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Finding the perfect gift for the movie lover or TV fan in your life should, in theory, be pretty easy. After all, there are hundreds of shows streaming right now and dozens of blockbusters available at our fingertips — there’s got to be something for even the pickiest of people on your shopping list, right?

Then again, having so many options means sifting through the junk to get to the hidden gems and one-of-a-kind memorabilia can be, well, kind of exhausting. Even Santa doesn’t have to do this much work. That’s why this year, UPROXX is dropping a handy buying guide for any cinephile and TV fanatic on your list. From choice comics to prep them for upcoming Marvel storylines to recipes for biscuits, movie pass subscriptions, quirky coffee table books, show-specific apparel, and more — we guarantee you’ll find something worth adding to your holiday cart here.

Hawkeye by Fraction & Aja: The Saga of Barton and Bishop

This new trade paperback collects all 22 issues of the iconic comic run by Matt Fraction and David Aja that inspired the upcoming Disney+ Hawkeye series. Acclaimed for its sharp writing, superb characterization, and inventive storytelling, Hawkeye is the story that put the character of Clint Barton back on the map — and made Kate Bishop a household name. Even if you’re not familiar with comics, you’ll want to pick this book up. We promise you’ll be hooked.

Buy here

Ted Lasso DIY Biscuits

Even if you’re not great in the kitchen, Ted Lasso’s biscuit recipe is easy peasy, lemon squeezy. It literally has four ingredients in it, requires minimal kitchen utensils to make, and the delicious product is sure to delight almost anyone, even if they’re not a fan of the show. They make a great host/hostess gift, a thank you to your mailman, or a perfect snack for Santa. The official Ted Lasso biscuit recipe can be found at The Kitchn, and those perfect pink candy boxes can be found all over the internet. We like the ones from Nashville Wraps as they can hold a sizable portion of buttery biscuits, but they’re also small enough to evoke the feeling of having biscuits with the boss. Ted Lasso totally believes that you can make these.

Buy here

Criterion Channel Year Subscription

Film Twitter has been singing the praises of this carefully-curated streaming collection for years but there’s truly something for everyone here – whether you’re a proud cinephile or just starting to dive into the world of moviemaking. Themed collections, director-spotlighted streaming lists, arthouse finds, international fare, and of course, the classics – they can all be found here for a price tag that is shockingly reasonable considering all of the incredible storytelling at your fingertips. If you know someone who calls themselves a film fanatic and they don’t have this subscription, do them a favor this year.

Buy here

Squid Game Icons Heliconia Hoodie

Yes, it’s still a travesty that virtually no Squid Game merch was available in time for Halloween this year, but let’s get real: everyone still wants a piece of the hottest show of 2021. Now, Netflix has a bunch of options depending on which side you fall on – player or guard – but this brightly-colored hoodie feels like the kind of statement piece any TV fan would want in their closet.

Buy here

Schitt’s Creek Colored Pencils from Pop Colors

Got a Schitt’s Creek fan in your life who also loves to dabble in the arts? This delightful set of colored pencils from Pop Colors makes a perfect stocking stuffer. Twelve vibrant pencils with color names like “Rosebud Motel”, “Fold in the Cheese”, and “The Crows Have Eyes III” will have your friends and family giving you the warmest regards for your excellent taste in gifts.

Maybe your friends and family haven’t yet gotten around to watching Schitt’s Creek? Pop Colors has you covered as they also offer pencil sets for other classic and beloved TV series such as Parks and Recreation, Breaking Bad, and The Office.

Buy here

The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe

If you’re a hardcore Marvel fan, you’ll want to pick up this massive celebration of a decade’s worth of MCU secrets, stories, and special moments. Written by Tara Bennett and Paul Terry, it’s the definitive bible for the superhero franchise that changed — and continues to change — moviemaking. Bennett and Terry uncover untold casting stories, new interviews, shocking revelations about some of the biggest Marvel films, and more.

Buy here

Movie Scratch-Off Poster

When you think “scratch-offs” you probably think of gas station lottery tickets but this piece of film memorabilia is, dare we say, chic? A collection of 100 of the best movies of all time – everything from Star Wars to Jaws, The Shawshank Redemption, Get Out, and more are featured here – this scratch-off poster sports minimalistic miniature posters of some of our favorite films. Use it as an eye-catching piece of artwork for your walls or as a fun answer to the age-old question: “What should I watch tonight?”

Buy here

The Matrix Trilogy Box Set

Considering we’re about to dive back down the rabbit hole again, this incredibly robust box set feels like a must-have for any film fan. It red-pills viewers again with a hi-def version of each of the three films in the original trilogy, pairing them with a documentary on the making of The Matrix, an animated series of short films that builds out the Wachowski siblings’ universe, hours of commentary from the directors and casts, music videos, original artwork, storyboards, and more. Whether you’re digging for clues about the next installment or just wanting to relive the experience of watching a film that changed cinema forever, this is a must-have gift.

Buy here

D&D Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount

Fans of Critical Role and Dungeons and Dragons can now create their own adventures in a familiar setting with this campaign book, featuring new guides, brand new creatures, and lots of familiar locations for Critical Role fans. Co-written by Critical Role Dungeon Master Matthew Mercer, it’s the perfect addition to your D&D adventures. How do you want to do this?

Buy here

Accidentally Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson has gained a film fan following thanks to the imaginatively idiosyncratic worlds he creates on-screen. From grand hotels to fox dens, summer camps, and small-town newspapers – he’s able to build colorful, quaint locales that match the quirkiness of his characters. This book asks the question: “What if a Wes Anderson movie came to life?” It answers it too, with a unique, conversation-starting travel guide to hidden gems and unusual landmarks around the world, all of which have that essence of peculiarity and otherness that Anderson features so heavily in his films. The director gives the book a foreword, and each stunning destination comes complete with a backstory in case you ever think of visiting for yourself. It’s a loving ode to a filmmaker’s body of work that doubles as inspiration for your next real-life adventure.

Buy here

Dune: House Secrets Boardgame

Let the spice (jokes) flow while you play this intricate, beautifully-designed board game based on director Denis Villeneuve’s theatrical adaptation. Whether you fully grasped the complicated, nuanced hierarchy at play in the futuristic feudal society of Dune or you just remember the parts with sandworms and Jason Momoa playing a character named Duncan Idaho, you’ll have a good time parsing out the mythology and backstory of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic. And, since we look to be getting a sequel to the film, this board game can also serve as a world-building primer for even more space adventures.

Buy here

The Story by A’Ziah ‘Zola’ King

In case you didn’t know, the A24 shop has some fantastic, bespoke merch available for film fans looking for a more sophisticated way to celebrate their favorite studio picks. Personally, we love this interpretation of the Twitter thread that took the world by storm in 2015. Authored by A’Ziah King, or Zola as you may know her, this compilation of tweets reads like poetry… if any of the literary greats had the courage to write about stripper-trips-gone-wrong. It features a foreword by Roxanne Gay and an afterword by director Janicza Bravo, who helmed the film version of this tale that dropped earlier this year. Study it before watching the movie or keep it on your coffee table so you can launch into an epic re-telling of the road trip from hell whenever guests visit.

Buy here

Funko Pop Advent Calendar – The Office

Serial bingers of The Office know that it is legit the gift that keeps on giving. Watching the classic sitcom over and over again is seriously one of the most soothing things on the planet. So, if you’re a fan of The Office—or have a fan in your life—this Funko advent calendar makes sure that the good times keep rolling right on through your very own Margarita-Karaoke Christmas bash. (Seriously, if you throw one of those, please make sure we’re on the invite list.)

For each of the 24 days leading up to Christmas, there’s a little Funko Dunder Mifflinite waiting to surprise. Just pop the box open and have some fun. That’s what she said. Er… that’s what Santa said?

Buy here

Fun City: New York City And The Movies That Made It

New York is a city that means something different to everyone who’s been there, but the version of it that exists on film is iconic thanks to a handful of filmmakers who’ve spent years crafting the Big Apple through their lens. This book looks at how some of those movies shaped the city we know and love today, through gorgeous photos and in-depth interviews with names like Martin Scorsese, Greta Gerwig, Jennifer Westfeldt, Noah Baumbach, and more. It’s an ode to the Big Apple, yes, but also to the art of movie-making and it’s the perfect gift for cinephiles with an affection for some of the greats.

Buy here

Stranger Things “Upside Down” Lego Set

It’s hard to believe that we have been living in a Stranger Things-less world for almost three whole years. The fourth season is slated to premiere at some point in the spring of 2022, but that leaves a few months to wait for the continued adventures of our friends from Hawkins, Indiana. This Lego set is sure to help pass the time as your giftee ponders the still-unsolved mysteries of the Upside Down while assembling this masterpiece. Sadly, this set does not come with assistance from our favorite babysitter, Steve Harrington. But it’s still pretty great.

Buy here

Chicago-based trio Horsegirl may been composed of musicians still in their late teens, but they’ve already made major waves in music since forming in 2019. Their bellowing vocals and fuzzy chords resonate with indie lovers, earning them a chance to perform at Pitchfork Music Festival this year and capture a sizeable following. Now returning with a new single and an exciting slew of tour dates, Horsegirl share the “Billy” video.

Like their previously releases singles, “Billy” boasts droning guitars, warm harmonies, and the tangible chemistry of the friendship between each band members. About the new single, which marks the first release of the record label Matador, Horsegirl said:

“There was a period of last year where the three of us spent every day together writing and recording. It was during this time, when we practically lived in Penelope’s basement, that ‘Billy’ was written. Penelope had recently read about Nick Drake‘s alternate tunings prompting her to detune her guitar, while Nora overlaid a rhythmic vocal line detailing the life of a fictional character, Billy. At the time, we had been listening to a lot of New Zealand underground bands (80’s/90’s Flying Nun). With that scrappiness in mind, we worked the rest of the song out through improvising together, and ‘Billy’ quickly fell into place.”

The visual alongside “Billy” was filmed on a rainy day in Chicago with Horsegirl’s close friends. “This video is a love letter to our city and friends,” they said about the visual. “The song is a love letter to past music scenes we wish we could have witnessed. Please listen to ‘Billy’ in your kitchen with a group of good friends and dance along — we can’t wait to share it with you.”

Watch Horsegirl’s “Billy” video above and find their 2022 tour dates below.

03/16/2022 — Austin, TX @ SXSW
03/17/2022 — Austin, TX @ SXSW
03/19/2022 — Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA
03/20/2022 — Washington, DC @ DC9
03/22/2022 — New York, NY @ Market Hotel

After a run of dates in 2021 that included supporting slots for both Tame Impala and Death Cab For Cutie, Perfume Genius has announced a new North American tour for 2022. In many of the stops, it’ll give fans the first opportunity to catch songs off of 2020’s excellent Set My Heart On Fire Immediately.

The way these songs come across live is inextricably tied to their creation, as Perfume Genius’ Mike Hadreas explained to Uproxx last year:

“The whole record, I was imagining performing it live. It’s about being outside and it’s about connection; it’s about the people, and all the ideas that are formulating around performance, and how I was going to get the music to people beyond just releasing it. It’s hard. That’s how musicians sustain themselves really, touring is how you make money. I’m sure there’s a way for me to perform here, inside. Some people are more natural at pointing the camera at themselves in their house and going. And I can still do that. But I just had different ideas for what it was going to be.”

Tickets for the tour go on sale this Friday 11/15 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased here. Check out the full tour schedule below.

03/20/2022 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
03/21/2022 — San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
03/23/2022 — Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
03/24/2022 — New Haven, CT @ College Street Music Hall
03/25/2022 — Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
03/26/2022 — Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre
03/28/2022 — Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom
03/29/2022 — Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
03/30/2022 — Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
04/01/2022 — Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrew’s Hall
04/02/2022 — Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre
04/03/2022 — Montreal, QC @ Théâtre Rialto
04/05/2022 — Boston, MA @ Royale
04/06/2022 — Holyoke, MA @ Gateway City Arts
04/07/2022 — New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre

Death Cab For Cutie is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The RX is Uproxx Music’s stamp of approval for the best albums, songs, and music stories throughout the year. Inclusion in this category is the highest distinction we can bestow, and signals the most important music being released throughout the year. The RX is the music you need, right now.

Silk Sonic’s origin story dates back to the European leg of Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic Tour. Anderson .Paak served as the opening act for the string of shows and it’s here that Silk Sonic’s funky, free-spirited roots were planted. More than four years later, the tourmates-turned-good-friends delivered what will undoubtedly be one of 2021’s most memorable albums with An Evening With Silk Sonic. This brief, but rich musical experience, is birthed out of a few things: Bruno and .Paak’s trajectory in their careers, the combination of their respective inspirations, and a schedule that was unexpectedly freed up due to the coronavirus pandemic.

An Evening With Silk Sonic is a unique spectacle that Bruno and .Paak were kind enough to release in a format that allows us to infinitely experience this magic. From the very moment that the curtains open and Bootsy Collins’ ethereal voice seeps out, Silk Sonic coasts with no regard for distractions and an incredible display of showmanship. Collins’ multiple appearances on An Evening With Silk Sonic are key as it’s an endorsement that requires both acknowledgment and respect. Bootsy Collins, who rose to fame beside James Brown, stands as one of the front names in funk’s history. That’s on top of inductions to the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame as well as being recognized as one of the top bassists of all time.

That’s exactly what makes An Evening With Silk Sonic so special. The idea that a mere collection of jam sessions beautifully produced a body of work created in the glory of greats from the 1970s. “After Last Night,” which supplies help from Thundercat and Bootsy Collins, balances sensual and soulful with funky and yearnful. Bruno and .Paak lay stomach-flat with feet to the sky on cloud nine after an unforgettable experience with the woman of their dreams. “If I still had my phone, I’d call every girl I know / And tell them goodbye,” the duo sings blinded by love. “Cars, clothes, diamonds, and gold / Anything you want, any place you want.” This dramatic account of surefire love after one encounter is soon greeted with an equally-dramatic display of despair and sadness on “Smokin’ Out The Window” after both singers find out their newfound romance is nothing but a sham. That’s exactly how Silk Sonic’s show is supposed to be: exaggerated, hyperbolic, and melodramatic. It’s a quality that .Paak solidifies on that song. “Look here, baby I hope you find whatever it is that you need,” he says. “But I also hope your triflin’ ass is walking ‘round barefoot in these streets!”

The theatrics behind Silk Sonic’s new album, when taken from the viewpoint of Bruno and .Paak’s respective discographies, is a clash of 24K Magic and Yes Lawd!. The intentional blast to the past intertwines itself with dressed to the nines cockiness on An Evening With Silk Sonic. .Paak leads a ridiculously confident and infectiously good declaration of self-excellence on “Fly As Me,” one that also crowns a lucky woman with a top-notch title of her own. “I’m tryna love, is you gon’ love me back?” .Paak quips on the track. Towards the backend of the album, Silk Sonic gets lost in gambling and the other addicting aspects of Las Vegas on “777.” If you needed any proof that Bruno and .Paak could be the life of the party, “777” is both evidence of that and an enticing invitation to join them in some high-risk/high-reward fun.

A large part of Silk Sonic’s success lives behind the scenes. Critically-acclaimed producers and songwriters James Fauntleroy and D’Mile live within the notes of the album. Fauntleroy co-wrote three of the album’s nine songs while D’Mile co-wrote and co-produced each one in addition to delivering background vocals and contributions to the project’s instrumentation. Furthermore, Babyface’s contribution to “Put On A Smile,” a song dedicated to putting on a front through heartbreak, as well as that from others throughout the album, are notable in their own right. Together, they emphasize Bruno and .Paak’s strive to make An Evening With Silk Sonic as perfect and flawless as possible. The freedom of the album’s jam session contributes to the rawness and true spirit of the project while help from the industry’s best ensure that its rough edges aren’t too sharp.

Long story short, Silk Sonic did it. An Evening With Silk Sonic is fun, charismatic, and ambitious in all the best ways. Sure, the sonics of this project aren’t particularly new, but it’s a change in the wind direction in today’s R&B/soul landscape. And yes, maybe the album could’ve been a bit longer, but according to D’Mile every song Silk Sonic and company created appears on the album, except one. Bruno and .Paak gave us everything that had for their first collaborative effort. Soon enough, fans from all over will be able to spend an evening with Silk Sonic when the duo (hopefully) goes on tour. Once that comes to an end, An Evening With Silk Sonic will be capsuled as a moment in time for years to come. So let’s enjoy the great music and make room for the memories that will arrive with it because An Evening With Silk Sonic won’t be forever.

An Evening With Silk Sonic is out now via Atlantic/Aftermath. Get it here.

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

Laura Ingraham isn’t generally known for her comedy, but a viral clip from the November 15 episode of “The Ingraham Angle” has people rolling.

Ingraham was chatting with author Raymond Arroyo, a regular guest on her show, about the supposed popularity of “un-woke’ television programming. Arroyo asserted, “There is a reason people are in love with Yellowstone, Laura. It is in an antidote to the politics and all those woke storylines in so many shows today.”

Then he added, “I was watching an episode of ‘You,’ where measles came up…”

Ingraham interrupted him: “When did I mention measles?”

Arroyo was referring to the Netflix show ‘You,’ and he kept repeating the name of the show to clear up the confusion. But Ingraham kept thinking he was talking about her show.

“We have never done a measles and vaccine episode,” she said. “Is this a joke? I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“It was on You,” Arroyo repeated. “It was on You.”

“Raymond, I have never had measles, what are you talking about?” she said. “This is stupid.”

---

And it just kept going:

“It was an episode of a show, Laura.”

“What’s it called?”

“You! You! It’s called You.”

“I’ve never done a show on measles!”

“It is a show called ‘You’ on Netflix.”

“There’s a show called Laura Ingraham on Netflix…what are you talking about?”

Just watch:

Abbott: Who is on first!nCostello: I’m asking YOU who’s on first.nAbbott: That’s the man’s name.nCostello: That’s who’s name?nAbbott: Yes.nCostello: Well go ahead and tell me.nAbbott: That’s it.nCostello: That’s who?nAbbott: Yes.pic.twitter.com/ep6afGTUzH

— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy)
1637065894

Seriously, it’s an SNL sketch.

Some people thought for sure that the whole thing was scripted, which is entirely possible.

The funniest thing about it, though, is that it’s fairly emblematic of how conversations go on The Laura Ingraham Show. A guest says something, Ingraham reacts, vapid debate ensues, and Ingraham repeatedly doubles down on whatever she’s wrong about. That part is hilarious.

Now people are torn between thinking it’s real and thinking it’s scripted and both options seem to make sense. If you weren’t familiar with the show “You,” you could easily believe that Ingraham was legitimately confused. Then again, the likelihood that someone in media would be unfamiliar with one of Netflix’s top five shows seems low, but you never know.

Penn Badgley, the star of “You” even weighed in on the debate on Twitter, writing, “Definitely a bit. His delivery is great tho.”

Definitely a bit. His delivery is great thohttps://twitter.com/jaylawrence91/status/1460581564023283714u00a0u2026

— Penn Badgley (@PennBadgley)
1637090019

Either way, the clip was entertaining. If nothing else, it was a successful publicity stunt, since it got people of all stripes talking.

(However, if we’re going to talk about Laura Ingraham’s show and the Fox News Channel in general, let’s remember to mention their significant contributions to the dismantling of America and destruction of civil society. No amount of comedy should distract us from that reality.)

Thanks for the laugh, though.

In many ways, a joint tour between Warren Ellis and Nick Cave has been a long time coming. Ellis has been a backbone member in Cave’s band, The Bad Seeds, for decades now. After he contributed violin to several songs on the 1994 album Let Love In, he went on to become a full-time member of the band, and is one of best-known members aside from Nick himself. Cave and Ellis also broke off on their own for the side project, Grinderman, back in 2006, and have worked together on several scores for film and TV.

But despite their long history, the pair have never toured North America together as a duo, and now, they’re changing that with a run of shows following the release of their early 2021 album, Carnage. After first letting fans know about the new album in January of this year, Cave and Ellis surprise released the record at the end of February, but news of a tour didn’t come until now. Tickets go on sale 11/19 via nickcave.com, so fans can reserve their spot starting at 10 AM local time. Check out the full dates below, which kick off in March of next year.

03/01 — Asheville, NC @ Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
03/04 — Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theatre
03/05 — Austin, TX @ ACL Live at Moody Theater
03/06 — Austin, TX @ ACL Live at Moody Theater
03/09 — Los Angeles, CA @ Shrine Auditorium
03/13 — Oakland, CA @ Oakland Paramount Theatre of the Arts
03/14 — Oakland, CA @ Oakland Paramount Theatre of the Arts
03/17 — Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
03/20 — Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre
03/22 ‚ Boston, MA @ Boch Center/Wang Theatre
03/24 — Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre
03/25 — Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre
03/27 — New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
03/28 — New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
03/31 — Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
04/02 — Montreal, QC @ Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
04/03 — Montreal, QC @ Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier

Hailing from Reading, PA, talented rapper Beanz has already proved herself a force to be reckoned with. After flaunting her talent on a Netflix show and picking up a massive following with her off-the-cuff freestyles, Beanz now takes over the latest installment of Uproxx Sessions to deliver a captivating rendition of her recent single “Wake Me Up When I’m Dreaming.”

Beanz hit up Uproxx Studios for a performance of an inspiring track off her just-released album Tables Turn. The number kicks off with the strum of a hallow acoustic guitar before a revved-up beat drops. Beanz’s steady and methodical flow follows shortly thereafter. The rapper fires off verses about surpassing the exceptions of those who judge her — and brushing off haters as she rises to fame.

The swaggering rendition arrived after a busy year for Beanz. She originally gained popularity with an appearance on the Netflix series Rhythm + Flow in 2019, where she impressed the show’s judges — Cardi B, Chance The Rapper, and T.I. — with her hard-hitting freestyle. Since then, the rapper has been steadily dropping new tracks and sharing even more of her freestyles to social media. Now, the rapper is celebrating the release of her album Tables Turn, which features artists like Benny The Butcher, Dizzy Wright, and Eric Bellinger.

Watch Beanz’s performance of “Wake Me Up When I’m Dreaming” on Uproxx Sessions above.

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

Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

When reports first surfaced of just how entrenched in volatile, “frat boy” culture game studio Activision Blizzard was earlier this year, the information revealed to the public was so shocking it felt as if there were no additional thresholds of wrongdoing the company could breach. Among the many accusations lobbed at the company by the State of California were those of unsafe labor practices and sexual misconduct and gender-based discrimination so abundant and intense it led to several women leaving the company and one employee taking her own life. However, a recent report published by The Washington Journal has unfortunately revealed these grievances were merely the beginning, and Activision Blizzard employees are once again taking a stand.

According to The Washington Journal’s report, not only did Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick know about the company’s history of sexual and gender-based violence, he actively covered it up and withheld information from the company’s board of directors and government officials. In addition, the report alleged Kotick also has a history of threatening women, with a story surfacing from 2006 where Kotick reportedly told a female employee he would have her killed. Ultimately, Kotick resolved the matter out of court.

Prior to this report, Kotick has been vocal both about his ignorance to any toxicity at Activision Blizzard as well as how he is attempting to reform the company, volunteering to take a substantial pay cut as well as cancelling BlizzCon in order “to take the time to reimagine what a BlizzCon event of the future could look like” following the allegations. The company also renamed one of its most iconic characters after news surfaced he was named after an alleged sexual predator who worked for the company. Understandably, however, Activision Blizzard employees are demanding more.

In response to the shocking news, Washington Post reporter Shannon Liao tweeted that several Activision Blizzard employees have confirmed they will be partaking in a digital walkout today in an attempt to pressure Kotick to resign from his position as well as advocate for an employee-appointed third party that reviews the company’s behavior to be put in place. Shortly after her initial tweet, Liao added there will also be an in-person walkout meeting held at the Irvine, California campus at 12 PM PT, where employees will rally for additional reforms.

Unfortunately, it seems the case with Activision Blizzard is merely all one, large developing story, with more to come as events unfold.

Taylor Swift has been more into pop music in recent years (and in even more recent years, folk), but she began her music career firmly in the country lane. Red, though, was a transitional effort for Swift, as it saw her experimenting in other genres, and with its follow-up, 1989, Swift went full-blown pop. So, it’s not surprising that Swift hasn’t been a major player on the country charts since Red, but now Red (Taylor’s Version) is making her one again.

As Billboard notes, on the new Country Airplay chart dated November 20, the Chris Stapleton-featuring “I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” debuts at No. 23. That’s Swift’s highest placement on the chart since Red in 2013 and her second-highest debut among her 39 songs on the chart, after “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” which started at its peak at No. 13 in September 2012.

Swift recently said of the song, “[Co-writer Lori McKenna and I] wanted this song to be like a comedic, tongue-in-cheek, funny, not caring what anyone thinks about you sort of break-up song, because there are a lot of different types of heartbreak songs on Red. Some of them are very sincere, some of them are very stoic and heartbreaking and sad. We wanted this to be the moment where I was like, ‘I don’t care about anything.’ And we wanted to make people laugh with it, and we wanted it to be sort of a drinking song, and I think that that’s what it ended up being.”

Red (Taylor’s Version) is out now via Republic. Get it here.

After the last blind tasting I did with dark rum, I realized I need to drink more dark rum. It’s great, nuanced alcohol that deserves just as much space on any bar cart as any whisk(e)y. To that end, let’s talk a little bit more about some dark rums and rank them.

Dark rum, like whiskey, is aged in oak, which imparts both deep flavors and color. At the end of the day, we’re talking about a very similar process just with different ingredients at the base of the spirit. In this case, sugar cane by-products instead of grains. After that, the process is very similar from the distillation to the aging to the bottling. Hence, the deep similarities that run between a well-aged rum and whiskey.

To that end, I’m calling out ten dark rums we should all be drinking more of. These are ranked according to their flavor and all cost less than $50 (though some brush right up against that barrier). Let’s get into it!

10. Angostura 7

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $28

The Rum:

While Trinidad and Tobago’s Angostura is probably best known for its iconic bitters, don’t sleep on their deep bench of rums. Their seven-year-old expression is a really solid entry. The juice is aged for at least seven years in ex-bourbon before it’s blended, filtered, proofed, and bottled with no sugary or spicy additives.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a mix of maple syrup, bitter cacao, buttery toffee, oak char, and rich vanilla up top. The sip has an espresso bitterness next to more cacao powder with a really creamy vanilla nature plus a slight Christmas spice sharpness. All of that combines on the slow end into a Christmas cake vanilla pudding dusted with coffee and cacao … kind of like a crème brûlée tiramisu.

Bottom Line:

This rum has no business being this cheap. Seriously, this could cost twice as much and no one would bat an eye. It’s tasty, mixable, and sippable.

9. El Dorado 12

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $35

The Rum:

This iconic Guyanan rum is made from Demerara sugar. The blend is built from rums off three different types of stills. Those spirits go into barrels that age for at least 12 years before they’re vatted, proofed, and bottled.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is full of dark and rich molasses syrup that’s cut with plums, cinnamon, and almonds that all combine for a type of sweet candy. The palate really holds onto that sweetness as dates, raisins, eggnog spice, rich vanilla, and slightly sticky and sweet tobacco drive the taste towards a semi-sweet yet warm mid-palate. The finish edges away from the spice and warmth back towards the sweet, dark fruits, leaving you with a rush of dark and syrupy candy.

Bottom Line:

This is the perfect rum for anyone with a sweet tooth. It’s a great dessert pour and rules over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s also a nice late-night sipper if you’re into the bolder dark rums.

8. Santa Teresa 1796

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $46

The Rum:

The Venezuelan rum is a blend of rums aged from four to 35 years in former Spanish sherry and brandy barrels. Those key barrels are hand-selected for their depth and then married into this masterful rum.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a clear sense of honey on the nose with hints of dark chocolate and a touch of red fruit next to oak. The palate leans into honey as the vanilla kicks in with a creamy edge next to green bananas, toasted coconut, wet cedar, and a little more dark chocolate. The end is pretty short but stays tropical, soft, and full of fruit.

Bottom Line:

This feels like a solid cocktail base that also happens to work well as a sipper on a few rocks. It’s not reinventing the wheel, but it hits high marks without costing too much.

7. Mount Gay Black Barrel

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $40

The Rum:

You can’t really talk about rum and not talk about Barbados and Mount Gay. The distillery is the oldest rum distillery in the world and Barbados is known as the “birthplace” of the spirit. This expression is first aged in ex-bourbon barrels before being blended and finished in heavily-charred oak, giving the sip an incredible sense of depth.

Tasting Notes:

This is an even-handed rum. Notes of lemon-lime pop next to roasted nuts and plenty of sharp, dark spice. The palate delivers a hint of bourbon vanilla then carries on through notes of sweet tropical fruits, more citrus, thick molasses, plenty of Christmas spice, and a clear sense of bitter charred oak. The fattiness from the nuts marries that aforementioned bitterness as the warmth from the spice closes out the sip.

Bottom Line:

This is the perfect on the rocks rum, especially if you’re beachside. It’s super easy-drinking, has enough depth to keep you engaged, and is always a delight.

6. Bacardi 10

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $42

The Rum:

This is Bacardi’s high-end expression that’s crazy cheap. The rum is aged for ten long years in lightly charred oak before its charcoal filtered and brought down to proof, creating an ultra-refined expression.

Tasting Notes:

This opens with a duo of very soft leather next to a basket full of tropical fruits. The palate is light but offers a pan full of Bananas Foster with plenty of brown sugar and holiday spice with a slight touch of dried fruits. That butter drives the mid-palate towards a finish brimming with old cellar cobwebs and a nice layer of vanilla-laced tobacco.

Bottom Line:

This feels a little like Bacardi’s answer to well-aged whiskey. It’s very nuanced and distinct. Yet, it’s not too pretentious to be used in a killer cocktail or over the rocks.

5. Flor de Caña 18

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $50

The Rum:

This Nicaraguan rum is made on the slopes of the San Cristóbal Volcano. The molasses is made from estate-grown sugar cane from that volcanic soil. The rums are then aged in ex-bourbon barrels for varying amounts of time before blending. It’s important to note that “18” is the average age of the barrels involved and not the age of the expression.

Tasting Notes:

Bold and dark spices mingle with potpourri and a sense of sweet red fruit. The subtle molasses arrives and carries the fruit and florals towards a woody flourish. There’s a mineral edge that leans towards smoky, fruit-flavored pipe tobacco on the warming end.

Bottom Line:

This is a quality rum that hits very well as a sipper. It also works wonders if you’re looking to make a rum old fashioned.

4. Foursquare Port Cask Finish 9 Year

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $40

The Rum:

The Barbadian rum is the base for a lot of sourced rums out there. This expression is aged for three years in ex-bourbon barrels and then transferred to port casks for a finishing touch over six more years. The idea was to mimic the rum of the days of yore which were aged and then transported in old port or sherry casks around the world.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a delicate sweetness on the nose that feels like packed brown sugar next to tart red berries with a touch of stem and seeds still mixed in. The taste holds onto the sugar as hints of espresso beans and dark chocolate mix with the berries as notes of soft vanilla, pear, and cinnamon spice mingle on the back end. The finish takes its time ends on an almost savory note reminiscent of fresh pumpkin with a touch of sage.

Bottom Line:

This takes you on a great journey from nose to finish. It’s unique and very easy to drink without any one element overpowering the rest. You won’t even need to add a rock to this one to enjoy it.

3. Appleton Estate Rare Cask 12

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $42

The Rum:

This expression is what happens when you let quality rum rest a little longer to really dig deep on flavors. Each rum in the blend has been aged at least 12 years (some many more) and is hand-selected by legendary blender Joy Spence for its exactness in texture and flavor.

Tasting Notes:

This opens with a mix of dried fruits, nuts, and holiday spice that’s very close to a holiday fruit cake in all the best ways. There’s a nougat creaminess to the body that plays well with those dried fruits and spices. A touch of the Jamaican hogo, or funk, does come through but it’s muted next to the sweet and spice elements. This is very easy to sip and notably velvety.

Bottom Line:

This is a super easy sipper that mostly gets used in cocktails. While we’re not complaining since this makes great cocktails, don’t sleep on pouring this over some rocks and enjoying it at the end of the day.

2. Ron Zacapa No. 23

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $49

The Rum:

This Guatemalan rum is a serious bottle. The sugar cane honey is derived from single estate cane grown in the highlands. The first-press sugar cane juice is fermented with pineapple yeast before distillation. The juice is then aged in a combination of ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry, and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks for six to 23 years (again, the “23” is just the oldest barrel in the blend and not the age statement).

Tasting Notes:

Subtlety is the biggest note. There’s a dark chocolate bitterness touched by cinnamon spice, a hint of citrus, a waft of vanilla, and a dose of funk. The sip has a deep woodiness that carries hints of fresh tobacco, fatty nuts, thin molasses, and fresh, almost juicy, spices through a lingering finish.

Bottom Line:

You can go back and forth on this dark rum. Sometimes it feels like a standard workhorse rum for mixing and sipping. Other times, it feels like a really solid sipper at a great price that you wouldn’t think of mixing. The point is, it’s good for both so enjoy it how you want to.

1. Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $40

The Rum:

This Venezuelan rum is a blend of a minimum of 12-year-old juice made from both sugarcane honey and molasses. The rums were aged in ex-bourbon barrels high up in the Amazonia before blending, proofing, and bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Dark, almost burnt, sugars lead you towards rich and butter toffee with a brittle edge and a dusting of eggnog spice that’s heavy on the nutmeg. That buttery nature really drives the taste towards a vanilla buttercream next to moist marzipan and a touch of tobacco sweetness. The finish arrives with a sprinkling of orange zest and holiday spices with a final dry walnut shell end.

Bottom Line:

There’s really not any rum on his list that comes close to this when it comes to the flavor or price. This is damn near perfect rum (at any price point) that is almost too easy to drink. You can’t go wrong pouring some of this into a glass (rocks optional).