Mashable

Arcadian actors Jaeden Martell and Maxwell Jenkins sit down for a game of "Slash or Pass" with Mashable entertainment editor Kristy Puchko. Arcadian hits theaters April 12, 2024.

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: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 16 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 16

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, April 16, 2024:

AcrossThere are 10 in this puzzle

• The answer is clues.

Try to sack, as a quarterback

• The answer is runat.

With 8-Across, post-touchdown attempt

• The answer is extra.

See 7-Across

• The answer is point.

Lock of hair

• The answer is tress.

DownMoved stealthily

The answer is crept.

Las Vegas hotel shaped like a pyramid

• The answer is Luxor.

Remove, as a string

• The answer is untie.

Makes on the job

• The answer is earns.

Fodder for a sports wonk

• The answer is stats.

Not only is the orgasm gap between men and women real — so is the research gap. Women's health lacks research funding, according to science journal Nature, and there are many more studies about "male ejaculation" than "female orgasm" on the PubMed database (1,980 pages of results for the former, and 438 pages for the latter). 

Flo Health, a women's health app with over 60 million global users, is hoping to bridge that gap. Today, Flo launches a worldwide study of female orgasms. In partnership with adjunct professor of clinical psychology and health psychology at the University of Utah, Jordan Rullo, Flo will assess anonymized insights from tens of thousands of women, according to the app's press release. Rullo is also Flo's medical expert and cerified sex therapist.

SEE ALSO: Why you can orgasm from masturbation but struggle to come during sex

Flo's study is open to most app users who are 18 and over and use the app in English, according to Flo Health's director of science, Dr. Liudmila Zhaunova. Users can self-report on their sexual behaviors, experiences, lifestyle factors, and their demographic.

"Flo's science team will meticulously analyze the results over a three-month timeframe to better understand women's sexual practices and how these, and their personal circumstances, relate to sexual pleasure, orgasms, and sexual satisfaction," Zhaunova told Mashable.

The current largest orgasm study survey — about the differences in orgasm frequency among different populations, published in 2017 — had around 25,000 female participants, Zhaunova said. Because Flo has over 60 million users, Zhaunova and the Flo team are aiming to recruit a globally representative audience of over 25,000 respondents. If they succeed, this would be the largest global study of female orgasms to date.

This study, and more education about women's pleasure, is sorely needed. Sex education in the U.S. and elsewhere is lacking: As of 2023, only 18 states require sex ed to be medically accurate, according to the Guttmacher Institute. In the UK, LGBTQ sex education is under threat by conservatives.

Previous surveys from Flo indicate the need for more education on the topic. Nearly one-third, 30 percent, of women aged 18 to 55 falsely believe that the more sex one has, the "looser" their vagina becomes (according to a survey of 2,000 women in the U.S.). Fifteen percent wrongly think masturbation can make their period come faster — while 18 percent overall and 30 percent who identify as conservative consider masturbation itself to be shameful or wrong. 

Twelve percent simply assume new information they learn about sex and reproduction is accurate, and don't take extra steps to confirm it's true; 43 percent go to Google or another search engine to confirm if this info is accurate.

We're uneducated and yet we want our sex lives to improve. In another survey, this one of 2,100 U.S. women aged 18 to 45, 30 percent want to improve their sex life. Among those, 60 percent want to improve how they communicate their desires. But, 66 percent don't think their male partner has a good understanding of their reproductive health.

Flo has surveyed men as well. Just above half, 51 percent, think they have a good understanding of the female body — but they haven't heard of the orgasm gap. Nineteen percent go to porn to learn about the female body, while 18 percent learn from YouTube or Reddit. Over half don't think the sex ed they received as teens was sufficient, in a survey of 1,800 U.S. men aged 18 to 50 conducted in August 2023.

SEE ALSO: Top 5 NSFW sites to learn what porn didn't teach you

Results from this new survey are expected this summer, said Flo Health senior research scientist and medical writer, Dr. Yella Hewings-Martin. 

Flo isn't the first app to study women's orgasms. Lioness, a smart vibrator that gathers opt-in data, released Pleasure Wrapped at the end of 2023. Lioness found that orgasms lasted 24.01 seconds on average, and the typical masturbation session was around five minutes. 

Lioness, however, focused on data obtained by usage of its smart sex toy. Flo will rely on self-reported survey data from thousands of women.

"We hope that the results of our study will enhance women's understanding of navigating their sexual experiences and pleasure, supported by real-life data from peers worldwide," said Zhaunova in Flo's press release. "This year, we look forward to helping close this glaring research gap and aim to contribute toward improving the sexual experiences of millions of women around the world."

ChatGPT vs. Gemini is the AI showdown I've been itching to stage – and now I’m finally pitting the most popular chatbots in a head-to-head, nail-biting match.

ChatGPT, a brainchild of AI startup OpenAI, is far from the first AI chatbot to hit mainstream popularity, but I’d argue it was the first in recent years to kick off a fierce AI race. After it launched in November 2022, its traffic peaked at a whopping 1.8 billion users, according to analytics firm Similarweb (via TheWrap).

Soon after, a proliferation of AI began. From Snapchat AI and Meta AI to Samsung Galaxy AI and X’s Grok, it seemed like there was a chatbot launching every day. 

However, only one seems to be a true ChatGPT rival: Google Gemini (formerly Google Bard). Like Microsoft-backed ChatGPT, Gemini is supported by one of the most prominent tech giants — and has plenty of rich data to tap into, including Google Maps, Google Search, Google Translate, and more.

But the question is, does Gemini beat ChatGPT? We put both to the test in a five-round match.

SEE ALSO: I spent a week using AI tools in my daily life. Here's how it went. ChatGPT vs. Gemini: Methodology

I used ChatGPT and Gemini's free tiers for this showdown. I tested both AI chatbots using the same question across the following five topics: food, finance, travel, creativity, and historical information. Ding, ding, ding! Let’s see who wins.

Round 1: Food

Based on what's in my kitchen, let's see which AI chatbot can offer the best recipe suggestion. Here's my prompt:

I have the following in my kitchen: green plantains, whole-grain linguine and rotini, garlic, onion, granulated chicken bouillon, kidney beans, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, soy sauce, brussel sprouts, tomatoes, lime, lemon, tomatoes, spring onions, carrots, butter, milk, oil, garlic powder, salt, cumin, cayenne pepper, and paprika. Name one recipe I can make that uses as much as these ingredients as possible.

ChatGPT's response Credit: Mashable / ChatGPT Gemini's response Credit: Mashable / ChatGPT

I may be biased because I have a Caribbean background, but Gemini's recipe suggestion sounds far tastier. ChatGPT's recommendation, however, seems a bit haphazard. The veggies in my kitchen don't seem ideal for stir fry — at least, not for my picky taste.

Winner: Gemini

Round 2: Finances

Using a fictitious person called "Joe," I used the following financial-focused prompt for ChatGPT and Gemini:

Joe makes $3,000 a month (after taxes) in Brooklyn, New York in 2024. Between housing, transportation, groceries, dining out, savings (retirement), and disposable income, create a monthly budget chart.

ChatGPT's response ChatGPT will have Joe eating Ramen every month. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Gemini's response Gemini's response seems a little more realistic. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

To be fair, this is a head-scratching conundrum. Even humans struggle with creating a monthly budgets for themselves, particularly those with five-figure yearly incomes in high-cost-of-living cities. As such, it's no wonder that ChatGPT and Gemini botched their responses.

I couldn't help but exclaim "Huh?!" after reading ChatGPT's chart. Why is it carving out a budget for rent that is higher than the allotted $3,000? I'd also argue that $177 for transportation too low, but I'm willing to look the other way if Joe is a remote worker (or owns a bicycle or scooter).

Plus, spending less than $90 a week on groceries would be quite the challenge. I'd probably allocate more dining out and retirement money for supermarket shopping.

Although Gemini's $1,050 monthly rent suggestion is laughable, with a roommate (or two), it's feasible. There's too much in the transportation budget, particularly for someone with access to public transportation. I would cut down some of that and add it to groceries pool. Dining out could use a reduction, but the rest is tolerable.

Winner: Gemini

Round 3: Travel

I used ChatGPT for a trip to Costa Rica — and it failed miserably. I don't have any upcoming vacations, but I asked ChatGPT and Gemini to create a weekend itinerary for my local area.

It's Saturday and I live in Valley Stream. I want to have an active, adventurous day with lots of entertainment. Create an itinerary for me from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Start with breakfast at the best spot in Valley Stream and end with dinner at the best spot in Valley Stream.

ChatGPT's response Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Gemini's response Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Save for Valley Stream State Park, all of ChatGPT's suggestions are out of town. I also specifically stated that I did not want lunch included in the itinerary, but it deliberately disobeyed me. Oh well. On the plus side, Frank's Steaks sounds very delicious.

Gemini, on the other hand, listed locations that are actually in town, including Valbrook Diner and Ben's Crab. However, there's a four-hour gap in the itinerary. Am I supposed to just twiddle my thumbs between rock climbing and dinner? Also, it seems like Gemini completely made up "Rockaway Adventure Zone" — I can't seem to find this establishment via Google.

Winner: Draw

Round 4: Creativity

Let's test ChatGPT and Gemini's creativity.

In the voice of Eminem, tell me how TikTok is affecting society.

ChatGPT's response Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Gemini's response Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Gemini has the better response. It has a flow that is more reminiscent of the "Lose Yourself" rapper. Plus, the expletives are very on brand.

Winner: Gemini

Round 5: Historical facts

I thought it'd be interesting to test ChatGPT and Gemini's accuracy with fashion history.

Which decade was it fashionable and popular to wear one's name on a chunky statement belt?

ChatGPT's response You finally got it right, ChatGPT. Congratulations. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Gemini's response Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Finally, ChatGPT prevailed over Gemini in this round. The answer I'm looking for is early 2000s.

Winner: ChatGPT

ChatGPT vs. Gemini: Which is the winner?

The clear winner of this five-round match is Gemini. In three rounds, Google AI chatbot provided better answers. However, if you ever need any help with fashion history, ChatGPT's your best bet, I guess.

Oh, you thought the possibilities of generative AI were already terrifying enough? Well, we've got some bad news for you. Adobe has just released a video showcasing its Adobe Firefly video model, and it comes with a whole host of unnerving generative AI tricks.

"Adobe is using the power of generative AI to deliver the most advanced and precise editing tools ever in Premiere Pro," says the cheerful over-the-top narration, before showcasing how AI will soon be used to generate objects that weren't there before, delete unwanted objects, extend scenes and create generated backdrops.

The video stresses that "content credentials" will "always make transparent whether AI was used", but obviously that only goes so far as the Adobe programme itself. With streamers and movies already coming under fire for sneaking AI into their final products, it seems inevitable that advancing technology like this is only going to make it harder and harder to tell what's real on our screens.

Since returning to host The Daily Show on Monday, Jon Stewart has spent quite a bit of time discussing the ongoing war in Gaza.

On Monday, with the situation having escalated over the weekend when Iran launched a drone and missile attack on Israel, Stewart returned to the topic — and during a direct address to the Middle East, he took aim at the West's historical and ongoing interference in the region.

"Listen, I hope this doesn't sound patronising, but when we in the West drew your regions' borders and set you up with perfectly functioning dictatorships, we expected a little better," says Stewart in the clip above.

"See the agreement was, we would make up a whole new bunch of countries, some of which made sense, and in return you would give us your delicious oil. That was the deal. You give us your delicious oil, and we...take it. We certainly didn't expect to get drawn in to all the drama that our actions created.

"And now, these wars have got us all turned around! At one point we're helping Iraq fight Iran, and then we're invading Iraq, and now we're helping Iran fight ISIS, and then we're using ISIS to help fight Houthis who are backed by Iran, and I mean fuck! In Gaza we're actually bombing them and feeding them, how do you think that makes us feel?"

You can see more recent segments from The Daily Show here.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Hookup culture is all about keeping things casual, and there's nothing wrong with that. Everyone gets stuck in a sexual rut at some point in their lives, and trying to take strangers home from a bar or constantly texting your ex can be exhausting. If you're struggling to find a match in the real world, it might be time to put your faith in dating sites.

When we think about these sites, it's normal to go straight to the likes of Match, eharmony, EliteSingles, and other marriage-minded options, but not everyone is thinking about something so serious. Sometimes all you want is a little fun, and there's an app for that.

How do you find a hookup?

It's still possible to find a connection in the real world, because meeting in bars, clubs, parks, and other real-life locations still happens on a regular basis. You're simply shortening your odds by subscribing to a dating site. Why not give yourself the best chance of success? You know it makes sense.

Dating sites and sex apps allow you to get your information out there to a massive network of like-minded individuals. Plus, you can save a lot of time, energy, and cash by testing out a potential relationship on an app before meeting up. We know that some dating apps can be expensive, but just think about all those wasted coffees you could avoid by chatting through an app first.

SEE ALSO: The best sexting apps for sending naughty messages

Lastly, using dating apps and sites is a whole lot less intimidating than meeting someone face to face. If you find the idea of meeting people slightly terrifying, these apps can help you dip your toe into the world of dating from the comfort of your own home.

Should you use free dating apps?

The good news is that there are a lot of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are popular options with massive networks of users. Plus, most of the biggest and best dating sites have free versions with limitations on certain features. So yes, you can easily enter the online dating game without spending anything. However, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for with dating apps. And sometimes free apps just don't cut it.

For the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have to cough up some cash. We're sorry to break it to you, but the best dating sites don't come cheap. It all comes down to access to advanced and premium features. You can still find a hookup with a free app, but if you're looking for compatibility tests, chat rooms, videos, and a greater level of control, we recommend upgrading.

What makes an app good for hooking up?

When it comes to sex apps, you probably don't mind long questionnaires or in-depth profiles, but when you're just looking for a casual hookup, that all seems unnecessary. Sure, you want to gauge that you're at least a little compatible and not hooking up with a complete psychopath. The best hookup apps have quick and easy bios or prompts that give you an insight into who you'd be getting down and dirty with.

Photos are also a huge factor in good hookup apps. Some sex apps and dating sites gatekeep people's pics unless you have a paid subscription, and we don't really love that. Apps that show the full view of someone's profile are the way to go. You definitely want to make sure you're physically attracted to the person you're going to be having sex with.

What is the best sex and dating app for hooking up?

The good news is that there are absolutely loads of dating sites and sex apps out there for every type of dater and dating situation. The problem with this wealth of options is that deciding on the right site for you can be difficult. This is where we can help.

We have tracked down a strong selection of your best options for hooking up, with sites like AdultFriendFinder and iHookup making the cut. There should be something for everyone in this list, so what do you have to lose?

These are the best hookup sites and apps in 2024.

Andy Samberg pretty much makes any late night interview better, and that goes double when it involves gleefully roasting his old SNL pal Seth Meyers.

In the clip above Samberg crashes Meyers' appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to heckle Meyers' new podcast, The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast, which features Samberg himself.

"Here's the thing about podcasts," Samberg relents, eventually pulling up a backpack chair to join Meyers and Kimmel. "Even though they suck, ours is great. You gotta check it out."

Harold Halibut — the debut game of Germany-based indie studio Slow Bros. — feels like a warm batch of cookies that grandma made on a nice, Sunday afternoon. There's a labor of love that radiates within that made my 10+ hour playthrough more enjoyable than it should've been. Adventure games have fallen out of popularity, but the highs of Halibut are so high at times, that it's almost forgiven how dull the game can feel in most moments.

In development since 2012, the narrative-adventure game is a love letter to stop-motion and the dry, snappy humor of a Wes Anderson-esque film. If Isle of Dogs and The Life Aquatic had a child, I'd figure it'd be Harold Halibut.

Credit: Slow Bros. Welcome to the Fedora

The story follows the game's namesake, Harold Halibut, a "young" lab assistant on board the Fedora I, a colony ship that left Earth in the 70s. Some odd 200 years later, it has crashed landed into an ocean planet, remaining submerged in water for 50 years. Harold is a simple and sincere man. He's a daydreamer who longs for a life more meaningful than his menial existence as a handyman aboard the Fedora.

Credit: Slow Bros.

Harold has a bit of empty-minded optimism and sincerity to him that makes him weirdly charming — and also makes him the unwitting therapist to the quirky cast of seafaring characters.

Thus, the bulk of the gameplay in this narrative adventure is walking between conversations as Harold acts as a handyman to the crew in more ways than just technical. I'd imagine, a lot of Harold's grief in life extends to always helping and never being helped. To his credit, the narrative presents Harold as happy to do the work. He loves and respects the crew — even as, at the worst of times, some characters treat Harold with contempt.

The ship's police officer thinks you're always trying to get in trouble, several characters refuse to remember your name at the start, and the scientist you work under, Jeanne Mareaux, is constantly talking down on you any chance she gets.

It's weird how much these characters rely on Harold despite, at times, feeling like they don't even like the guy. Even weirder how sincere the game's plot treats said characters.

Wake up Mr. Halibut, wake up!

Minor spoilers for some of the side stories during the game, but throughout the narrative, you, as Harold, will be asked to handle tasks such as helping the general store owner deal with his marriage; figuring out the riff between a quadruple of elderly twins; and helping your ex-girlfriend convince the hot dog vendor to change locations because it's interrupting her fledgling cupcake business.

These conversations can get boring at times, but there are flashes of strong writing when characters muse about deeper themes like religion, life's meaning, and late-stage capitalism. In these moments, I found myself the most interested in what Harold Halibut had to say — but those instances were brief and weren't ever really challenged by the narrative.

For example, the game starts with Harold being held by the ship's police officer for an unpaid fine for using the wrong pass to travel the tube systems. The tube system, an underwater variation of a subway owned by the capitalistic All Water company, is the main form of transportation around the ship. Despite being stranded in the middle of the ocean and having not had any form of contact with Earth since leaving 200 years ago, the crew still has to pay for food, energy, and transportation. This is an absurdity that is talked about and pointed out on many occasions but only by literal kids.

Harold rightly points out that paying to use the tubes is absurd and that All Water changes the pass requirements so much it seems designed to get people caught so they can pay fines. The story doesn't really challenge this, and because Harold is saying this, most of the characters think he's being dim.

Credit: Slow Bros.

In another moment, and without getting too "spoilery," a character explains to Harold how they live without money and that the community just helps each other out in contrast to the banal existence on board the Fedora. To which Harold replies "I don't get it." And that's that — it's never mentioned again.

Adventure awaits

I haven't talked about gameplay much because there's not much game to play. Harold Halibut is a tried-and-true adventure game that takes full advantage of being operated in an immersive 3D environment. All the characters and environments that you'll interact with are handcrafted and the game revels in the little details. As the narrative progresses, so too will the environments to reflect the various changes Harold and Co. have had to change and adapt to.

It's more of an experience than a video game, which is like most adventure games, but without a lot of puzzles to solve. The game itself fully acknowledges this with characters jokingly poking jabs at the common tropes of adventure games.

During my interaction with Bridgit, the energy scientist of the Fedora, I was tasked with taking a rock sample to her lap. After her experiments were done, she messaged me saying the rock was ready to be analyzed in Mareaux's lab. Normally, adventure game logic dictates that you have to go to Brigit's office to grab the rock and then travel back to Mareaux's lab. However, when I got there, Brigit was surprised and said the rock was sent through the conveyor system and that it'd be evil of her to make me go back and forth like that.

Another time, I was tasked with borrowing some books from a local vendor. However, I needed to find something to carry them. Actually no, though, because the vendor had a grocery bag right next to him. It was moments like this that made me appreciate the humor and writing despite how dull things can get at times.

Is Harold Halibut worth it?

Throughout the six chapters of Harold Halibut, I found a lot of it was spent on my phone. And while that may sound harsh, I think the game itself just has some severe pacing issues that make it hard to get into the story at times. Plus, the repetitiveness of the back-and-forth walking throughout made me long for a better game – just like Harold longs for a better life outside the Fedora.

However, the spectacular visuals kept me hooked and there are moments in the game that suggested a bolder, more radical story beneath the surface. That story isn't fully fleshed to my liking, and if the game was just a tad bit shorter, I would fully recommend this to anyone nostalgic for the golden age of adventure games.

As it stands now though, I think you can get a lot of bang for your buck with Harold Halibut, but if you're prone to fast bouts of boredom, I'd skip this one.

There are volcanoes erupting hundreds of millions of miles beyond Earth. And a NASA spacecraft is watching it happen.

The space agency's Juno probe, which has orbited Jupiter since 2016, swooped by the gas giant's volcanic moon Io last week, its last close planned flyby. The craft captured a world teeming with volcanoes, which you can see in the footage below.

"We're seeing an incredible amount of detail on the surface," Ashley Davies, a planetary scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory who researches Io, told Mashable in February after a recent Io flyby. "It's just a cornucopia of data. It's just extraordinary."

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

These impressive views are processed (removing noise and distortion, etc.) by both professional and amateur image processors, some of whom work for NASA or related space research programs. The darker spots are usually volcanoes or hot spots.

Two volcanic plumes recently spotted on the Jovian moon Io. Credit: NASA / JPL / SwRI / MSSS / Gerald Eichstädt / CC BY 3.0 Unported Tweet may have been deleted The Jovian moon Io, in the foreground, with the ice-clad moon Europa in the distance. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SwRI / MSSS / Kevin M. Gill / CC BY 3.0 Unported The volcanic moon Io as captured on April 9, 2024. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SwRI / MSSS / Ted Stryk / CC BY 3.0 Unported

Io is blanketed in erupting volcanoes because it's relentlessly locked in a tug-of-war between nearby objects, including the colossal Jupiter. "Not only is the biggest planet in the solar system forever pulling at it gravitationally, but so are Io’s Galilean siblings — Europa and the biggest moon in the solar system, Ganymede," NASA explained in a statement. "The result is that Io is continuously stretched and squeezed, actions linked to the creation of the lava seen erupting from its many volcanoes."

This volcanic world, a world a little bigger than Earth's moon, is ceaseless erupting. Just in recent months, Juno observed a hazy plume over the volcano Prometheus. NASA's Galileo mission also captured a plume above these fields of lava in the year 2000. And the first-ever observations of Io, captured by the pioneering Voyager 1 craft, spotted at least eight different active volcanoes.

Indeed, it's a land of lava, plumes, and extreme eruptions.

Featured Video For You NASA spacecraft gets extremely close to volcanic world, snaps footage

Shōgun Tuesday is a sacred day on my X timeline.

Every week, viewers of FX's staggering historical epic flock to the internet to post their thoughts about the show's latest episode, whether it be shocked reactions to Toranaga's (Hiroyuki Sanada) latest political plays, satisfaction at Mariko's (Anna Sawai) poised verbal takedowns of her husband Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe), or enjoyment of the many, many, many times John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) asks to be reunited with his men and his ship. Often, these reactions take the form of memes — and I can't get enough.

SEE ALSO: 'Shōgun' review: 2024's first great TV epic is here

As it turns out, neither can Shōgun's writers.

"You have these inside jokes in the writers' room. They're our own memes for so many years, so it's just nice to not be alone anymore," Shōgun showrunner, co-creator, and executive producer Justin Marks told Mashable. Marks co-created and executive produced Shōgun with Rachel Kondo, and in a joint interview with Mashable, the pair revealed their favorite internet responses to the series.

The enduring power of "my men and my ship." Cosmo Jarvis in "Shōgun." Credit: Katie Yu / FX

One of the Shōgun plot elements that's only grown more meme-worthy over time is English pilot John Blackthorne's insistence that he be reunited with his men and his ship. Seriously, if Blackthorne ever goes an episode without mentioning his men or his ship, we may be in an Invasion of the Body Snatchers situation, because that would not be the Blackthorne we know.

Tweet may have been deleted

According to Kondo and Marks, the Shōgun writers' room also loved Blackthorne's singular fixation throughout the series — and so did Blackthorne actor Cosmo Jarvis.

"There were some times while shooting where Cosmo was like, 'I just think we've lost the thread of 'my men and my ship' again," Marks said. The writers would then suggest new men-and-ship-centric lines to add, and they would inevitably end up in the show.

"It always hit, every time," Marks continued. "Every time it started to come up, we would laugh in the edit."

SEE ALSO: 'Shōgun' episode 9: Mariko's gate scene revisits a key moment from episode 3. Here's why. Fuji is the reaction queen of Shōgun. Moeka Hoshi in "Shōgun." Credit: Katie Yu / FX

Another Shōgun meme MVP is highborn Lady Fuji (Moeka Hoshi), who endures unspeakable tragedy in the show's first episode, yet who continues on to deliver some of the sharpest, most memorable, and even funniest reaction shots in the entire show. Take her disgusted response to Blackthorne leaving a pigeon outside to rot, or her calmly drawing a gun on Omi (Hiroto Kanai). And of course, every one of her pointed sips of tea is ripe for reaction giffing.

Tweet may have been deleted

"We always felt like someday Fuji's reactions would become something, because we were always loving them in the writers' room," said Marks. "Then when we cast Moeka to play that part, we really felt like we had someone who had this silent film aura that we were always after." The writers' room have even started their own Fuji appreciation thread in honor of one of Shōgun's breakouts.

SEE ALSO: 'Shōgun' is a master class in period costuming Yabushige is an internet icon. Tadanobu Asano in "Shōgun." Credit: Katie Yu / FX

Another Shōgun breakout is Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano), the Lord of Izu. And what's not to love? His attempts to play both sides of the conflict between Toranaga and Ishido (Takehiro Hira) hilariously never play out according to plan, he keeps a tier list ranking ways of dying, and he's a reaction king in his own right. (Who can forget "I don't have time for this Christian nonsense?")

Tweet may have been deleted

The Shōgun writers never had anyone but Asano in mind for the role of Yabushige, keeping a photo of him with long hair and a tuxedo on the wall in the writers' room. "It felt like, 'this guy's here to party,'" Marks said of the photo. "So we wrote that as the vibe for Yabushige. Then Carlos Rosario, our costume designer, came up with the black swan feather jinbaori, and we knew that was it. He was going to show up like David Bowie coming on stage, and it's nice that people feel the same way that we do about him."

"All the actors commandeer their characters so fully that's it's really hard to tangle out how we initially thought of them," Kondo added of Asano's fan-favorite performance. "How Tadanobu plays Yabushige now, I can't imagine the character before he was a part of the show."

Shōgun is full of dark comedy — just look at Nagakado's fate. Yuki Kura in "Shōgun." Credit: Katie Yu / FX

The meme-worthiness of Shōgun may seem surprising on the surface, given its gravitas and epic historical scope. But this is a show that consistently finds humor in its heaviest moments. Look no farther than the end of episode 7, "A Stick of Time." In the episode's final scene, Toranaga's son, Nagakado (Yuki Kura), attempts to kill Toranaga's brother, Saeki (Eita Okuno), during a rainy raid on Ajiro's brothel. Just as he's about to deal the killing blow, he slips on Saeki's wet clothing — Marks referred to this as "the banana peel moment" — and cracks his skull open.

"Anybody who doesn't think we're doing a comedy in some way, I hope [episode] 7 has put that one to bed in terms of what we were after when it came to straight-faced comedy," Marks said.

"It's a dark comedy," Kondo continued.

"Yeah, just about the plans we make and then how the plans life makes [can stop us]," Marks said.

"Or the plans slippery rocks make!" Kondo joked of Nagakado's fate.

Shōgun is now streaming on Hulu.

TL;DR: Through April 21, save 18% on a pair of Nintendo Switch controllers with RGB lights and turbo buttons. Now $34.99 compared to $79.99+ for name-brand models.

Nintendo Switch gamers face an epidemic much stronger than being unable to stop playing the latest title releases — it’s the phenomenon called ‘Joy-Con drift’ where the joysticks on controllers become so worn that they start to move on their own and cause gamers to mess up in their games. If you’re experiencing that, it might be time for a new set of Nintendo Switch controllers.

While a name-brand pair could cost you upwards of $79.99, this one is only $34.99 right now (reg. $42.99). They even have RGB lights and turbo burst buttons.

Switch controllers with more features for less cash

Just like the name-brand Joy-Cons, this set has 360º joysticks and dual-shock response for immersive gaming, whether you’re playing the new Princess Peach™: Showtime! or a classic game of Overcooked. They also have a 600mAh battery capacity that provides up to 30 hours of continuous gaming, taking just three to four hours to fully charge.

However, unlike other Joy-Cons, these have vibrant RGB lighting down each side. Choose from monochromatic or colorful modes and enjoy dancing lights as you battle, race, or cook with friends in your favorite games. Of course, if they ever get too distracting, you can also turn them off.

Another unique feature you won’t find on Nintendo’s controllers is the turbo burst buttons. This third-party function is typically used by gamers for automatic, rapid button presses to enhance gameplay in certain scenarios — ever heard of mashing? 

Your new pair of Nintendo Switch controllers also come with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. Level up your gameplay with the flick of a switch — literally.

In the game of controllers, these reign supreme with RGB lights, added buttons, and being just $34.99 (reg. $42.99). 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: UGR Tech Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch with RGB Lights $30.99 at the Mashable Shop
$42.99 Save $12.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 21, save on lifelong access to this home workout and meal planner iOS app, on sale for $34.97.

The Verv app is a holistic way to work toward your goals, with a blend of physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and mindfulness guidance, helping you focus on goals like healthy eating or stress relief. Typically, this iOS app is $360 for lifetime access, but it’s currently on sale for $34.97 through April 21.

Enjoy healthy habits

The Verv app has plenty of home workouts to explore. In addition, you’ll also find options for running, walking, interval training, yoga, meditation, and guided dance tutorials. Add categories you like, get personalized recommendations, and browse weekly plans or take single sessions.

You also have the option to sync the Verv app with Apple Health to automatically export your workout data. This is helpful for those who like to track their workouts or calories.

But physical activity isn’t the only factor in achieving your health and fitness goals — and the Verv app’s holistic approach knows that well. That’s why you’ll also discover tons of recipes and meal plan collections to integrate with your training, including those for keto, vegan, and vegetarian diets.

The Verv app also prioritizes sleep and mindfulness in your fitness journey. Browse music and sounds crafted to help you unwind, de-stress, and sleep. Some of the above meditation and yoga courses could also provide some stress relief or improved sleep quality.

Get lifetime access to Verv Premium on sale for $34.97 (reg. $360) until April 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, no coupon is needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Verv Verv Premium Home Workout Planner: Lifetime Subscription $34.97 at the Mashable Shop
$360.00 Save $325.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 21, if you want to prep a computer for work or school, get Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for only $59.97. 

If you're shopping for a computer, you've probably seen the listings for refurbished devices. Those prices can go pretty low for some solid computers, but if you get one, you might also want to update it with a new operating system and the apps you're going to use every day. 

Whether you're getting a computer for school, work, or just to use at home, Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office could be welcome additions to any machine, and you only have to pay for them once. Your new-to-you computer might just feel new with a full suite of productivity apps and a shiny new interface and security toolset, and it's only $59.97 until April 21. 

Update your refurbished computer

Microsoft Office Pro 2021 is different from Microsoft 365. This version comes with many of the same apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. However, these are slightly older versions and can only be installed on one computer one time. The tradeoff is that you aren't paying for them every month, and you can use them as long as you have the computer they're installed on. 

Windows 11 Pro isn't compatible with every computer, so if you're using a refurbished computer, double-check before purchasing. Once it's installed, you might notice some exciting changes that are immediately apparent. Changes like rounded window edges and snap layouts range from pleasant to downright convenient, and that's not even touching on all the security upgrades. 

If you're installing on a school or work computer, tools like bitlocker encryption, wake and lock, and support for biometrics login could be welcome changes. If this is a home computer, then check out what the DirectX 12 Ultimate does for gaming compatibility. 

Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office for life

Don't miss your chance to give your computer a serious productivity overhaul. 

Until April 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, take advantage of this sale on a Microsoft Office 2021 lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro for $59.97. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $59.97 at the Mashable Shop
$438.00 Save $378.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 21, save $100 on this shortwave radio that receives every type of wavelength for weather-related emergencies, and entertainment — $149.99 (reg. $249.99).

Whether you live in an area recently affected by unexpected earthquakes, coastal flooding, wildfires, severe thunderstorms, or anything in between, you already know that the only thing predictable about the weather is its unpredictability. Staying prepared for emergencies is key, and we don’t just mean having a charged phone and food stashed in your basement.

If the power, internet, and cell phone towers all go out in severe weather conditions, it’s crucial to have a way to get weather and news updates. The Eton Elite Executive radio operates on batteries and picks up all types of wavelengths for emergencies and entertainment for $149.99 (reg. $249.99).

A modern twist on a timeless communication tool

Tune into AM broadcasts, and FM stations with RDS and get information like song titles, and LW and SW for long-distance and international transmissions. The radio even picks up VHF aircraft band wavelengths, meaning you can tune into air traffic control communications. When you’re stuck in a weather emergency, these access points could be crucial for getting important updates, or simply staying entertained.

The radio features precise automatic or manual digital tuning, so you can easily find the station you’re looking for or browse what’s available in your area. You can also save 700 stations, set alarms or sleep timers, and electronically adjust the volume, treble, and bass sound effects.

Of course, the Eton Elite Executive radio isn’t only for emergencies. You could bring it to the beach or camping to listen to your favorite stations or tunes. Your purchase comes with a leather carrying case to protect the radio wherever you bring it.

Prepare for the unexpected with the Eton Elite Executive radio for $149.99 (reg. $249.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eton Eton Elite Executive AM/FM/Aircraft Band/SSB/Shortwave Radio with RDS & Custom Leather Carry Cover $149.99 at the Mashable Shop
$249.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

If you've already blown through your Netflix and Hulu libraries, maybe it’s time to give Paramount+ a spin. Since Paramount has been making movies since 1916, its catalog of films is deep. Seriously. Imagine John Wayne Westerns on the same streamer as Sonic the Hedgehog! It's madness, and we love it. And now that Showtime's formidable library has been added to the catalog? Fuhgeddaboudit! 

For all movie lovers, whether you prefer silly comedies or touching character studies, here are our favorite movies from Paramount's prodigious vault to watch now on Paramount+.

1. Top Gun: Maverick Credit: Paramount Pictures / Paramount+

Top Gun: Maverick could have flopped like so many of its fellow nostalgia-fueled reboots. But instead, it soars. Tom Cruise and company have done the impossible and made a sequel that honors what worked best about the original film while still telling a fresh story that never feels like a retread. It’s pure movie magic!

More than 30 years after graduating from the Top Gun Navy fighter pilot training program, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell is called back to help prepare its newest recruits for a particularly dangerous mission. The catch? One of the recruits is the son of Pete’s late best friend and former fellow recruit, Goose. Only Maverick can push these young pilots to take the risks necessary for success, but is he willing to ask Goose’s son to put his life at risk?

Exciting, surprisingly touching, and guaranteed to have you looking up how much a pilot’s license costs, Top Gun: Maverick is peak entertainment. 

How to watch: Top Gun: Maverick is now streaming on Paramount+.

2. The Talented Mr. Ripley 

The Talented Mr. Ripley walked so Saltburn could run. This iconic psychological thriller features a young Matt Damon as Tom Ripley, a poor New Yorker who finds himself in the entourage of the rich and impossibly charismatic Dickie as he lounges and carouses his way across 1950s Europe. But is it luck that brought Tom into Dickie’s orbit, or something more sinister? 

Jude Law is at his Jude-est Law-iest as Dickie, exuding the effortless grace of a young, handsome aristocrat who can’t help but charm everyone meets. Gwyneth Paltrow glows as Dickie’s girlfriend, Marge, and Philip Seymour Hoffman is pitch-perfect as another of Dickie’s rich friends, who mistrusts Tom from the get-go. Based on the Patricia Highsmith novel and directed by Anthony Minghella, The Talented Mr. Ripley is a suspenseful, captivating classic. 

How to watch: The Talented Mr. Ripley is now streaming on Paramount+.

3. Clueless Credit: Paramount / Kobal / Shutterstock

Clueless, first of all, is iconic. Nearly 30 years have passed, but it’s still a cultural touchstone for today’s teens. Perhaps its staying power comes from its plot, directly lifted from the literal founder of the romantic comedy, Jane Austen. Like Austen’s Emma Woodhouse, Clueless’s Cher (Alicia Silverstone) acts as a matchmaker to everyone around her but can’t seem to get her own love life in order. The story alone does not fully capture the movie’s charm. Clueless is both hilarious and sweet, features unforgettable costumes, and most importantly, is filled to the brim with memorable, quotable lines. Cinema has never heard a more cutting insult than “You’re a virgin who can’t drive.” 

How to watch: Clueless is streaming on Paramount+.

4. Past Lives

Since its Sundance debut in January, writer/director Celine Song's debut feature has been buzzed about as one of the best of the year. When the film finally hit theaters in June, those outside of the Park City festival bubble got to weigh in. And this romantic movie lives up to the hype!

Greta Lee, who also appeared in such buzzy 2023 gems as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Problemista, stars as Nora, a Korean-American playwright who reconnects with her childhood sweetheart from Seoul (Teo Yoo) over a couple of heady days in New York City. Long walks and long talks scratch at the scab of what could have been, as the two share an exciting chemistry. But life is complicated — specifically, Nora is already married to the rumpled but charming Arthur (John Magaro). So, will these long-lost lovers reignite their would-be romance? Or will they have to wait for another life?* — Kristy Puchko, Film Editor

How to watch: Past Lives is now streaming on Paramount+.

5. Everything Everywhere All at Once Credit: A24 / Moviestore / Shutterstock

Want a movie with a little bit of everything? Then you can't beat the 2023 Oscar winner for Best Picture. Academy Award–winner Michelle Yeoh stars as a disgruntled Laundromat owner who's at her wit's end between her obligations as a boss, wife, mother, and daughter. And just as she's braced to deal with a tax auditor with a surly attitude (Academy Award–winner Jamie Lee Curtis), a dashing version of her husband (Academy Award–winner Ke Huy Quan) bursts onto the scene from a parallel universe to loop her into a quest to save all existence. Packed with absolutely bonkers action, outrageous jokes, dizzying style, and performances as silly as they are deeply poignant, The Daniels' Everything Everywhere All at Once is the kind of movie that'll have you laughing, crying, gasping, and maybe even reconsidering your life up to now.* — K.P.

How to watch: Everything Everywhere All at Once is now streaming on Paramount+.

6. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

A fun family adventure that still hits some 40 years later, the original Indiana Jones films have been copied many times, but never surpassed. And the first of the bunch, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, is simply legendary. Harrison Ford is swashbuckling and swoon-worthy as the adventuresome archaeology professor who spends his free time tracking down lost, ancient treasures around the globe — a task that is never as straightforward as it seems. 

How to watch: Indiana Jones is now streaming on Paramount+.

7. Carol  Credit: Wilson Webb / Killer / The Weinstein Company / Kobal / Shutterstock

Based on Patricia Highsmith's novel The Price of Salt (republished as Carol in 1990), Todd Haynes's Carol stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara as two forbidden lovers in 1950s New York. Therese (Mara) is an aspiring photographer working at a department store one Christmas when she meets Carol (Blanchett), who is shopping for a present for her daughter. The sparks fly immediately, but their blossoming love has a few roadblocks, such as Carol's impending divorce from her crappy husband, Harge (Kyle Chandler, no!), not to mention that era's attitude towards homosexuality.

If you're in the mood for queer yearning, a tense slow-burn, and one of the best sapphic love stories ever, Carol is the perfect watch. You will feel all the feelings.* — Yasmeen Hamadeh, Freelance Contributor  

How to watch: Carol is now streaming on Paramount+.

8. Galaxy Quest 

Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, and Daryl Mitchell are the fictional crew of a cult TV sci-fi series, Galaxy Quest. Years after the show’s been off the air, they float from convention to convention, signing autographs and wishing their careers had gone in a different direction. Until one day, they’re kidnapped by aliens who saw their TV broadcast from across the galaxy and thought it was real! Uh oh! Now the aliens hope Tim Allen and crew can defend their planet against an invading force, while the hapless band of actors just hopes they can keep up the ruse long enough to find a way home. Galaxy Quest is a deeply silly movie that packs a sneaky emotional punch. An absolute winner, through and through. 

How to watch: Galaxy Quest is now streaming on Paramount+.

9. Bodies Bodies Bodies Credit: A24 / Moviestore / Shutterstock

Like your comedy with a side of murder? Directed by Halina Reijn, this A24 thriller boasts a playful premise and a bevy of hot stars. Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myha'la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders, Rachel Sennott, Lee Pace, and Pete Davidson play a motley crew of friends who plan for a wild weekend in a remote mansion. But when a childish game of pretend murder leads to real bloodshed, these friends turn suspicious of each other faster than you can say party foul. Cleverly constructed, wickedly funny, and weirdly hot, Bodies Bodies Bodies is a demented delight.* — K.P.

How to watch: Bodies Bodies Bodies is now streaming on Paramount+.

10. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves 

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is the definition of a crowd-pleaser. Thrilling action sequences, ridiculous side characters, beloved actors playing gleefully against type, plenty of Easter eggs for the hardcore DnD fans — this is one adventure you don’t want to miss. 

Chris Pine is Edgin Darvis, a bard and peacekeeper who turned to a life of thievery to support his daughter following the death of his wife — and was thrown in jail for it. After escaping with his friend Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), Edgin will stop at nothing to reunite with his daughter.

How to watch: Dungeons and Dragons is now streaming on Paramount+.

11. She’s All That Credit: Claudette Barius / Miramax / Kobal / Shutterstock

A romantic comedy hall-of-famer, 1999’s She’s All That gives us one of the most iconic and absurd examples of nerdy-girl-isn’t-hot-until-you-take-her-glasses-off movie magic. Freddie Prinze Jr. is lovably smug as the high school top dawg who bets his bros he can turn any girl into the prom queen in six weeks, even social outcast Laney Boggs. That’s right, it’s a 1990s Pygmalion/My Fair Lady — and you already know how it ends! 

This is a teen comedy that retains some of its edge; the teens were still allowed to be mean to each other in the ‘90s. Rachael Leigh Cook became a household name as the artsy high school misfit who was obviously cute long before she got contacts. Matthew Lillard, Paul Walker, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Kieran Culkin, Anna Paquin, Gabrielle Union, and more help cement She’s All That in the hallowed halls of rom-com history, and its soundtrack is a full-fledged nostalgia bomb. It’s time for a rewatch.*

How to watch: She’s All That is now streaming on Paramount+.

12. Hit the Road

At first, when we see this Iranian family on a road trip, it seems as though we’re settling in for a carefree vacation. But as time goes on, we realize there is more to this story, and the family is on a high-stakes journey to sneak their adult son out of the country. 

Warm, thrilling, and completely fresh, Hit the Road is a stirring look at a family doing their best in an impossible situation. Writer/director Panah Panahi weaves from humor to tragedy and back again with sophistication and grace, incorporating silence as a meaningful player in his storytelling. Panahi knows the power of secrets and censorship all too well, as he is the son of acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who himself was silenced by his government and banned from creating more films. 

How to watch: Hit the Road is now streaming on Paramount+.

13. The Lost City Credit: Kimberley French / Paramount Pictures

Does it ever feel like nothing will fix your problems but a Sanda Bullock romantic comedy? Enter 2022’s The Lost City. Is it a perfect movie? No. Is it a ridiculously fun adventure chock-full of charismatic actors and one iconic sequin jumpsuit? Heck yes, it is!

Bullock is Loretta Sage, a reclusive romance novelist who has given up on love in her own life after the death of her husband. Channing Tatum is simply perfect as the himbo cover model for her books who is secretly in love with her. When an unhinged billionaire kidnaps Loretta because her latest book recalls similar details to a lost treasure he’s hunting, Tatum takes it upon himself, and his zero useful skills, to rescue her. 

How to watch: The Lost City is now streaming on Paramount+.

14. The Big Short

For those of us who are aware that the housing market crashed in 2007 but have no clue how or why it happened, there is hope in the form of The Big Short. Somehow, Adam McKay turned a devastating crisis that bankrupted millions of innocent Americans into a gripping, informative, and funny movie! Wee!

The film follows multiple disparate investors, hedge fund managers, and financial players as they each, on their own, begin to uncover the faulty foundation holding up the U.S. housing market: a lot of mortgage loans were simply backed by bullsh*t. And with the help of a star-studded cast — including Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, John Magaro. and more — alongside clever visuals and accessible explanations, The Big Short is mandatory viewing for anyone wanting to understand more about the ruthless power of the Big Banks. But, like, in a fun way. 

How to watch: The Big Short is now streaming on Paramount+.

15. Aftersun Credit: A24 / Moviestore / Shutterstock

Do we ever truly know our loved ones? Writer/director Charlotte Wells explores the desire to understand our family members in a stunning debut feature, Aftersun. Paul Mescal is captivating and enigmatic as Calum, a young father taking his 11-year-old daughter Sophie on a vacation to celebrate his birthday. As the film unfolds, and Sophie records their trip on a camcorder (this is the late ‘90s, afterall!), we see flashes of adult Sophie rewatching the footage, yearning to know more deeply the man hidden inside her dad. Aftersun is an astounding, empathetic character study that will stay with you for days. 

How to watch: Aftersun is now streaming on Paramount+.

16. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

Jenny Slate and her ex-husband Dean Fleischer Camp created the viral Marcel the Shell character while they were still together. Post-divorce, they worked alongside each other to bring the sweet little shell to the big screen with this very A24 movie. And while it probably was not fun to work as exes, we are grateful they took one for the team, because Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is a whimsical, heartwarming, mockumentary adventure that will make you laugh, cry, and want to talk in a teeny, tiny little voice. 

How to watch: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is now streaming on Paramount+.

17. A Quiet Place  Credit: Jonny Cournoyer / Paramount / Kobal / Shutterstock

John Krasinski went from actor to celebrated director with this spine-tingling 2018 hit. Starring opposite his real-life wife Emily Blunt, The Office star plays a farmer dedicated to protecting his family from killer creatures that hunt by sound. This clever premise means the movie’s characters can't scream, because such a sound would definitely be their last. That means your own sounds of terror are weaponized while watching, crashing into the silent soundscape that’s suffocating in tension.

Ruthlessly paced and keenly realized, A Quiet Place is a superbly scary thrill ride. But what makes it top-tier are the poignant performances by Krasinski, Blunt, and their onscreen children, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe. Together, they make a family-frightening feature that's perfect for a quiet night at home. And if you dare to double-feature, the spooky sequel, A Quiet Place: Part II, is also available. — Kristy Puchko, Deputy Entertainment Editor *

How to watch: A Quiet Place is now streaming on Paramount+.

18. Saving Private Ryan

In 1944, after surviving the harrowing D-Day battle at Omaha beach, Captain John Miller and his team are tasked with taking a message across France to one Private James Ryan. Ryan’s three brothers have been killed in action, and the U.S. government, looking for a positive PR story, wants to bring Ryan home alive to his mother. Miller and his team resent this mission. Is all this effort worth saving one life? 

Steven Spielberg’s moving masterpiece is a sobering rumination on the harsh reality of war. Deaths are senseless and shocking. The opening D-Day sequence has been heralded as one of the most accurate film depictions of the chaos, the confusion, the brutality of a battle. Against this backdrop of violence and impermanence, the characters struggle to hold on to their humanity — but perhaps a mission of goodwill will help them remember. Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, and more round out the cast of this unforgettable film. 

How to watch: Saving Private Ryan is now streaming on Paramount+.

19. To Catch a Thief Credit: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

An Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece, To Catch a Thief is a half-suspense, half-romance whodunnit against a sparkling Mediterranean backdrop. Cary Grant is smooth as ever as John Robie, a reformed jewel thief now living a quiet life in the French Riviera. But when a string of new robberies puts him under suspicion, he’ll have to find the real culprit before he takes the blame. 

Grace Kelly is literally glowing in this film, playing one of the rich tourists whose belongings were stolen, and her sumptuous Edith Head costumes are truly iconic. To Catch a Thief is one of those gorgeous classics where no one has a job and everyone speaks in witty double entendres. It’s a mischievous, flirtatious movie that makes you want to put on an enormous hat and move to Monaco — which is what Grace Kelly did: It was during the production of Thief that she met her future husband, the Prince of Monaco!

How to watch: To Catch a Thief is now streaming on Paramount+.

20. Titanic

Kate Winslet is Rose, a young, upper-class Brit aboard the RMS Titanic who soon finds herself in a whirlwind romance with the handsome, charming, and penniless Jack — Leonardo DiCaprio’s star-making role. Their class difference isn’t the only obstacle their love faces, as Rose’s wealthy fiancé Cal (Billy Zane) is also on the ship, and the ship is about to run into an enormous iceberg and become the world’s most famous maritime catastrophe. 

James Cameron’s Titanic is an epic in every sense of the word. The love story is melodramatic and all-encompassing, made even more urgent by the impending doom we know is waiting for the lovers. When the action hits, it is visceral, harrowing, and breathtaking: an incomprehensible disaster seen through the eyes of its human victims. There’s also a whole bit about Rose in the present as an old woman and the team trying to find the ship’s wreckage — but no one really remembers that part.* 

How to watch: Titanic is now streaming on Paramount+.

21. Arrival Credit: Shutterstock

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill alien flick. Arrival is a moody, complex science fiction drama where 12 extraterrestrial ships land across the globe… and wait. Countries scramble to make contact, to decipher meaning from the aliens’ presence. Enter Amy Adams as Louise Banks, a linguist assigned to study the alien’s language from their USA parking spot in Montana. The closer she comes to understanding the visitors’ intentions, the more her perception of the world around her begins to change. Arrival is scenic and existential, pairing high-concept philosophical questions with sweeping shots of the Montana plains. It’s suspenseful, provocative, and atmospheric — a winning combination for science fiction. And it goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway, Amy Adams is (as always!) at the top of her game here.

How to watch: Arrival is now streaming on Paramount+.

22. Minority Report

All the best science-fiction flicks are based on Philip K. Dick stories. First Blade Runner, then Total Recall, and in 2002, the mind-warping thriller Minority Report. The year is 2054, and America has won the war on crime by instituting the “Precrime” program, which utilizes future-telling technology to arrest people before they actually commit their foretold crime. Precrime Officer John Anderton (Tom Cruise) strongly believes in the power of his department, until his name appears on the arrest list for an upcoming murder. Directed by Steven Spielberg, Minority Report  is a complex science fiction story, a gripping action movie, and a suspenseful mystery film all-in-one.

How to watch: Minority Report is now streaming on Paramount+.

23. Mean Girls Credit: CBS via Getty Images

There’s a reason why, over 15 years later, we’re still joking “You can’t sit with us!!!” when our friends meet us late for dinner. Mean Girls set the standard for teen comedies in the early 2000s. The Tina Fey-penned flick was a box office behemoth when it debuted in 2004, and it shows no signs of fading out of relevance any time soon. Lindsay Lohan is Cady Heron, a formerly home-schooled teenager with no clue how to navigate the strict and punishing social hierarchy of North Shore High School. Her new friends, themselves social misfits, push her to infiltrate the popular crowd so they can ultimately take down the Queen Bee, a flawless Rachel McAdams. 

Mean Girls is hilarious, endlessly quotable, and a piercingly accurate take on the stakes of popularity in 2000s American high schools. Luckily, since “On Wednesdays, we wear pink” and “She doesn't even go here!” have firmly taken root in our collective cultural consciousness, we can keep enjoying this gem for decades to come. 

How to watch: Mean Girls is now streaming on Paramount+.

24. School of Rock

Before Mike White became the White Lotus king, he wrote Jack Black his most perfect role in School of Rock. Black plays an unsuccessful musician (who was kicked out of his band for rocking too hard!) hellbent on winning a local battle of the bands. In need of cash, he swipes his roommate’s substitute teaching gig at a fancy prep school and plans to ditch as soon as he gets a paycheck. But when he discovers these kids are fantastic little musicians, another plan takes shape. Can he and a group of middle schoolers win the battle of the bands? 

Insane, silly, and good clean fun, School of Rock is a winner for the whole family with some truly unforgettable tunes! 

How to watch: School of Rock is now streaming on Paramount+.

*Asterisks indicate the writeup is adapted from another Mashable article.

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UPDATE: Apr. 15, 2024, 3:27 p.m. EDT This article was updated to include the latest streaming options.

Last October, X/Twitter started charging a $1 annual fee to new accounts before they could post on the platform, but only in New Zealand and the Philippines. The change was a part of a new program called Not a Bot, with the goal to bolster X's efforts to "reduce spam, manipulation of our platform and bot activity."

Now, it appears that this program is expanding to all markets.

Tweet may have been deleted

The changes was noted by XUpdatesRadar, an automated account which detects text string changes on X's website and apps. The new text, detected Monday, states that "New accounts are required to pay a small annual fee before you're able to post, like, bookmark, and reply. This is to reduce spam and to create a better experience for everyone. You can still follow accounts and browse X for free."

X owner Elon Musk seemingly confirmed the news in a tweet.

"Unfortunately, a small fee for new user write access is the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots. Current AI (and troll farms) can pass “are you a bot” with ease," he wrote.

Tweet may have been deleted

"The onslaught of fake accounts also uses up the available namespace, so many good handles are taken as a result," he added in a subsequent tweet.

It's unclear how big the fee will be, but in the New Zealand and the Philippines test it was set to $1, which amounted to $1.43 NZD in New Zealand and 42.51 PHP in the Philippines. There's also no info on when the new scheme will come into effect.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk might charge everyone for Twitter/X next

Elon Musk vowed to rid Twitter/X of spambots even before he acquired the platform in 2022. One of the measures he implemented was to start charging for the blue checkmark "verified" status, though that did little – both anecdotally and according to research – to solve the issue.

TL;DR: Watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Rajasthan Royals in the IPL for free on JioCinema. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The IPL is delivering the goods once again, and we've got all the information you need to tune into key matches. We're well into the season as the Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals prepare to go head-to-head in the 31st round of the season.

If you want to watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Rajasthan Royals for free from anywhere in the world, look no further, we have all the info you need.

When is Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Rajasthan Royals?

Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Rajasthan Royals starts at 3 p.m. BST on April 16. The match takes place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India.

How to watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Rajasthan Royals for free

JioCinema is offering free live streams of every IPL cricket match this season in 4K resolution on its app.

JioCinema is geo-restricted to India, but anyone can unblock this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access JioCinema from anywhere in the world.

Unblock JioCinema to stream the IPL 2024 by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for 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 India

4. Visit JioCinema (you will need an Indian phone number to subscribe)

5. Watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Rajasthan Royals for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

Most of the best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch IPL live streams without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select IPL fixtures for free.

If you want permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for JioCinema?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking JioCinema, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including India

• 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

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream the IPL for free with ExpressVPN.

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TL;DR: Stream the 2024 Giro d’Italia for free on SBS on Demand, RTBF, or RaiPlay. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It really doesn't get much tougher than cycling. We'll be honest and say that we don't fully understand the appeal of setting out in the morning to punish yourself over long climbs through potentially miserable conditions, but this sort of thing clearly works for a lot of people, because we see plenty of enthusiasts out there on the roads every day.

What we can see the appeal of is watching the very best cyclists in the world going wheel to wheel in one of the most prestigious cycling events on the calendar. We're talking about the Giro d'Italia, and we've got all the information you need to follow along from the comfort of your home.

What is the Giro d’Italia?

The Giro d'Italia is an annual multiple-stage bicycle race primarily held in Italy. The Giro d'Italia is one of cycling's most prestigious three-week-long Grand Tours, and is the world's second most important stage race after the Tour de France.

When is the 2024 Giro d’Italia?

The 2024 Giro d'Italia is the 107th edition of the famous race. This year's event takes place from May 4 to May 26.

How to watch the 2024 Giro d’Italia for free

It's possible to watch the 2024 Giro d'Italia live and for free on these streaming platforms:

• Australia — SBS on Demand

• Belgium — RTBF

• Italy — RaiPlay

These free streaming services are geo-restricted to their country of origin, meaning you'll be blocked if you attempt to connect from anywhere else in the world. That is unless you're using a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access free streaming platforms from any location.

Stream the 2024 Giro d'Italia for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for 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 Australia, Belgium, or Italy

4. Visit SBS on Demand, RTBF, or RaiPlay

5. Watch the 2024 Giro d’Italia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

Most of the best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these guarantees, you can watch Giro d’Italia live streams without committing with your cash. This is a sneaky trick, but it works.

What is the best VPN for Giro d’Italia?

There are a lot of streaming-friendly VPNs out there for you to consider, but ExpressVPN is probably the best service for live streaming top sporting events. ExpressVPN is a great choice for streaming the Giro d’Italia, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria, Belgium, and Italy

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This heavily discounted plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can sign up to watch 2024 Giro d’Italia and then recover your investment with the money-back guarantee.

Live stream the 2024 Giro d’Italia for free with ExpressVPN.