a franchise that are still going strong (-ish) into the present day. For us sickos who take comfort in horror movies, this one is like revisiting a murder-y old friend. You can stream Scream on Max or rent it from Prime Video. Scream (1996) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Some Like It Hot (1959) What makes it rewatchable: It's not my favorite Billy Wilder movie (that's The Apartment), but it is a brilliantly orchestrated bit of funone of those comedies that's so breezy that you don't even notice how meticulously crafted it is. The cross-dressing comedy didn't even get nominated for Best Picture in the year when Ben-Hur won, a real crime given that people actually stay awake through this one. You can stream Some Like It Hot on Prime Video, Freevee, and Tubi. Some Like It Hot (1959) at Freevee Learn More Learn More at Freevee Playtime (1967) What makes it rewatchable: Any of Jacques Tati's comedies starring M. Hulot are worth a second (or third, fourth, etc.) watch, but Playtime is probably his masterpiece. Here, good-natured Hulot bumbles through a modern world whose stresses and stumbling blocks are entirely recognizable, even though the movie was released in the 1960s. A merciless satire of capitalism and bureaucracy that's also entirely silly, it's Tati's most intricate and detailed film, as well, and each new watch reveals fresh wonders. You can stream Playtime on The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. Playtime (1967) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Love & Basketball (2000) What makes it rewatchable: Director Gina Prince-Bythewood made a stellar debut here with this romantic sports drama following two athletes, played by Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan. We meet the two as children, next door neighbors, with a shared love of basketball and follow them through high school, college, and beyond as their friendship and searing attraction meet the challenges of life. It's romantic, but also thoroughly believable, and the leads have all-time great chemistry. You can rent Love & Basketball from Prime Video. Love & Basketball (2000) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) What makes it rewatchable: An utterly goofy, endlessly quotable bit of silliness that also manages to squeeze in some trenchant commentary about the utter idiocy of our various economic systems? Count me in. Allegedly very enjoyable even if you're not high. You can stream Holy Grail on Prime Video and BritBox. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Back to the Future (1985) What makes it rewatchable: Goofy, but heartfelt, and with just enough raunch (incest with mom? Oh my!) enough to give it a little edge, Back to the Future blends a perfect script with a breezy tone and indelible lead performances from Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. It's a comfort watch, but the obsessive level of detail (Twin Pines Mall becomes Lone Pine Mall) rewards multiple viewings. You can rent Back to the Future on Prime Video. Back to the Future (1985) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Groundhog Day (1993) What makes it rewatchable: The time loop has become a wee bit of a trope, but its never been done with as much charm as in this, one of its earliest and most iconic incarnations. Andie MacDowell is great, and Bill Murray is at his curmudgeonly best as he slowly comes to accept that moving forward in his life (both metaphorically and literally) might require changing everything about himself. You can rent Groundhog Day on Prime Video. Groundhog Day (1993) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Edge of Tomorrow (2014) What makes it rewatchable: Everything I said about the satisfying time loop in Groundhog Day, but grafted onto an endlessly creative sci-fi action flick. Watching Tom Cruise get repeatedly slaughtered by aliens in increasingly hilarious ways never gets old. See also: Emily Blunt in power armor. You can stream Edge of Tomorrow on Prime Video. Edge of Tomorrow (2014) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Shawshank Redemption (1994) What makes it rewatchable: A feel-good prison story that incorporates elements of murder, corruption, and money-laundering, Shawshank is bittersweet (the titles promised redemption arrives more or less on schedule) but never cloying. Happy endings are easy, but this one offers something harder won, and a bit more satisfying, making this Stephen King adaptation more than simple comfort food. The movie also has the rsum to back up its rep: it was a cable-TV mainstay for decades, creating a sense of familiarity fed by its ubiquity. You can rent The Shawshank Redemption from Prime Video. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Learn More Learn More Soul Food (1997) What makes it rewatchable: Its a movie about family and the power of community, big-hearted without being treacly. Its also the kind of thing that gets played at many a holiday gathering. You can rent Soul Food from Prime Video. Soul Food (1997) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Black Panther (2018) What makes it rewatchable: There are plenty of rewatchable movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (I'm no snob), including the very first one, Iron Man. But Black Panther, even with its ties to the broader superhero landscape, is one of the few that feels like a standalone movie in its own rightcomplete and satisfying on its own. Chadwick Boseman leads a stellar cast in a film that blends solid action and drama with some deeper themes. And points for general quality: It took 18 movies before a Marvel Studios movie was lead by a Black lead and director, and the only one to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination. You can stream Black Panther on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video. Black Panther (2018) at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ A Christmas Story (1983) What makes it rewatchable: After years of back-to-back holiday marathons and merchandising, A Christmas Story became very much a victim of its own slow-building success (it did OK at the box office, but not well enough to warrant its afterlife). So, in one sense, A Christmas Story is rewatchable because weve had no other choice. That oversaturation, though, hasnt completely dulled the films charms, nor lessened its innovations: Its cynical about the holiday season, serving as a bit of counter-programming thats often genuinely funny, but its not so dark that the whole family cant watch. Its sort of like curling up with a good memoir. You can rent A Christmas Story from Prime Video. A Christmas Story (1983) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Die Hard (1988) What makes it rewatchable: A great action movie needs a great protagonist, and benefits tremendously from a great setting. This one has bothBruce Willis is doing all the stuff we like about Bruce Willis, and the Nakatomi Plaza setting is brilliantly utilizedwe understand the space and therefore always know where John McClane is in relation to the terrorists. Its all very carefully constructed. You can stream Die Hard on Hulu and Prime Video. Die Hard (1988) at Hulu Learn More Learn More at Hulu The Thin Man (1934) What makes it rewatchable: The boozy chemistry between all-time greats Myrna Loy and William Powell gives The Thin Man the kind of loose energy that makes it not only easy to rewatch, but a joy, whether or not youre paying any attention to the central murder mystery. The other Thin Man movies are good, but none is quite as good (nor nearly as endlessly rewatchable) as the original. You can rent The Thin Man from Prime Video. The Thin Man (1934) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Princess Bride (1987) What makes it rewatchable: Endlessly quotable, The Princess Bride is a masterwork of tone, mixing in disparate elements in just the right measures. Its a parody and a farce, a fairy tale, a fantasy, and a genuinely satisfying love story that adds in pirates for good measure. Its weird, but not so much as to be off-putting, and always returns to the central character relationships whenever things are getting too silly. It movies from memorable scene to memorable scene effortlessly, which ensures that its nearly as enjoyable in bits and pieces as it is from beginning to end. You can stream The Princess Bride on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video. The Princess Bride (1987) at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ The Wizard of Oz (1939) What makes it rewatchable: Unlike many beloved classics, The Wizard of Oz wasnt the slow build its reputation sometimes suggests: The movie actually did very well in theaters initially, and only built its popularity through theatrical re-releases and then endless TV airings. It has hardly lost any steam over the past eight decades. And why would it? Its a fun all-ages fantasy and a singable musical with a career-making lead performance, with themes around childhood anxieties that still hold up. You can stream The Wizard of Oz on Max or rent it from Prime Video. The Wizard of Oz (1939) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Mean Girls (2004) What makes it rewatchable: Written by Tina Fey (shortly before she became a household name), the script balances super-sharp comedy with an incisive understanding of high school politics and a worthwhile message about the hollowness of the drive to be the best and prettiest. You can stream Mean Girls on Paramount+ or Prime Video. Mean Girls (2004) at Paramount+ Learn More Learn More at Paramount+ Bring It On (2000) What makes it rewatchable: Another endlessly repeatable teen comedy, Bring It On is also a secret sports movie and a stealth musical (if you consider elaborate dance sequences set to music in the same light as characters bursting into song)two genres with comforting formulas that stand up to repeated viewings. As much fun as it is to witness the gymnastics on display, it's also a kick to watch a young Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union snipe at one another. You can rent Bring It On from Prime Video. Bring It On (2000) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Friday (1995) What makes it rewatchable: It doesnt all hold up perfectly (the women here are mostly the objects of the jokes), but theres still a reason Friday became a cult classic. At a time when white America was particularly worked up about rap and hood culture, it dared to have a little fun. And when its funny, its really funny. You can rent Friday from Prime Video. Friday (1995) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) What makes it rewatchable: It's a triumph of imagination in a sea of a lot of same-y superhero movies (plenty of them spider-related). The animation is gloriously energetic and innovative, and in service to a twisty, multi-layered story that's thrilling, uplifting, and genuinely poignant, in the best Spider-tradition. You can rent Into the Spider-Verse on Prime Video. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Crazy Rich Asians (2018) What makes it rewatchable: In many ways, this rom-com feels like a throwback in the best possible way: Economics professor Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) has no idea that her New York boyfriend Nick (Henry Golding) is heir to a real estate empire as part of an extravagantly wealthy Singapore family. The fish-out-of-water comedic elements never get so silly that we're not focused on the core relationship, and Michelle Yeoh as Nick's mother makes for a brilliantly vicious, but also very human, foil. All that, plus an exploration of a place and a culture we don't often visit in Western movies. You can stream Crazy Rich Asians on Max or rent it from Prime Video. Crazy Rich Asians (2018) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Aliens (1986) What makes it rewatchable: The Ridley Scott original is a brilliantly tense haunted spaceship flick, but the James Cameron-helmed sequel is quite simply one of the most efficient blends of action and horror in the history of either genre. The '80s produced a lot of action stars, but it's hard to argue that Sigourney Weaver doesn't run rings around all of them in her fight to escape the alien queen. You can stream Aliens on Peacock or rent it from Prime Video. Aliens (1986) at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock Titanic (1997) What makes it rewatchable: There's a reason James Cameron is one of our most financially successful directors: He knows how to serve up a satisfying movie, even when what's on offer is tragic melodrama. This is epic storytelling on a truly grand levelthe kind of movie they don't make anymore, and didn't in 1997, either. It was much rewatched even before it left theaters during its initial run, with people returning multiple times to goggle at the spectacle and weep into their popcorn (I am people, in this scenario). You can stream Titanic on Paramount+ or rent it from Prime Video. Titanic (1997) at Paramount+ Learn More Learn More at Paramount+ All About Eve (1950) What makes it rewatchable: Pound for bitchy pound, I'm not sure that you'll find a better screenplay than writer/director Joseph L. Mankiewicz's for All About Eve, buoyed by the most memorable performance in the extremely memorable career of Bette Davis. A smart, sassy delight from start to finish. You can rent All About Eve from Prime Video. All About Eve (1950) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Charlie's Angels (2000) What makes it rewatchable: Deeply goofy in all the right ways, the action-comedy take on the venerable franchise soars in its campy sense of style, while also delivering some truly impressive, larger-than-life action sequences. Leads Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz, and Drew Barrymore look like they're having a ton of fun, and the vibe is infectious. You can rent Charlie's Angels from Prime Video. Charlie's Angels (2000) Learn More Learn More Steel Magnolias (1989) What makes it rewatchable: Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be gay to have seen Steel Magnolias dozens of times (though it doesn't hurt). Throw Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, and Julia Roberts into a movie that rather flawlessly blends melodrama with quotably bitchy comebacks, and we're in for good laughs, alongside a few good cries. You can stream Steel Magnolias on Max or rent it from Prime Video. Steel Magnolias (1989) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max RRR (2022) What makes it rewatchable: The jury's still out on whether India-made RRR will remain a popular favorite over time, but I'm here to make the case that it ought to. It's long, sure, but in the course of its runtime we get musical numbers, romantic drama, buddy comedy (by "buddy" I mean they should kiss), and action sequences that put modern Hollywood blockbusters to shame. The much-memed sequence in which a truck full of wild animals is set loose in the compound of white colonial administrators during the era of the British Raj is a masterclass in rewatchable movie moments all on its own. You can stream RRR on Netflix. RRR (2022) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Oceans Eleven (2001) What makes it rewatchable: We love a heist, and this one is cleverly constructed in the ways in which it goes right, and then wrong, and the setup and execution are slippery enough that you kind of forget how it all goes down between viewings. The all-star cast adds panache. You can rent Ocean's Eleven from Prime Video. Oceans Eleven (2001) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) What makes it rewatchable: It's Ocean's Eleven in a galaxy far, far away, but with much higher stakes and a lot of pew-pew laser battles. I defy anyone to turn it off once the Battle of Scarif sequence kicks in. You can stream Rogue One on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ The Fugitive (1993) What makes it rewatchable: Aside from the innumerable charms of early '90s Harrison Ford and a breakout performance from Tommy Lee Jones, this cat-and-mouse thriller excels at "the process-y bits," showing you every step in dueling investigations: unjustly accused murderer Richard Kimble's (Ford) efforts to find out who killed his wife and framed him for the crime, and a U.S. Marshall's (Jones) attempts to track him down and put him back in the slammer. And who could forget that waterfall scene? You can rent The Fugitive from Prime Video. The Fugitive (1993) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Color Purple (1985) What makes it rewatchable: Though this is a Black story told by a largely white team behind the camera, its Steven Spielberg at his most humane. The multigenerational story includes some of the best actors of their generations playing some of their most memorable characters. While not everyone gets a happy ending, the conclusion is about as satisfying as they come. You can rent The Color Purple from Prime Video. The Color Purple (1985) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Singin in the Rain (1952) What makes it rewatchable: Its just tremendous fun, with jokes that remain funny and gravity-defying dance numbers that all look effortless, even when its clear that the incredibly talented cast mustve been working their asses off in order to make things look so easy. You can stream Singin' in the Rain on Max or rent it from Prime Video. Singin in the Rain (1952) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max North by Northwest (1959) What makes it rewatchable: Another one that works whether youre paying attention or not, Hitchcock knew that the singular charms of his heroes and villains were more than enough to carry a picture, provided that the action set pieces offered suitable thrills. Im not even sure what the baddies are after here, but Ive never turned it off. You can stream North by Northwest on The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. North by Northwest (1959) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) What makes it rewatchable: Raiders of the Lost Ark remains the best of the series, but a good case can be made that Last Crusade is the more rewatchable entry (Im sure Im not alone in having seen both of them plenty of times). Crusade is a bit lighter than its predecessor, a little bit looser and more fun, with great chemistry between Harrison Ford and Sean Connery. You can stream Last Crusade on Disney+ and Paramount+ or rent it from Prime Video. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ Ghostbusters (1984) What makes it rewatchable: Making wacky comedies that were also kind of art was a particular skillset that 80s filmmakers seemed to possess, and theres a meticulousness to the films construction that belies the cynical-but-easygoing vibe that Bill Murray personifies. Its goofy, but it all holds together. (The 2016 remake lacks the solid construction that made this one a classic, but is also thoroughly rewatchable for its similarly talented casta hill I shall die on). You can rent Ghostbusters from Prime Video. Ghostbusters (1984) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) What makes it rewatchable: The first Sister Act is a better movie, a highlight of the era when we were moving away from R-rated sex comedies into more family-friendly fare (for better and worse). But the second Sister Act is both more real with its characters move into the inner city, but also campier and weirder in its efforts to blend the Lean on Me-style school drama with a singing nuns/mistaken-identity farce. Nineties kids instantly recognize the jams, mom jeans, and spontaneous breakdancing as signifiers of the era. It also builds to a genuinely joyful finale, even if youre a bit embarrassed for the white boy rapping in overalls. You can stream Sister Act 2 on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video. Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) What makes it rewatchable: In these days of manufactured camp, theres more value than ever in something thats simply the product of queer weirdos putting their heads together. Most frequently experienced as a communal event, and demanding little beyond a willingness to sing along and maybe pull on some fishnets, its the kind of movie that, I suspect, very few people have seen just once. You can rent Rocky Horror from Prime Video. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Coming to America (1988) What makes it rewatchable: Theres a great supporting cast here, but this is Eddie Murphy at his 80s bestwildly funny, and just profane enough. Its just scene after memorable scene. You can rent Coming to America from Prime Video. Coming to America (1988) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) What makes it rewatchable: It is, by far, the most standalone of the many Star Trek movies, working on its own as a sci-fi cat-and-mouse movie with a wildly memorable protagonist. [Editors note: Star Trek VI though?] You can stream The Wrath of Khan on Paramount+ or rent it from Prime Video. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) at Paramount+ Learn More Learn More at Paramount+ New Jack City (1991) What makes it rewatchable: Its several things at once, and does them all well. New Jack City is a serious, thoughtful crime crime drama; its an impressively thrilling action movie, and its a time capsule of 90s cool, as epitomized by Wesley Snipes. You can rent New Jack City from Prime Video. New Jack City (1991) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Casablanca (1942) What makes it rewatchable: The iconic movie of Hollywoods golden age, you know the lines (and the ending) even if youve never seen it. If you have seen it, its unlikely youve seen it only once. You can stream Casablanca on Max or rent it from Prime Video. Casablanca (1942) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors (1987) What makes it rewatchable: Slasher fans are loyal (putting my hand up), so a list of rewatchable movies could easily be overrun with Freddys, Jasons, Michaels, and Ghostfaces. Though this choice is slightly arbitrary, Dream Warriors is Freddy at his height, still scary in the era just prior to his wise-cracking huckster phase. Every scene/kill here is memorable on its own, and theres an almost Avengers-like quality to the anti-Freddy team that assembles to bring him down. You can rent Dream Warriors from Prime Video. A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors (1987) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Ferris Buellers Day Off (1986) What makes it rewatchable: Ferris is the coolest kid in school, somehow managing that without being insufferable (mostly). There are elements to his laid-back attitude and concern for his friends that most of us could stand to learn from. This is another that goes from memorable scene to memorable scene. You can rent Ferris Bueller from Prime Video. Ferris Buellers Day Off (1986) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Attack the Block (2011) What makes it rewatchable: A band of outsiders teams up to stop an alien invasion on a council estate. Its energetic and action-packed, with memorable characters and even more memorable aliens. Plus, its the movie that teamed up a future Star Wars lead (John Boyega) with a future Doctor Who (Jodie Whitaker). You can stream Attack the Block on Peacock or rent it from Prime Video. Attack the Block (2011) at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) What makes it rewatchable: Ripped from the pages of Bryan Lee OMalleys heavily manga-influenced graphic novel series, this 2010 Edgar Wright underperformer seemed designed to play better on a second (or fifth) viewing. The humor is incredibly dense, every shot peppered with background gags and onscreen graphics, and the episodic plotwith goofy loser hero Scott going up against his girlfriends ex-boyfriends in cartoonish one-on-one showdownsrecreate the experiences of moving from level to level in a video game you just cant put down. You can stream Scott Pilgrim on Max or rent it from Prime Video. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max

Boom, the startup developing a new generation of supersonic aircraft, has achieved a major milestone after its test plane broke the sound barrier for the first time. The XB-1 Baby Boom piloted by Tristan Gepetto Brandenburg, flew through the Bell X-1 Supersonic Corridor over the Mojave Desert. XB-1 reached a speed of Mach 1.1 at an altitude of 35,000 feet for a few minutes before running out of airspace authorized for supersonic travel. The plane would go on to break the sound barrier a total of three times before it returned to base. Its the first time a civilian aircraft has broken the sound barrier while flying over the United States.Engadget covered Boom in an extensive profile back in 2020, where the company was gearing up to unveil XB-1 and make preparations for test flights. Since then, it has been undergoing a barrage of tests, with a series of subsonic test flights starting from March 2024 through the end of the year. In the background, the company has been signing deals with major airlines including United and American, to supply passenger jets for civilian service. This craft, dubbed Overture, has a planned top speed of Mach 1.7 equivalent of 1,305 miles per hour which would cut existing travel times in half. At least, for the folks who could afford a ticket.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/booms-xb-1-jet-breaks-the-sound-barrier-for-the-first-time-164930546.html?src=rss

The Google Nest WiFi Pro 6E mesh router is on sale for $120 via Amazon. Thats a discount of 40 percent, which is one heck of a deal. This discount only applies to the light green model. This unit easily made our list of the best mesh routers, and for good reason. Its a reliable and easy-to-use device. The installation process is simple, which cant always be said of mesh systems. We called it the perfect router for folks who want to set their network up and then forget about it. Thats me. Im that folk. The Nest WiFi Pro provides reliable tri-band Wi-Fi, so its great for streaming movies, gaming, web browsing and just about everything else. It also offers various useful integrations. It supports Matter, Thread and Google Assistant, as a start. We recommended this router at the full price, so we definitely like it at half the cost. There are a couple of minor caveats here. This sale provides just a single unit, which offers 2,200 square feet of coverage. However, those with larger homes and multiple dead zones will likely need to pick up a second router to add to the system. Also, its not quite as fast or powerful as some rival Wi-Fi 6E routers. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/googles-nest-wifi-pro-6e-is-cheaper-than-ever-with-a-40-percent-discount-163456635.html?src=rss

Pika Labs releases new AI video maker Pika 2.1

Attackers are finding new ways to deliver phishing messages directly to victims.

Includes artists from Arcane, Avatar: The Way of Water and The Wild.IAMAG has released its program for IAMC25, where artists in illustration, animation, VFX, and games will present on projects such as Arcane, Avatar: The Way of Water, Love, Death & Robots and The Wild.The event takes place March 79, 2025, in Paris.Heres a list of just some of the speakers:Dylan Cole, Production Designer, Avatar: The Way of WaterDaniel Cacouault, concept artist for Netflixs Love, Death & Robots and The Wild Robot,Ian McQue, concept artistChristian Alzmann, concept artistAsh Thorp, directorAllan McKay, visual effects supervisorSo many more, including Aaron Limonick, Alex Alice, Alessandra Sorrentino, Armel Gaulme, Azusa Tojo, Ayran Oberto, Christophe Lautrette, Craig Mullins, Daniel Cacouault, Daniel Orive, Daria Schmitt, Didier Graffet, Ed Laag, Ehsan Bigloo, Feng Zhu, Frdric Pillot, Gaelle Seguillon, Gaetan Brizzi, James Paick, Jama Jurabaev, Julie Melan, Julien Delval, Julien Gauthier, Kenny Carvalho, Marc Simonetti, Mike Morris, Nicolas Sparth Bouvier, Nicolas Weis, Raphael Lacoste, Shaddy Safadi, Stan Manoukian, Stephan Martiniere, Thomas ScholesThere will also be a special presentation from Fortiche on the making of Arcane, s2Early Bird tickets are available until January 30, 2025.Find out more about IAMC25 here: https://itsartm.ag/iamc25-journeyThe post See the speaker line-up at IAMAG Master Classes 25 appeared first on befores & afters.

The night belongs to sinners. From Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Creed) comes a chilling new vision of fear: Sinners, arriving in theaters April 18, 2025.Starring Michael B. Jordan in a dual role, the film follows twin brothers trying to escape their troubled pasts, only to find a greater darkness lurking in their hometown. Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit), Jack OConnell (Ferrari), Wunmi Mosaku (Passenger), Jayme Lawson (The Woman King), Omar Miller (True Lies), and Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods) round out the ensemble cast.Coogler returns to collaborate with his Black Panther team, such as director of photography Autumn Durald Arkapaw, production designer Hannah Beachler, costume designer Ruth E. Carter, and composer Ludwig Gransson. The movie is produced by Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and Coogler himself under the Proximity Media banner, while Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute worldwide.The post Sinners Official Trailer 2 appeared first on Vfxexpress.

The Empire State Building is nobodys idea of a hidden gem. The 1,472-foot Art Deco landmark of stone and steel dominates the streetscape and world view of New York Cityand all of pop culture. From King Kongs battle with biplanes to the annual ESB Run-Up to its iconic 86th Floor Observatory, the Worlds Most Famous Building is both myth and monolith.This alone could not have explained what happened last June, though: The Empire State Building Observatory Experience was ranked the No. 1 attraction in the world in Tripadvisors 2024 Travelers Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do. At 93 years young, the skyscraper became ostensibly the top attraction on the planet.This was not the work of an algorithm, or even Swiftonomics (though Taylor did once pay a visit). Rather, the ranking took root in a multiphase, design-led transformation of the Observatory Experience, fueled by the recognition that spaces and places must evolve to meet peoples shifting relationships across physical, digital, and immersive realms.This might seem like an isolated success, with few applicable lessons beyond the museums and attractions sector. But since we and our creative partners at Journey, Thinc Design, and Beneville Studios completed the $165 million reimagination of the Observatory Experience, we have come to appreciate lessons that any brand, in any sector, can adopt to deepen connections with their customers. Here are four that (wait for it) rise to the top.1. REANIMATE YOUR STORYAs we began our building-wide modernization work in 2008, we thought creatively beyond the building itselfmore specifically, the international brand and relevance of the concept of the Empire State Building.We could have hung archival photos or played King Kong on a loop in our galleries. Instead, we chose to immerse visitors in the lore and complexity of this singular structure.Key moments from its construction, its place in popular culture, and its industry-leading deep energy retrofit became onramps to immersive storytelling. Rather than watch two-dimensional, black-and-white footage of Kong 102 stories above the city streets, we welcome visitors to climb into his fist as he zooms in close, nostrils flared. Visitors dont pore over lengthy exhibit descriptions; they peer inside coin-operated-style viewfinders and observe vendors hawking five-cent apples and traffic officers directing streetcars that trundle through the frame.Banks, retailers, museums, healthcare clinicsthey all contain powerful stories that, through smart, tactical applications of design and technology, could forge stronger connections to the people they serve.2. GET MULTIDIMENSIONALHow many times must we read about the blurring lines between physical and digital? Our collaboration spun off a more instructive idea: Rather than blur lines, build linkages.The physical and digital components of the reimagined Observatory Experience address every dimension of human interaction. Those viewfinders set this principle to motion. Peering through them, visitors become participants in a nearly century-old scene that slipped the bounds of time. That sensation is far more powerful than any discreet piece of hardware or software.Brands should take a cue and combine their digital and physical assets in ways that create transformative new experiences. Fifth Avenue is hardly a galaxy far, far away. That didnt stop a Star Wars villains-inspired experience from taking over the Empire State Building last year. Fittingly, The Empire Strikes Back played on the 80th floor while life-size LEGO statues of Darth Vader and Darth Maul beckoned selfie-takers. An unoccupied space at the base of the building housed a fully immersive Hasbro takeover that thrilled die-hard fans. Through it all, host and guests derived valueand had a blast.When an IP as exhaustively excavated as Star Wars can build new linkages across the fan experience by showing up in unexpected ways (and places), it is a clear sign that most brands can, and should, as well.3. DONT BREAK NEW GROUNDWe began with an assessment of underutilized sectors on our second and 80th floors; the queue areas for Observatory-bound elevators; and even the elevators themselves. Here, for the better part of a century, lay the seeds of a completely reimagined visitor experiencea sort of prequel to the views on the 86th and 102nd floors. Developers might derisively call this creative reuse, but as we recontextualized these assets, we did more than fill space; we opened new portals of experience and immersion.How many department stores have elevators or escalators? Through the creative application of technology and design, these can become dynamic, immersive vessels for brand storytelling and wayfinding that produce tighter bonds between store and customer. No elevators or escalators? Convert underutilized space into zones of experimentation that help dimensionalize the experience.4. TAKE THE LONG VIEWA funny thing happens nowadays when visitors finally reach the Observatory floors. Spectacular views used to be the main course, but since we inaugurated the new visitor experience, they feel like the cherry on top. Despite the still-breathtaking sightlines, you know where many of our visitors now tag their Instagram snaps? With Kong, 84 floors below, as well as with statues of brave men who built the building in the immersive exhibit dedicated to their work. Talk about your internal pivots.Perhaps this is the most powerful lesson of all: A brand never has to top out. If we redefined how people experience 365,000 tons of stone, glass, and steel, imagine what you can do for your brand.Andrew Zimmerman is CEO and a cofounder of Journey. Anthony E. Malkin is chairman and CEO of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.

Anyone well-versed in internet lore will be familiar with the image of a slightly deflated childs ball pit on a hotel convention room floor.DashCon (originally called Tumblr-Con, although not officially affiliated with Tumblr) was a fan convention held in Schaumburg, Illinois, back in 2014. It was originally intended to bring the Tumblr community together and scheduled to feature vendors and special guests from fandoms like Doctor Who and Sherlock.After a string of disasters, the weekend culminated in the 17-year-old organizer, Nessie ONeil, going around with a paper bag asking attendees for donations to make up the roughly $17,000 needed to keep the convention afloat. Afterward, it was immortalized as one of the internets most infamous failures.In the years since, people have tried and failed to bring DashCon back. And now another group is trying to revive DashCon once againnot as a Tumblr convention, but as an internet history con.In addition to honoring the original event, DashCon 2 will celebrate a very specific era of fandom culture, the codirectors wrote on their website. We want to bring people together to reminisce on an era long past, and to celebrate the local artists, performers, and creators of today.The new DashCon website did not include the organizers last names. They are identified as Avis (Literally assigned tumblr sexyman at birth) and Simone (Goddess of audacious emailing.)Why now?None of the DashCon 2 team is affiliated with DashCons original organizers, and ONeil is also not involved this time round. Details of DashCon 2 plans were released yesterday, when the team said they have no intention of repeating DashCons mistakes.Organizers say DashCon 2 will be held at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) in Toronto on July 5. Tickets will go live on February 22, and vendor applications will be open on February 1.Our team of organizers actually have experience in event coordination, or fields with transferable skills, the organizers wrote on Substack. Weve taken our time to plan the road ahead carefully.Reactions online have been mixed, from cautious excitement to trepidation. I will be buying tickets for Dashcon 2 and if I get ripped off? Buddy you wont need to tell me so, I will know it was entirely my fault, one user posted on X.I just found out DashCon 2 is occurring, another wrote. We cannot escape the curse.In fact, there have already been bumps along the road. In regards to the current venue, the organizers admitted, The JCCC wasnt our first pick. Our first pick, who we wont name, dropped us unexpectedly after months of negotiations.The date also had to be changed from the same weekend as the original DashCon to the day after the American Fourth of July celebrations. In our defense, we didnt really think of that, the team wrote. Were Canadian.Of course, the main question is will there be a ball pit? The answer is yes.