Category: News

With its highly-anticipated return only a few weeks away, Disney+ has unveiled a brand new poster for The Mandalorian Season 2. Featuring Mando (or Dyn Jarren as we learned in the Season 1 finale) on the move on a speeder bike with his cape fluttering in the wind, the badass looking poster also contains a super cute addition tucked into the corner. With his big reveal already out in the open, Disney can lean into featuring Baby Yoda now, and there he is riding shotgun in a cloth pouch. Judging by promotional photos and the Season 2 trailer, it seems like something will happen to green guy’s floating cradle thingy, and he’ll be spending some time being carried around in a side pouch as Mando searches for The Child’s “people” a.k.a. the Jedi.

You can see The Mandalorian Season 2 poster below:

Star Wars fans are itching for the new season to begin thanks to reports that beloved characters like The Clone Wars‘ Ahsoka Tano and the original bounty hunter himself, Boba Fett, will be popping up when the streaming series returns. Katee Sackhoff is also reportedly making an appearance as her Star Wars Rebels character Bo Katan. Although, none of these castings have been confirmed by Lucasfilm who are playing things close to the chest, but the season two trailer did seem to tip its hand by seemingly revealing WWE wrestler Sasha Banks as Sabine Wren. (Or is she?)

What we do know for certain is that Mandalorian fans won’t have to watch the new season alone because of the pandemic. Disney+ recently unveiled it’s new GroupWatch feature, which will allow users to have socially distanced watch parties without anyone leaving their houses. Watching Baby Yoda and not spreading COVID? That’s a win-win.

The first thing I notice with PES is that I really, really suck.

My evolution as a soccer gamer goes something like this: When I was about 5 or 6 years old, I got a FIFA game for my Nintendo 64. I used France a ton because they had this guy named “Zinedine Zidane” and he was extremely good. From that point on, I played a whole lot of FIFA. That’s, uh, the end of the story.

As you can tell from that abrupt tale that also spans about 23 years of existence, playing PES was never really in the cards. It was, to be clear, a brand loyalty thing: Like someone who wants a Google Pixel but has always had iPhones, I just never really felt the urge to try and learn a new soccer game when I’ve known the intricacies of another for such a long time. As such, I had literally never played PES, save for one demo of PES 2019 for about two minutes before I realized how bad I was and decided to go, I dunno, read a book or something.

It’s part of why I wanted to review eFootball PES 2021 Season Update. There are only so many opportunities in the world of sports games when you can go into something completely new and unaware of everything — every NBA 2K release is pretty similar to the last, every Madden features little tweaks here and there, every edition of MLB The Show follows the formula that has made it a juggernaut. Playing PES offered a chance to try something completely new, and for a person in my shoes, it’s something new at a discounted price.

This year’s edition is a season update as opposed to a standalone, gigantic release, and Konami responded to this by putting together a full game for $29.99. There is a conversation to be had about whether this should be the model for all sports sims — it is so hard for companies to come up with new, innovative games every year, they can oftentimes grow really stale because of this, and perhaps it might be wise to adopt a monster season update every other year so a new game can legitimately be new. That’s a conversation for a different time, though. As for this game, I figured it would the perfect entry point into the series, and I was excited to try out the various bells and whistles with fresh eyes.

For all of these reasons, I fired up the game, used my beloved Manchester City against small Belgian side Cercle Brugge and oh dear god I lost 1-0.

The act of playing PES is, even for the worst first-timer, fun. It isn’t the most dynamic and video game-y soccer playing experience, but it managed to be a slow, controlled game that doesn’t feel like it’s stuck in the mud, a really hard balance to strike but one it finds very well. The presentation is also very, very good, although we’ll get to some of the quibbles I have in a little.

The big thing, though, was I had zero idea how to actually play PES. Fortunately, the game does a great job in looking to get you up to speed. Its training menu is quite vast, and seeks to familiarize you with dribbling and passing mechanics of all sorts. It takes quite a long time to get through everything if your goal is a complete understanding of the controls, but PES creates the exact kind of hyper-immersive experience that really helps new players figure out what they need to do when they’re playing.

Still, spending this time is invaluable, and getting into a game when you know what’s going on is, shockingly, a much better experience. The weight of the ball is the biggest thing that comes through as you play — again, the game doesn’t feel nearly as quick and loose as its virtual footy counterpart has in previous editions, but there’s legitimate weight to every pass, the dribbling feels incredibly controlled, and you get to mix in skill moves and feints that look and feel authentic. That authenticity in gameplay is something that PES really seems to hang its hat on, and it’s a joy.

The game’s presentation is also outstanding, when it’s able to be. There is a pretty obvious issue that the game has when it comes to licensing for most clubs — the Premier League is the English League, with teams like Chelsea B, Liverpool R, and Manchester B in it — but the players all look pretty good. And when you play for or against a team with whom PES has an official license, like Barcelona, Juventus, or Manchester United, the presentation is absolutely stunning. Using the Catalan giants, for example, leads to a breathtaking pregame experience, while the in-game version of the Nou Camp looks lifelike. The stadiums, in particular, my word. They look remarkable if you are using one with which the game has a licensing agreement — Celtic Park in Glasgow and Stade Louis II in Monaco look just as good as, say, Wembley Stadium or Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena. In the places where Konami was able to leave no stone unturned, they made sure they did not.

The feel for the game does take a minute, though. If you are like me and PES is not your soccer game of choice, getting the buttons down is particularly tricky. But on the whole, the act of actually playing soccer in the game is a blast, which was the one thing I anticipated coming in — other PES players I know have said that while FIFA is the bigger game, PES is the better football-playing experience, and it’s very easy to see how you can come to that conclusion the more you play. It manages to feel lifelike in so many of the right ways, although if I had to file a complaint with anything outside of the licensing stuff, it’s that I really, really wish defending in the game felt a little more even.

One thing that I love about FIFA is how easy defending feels, both 1-on-1 and with the AI, and PES just isn’t quite there. Speaking of the AI, I feel like it’s not quite intelligent and reactive enough to what you’re trying to do on the pitch, which can be a gigantic pain in the neck. This is a really hard balance to strike, because, well, you can’t know what’s going on in a person’s head and how they imagine a player off the ball is moving, but there is room for improvement here.

The menus as you’re assembling your team can use a little work as well. They just look clunky, with players’ heads sitting on top of their positions/ratings and names, although I do like how you can quickly adjust positioning and have that play to a player’s strength and see what happens to a player’s rating if they are put in an unfamiliar position. The list of formations isn’t particularly gigantic, but PES is really good about giving you the flexibility to move players around and position them as you like. And when it comes to putting together attacking and defensive instructions, along with giving yourself the ability to use a collection of advanced instructions that you can bust out during matches — telling your striker to play as a False 9, making it so your fullbacks fly up and down the flanks, having your defensive line sit back deep — the options are both plentiful and fun to explore.

I still need to do a lot of digging into the other various modes, such as myClub, which is Konami’s take on EA’s various Ultimate Team modes — I generally avoid these due to my aversion to things that are built on microtransactions. Master League is a career mode in which you take over a team and try to lead them to glory (fun twist: you can make your manager a number of footballing legends, like Diego Maradona). Become a Legend is basically exactly what you’d expect a thing called “Become a Legend” to be, where you either make a player or take over an existing one and play through their careers.

But overall, I wanted to use my first however many hours of PES to learn about the game, learn how to play it, and get a sense for a virtual footballing experience I’ve never had before. It’s not a perfect game, because there are scant few of those, but for individuals who want to get into it, picking up a copy at a relatively cheap price is not a bad idea in the slightest. It’s like an audition before next year’s game, which Konami promises is going to look far different due to the implementation of a new game engine. By then, hopefully I’ll be able to give a review that is a bit more informed based on prior experience, and can answer decisively whether it’ll be worth that price. Until then, a full, fun game for $29.99 is quite a steal, even if you are like me and you really, really suck at soccer in the PES universe.

Eddie G is a Canadian actor/hip-hop artist who is currently a series regular on Transplant, a medical drama that was a hit on Canadian television and will soon move to NBC. Previously, he was a series regular in the award-winning Canadian series 19-2, and will soon have a leading role in Lifetime’s upcoming biopic, Salt n Pepa.

Eddie G recently took some time to participate in our twenty questions questionnaire series.

1. You walk into a bar. What do you order from the bartender?

Water is what I’ve been trying to drink religiously but.. Shirley Temple, extra grenadine. It ain’t a Shirley if it ain’t red-red. Like cherry red. Speaking of cherries, I need a few of those in it too. I don’t care if it’s girly. Let’s get it!

2. Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and/or Instagram?

@chakabars insightful, controversial, funny, love it.

3. What’s currently waiting for you on your DVR or in your streaming queue?

Just finished The Affair. Top quality series. Now It’s just Power ll: Ghost

4. It’s your last meal — what are you going out with?

Oh man, nothin’ like a home-cooked meal. Haitian Fried Chicken, white rice and sauce pois (pea sauce), macaroni salad & SWEET plantain. Mmm, with a little champagne Kola on the side and I’m ready to die.

5. Which website do you visit the most?

Instagram.com/eddie.g (Follow me)

6. What’s the most frequently played song on your mobile device?

“GoldLink” – CREW ….. til this day.

7. If you could go back and give your 18-year-old self one piece of advice what would it be?

To invest my acting cheques and other earnings from then into real estate, especially in Toronto. There’s so much growth & appreciation in that city now. Getting in as early as possible would have changed a lot of things. I’d share all that early knowledge with people and close friends to help them set their future up. Creating long-term cash flow from rental properties etc. Nowadays, it’s like half a mill for a 1 bedroom condo, which is crazy, makes it impossible for some. Sadly, it’s set up so that the poor get poorer and the rich get richer.

8. What’s the last thing you Googled?

That new sexy C8 Corvette. I’m low key a car guy. Been married to a Jeep but there’s room for a side piece.

9. Dogs or cats?

My cat buries his poo, he respects me.

10. Best concert of your life was…?

Hard Knock Life Tour by far. I was 14. JAY-Z, DMX, Method Man & Redman. Lost my voice that night then went and booked my 1st studio session.

11. What book are you most likely to give as a gift?

48 Laws of Power. That’ll help you get through a lot of challenging scenarios in this life where you come out on top. It’s about taking control of your life.

12. What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

Someone wrote/recorded a song for me. The beat was well selected too. It was humbling. I put a ring on it.

13. South Park or Family Guy?

Family Guy, hands down.

14. You have an entire day to do whatever you want. What would you do?

I don’t need much. I’m an introvert. I’ll cuddle up with my queen, turn on HGTV so we can judge these interiors together while eating some PHO. Simple.

15. What movie can you not resist watching if it’s on?

Training Day. American History X. Set It Off. Home Alone 1/2. Get Out. That’s the top five, right there.

16. The sports team or teams you’re most passionate about?

Is rap battle a sport? Cause I mean, that’s where my attention goes. It’s like UFC (which I love) but instead of physical abuse, it’s verbal abuse. So inspiring.

17. Where did you eat the best meal of your life?

This resto called “O Noir.” It’s this dining room, that is lights out, pitch-black dark. You’re escorted to your table by visually impaired servers. The fact that you don’t know and don’t expect what you’re about to eat, actually heightens the taste of the surprise dish. The experience is probably even better than the food.

18. The last movie you saw in a theater?

Bad Boys For Life. I was anticipating that 3rd one for like 15 years. That first Bad Boys is one of my favourites. I gotta get my manager to send me an audition for a role in the 4th, if they make one.

19. Who was your first celebrity crush?

Halle Berry since Boomerang. She was my crush even when she was a crackhead in Losing Isaiah.

20. What would you cook if Nic Cage were coming to your house for dinner?

Normally I’d cook but to ensure I don’t mess up I’d probably find out his favourite restaurant and meal. Order it, take it outta my stove and act like I made that sh*t.

PREVIOUSLY: Colin Quinn

Earlier this year, the subject of two of the nicest guys in Hollywood (Henry Winkler and Tom Hanks) and their apparent, long-running feud popped up again. Yes, after TMZ asked Winkler, the Barry actor explained, “What everybody says and what is true are two different things. I just saw him at our SAG Awards. It was beautiful.” This appeared to be the end of a 30-year saga that began with the Winkler and Hanks not loving each other on the 1989 set of Turner & Hooch, which cost Winkler his directing job.

Winkler had tossed gasoline on the subject during an episode of Watch What Happens Live while not exactly articulating that he isn’t a fan of Hanks. Winkler did admit that something led to him getting fired, and he stressed that he adored the crime-solving canine that aided Hanks’ policeman character “I got along great, great with that dog.” So… what’s the real story? Well, Ron Howard recently spoke with The Guardian, and the conversation moved to Winkler vs. Hanks. Howard did not take sides (because obviously), but he confirmed that there was a kerfuffle, and both men came to him to discuss it:

“It was disappointing. I’m friends with them both and both men felt compelled to come to talk to me about it. It was just one of those unfortunate things where they really had a working style that did not fit. I know it was painful for both of them and I was able to lend an ear, if not offer any solutions.”

If it was “painful” for both men, then the feud certainly existed at some point, but Howard says that he believes things are alright now. He referred to them as “two men with a lot of water under the bridge” and didn’t discuss the matter further. So, does that mean we’ll eventually see a happy photo of Hanks and Winkler together? We sure could use some positivity in 2020, so I’m rooting for it to happen.

(Via The Guardian)

If you think back to life before COVID-19, you may have vague memories of seeing a sign at the airport or DMV about something called a REAL ID, and how, if you wanted to keep flying on a plane, you were going to need to get one by a certain date.

Well, that date was today. But you’ll be pleased to know that because of the pandemic that deadline has been pushed back until next year, October 1st, 2021. Which means if you plan on boarding a plane for domestic travel anytime after that date, and chances are you do, you’re going to need a REAL ID. Which means, yes, you’re going to need to make an in-person appointment at the DMV.

Beginning on October 1st 2021, the Transportation Security Administration will officially stop accepting driver’s licenses and state-issued ID cards that aren’t REAL ID-compliant at the airport for domestic travel. Travelers who don’t have a REAL ID will need an alternative form of ID to board their plane such as a passport, a military ID, or a Border ID card, or else they’ll be turned away at the security checkpoint.

To obtain a REAL ID you must make an in-person visit to the DMV and bring at least one identity document — though rules vary from state to state — that includes your full name, which can include a valid unexpired U.S passport, a Certified copy of your U.S. birth certificate, a foreign passport with a valid U.S. Visa, Certificate of Naturalization or of U.S. Citizenship, a valid permanent resident card, or a valid driver’s license. You’ll also need to take a new photo, so if you’re in love with your current driver’s license photo, be prepared to have it replaced with your new quarantine-era look.

According to Forbes, REAL ID-compliant cards have beefed up security features and were intended to create a national standard for driver’s licenses as part of the REAL ID Act, which was passed in… 2005 (government sure does move fast!). To apply for your REAL ID hit up your state’s DMV website and make an in-person appointment.

Louisville, Kentucky rapper 2KBaby’s melodic new track “Mad” is racking up plays and rapidly growing his following online, so it’s only right he stops by Uproxx Studios to perform the bubbling viral hit on this week’s episode of UPROXX Sessions. His performance proves his success is no fluke, as he slides through the one-take with ease and enough charisma to show viewers he’s more than just a voice and a polished flow.

2KBaby has been on the rise since going viral in 2019 with “Old Streets,” a freestyle turned official release that put him on rap fans’ radars with its poignant message and fervent delivery. After signing to Roger Gengo’s Masked Records, 2KBaby set out to build his catalog, releasing the Pregame Rituals mixtape in April this year and collaborating with industry veterans like G Herbo, Lil Durk, and YFN Lucci. He’s got a song with DaBaby stashed away and a growing following on social media that suggests the 20-year-old’s dream of rap stardom is just one hit away.

Watch 2KBaby’s UPROXX Sessions performance of “Mad” above.

UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s new performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too..

2KBaby is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

As someone who’s only been to the barber once over the last six months, my hair is a mess. I desperately need a cut to fix the shaggy bowl cut that I’m currently sporting. But hey, it could be worse, at least my hair isn’t trying to kill anyone (only my self-esteem). Directed and written by Dear White People‘s Justin Simien, Bad Hair follows Anna, a young Black woman who’s trying to make it in music TV. When her white boss suggests that she get a weave to advance her career, Anna does so — except, oops, there’s “a hidden toll to pay at night,” Simien told EW about his 1980s-set throwback. “It’s a psychological social thriller that is a commentary on the American experience and the kind of quiet little deaths we all have to endure to advance and be seen by mainstream society.”

Watch the trailer above. Here’s the official plot synopsis:

Bad Hair follows an ambitious young woman who gets a weave in order to succeed in the image-obsessed world of music television. However, her flourishing career comes at a great cost when she realizes that her new hair may have a mind of its own.

Bad Hair, which also stars Elle Lorraine, Vanessa Williams, Lena Waithe, Laverne Cox, Jay Pharoah, Kelly Rowland, Blair Underwood, James Van Der Beek, and Usher Raymond (THAT Usher, the one from Hustlers), premieres on Hulu on October 23.

Regardless of whether or not Goran Dragic can return from a plantar fascia injury at some point in these NBA Finals, the Miami Heat likely won’t be getting back the rejuvenated player who boosted their offense to unexpected heights in the Bubble. The Heat will have to adjust, and while they have a deep squadron of talented perimeter players, there is no one who can precisely replicate the downhill play-making prowess Dragic brought them this summer. What is more likely is that Jimmy Butler will take on even more for Miami if they want to make this series competitive following an 18-point loss in Game 1.

It’s obvious how Butler could impact the series offensively, because we saw it during last year’s playoffs when he was in Philadelphia. Maybe it’s not his preference or it wears him out because of how hard he also plays on defense, but Butler is capable of running an elite playoff offense. And this year’s Miami roster caters to his strengths even better, with a spread pick-and-roll game that allows Butler to simply take what the defense offers rather than forcing shots with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid cramping the floor.

While it’s hard to take much from Game 1 that Miami will want to replicate moving forward, the Heat would do well to also double down on what got them here rather than over-reacting — and based on what we know about Erik Spoelstra as a coach, it’s far more likely that he does the former than the latter. Losing Dragic means a lot of the quick-hitting pick-and-roll action that can generate easy offense for Miami will be harder to come by, as Dragic scored 0.94 points per pick-and-roll possession this season, better by far than Butler, Tyler Herro, or Kendrick Nunn. With all the spacing and play-making Miami can put on the floor, Dragic’s quickness and craft are the perfect finishing touch. Nobody can replicate that.

The offense will, by nature, look different. Pick-and-roll is the simplest way to generate efficient offense, but the Heat are special because they have other looks, too. The efficient orchestra of the Duncan Robinson-Bam Adebayo screen game was nowhere to be seen in Game 1, in part because of the Lakers’ near-perfect switching defense. But forcing Los Angeles to sell out even more on Robinson outside the arc could free up more space in the halfcourt to let Butler, Nunn, or Herro cook in Dragic’s place.

Late in the game, Nunn actually scored the ball decently well, and finished with 18 points on 11 field goal attempts. If he can find a rhythm, Nunn’s quickness is the closest replacement for Dragic’s stylings as the Heat have. Nunn is fast enough to beat switches and has the shot-making ability to attack the in-between space where Dragic is so good. Maybe he even returns to the starting lineup if Dragic is out or comes off the bench in Game 2.

Digging this far into the depth chart is not only necessary because of Dragic’s injury, but also because Herro proved nearly unplayable in Game 1. Of all the stars in the NBA, LeBron James has long been the ultimate decider of who can and can’t cut it in the postseason. If a player is too small or too slow or unable to read the floor, James will hunt them down repeatedly and make them make a defensive play. At age 20, Herro was not up to the task in Game 1, and while his shooting could come around (he went 6-for-18 from the field and 2-for-8 from three), his defense will almost certainly remain a concern. Are the potential for better offensive days worth it for Miami when putting the ball in Butler’s hands is a more proven upgrade?

Of course, injuries also forced Adebayo and Butler out of Game 1 at different times. They may be hampered, too. And even if Adebayo plays — he is officially listed as doubtful — one major indicator from Game 1 is that Miami has to play bigger to match the Lakers. The good thing is they have the personnel to do it, and it could help them overcome Dragic’s absence as well.

Looking above, Nunn and the whole Heat offense excelled late (when the Lakers likely were not defending at full strength) playing in a two-man game with either Andre Iguodala or Kelly Olynyk. Those two are interesting substitutes for Adebayo as screeners in Miami’s offense because they can attack mismatches, especially when the Lakers are switching so aggressively. Iguodala can sometimes create a shot for himself, but he’s a great passer. Olynyk can score in the post or launch deep threes. It would make sense if Olynyk plays more with Adebayo in Game 2, and Iguodala could be a surprise candidate to replace Dragic in the starting lineup if the Heat really do lean into Butler as a ball-handler.

The Heat have answers on offense, but far fewer on defense. If they aren’t controlling the pace of games and size of lineups, they lose much of what propelled them through the East side of the bracket. Dragic’s absence won’t be the only issue, but even if Butler steps up, it exacerbates their proven formula and forces them to rely on less proven players and less balanced lineups.

Injuries were unfortunately a major story coming out of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, especially for the Miami Heat, and the news was decidedly not positive the morning after their loss. The team announced Thursday that both Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo are doubtful for Game 2 of the series.

Dragic is struggling with a torn left plantar fascia after dealing with lower-body injuries all season, but the Associated Press’ Tim Reynolds reported Dragic is still “fighting” to play in Game 2.

Yet Reynolds calls Adebayo’s injury a “complex new wrinkle,” after Adebayo had initially hurt his arm in the Eastern Conference Finals against Boston and is now dealing with a neck strain that was revealed on his MRI.

Missing both starters would be a huge problem for the Heat after both players elevated their game to a new level in the Bubble and helped lead Miami to these Finals. As ESPN reporter Bobby Marks noted, players like Joe Johnson who have suffered torn plantar fascia have undergone treatment and been able to play but have not been themselves playing through pain.

These injuries happening early in the series may give both players more time to rehab and return to the floor, but the Heat are in a bind as they try to stay afloat if these two are out in Game 2.

My Morning Jacket’s album The Waterfall came out all the way back in 2015, and it took five years for them to release its sequel: The aptly titled The Waterfall II dropped this year. It’s a weird time for bands to promote albums right now, but especially for My Morning Jacket, whose stage presence is a significant part of their appeal. While they can’t get in front of real-life audiences, fans have been able to check them out on TV, at least. They guested on The Tonight Show in July, and last night, they hopped on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

For their performance of “Feel You,” the band went full-on socially distanced. The band members weren’t in the same room, but they took advantage of green screens and clever editing to put on a wonderful audiovisual display.

As Rolling Stone notes, Jim James recently indicated the band has a “completely new record” ready to be released, saying, “The new album is done, but whenever we release it we wanna play shows for it. We wanna make it a thing because it’s so exciting to have these new songs and wanna play ’em live. And we really recorded them really live — it was just the five of us.”

Watch My Morning Jacket perform “Feel You” above.