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Craft Beer Experts Reveal The World’s Best Boat Beers

Summer’s hot days aren’t going to last forever (*sob*). It’s going to come to an end — so you’d better get the most out of it. Finish off that summer activities list. Did you already go to the beach? Good. How about eating more ice cream than you ever should in any given sitting? Great. Did you sit around a campfire while you toasted marshmallows? Outstanding. Did you spend a day on a boat, slowly drifting on a lake or the ocean?

No? Well, time is almost up.

Before the weather turns, spend some time in a pontoon boat, dingy, kayak, or yacht. And do it with a beer in your hand. That’s right — the only thing more fun than a summer day spent on the water is doing it with a cooler filled with frosty, delicious brews. To help you figure out which brews, we spoke to well-known craft beer experts and brewers and asked them to reveal the best boat beers available now.

Before we get going, this is obligatory:

Maui Bikini Blonde Lager

Maui Bikini Blonde Lager
Maui

Jeremy Marshall, brew master at Lagunitas Brewing in Petaluma, California

ABV: 5.1%

Average Price: $12.50 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

The key to the perfect boat beer is to play the song “I’m on a Boat” extremely loud. That will make any beer a boat beer. It’s been a long time since I’ve had it, but Maui Bikini Blonde Lager is a boat beer, even though I look pretty rough in a bikini. Technically a Munich Helles, so not exactly tied to an island or boat kind of place. It’s just that the sweetness and classic lager combo of this beer makes it a true refreshing combo of uplifting granny smith apples (fermentation esters), and the grain and yeast give lots of bread and freshly opened hipster crackers. Because you’re not eating on that boat; you’re having liquid bread. And you need to be able to have lots of them, so lagers do serve a purpose.

Not just your dad’s beer.

Hinterland Space Breakfast

Hinterland Space Breakfast
Hinterland

Garth E. Beyer, certified Cicerone® and owner and founder of Garth’s Brew Bar in Madison, Wisconsin

ABV: 6.6%

Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

Alright, hands down I’m drinking Space Breakfast (nitro in cans) by Hinterland Brewing on a boat. The sun is beating down and you want something light, refreshing, and that won’t put you overboard after two. That’s Space Breakfast. It’s a wheat ale at its base but they dose it with tangerine, apricot, and lactose for a creamier experience.

It’s like a childhood popsicle in beer format.

Bierstadt Lagerhaus Helles

Bierstadt Lagerhaus Helles
Bierstadt Lagerhaus

Karlton Graham, head brewer at Kansas City Bier Company in Kansas City

ABV: 5.5%

Average Price: $10.99 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

Why This Beer?

My best boat beer is Bierstadt Lagerhaus Helles. It’s so crisp, and yet, has such a solid delicate malt character. It’s right up there with the very best Bavarian versions. Bierstadt takes absolutely zero shortcuts in their pursuit of perfection, and in every glass, I can taste every shortcut they did not take. Relaxing on a boat, you’d want a balanced, flavorful beer that you’d never get tired of and that’s Bierstadt Helles.

Stella Artois

Stella Artois
Stella Artois

Parker Penley, lead innovation brewer of Widmer Brothers Brewery in Portland, Oregon

ABV: 5%

Average Price: $8.50 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

I must confess Stella Artois is a great boat beer because it’s not fussy, balanced, and refreshing. Perfect for all those summer jaunts on the water. This classic European pilsner is light, thirst-quenching, but surprisingly complex. Yet, you can still throw a few back because of the reasonably low alcohol content.

Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald

Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald
Great Lakes

Kevin McGee, president and CEO of Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville, California

ABV: 5.8%

Average Price: $10.99 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald is my less-than-conventional pick. First off, I’d drink the Edmund Fitzgerald anywhere and everywhere (even in the summer). It’s that good. A well-made porter is as complex and nuanced as any well-made Cabernet and Great Lakes’ Edmund Fitzgerald is one of the very best. It’s a robust and complex interplay of roast, coffee, and chocolate but supremely balanced and never cloying.

A great fit for any boating adventure, particularly if the weather comes up, that is also a tribute to the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald and a reminder of how precious life really is.

Local Brewing Local Lite

Local Brewing Local Lite
Local Brewing

Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Beer Company in Richmond, California

ABV: 4%

Average Price: $3.99 for a 16-ounce can

Why This Beer?

Good ol’ American Light Lager: Not much to think about here…who wants to do that on a boat? Look for Faction Brewing’s 1970s Lager or Local Brewing’s Local Lite to scratch that itch. If I had to narrow it down to one of the two, it would be Local Lite. This award-winning light lager is crisp, light, low in alcohol, and really easy to drink on a boat on a warm summer day.

Miller High Life

Miller High Life
Miller

Ian Brown, head brewer at Biggerstaff Brewing in Atlanta

ABV: 4.6%

Average Price: $6.50 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

Miller High life. Period. The flavor is happiness. There are few beers as iconic as Miller High Life and for good reason. It’s low in alcohol, crisp, clean, and effortlessly refreshing, and full of flavor. Plus, it comes in that classic clear bottle. What’s not to love?

Foster’s

Foster’s
Foster’s

Ben Saller, founder and brewer at Burnt City Brewing in Chicago

ABV: 5%

Average Price: $2.50 for a 25-ounce can

Why This Beer?

Whenever I’m on a boat, I like to take a Foster’s oil can, empty it, and fill it with rum. This classic Australian lager is cheap, crisp, and thirst-quenching if that’s what you’re looking for. The rum afterward definitely adds to the experience.

Pacifico

Pacifico
Pacifico

Josh Radigan, director of food and beverage at Viceroy in Washington DC

ABV: 4.4%

Average Price: $9.50 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

Pacífico is my pick hands down. That’s one beer that blends its refreshing style to the salt air and goes down easy. Also known as Cerveza Pacífico Clara, this Mexican lager is surprisingly complex with cereal sweetness, caramel malts, and a nice crisp, easy-drinking flavor.

Writer’s Pick:

Narragansett Lager

Narragansett Lager
Narragansett

ABV: 5%

Average Price: $6.99 for a six-pack of 16-ounce cans

Why This Beer?

There are few beers more perfect for a boat ride than Narragansett Lager. Bonus points if you grab some of the 1975 throwback cans featured in Jaws. While we wouldn’t suggest taking a similar boat ride Quint and his companions took, you should still bring this crisp, easy-drinking, full-flavored lager aboard for summertime adventures.

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‘John Wick’ Spinoff Show ‘The Continental’ Is Finally Moving Forward At A New Home

While a lot of movies and TV shows have been getting axed left and right, it’s nice to see a series actually begin to move forward after nearly four years in development. That’s the case for The Continental, an upcoming series that will take place in the John Wick universe.

A tv show based on the iconic hotel has been in the works since the beginning of the John Wick franchise, though it was first slated to premiere on Starz. Earlier this year, Peacock gained the rights to the first three movies in the Keanu Reeves-led action series and will be the future home of The Continental next spring.

The three-part series will explore the history of The Continental, an elusive hotel that hosts the world’s most dangerous assassins (and their dogs), and tell the origins of the mysterious hotel manager, played by Colin Woodell. Mel Gibson, Ayomide Adegun, Ben Robson, Katie McGrath, and Peter Greene will also star in the series. Reeves is not expected to star in the show, as it takes place before Wick is even alive….allegedly! But there can always be a flash-forward, right?

Kelly Campbell, President of Peacock, says that the move was a no-brainer. “The John Wick films have become a global phenomenon, are among the most watched titles on Peacock and we are thrilled and honored to partner with Lionsgate to extend this incredible franchise….the premiere of The Continental will be the streaming event of the year.”

John Wick: Chapter 4 has a March 2023 release date, so the series will likely coincide with the movie’s release. Fans may remember when Chapter 3 was released when they did a pop-up event at the “real” Continental Hotel, which is just a normal place that does not have real killers staying there (presumably). Overall, it’s a great time to be a fan of both Keanu Reeves and unnecessary violence!

(Via Deadline)

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‘Better Call Saul’ (And ‘Better Call Saul’ Posters) Made Monday Worth Looking Forward To

With all due respect to Garfield, Monday is not the worst day of the week. Tuesday is much worse. Monday is a chance to start a new work week off on the right foot; by Tuesday, that optimistic enthusiasm is gone, having been replaced with a slug-like feeling of mundanity. Also, Monday means new episodes of Better Call Saul — or should I say, new episode, because tonight is the series finale of arguably the best show on TV.

Hm. I may have to rethink my Day of the Week power rankings next week.

But for now, we have one final installment of Better Call Saul to look forward. Almost nothing is known about “Saul Gone,” other than it’s written and directed by co-creator Peter Gould and the vague teases from the cast and crew. Co-creator Vince Gilligan’s one-word review of the finale to Entertainment Weekly? “Earned.” Star Bob Odenkirk called the episode “a very grounded ending that really dug right into the core of what the show is about and what the character’s experience has been,” while Gould is “feeling confident that what we’re doing is completely true to the show.”

AMC also released a teaser poster for “Saul Gone,” which features the scales of justice tipping towards the nearest Cinnabon, probably.

If you don’t follow Better Call Saul on social media, you’ve been missing out on posters for every episode in the final season. Here’s the complete collection.

AMC
AMC
AMC
AMC
AMC
AMC
AMC
AMC
AMC
AMC
AMC
AMC

That’s Saul, folks.

(Via EW)

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New And Intriguing Bourbon Whiskeys, Blind Tasted And Ranked

Thanks to the latest whiskey boom, there are always new and exciting bourbons to try. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always mean there are new “good” bourbons to try. A lot of the newer stuff — and, we must admit, much of the “super folksy label that would look great on a barcart” stuff — is gets stuck in the “fine” to “ugh” to “hard pass” brackets. Luckily, I’m here to take one for the collective team and weed out those lesser bottles so that you don’t have to waste your hard-earned cash on them.

To do so, I’m conducting a blind taste test of new bourbons that landed on my desk over the past couple of weeks. I pulled in bottles that fit many styles of bourbon from budget small batch bottles to unique mash bills with bespoke corn to limited editions to special finishings. Once I tasted through, I ranked each bottle according to the quality of the flavor profile. It’s as simple as “which one(s) actually tastes good?” and “which one(s) tastes the best?”

Our lineup today is:

  • Monk’s Road Fifth District Series Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 6 Years Series 01 Barrel #23 Bottle #169
  • Dragon’s Milk Origin Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 5 Years
  • Off Hours Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Puncher’s Chance Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Great Jones Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch no. 001 Bottle no. 91808
  • Kirkland Signature Small Batch by Barton 1792 Master Distillers Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch no. 1124
  • Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 5 Years Limited Edition National Parks No. 2
  • Bloody Butcher’s Creed Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 4 Years 9 Months Batch no. 8

Let’s dive in and find you a new, exciting, and fun bourbon to add to your shelf.

Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Bourbon Posts Of The Last Six Months

Part 1: The Tasting

New Rye Whiskey Blind
Zach Johnston

Taste 1

New Bourbon Whiskey Blind
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

This opens with a hint of woody vanilla next to a hint of sour cherry, a dash of toasted coconut, a light note of leather, and some butter toffee underbelly. The palate leans into cola notes with plenty of clove and nutmeg next to a whisper of oatmeal cookie with sweet spices and plenty of vanilla. The end is lush and sweetens towards a Caro syrup with a bit of stewed apple that’s kind of woody and mildly spicy.

This is a nice place to start. This isn’t a mind-blowing bourbon but it is a pleasant one.

Taste 2

New Bourbon Whiskey Blind
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

A big chocolate malt note draws you in on the palate first before layers of winter spices, dark caramel malts, a twinge of orange oils, and a mild Vanilla Coke kick in. The taste has an almost Hershey’s Kiss feel to it alongside spiced chocolate powder next to a hint of lemon-lime that turns into a tangerine-laced maltiness (kind of like a tangerine White Claw) with a chocolate wafer in the background. The end holds onto the chocolate maltiness and mild winter spices the longest.

I can’t decide if I love or hate this. I imagine I’ll fall closer to the middle.

Taste 3

New Bourbon Whiskey Blind
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

There’s a good dose of wet straw and grains on the nose with hints of nutmeg and clove which eventually lead to some apple skins. The palate meanders through vanilla, wicker, fresh mint, and brown sugar with a whisper of dill buried in there somewhere. The end is full of a lot of sweetgrasses, grilled pineapple, and sour cherry with a touch of brown spice.

This was very much “fine.”

Taste 4

New Bourbon Whiskey Blind
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

This has a slightly tannic nose (think old, red-wine-soaked oak) with woody vanilla, nutmeg, and a lush vibe. The palate mixes up the sweet vanilla with sweet yet sharp spice, some dark chocolate, and a hint of orange zest. The end combines everything into a lush finish that highlights old oak, soft nutmeg, and a soft orange-chocolate vibe with a hint of clove and anise.

This was really nice, but not overly complex. It wasn’t arresting but it was super easy to drink.

Taste 5

New Bourbon Whiskey Blind
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

The nose opens with a hint of dry cornmeal that leads to soft but worn leather and a throughline of rubber fishing lure (in a good way… I think) with a soft and sweet orchard fruit underneath it all. The palate is light but hits on vanilla cream, toffee, and cinnamon with a dash of white pepper. The end leans into vanilla and spiced tobacco leaves and a twinge of soft peppercorn.

This is a bit all over the place but kind of good and interesting.

Taste 6

New Bourbon Whiskey Blind
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Apple and pear open the nose up toward peach taffy with a hint of black licorice ropes, old leather, sweet winter spices, and a whisper of Nutella. The palate lets the vanilla linger while a sweet and mild Red Hot vibe mixes with classic cherry cola, dried sweetgrass, salted caramel candies, and apricot jam on a Southern biscuit with a drop of fresh honey and butter. The end stays pretty classic with a sense of spiced cherry tobacco, rich vanilla, and a few old oak staves.

This is a good pour.

Taste 7

New Bourbon Whiskey Blind
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Soft holiday spices mix with orange creamsicle, dry sweetgrass, old boot leather, a dash of dark chocolate powder, and a hint of cedar. The taste feels like you’re on a back porch on a sunny day with rich toffee, cherrywood, and vanilla next to buttery zucchini bread with walnuts and plenty of cinnamon. The end takes on this woody and sweet carrot vibe while lush marzipan brings a nutty sweetness with a hint of Earl Grey and walnut loaf with low notes of soft cedar and warm tobacco.

This is a really good pour.

Taste 8

New Bourbon Whiskey Blind
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

The nose on his one starts off with a stained deck board vibe that boils down to silver plastic Christmas garlands fresh out of the pack with old woody spices, dry raisins, and savory figs. Earthy vanilla and old porch wicker mingle with Caro Syrup and orange tobacco with a supporting cast of wintry baking spices. The end moves from woody maple syrup toward soft marzipan, a dash of chocolate, and a distant whisper of peppermint candy cane.

This is the most all-around Christmas-y bourbon, and I kind of love it. The nostalgia factor from the flavor profile is off the charts with this one.

Part 2: The Ranking

New Bourbon Whiskey Blind
Zach Johnston

8. Off Hours Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 3

Off Hours Bourbon
Off Hours

ABV: 47.5%

Average Price: $38

The Whiskey:

This release from Off Hours Spirits is sourced from MGP of Indiana. The juice is a no-age-statement bourbon from MGP’s standard 75 percent corn, 21 percent rye, and four percent malted barley mash bill. The whiskey spends about four years in the barrel before it is blended and bottled by Off Hours with a good dose of proofing water.

Bottom Line:

As I mentioned above, this was fine. I never in a million years would have guessed it’s an MGP product though. It tastes very crafty with that wet straw and grainy vibe. Still, this would work fine in a highball.

7. Great Jones Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch no. 001 Bottle no. 91808 — Taste 5

Great Jones Small Batch
Great Jones

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $45

The Whiskey:

This is a grain-to-glass New York craft bourbon. The grains in the mash bill — corn, rye, and malted barley — are all grown locally in New York state. The juice is then left for at least four years to age before it’s blended in small batches, proofed down, and bottled.

Bottom Line:

This is fine too. I’d say this felt more like a cocktail base than a sipper (for sure). Overall, “fine” is good enough but not good enough to spend too much time seeking out.

6. Dragon’s Milk Origin Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 5 Years — Taste 2

Dragon's Milk Origin
New Holland

ABV: 47.5%

Average Price: $50

The Whiskey:

This whiskey from New Holland Brewing up in Michigan marries craft bourbon with the brewery’s beloved Dragon’s Milk beer. The whiskey in the bottle is made with a high-barley bourbon mash bill. After five years in the barrel, the juice is blended, proofed down, and bottled.

Bottom Line:

I did like the chocolate malt vibe on this. I can see pairing this with a Dragon’s Milk Stout. Still, that chocolate note was a lot of the flavor profile to the point of almost pushing the whole pour to one-note status.

5. Monk’s Road Fifth District Series Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 6 Years Series 01 Barrel #23 Bottle #169 — Taste 1

Monk's Road
Monks Road

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $125

The Whiskey:

This whiskey from Log Still Distillery in Kentucky is run by direct descendants of the famed Dant family. The whiskey in the bottle is a single barrel bourbon that aged for six years before proofing and bottling.

Bottom Line:

This is where we squarely get into the good stuff. This was distinct and flavorful. The only reason it’s this low is that it felt really “classic” but not a whole lot more — which is totally fine if that’s what you’re looking for. Had I known the price tag, I’d probably ranked this lower. $125 is a lot for something just “classic.”

4. Puncher’s Chance Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 4

Puncher's Chance
Punchers Chance

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $32

The Whiskey:

This is a celebrity-owned bourbon from UFC’s Bruce Buffer. The juice in the bottle is a blend of four to six-year-old bourbons from Kentucky that are touched with a little proofing water after blending.

Bottom Line:

This is a really easy-to-drink whiskey that offers a deep and distinct flavor profile. The overall vibe of this is just really good. This was the first whiskey on the panel that I wanted to go back to — still, it’s not quite as deep as the top three.

3. Kirkland Signature Small Batch by Barton 1792 Master Distillers Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch no. 1124 — Taste 6

Kirkland Signature Small Batch
Costco

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $19 (1 liter)

The Whiskey:

This is the entry point to Costco’s new lineup of Kentucky Bourbons (along with a Bottled-in-Bond and Single Barrel release). The whiskey in the bottle is from Sazerac’s Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown with a mash bill of 74 percent corn, 18 percent rye, and eight percent barley. That juice is left to age for four to five years before blended, proofing, and bottling for Costco.

Bottom Line:

This was really good with a straightforward but deep flavor profile. If I was taking the price into the ranking (I rank these before I know the label), I’d have ranked it higher thanks to that amazing price tag. This swings way above its price tag.

Quality bourbon for a low price? That’s some serious value, folks.

2. Bloody Butcher’s Creed Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 4 Years 9 Months Batch no. 8 — Taste 8

Bloody Butcher
Jeptha Creed

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $52

The Whiskey:

This special edition bourbon from craft distilling darling Jeptha Creed is all about the heritage corn. The mash is 90 percent Bloody Butcher Corn alongside five percent malted rye and five perfect malted barley. The whiskey is left alone for nearly five years before batching, proofing, and bottling.

Bottom Line:

This was both unique and delicious. It felt new and playful while still offering a foundation of great bourbon underneath it all. Overall, this is a great variation on the theme of bourbon, but might not be for everyone (hence, it’s second and not first).

1. Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 5 Years Limited Edition National Parks No. 2 — Taste 7

Wyoming Whiskey National Parks
Wyoming Whiskey

ABV: 52.5%

Average Price: $83

The Whiskey:

This bottle celebrates our National Parks with each limited edition release. In this case, the release celebrates Yellowston’s 150th anniversary with part of the proceeds from each bottle sold going to Yellowstone Forever, which helps protect the park. The whiskey in the bottle is a special release from Wyoming grains — 68 percent corn, 20 percent wheat, and 12 percent malted barley — and water. After five years, the barrels are small-batch blended and bottled with a drop of proofing water.

Bottom Line:

This was the best pour of the day. It was complex, fresh, and deep. It also had a deep nostalgic pull for the winter holidays that felt like stepping into the time machine to my childhood. You just cannot deny that sort of power.

Part 3: Final Thoughts

New Bourbon Whiskey Blind
Zach Johnston

There were eight quality bourbons on this list and each one had its charms. Eight through five weren’t my cup of tea, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be yours. Go back and read the tasting notes and make a decision.

Four through one were all stellar bottles you can’t go wrong with. I’d say four and three are the most accessible to the average palate with one and two hitting some big and unique notes that might be appreciated a little further down anyone’s bourbon tasting road. At the very least, buying a bottle of Wyoming’s new National Parks edition will help that park with real money.

Overall, the real winner is that Kirkland Signature Small Batch though. That price and the quality of the booze in the bottle are unassailable. $20 for that one-liter bottle of very good bourbon from a great distillery is the way to go if you can’t find anything else in the top three.

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Tommy Lee’s Penis Returns To Instagram, This Time In An NSFW Artwork Of The Naked Selfie

Last week, Tommy Lee stirred up social media when he shared a selfie on Instagram. Of course, this wasn’t the usual sort of self-shot photo, as it offered a clear-as-day look at the Mötley Crüe drummer’s uncovered penis. While the image has since been removed from Instagram, it’s still up on Twitter, which is more tolerant of nudity on its platform than is Instagram. (If you’d care to view the original, uncensored photo, it can still be found on Lee’s Twitter, here.)

Now, though, the Lee pee-pee pic is back on Instagram, albeit not in its original form. A few days ago, Lee shared a colorful, artistic rendering of the original photo, created by artist Ziva Barrett, wife of Cannibal Corpse guitarist Rob Barrett. In her own post of the image, she wrote, “When Tommy Lee ‘hands’ you a dick pic, you don’t ask questions, you grab a (big [smiling emoji]) canvas instead and get to work.” In another post, she noted that she’s giving Lee either the original painting or a black-and-white version of it she also made (his choice).

If Lee’s latest post is something you want to see, it can be found on his Instagram, here.

Lee’s member is familiar with the spotlight, as it is its own character in the Hulu miniseries Pam & Tommy.

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The Rock Personally Called Warner Bros. And Told Them To Leave Black Adam Out Of The First ‘Shazam!’ Movie

As Black Adam finally nears its release date, The Rock is opening up about his, well, not quite superheroic yet not quite supervillainous turn. Announced all the way back in 2014, alongside the casting of Zachary Levi as Shazam, Black Adam has clearly spent numerous years in development hell. There were legitimate doubts that the movie would ever seen the light of day However, during that time, The Rock apparently kept very a watchful eye on the DC Comics character and even went so far as to stop Warner Bros. from using Black Adam too soon.

According to The Rock, Black Adam almost made his debut in the first Shazam! movie, which would’ve made sense given the two characters are arch-rivals going all the way back to the 1940s. There was just one small problem: The Rock wasn’t feeling it.

Via Vanity Fair:

“When the first draft of the movie came to us, it was a combination of Black Adam and Shazam: Two origin stories in one movie,” Johnson recalls. “Now that was the goal — so it wasn’t a complete surprise. But when I read that, I just knew in my gut, ‘We can’t make this movie like this. We would be doing Black Adam an incredible disservice.’ It would’ve been fine for Shazam having two origin stories converge in one movie, but not good for Black Adam.”

As Johnson explains, he personally called up Warner Bros. and told them that Black Adam deserves his own movie. “I said, ‘I have to share my thoughts here. It’s very unpopular…’ because everybody thought, ‘Hey, this script is great, let’s go make this movie.’ I said, ‘I really think that you should make Shazam!, make that movie on its own in the tone that you want. And I think we should separate this as well.’”

Obviously, it’s not hard to tell who won that argument: Black Adam, the solo movie demanded by The Rock, slams into theaters on October 21, 2022.

(Via Vanity Fair)

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Snoop Dogg Is Now One Of Only Three Artists With A Top-Ten Hit In Each Of The Past Four Decades

Snoop Dogg is a well-established hitmaker but lest we lose sight of just how impressive his career achievements have been, he’s just accumulated another. As of the most recently published Billboard charts, he’s now one of just three artists in history to have a top-10 hit in each of the past four decades. That’s right: The Doggfather has reached the top ten in the ’90s, ’00s, ’10s, and now, the ’20s thanks to his new collaboration with Benny Blanco and BTS, “Bad Decisions.” The only other two artists who can boast as much are Jay-Z and Mariah Carey.

Snoop’s top ten hits of the ’90s include “What’s My Name?” and “Gin And Juice” from his 1993 debut album Doggystyle. In the 2000s, his songs “Beautiful,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” and “Sensual Seduction” all hit the top ten, with the second reaching No. 1. Finally, 2011 saw Snoop’s Wiz Khalifa collaboration “Young, Wild & Free” reach No. 7 on the Hot 100. Additionally, he’s popped up in the top ten as a featured artist on eight songs throughout the years, including Dr. Dre’s “Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang,” Chingy’s “Holidae In,” 50 Cent’s “P.I.M.P.,” The Pussycat Dolls’ “Buttons,” Akon’s “I Wanna Love You,” Katy Perry’s “California Gurls,” and Jason Derulo’s “Wiggle.”

What makes Snoop’s achievement even more impressive is that he’s done all this while diversifying his interests. He’s become a pop culture mainstay outside of music as well, with investments in cryptocurrency and NFTS, roles in Hollywood movies and video games, and even his own breakfast cereal and hot dogs.

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Bad Bunny Regains The Top Spot On The ‘Billboard’ 200 Chart After Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ Debuted At No. 1

On the Billboard 200 chart dated August 6, Bad Bunny’s album Un Verano Sin Ti extended its total weeks at No. 1 to seven. Then, Beyoncé happened: On the rank dated August 13, Renaissance dethroned Bad Bunny to take over the top spot. Now, it appears at least some of the hype surrounding the Beyoncé album has died down. At the very least, it subsided enough for Bad Bunny to reclaim the top spot: On the new Billboard 200 dated August 20, Un Verano Sin Ti is back at No. 1 for an eighth total week, with Renaissance slipping down to No. 3.

Bad Bunny is on top again thanks to 108,800 equivalent album units earned for the album, up 4 percent from last week. This is the third stint at No. 1 for Un Verano Sin Ti: It debuted on top on the May 21 chart, then left No. 1 for three weeks. Then, it returned to No. 1 again before falling to No. 2 for the next two weeks. After that, it enjoyed its first multi-week run, spending five weeks at No. 1 before being dethroned by Beyoncé and then returning to the top this week. This makes Un Verano Sin Ti the first album with four distinct runs at No. 1 since Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour also had four stays in 2021.

Meanwhile, debuting at No. 2 on this week’s chart is YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s The Last Slimeto, while Eminem’s new best-of compilation, Curtain Call 2, premieres at No. 6.

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Netflix Is Finally Shaking Up Their Release Scheduling, Beginning With Guillermo Del Toro’s ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’

For quite some time now, Netflix has been going back and forth on the idea of releasing its original content in a digestible way. The streamer has dabbled with this concept, releasing some reality shows on a weekly basis, or splitting seasons in half in order to stretch out the content as much as physically possible (and to keep people making memes about said shows). Now, it seems like the site will actually try to implement some sort of staggered episode releases, beginning in October with some spooky fall programs.

Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming anthology series Cabinet Of Curiosities will premiere the first two episodes on October 25th, with two new episodes dropping daily until October 28th. It will be a part of the streamer’s Netflix and Chills Halloween event, which will feature a handful of new and old spooky titles.

Cabinet Of Curiosities is a collection of eight chilling tales, each by a different talented director. In the first look trailer, del Toro explains the inspiration behind the series, which features classically creepy tales. Via the synopsis:

With Cabinet of Curiosities, we set out to showcase the realities existing outside of our normal world: the anomalies and curiosities. We hand-picked and curated a group of stories and storytellers to deliver these tales, whether they come from outer space, supernatural lore, or simply within our minds. Just in time for Halloween, each of these eight tales is a fantastical peek inside the cabinet of delights existing underneath the reality we live in.

Del Toro served as creator and executive producer of the spooky series, which features tales from Jennifer Kent (The Babadook), Panos Cosmatos (Mandy), Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight), along with many more. Here is a rundown of the current lineup from a Netflix press release:

Dreams in the Witch House: Rupert Grint (Servant), Ismael Cruz Cordova (The Undoing), DJ Qualls (Turning Point), Nia Vardalos (Love, Victor) and Tenika Davis (Jupiter’s Legacy) star in an episode written by Mika Watkins (Origin), based on a short story by H.P. Lovecraft, and directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen).

Graveyard Rats: David Hewlett (The Shape of Water) stars in an episode written, based on a short story by Henry Kuttner, and directed by Vincenzo Natali (In The Tall Grass).

Lot 36: Tim Blake Nelson (Watchmen), Elpidia Carrillo (Predator), Demetrius Grosse (Fear The Walking Dead) and Sebastian Roché (The Man in the High Castle) star in an episode written by Regina Corrado (Deadwood), based on an original story by del Toro, and directed by Guillermo Navarro (Godfather of Harlem).

Pickman’s Model: Ben Barnes (Shadow and Bone), Crispin Glover (Rivers Edge), and Oriana Leman (The Whale) star in an episode written by Lee Patterson (Curve),based on a short story by H.P. Lovecraft, and directed by Keith Thomas (Firestarter).

The Autopsy: F. Murray Abraham (Amadeus), Glynn Turman (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) and Luke Roberts (Ransom) will appear in an episode written by David S. Goyer (The Sandman), based on a short story by Michael Shea, and directed by David Prior (The Empty Man).

The Murmuring: Essie Davis (The Babadook), Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead) and Hannah Galway (Sex/Life) star in an episode written (based on an original story by del Toro) and directed by Jennifer Kent (The Babadook).

The Outside: Kate Micucci (The Little Hours) and Martin Starr (Silicon Valley) lead an episode written by Haley Z. Boston (Brand New Cherry Flavor), based on a short story by comic book author Emily Carroll, and directed by Ana Lily Amirpour (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night).

The Viewing: Peter Weller (Robocop), Eric André (The Eric Andre Show), Sofia Boutella (Kingsman: The Secret Service), Charlyne Yi (Always Be My Maybe), Steve Agee (Peacemaker), Michael Therrialt (Locke and Key) and Saad Siddiqui (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow) star in an episode directed by Panos Cosmatos (Mandy), who also writes, along with Aaron Stewart-Ahn.

While this isn’t the first time Netflix has been experimenting with its release schedule, it does signify a shift in how they are releasing new content that might keep more fans on board for longer. More fans mean more viral memes and more bizarre tie-in content! A win for everyone.

(Via Deadline)

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Drake Attended Kendrick Lamar’s Toronto Show Which Could Be A Good Sign For Their Complicated Relationship

video in question: https://www.instagram.com/p/ChNaQ00pZEm/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
timeline of “beef”: https://www.complex.com/music/2017/04/kendrick-lamar-drake-relationship-timeline
most recent kendrick mention of drake: https://uproxx.com/music/kendrick-lamar-drake-kanye-reunion-mr-morale/

Drake and Kendrick Lamar have both come a long way since Kendrick appeared on Drake’s second album, Take Care. At the time, Drake was an established star, coming off of a No. 1 debut in Thank Me Later and a string of Top 40 hits, and Take Care was set to be the confirmation of his superstardom. Kendrick, on the other hand, was about a year away from his own hotly anticipated debut album, but rising in popularity due to the strength of his independent mixtapes and co-signs from West Coast legends like Dr. Dre, The Game, and Snoop Dogg.

Since then, however, Drake and Kendrick’s relationship appears to have cooled. Despite collaborating twice more on Kendrick’s Good Kid, MAAD City single “Poetic Justice” and ASAP Rocky’s “F*ckin’ Problems,” the two seemed to distance from each other in the aftermath of Kendrick’s scorched-earth verse from Big Sean’s “Control,” a few apparent shots on songs like “King Kunta,” and during his 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher verse. Since then, fans have interpreted lines in both rappers’ songs as subliminal shots at the other, assuming that they had fallen out and couldn’t reconcile after so much supposed bad blood.

However, during Kendrick’s ongoing Big Steppers Tour stop in Drake’s hometown Toronto, The Boy himself was seen enjoying the show in a box to himself and his OVO compatriots. Fans who noticed him were excited to see him, getting and posting plenty of videos.

Meanwhile, Kendrick himself last made mention of his supposed rival on his new album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, admitting that he realized that various rap feuds were petty and childish, but also expressed reluctance to let them go. “When Kanye got back with Drake, I was slightly confused,” he says on “Father Time.” Guess I’m not as mature as I think, got some healin’ to do.” Whether he’s since done that healing remains to be seen, but some fans have already interpreted Drake’s presence at Kendrick’s show as a good sign that the two could be reconciling — or at least, on good enough terms to enjoy each other’s shows.