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OnePlus is looking to upstage Samsung's big announcements this year.

The company is preparing to launch its new flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 13, on January 7 - about two weeks ahead of the (leaked) launch date for Samsung's Galaxy S25 flagships.

The OnePlus 13 already launched in China in October, so it's not that big of a surprise. It's a 6.82-inch smartphone, powered by Qualcomm's powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, with a triple 50-megapixel camera, a humongous, 6,000mAh battery, 12/24GB of RAM, and 256/512/1,024GB of storage.

Yeah, the international version might not be specced exactly the same, but the differences will likely be minor, so the biggest reveal on January 7 will be the phone's price.

OnePlus does have one surprise up its sleeve, however. The company is also launching the OnePlus 13R, a slightly more affordable and less powerful phone. We know a few things about it: For example, it'll be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, and it's going to come with (big surprise) a bunch of AI features.

OnePlus 13R - three cameras on the back, and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip inside. Credit: OnePlus

The best thing about the OnePlus 13R could be its battery, as OnePlus confirms that it'll also pack a 6,000mAh battery.

We also have a few images of the phone which, frankly, looks very similar as the OnePlus 13. It will come in two colors: Nebula Noir, and Astral Trail (see image above).

Tweet may have been deleted

OnePlus also plans to launch a new color for its earbuds during the event, the new OnePlus Buds Pro 3. They will now be available in Sapphire Blue.

The launch event kicks off at 10:30 a.m. ET on January 7, so stay tuned for more info.

Mufasa: The Lion King stars Mads Mikkelsen, Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jnr, Tiffany Boone, and Billy Eichner sit down with Mashable UK Editor Shannon Connellan to discuss voicing Scar's origin story, unpacking childhood trauma, and working with Barry Jenkins.

Mufasa: The Lion King is out in theatres on Dec. 20 2024.

Martin Short has already brought his roasting talents to SNL, and in his latest promo he brings his flair for the dramatic.

Standing alongside musical guest Hozier and cast member Kenan Thompson, Short announces that the only thing he wants for Christmas this year is "a better script than this" before storming off camera.

The last SNL episode of 2024 is shaping up to be a good one.

Martin Short's appearance on The Tonight Show starts off with some of Short's usual roasting of the host ("You must be very excited, because in one month you're going to be pardoned for your role in January 6th," he tells Fallon) and his Only Murders in the Building co-star Steve Martin ("He's way into Christmas — he's already hung his compression stockings with care"). But then, suddenly, Short requests that Fallon talk to him privately behind the blue curtain.

What follows is an entertainingly silly hot mic-style skit in which Short and Fallon have an escalating argument that involves multiple curtain trips and a smashed urn.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 20 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Mix or blend of ingredients

• Green: Defines sentence purposes

• Blue: Esoteric groups of dudes

• Purple: Words that sound like complaints

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Concoction

• Green: Types of Sentences

• Blue: Kinds of Bros

• Purple: Complaint Homophones

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #556 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Concoction: COCKTAIL, COMPOUND, MIXTURE, SOLUTION

• Types of Sentences: COMMAND, EXCLAMATION, QUESTION, STATEMENT

• Kinds of Bros: CRYPTO, FINANCE, PHARMA, TECH

• Complaint Homophones: GROWN, MOWN, WHALE, WINE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 20

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for December 20 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 20 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Quick, bright, and gone in an instant.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

FLASH.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 20

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 20 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Types of hits on the green

• Green: Athletes known by one name

• Blue: Exchanging the ball on the pitch

• Purple: Spokespersons for college sports

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Golf shots

• Green: Mononymic athletes

• Blue: Passes in soccer

• Purple: College mascots

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #88 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Golf shots - CHIP, DRIVE, FLOP, PUTT

• Mononymic athletes - ICHIRO, LEBRON, SERENA, TIGER

• Passes in soccer - BACKHEEL, CROSS, ONE-TWO, THROUGH

• College mascots - BRUTUS, BUCKY, OTTO, SEBASTIAN

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 20 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 20 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Morning morsel

These words are something you might eat for breakfast.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are singular versions of common types of breakfast foods.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Cereal.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for December 20

• Loop

• Cheerio

• Crunch

• Puff

• Pebble

• Charm

• Flake

• Smack

• Cereal

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, December 20, 2024:

AcrossWhat it doesn't hurt to do if you're confused, they say

• The answer is Ask.

"Toodles!"

• The answer is Tata.

"A Christmas ___" (classic holiday book)

• The answer is Carol.

Really love

• The answer is Adore.

More than a few

• The answer is Many.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 20, 2024 DownBurr in "Hamilton"

• The answer is Aaron.

"A Christmas ___" (classic holiday movie)

• The answer is Carol.

Dark green leafy green

• The answer is Kale.

Magician's "I did it!"

• The answer is Tada.

Word after dash or web

• The answer is Cam.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce dive deep into the architectural movement of Brutalism in Europe that serves as the backdrop of the film The Brutalist.

The Brutalist is now in limited theaters.

TL;DR: Live stream Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Oklahoma City Thunder head to Kaseya Center to face the Miami Heat. The Thunder are one of the best teams in the NBA so far this season, sitting atop the Western Conference with a 20-5 record. The Heat aren't faring too badly, but sit in sixth place with a 13-11 record.

When is Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat?

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat in the NBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 20. This game takes place at Kaseya Center in Miami.

How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Thunder vs. Heat basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Thunder vs. Heat from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

5. Watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Charlotte Hornets vs. Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Charlotte Hornets head to Wells Fargo Center to face the Philadelphia 76ers in an Eastern Conference matchup. Both teams are hovering near the bottom of their conference. The Hornets are 7-19, which places them in 13th place. The 76ers are faring just slightly better with an 8-16 record, which places them in 12th place right about the Hornets.

When is Charlotte Hornets vs. Philadelphia 76ers?

Charlotte Hornets vs. Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Dec. 20. This game takes place at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

How to watch Charlotte Hornets vs. Philadelphia 76ers

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Hornets vs. 76ers basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Hornets vs. 76ers from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Charlotte Hornets vs. Philadelphia 76ers for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

5. Watch Charlotte Hornets vs. Philadelphia 76ers from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Charlotte Hornets vs. Philadelphia 76ers before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Charlotte Hornets vs. Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

"You can't let your pain change who you are," James Marsden's Tom says to Sonic the Hedgehog early on in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Because what else would this adaptation of the classic Sega video game series be about, other than trauma? Going super fast? Collecting rings? Beating Doctor Eggman? Nope, this movie is going to be about how pain shapes you. And in case it wasn't clear to the audience the first time it was delivered, the line is repeated later, as are multiple ones about making the right choices. I couldn't help but feel I had made all the wrong ones that led me to reviewing Sonic the Hedgehog 3. 

Thankfully, this isn't the type of truly terrible video game adaptation that has been the norm for so many years, from the bizarre nonsense of 1993's Super Mario Bros. to the inept laziness of 2024's Borderlands, but that's also not to say that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is actually good either. This third movie ends up somewhere in the middle, making it less-than-essential viewing for anyone over the age of 10 who didn't grow up with a Genesis or a Dreamcast in the house. (We were a Nintendo family.) It'll please kids and Sega devotees well enough, but it's likely to leave others bored, wishing the movie would move as fast as its blue hero does so they can do literally anything else. 

What is Sonic the Hedgehog 3 about? (Other than trauma.) Credit: Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 begins on Prison Island in Tokyo Bay, Japan, where a mysterious hedgehog breaks out and wreaks havoc in the way that only a hedgehog played by the dude that starred as John Wick and Neo can. Shadow (voiced by Keanu Reeves) is leaving a path of destruction through Tokyo, and Sonic the hedgehog (voiced by Ben Schwartz), Tails the fox (voiced by Colleen O'Shaughnessey), and Knuckles the echidna (voiced by Idris Elba) are called in to help. But even together, they are no match for Shadow, who has plenty of power — and plenty of pain from a death in his past. Surprisingly, the evil Doctor Robotnik (Jim Carrey) might be the only one who can help Sonic defeat this new enemy, but can he be trusted?

SEE ALSO: How 'Grand Theft Hamlet' evolved from lockdown escape to Shakespearean success

With even more action sequences than its predecessors, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 feels like it's aiming for bigger things, sending the Blue Blur and his friends both around the world and beyond it, from Green Hills, Montana, to Tokyo and London and even into space. The fate of the Earth lies in their weird animated hands. The series seems to follow the model of Fast and the Furious franchise, getting more epic with each new installment and turning enemies into allies, as Knuckles and even Doctor Robotnik are brought into the fold. Beyond the emphasis on speed, both franchises are also all about family, especially as Doctor Robotnik finally gets one of his own with the introduction of his grandfather. Gerald Robotnik, who is also played by Carrey, is also evil — maybe even more so than his grandson. 

The actor playing Doctor Robotnik continues to… Carrey the series.  Credit: Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc.

Carrey remains the best part of this franchise, with his wild faces and manic line delivery. Schwartz might voice the eponymous speedster, but Carrey is the real star. Other than money, I can't quite figure out why these films exist, but I can't be too mad at anything that gives Carrey a chance to be this silly in movies meant for kids — especially when he gets to play two characters in this third film and mug twice as much. 

Yet for all the silliness Carrey brings, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 gets a bit dark at times. Shadow is fueled by a desire to avenge the death of a young friend, and it feels a bit off when paired with Carrey's antics, as well as the one-liners from Schwartz and the gruff humor from Elba's Knuckles. Plot and character motivation have never really been this series' strength — both so much and so little happened in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 — and the story is certainly not the draw here. There are emeralds and keys and a dance sequence, because why not?

Where is James Marsden, and even more importantly, where is Natasha Rothwell?  James Marsden as Tom and Tika Sumpter as Maddie, Sonic's adopted parents, are mostly AWOL. Credit: Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc.

But unfortunately with the double Carrey, the trip to space, and everything else, there's less room for the more human, heartfelt parts of the story that were present in early movies, which means less Marsden. Tom and Maddie (Tika Sumpter) have gotten less screen time with each installment, which means that the inevitable Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (which is teased in the requisite mid-credits sequence with a character I had to Google) will just have the adoptive hedgehog parents waving from the side of the road while Sonic races by, relegated to an Easter egg. Even in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, we only get cameos from Adam Pally and Natasha Rothwell, who were both highlights of the earlier movies and bring a delightfully different comic energy than either Carrey or Marsden. 

Natasha Rothwell plays Rachel and Shemar Moore plays Randall in "Sonic The Hedgehog 3." Credit: Paramount Pictures and Sega of America

The animated trio is the least interesting part of these movies, at least for adults. The CGI that inserts Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles into live-action scenes alongside human actors is fine enough, but it's difficult to invest in these characters and, by extension, the whole movie. The returning director Jeff Fowler and screenwriters Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington don't seem interested in making you care if you don't already, which honestly makes sense. It's the third movie in the franchise: You're likely here because you liked the first two movies, your kids liked the first two movies, or you're getting paid to review it. It has some winking in-jokes for video game fans, but not enough actual jokes, especially outside of Carrey's role. Unless you count Schwartz's Sonic saying, "Konichi-whaaaaaaaa?" while in Tokyo, which I don't.

Despite that eye-roller of a line, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 isn't among either the worst video game adaptations or the worst kids' movies. It's a bit bland and boring whenever Carrey isn't on screen, but it's competently made, and it isn't grating. For better or for worse, it won't create the kind of pain that changes who you are. It's also shorter than Sonic the Hedgehog 2, so if you're only watching out of parental (or critical) obligations, it'll be quick — though sadly not as fast as Sonic himself. 

Sonic the Hedgehog is now in theaters.

For many people, the New Year is a fresh chance to ditch habits that don't serve them. It's often also paired with new aspirations tied to self-improvement or behavior change.

On social media, this unique season often revolves around a vague but familiar idea—setting an intention.

Just how one does this varies from person to person. Some TikTok users swear by (and sell) intention candles and journals. Others make it simpler by advising their followers to set an intention and repeat it regularly, sometimes multiple times a day.

SEE ALSO: Stop scrolling so much. Try these rituals instead.

But the high stakes and newfound motivation can be a trap for people who set an unrealistic intention for themselves.

Consider the person in debt who's determined to get rich within a year's time. Or the erstwhile runner who decides to complete a marathon by the spring. While these may be worthy goals, it's unlikely that they're the right ones to set, given the change they require.

Dr. Richard J. Davidson, founder of the nonprofit organization Healthy Minds Innovations, Inc., says successful intention-setting involves a few important factors. These include understanding your aspirations, identifying manageable steps to make them a reality, and adopting self-compassion as you navigate the natural ups and downs of behavior change.

"I think one of the most important things about intention is to be realistic and kind with ourselves," Davidson says.

An intention is an opportunity for "awakening"

Davidson, who has spent his career studying the effects of meditation on the brain, thinks of an intention as the "conscious representation of a future goal."

To some, this might sound like a New Year's resolution. But an intention often implies something deeper, like an urge to shift one's mindset, not just change everyday behavior.

In this sense, Davidson says that an intention can be as straightforward as practicing gratitude or connecting with your purpose, which can have positive effects.

In research that Davidson previously conducted, school teachers who spent a few minutes each morning reflecting on their purpose as educators felt the benefits of doing so.

"When people do that, they report that it's like an elixir for their soul," Davidson says. "It really helps to restore their vitality and navigate the adversities that they face."

Simple exercises like this, which help people remember or imagine their deepest intentions, can provide opportunities for "awakening," he adds.

Davidson does say that people should be skeptical of those who charge you to set an intention. Similarly, he recommends exercising caution when encountering scientific claims about intention-setting online, because the person expressing them may not understand or may misrepresent scientific research. (The Healthy Minds app, which offers content on behavior change, is available for free, and has been the subject of peer-reviewed studies.)

You can set an intention any time, anywhere

The new year brings big expectations for many, along with anxiety about properly taking advantage of a clean slate. Davidson warns against believing that your life needs to look a certain way before you set an intention. In fact, waiting for the perfect combination of factors can have the opposite effect by holding you back from being able to change.

By contrast, flexibility can help someone encode an intention in their brain and be able to access it regardless of the circumstances. So while it might not feel ideal to set an intention during a stressful period, it may make it easier to remember it when things are calmer.

"In order to make an intention become repeatable and have it turn into a new habit, it's important to be able to do it in different contexts," Davidson says.

Make your intention realistic

Social media is full of promises that you can manifest your grandest dreams if you set the right intention, in just the right way. This approach may very well lead to a "failure experience" depending on the goal and the steps someone takes to achieve it, Davidson says.

What you want is to choose a reasonable intention. So if you hope to become rich one day, perhaps start by first setting the intention to pay off and avoid new debt in the coming year.

Also try thinking of an intention as the first of many nesting dolls. In order to achieve a broader goal, you'll likely need to take smaller steps toward it.

You can set an intention to align your career with your purpose in the new year, but that will require setting related goals on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. This could mean volunteering for a nonprofit you admire and developing new professional skills related to that purpose. It could also involve simply connecting with that purpose every day for a few minutes, like the school teachers did in Davidson's study.

Keep revisiting your intention

Davidson says the brain can become habituated to a new goal if you continue to revisit it. Writing it down, saying it aloud, or otherwise reflecting on it every day is a good strategy. Integrating rituals, like lighting a candle or playing a specific song, into this process can be helpful, too.

However, the brain also craves novelty. Davidson says that if your interest in an intention is flagging, you might need to switch up how you engage with the intention. You can try writing a new version, reciting it at a different time of day, or pairing it with a new ritual.

Be kind to yourself if you forget your intention

You will naturally forget an intention, even if you've worked hard to build a streak revisiting it every day. It may have slipped your mind on a particularly stressful day or during a bout of illness. This is normal and not something to punish yourself over, Davidson says.

When this happens, he says it's important to practice self-kindness, then move on. These moments can also be an opportunity to learn about what distracts you from an intention, or discourages you from starting over the next day. Take that information to make necessary changes that will help you succeed.

"We all fail at these things; it's not anything to be ashamed of," Davidson says. "We need to be kind and patient with ourselves."

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The No. 12 Clemson Tigers and the No. 5 Texas Longhorns will face off in the first round of the College Football Playoffs (CFP). The match will take place at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin on Saturday, Dec. 21, and is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.

The Tigers are 10-3 overall and 7-1 in conference, but earned their way into the CFP field by defeating SMU in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship. Texas is 11-2 overall and 7-1 in conference, but lost to Georgia in the SEC championship, taking away their own first-round bye.

The CFP has moved to a 12-team playoff format that allows the highest ranked winners of the top four conferences to take the top four seeds. The highest ranked winner of a fifth conference will take the 12th seed, if the team is not ranked higher than 12. The rest of the playoff field is filled out by ranking in a bracket released by the CFP committee. The top four seeds earn a first-round bye.

The winner of Clemson vs. Texas will go on to face the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl.

SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Clemson vs. Texas football kickoff time and network

The Clemson vs. Texas football game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT start on TNT/Max on Saturday, Dec. 21.

The game will air on TNT/Max through a five-year deal between TNT and ESPN to sub-license CFP games. The broadcast crew will still be handled by ESPN. Therefore, Dave Pasch is expected to do the play-by-play, while Dusty Dvoracek joins him in the booth, and Taylor McGregor reports from the sideline.

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Wondering how to watch college football this season? Here are your best options: Best for affordability Sling TV Blue Plan $20 for the first month, then $40/month (save $20 ) Get Deal BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV Pro plan 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for 1 month (Save $20) Get Deal

The No. 11 SMU Mustangs and the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions will face off in the first round of the College Football Playoffs (CFP). The match will take place at Beaver Stadium in Pennsylvania on Saturday, Dec. 21, and is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.

SMU is 11-2 overall and 8-0 in conference. The Mustangs lost in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship to the Clemson Tigers, knocking them out of a top-four seed. Penn State is 11-2 overall and 8-1 in conference in the Big Ten.

The CFP has moved to a 12-team playoff format that allows the highest ranked winners of the top four conferences to take the top four seeds. The highest ranked winner of a fifth conference will take the 12th seed, if the team is not ranked higher than 12. The rest of the playoff field is filled out by ranking in a bracket released by the CFP committee. The top four seeds earn a first-round bye.

The winner of SMU vs. Penn State will go on to face the Boise State Broncos in the Fiesta Bowl.

SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable SMU vs. Penn State football kickoff time and network

The SMU vs. Penn State football game is scheduled for a 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT start on TNT/Max on Saturday, Dec. 21.

The game will air on TNT/Max through a five-year deal between TNT and ESPN to sub-license CFP games. The broadcast crew will still be handled by ESPN. Therefore, Mark Jones is expected to do the play-by-play, while Roddy Jones joins him in the booth, and Quint Kessenich reports from the sideline.

Best streaming services for SMU vs. Penn State football game

You need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the SMU vs. Penn State football game on TNT/Max. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most channels: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

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