NBA 2K23 release week is upon us, as the latest edition of the only current NBA sim game will drop on Friday, and to help drum up some excitement and conversation around the game, 2K decided to release some of the ratings for the biggest stars in the league.
The top 10 players in the game were unveiled, along with a couple of others, by the 2K Twitter account on Tuesday morning, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way at a 97 overall. Five players earned a 96 just behind him, with LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, and Joel Embiid all occupying the 1B tier among the initial 2K ratings.
As always, the player ratings are a source of debate and arguing on social media, and as always happens, players get in on the act to complain about their standing. This year, Kevin Durant was the one offering his displeasure with the ratings, as he called on Ronnie 2K to explain why he isn’t a 99 OVR, calling his 96 “laughable.”
It’s not a surprise he’d have this gripe considering KD regularly refers to himself as “the god,” which would naturally indicate a perfect rating. While the real answer surely has to do with a variety of metrics and how the algorithm puts them together, I prefer to believe the reason is a 99 OVR wouldn’t fail at demanding a trade, and as such Durant gets knocked down three points for his inability to force his way out of Brooklyn.
As we approach nearly 24 hours of Spitgate, new evidence has emerged that seemingly refutes the viral theory that Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine during the Venice Film Festival premiere of Don’t Worry Darling. As for why anyone would ever think that Styles would spit on Pine, the film has been a smorgasbord of drama that ramped up in recent weeks before becoming an all-out hot mess in Venice thanks to a reported feud between director Olivia Wilde and Florence Pugh. Pine noticeably zoning out during a press conference also added to the chaos, but it might end up being the key detail that absolves Style of being a rogue spitter.
According to a new report, there’s apparently an explanation for the viral footage that kinda looks like Style hocked a loogie on Pine’s leg before taking his seat. Via Consequence:
“People are mental/love drama,” Irish drag queen/online personality Panti Bliss wrote in a quote tweet of the clip. “Nobody spits on anyone. Chris Pine is holding a pen (?) which he puts down on his seat to clap, then realises that the glasses he’s just been looking for have been there on the seat the whole time too. ‘Silly me!’ (then puts them on in longer clip)”
Naturally, Harry Styles fans have been going wild trying to defend the object of their undying affection, and a slow-motion clip does seem to show that Styles mouth is closed when the alleged spit would’ve happened:
Another Twitter user backed up the sunglasses theory and highlighted that the whole thing can be chalked up to Pine being completely out of it the whole day:
Chris pine just wondered where his sunglasses were after the applause. And he zoned out (likes he’s been doing all day) and realised it’s in his lap. So I am sorry to say harry styles did not spit on him. pic.twitter.com/7b4GoCvnHJ
As you can see in this photo from the Don’t Worry Darling premiere, Pine is seen putting on his sunglasses after Styles sits down.
Getty Image
Sorry, spit truthers, but it’s starting to look like Pine was really that stunned to discover his missing eyewear was sitting on his leg the whole time. Of course, all of this can be easily settled if the mystery woman filming the whole thing behind Pine and Styles releases her footage. Anytime, lady.
Indie music has grown to include so much. It’s not just music that is released on independent labels, but speaks to an aesthetic that deviates from the norm and follows its own weirdo heart. It can come in the form of rock music, pop, or folk. In a sense, it says as much about the people that are drawn to it as it does about the people that make it.
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Living Hour — Someday Is Today
Winnipeg band Living Hour debuted their dreamy and enthralling album Someday Is Today this week. The 11-track project is both intimate and expansive, combing Sam Sarty’s captivating vocals with relaxing riffs and reflective lyrics. The album even includes a collaboration with Jay Som, with the deliciously fuzzy power ballad “Feelings Meeting.”
Gorillaz — “New Gold” Feat. Tame Impala, Bootie Brown
Gorillaz teased their surprise Tame Impala collaboration “New Gold” a few weeks ago at All Points East festival. This week, the joint track is finally here, and it’s just as great as expected. Combining Tame Impala’s psych-pop sensibilities and Gorillaz’s tight rhythms, “New Gold” is an irresistibly groovy tune bolstered by Bootie Brown’s smooth flow.
The 1975 — “I’m In Love With You”
The 1975 try their hand at a happy-go-lucky love song with the new, exuberant ballad “I’m In Love With You.” The song starts off with a joyous acoustic guitar riff before breaking out into a buoyant and radio-ready pop-leaning anthem, and the video even features a cameo by Phoebe Bridgers.
Young Jesus — “Rose Eater”
Young Jesus is just a few weeks away from dropping the new album Shepherd Head, and this week they’ve given a final taste of what’s in store with “Rose Eater.” The piano-driven track is coupled with John Rossiter’s resounding vocals and turns into a cinematic, awe-inspiring ballad, reflecting the album’s themes of love, loss, and hope.
Alex Lahey — “Congratulations”
It’s been a few years since we’ve had a full-length release from confessional Australian songwriter Alex Lahey, though she has been sharing a handful of singles over the years. Her latest is the downtempo tune “Congratulations,” which shows off the songwriter’s skill for turning relatable, painful situations into catchy tunes. “Two of my exes got engaged within an improbably short space of time of one another. What are the odds?” she said about the track. “I couldn’t not write a song inspired by it.”
Frankie Cosmos — “Aftershook”
Continuing to roll out their anticipated upcoming album Inner World Peace, Frankie Cosmos returns with the jam “Aftershook.” The song boasts a mellow guitar riff coupled with Cosmos’ airy vocals and displays how the group have honed their production in recent years, filling out their sound while holding onto their eccentric and playful nature. “‘Aftershook’ is about processing the past and grappling with maintaining a balanced ratio of emotional awareness and hopefulness,” lead singer Greta Kline said.
Disq — “(With Respect To) Loyal Serfs”
Midwestern rockers Disq are on a mission to bring back late ’90s indie rock with their upcoming album Desperately Imagining Someplace Quiet. Their latest single, “(With Respect To) Loyal Serfs,” hits the mark. The song starts off with a ripping riff as member Shannon Connor grumbles lyrics about labor, fitting for the recent holiday. “Loyal serfs is about everyone’s fate,” the band noted in a statement.
Plains — “Abilene”
Plains is the new, country-leaning musical duo made up of Waxahatchee’s Katie Katie Crutchfield and songwriter Jess Williamson. Both revered songwriters in their own right, the duo’s harmonies float above an acoustic and slide guitar as they sing lovelorn lyrics about trusting your gut at the end of a relationship. The song arrives on the upcoming album I Walked With You A Ways, which debuts in October.
Special Interest — “Midnight Legend” Feat. Mykki Blanco
Stemming from the New Orleans DIY scene, Special Interest are proving their staying power with the upcoming album Endure. Sharing a first look at the project, the group teams up with Mykki Blanco for the euphoric, high-energy ode to nightlife “Midnight Legend.” Vocalist Alli Logout describes the track as a “love song to all the girls leaving the club at 6 AM, a love song to everybody who doesn’t have love around them.”
Khruangbin, Vieux Farka Touré — “Tongo Barra”
Back in July, Texas trio Khruangbin announced they were teaming up with Vieux Farka Touré to honor his late father, the celebrated Malian guitarist, Ali Farka Touré. This week, they shared another look at their upcoming joint project Ali, which is out later this month, with the enticing single “Tongo Barra.” The captivating track is sung in the Malian Songhai dialect and expands Khruangbin’s hypnotic catalog into bluesy territory.
While the rest of the world is wondering if Harry Styles really spat on Chris Pine in front of a full auditorium, Jason Momoa is over on Instagram trying to solve the plastic waste problem in America.
Momoa uploaded an Instagram video of him holding his signature long hair in his hands, before showing off the shaved sides of his head. “I’ve never even felt the wind right there,” he says, slightly terrified, as a buzzer continues to go at his head.
The Aquaman actor says that the move is to raise awareness for single-used plastics. “I’m tired of these plastic bottles. We’ve gotta stop. Plastic forks, all that sh*t. It goes into our land, goes into our ocean. Just seeing some things in our ocean is just so sad. Please, anything you can do to eliminate single-use plastic in our lives.” Momoa then showed off his own aluminum water bottle and encouraged his fans to consider alternatives to plastic bottles and utensils.
“Heres to new beginnings let’s spread the aloha,” the caption reads. “Be better at protecting our land and oceans. we need to cut single-use plastics out of our lives and out of our seas. plastic bottles, plastic bags, packaging, utensils all of it.”
Momoa recently finished up filming the latest Fast and Furious installment, where he will presumably have his full head of hair. As for the future of Aquaman…maybe he can wear a wig.
Ahead of their upcoming sophomore studio album, Born Pink, Blackpink has finally revealed their upcoming North American and European stops for their Born Pink tour.
The group announced a 27-day tour in August, which will kick off in Seoul on October 15. The ladies of Blackpink will arrive in the states on October 25, kicking off their North American tour.
Ahead of their tour, Blackpink is excited to see their fans, better known as the Blinks, across various cities. At this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, where they won the award for Best Metaverse Concert, they thanked the Blinks for their boundless support.
“We had a lot of fun on this project…we’re just very grateful to our fans,” said Blackpink member Rosé, “so thank you so much for this award.”
Check out the tour dates below.
10/25 — Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
10/29 — Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
11/02 — Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
11/06 — Hamilton, Ontario @ FirstOntario Centre
11/07 — Hamilton, Ontario @ FirstOntario Centre
11/10 — Chicago, IL @ United Center
11/11 — Chicago, IL @ United Center
11/14 — Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
11/15 — Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
11/19 — Los Angeles, CA @ Bank of California Stadium
11/30 — London @ The O2 Stadium
12/01 — London @ The O2 Stadium
12/05 — Barcelona @ Palau Sant Jordi
12/08 — Cologne @ Lanxess Arena
12/11 — Paris @ Accor Arena
12/12 — Paris @ Accor Arena
12/19 — Berlin @ Royal Arena
12/22 — Amsterdam @ Ziggo Dome
Born Pink is out 9/16 via YG Entertainment/Interscope. Pre-save the album and get tickets to the Born Pink tour here.
When it comes to bridging the gap between summer and fall, beer drinkers have tons of options. We suggest not diving headfirst into barrel-aged stouts or robust porters, as the warm weather this month might make those options feel less than ideal. And since we’ve had our fill of light lagers, pilsners, and classic IPAs, we’re going to recommend a more “seasonally transitional” style…
It’s time for some big, bold, high ABV imperial IPAs.
Caroline O’Halloran, area sales director at Sprecher Brewing in Glendale, Wisconsin loves imperial IPAs so much, that she has a hard time picking just one.
“It seems like an obvious answer but Russian River Pliny the Elder, Dogfish Head 90-Minute, Bell’s Hopslam… They are popular for a reason,” she says. “They rule. Pliny and 90 for consistency and general badass-ness. I love the bitterness of Hopslam. I don’t think it is nearly as bitter as a few years ago or maybe I have burned all my taste buds with 90-minute.”
While O’halloran can’t make up her mind about which imperial IPA to drink this month, she agrees with us that it’s a great beer style as we turn the calendar from summer to fall. Other craft beer experts and brewers have the same feeling about this robust, potent IPA sub-type. That’s why we asked a few of our favorites to tell us their picks for the best imperial IPAs to drink right now — keep reading to see all of their answers.
This one was a no-brainer. It can be tough to find a big IPA that doesn’t crush your taste buds and wreck your palate. 90 Minute IPA has an excellent malt backbone that stands on its own, providing balance. At first sip, I get pine and hop cones, followed by notes of freshly baked bread and light citrus notes. You could easily go for a second.
One of my favorite Imperial IPAs that I have had this year strangely enough was a fruited double IPA, which is usually not my thing. It was Lotus from Jade Mountain Brewing Company. I have been watching them very closely and think they are one of the up-and-coming Colorado breweries. Jade Mountains’ Lotus, uses Lotus hops in the perfect way playing on the huge orange, tangerine, and vanilla flavors that come from that hop varietal, and adding both Mandarin oranges and Tahitian vanilla to create a liquid orange creamsicle with balanced hop bitterness, aromas, and flavors. It was a real treat.
Boneyard Notorious is a can’t-miss imperial IPA. These folks make some great IPAs. I haven’t been able to have it for a long time, but it reminds me of what brewing in the PNW was like back before hazy beer became popular. Classic PNW hop notes of citrus and pine with light tropical fruits.
I am not a big fan of Imperial IPAs, so maybe I’m not the best person to advise on this style. But I like all my beers to be as well attenuated as they can reasonably be. Most Imperial IPAs don’t fall into that group – with a few exceptions – like Pliny the Elder, which would be my choice. I prefer the Pliny the Elder over the Pliny the younger for two reasons; 1) I don’t have to wait in line for it and 2) I think Elder is a little drier than the Younger. The hop flavor in the Elder is punchy and delicious, that combined with a tight malt backbone making for an Imperial IPA with a lot more “drinkability” and that’s what I want.
Maharaja IPA by Avery Brewing is my pick. Sweet mango and citrus aroma which is different from other imperials. However, has an intense dank resin flavor with citrus notes. It’s a very underrated imperial IPA and one that I’ll absolutely be drinking this month.
My favorite Imperial IPA right now is It’s Complicated Being A Wizard by Burlington Beer Company. I love my hazy juicy IPAs, but I still enjoy some bitterness there and this Imperial IPA has the best of both worlds. A smooth body from flaked oats and wheat sets the stage for the hop show of tropical fruits with just enough bitterness to remind you that you’re drinking an IPA.
Blackstack Homefield Advantage
Blackstack
Garth E. Beyer, certified Cicerone® and owner and founder of Garth’s Brew Bar in Madison, Wisconsin
ABV: 8%
Average Price: Limited Availability
Why This Beer?
If you know IPAs, then it’s no surprise I’m picking a beer from Blackstack Brewing. The best imperial IPA I’ve had from them is Homefield Advantage. I could go on about the haze for days and juiciness of the Mosaic, Azacca Cryo, New Zealand Nelson Sauvin, and Vista hops, but it’s really the balanced sweet caramel and orange cognac flavor that makes this beer my favorite.
It’s not often that you get an IPA from them that is as balanced in flavor as Homefield Advantage.
This is the type of beer specifically reserved for beer drinkers who are fanatical about floral, piney, dank hops. But, on top of that, this beer also features grapefruit, mango, pineapple, and other tropical fruit flavors. It’s a truly memorable beer. The kind of IPA you’ll want to buy every time you see it on the shelf.
This imperial IPA is surprisingly well-balanced with nice malt notes as well as ripe berries, grapefruit, juicy pineapple, and dank, resinous pine needles. It’s a massive, in-your-face IPA that is so filled with flavors you’ll need to drink a few bottles before you find them all.
After successfully playing a sassy poodle who helps a bunch of dog cops solve crime in Paw Patrol: The Movie, Kim Kardashian is ready to start playing more high-brow movie roles.
Pete Davidson’s ex (and tattoo muse) recently opened up about wanting to get into more movie roles, and her first request is to join the notoriously chill and not at all intimidating Marvel Cinematic Universe. There might be a role opening at some point in the multiverse, right?
In a new interview with Interview Magazine, Kardashian says that though she doesn’t spend time looking for new movie endeavors, sometimes they just fall in her lap. She voiced a character in Paw Patrol because of her kids. Now, she wants to do a movie for “fun”:
OTTENBERG: I dig it. So, do you have any plans to act again? You killed it on SNL. We loved you in Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor. What did you just do the voiceover for again?
KARDASHIAN: Paw Patrol.[Laughs] A Nickelodeon kid’s dog movie. Would I act? I would if something fun came about. Maybe a Marvel movie, that would be so fun to do. I’m not actively looking, but I think things just come when they’re supposed to.
Some of Kardashian’s movie roles include Disaster Movie from 2008 and Tyler Perry’s 2013 movie Confessions Of A Marriage Counselor, so she does have a wide range of acting experience. Hey, if all else fails, we know she could land a walk-on role for She-Hulk. She did go to law school, after all.
Wendell & Wild tells the tale of “Kat (Lyric Ross), a troubled teen haunted by her past, who must confront her personal demons, Wendell & Wild (played by Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele) to start a new life in her old hometown,” according to the Netflix plot description. Peele co-wrote the screenplay with Selick, who told Slashfilm about his decision for his fifth feature to be his first with a PG-13 rating. “Well, it might be that people aren’t making scary things for those kids. Say, so at eight, 10, to 14 years old, they’re not making things for them, but those kids are watching scary things,” he said.
Wendell & Wild, which also stars Lyric Ross, Angela Bassett, James Hong, Sam Zelaya, Tamara Smart, Seema Virdi, Ramona Young, and Ving Rhames, comes to Netflix on October 28, in time for Halloween. Although, like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline, it will probably be good all year.
A few years back, Vince Staples teased something called The Vince Staples Show, which apparently turned out to be a pair of short films showcasing a pair of singles, “So What?” and “Sheet Music.” Fans thought there’d be a musical project attached — or perhaps even an actual show, considering Vince’s interest in pivoting to acting — but none materialized, although the episodes eventually appeared on a website along with a ton of other Staples video content.
However, a feature on Staples in Los Angeles Times earlier this year noted that The Vince Staples Show had since moved to Netflix, suggesting that the early shorts had been something of a proof-of-concept, and that the show was in the early stages of production. Vince was quoted saying, “We’re working on it. Hopefully, we can make something great, then put it out when the time is right.”
Well, it appears that the time is, indeed, right now, as Deadline reports that Netflix has officially announced the show, which will be a scripted comedy loosely based on Vince’s real life. It’ll be co-produced by Black-ish creator Kenya Barris, How to Make It in America and The After Party writer/director Ian Edelman, Maurice Williams (who has experience writing TV with rappers as a writer on Kid Cudi’s Entergalactic), Los Angeles director Calmatic, and Vince’s manager Corey Smith.
The Brendan Fraser renaissance is in full swing (of “Brenaissance” if you’re a Real Fan), especially after the rave reviews from the Venice Film Festival premiere of The Whale.
Everyone has been rooting for Fraser to make his big-screen comeback after retreating from the spotlight in the early 2000s, at the height of his iconic action/adventure roles (justice for Inkheart!).His latest film, Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale, follows Fraser as Charlie, an overweight reclusive English teacher who tries to mend his relationship with his teenage daughter.
Fraser had to carry an extra 50 to 300 lbs in prosthetics when transforming into Charlie, with some CGI mixed in. This caused the actor to be more aware of his physical presence, and sympathize with anyone who has a different body type.
“I developed muscles I did not know I had,” Fraser said at the Venice Film Festival over the weekend (via Variety). “I even felt a sense of vertigo at the end of the day when all the appliances were removed; it was like stepping off the dock onto a boat in Venice. That [sense of] undulating. It gave me appreciation for those whose bodies are similar. You need to be an incredibly strong person, mentally and physically, to inhabit that physical being.”
Fraser received a lengthy standing ovation at the premiere, and he is happy to be re-introduced to Hollywood in a meaningful way. “[Darren] said he wanted an actor to reintroduce,” Fraser told Vanity Fair. “And I wanted to be reintroduced.” Now, Fraser is being praised for his performance…..which is a lot better than being spit on! (Allegedly).
The Whale will be released in theaters on December 9th.
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