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Reitman even saw the comedic potential of action superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred in two of Reitman’s movies: “Kindergarten Cop” and “Twins.” This was a near 180 degree difference from the normal bare chested barbarian and souped up killing machine roles that Schwarzenegger had become known for.

Thanks for everything, Ivan. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/lEBmGB9eue

— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) February 14, 2022

Upon hearing the news of Reitman’s passing on Feb 12th, Schwarzenegger gave a heartfelt statement on Twitter, calling Reitman not only “comedy royalty,” but also “kind, generous, smart as hell, and always there for you.”

Schwarzenegger certainly wasn’t alone. Filmmakers and film lovers alike paid tribute on social media.

I am deeply saddened by the loss of Ivan’ Reitman. Truly a great man and filmmaker who I had honor and privilege of knowing and working with. Deepest condolences to Jason and the entire family. May he RIP #jasonReitman

— Ernie Hudson (@Ernie_Hudson) February 14, 2022

DIRECTOR
Meatballs
Stripes
Ghostbusters
Twins
Ghostbusters II
Kindergarten Cop
Dave
Junior
Father’s Day
No Strings Attached

PRODUCER
Animal House
Beethoven
Space Jam
Private Parts
Road Trip
Old School
EuroTrip
Up in the Air
I Love You Man
Ghostbusters: Afterlife#IvanReitman 🎬 pic.twitter.com/XyJRYttOUo

— Brett Gursky (@BrettGursky) February 14, 2022

Dan Aykroyd conceived Ghostbusters. But it was Ivan Reitman who was able to see the genius in Dan’s original concept. He was able to ground it and bring it to life along with Harold Ramis. There would not be a Ghostbusters without Ivan Reitman.

— Positively Ghostbusters (@PositivelyGB) February 14, 2022

Opening night of Ghostbusters at UA Plainview was like a rock concert. The place exploded with joy. It was one of the most memorable moments of my childhood. Ivan Reitman influenced everything we all love about film comedy. A true legend. https://t.co/AHKAoo1ahB

— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) February 14, 2022

In 1984, I went to see GHOSTBUSTERS in the theater every weekend… for the entire summer. It’s still the movie I’ve seen the most times. RIP Ivan Reitman.

— Elan Mastai (@elanmastai) February 14, 2022

I’m in absolute shock. I had the honor of working so closely with Ivan and it was always such a learning experience. He directed some of my favorite comedies of all time. All of us in comedy owe him so very much. Thank you for everything, Ivan. Truly. ❤️❤️ https://t.co/SGnI7OcT9s

— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) February 14, 2022

Paul Feig, who directed the all-female version of “Ghostbusters” in 2016, reflected collaborating with Reitman for the project. “It was always such a learning experience,” he wrote. “All of us in comedy owe him so very much.”

A legend. The number of great movies he made is absurd. RIP. https://t.co/1d1tWCdrcb

— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) February 14, 2022

Kumai Nanjiani, co-creator of “The Big Sick” and a film trailblazer in his own right, tweeted, “ A Legend. The number of great movies he made is absurd.”

Included in that absurd list is “Beethoven” and “Space Jam”, which Reitman produced. It’s not easy to make family movies that are actually funny to all family members. But Reitman excelled at it.

Ivan Reitman was old school in the best way, and kind. I loved working with him. It’s sad he’s gone, it makes me feel older and like my childhood movies are more faraway than ever. RIP ❤️

— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) February 14, 2022

Mindy Kaling, who worked together with Reitman on the rom-com “No Strings Attached,” noted him as being “old school in the best way,” adding, “it’s sad he’s gone, it makes me feel older and like my childhood movies are more far away than ever.”

“Tonight, the lady with the torch weeps, as do all of us at Columbia, and film lovers around the world. Ivan Reitman was an inseparable part of this studio’s legacy, but more than that he was a friend. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/saVhBoBgFG

— Ghostbusters (@Ghostbusters) February 14, 2022

Even Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, spoke out. According to CNN, Rothman said in a statement, “Tonight, the lady with the torch weeps, as do all of us at Columbia, and film lovers around the world. Ivan Reitman was an inseparable part of this studio’s legacy, but more than that he was a friend. A great talent and an even finer man; he will be dearly missed…”

Ivan instilled a love for comedy into his son, Jason Reitman, whose tribute took on a more personal tone.

“All I want is the chance to tell my father one more story,” the tweet read.

I’ve lost my hero.
All I want is the chance to tell my father one more story.
He came from a family of survivors and turned his legacy into laughter.
Thank you for the kind messages. Enjoy his movies and remember his storytelling gifts. Nothing would make him happier. pic.twitter.com/tSijfxSnLg

— Jason Reitman (@JasonReitman) February 14, 2022

Jason might not be able to fulfill that wish, but he does continue his father’s storytelling legacy. Working with his dad, Jason directed the franchise’s latest installment: “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” and has produced dark comedy cult classics like “Jennifer’s Body” and “Young Adult.”

Even the official “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” Twitter account paid its respects, saying, “See you on the other side. Rest In Peace Ivan Reitman”

See you on the other side. Rest In Peace Ivan Reitman 10/27/46 – 2/12/2022 pic.twitter.com/Bd9O5DkDz7

— Ghostbusters: Afterlife (@GBAfterlife) February 14, 2022

The world might be saddened by the loss of this icon of feel-good entertainment, but it’s only because he gave us all so so many moments that opened our hearts and brought us to laughter.

We may be a month and a half into 2022, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still take a look back at the beer year that was. If you’re anything like us, you likely tried your fair share of West Coast IPAs, fruited sours, barrel-aged porters, milkshake IPAs, pale ales, lagers, and unique, experimental beers in 2021. Hopefully, you found some absolute gems. Maybe some of them have cracked your 2022 rotation and set your year off on the right foot.

Brewers are no different. Even though they spend their days creating interesting and delicious beer recipes and then actually brewing them for their thirsty fans, they take time to sample beers from their fellow brewers and remember the best of the best. Like many of us, they sampled a ton of beers in 2021 and made notes on their favorites. That’s why we asked a handful of well-known craft beer experts, brewers, and brewing professionals to tell us their favorite beers of the year gone by.

Keep reading to see all of their picks. Many of these are annual releases, so if you missed them last year you can look out for the 2022 drops!

Pizza Port Permanent Vacay

Teddy Gowan, director of brewery operations at Societe Brewing Company in San Diego

ABV: 5%

Average Price: $16 for six-pack

Why This Beer?

Nobody does West Coast IPAs better and this one is just perfect. The subtle tropical hop character is balanced with the malt profile. I drank a few of them.

Bell’s Two Hearted Ale

Brian Jaszewski, director of product management at Sprecher Brewing Co. in Glendale, Wisconsin

ABV: 7%

Average Price: $8 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

Why This Beer?

You can’t go wrong with a classic interpretation of the style every time, and this beer has pretty much defined the style for almost 20 years. The Centennial hops make it such a great experience. Draft, cans, or bottles, this one never disappoints.

Faction Stratasbeer

Jeremy Marshall, brewmaster at Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, California

ABV: 6.9%

Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

I already can’t remember 2021 because I’m so giddy about 2022, but Faction Brewing in Alameda makes this beer called Stratasbeer that is super delicious. It’s not a hazy, but it manages to pull off those juicy, tropical fruit, and orchard grove characteristics that hazies have. It’s a marvelous yet restrained use of the Strata hop, bursting with hints of fresh strawberries, slight hamster cage, and fresh rain in the desert.

Kraemer and Kin Blonde Ale

Dan Lipke, head brewer at Clown Shoes Beer in Boston

ABV: 5%

Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

You don’t see too many blonde ales these days which is too bad because when they are good like this one, they can really hit the spot. Simple yet elegant, the slightly toasty malt balances perfectly with the light hopping. It’s slightly fuller-bodied than a standard blonde ale, making it a bit more satisfying.

The Alchemist Luscious

Rob Day, senior director of marketing at Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers in Framingham, Massachusetts

ABV: 9.2%

Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

The Alchemist Luscious is my pick. I hadn’t had this before, and it caught me immediately. The flavors of dark chocolate and cherry that they pull from the malt is purely expert.

Half Acre Burl

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

ABV: 8.5%

Average Price: $19 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

Why This Beer?

Burl by Half Acre was a standout beer in 2021 for me. You could taste a magical blend of fruity (mango, peach) notes from both the yeast and hops they used. They balanced the rustic barley sweetness expertly with the dry bitterness of the hops.

This was one of those IPAs I cracked open and could smell even before I poured it in the glass, an evident sign of a heavy dose of dry-hopping.

Liberation Cautiously Optimistic

Jamie Boalbey, director of beverage and operations at Pitfire Pizza in Los Angeles

ABV: 5.2%

Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

It’s hard to narrow this down to just one, but I really enjoyed Liberation Brewing’s Spelt Saison called Cautiously Optimistic which is also how I felt about 2021 in general. This beer is so fun to drink with rich beautiful notes of cardamom and orange blossom and a very dry finish that makes you keep coming back. I love this beer with all things cheesy.

Melvin Sour Soul Series Volume II

Jeremy Ragonese, president of Uinta Brewing in Salt Lake City, Utah

ABV: 4%

Average Price: $7 for a 16-ounce can

Why This Beer?

I encountered and enjoyed several beers in 2021 that were both impressive and noteworthy. It’s difficult to pick just one. I found Melvin’s Sour Soul Series Volume II to be an unexpected gem of a beer. It’s not something I would typically pick up from them, a four percent fruited sour. It lived up to its billing of tart and fruity, but not over-the-top.

It’s refreshing and aromatic, with flavors of juicy plum, stone fruit, and just a bit of spice.

Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome

John Swanson, brewing supervisor at New Belgium Brewing in Asheville, North Carolina

ABV: 6%

Average Price: $5 for a 550ml bottle

Why This Beer?

Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome is my choice. I hadn’t picked it up in years and was graciously reminded by a fellow brewer that this year was spot on. He was right. I think it was a mix of nostalgia, holiday cheer, and, of course, the crisp yet full body stacked with toasted malts and English hops.

Von Trapp Radler

Mike Kelly, senior brewer at Harpoon Brewery in Boston

ABV: 3.9%

Average Price: $10 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

One beer I really enjoyed over the summer was Von Trapp’s Radler out of Stowe, Vermont. I first tried this beer after a long hike, and it hit the spot. Incredibly refreshing, light, and packed with real grapefruit flavor without all the sweetness, this beer was a crusher all summer.

Zillicoah Citrine Dream

Brian Bergman, brewing director at Sycamore Brewing in Charlotte, North Carolina

ABV: 6.4%

Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

Citrine Dream from Zillicoah is my pick. I really enjoyed the interplay of American hops and tropical esters from the use of various brettanomyces strains in this beer. Tropical, fruity, floral, and very dry, which I prefer, every sip has a new flavor present itself, yet it’s approachable enough to come back for another sip.

Wayfinder Relapse Cold IPA

Adam Beauchamp, COO and co-founder at Creature Comforts Brewing Co. in Athens, Georgia

ABV: 7%

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

Why This Beer?

Wayfinder from Portland, Oregon, has created a brand new beer style in Cold IPA that has the potential to transform the American IPA landscape. Their version is piney and bitter but very, very drinkable. It is an instant classic, in my opinion.

Fair State Double Doinks

Jon Eager, research and development brewer at Indeed Brewing Company in Minneapolis

ABV: 7.9%

Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

Double Doinks by Fair State is my best of 2021. It’s so incredibly Columbus hop heavy it’s almost too much to handle. I burped that hop for hours after a single pint. It amused me.

Barrier Money IPA

Lee Ann Hahne, general manager at FlyteCo Brewing in Denver

ABV: 7.3%

Average Price: $20 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

Why This Beer?

The best beer I drank in 2021 was the Money IPA from Barrier Brewing, located in Oceanside, New York. It is a taste of home and classically bitter with citrus and a dry finish. It’s hard to beat that kind of flavor.

Zebulon Original IPA

Michael Palmer, lead innovation pilot brewer at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico, California

ABV: 7.5%

Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

One beer that stands out is the Zebulon Original IPA. A refreshing and historically accurate take on the IPA style; brewed to be extremely bitter and stored in neutral oak barrels to mimic the travel from England to India. When aged, the bitterness settles down to really open the funk from the brettanomyces. Dry hops provide some jammy and herbaceous notes.

It’s reminiscent of my favorite beer, Orval.

Zoe Kravitz is having a moment right now. She’s got Kimi, Steven Soderbergh’s new, pandemic-themed thriller, which dropped on HBO Max last weekend. And in a few weeks people will finally see her take on Catwoman in The Batman, a superhero movie so anticipated one Redditer claimed her husband is threatening to skip the birth of their child to see it opening day. Perhaps Hulu execs are feeling a little silly right now, having cancelled the High Fidelity reboot that starred Kravitz. Kravitz sure hasn’t forgotten about it.

In a new interview with Elle (as caught by Variety), the actress reflected on the streamer cancelling the show, which she executive produced, starred in, and even wrote an episode. It took on Nick Hornby’s 1995 bestseller, about a single thirtysomething record store owner and music enthusiast brooding over yet another breakup., which was already turned into a John Cusack movie in the year 2000. The Hulu version relocated it to Brooklyn and switched genders. Alas, it only lasted one season. Kravitz was pissed then and she still is.

“They didn’t realize what that show was and what it could do,” Kravitz told Elle. “The amount of letters, DMs, people on the street, and women that look like us—like, that love for the show, it meant something to people. It was a big mistake.”

After High Fidelity was cancelled in August of 2020, Kravitz did not keep quiet about her disappointment with Hulu. After actress Tessa Thompson expressed condolences in an Instagram post where Kravitz thanked the cast and crew, Kravitz responded with deep, angry sarcasm: “At least Hulu has a ton of other shows starring women of color we can watch. Oh wait.”

But at least you can still watch the show’s surviving season on Hulu. The Batman hits theaters on March 4 while Kimi streams on HBO Max.

(Via Elle and Variety)

It’s only been six years since Erin Jackson first strapped on a set of ice skates. Now she’s the best female 500-meter speedskater on the planet.

Impressive? Um, yes.

Jackson, 29, just took home gold skating the 500-meter in the Olympics for Team USA, making her the first Black woman and just the second Black athlete to win an individual Olympic medal in any speedskating event. A historic moment, for sure, but the journey that brought Jackson to that moment is fascinating in more ways than one.

BEIJING 2022: ERIN JACKSON 500M OLYMPIC CHAMPION pic.twitter.com/ZbngHg0zN1

— US Speedskating (@US Speedskating)
1644767734

First of all, despite being the No. 1 ranked skater in the women’s 500-meter going into the Olympic trials, Jackson slipped during her qualifying race and came in third. Only the top two finishers qualified for the Olympics, so she was out. However, her teammate and long-time friend Britanny Bowe, who came in first, gave up her spot so that Jackson could compete with Team USA. (“She deserves it,” said Bowe, who would already be competing in the 1000-meter and 1500-meter Olympic races.)

“I’m incredibly grateful and humbled by the kindness of @BrittanyBowe in helping me to secure a chance at reaching my goals in #Beijing2022,” Jackson wrote in an Instagram post. “She’s an amazing friend, teammate, and mentor and this is an act I’ll never forget. You can bet I’ll be the loudest voice in the oval cheering for her in the 1000 and 1500 next month.”

Considering the fact that Jackson brought home the gold, it was clearly the right call. As luck would have it, Bowe still got to compete in the 500-meter race, as the U.S. was granted a third spot in the International Skating Union’s final reallocation of places. She came in 16th.

In 2018, Erin Jackson became the first Black woman to qualify for a U.S. Olympic long-track speedskating team, just four months after she started the sport.nnShe speaks with @ahylton26 about her journey to the 2022 Winter Olympics and more tonight on @NBCNightlyNews.pic.twitter.com/qs3b4Cy8FF

— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt)
1644701400

So how did Jackson go from taking her first steps on the ice just six years ago to winning a gold medal in speedskating?

Jackson came into the sport as a world-class inline skater and artistic roller skater, so she was no stranger to gliding across a surface in boots. But according to Jackson’s speedskating coach, Ryan Shimabukuro, ice-skating and rollerblading are two different beasts.

“There is a big difference in how you deliver power through a blade on ice versus through wheels on cement or concrete,” Shimabukuro told NBC. “The timing of your push is different, how you apply force is different, your body position is different.”

Speedskating didn’t come easily, Jackson told NBC. “When I started out on ice, I was like, ‘I’m a speedskater, and this is speedskating, and why isn’t this coming easier?’” she said. “I really struggled at the beginning.”

See on Instagram

Jackson was an eager learner, however, always asking questions about how to improve and asking Shimabukuro to explain things a different way if it wasn’t clicking. In just two years, she made it to her first Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, where she placed 24th in the 500-meter event. Since then, she’s only gotten better and better, winning her third straight World Cup championship in November 2021 and now the Olympic gold in Beijing.

Congratulations, Erin Jackson, not only for making history, but for showing the world what hard work can accomplish.

And thanks to Brittany Bowe for showing us what selflessness and friendship can accomplish as well.

On Sunday, the legendary film director and producer Ivan Reitman passed away. He was 75. He left behind a long CV of hits, among them Stripes, Meatballs, Ghostbusters, Twins, Kindergarten Cop, and more. He also passed the torch to his son, Jason Reitman, who, starting with Thank You For Smoking, developed his own successful career. Jason made sure to honor his father with a moving post on social media.

“I’ve lost my hero,” Jason wrote about his father, accompanied by a photo of him as a child next to his father. “All I want is the chance to tell my father one more story. He came from a family of survivors and turned his legacy into laughter. Thank you for the kind messages. Enjoy his movies and remember his storytelling gifts. Nothing would make him happier.”

For first chunk of his career, Jason made very different films from his father — comedies, sometimes, but more geared towards the indie/art house world: Juno, Up in the Air, Young Adult, Tully, The Frontrunner. Last year, the two finally teamed up, with Ivan serving as one of the producers on Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which saw Jason directing a threequel to one of his father’s enduring classics.

Following news of Ivan Reitman’s passing, tributes poured in, including from Ghostbusters alumni. Ernie Hudson, who played Winston Zeddemore, honored the late filmmaker.

As did Dan Aykroyd, who released a statement to Deadline. “Feeling heartbreak today for Geneviève, Catherine, Caroline, Jason and family. The loss of my friend, collaborator, champion and one of the last great creative talents of the BIG SCREEN ERA crumples me,” Aykroyd wrote. “Now on Thursdays who am I gonna call?”

Super Mario RPG is one of the most beloved games ever made. An RPG for the Super Nintendo, it took a genre that was still fairly niche at the time and simplified it so non-RPG fans could get into the genre. With Mario on the cover, it had a much larger appeal to the common person, and with Final Fantasy developer Square Soft at the helm it had plenty of pedigree to pull from. The result? An arguably perfect gateway RPG game for newcomers while also being a fun time for veterans of the genre.

Unfortunately, Super Mario RPG did not break off into a multi-title franchise. A falling out between Square and Nintendo as business partners resulted in Intelligent Systems picking up the pieces to form the Paper Mario franchise. While Paper Mario is still fantastic, many fans still miss the style and characters of Super Mario RPG. They want an official sequel, but there have never been rumors of it and neither company has done much to remember the franchise besides the occasional easter egg or port.

This hasn’t stopped fans really wanting a sequel and among those who would love a Super Mario RPG 2 is director of the first game, Chihiro Fujioka. It’s been over 25 years since Fujioka worked on Super Mario RPG, and he would even go on to make different Mario RPGs with the Mario & Luigi series, but the lack of a sequel has left a hole in his resume. He wants to make one more before his career is over, and explained why Super Mario RPG in particular is something he would like to do, through a translator, in an interview with MinnMax’s Ben Hanson.

“Yeah, I would absolutely love to make one… in my career I’ve been involved with a lot of games, and I would really like my final one to be another Mario RPG game if possible.”

“I think Mario & Luigi is cool, but I would like to go back and create a Mario RPG where you’re only controlling Mario.”

While the immediate reaction to this would be to get excited about the idea of an official sequel to Super Mario RPG 2, we, unfortunately, have to put a damper on that excitement. While many fans would love to see more Mario RPG games, we’ve seen interest from Nintendo’s side to make them dwindle. Fujioka’s previous studio, Alpha Dream, went bankrupt in 2019 and Nintendo has unfortunately not shown too much interest since then to bring back the Mario & Luigi franchise. Paper Mario, also a Mario RPG franchise, has steadily moved further away from its traditional RPG roots with many fans considering The Thousand-Year Door to be the last time Paper Mario felt like a true RPG.

Ignoring the conversation about what makes something a “true RPG” the biggest hurdle would likely have to do with the fact that Square Enix is the current owner of anything related to the Super Mario RPG name. If we’re ever going to get a proper sequel then that would require Nintendo and Square Enix to work together on creating it. This is not an impossible idea, the two companies’ relationship is much better than it used to be, but it’s asking a lot for two companies as big as Nintendo and SquareEnix to get together and work on a sequel for a game that is over 25 years old now.

Pop-R&B singer Tinashe’s known for the high-concept treatments of her music videos such as “X,” “Bouncin,” and “Pasadena,” but rarely have they been as viscerally provocative as her new video for “Naturally.” Seemingly inspired by 1970s psychological horror (and its recent resurgence), the video finds Tinashe covering herself in gore for a literal bloodbath on a sun-soaked farm where she apparently slaughters some local livestock and performs choreography with a team in Western ranch regalia.

“Naturally” is the first single from the deluxe version of Tinashe’s 2021 album, 333, which adds four new songs to the singer’s second independently released album. Two of the songs also bring in new featured guests, Compton dance musician Channel Tres, and Oakland rapper Christian Blue.

In a recent interview, Tinashe talked about her pioneering, experimental sound and why she hated being categorized as “just” an R&B artist. “I hated being called an R&B star,” she said. “I really, really had a strong aversion to that. I felt that created a ceiling to my artistry that really turned me off in the early days. I didn’t want to be in that box that I felt had some type of inevitable lid on it. I’ve always honestly classified myself as a pop star. That’s always been what I see for myself, and then I think people’s interpretation of what that means is maybe where it gets convoluted because some people think pop means mainstream. Like, I don’t know, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, or something. But I think that’s not what that really means. To me, it’s more like what you embody more so than, I think, what it sonically sounds like.”

Watch Tinashe’s “Naturally” video above.

With the 2022 NBA All-Star Game just a week away, the Philadelphia 76ers announced on Monday that James Harden would sit out through the All-Star break as he continues to work his way back from the hamstring injury that kept him out in Brooklyn prior to the trade.

As such, NBA commissioner Adam Silver was tasked with naming a third replacement player, after Dejounte Murray and LaMelo Ball were added to the roster in place of Draymond Green and Kevin Durant. There were a few players with strong candidacies, with two as the expected favorites for the suddenly open spot: Cavs center Jarrett Allen and Raptors forward Pascal Siakam.

Later on Monday afternoon, the league announced Allen would join the squad and represent the home team alongside Darius Garland.

Allen is averaging 16.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, with career highs in points and rebounds for the surprising Cavs, who sit in third in the East at 35-22. Allen’s presence on the defensive end has been particularly important for Cleveland, as he’s the anchor alongside Evan Mobley for one of the NBA’s best defenses. Siakam likewise had a strong statistical case for a spot, but it’s hard to argue with Allen, particularly when considering he plays for the hometown team as well.

Considering the All-Star rosters were very guard heavy, it’s also not a surprise that they’d look to add another center to the mix, with Allen joining Team LeBron’s roster in place of Harden — who was rather hilariously the last pick in the draft last week.

Multiple times per week, our TV and film experts will list the most important ten streaming selections for you to pop into your queues. We’re not strictly operating upon reviews or accrued streaming clicks (although yes, we’ve scoured the streaming site charts and ratings) but, instead, upon those selections that are really worth noticing amid the churning sea of content. There’s a lot out there, after all, and your time is valuable.

10: (TIE) Nightmare Alley (Searchlight Pictures film on HBO Max)

Guillermo del Toro assembled a wildly impressive ensemble cast (Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman, and more) here, and of course, that’s not the sole reason that one should hop on board a project. Yet this movie (which has bagged four Oscar nominations) makes it easy to get absorbed in this carnival world (set in the late 1930s and 1940s) where Cooper’s leading man (who has already done some shady things) determines to pull the wool over the eyes of the extremely wealthy. It’s atmospheric, noir-soaked, and even worth the 2+ hour runtime.

10: (TIE) Reacher (Amazon Prime series)

The controversial Tom Cruise casting of the movies doesn’t exactly get erased with this series, but the show takes great pains to be more authentic with the leading man’s hulking stature. Alan Ritchson is 6’2″ and comes by the “hulking” detail honestly, and he picks up with this adaptation of Lee Child’s bestselling novels about the vet who’s having an interesting time with civilian life. Naturally, there are shadowy forces at work here because that’s how this story rolls, so cue the conspiracies.

9. Spencer (NEON movie on Hulu)

Kristen freaking Stewart finally (and fully) puts her Twilight days behind her in this film, in which she portrays Princess Diana and earned an Oscar nomination. The film revolves around a pivotal few days towards the end of her ailing marriage to Prince Charles, and Stewart fully pulls out the emotional stops. It’s a gutsy-as-hell career move and fully watchable, all while knowing that this film made the British royals steam under the collar, as with The Crown.

8. The Tinder Swindler (Netflix film)

This selection grew popular right ahead of Valentine’s Day, hopefully in an effort to save you from running to the apps on a very commercial holiday. Welcome to the sordid true-crime tale of the self-dubbed “Prince of Diamonds,” a faux billionaire playboy (Simon Leviev, actual name Shimon Hayu) who cruised Tinder, leaving women wondering what happened after they opened their wallets to him. This guy even succeeded in fooling people into thinking he was the son of real-life multi-millionaire Lev Leviev. Yikes.

7. Peacemaker (HBO Max series)

John Cena’s insufferable, super-patriotic The Suicide Squad character may have annoyed everyone in that movie, but he’s back and doing everything to entertain through campiness and multiple dance sequences. One of them even puts Cena in tighty whities, so here’s to James Gunn for adding some Eagly to the mix for unconditional love.

6. The Power of the Dog (Netflix film)

Oscar nominations all around for this film, which stars Benedict Cumberbatch’s a sinister, charismatic rancher who’s menacing side comes out in accordance with his own insecurities and toxic masculinity. He terrorizes his sister-in-law and her son, and both Jesse Plemons and Kristen Dunst won acting nominations along with Cumberbatch himself. Director Jane Campion earned accolades as well, so catch up on this one soon.

5. Pam & Tommy (Hulu series)

Pam & Tommy is a gloriously decadent show that revels in 1990s debauchery but also doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations about consent and misogyny. Pamela Anderson got a raw deal here, all while Tommy Lee and Rand Gauthier’s completely dumb beef worked high-stakes collateral damage upon her. The cast pulls out the stops, as does the incredible hair and makeup team. Plus, Jason Mantzoukas does the talking-penis thing. You can’t lose here.

4. All Of Us Are Dead (Netflix series)

Expect some Squid Game parallels to arise while you watch this K-drama series that rose to the peak of Netflix’s global charts immediately upon release (a few weeks ago). This show comes with the added bonus (?) of zombies while high school students try their hardest to survive the difficult conditions while realizing that there’s no hope of rescue on the horizon. Binging is the name of the game here, so clear your schedule.

3. Inventing Anna (Netflix limited series)

Julia Garner can’t be stopped after dominating the screen in Ozark, and she’s here with a wild, hybrid, mysterious accent and wigs and glasses and a master con-woman character who takes everyone on an intense ride, as inspired by Jessica Pressler’s New York Magazine article. The degree of commitment of Anna Delvey (real name Anna Sorokin) to the long con is nearly as impressive as those who clung to her coattails and got burned. There are no winners here, but there’s entertainment.

2. Euphoria (HBO series on HBO Max)

Guys, it is not looking good for Zendaya’s Rue as she attempts to drag herself out of her latest drug binge. After that happens, she’s got more troubles lurking in the background, and there are still a few more episodes to go before season finale time. Before that happens, we have a lot of theories to consider and musical considerations until next week’s edition with a next-season renewal in the cards.

1. The Woman in the House Across the Street From the Girl in the Window (Netflix series)

The critics were not wild about this show, but the people love it. You’ve undoubtedly heard of (or even seen) the similarly titled Girl On The Train, which has nothing to do with this film, although the spookiness arrives in a darkly comedic manner here. Kristen Bell’s the woman with the wine in the window, and she grows entrenched in observing the lives of her new neighbor and daughter. Sit down for that finale, too. Hoo boy.

On Sunday, the Rams defeated the Bengals to win the Super Bowl. This marked the end of the 2021-22 NFL season, and it was also the final game that everyone had the opportunity to say goodbye to NFL legend John Madden. The famous coach, commentator, and video game creator died late December 2021 and the NFL used what was left of the season to honor him.

EA Sports, the company that Madden himself helped make famous with the Madden NFL series of video games, also gave a final goodbye to the former NFL coach on Monday. It posted a tribute video to its YouTube channel where it spends seven minutes letting the people who got to know John Madden over the years remember him for his work on the football field, in the TV booth, and what he did to make the video game so special.

It’s a well-made tribute that features players who once played under Madden such as Fred Biletnikoff, people who shared the booth with him like Al Michaels, and current legends who looked up to him like Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes. It’s another way that everyone is able to remember the influence that one person had on not just the sport of football, but the presentation of the sport itself. Without John Madden, the way we enjoy the sport would look completely different today and his impact is hard to be overstated.