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Llane is rounding out his breakthrough year with his new single “Parcerita.” The rising Colombian singer released the music video for his heartfelt song as an early Christmas gift to his fans today (December 16).

Llane first rose to prominence in 2012 with the Colombian pop group Piso 21. After a few years of success with the band, he announced his departure in 2019. Earlier this year, Llane released his debut solo album Fino. The LP featured the hits like the title track with Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean and “Será” featuring fellow Colombian singer Manuel Turizo. “Parcerita” is Llane’s gift to his fans for supporting his solo career.

“I wanted to give a Christmas present to all my fans, to all those who have been supporting me for a long time, as well as to the new fans, and to all the parceritas who are always connected with me,” Llane said in a statement. “I hope that everyone will love this song that has an excellent vibe to end the year.”

“Parcerita” is Colombian slang for a loved one, and in this case, Llane is talking about a special woman in his life. He co-wrote the song with hit singer-songwriter Elena Rose while DJ Maff handled the production. Llane blends his Latin pop sound with a subtle reggaeton touch. He sweetly serenades the lucky lady with his romantic lyrics. Llane is absolutely enamoring in this beautiful love song.

Llane brings the romance of “Parcerita” to life in the video. The Colombian heartthrob frolics on a beach in Miami with his onscreen love interest and loses his shirt in some scenes. That will most likely delight the parceritas (and a few of the parceritos) watching his video.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Our best movies on HBO Max list has been updated for the month of December, and it features 50 titles that include everything from Martin Scorsese classics, Steven Spielberg blockbusters, classic comedies, to cinematic gems from the early days of Hollywood. There’s even a few superheroes and anime titles in the mix, so basically, something for everyone. Along with each listing, you’ll find a handy link to each title on HBO Max, so you can start watching right away or save some for later. Your call. No pressure.

1. The Shawshank Redemption

Year: 1994
Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman
Genre: Drama
Rating: R
Runtime: 142 minutes
Director: Frank Darabont
Trailer: Watch here

After being sentenced to life in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) forms a bond with fellow inmate Red (Morgan Freeman) as the two navigate a world of brutality, despair, and corruption in this gripping 1940s period drama based on a novella by Stephen King. Using his wits, Andy enters a dangerous game with the morally scrupulous and dictatorial Shawshank prison warden that will either end in Andy’s freedom or crushed beneath the systemic gears of the penal system. Part powerful human drama, part compelling crime mystery, there’s a reason The Shawshank Redemption routinely pops up on “Best Of” lists. It’s just damn good from top to the bottom. The story, the acting, the direction. It’s peak ’90s cinema firing on all cylinders.

Watch it on HBO Max

2. Spirited Away

Year: 2001
Starring: Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Jason Marsden
Genre: Anime, Fantasy, Mystery
Rating: PG
Runtime: 122 minutes
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Trailer: Watch here

In this delightful Academy Award-winning masterpiece from Studio Ghibli and beloved Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki, young Chihiro (Daveigh Chase) is separated from her parents by the powerful sorceress Yubaba (Suzanne Pleshette). Trapped inside a seemingly abandoned amusement park in the secret world of Kami, Chihiro must slave away for Yubaba alongside an assortment of supernatural beings. Using her wits and cunning, Chihiro concocts a plan to rescue her parents from the spell that’s turned them into pigs and return to the human world. Released in 2001, Spirited Away helped spark a worldwide obsession with Miyazaki’s films thanks to its captivating story, unforgettable characters, and signature animation style.

Watch it on HBO Max

3. Goodfellas

Year: 1990
Starring: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
Genre: Drama, Crime
Rating: R
Runtime: 145 minutes
Director: Martin Scorsese
Trailer: Watch here

Considered one of the greatest gangster movies of all time, Goodfellas follows the life of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) as he reflects on his 25 years in the mafia. Derailed by a drug addiction, Henry comes to grip with the horrors he’s caused while rising through the ranks of the neighborhood gang. Directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese, Goodfellas also includes command performances from Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci and racked up a slew of Academy Award nominations. Almost a decade later, The Sopranos would deliver a sprawling mafia epic unlike any other, but it’s nearly impossible to imagine that show’s success without Goodfellas paving the way. It’s the OG.

Watch it on HBO Max

4. 2001: A Space Odyssey

Year: 1968
Starring: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure
Rating: G
Runtime: 145 minutes
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Trailer: Watch here

Before Star Wars exploded the sci-fi genre on the big screen, there was Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Based on the Arthur C. Clarke novel, 2001 tells the tale of a monolith found buried on the moon and its mysterious connections to humanity’s past, present, and future. After unlocking a secret message from the monolith, astronauts David Bowman (Keir Dullea) and Frank Poole (Gary Lockwood) set off on a mission guided by the powerful and ominous computer system known as HAL-9000. As HAL begins to malfunction, the mission goes dangerously awry and the search for answers to humanity’s greatest questions becomes entangled in a battle with a seemingly rogue intelligence.

Watch it on HBO Max

5. No Country For Old Men

Year: 2007
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem
Genre: Drama, Suspense, Crime
Rating: R
Runtime: 117 minutes
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Trailer: Watch here

Based on the Cormac McCarthy novel, No Country For Old Men follows Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), a Vietnam vet and struggling welder, who comes across the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong. Desperate to make off with the horde of cash found at the scene, Llewelyn finds himself hunted by a ruthless hitman (Javier Bardem), who relentlessly pursues his prey across Texas and into Mexico. Also on their trail is a grizzled old sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones), who struggles to come to terms with the trail of destruction and his own dark past. Clocking in at just under two hours, No Country For Old Men is a tight thriller from the Coen Brothers that’s perfectly anchored by its three leads. The film also sparked a career renaissance for Brolin who brought a hunger and intensity to the role.

Watch it on HBO Max

6. The Matrix

Year: 1999
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Rating: R
Runtime: 136 minutes
Director: Lily Wachowski, Lana Wachowski, Bruce Hunt
Trailer: Watch here

With its mind-bending plot and gravity-defying martial arts, The Matrix redefined action films for years to come. The film follows computer hacker Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) as he learns the truth about “reality” and joins forces with the enigmatic Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) in a technological war for humanity’s freedom. The Matrix sparked three more sequels, but nothing can compare to the groundbreaking visuals and storytelling of the original that left audiences reaching for the back of their heads and questioning their own existence. It was a head trip for the ages that still holds up to this day.

Watch it on HBO Max

7. Terminator 2

Year: 1991
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Eddie Furlong
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Rating: R
Runtime: 137 minutes
Director: James Cameron
Trailer: Watch here

Hailed as one of the greatest sequels of all time, Terminator 2 melted audience’s faces with its unparalleled action as it put a twist on the original film by making Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 the protector of young John Connor (Eddie Furlong) and his mom Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). This time around, the liquid metal T-1000 (Robert Patrick) has traveled to the past to execute the boy putting him on a collision course with Arnold’s classic Terminator. Directed by James Cameron, Terminator 2 is easily the best film in the series, which has yet to be topped despite several lackluster attempts. It holds up so well, that you don’t even need to watch the original Terminator to enjoy it. The bad robot is good now. Time to smash sh*t.

Watch it on HBO Max

8. Pulp Fiction

Year: 1994
Starring: John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Crime
Rating: R
Runtime: 154 minutes
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Trailer: Watch here

While Reservoir Dogs is Quentin Tarantino’s first major film, Pulp Fiction is the one that put him on the map. Armed with a fully stacked cast, Tarantino unravels a sprawling set of characters whose lives of crime converge and diverge in a whip-smart tale full of classic lines and iconic performances, particularly Samuel L. Jackson. The film also launched John Travolta’s meteoric career resurgence in the ’90s thanks to his performance as the drug-addled Vincent Vega. Pulp Fiction locked down several Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and Best Director, and some might argue it’s still the best Tarantino film ever made. Granted, he doesn’t think so, but if there’s one thing Tarantino loves, it’s being opinionated as hell.

Watch it on HBO Max

9. Mad Max: Fury Road

Year: 2015
Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicolas Hoult
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Rating: R
Runtime: 120 minutes
Director: George Miller
Trailer: Watch here

Starring Tom Hardy as the title character, Mad Max: Fury Road delivers one of the greatest action spectacles in film history. Under the direction of George Miller, the film delivers an intricate, madcap chase across a post-apocalyptic wasteland as Max joins forces Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) to save a rag-tag group of women from an evil warlord. Despite their infamous off-screen drama, Hardy and Theron delivered badass performances, with the latter paving the way for an upcoming prequel starring Anya Taylor-Joy. At a crisp two hours, the vehicular adventure will absolutely hit the spot if you’re looking for a tight action flick like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

Watch it on HBO Max

10. Fruitvale Station

Year: 2013
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer
Genre: Romance, Drama, Suspense
Rating: R
Runtime: 84 minutes
Director: Ryan Coogler
Trailer: Watch here

Before Black Panther, and even Creed, director Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan first came together for the gripping drama Fruitvale Station. Based on the true story of Oscar Grant, who was gunned down by police at the eponymous station in Oakland, the film details the last days of his life. With a commanding performance from Jordan, Fruitvale Station walks through Grant’s final hours as he argues with his girlfriend, tries to figure out how to make ends meet, and even attends a birthday party for his mom. However, his ride home on the Bay Area Rapid Transit goes sideway due to a chance encounter and a trigger-happy officer.

Watch it on HBO Max

11. Eraserhead

Year: 1977
Starring: Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Judith Anna Roberts
Genre: Horror
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 89 minutes
Director: David Lynch

Before Twin Peaks, David Lynch took a stab at his first feature-length film, Eraserhead. Like all things Lynch, it’s weird as hell. The surrealist horror follows Henry (Jack Nance), a man living alone in a bleak apartment surrounded by industrial gloom. Although, he’s not entirely alone because he does manage to secure a fling with a woman down the hall (Judith Anna Roberts). When she winds up pregnant, Henry does the right thing and marries her, which is when things go very south. And we’re not talking about the two of them not getting along. We’re talking, holy crap, why is their baby a lizard? This is pure David Lynch, folks. Strap in.

Watch it on HBO Max

12. Shazam!

Year: 2019
Starring: Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Mark Strong
Genre: Action, Superhero
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 131 minutes
Director: David Sandberg
Trailer: Watch here

As the DC Extended Universe lost a step with the theatrical release of Justice League, Shazam! joined Wonder Woman and Aquaman for a surprising string of hits from the wayward franchise. Mining the classic formula that made Shazam a beloved comic book character for almost a century, the film focuses on a young Billy Batson (Asher Angel), who’s granted the power to transform into the titular hero embodied by a muscle-suited Zachary Levi. Blending superhero action, family drama, and coming-of-age comedy, Shazam! delivered a much-needed jolt of fun to the ultra-dark DC films. It also paved the way for a sequel, which looks to be another wild ride that captures the magic of the comics.

Watch it on HBO Max

13. Dune (2021)

Year: 2021
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Momoa, Zendaya
Genre: Sci-Fi
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 155 minutes
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Trailer: Watch here

After delivering stunning sci-fi films like Arrival and Blade Runner: 2049, visionary director Denis Villeneuve took an ambitious stab at the mother of all sci-fi series, Dune. Starring Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, the first Dune tackles the opening salvo of the sprawling epic by capturing the early beginnings of Paul’s messianic journey on the desert planet Arrakis. Featuring a fully stacked cast as the members of House Atreides, Dune delivers a jarringly beautiful and photorealistic experience as Villeneuve brings his signature visual style to a story that George Lucas would heavily mine for his own little sci-fi adventure. With a sequel already en route, Dune sets the stage for a wild intergalactic clash featuring massive sand worms, levitating space emperors, and Zendaya. Gotta have Zendaya.

Watch it on HBO Max

14. Raging Bull

Year: 1980
Starring: Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci
Genre: Drama, Sports
Rating: R
Runtime: 129 minutes
Director: Martin Scorsese
Trailer: Watch here

Starring Robert De Niro in one of his most transformative roles under the direction of legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese, Raging Bull tells the story of 1940s Italian-American boxer Jake La Motta. Based on his memoir of the same name, the film follows La Motta’s life and career as he flirts with boxing greatness before descending into a self-destructive pattern of spousal abuse, arrests, and violent altercations outside of the ring. Along the way is his brother Joey La Motta played by a then-unknown Joe Pesci. After the critical success of Raging Bull, the two would become frequent collaborators with Scorsese, who thought his career was over before the boxing picture became one of the most celebrated films in history.

Watch it on HBO Max

15. Night of the Living Dead

Year: 1968
Starring: Judith O’Dea, Duane Jones, Karl Hardman
Genre: Horror
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 96 minutes
Director: George Romero

Before The Walking Dead became a massive franchise for AMC, there was Night of the Living Dead. The 1968 classic defined the zombie genre with its violent and gruesome tale of strangers trapped inside a barn in Western Pennsylvania. Granted, the creatures in the film are called “ghouls,” but the trappings of the zombie genre are on full display in the George Romero film. Night of the Living Dead is where it all began, right down to the fight for survival, the overwhelming feeling of pending dread, and that bleak ending you’ll never forget. Interestingly enough, the film was also inspired by the book, I Am Legend, but Romero added his own spin on the horror of human beings who just won’t die.

Watch it on HBO Max

16. In The Heights

Year: 2021
Starring: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera
Genre: Musical
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 142 minutes
Director: John M. Chu
Trailer: Watch here

Before he created the Broadway sensation Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda first thrilled audiences with In The Heights. In this big screen adaptation of Miranda’s Tony-award winning musical, the film follows different characters as they pursue their dreams over the course of three days in the Dominican American neighborhood of Washington Heights. Boasting song and dance numbers that paved the way for Hamilton, In The Heights is an equally fun and fascinating look at Miranda’s innate talent for musical drama. The guy knows how to lay out a tune and hook a story to it.

Watch it on HBO Max

17. Citizen Kane

Year: 1941
Starring: Orson Welles
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG
Runtime: 119 minutes
Director: Orson Welles

Welcome to the godfather of cinema. Written, produced, directed, and starring Orson Welles, Citizen Kane tells the tale of media tycoon Charles Foster Kane in a scathing, thinly-veiled examination of newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst. However, it is also pulled from Welles’ own life, making the film a cinematic smorgasbord of egomania and the double-edged sword of creative indulgence. Renown for its groundbreaking cinematography and enigmatic storytelling, there’s a reason Citizen Kane is often heralded as the greatest film of all time. The seeds for countless productions can be found in this opulent vanity project by one of the last great Hollywood legends.

Watch it on HBO Max

18. My Cousin Vinny

Year: 1992
Starring: Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, Ralph Macchio
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R
Runtime: 119 minutes
Director: Jonathan Lynn
Trailer: Watch here

Joe Pesci keeps popping up a lot on this list, huh? My Cousin Vinny is a comedy classic that put Marisa Tomei on the map. The film focuses on Pesci’s character, Vinny Gambini, a personal injury lawyer who’s never won a case. When his young cousin and his friend are snatched up for murder charges in Alabama, Vinny has to pull out the stops even though he’s never argued a criminal case before. Thanks to a standout performance by Tomei, who locked down an Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress, My Cousin Vinny almost feels like it’s from a bygone era when R-Rated adult comedies were fertile grounds for actors to cut loose. They don’t make them like this anymore.

Watch it on HBO Max

19. Godzilla (1954)

Year: 1954
Starring: Akira Takarada, Momoko Kochi, Akihiko Hirata
Genre: Action, Monster Movie
Rating: PG
Runtime: 96 minutes
Director: Ishiro Honda

Released in 1954, the original Godzilla kicked off one of the longest running film franchises of all time. While its “suitmation” visual effects might be derided as cheesy today, the film surprisingly grapples with some serious political issues. Most notably, nuclear weaponry. Godzilla is awakened by underwater hydrogen bomb tests, which sends him on his deadly rampage across coastal Japan. However, when it comes time to stop the gigantic creature, a lone scientist is hesitant to employ a powerful weapon that could be used by other nations. Godzilla is clearly a reckoning with the Hiroshima bombing towards the end of World War II. It’s both film history and world history plus giant monster movie action. See? Learning can be fun.

Watch it on HBO Max

20. The Witch

Year: 2016
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie
Genre: Horror
Rating: R
Runtime: 88 minutes
Director: Robert Eggers
Trailer: Watch here

Before he trapped Robert Pattinson and William DaFoe in a lighthouse or sent Alexander Skarsgärd on a badass viking quest, director Robert Eggers introduced audiences to up-and-coming star Anya Taylor-Joy in the painstakingly detailed horror film, The Witch. Set in 1630s New England, the film follows a young girl, Thomasin, as she watches her family fall apart following the abduction of her infant brother, who has a pretty grisly demise. Facing starvation from the approaching winter, the family does its best to survive as a supernatural force conspires against them in the bleak surroundings. At a tight 88 minutes, The Witch excels at ratcheting up the tension as Taylor-Joy’s acting debut is clearly the sign on a major talent. Without giving anything away, you will not see the ending coming.

Watch it on HBO Max

21. Jurassic Park

Year: 1993
Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 126 minutes
Director: Steven Spielberg
Trailer: Watch here

This one shouldn’t be a hard sell. Steven Spielberg at the height of his game, Jeff Goldblum’s glistening chest, freaking dinosaurs? What’s not to love? When the original Jurassic Park hit, it was a monumental achievement in visual effects. Granted, it looks quaint today, but back in the day, this movie was the height of CGI technology as Spielberg and ILM brought some incredibly realistic dinosaurs to life on the big screen. Even better, it’s just a damn good film that holds up even if the special effects look a little dated. Thanks to Spielberg’s expert skill at building tension, crafting spectacular action set pieces, and directing a skilled cast, there’s a reason the new films in the franchise have never been able to hold a candle to the original. It’s just Quality Filmmaking 101.

Watch it on HBO Max

22. Chinatown

Year: 1974
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston
Genre: Drama, Suspense
Rating: R
Runtime: 130 minutes
Director: Roman Polanski
Trailer: Watch here

When it comes to a gritty detective tale, nothing beats the 1974 noir classic Chinatown. Starring Jack Nicholson in one of his most iconic roles, the Hollywood legend plays private eye Jake Gittes who finds himself entangled in a city-wide corruption scandal filled with the requisite murders and twists. Faye Dunaway also delivers a knockout performance as well as John Huston as her disturbing father. Nicholson would reprise his role as Gittes in The Two Jakes, but like a lot of films on this list, nothing ever beats the original. Real shame about the director though.

Watch it on HBO Max

23. Call Me By Your Name

Year: 2017
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Armie Hammer, Michael Stuhlbarg
Genre: Romance, Drama
Rating: R
Runtime: 131 minutes
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Trailer: Watch here

Set in 1980’s Italy, Call Me By Your Name focuses on a budding romance between Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet) and his father’s new research assistant, Oliver (Armie Hammer). Wrought with sexual tension, the charming and infectious film explores the love between the two men as they struggle with whether their relationship will survive the end of the summer even with some surprising support along the way.

Watch it on HBO Max

24. Joker

Year: 2019
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie Beetz, Robert De Niro
Genre: Drama, Crime
Rating: R
Runtime: 121 minutes
Director: Todd Phillips
Trailer: Watch here

The Hangover director Todd Phillips delivered a surprising home run with an intense character study on an infamous Batman villain. While the Dark Knight is nowhere to be found in this movie, the film tracks Arthur Fleck, a disturbed comedian, as he descends into madness and becomes the Joker. More Taxi Driver than Batman Begins, the gritty crime drama takes several cues from Martin Scorsese as Joaquin Phoenix delivers a brutal and unrelenting Oscar-winning performance. Robert De Niro also makes an appearance to really lock in those Scorsese vibes and set Joker apart from the comic book genre.

Watch it on HBO Max

25. Princess Mononoke

Year: 1997
Starring: Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Minnie Driver
Genre: Anime, Action, Drama
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 133 minutes
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Trailer: Watch here

Before Spirited Away made audiences fall in love with Studio Ghibli, there was Princess Mononoke, the stirring action epic from famed Japanese animation director Hiyao Miyasaki. Boasting an all-star voice cast for the English translation, the anime film follows a cursed warrior as he stumbles across a girl raised by wolves. Struggling to defended her forest home from the people of Iron Town, Princess Mononoke unveils an epic clash of nature versus mankind with all the artistic splendor that Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli have to offer.

Watch it on HBO Max

26. The Hangover

Year: 2009
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R
Runtime: 99 minutes
Director: Todd Phillips
Trailer: Watch here

After delivering the comedy classic Old School, director Todd Phillips lit audiences on fire with yet another massive hit in the genre: The Hangover. As three friends (Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis) hit Vegas for an epic bachelor party, pretty much everything that can go wrong, does go wrong. Following a wild night of debauchery, the three find themselves trapped in the aftermath where the groom’s missing, some random naked guy is in the trunk of their car, and there’s a tiger in their hotel room. Plus Mike Tyson is in the mix. While Phillips would go back to the well for two more The Hangover movies, none of them come close to the manic hilarity of the original.

Watch it on HBO Max

27. Wonder Woman

Year: 2017
Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright
Genre: Action, Superhero
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 141 minutes
Director: Patty Jenkins
Trailer: Watch here

In an impressive win for DC Comics, who has been trailing behind Marvel in the superhero genre, the Patty Jenkins-directed Wonder Woman delivered a certified hit when it slammed into theaters during the summer of 2017. Starring Gal Gadot in the title role, the film follows Princess Diana as she leaves her all-female island home of Amazon warriors after World War I finds its way to their blissful paradise. With Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor by her side, Diana gets a first-hand look at the world of man as she fights her way through the ravages of war and comes face-to-face with her true nature. Buoyed by Gadot’s performance, Wonder Woman seamlessly melds the bright-eyed optimism of Christopher Reeve’s Superman with a modern action epic, and it works.

Watch it on HBO Max

28. Malignant

Year: 2021
Starring: Annabelle Wallis
Genre: Horror
Rating: R
Runtime: 111 minutes
Director: James Wan
Trailer: Watch here

Continuing to prove director James Wan’s bonafides as a modern horror master, Malignant follows Madison Mitchell (Annabelle Wallis) as she learns that the shocking nightmares she’s been having are actually terrifying realities. After a life of trauma culminates in a gruesome murder, Madison explores her mysterious past and uncovers horrifying truths that will make her question everything she’s ever known. We’d tell you more, but we don’t want to give away Malignant‘s shocking twists that will leave you guessing until the very end.

Watch it on HBO Max

29. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Year: 2001
Starring: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 178 minutes
Director: Peter Jackson
Trailer: Watch here

This is where it all started. Before The Fellowship of the Ring stormed into theaters, The Lord of the Rings were just some musty old books for nerds. That perception quickly changed when director Peter Jackson delivered the mother of all fantasy epics and turned LOTR into the blockbuster franchise it is today. Often considered the best film of the series, The Fellowship of the Ring welcomed audiences into the world of Middle-Earth as stunning visuals and a captivating cast set the stage for an all-consuming war between good and evil. In the midst of the conflict, a quest unfolds that will test the strength and friendship of two tiny unlikely heroes.

Also, Viggo Mortensen owns in this movie. Just rules from start to finish.

Watch it on HBO Max

30. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Year: 1969
Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross
Genre: Action, Comedy, Western
Rating: PG
Runtime: 110 minutes
Director: George Roy Hill

Starring film legends Paul Newman and Robert Redford, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid could easily qualify as the godfather of buddy action comedies like Lethal Weapon and Tango & Cash. While starring as the legendary (and maybe real-life) Western outlaws, Butch and The Kid, Newman and Redford deliver a wise-cracking, hip-shooting friendship that has vaulted the film onto “Best Of” lists and into the United States Film Registry due to their on-screen chemistry. This is fascinating considering that the film was critically panned when it first hit theaters. Now? You can’t spit without hitting a film buff who won’t sing its praises.

Watch it on HBO Max

31. The Batman

Year: 2022
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Paul Dano, Colin Farrell
Genre: Action, Superhero, Thriller
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 176 minutes
Director: Matt Reeves
Trailer: Watch here

With Warner Bros. looking to put a new take on the iconic character after Ben Affleck hung up his cape, director Matt Reeves stepped in with a bold new version of the Dark Knight that blends the comics with a hefty dash of Se7en for a taut thriller starring Robert Pattinson, who nailed the title role. The Batman also introduced a brand new spin on The Riddler (Paul Dano) as well as a knockout performance by Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman. Set amidst a more gothic backdrop than the Christopher Nolan films, The Batman still delivers a full-on action spectacle and easily one of the best Batmobile scenes of all time. When that thing fires up, it is on.

Watch it on HBO Max

32. Airplane!

Year: 1980
Starring: Robert Hays, Julie Haggerty, Leslie Nielsen
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG
Runtime: 87 minutes
Director: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
Trailer: Watch here

When it comes to legendary comedies, very few can hold a candle to Airplane! and its smorgasbord of classic lines. Starring Robert Hays as washed up pilot Ted Striker, the screwball comedy skewers disaster movies from the ’70s as a commercial flight finds itself without a crew thanks to the onboard food options. With Striker forced to overcome his fears and win back the love of his life, Airplane! delivers a non-stop parade of gags that are still churning out memes over 40 years later. Also, look for a standout performance from Leslie Nielsen before headlining The Naked Gun movies.

Watch it on HBO Max

33. Rebel Without a Cause

Year: 1955
Starring: James Dean, Natalie Wood, Jim Backus
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG
Runtime: 110 minutes
Director: Nicholas Ray
Trailer: Watch here

If you’re in the mood for a cinema classic, you can’t go wrong with Rebel Without a Cause. The 1955 drama put James Dean on the map and cemented his status as one of the most iconic heartthrobs of all time. The film follows a group of rebellious young teens who’ve grown bored and disenfranchised with their parents’ middle-class lifestyle. They embark on a path of thuggery, partying, and dangerous drag racing as the film grapples with a theme that has never gone out of style: Parents just don’t understand. (No, Will Smith doesn’t show up. He wasn’t even born yet!)

Watch it on HBO Max

34. The Conjuring

Year: 2013
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga
Genre: Horror
Rating: R
Runtime: 111 minutes
Director: James Wan
Trailer: Watch here

Based on real life paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga), The Conjuring follows the couple as they’re confronted with a powerful demonic entity that’s been terrorizing a family in their secluded farmhouse. Starting with a serious of relatively benign events, director James Wan ratchets up the horror as the Warrens attempt to ascertain the source of the possession and ultimately discover the terrifying history of the house. Again, this is based on a true story (according to the Warrens), so try not to let that freak you out too much. We’re sure they probably took some liberties, right? Right?

Watch it on HBO Max

35. David Byrne’s American Utopia

Year: 2020
Starring: David Byrne
Genre: Music, Documentary
Rating: TV-14
Runtime: 105 minutes
Director: Spike Lee
Trailer: Watch here

Directed by Spike Lee, David Byrne’s American Utopia is a filmed version of the Talking Head singer’s critically-acclaimed Broadway show. Released during the pandemic, American Utopia truly connected with audiences stuck at home as Byrne expertly took them on a musical journey that mines the very fabric of how our brains feel joy and cope with our everyday lives. It’s truly a masterwork in musicianship that showcases why Byrne’s catalog has been revered for decades.

Watch it on HBO Max

36. West Side Story (2021)

Year: 2021
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Ariana DeBose, Rachel Zegler
Genre: Music, Drama
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 156 minutes
Director: Steven Spielberg
Trailer: Watch here

After a well-documented career of delivering massive blockbusters and gripping dramas, legendary director Steven Spielberg finally got to pursue his dream of directing a musical. And not just any musical, but the timeless classic West Side Story. Starring Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler as Tony and Maria, two young lovers separated by a 1950s street gang rivalry — think Romeo & Juliet, but with greasers — Spielberg deftly transforms the Broadway musical into a full-on cinematic experience. Ariana DeBose is also along for the epic showdown between the Jets and the Sharks.

Watch it on HBO Max

37. (500) Days of Summer

Year: 2009
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 95 minutes
Director: Marc Webb
Trailer: Watch here

In this inventive romantic comedy, director Marc Webb unravels a romance between two office workers Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer (Zooey Deschanel), that explores the complicated reality of perception. While Tom is convinced he’s discovered the love of his life in Summer, she has an entirely different view of their relationship. (500) Days of Summer charts a brutal, yet cathartic path that perfectly nails the grueling transition from immediate attraction to falling out of love, and having the maturity to accept that change.

Watch it on HBO Max

38. The Suicide Squad

Year: 2021
Starring: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman
Genre: Action, Superhero
Rating: R
Runtime: 132 minutes
Director: James Gunn
Trailer: Watch here

In The Suicide Squad, writer/director James Gunn puts his spin on the supervillain team introduced to movie audiences in 2017’s Suicide Squad. Part sequel, part reboot, the film brings back Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn while introducing new characters like John Cena’s Peacemaker, who went on to star in a breakout spinoff series. In the madcap sequel that channels Gunn’s energy from the Guardians of the Galaxy films, Task Force X is once again hauled out of prison and forced to complete an impossible mission or have their heads exploded. Literally. There are bombs in their brains. Gunn’s take on the classic supervillain squad was so well-received that he’s now in charge of DC Studios.

Watch it on HBO Max

39. Nobody

Year: 2021
Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen
Genre: Action, Suspense
Rating: R
Runtime: 91 minutes
Director: Ilya Naishuller
Trailer: Watch here

From the writer of the John Wick series, Nobody stars Bob Odenkirk as Hutch Mansell, an unassuming family man who reveals he’s anything but after his house gets broken into and his wife and kids fear for their safety. Over 90 minutes, Odenkirk unleashes brutal hell as he punches, kicks, and shoots his way through an all-out war with a ruthless drug lord. Turns out Dad’s not such a boring, quiet guy after all.

Watch it on HBO Max

40. Barbarian

Year: 2022
Starring: Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgärd, Justin Long
Genre: Horror
Rating: R
Runtime: 102 minutes
Director: Zach Cregger
Trailer: Watch here

After Tess (Georgina Campbell) finds herself in the unenviable position of having to share her Airbnb for the night with a total stranger, Keith (Bill Skarsgård), she eventually accepts the accommodations. He doesn’t seem too bad except, no, wait, everything is a freaking nightmare. As Barbarian kicks into gear, the film delivers a series of unexpected twists and horrors that made it a sleeper hit of 2022. Audiences and critics were bowled over by Barbarian‘s wild tale that never lets up from start to finish.

Watch it on HBO Max

41. Little Miss Sunshine

Year: 2006
Starring: Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carrell, Alan Arkin, Abigail Breslin
Genre: R
Rating: Comedy, Drama
Runtime: 102 minutes
Director: Jonathan Fayton, Valerie Faris
Trailer: Watch here

Dropped during the heyday of mid-2000s quirky comedies, Little Miss Sunshine is a delightful little romp featuring not just a stellar cast, but an all-time great performance from Alan Arkin, who practically steals the whole film. Steve Carrell is also along for the ride in this tale of a family making a cross-country trip so little Olive (Abigail Breslin) can live her dream of starring in a beauty pageant. Audiences will recognize Paul Dano before his villainous turn as The Riddler in The Batman and even before his role as a duplicitous preacher in There Will Be Blood. Toni Collete, as always, rocks.

Watch it on HBO Max

42. Nightmare Alley

Year: 2021
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Rating: R
Runtime: 150 minutes
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Trailer: Watch here

Based on the novel of the same name, Nightmare Alley follows a down on his luck Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) who finds himself working for a traveling carnival in the 1930s. After endearing himself to the clairvoyant Madame Zeena (Toni Collette) and her mentalist husband, Stanton meticulously learns the tricks of their trade and gets to work bilking the rich and powerful. However, psychologist Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett) sees through his ruse and attempts to expose the carnie con-man in this taut thriller from visionary director Guillermo del Toro.

Watch it on HBO Max

43. Beauty and the Beast

Year: 1946
Starring: Jean Marias, Josette Day
Genre: Drama, Romance
Rating: G
Runtime: 93 minutes
Director: Jean Cocteau

We know what you’re thinking: What’s a Disney movie doing on a HBO Max list? Well, that’s because this isn’t the Disney movie(s). Released in 1946, the original cinematic version of Beauty and the Beast brought the timeless classic to life in a gorgeously shot French romance from director Jean Cocteau. Praised by Roger Ebert and others for its rich visuals that pushed the boundaries of 1940s filmmaking, this take on the love story that dates all the way back to 1757 is a piece of cinema history that should entice fans of the beloved Disney version. Not to mention, if you’re tired of CGI visuals, the 1946 version of Beauty and the Beast goes in the completely opposite direction. The Beast’s costume is a marvel of practical effects.

Watch it on HBO Max

44. Risky Business

Year: 1983
Starring: Tom Cruise, Rebecca De Mornay
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R
Runtime: 99 minutes
Director: Paul Brickman
Trailer: Watch here

Before he took to the skies as Maverick in Top Gun, Tom Cruise was Joel Goodsen, a young high school on his way to Princeton but not before throwing a raucous party in his parents’ house thanks to the help of a call girl (Rebecca De Mornay). While Top Gun cemented Cruise’s superstar status, Risky Business put him on the map thanks to his standout performance that, yes, includes the iconic singing in his underwear scene. The film is a genuine ’80s staple and a fun, fascinating look at the early days of one of the greatest movie stars of all time.

Watch it on HBO Max

45. Drive My Car

Year: 2021
Starring: Hidetoshi Nishijima, Toko Miura, Masaki Okada
Genre: Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 179 minutes
Director: Ryusuke Hamaguchi
Trailer: Watch here

Nominated for Best Picture, Drive My Car tells the story of Yusuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima) who’s asked to direct a theater festival two years after the death of his playwright wife. Adding to the tension is a young woman Misaki Watari (Toko Miura) assigned to chauffeur Yusuke around as he clashes with the cast, crew, and this new woman in life. A handsome TV star in the mix doesn’t help the situation either. Drive My Car is hailed as one of the best reviewed movies of 2021, which paved the way for its well-earned Oscar nomination.

Watch it on HBO Max

46. Birds of Prey

Year: 2020
Starring: Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell
Genre: Action, Superhero
Rating: R
Runtime: 108 minutes
Director: Cathy Yan
Trailer: Watch here

Picking up after the events of Suicide Squad (2016), Birds of Prey follows Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn as she navigates a literally explosive break-up with the Joker and strikes out on her own in this badass girl power romp. Aided by Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), Harley finds herself warring with Roman Sionis, a.k.a. Black Mask, in a welcomed performance from Ewan McGregor. In a break from previous DC Films, Birds of Prey goes for a hard R-rating, and it delivers in all categories as Harley proves she’s an unstoppable force without the Joker holding her back.

Watch it on HBO Max

47. Gravity

Year: 2013
Starring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney
Genre: Action, Drama
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 90 minutes
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Trailer: Watch here

After a freak meteor shower leaves Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) drifting through space, the seasoned astronaut must use every tool at her disposal to survive the ordeal and get herself back down to Earth. Featuring a standout performance from Bullock, who entirely anchors the film, Gravity is 90 minutes of white knuckle, claustrophobic, existential dread as Ryan often has little between her and the cold depths of space. Even as the odds are firmly stacked against her and hope seems entirely non-existent, she never stops fighting until the very final moments of this taut thriller.

Watch it on HBO Max

48. Juno

Year: 2007
Starring: Elliot Page, Michael Cera
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 96 minutes
Director: Jason Reitman
Trailer: Watch here

After an unexpected teen pregnancy hits young Juno MacGuff (Elliot Page) and her boyfriend Paulie (Michael Cera), she sets off a hilarious, yet endearing path to finding a new home for the baby with the seemingly perfect couple, Mark (Jason Bateman) and Vanessa (Jennifer Garner). Anchored by the support of her parents, who are perfectly played by Allison Janney and J.K. Simmons, Juno is forced to navigate the complicated and messy world of adulthood as she juggles teen life and literally carrying the hopes and dreams of another couple inside of her.

Watch it on HBO Max

49. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Year: 2002
Starring: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG
Runtime: 94 minutes
Director: Joel Zwick
Trailer: Watch here

In the breakout comedy, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Nia Vardalos stars as Toula Portokalos, a young woman who finally finds the man of her dreams and is ready to walk down the aisle. There’s just one small problem: he’s not Greek. In this hilarious and touching family comedy, Toula must come to term with her demanding family while also learning a newfound appreciation for her heritage and culture. Plus, it’s not like she’s going to ditch a dreamy John Corbett, who was riding high from his days on Sex in the City. That’s just crazy talk.

Watch it on HBO Max

50. Police Story

Year: 1985
Starring: Jackie Chan
Genre: Action, Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 100 minutes
Director: Jackie Chan

After feeling burnt by his first entry into American filmmaking, action legend Jackie Chan returned to Hong Kong where he wrote, starred, and directed Police Story. Thanks to Chan’s kinetic fighting skills and comedic timing, the film became a breakout hit and spurred an entire franchise. In the first installment, Chan star as “Kevin” a police detective tracks down a drug lord who’s framed him for murder. Filled with elaborate stunts that only Chan can deliver, Police Story is a fascinating look at his early career as he cemented his status as of the greatest action stars of all time. Before Tom Cruise was jumping off of cliffs, Jackie Chan was leaping from moving cars, trucks, motorcycles, you freaking name it.

Watch it on HBO Max

Indie rocker Phoebe Bridgers has been quite a busy musician this year. From her appearance on the Minions: The Rise of Gru soundtrack, collaborations with SZA and Marcus Mumford, as well as her live shows, fans couldn’t get enough of her. To end her year, the musician joined forces with film composer Danny Elfman for a few special concerts.

At London’s OVO Arena Wembley, Bridgers stepped into the role of Sally from Tim Burton’s classic 1993 holiday film, The Nightmare Before Christmas. The two-night concert (held on December 9 and 10), conducted by John Mauceri, marked the Bridgers into musical theater.

When asked about stepping into the role, Bridgers told NME, “They’re big, or tiny, shoes to fill.”

Despite her filming for an upcoming A24 film, don’t expect to see the rocker starring in any musical theater pieces soon. Bridgers confirmed her singing in the show was “it’s definitely the closest [musical theater role], for sure.” Still, when asked if she would consider stepping into an official production, she replied, “I’m not coordinated enough. Even my time going on stage is hard for me [to coordinate]. So, I’ll just stick to the singing part.”

Fans attending the show shared a few clips of the performance on Twitter. Despite the nerves Bridgers reportedly felt, she got through the performance just fine.

https://twitter.com/jeongyeonix/status/1601345488556417025/video/1

https://twitter.com/jeongyeonix/status/1601345488556417025/video/3

The Kennedy Center Honors, one of America’s highest honors for professionals working in the performing arts, are handed out each year to five individuals who are making a difference in the world through their art. And this year, one of the Center’s recipients — and a deserving one at that is George Clooney.

As Page Six reports, Matt Damon was given the task of standing up to say something about his longtime friend and collaborator — and he chose to tell the story about how Clooney once admitted to taking a sh*t in the litter box of the cat belonging to fellow actor Richard Kind (Curb Your Enthusiasm), who was once Clooney’s roommate. As Damon explained:

It has been said that my friend George Clooney is the last of the true movie stars. So I got to thinking about exactly what that meant. Of course, a number of past Kennedy Center honorees have certainly been movie stars in that classic sense — actors with class and sophistication: Cary Grant, Henry Fonda, Paul Newman, Gregory Peck.

And then I think of George, a man who defecated in Richard Kind’s kitty litter box as a joke.

Kind was in attendance, and apparently saluted Damon for telling it like it is. Clooney himself is the first one to let the cat out of the bag, so to speak, on this story. Back in 1996, he told Dennis Miller about how he and Kind lived together in the early days of their careers, and how he once “took a s***t in the cat box, [then] waited for [Kind] to come home.”

It’s that kind of determination and planning that can also win you Oscars.

(Via Page Six)

Country star Tyler Braden has worn many hats. Before signing to Warner Music Nashville in 2019, he worked as a firefighter. But back at home, he plays the role of the chef, where he cooks the meals that made him the talk of the Brentwood fire station in Alabama.

We visit Braden in his Nashville home for our “Hometown Sounds” series, where he is cooking chicken and dumplings, a favorite from his firefighting days.

“Unlike so many of the complicated things we do in the real world, food is simple,” says Braden. “You get out what you put in, and you can really get something amazing. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and I like to live by that, from food to my wireless service. That’s why I use Straight Talk. They give it to you straight, with no contract and no compromise.”

As he is cooking, Braden shares stories of his days as a firefighter, growing up in Slapout, Alabama, and how he discovered he wanted to be a singer. Braden grew up on country music, and says it was a “big part of [his] life.”

“I was really little when I learned people would tip for singing,” Braden says. “I would ask, ‘How much you pay me to sing ‘Friends In Low Places’ [by Garth Brooks]. That’s, like, my earliest memory of wanting to get paid to sing.”

His dream later brought him to Nashville, where he continued working as a firefighter as he was taking meetings with publishers and labels. Though he eventually left the fire service to pursue music full time, he still holds those days close to his heart.

“If I didn’t work hard in the fire service and put myself through the grueling things you have to do there, I couldn’t handle the consistency of the stress, and just how constantly you’re moving in the music industry,” says Braden.

Check out more of Braden’s story above, plus learn his secret as to how he makes his dumplings so plump.

Tyler Braden is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — for beer! While that’s not precisely the way that song goes… maybe it should be? December, regardless of which holidays you celebrate, is a great month for beer. Specifically, Christmas beers.

The beer style is so named because it’s generally available in the late fall until after the holidays. While there’s no guarantee of beer style, they range from amber to red ales, to darker beers like Scotch ales, strong ales, and even stouts. They’re usually stronger in ABV and often (but not always) spices and seasonal flavors like orange peels, ginger, vanilla, cinnamon, and others.

The best part?

Every holiday season there are countless Christmas beers from breweries all over the country. And while we think the 2022 holiday season is a great time to try as many local brews as you can, it’s also a great time to enjoy some of the most popular, well-known, OG Christmas beers. Keep reading to see eight of our favorites, ranked based on overall seasonal appeal.

8) Breckenridge Christmas Ale

ABV: 7.1%

Average Price: $10.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Roasted malts, Chinook, and Mt. Hood hops give this malt-forward beer its bold winter warmer flavor. Unlike some of the other well-known Christmas beers, this one doesn’t have holiday spices.

Tasting Notes:

Roasted malts, chocolate, brown bread, caramel, and lightly floral hops are prevalent on the nose. The palate is similar with more bready malts, caramel, and roasted malts. It’s rounded out by more floral hops. Overall, it’s well-balanced, but not overly exciting.

Bottom Line:

This isn’t a bad beer. It’s a nice, solid, malty brew. It just seems to be missing a little something that really makes it a Christmas beer.

7) Bell’s Christmas Ale

ABV: 7.5%

Average Price: $12.50 for a six-pack

The Beer:

While many brewers opt for “winter warmers” and other styles for their Christmas beers, Bell’s really goes for it with this seasonal Scotch ale. It’s 7.5% ABV and known for its robust malty flavor and rich, sweet toffee, and warming finish.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is vanilla, raisins, caramel candy, dried cherries, and roasted malts. The palate is centered on brown bread, more vanilla, toffee, dried cherries, chocolate, and herbal, earthy hops. It’s filled with warming flavor but still seems to lack that spice we expect from a Christmas beer.

Bottom Line:

This a beer for the toffee, vanilla, and caramel fans. If you’re looking for seasonal flavors, look elsewhere. You won’t find them here.

6) Avery Old Jubilation

ABV: 8.3%

Average Price: $11.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

This 8.3% ABV English-style strong ale is available from October through the holidays. It’s brewed with London ale yeast as well as 2-row, Black, Chocolate, Bonlander Munich, and Gambrinus Honey malts. It gets its hop presence from the addition of Bullion hops.

Tasting Notes:

Aromas of dried cherries, other dried fruits, roasted malts, caramel, brown bread, and literally a whole fruitcake greet you before your first sip. The palate expands on this with candied nuts, caramel, roasted malts, and chocolate. There are no wintry spices, but they aren’t missed here.

Bottom Line:

If you’re looking for a holiday-spiced Christmas beer, this isn’t it. But it’s so loaded with rich, caramel, warming flavors you won’t miss it.

5) Deschutes Jubelale

ABV: 6.7%

Average Price: $11.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

This highly popular “festive winter ale” is brewed with Pale, Crystal, Carapils, Extra Special malts and toasted barley as well as Bravo, Cascade, Delta, Us Tettnang, and East Kent Goldings hops. It’s known for its warming, well-balanced flavor profile.

Tasting Notes:

Caramel candy, dried cherries, raisins, roasted malts, treacle, and lightly floral earthy pine are found on the nose. The palate is filled with toffee, raisins, roasted malts, molasses, dark chocolate, and just a hint of pine at the very end. It’s a warming, malty sipper for a cold winter night.

Bottom Line:

Another beer without any wintry spices and you definitely don’t miss them. The malt and hop balance makes this a unique, yet highly drinkable winter beer.

4) Great Lakes Christmas Ale

ABV: 7.5%

Average Price: $12.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

One of the most well-known Christmas beers on available, Great Lakes Christmas Ale is brewed with 2-row, Crystal 45, Special roast, roasted barley, and wheat. It also has Mt. Hood and Cascade hops and gets its wintry flavor from the addition of honey, ginger, and cinnamon.

Tasting Notes:

There are a ton of seasonal spices on the nose. Honey, cinnamon, ginger, orange peels, and toffee lead the way. The palate is more of the same with ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, caramel, roasted malts, and brown bread leading the way. The finish is a nice mix of malt sweetness and holiday spices.

Bottom Line:

Even with the addition of ginger, honey, and cinnamon, this Christmas beer is not overly spiced. The holiday flavors are well-tempered by the other flavors.

3) Anchor Christmas Ale

ABV: 7.2%

Average Price: $11.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Brewed since 1975, there are no Christmas beers more beloved than the iconic Anchor Christmas Ale. Even though the label and ingredients change annually, this winter warmer is known for its caramel malts backbone and wintry flavor palate.

Tasting Notes:

What begins as a nose of roasted malts, moves into toffee, dried fruits, molasses, and light herbal, earthy hops. The palate is centered on treacle, brown bread, raisins, chocolate, figs, and light spices. It’s rounded out with just a hint of bitter, earthy pine. Overall, a rich, complex winter sipper.

Bottom Line:

There’s a reason Anchor Christmas Ale is so popular year after year. It’s the balance and complexity that brings drinkers back every holiday season.

2) St. Bernardus Christmas Ale

ABV: 10%

Average Price: $11.99 for a 750ml bottle

The Beer:

St. Bernardus Christmas Ale is definitely a special winter treat. While some Christmas beers are higher in alcohol content, St. Bernardus takes it to a new level with this 10% ABV Quadruple with its nutty, caramel, slightly spicy, warming flavor.

Tasting Notes:

Complex aromas of dark chocolate, dried cherries, ripe berries, candied orange peels, and caramel malts are big on the nose. The palate is raisins, dried cherries, chocolate, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and roasted malts. The finish is rich, sweet, and sublimely warming.

Bottom Line:

If you’re looking for a full-flavored, balanced, malty, warming Christmas beer, look no further than this classic brew. It’s guaranteed to warm your spirits and your body.

1) Troegs Mad Elf

ABV: 11%

Average Price: $15.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

It’s not the holidays without Troegs Mad Elf. This eagerly-awaited 11% ABV Christ beer is brewed with chocolate malts, Pennsylvania-sourced honey, and five different types of cherries. It’s sweet, tart, warming, and memorable.

Tasting Notes:

Dried cherries, toasted marshmallows, toffee, vanilla beans, roasted malts, and cinnamon are big, bold aromas on the nose. Drinking it reveals more caramel candy, tart cherries, dried fruits, cinnamon, roasted malts, and seasonal spices. It’s sweet, spicy, and effortlessly warming.

Bottom Line:

It was tough to pick the best Christmas beer out of this bunch, but the cherry, honey, and gentle spices of this seasonal staple propelled it above the rest.

Snoop Dogg and Master P had been faced with some legal pressure about the name of their rap-centric cereal, Snoop Loopz. The brand is set to debut soon, but a name change had to be in order before the official launch of the breakfast food via Snoop and Master P’s company, Broadus Foods.

“So they don’t want us to use Snoop Loopz on our cereal box even though that’s that’s my name,” Snoop Dogg wrote on Instagram last week. “We’ve built a national brand and disrupted the cereal industry, we did it with hard work and integrity. I know they’re uncomfortable and scared. But our mission is to build diversity and economic empowerment.” Adding that, “It’s official we’re taking over the breakfast foods industry. They can’t stop us. It’s David versus Goliath. Master P and I got the slingshot. This is a minor setback for a major comeback.”

Now the decision has been made. The cereal line will forever be known as simply “Snoop Cereal” and it currently features three individual cereal flavors. They made the announcement in a YouTube clip and the Doggfather emphatically said “They can’t take that from me!”

The video is like an unboxing for their line of cereal like the new Frosted Drizzlers, Fruity Hoopz with Marshmallows, and Cinnamon Toasteez. Master P touted they are the “first Black-owned cereal company that’s nationwide and able to reach families everywhere.” He also said, “I wanna let y’all know that this is healthy, cause everyone keeps saying ‘make some healthy cereals!’” Before Snoop added, “We gonna look out for you. You wanna be healthy? We gonna make it healthy for you.”

Watch Snoop Dogg and Master P’s unboxing of the Snoop Cereal line below.

Despite announcing his return as Superman following an appearance in the end-credits scene for Black Adam, Henry Cavill has officially hung up his cape and will not be moving forward as the Man of Steel. Prior to the confirmation that Cavill would not be returning to the superheroic role after years of patiently waiting, there were rumblings that new DC Studios chief James Gunn was rebooting the DC Universe. That now appears to be the case.

In a Twitter thread explaining why Cavill is not returning, Gunn revealed his plans for a new slate of films, which includes a younger take on Superman.

“Among those on the slate is Superman. In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on an earlier part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill,” Gunn tweeted. “But we just had a great meeting with Henry and we’re big fans and we talked about a number of exciting possibilities to work together in the future.”

In an Instagram post confirming he’s exiting the role, Cavill took the news professionally, but he did manage to voice his frustration with being told to publicly announce his return only to have it taken away. That had to sting. However, Cavill was sure to offer his support for whoever takes the role next as he graciously accepted that his “time to wear the cape” has passed.

As for why Gunn is going for a younger Superman, there’s an easy answer. The new DC Studios chief is working on a 10-year plan for the franchise, which would presumably age Cavill out of the role far before Gunn can complete his multi-film story that will also stretch across TV, animation, and gaming. Plus, a new Superman will allow Gunn to make a clean break from the Zack Snyder films as he embarks on this new adventure.

(Via James Gunn on Twitter)

I’m entirely biased as a product of my time but 2022 was a great year to be a sneakerhead. Not only were there more dope drops than we care to count (technically we did count them because we chronicled the best drops every week) but the current climate of sneakers offers a little bit of something for everyone. Classic silhouettes from the ‘80s and ‘90s are enjoying a renaissance as sneakers like the Air Max Penny 2 and the New Balance 550 have found new audiences.

Meanwhile, Jordan heads are getting spoiled rotten with re-stocks of legendary colorways and new collaborations over the best silhouettes of the lineage (Jordan I-V). The often mocked Y2K era of sneakers has found fans (Nike Shox anyone?) and luxury wear and sportswear are more aligned than they’ve ever been as silhouettes like the Jacquemus Air Humara and Prada x Adidas Re-Nylon Forum sell out in an instant. We even got a new show to celebrate this year — Uproxx’s Fresh Pair.

Sneakers in 2022 have never been boring and in celebration of one of the strongest years in sneakers since pre-pandemic, we’re naming the 20 best drops of the year and where to cop ‘em. This will ensure that as you step into 2023, you’re geared up with the best kicks possible. On to the next year!

But first… a quick word on Yeezys

You’re not going to find any Yeezys on this list even though much of the first half of 2022 was dominated week-to-week by some truly fly Yeezy drops. Meaning the omission might come as a surprise… unless of course, you’ve been paying any attention to the insane words that have been spilling out of Ye’s mouth in recent times. I thought that going into this list ignoring the brand was going to be a challenge but you know what? It wasn’t. As I said, 2022 was a great year for sneakers and while Ye dropped some great sneakers in the year’s first half, he spent the rest of it doing odd shit like wearing White Lives Matter t-shirts, palling around with literal Nazis, and spewing all sorts of misinformed anti-semitic horseshit.

In his hubris, Ye declared “The thing about me and Adidas is… I can literally say anti-semitic shit and they can’t drop me” and then repeated himself for dramatic effect (and because he didn’t really have anything substantial to say) “I could say anti-semitic things and Adidas can’t drop me, now what, now what?” Only to, you know, be dropped by Adidas — a brand that was quite literally started by a card-carrying member of Germany’s Nazi party. So… I guess they showed him.

Full stop, hate, and division simply have no place in streetwear and Uproxx won’t celebrate a brand/ line of products by someone who actively spreads it. Yes, at one time Ye made some great music and some dope sneakers, but that’s not a good enough excuse for his bullshit and streetwear has enough problems, from the sheer amount of waste produced by the fashion industry to shady labor practices, and Nike’s dealings with supply chains in China linked to forced labor by done by Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region (according to the New York Times, Nike claims they no longer source products from Xinjiang and that its suppliers were not using textiles or yarn from the region, but stronger audits are needed). So, yes, we’re skipping Ye.

As fans of streetwear we should continue to be outspoken and critical of the brands that produce our favorite sneakers, streetwear is far from perfect, but by talking about its shortcomings openly and often, hopefully, we the consumers can push our favorite brands in the right direction.

That’s a bigger conversation that deserves its own dedicated article, for now, let’s talk about the year’s best sneakers.

JJJJound x New Balance 990v3 Made in USA Olive, February 2022

While 2022 was a strong year for sneakers, it started off at a snail’s pace. It took two full months until we got our first notable drop of the year in Justin Saunders’ JJJJound x New Balance 990v3. Built upon the third iteration of the 990 silhouette (arguably the best) this sneaker features a dope dark olive colorway over a mesh midsole with pigskin suede overlays.

By just utilizing three colors, Saunders was able to deliver a harmonious design that combined earthy green tones with reflective silver accents and a black ‘N’ logo to pull it all together.

Find the JJJJound x New Balance 990v3 Made in USA Olive at your favorite aftermarket site.

Union LA x Nike Dunk Low Pistachio, February 2022

Union LA has long been one of the strongest Nike collaborators and 2022 only solidified that reputation. Released as one of the three colorways from Union’s “Passport Pack” the Pistachio Dunk Low featured a semi-translucent tearaway upper in neutral grey tones with a pistachio-esque under glow that revealed a leather base dressed in navy and green hues once worn away.

The entire Passport pack was inspired by rare early 2000s-era sneakers from around the world and since 2022 was the year of Y2K-2, these throwback sneakers resonated so strongly with the modern sneaker culture. Even now, ten months later, they still look super dope.

Find the Union LA x Nike Dunk Low Pistachio at your favorite aftermarket site.

Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 9060 Penny Cookie Pink, March 2022

Chicago designer Joe Freshgoods is a name you’re going to be seeing a lot in this article, and for good reason, he’s one of the most vital designers in the game right now. Dropping mid-way through the year, his 9060 collaboration with New Balance brought a whole lot of vibrant color to a brand that is famous for being a bit drab and low-key.

The Penny Cookie Pink 9060 was released as part of Freshgoods’ “Inside Voices” pack and sported a pink mesh upper with peach-colored suede overlays atop an ABZROB midsole. The 9060 itself was a hybrid silhouette that took elements of the 990 and infused it with features from New Balances 2000’s era running shoes. The result is simply one of the best silhouettes to come out of New Balance ever.

Find The New Balance 9060 Penny Cookie Pink at your favorite aftermarket site.

Air Jordan 1 Retro High ’85 Georgetown, April 2022

For this roundup of the greatest sneakers of 2022, I tried to stay away from simple colorway restocks in favor of brand-new designs but I couldn’t put a cap on 2022 without shouting out one of the greatest retro releases of the year, the Jordan 1 High ’85 Georgetown. Dressed in the navy and grey colors of the Georgetown Hoyas basketball team, this colorway was meant to reference the 40th anniversary of Jordan’s winning shot against the Hoyas in 1982 when he was a way less famous college ball player.

There is something kind of cruel about commemorating that moment by donning the school colors of the team MJ defeated, but we doubt any Hoyas players would complain given MJ’s legendary status and the dope way this colorway comes together on this classic design.

Find the Air Jordan 1 Georgetown Retro High ’85 at your favorite aftermarket site.

Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 550 Conversations Amongst Us, April 2022

Two years ago Aimé Leon Dore’s Teddy Santis resurrected the 550 silhouette from the New Balance archive and in 2022 Joe Freshgoods perfected the sneaker with this all-white pair from his ‘Conversations Amongst Us’ collection. Every piece from the ‘Conversations’ collection was made in collaboration with the Black Soles, an initiative started within New Balance that aims to amplify Black voices in the footwear industry.

The sneaker featured a cream-colored canvas upper with leather and suede accents and a dope spin on the ’N’ logo branding that featured a contrasting black outline. This cream-colored beauty sat atop a slightly aged outsole giving it a slight vintage look. It remains the greatest colorway to ever grace the 550 silhouette. That’s the power of Freshgoods!

Find the Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 550 Conversations Amongst Us at your favorite aftermarket site.

Union LA x Air Jordan 2 Grey Fog, April 2022

In truth, there were a lot of great Union Nike collaborations this year, but we had to whittle it down to the absolutely essential pairs, and this take on the Jordan 2 is one of them. The Jordan 2 has long been overlooked despite it being designed by Peter Moore and Bruce Kilgore, the fathers of some of Nike’s greatest silhouettes, but this year, 36 years after its original release, it finally got the respect it deserved with a series of dope collaborations that reimagined this ahead of its time design.

Chris Gibbs and the Union crew swapped out the faux-lizard skin leather upper for a textile construction with suede overlays and perforated details. Featuring a combination of Grey Fog, Siren Red, and Light Smokey Grey, with bright blue accents, this take on the Jordan 2 took what was once a simple design and outfitted it with contrasting colors and premium details.

Find the Union LA x Air Jordan 2 Grey Fog at your favorite aftermarket site.

Supreme x Nike Shox Ride 2 Black, June 2022

If you came of age in the ‘00s you might look at a brand new pair of Nike Shox with absolute horror, but if you’re a fairly young sneakerhead just getting into the scene, you have no point of reference or reason to hate on this design. Despite being a design that is twenty years old, the Shox somehow manages to look futuristic.

The idea of Shox might be hard to swallow for you, which is why we’re shouting out this pair made by the kings of streetwear, Supreme, who dropped a four-colorway set of the sneaker at the start of summer and this all-black pair was the best of the bunch. Featuring a mesh upper with leather overlays, the Shox Ride 2 sports Supreme branding and that iconic pillar-supported heel that makes the design so polarizing.

Find the Supreme x Nike Shox Ride 2 Black at your favorite aftermarket site.

Wales Bonner x Adidas Samba ‘Cream White Bold Green’, June 2022

Made in collaboration with British fashion designer Wales Bonner, this simple update of the Adidas Samba is the best the silhouette has looked in some time. The sneaker sports a cream nylon upper with hairy suede paneling, and faux-crocodile leather three-stripes. This low-profile sneaker rides on a semi-translucent gum outsole and sports speckled green and cream laces that help to wrap the design together.

The Samba is an all-time great silhouette but the design is a bit tired at this point, making its appearance in year-end lists a true rarity. Through her impeccable design sense, Wales Bonner made the decision to include this pair easy.

Find the Wales Bonner x Adidas Samba ‘Cream White Bold Green at your favorite aftermarket site.

A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 2 Airness, June 2022

I wasn’t joking when I said this was the Jordan 2s year, and if the number of drops wasn’t indication enough, having A Ma Maniére take a stab at the silhouette should be proof enough. The Atlanta-based label is one of Jordan Brand’s strongest collaborators and they put their elegant spin on the Jordan 2 for a sneaker that fully lives up to the original vision Moore and Jordan set out to achieve with this luxury piece of footwear.

Featuring a cracked leather upper with wine-red piping and snakeskin detailing, this take on the Airness exudes luxury in a way its designers could only dream of. It’s great to see the vision finally achieved at a time when luxury streetwear isn’t a pipe dream, but the norm.

Find the A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 2 Airness at your favorite aftermarket site.

Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Reverse Mocha, July 2022

Travis Scott dropped a grip of sneaker collaborations with Nike this year but nothing was quite as hyped as the low-top Reverse Mocha Jordan 1. Featuring a suede upper dressed in brown with crisp white leather overlays, and that now-iconic signature reverse swoosh, the Reverse Mocha was, as its title suggests, a low-top version and twist on 2019’s Jordan 1 Mocha.

2021 was a strong year for Travis Scott with a grip of drops that dominated year-end lists everywhere, 2022 was a bit different but the one big drop we got was easily one of La Flame’s best ever. This is an all-time top Travis Scott Cactus Jack Nike collab and all future releases will be compared to this heat. Bring on 2023.

Find the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Reverse Mocha at your favorite aftermarket site.

Teddy Santis x New Balance 990v3 Made in USA Raw Amethyst

Teddy Santis is a major part of why New Balance has become one of the most beloved brands in sneakers, ranking even higher than the mighty swoosh in some streetwear circles. He is who we have to thank for resurrecting some of NB’s strongest forgotten silhouettes and his influence is so strong that New Balance has named him the creative director of the prestigious Made in USA line. This year his best release was easily this Raw Amethyst version of the 990v3.

Coming out of New Balance’s Made in USA line (obviously), this 990 features a mesh upper with soft lavender pigskin suede overlays with a red-orange N logo and navy blue laces. It looks like the sort of color combination Miami/New York brand Stray Rats would put together, with the sort of luxurious minimalism that Santis’ Aime Leon Dore brand is known for.

Find the Teddy Santis x New Balance 990v2 Made in USA Raw Amethyst at your favorite aftermarket site.

Bad Bunny x Adidas Forum Blue Tint, August 2022

Now that Yeezys are a thing of the past, Bad Bunny has risen as Adidas’ strongest collaborator, and even though Benito doesn’t produce new designs a la ‘Ye, he still has a pretty solid track record when it comes to his Adidas collabs. Not only is the Blue Tint forum Bad Bunny’s best Adidas drop of the year, but it’s also the best Bad Bunny-branded sneaker to date.

Featuring a monochromatic blue colorway influenced by the waters of Puerto Rico, this Blue Tint forum sports a leather and suede upper, a padded collar, and a semi-translucent midsole. There is something calming about this pair of sneakers, it’s not loud or attention-grabbing, it reflects an artist comfortable in his element, which makes sense considering Benito’s latest album, Un Verano Sin Ti, is one of the most streamed albums of the year. We’re seeing an artist operating at the top of his game and it has us psyched to see what he has in store for next year.

Find the Bad Bunny x Adidas Forum Blue Tint at your favorite aftermarket site.

Nike Air Max Penny 1 Orlando

Penny Hardaway’s signature sneaker, the Air Max Penny, is officially back. Both the Air Penny 1 and 2 have gotten all sorts of attention this year via high-profile collaborations with the likes of Social Status, but we have to tip our cap to this Orlando colorway which serves as a retro rerelease of the sneaker’s original ’95 debut colorway.

Featuring a nubuck upper in black with a chunky white midsole and true blue accents, the Penny 1 Orlando sports a massive swirling jeweled Swoosh and a Pylon midsole with an exposed Air unit and looks super fly.

Find the Nike Air Max Penny 1 Orlando at your favorite aftermarket site.

Social Status x Nike Dunk Mid Chocolate Milk, September 2022

Social Status’ Air Penny collaborations might not have made our best sneaker list, but this Chocolate Milk-inspired mid-top dunk from the brand’s Free Lunch collection did. Featuring a leather upper in shades of brown, tan, and cream, this Dunk features a bright blue outsole with a giant TPU wraparound swoosh in milky pink, a reference to the other colorway out of the Free Lunch collection, Strawberry Milk.

It was a real toss-up between the Strawberry Milk and Chocolate Milk iterations of this shoe but we have to give it to the chocolate, this autumnal mix of colors with bright pastel accents offers a near-perfect mix of colors.

Find the Social Status x Nike Dunk Mid Chocolate Milk at your favorite aftermarket site.

J Balvin x Air Jordan 2, September 2022

Okay, yes, we’ve shouted out a lot of Jordan 2s this year but I mean just look at this pair! How could we not show it some love? This sneaker, made in collaboration with reggaeton star J Balvin, feels like a direct response to Bad Bunny’s Blue Tint Forum, and considering the two artists have long been friends and collaborators, it’s almost as if the designs are two sides of the same coin. That might be a blasphemous statement in a world where it often feels like you have to pledge your allegiance to the Swoosh or the Stripes, but if anyone could find harmony in the world of streetwear, It’s J Balvin and Bad Bunny.

Featuring a ripstop upper in powder blue with cloudy blue overlays, a white midsole, and a translucent blue outsole, this sneaker looks to the blue sky above for inspiration. Whatever tranquil world Balvin and Benito are living in, we want in.

Find the J Balvin x Air Jordan 2 at your favorite aftermarket site.

Palace x New Balance 580 Gargoyle Lapis Blue, September 2022

This year the London Based skatewear brand produced its first New Balance collaboration, the 580 Gargoyle Lapis Blue. Sporting hairy suede panels over a mesh upper and a speckled midsole, Palace’s take on this forgotten ‘90s silhouette manages to equally represent the heritage of both New Balance and Palace while offering the streetwear community something fresh.

The 580 was a famed staple in the ‘90s Japanese streetwear scene and we have Palace to thank for helping bring the design back into the modern consciousness with the sort of embellishments that weren’t popular in the era that this sneaker lived in.

Find the Palace x New Balance 580 Gargoyle Lapis Blue at your favorite aftermarket site.

Salehe Bembury x New Balance 990v2 Sand Be The Time, December 2022

Salehe Bembury spent a lot of time this year dropping new colorways of his Crocs collaboration, the Pollex Clog, and while we love that shoe, it was never going to make it in our top shoes of 2021. Not because we don’t have any respect for Crocs, but because we already highlighted the shoe last year and 2021 still owns the best colorways of the silhouette.

Luckily for all of us, Bembury dipped back to collaborating with New Balance for a continuation of his ‘Sand Be The Time’ line. This sneaker takes the second iteration of the 990 silhouette and dresses it up in hairy pink suede over a salmon-colored midsole with forest green, purple, and cement accents and a purple chenille ’N’ logo. That chenille logo is the icing on top of a truly sweet design.

Find the Salehe Bembury x New Balance 990v2 Sand Be The Time at your favorite aftermarket site.

Jacquemus x Nike Women’s Air Humara LX Pink Flash, December 2022

The Paris-based band has created something truly unique with Nike in their ongoing Air Humara collaboration and while most people will reach for the white and brown colorway that dropped at the start of the year, we’re giving the spot to this women’s exclusive Pink Flash Air Humara LX.

Featuring an all-pink monochromatic upper, this hairy suede and mesh sneaker sports a mini-gold swoosh, stitched leather lace tips, and a textile-wrapped midsole over a dark brown gum sole with heavy tread. It doesn’t have the minimal elegance of the older colorways, but it’s impossible to ignore and sometimes that’s what you need when you step into a room.

Find the Jacquemus x Nike Women’s Air Humara LX Pink Flash at your favorite aftermarket site.

Cactus Plant Flea Market x Nike Dunk Tan Mossy Green

Every year in sneakers we need a bat-shit crazy design that challenges sneakerheads everywhere and splits us into two camps. Polarization in sneakers is always fun, and this year’s most polarizing release was easily Cactus Plant Flea Market’s recently released low-top Dunk. Featuring a thick quilted suede upper with an oversized wraparound white swoosh, and mismatched thick laces and sock liners, the rainbow outsoles, this take on the Dunk feels truly random.

The asymmetrical branding, the altered embroidered swoosh logo, the weird mossy muddy midsole, the random yin yang logo on the lateral heel, it’s the sort of sneaker that makes you say “what the actual f*ck” out loud the first time you see them. But you know what? That’s kind of fun. Leave it to Cynthia Lu’s Cactus Plant Flea Market to keep us on our toes with this shoe that looks like it was minted on day 6 of a mid-90s music festival.

This is a brand that always surprises and for that we cherish them.

Find the Cactus Plant Flea Market x Nike Dun Tan Mossy Green at your favorite aftermarket site.

SNEAKER OF THE YEAR: A Ma Maniére x Jordan IV Violet Ore, November 2022

Just like last year, we chose not to rank this list but we didn’t want to close out our roundup without shouting out what we consider the sneaker of the year. A Ma Maniére is hands down one of the best brands operating in streetwear right now, and this minimal and beautiful take on the Jordan 4, arguably the best Jordan of all time, is easily our favorite release of the year. Featuring an elegant muted violet nubuck upper with a woven tongue, a quilted collar, and a creamy off-white midsole, this sneaker is as perfect a colorway as any sneakerhead could hope for.

That’s no easy feat on a silhouette like the Jordan 4, there are a whole grip of amazing renditions of this show, and yet this pair, released in 2022, 33 years after the original, ranks amongst the absolute best. It’s a testament to A Ma Maniére’s skill as a brand, and to the versatility of this design given to us by Tinker Hatfield. Printed on the interior of the heel tab on each pair are the words, “‘It’s not about the shoes … it’s about where you’re going,” and we couldn’t agree more with the sentiment. We love sneakers, but sneakerheads can sometimes get bogged down on the collectible aspect of their kicks. There is nothing wrong with collecting, but owning a pair of great sneakers is all about wearing them, and the inscription is the perfect reminder of that.

Find The A Ma Maniére x Jordan IV Violet Ore at your favorite aftermarket site.

As the “new media” era of active players holding jobs on sports television, radio, and podcasts, we are blessed with some incredibly awkward moments when those players or their teams become the topic of conversation — particularly within the world of sports transactions.

On Friday, this happened on NBA Today when Danny Green, who joined the desk as he continues rehabbing from offseason knee surgery, sat next to Brian Windhorst while Windy reported on Memphis’ ability to upgrade their roster by packaging their extra first round picks with Green.

They both handled it quite well, with Green being a veteran of trade rumors and hearing his name coming up. As Green noted, he’s going to get back to on-court work soon (which is just the first step in getting back into game action), but also knows that his contract is certainly the type of deal that is easily packaged in a trade with picks and would allow the Grizzlies to make an addition to the roster without sending out a current contributor.

At the same time, Windy adds that Green is the type of veteran Memphis wants around the team given his championship experience, and they aren’t simply going to shop him just to move him. That said, if the opportunity arises to fill a greater need than a 3-and-D wing for Memphis and they can get it done, Green and a pick might be on the way out.