Entertainment

Horror movie anthologies have grown in popularity for a good reason, and here are three films where each story is a banger. The best horror anthology movies are like variety packs where each short works on its own merits, often dipping into different subgenres. Some classic anthologies include Mario Bava's chilling Black Sabbath or British chiller Tales from the Crypt (1972). While there used to be a belief amongst producers that audiences don't like anthologies, the last decade has proven that old adage wrong. The V/H/S movie franchise has become an annual tradition amongst horror fans, while 2019's The Mortuary Collection or the ABCs of Death collections have also been well-received. Invariably, horror anthologies have one or two sections that don't fully click with audiences, but ...

Just like Lord Farquaad, this production proves that shorter things can still be formidable. What: Shrek The MusicalWhere: Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front St. E.When: Now, until Tue., Dec. 30Highlight: The dragon puppet. She’s a beaut.Rating: NNNN (out of 5)Why you should go: To feel like you’re stepping into the animated movie. Young People’s Theatre is really good at crafting productions for — surprise, surprise — young people. Its latest production of Shrek The Musical — an 80-minute version of the Broadway show that’s been specifically retooled for young audiences — is joyful and snappy and is performed with a lot of love. But with a competing production being mounted next month an hour outside the city by Drayton Entertainment (this time, of the full two-and-a-half-hour version), i...

2025 marks an incredibly stacked year in gaming, with The Game Awards having a tough choice between several amazing titles for Game of the Year (GOTY). From stellar RPG stories to robust roguelikes, games have surged to innovative new heights this year. As a result, there are many different contenders for GOTY, including some that will stand out as landmark games long after their release. Among the many dark horses for GOTY, there are many frontrunners who represent a complete package for gaming's highest honor. Although only six different games can be nominated for GOTY in 2025, plenty more will likely be involved with other award categories. From general titles like "Best Multiplayer" or "Best Ongoing" to genre-specific awards, such as "Best Fighting Game" or "Best Role-Playing Game,"...

In terms of genres that bring out the limitless creative possibilities and craft of film, science fiction has stood as one of the best ways for filmmakers to express vastly creative and intelligent stories onto the big screen. From impactful blockbuster franchises like Star Wars to beloved critical classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey, there are simply no limits to the number of sci-fi masterpieces that have graced the big screen over the years. This notion of masterful sci-fi filmmaking has even continued into the modern era of film, with the past 10 years releasing some truly special sci-fi experiences. With film budgets being higher than ever before, there is no better time than the present to bring to life the fast concepts that the sci-fi genre provides. As a result, there have been...

Country music star Todd Snider, known for his alt-country hits like “Alright Guy” and “Just Like Old Times,” has died following a battle with a mysterious illness. He was 59. Snider passed away on Friday, according to an Instagram post shared by the singer’s record label, Aimless, Inc. Headquarters. “Where do we find the words for the one who always had the right words, who knew how to distill everything down to its essence with words and song while delivering the most devastating, hilarious, and impactful turn of phrases?” the statement read. “Always creating rhyme and meter that immediately felt like an old friend or a favorite blanket. Someone who could almost always find the humor in this crazy ride on Planet Earth.” Country music star Todd Snider died on Friday following ...

World of Warcraft is introducing a new in-game currency, another modern gaming trend that most players don’t want to see pop up in the long-running RPG. Multiple in-game currencies are a frequent element of free-to-play games, which can stall exclusive unlockables or even level progression behind different required currencies. Sure, the player can reach a certain level, but to actually level up or upgrade certain character elements, the player can either grind to earn the currency or just drop some real money to unlock it. It’s an unpopular strategy with gamers that has always been associated with other predatory gaming approaches like loot boxes. Unfortunately, it seems that one of gaming’s most storied MMORPGs is following suit, and the fanbase for the game isn’t happy with the dev...

Since the 1910s, Westerns have given Hollywood countless masterpieces, from Tombstone to Django Unchained, and Netflix has a strong selection. The genre has been defined for modern audiences by creators like Taylor Sheridan, Quentin Tarantino and the Coen Brothers, all recreating how viewers think of the American frontier. Exploring themes of justice, mystery, revenge and humor, these films always punch above their weight, even if modern audiences don't appreciate them like they once did. The Western genre comes in all forms, from slapstick comedy to harrowing revenge thrillers, showing great versatility between projects. Netflix's selection reflects this range, ensuring there's something for viewers of all stripes, whether they're looking for a family-friendly adventure or a revisionis...

It’s ‘infectious’ This is the second time that Musicopia has come to the Please Touch Museum for the Lullaby project. Sean Evans, the Please Touch Museum’s Museum Learning Coordinator, called the program infectious. “It’s almost, like, hypnotizing,” Evans said. “You don’t even know you’re reaching that state. It was so funny. We were just humming and singing, repeating words, and then they started incorporating body movement, and the next thing you know, I’m doing things with my hands. I don’t even know what I’m doing, but this feels so wonderful. It really is just such an incredible program.” Musician Lia Manaker, who played the piano, has worked with the program before, but was excited to share it with her 3-year-old daughter for the first time. “I love how people can surprise themselves...

I recently sat down with Defect game director and former id Software artist, Emanuel Palalic, as well as composer Mick Gordon to discuss the upcoming cyberpunk FPS. One topic I wanted to get their thoughts on was optimization: Defect looks like a heavy game, but has surprisingly lenient specs⁠—RTX 2060 minimum⁠—and no mandatory ray tracing like we're starting to see in some games.The graphics arms race is proving ever more costly for devs and players, with diminishing returns: The cutting edge Metal Gear Solid Delta left me feeling cold, especially compared to the similarly photorealistic, yet more vibrant, striking, and ten years older Phantom Pain. Meanwhile, people's champions like Arc Raiders and Battlefield 6 are scoring points with players by not just running on lower-end hardware, b...

Nothing is truly dead and gone these days, and that now includes Sharknado. Of all things, Syfy’s horror-disaster series is making a comeback with, you guessed it, an origin story. Dubbed Sharknado Origins, because of course, the seventh entry is coming courtesy of B-horror studio the Asylum. Per Variety, this new film will begin production later in 2025 with Anthony Ferrante at the helm, who previously directed the first six movies. As far as casting goes, that’ll be revealed “soon,” and the two leads will play young versions of Fin and April, the main couple played by Ian Ziering and Tara Reid in the originals. © The Asylum As the film opens, the two have just met for the first time and enter the throes of summer love. But before he can offer a promise ring to affirm their relationship, ...