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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.

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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.

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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.

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: Duke it out

• Green: Alternative names for Massachusetts teams

• Blue: Soccer team nicknames

• Purple: Famous group of players on Houston's baseball team

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: Fight

• Green: Shortened nicknames for Boston teams

• Blue: Premier League team nicknames

• Purple: Astros "Killer B's"

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 #116 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Fight - BATTLE, BOX, BRAWL, SPAR

• Shortened nicknames for Boston teams - B'S, C'S. PATS, SOX

• Premier League team nicknames - BEES, CHERRIES, FOXES, HAMMERS

• Astros "Killer B's" - BAGWELL, BELL, BERKMAN, BIGGIO

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.

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, January 17, 2025:

AcrossOwner of a shop called The Bun Also Rises, most likely

• The answer is Baker.

Kind of oil served with bread

• The answer is Olive.

Throw in the ___

• The answer is Towel.

"Fine" dishware for a dinner party

• The answer is China.

Very quick

• The answer is Hasty.

DownBungle, as plastic surgery

• The answer is Botch.

___ State, nickname for Hawaii

• The answer is Aloha.

Fuzzy fruits or flightless birds

• The answer is Kiwis.

4 x 400-meter race, e.g.

• The answer is Event.

4 x 400-meter race, e.g.

• The answer is Relay.

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.

The Andromeda galaxy is a colossal marvel in our sky, hosting over 1 trillion stars.

Now, astronomers have used the Hubble Space Telescope to capture hundreds of detailed images of our vast galactic neighbor, creating the largest-ever photomosaic of the galaxy. It took over 10 years to create.

"Photographing Andromeda was a herculean task because the galaxy is a much bigger target on the sky than the galaxies Hubble routinely observes, which are often billions of light-years away," NASA, which operates Hubble with the European Space Agency, explained. "The full mosaic was carried out under two Hubble programs. In total, it required over 1,000 Hubble orbits, spanning more than a decade."

SEE ALSO: Webb telescope just solved the 'universe-breaking problem'

The image below shows the complete mosaic. Beneath that is a selection of intriguing sights within the mosaic, labeled A through E:

• A: Star clusters in Andromeda, foreground stars in our Milky Way galaxy, and two background galaxies far beyond Andromeda (shown in yellowish-orange).

• B: A bright star cloud in Andromeda called NGC 206.

• C: A star-forming region in Andromeda with young blue stars.

• D: A satellite galaxy known as M32. It could be the leftover core of a galaxy that once collided with Andromeda, the European Space Agency explains.

• E: Dust lanes amid an enormous number of stars, which brilliantly light up the Andromeda galaxy.

The largest-ever photomosaic of the Andromeda galaxy. Credit: NASA / ESA / B. Williams (U. of Washington) Annotated details of the expansive Andromeda galaxy. Credit: NASA / ESA / B. Williams (U. of Washington)

Andromeda, at some 2.5 million light-years away, is relatively close in space terms (though that's still an enormous distance; a light-year is nearly 6 trillion miles). This cosmic proximity allows us to understand our own spiral galaxy, on which we occupy a spot on one of the spiral arms.

"Without Andromeda as a proxy for spiral galaxies in the universe at large, astronomers would know much less about the structure and evolution of our own Milky Way," NASA said. "That's because we are embedded inside the Milky Way. This is like trying to understand the layout of New York City by standing in the middle of Central Park."

Our galaxy, while not small, isn't nearly as big as Andromeda. We harbor some 100 to 400 billion stars. One day, however, the two galaxies may collide, forming a giant, egg-shaped elliptical galaxy. But that great merger won't happen for billions of years.

Lawrence Lamont’s One of Them Days is a feel-good buddy comedy just when we need it the most: in the middle of a gloomy January.

Dreux (Keke Palmer) is having one of those days when the universe seems to be conspiring against her. On the day of a big job interview, she learns that her longtime friend and roommate Alyssa (SZA) gave her good-for-nothing boyfriend their rent money believing he would do the right thing. Instead, he squandered their money on one of his hairbrained side hustles and skipped out to pursue another woman. Their merciless landlord threatens them with eviction if they can’t come up with the full amount by the end of the day. Now Dreux, a waitress with dreams of managing her own franchise, and Alyssa, a struggling artist with questionable judgment, must come up with the money and solve a few more problems along the way. 

The movie delivers a slew of silly hijinks and physical comedy with an equal amount of heart as the two mismatched characters lean on each other to get through a notoriously bad day. One of Them Days also serves as a love letter to Los Angeles — hitting even more powerfully given the recent wildfires — highlighting the neighborhoods where residents continue to dream big and work hard, far beyond the tourist spots. 

One of Them Days follows in the grand tradition of the hangout movie

One of Them Days feels like a throwback in the best way possible. It’s a hangout movie —  films in which well-meaning goofs just try to have a good time or fall in love — in the tradition of Cheech and Chong’s Up in Smoke, the Kid ‘n Play-led House Party, and the Wayans' Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood. Lamont’s film even channels a bit of John Landis’ 1978 Animal House with its chaotic spirit, large ensemble, and updates on each of the characters at the end.

But perhaps the greatest thematic connection is to F. Gary Gray’s ‘90s comedy classic Friday, which centers on two friends who need to settle a debt before a short deadline, or they will die. The dynamic between Ice Cube and Chris Tucker gives Friday its emotional grounding while its many, many jokes and quips (including the line you've heard way too many times since, "Bye Felicia!") have kept the film alive in the pop culture.

One of Them Days involves two friends with a similar dynamic chasing after a goal, but Dreux and Alyssa go about it in a different way, attempting to use their entrepreneurial skills to come up with the money in just a few hours' time.  

One of Them Days is fresh and fun Credit: Courtesy Sony Pictures

Those earlier films have something else in common: They focused on men, with women playing supporting or bit parts, if they factored in the narrative at all. One of Them Days, then, breaks ground, delivering feel-good laughs with its jokes about women behaving badly, falling into hilarious shenanigans, and expressing their deep support for one another. (In so doing, it brings to mind the no-holds-barred camaraderie of Girls Trip, which also shook up the formula to great success, and the 1997 cult classic B.A.P.S., in which two friends head to Los Angeles to pursue their dreams and finance their salon-soul food business.) 

One of Them Days is produced by Insecure actor and writer Issa Rae, who has satirized social issues in previous works. The film continues the trend, tackling negligent landlords, gentrification, bad credit scores, and predatory payday loans. Writer Syreeta Singleton, who also wrote for Insecure and Rae’s comedy TV series Rap Sh!t, gives us a movie that tips its hat to the past while making it uniquely her own. Lamont, a fellow Rap Sh!t alum, sets the comedy tone of the movie with exaggerated camera work (think zooms and dramatic angles) and details like a countdown clock to emphasize the time slipping away for our heroes.

One of Them Days also shares a connection with another Issa Rae-related production, A Black Lady Sketch Show, in the way quirky characters are introduced in skit-like encounters before our heroines move on — or run away from — the strangers they meet.

Keke Palmer and SZA are a match made in movie heaven Credit: Anne Marie Fox

They tease each other, they support each other, they fight and make up. Like Issa and Molly in Insecure, Dreux and Alyssa go through the highs and lows of sticking together, and they help each other mature through this stressful, silly day. They’re so charming, it’s impossible not to root for Alyssa’s bad plans to work out and Dreux’s nonstop ambition. Singleton has written them to be witty and endearing if imperfect, making them pretty relatable in their struggles. Plus, Lamont makes them look amazing, even in ridiculous clothes and situations.

But the bulk of the credit belongs to the movie’s stars. Palmer is so incredibly charismatic, she commands the screen even when her character is embarrassing herself, like when she awkwardly loses her words in the presence of her crush. SZA brings a completely different presence to the film as an unflappable Internet Age artist who is almost calm to a fault yet doesn't have enough foresight to avoid sending a text message she will regret. Their delivery is spot-on; their reactions are outsized and boisterous. Together, they have incredible fun making the best out of terrible situations, like taking a pair of vintage Air Jordans off telephone wires to bankroll their rent by polishing up the old shoes and staging them with flowers; jumping into a fight to defend a friend; or surviving a medical emergency, then sprinting out of the back of an ambulance to avoid the pricey medical bill. 

The pair are joined by a sizable cast of offbeat characters, including an unlucky man named Lucky (played by legendary comedian Katt Williams). Janelle James of Abbott Elementary shows up briefly as a failed phlebotomist; Lil Rel Howery crashes the party as a weird, weepy shoe collector; Maude Apatow waltzes in as a bright-eyed symbol of gentrification named Bethany. There’s also Patrick Cage as Dreux’s dreamy love interest, Maniac; Joshua David Neal as Alyssa’s bad news boyfriend, Keshawn; and Aziza Scott’s fiery “Big Booty” Berniece as the villainous bully taking Dreux and Alyssa’s day from bad to worse.  

One of Them Days is a refreshing take on a well-worn comedy premise. With a résumé largely featuring music videos and, most recently, Rap Sh!t, Lamont has a cool directing style that results in scenes that are vibrant and sleek, full of high-octane needle drops to match. He and cinematographer Ava Berkofsky make the characters look like they’re popping off the screen through close-ups, action shots, and eye-catching costumes. There is always movement and motion, even if it’s as subtle as a side-eye or raised eyebrow. With that kinetic background, Palmer and SZA bring the heart and soul to a unique buddy comedy that feels fresh and timely.

One of Them Days is now in theaters.

Forget death and taxes. The one certainty in life is that when you hit middle age, teenagers will roll their eyes at you and find you woefully uncool. Even celebrities and rock stars share stories on talk shows about how their brood are comically unimpressed with them, because parents — arbiters of bedtime and screentime — are lame. But what these kids just don't understand (to paraphrase a Will Smith classic) is that we were cool once and have the potential to be cool again! Or at least this is the fantasy that plays out at the heart of Back in Action, a rousing action-comedy starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx. 

This Netflix original kicks off with Diaz and Foxx as a pair of sexy spies, transporting a digital key on a secret mission. But when a devious double-cross forces them to fake their deaths, they go into hiding to save not only their lives but also that of their baby, who Emily (Diaz) has just learned she's carrying. Cut to 15 years later, and she and Matt (Foxx) have settled into a cozy suburban life, where they have a big, lovely house and two teen children, who think they know everything, from how to sneak out with a fake ID to how to make the most out of their handheld tech. But when a surly threat to their daughter pitches Emily back into action hero mode, their cover is blown and this family of four must go on the run.

SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know about

Imagine the scene in Spy Kids where Juni and Carmen learn the truth about their parents' jobs, but for a whole movie, and the kids are just supporting characters. Truly, the core of Back in Action is watching two devoted parents reclaim their cool and their identities as more than mom and dad — and winning their kids' respect because of it.

Back in Action shows a lot of '90s love.  Credit: John Wilson / Netflix

The first act of Back in Action plays like a '90s rom-com with an espionage twist, like what if Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks did Sleepless in Skyfall? As couple-up spies Diaz and Foxx have a bright and cozy chemistry reminiscent of this splendid era of the genre, where the banter was bouncy and the soundtrack was determinedly old school. As such, Dean Martin's "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" plays as the jaunty backdrop to a hand-to-hand combat sequence that pits the pair against sneering mercenaries.

Of course, as both Diaz and Foxx (and by extension Emily and Matt) are firmly Gen X, there are also songs on the soundtrack that hit the '90s-ish nostalgia spot, like Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (That Thing)" and Salt-N-Pepa's "Push It." The latter gets a special moment in a family road trip singalong, where the parents revel in knowing every lusty word, while their kids look on in shock and embarrassment. And fret not, gang, Diaz may have taken a decade away from appearing in movies but her dance moves are just as we remembered from The Sweetest Thing — confident, dorky, and adorable. 

As the female lead, Diaz herself feels a bit of a throwback in the role, not only because of her time out of the public eye but also because Back in Action is exactly the kind of movie she's best in. The actor has always had a dazzling screen presence and comedy chops — made clear as early as 1994's Jim Carrey vehicle The Mask and 1997's My Best Friend's Wedding. But her gift for physical comedy expanded masterfully into action choreography in delightful movies like A Life Less Ordinary, Charlie's Angels, and Knight and Day. It's a pleasure to see her back in action, making the most of every cheeky close-up, ass-kicking witticism, and sharp turn from winsome smile to ferocious sneer. Foxx proves Diaz's perfectly paired partner, matching her high energy and ability to switch seamlessly from game goofiness into sleek spy chic. Together, they offer an action-comedy that cruises on charisma. 

Back in Action gives Gen X a fantasy of espionage action and parent-child acceptance.  Credit: John Wilson / Netflix

As Matt and Emily battle determined foes — including her very uppity English ex (Andrew Scott) — and make uneasy allies — like Emily's snooty mother (Glenn Close) and her dopey boytoy (Jamie Demetriou) —  their kids have a backseat view of all the action, being forced to see their parents beyond the bland boundaries of mom and dad. This is especially poignant for Alice (McKenna Roberts), whose teen angst has been souring her relationship with her mom. Given a newfound awareness of her mother's past struggles, Alice can see how she and Emily are alike, despite their differences. 

There's a tender tale of reconnecting across a generational divide here, and while it's admittedly a bit easy, that's part of its charm. Amid a slew of spectacular action scenes (that make me wish Netflix did proper theatrical releases), Back in Action offers a simple but satisfying thread about parents re-claiming who they are outside of their family obligations — without losing their connection to their kids. In a sweet way, Back in Action becomes a story about trust, as secrets are exposed and hard truths swallowed along with some tears.

Admittedly, this narrative gets a bit overshadowed in a stunt-stacked climax that involves a speedboat chase, hacking a dam, and the aforementioned McGuffin. But that's just to be expected from an espionage movie. And sure, there are plot holes in this movie — like why would a former MI6 spy have security cameras that record an army rolling in, but don't sound alarms? But it's hard to be too bothered when the whole thing is just such a blast overall. 

Don't overthink it. Turn on Back in Action, and allow the star power and nostalgia for the heyday of '90s rom-coms, the peak of Cameron Diaz fame, and the fun of all that wash over you. Or watch it with the kids, and maybe drop some hints on how hard you relate to Emily and Matt. Because sure, we might have Etsy shops and sourdough starters now, but back then? These kids don't even know. 

How to watch: Back in Action debuts on Netflix on Jan. 17.

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

The Charlotte Hornets head to United Center to face the Chicago Bulls in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Hornets are 9-28, which puts them in 14th place. The Bulls are 18-23, which puts them in 10th place.

The Hornets have lost four of their last five games, and are coming off a loss to the Phoenix Suns. The Bulls have lost three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back losses to the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings.

When is Charlotte Hornets vs. Chicago Bulls?

Charlotte Hornets vs. Chicago Bulls in the NBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Jan. 17. This game takes place at United Center in Chicago.

How to watch Charlotte Hornets vs. Chicago Bulls

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. Bulls basketball game.

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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. 

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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. Bulls 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. Chicago Bulls 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

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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. Chicago Bulls 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

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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. Chicago Bulls in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

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Say goodbye to the cord chaos. At $99.99, the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless adapter with streaming support is an affordable way to bring your car tech into the wireless age. 

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Your usual streaming rotation might be fun, but it might not be feeding your brain. If you’re craving something more thought-provoking, MagellanTV delivers a library of over 3,000 documentaries and series that cover everything from science and history to true crime and nature. For a limited time, you can pick up a lifetime subscription on sale for $199.99.

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An unremarkable real-world thriller, September 5 fails on numerous fronts: both as a film re-telling the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis, and as a journalistic retrospective about TV broadcasting. It arrives with renewed relevance in light of constant, harrowing news from Palestine, but the movie’s narrowed focus — almost entirely confining the plot to the real-time developments within ABC's Munich newsroom — is a blinkered approach that ends up saying little about the events either in retrospect, or as they unfolded in the moment.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best movies of 2024 (so far!)

Swiss director Tim Fehlbaum brings clockwork proficiency to his screenplay (which he co-wrote with Moritz Binder and Alex David). However, his technical acumen is in service of a mechanical cinematic experience whose political outlook is awkward at best, and status-quo fawning at worst. That the film is now on people's Oscar radar appears to be an outcome of its appearance on one solitary list of predictions, despite it receiving little buzz out of its Venice premiere. Whether September 5 hits with award bodies remains to be seen, but to laud it with trophies would be a severe political miscalculation, an act that — like the film itself — is all bluster, and features little by way of artistic inquiry.

What is September 5 about?

In the early hours of Sept. 5, 1972, eight gunmen from the Palestinian militia Black September took the Israeli Olympic team hostage in their hotel and demanded the release of over 200 Palestinian prisoners — an event depicted in the opening scenes of Steven Spielberg's Munich. Among the first news stories of its kind to be broadcast live around the globe, this armed encounter helped set the stage for such coverage in the future, a self-reflexivity the movie hints toward, as its journalists scramble to bring the story to a worldwide audience. Far from saints, some of its journalist characters are downright opportunistic, which begins to paint an intriguing portrait of the future of TV news. However, Fehlbaum never quite follows this instinct.

On one hand, tethering the film's perspective to ABC's makeshift control center offers unique insight into live broadcasting, a complex technical process seldom explored on screen. In that vein, the film is tantalizingly tactile, with its use of maps, books, and telephones re-jigged to function as radio receivers so the whole team can eavesdrop on German police scanners. On the other hand, the ethics of breakneck TV decision-making, and the media's role in capturing the affair, which took place over 20 hours, while making harmful mistakes — like broadcasting police strategies live on air, so the attackers could get one step ahead — play out in rote fashion.

It’s as though September 5 were obligated to touch on every item on a biopic checklist, more so the logistics of "what" and "who" rather than the more emotionally detailed “how” and “why,” without exploring the broader implications of what’s on screen. Even meeting the movie on its level, within these narrow parameters, yields disappointing drama, since the edit rarely ruminates on the momentary impact of any event or decision. "It's not about details, it's about EMOTIONS," one character argues in a pivotal scene. If only the movie had followed suit. 

SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know about

However, the issues don't begin and end with how the story is told; they're often tied to what sliver of the larger whole the movie chooses to tell (and all that it leaves to the imagination). John Magaro plays Geoffrey Mason, the spry new producer charged with making real-time editing decisions, while Peter Sarsgaard appears as executive Roone Arledge, a vulture of sorts, but a suit who gets things done against all odds. The tension between them is akin to that of film directors and studio execs battling over an edit — what's right for the story vs. what's best business — only in the case of an armed standoff and hostage negotiation unfolding in real time, that edit happens just seconds before images make it to air.

As the superego to Magaro and Sarsgaard's ego and id, Ben Chaplin's broadcasting overseer Marvin Bader is an occasional voice of reason, though his function is largely to verbalize the movie's ethical conundrums. Few of these are allowed to play out within the drama itself, since the movie is quick to jump from any brief moment of realization or self-reflection toward the next real-world event. 

The half-baked politics of September 5.

Conspicuous by his physical absence through much of the film is a character who makes a fleeting appearance early on: TV journalist Peter Jennings (Benjamin Walker), whose brief dialogue in the newsroom hints at the complex politics involved. Jennings' voice can be heard through archival audio as he narrates the hostage situation live, but any sense that his extensive experience covering the Middle East might come in handy and provide a nuanced perspective is often brushed aside by the film, and by the other characters. For instance, his suggestion that the word "terrorist" be avoided in favor of "guerillas" or "commandos" is practically treated as a punchline.

The term has since become loaded and racialized, and after a single exchange touches on this tension, the conversation quickly falls by the wayside, until the movie—in its closing titles — uses the term as well, rather than taking a more critical approach to the wider conflict between Israel and Palestine, and the way this language is weaponized (as the fictionalized Jennings had feared). No film is beholden to a more balanced view than corporate news media typically presents, but in gesturing toward complexity, September 5 sets a bare minimum target for itself that it fails to hit. It's practically audacious in this misstep, in light of recent asymmetrical coverage of Israel's current bombing campaign of the Gaza strip.

No such wider lens is applied to the movie, and it suffers in the process. The claustrophobia and urgency of a newsroom can make for engaging storytelling, but the film adheres to the very same limitations the reporters were constrained by at the time, as they scrambled to put two and two together. If it has any dramatic irony, it's only toward the nation of Germany, who had hoped to use the '72 games as a peaceful benchmark of how far they'd come since World War II. Dialogue about how German efficiency would quickly solve the crisis — when the police badly dropped the ball in reality, leading to a disastrous airfield shootout — makes it apparent that Fehlbaum and co. are capable of at least winking at the audience and folding, into the movie’s purview, a sense of foresight.

However, this broad cinematic empathy has its limits in September 5, and the movie instead wears nominally progressive notions on its sleeve through isolated newsroom incidents. A local female correspondent, Marianne Gebhardt (Leonie Benesch), is underestimated by her male peers, who learn to value her skills one scene later. A racist character's remark about Arabs is swiftly rebuked by his Algerian coworker, though that’s the entire extent of the film’s perspective on Middle Eastern geopolitics. 

The only thing that matters in September 5 is the newsroom, and even when its newsmen exacerbate the crisis, or struggle with what's right — like whether to keep their cameras trained on potential executions — the camera holds on Magaro, Sarsgaard, and Chaplin's intense performances just long enough to conjure curiosity about their doubts. Then, as it moves on, it simply forgets that these questions were even asked in the first place, or that they matter.

September 5 is aesthetically malformed.

An early scene in September 5 has all the intensity of a CIA control room in one of Paul Greengrass' Bourne films, which is high praise considering how those movies used cinéma vérité to embody the modern surveillance state. Fehlbaum and cinematographer Markus Förderer's camera work in tandem with Hansjörg Weißbrich's editing provide a tightly controlled sequence of up-to-the minute decision making, cut hastily but precisely, and aimed at intimate image-making.

It's a treat to watch, but the only problem is that this scene is about a swimming competition the day before the hostage crisis begins. Nothing in the rest of the film matches this intensity, which is partly owed to the fact that September 5 has an incredibly awkward relationship to time. Where the events of the swim meet unfold over several minutes (condensed to several seconds as the news crew captures personal and national victory), the hostage crisis goes on for a full day. 

However, in capturing its chronology, the film presents little difference between a cut within the same scene and a cut that skips forward several minutes or hours. Unless a character mentions the time on the clock, it's hard to keep track of how much time has elapsed, or how the situation has evolved.

This is also a function of the movie's central narrative choice: to practically never leave the newsroom. If their cameras don't capture it, they don't see it, which often renders the events themselves a mere background fixture, whose impact never seems to land. No new dimensions are revealed to violence, its causes, or its overarching politics, but the movie also provides little insight into the complications (and royal muck-ups) within the newsroom itself. September 5 runs a hair over 90 minutes, but this time is better spent watching Kevin Macdonald's Oscar-winning documentary on the same subject, One Day in September, which is made up of archival footage pulled from numerous sources, rather than locking itself to one perspective that isn't particularly interesting or enlightening to begin with.

September 5 is now theaters nationwide.

UPDATE: Jan. 17, 2025, 2:39 p.m. EST "September 5" was reviewed out of its 2024 Philadelphia Film Festival premiere. This review, originally published Oct. 29, 2024, has been updated to include the most current viewing information.

There could not be a more mismatched pair of subjects than Shakespearean tragedy and rocket launchers fired at police choppers by men in silly hats. However, Grand Theft Hamlet explores this unique combination of past and present while revealing new and unexpected narrative layers at every turn. The animated documentary follows two actors’ ill-advised attempts to stage a full-length production of Hamlet in a video game world; the result is riotously funny and surprisingly moving.

The winner of this year’s SXSW Grand Jury Award in the Documentary Feature category — disclosure: This critic was one of the jurists — Grand Theft Hamlet also happens to be a COVID lockdown piece, one that captures the absurdity of isolation in a way few recent movies have. It’s as much a story about video games as it is about community and finding new avenues of emotional connection, and it runs the emotional gamut while exploring these ideas.

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

A unique synthesis of form, it creatively tackles the topic of artistic frustrations while reflecting on mortality in the silliest possible ways. It’s thoughtful and brash in equal measure, and by the end of its mere 89 minutes — brevity is the soul of wit, after all — the movie works despite all odds, proving to be a complete and utter blast.

What is Grand Theft Hamlet about?

The film begins as a run-of-the-mill "Let’s Play" — i.e., footage presented from within the game while other people play it — focusing on a pair of casual gamers passing the time by committing violent crimes and evading the police, as is encouraged in Grand Theft Auto. As much as watching other people play video games has become a streaming cottage industry, it may not seem like the most interesting way to make a feature film. However, Grand Theft Hamlet quickly dispels this notion. 

The concept behind the movie is ludicrous at its core, harkening back to the days of Red vs. Blue, the popular (and still ongoing) sci-fi web series that began in 2003 and is animated entirely in the world of first-person-shooter Halo. However, Grand Theft Hamlet’s appeal is hardly limited to the hardcore gaming crowd. Its initial footage serves to introduce non-gamers to the goofy hyper-violence of Grand Theft Auto, as a pair of lively, out-of-work English stage actors, Sam Crane and Mark Oosterveen — fellows of infinite jest — stumble upon an amphitheater within the game (the “Vinewood Bowl,” modeled off the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles). Before long, inspiration strikes, and they decide to see what it would take to stage an entire production of Hamlet within this shared online metaverse.

What seems, at first, like a disposable YouTube sketch becomes quickly engaging, as the movie begins chronicling its subjects’ attempts to hold auditions and rehearsal within Grand Theft Auto Online (the MMORPG component of Grand Theft Auto V; emphasis on “RPG”). All the footage featured in the movie is captured within the game itself. Shot from a multitude of angles that swing around freely, untethered from physical space, the film is co-directed by Crane and his romantic partner, the filmmaker Pinny Grylls, who not only functions as observer and digital archivist, but enters the game as a character alongside Crane and Oosterveen. Eventually, she becomes one of the movie’s main subjects herself.  

After the leading duo puts out numerous calls on digital message boards, they finally find a handful of potential collaborators — whether other eager performers, novice gamers looking to keep busy during lockdown, or curious onlookers who don’t quite understand what they’re attempting, but go along with it anyway. The simple task of staging a performance and drawing viewers and participants proves hilariously difficult, given the nature of the game. As they gather fellow actors within this digital space, with each one performing soliloquies over headsets as their avatars repeat a series of limited gestures, in-world cops and other online players often disrupt Crane and Oosterveen’s peaceful gatherings. Grand Theft Auto is an inherently hedonistic world, and there’s nothing stopping some random third party from showing up, guns-a-blazing (or fists-a-swinging) just for the thrill of it. These frequent interruptions lead to resigned sighs from the accidental Rosencrantz and Guildenstern pairing each time they die and have to respawn in some inconvenient, far-flung location before making their way back to the digital stage.

It’s Theater Camp meets Punisher: War Zone, a bizarre, farcical blend of good-natured creativity and cartoonish hyper-violence that places a number of unique logistical roadblocks in the actors’ paths. 

Grand Theft Hamlet is a truly unique lockdown film.

Shot mostly in early 2021, as London was undergoing its third major COVID lockdown, Grand Theft Hamlet traces the evolution of its central concept from a product of boredom to a sincere and sprawling passion project. Over several months, the resultant attempts and misfires to stage this production take increasingly frustrating forms, not only thanks to the in-world logistics — how do you craft a peaceful community experience in a space dedicated to bullets and bombs? — but also due to real-world logistics.

Anyone with even minimal high school stage experience will likely recognize the complications therein, and the ways in which Crane and Oosterveen — disembodied voices emanating from the mouths of digital avatars — politely navigate each problem. From turning down prospective performers who show up to audition at the Vinewood Bowl to trying to convince people of their vision to balancing people’s real-world schedules when deciding on times and places to practice in-game, Grand Theft Hamlet ends up a shockingly accurate depiction of the many hurdles that arise in the amateur theatre world, albeit with the added drawback of mischievous interlopers crashing rehearsals just to shank the actors or blow them to smithereens. That part isn’t quite so familiar to the performers, and it keeps them on their toes, while also making the whole exercise feel like cabin fever-induced madness.

The further Crane and Oosterveen get into their staging, the more complicated it becomes. Soon, it becomes a traveling production within the world of the game, as curious audience members are asked to follow the actors between a multitude of dangerous locations, like atop a floating blimp, a creative ambition that’s sure to result in self-sabotage, as the actors’ avatars die mid-performance courtesy of side-splitting accidents. However, the more time they spend trying to spice up their version of Hamlet, the more the real world begins to creep in through the corners of the frame. 

Society wasn’t going to remain at a standstill forever, and their actors were bound to be pulled in different directions as soon as circumstances changed. However, a key element of the drama is also the relationship between the play’s two directors, and how their differing personal lives (Crane is a family man; Oosterveen is more of a loner) intersect with the movie’s premise. The pandemic and its ensuing lockdowns affected people in different ways, but what Grand Theft Hamlet manages to capture is how people emerged from the pandemic mindset at different times, and how this discrepancy may have strained relationships in the process.

The romantic relationship between Crane and Grylls is a key fixture of the movie too, and Grylls seemingly stages key conversations between them within the world of the game, even though they live in the same household. It’s hardly naturalistic, but it uses the same creative logic as modern reality television, where real tensions and interpersonal dynamics are heightened for an audience’s gaze. The key difference is that this bit of relationship drama also ends up at the mercy of the game’s mechanics, in piercingly funny ways that blur the lines between public and private moments.

However, these mechanics also provide a unique contrast to the subject matter at hand.

Grand Theft Hamlet is a surprisingly poignant reflection on death.

Between the movie’s pandemic premise and its subjects ruminating on one of Shakespeare’s heaviest texts, Grand Theft Hamlet echoes the idea of mortality in several quiet ways — the idea of what it means “to be, or not to be” — all while blaring explosions keep interrupting the actors’ attempts to rehearse.

There is perhaps no more surreal a space in which to reflect on dying than inside a video game where violence is so common and cartoonish that one becomes desensitized to death, since it’s a little more than a repetitive annoyance as bodies are flung in different directions. However, this casually brutal backdrop also forces the play’s macabre themes of vengeance and cosmic inevitability to the surface, via farcical depictions of deadly violence that — intentionally or otherwise — function as heightened re-enactments of the text.

If anything, the medium of Grand Theft Auto ends up the perfect spoonful of sugar for Shakespeare’s enduring, contemplative medicine. This constant unfurling of the play’s subtext turns the movie into an inadvertent act of arts criticism in the process, one where ostentatiously customized player avatars, with brightly colored hair and superhero outfits, function both as de facto philosophers and as deeply personal externalizations of the actors’ personas and neuroses.

One character in particular, a North African immigrant unfamiliar with the play, auditions with a Quran verse instead, while appearing in the form of a bright green alien. It’s as though he were both disguising himself and creating a cartoonish manifestation of the way he feels as a newcomer to English society, and it ends up being one of the film’s most touching reflections on the human experience.

The film maintains a razor-thin line between life and death, not only thanks to how easily the game’s digital avatars are turned into bloody pulp, but also because of the way these violent images are thrown headfirst into textual analysis and repetition each time the actors rehearse. The very act of performance — of channeling emotions and turning them into art — is one of the most vivid, human, and alive processes of which we’re capable. So, to be able to perform despite being robbed of traditional performance spaces is practically defiant, spitting in the face of a deadly plague in the most uproarious way. There’s nothing quite like Grand Theft Hamlet.

Grand Theft Hamlet is now playing in theaters.

UPDATE: Jan. 17, 2025, 9:23 a.m. EST Grand Theft Hamlet was reviewed out of SXSW 2024. The article has been republished with updated release information.

Severance has finally returned, with a Season 2 premiere that plunges us straight back into the unsettling world of Lumon Industries. And while it's great to be back, it's also downright freaky.

SEE ALSO: I went to the 'Severance' pop-up in Grand Central Station. It was wild.

That's because the season premiere, titled "Hello, Ms. Cobel," throws a lot at viewers. New characters, new Lumon perks, and new Severance mysteries enter the fray, each one eliciting a varying degree of "What the hell is going on?" from me. And you can bet that sentiment will only grow with every episode of Season 2.

From surprise throuple mentions to Lumon's embrace of stop-motion, here are the 15 most WTF moments from Severance Season 2, episode 1. Let's break them down — and maybe, just maybe, we'll find some answers along the way.

The Wellness Room is just... gone.

In an extended sequence in Severance's first-ever episode, Innie Mark (Adam Scott) walks through the fluorescent halls of Lumon's Severed Floor without a care in the world. The opening of "Hello, Ms. Cobel" echoes that moment by flipping it on its head. Now, in his first moments back at Lumon since the Innies' Season 1 escape, Mark runs helter-skelter through the halls. Gone is the purpose and routine of the Season 1 hallway walk: Here Mark backtracks and loses his way. The entire sequence, which Scott says took about five months to film, is a perfect, destabilizing reintroduction to the world of Severance, but it ends with a sobering reveal.

SEE ALSO: 'Severance' food, ranked

Mark's destination throughout this mad dash is the Wellness Room, where Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman) — whom he now knows is his Outie's wife, Gemma — used to work. But to Mark's horror, the Wellness Room is completely gone, and Ms. Casey is nowhere to be found. In retiring her to the foreboding Testing Floor, has Lumon made her disappear completely? And if they can lock her away, what's stopping them from doing the same to Mark and all of Lumon's other Innies?

Mark, look out! There's someone behind you!

As Mark takes in the now-gone Wellness Room, Severance goes full horror movie for a second. A mysterious suited figure appears in the hallway behind Mark, like the world's most professional stalker. They disappear just as quickly as they arrive, but their identity remains a mystery. It's not Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman), as he's wearing an entirely different outfit, and it's not one of Mark's new team members, since they're all in the Macrodata Refinement department. So, who is this new arrival on the Severed Floor? And why are they menacingly watching Mark from afar?

Mark has an entirely different team. Tramell Tillman, Alia Shawkat, Stefano Carannante, and Bob Balaban in "Severance." Credit: Apple TV+

When Mark finally arrives in MDR, he's greeted not by Helly (Britt Lower), Irving (John Turturro), and Dylan (Zach Cherry), but by three entirely new coworkers. Mark W. (Bob Balaban), Gwendolyn Y. (Alia Shawkat), and Dario R. (Stefano Carannante) are transfers from other Lumon branches, and they're full of fascinating information about how Lumon operates elsewhere.

SEE ALSO: John Turturro shares fascinating Stanley Kubrick story on 'Severance' podcast

Gwendolyn and Mark W. (who straight up asks Mark to change his name) come from 5X, a newer branch that was shut down. Apparently its Perpetuity Wing had animatronic Eagans, so you know it's fancy. Meanwhile, Dario, presumably from an Italian branch, describes his former workplace as being "very poor." Their Eagans were brooms, and the employees didn't even have an elevator — just a rope. Another funny detail: Where Mark received a crystal head cube as a reward, it looks like Dario received a carved wooden head cube as a substitute. Come on, Lumon, do better!

Lumon's newest hire, Miss Huang, is a literal child. Sarah Bock in "Severance." Credit: Apple TV+

Another new addition to the Severed Floor? Deputy Floor Manager Miss Huang (Sarah Bock), who is fully a teenager. What in the world is such a young person doing on the Severed Floor? Is she a Lumon experiment, born and raised in the building? Or is this just the worst possible way to earn community service hours for school?

Whatever Miss Huang's deal is, she makes the already-bizarre vibes at Lumon even stranger. Props to Bock for bringing such a disarming emptiness to a character viewers will be analyzing for weeks to come.

Mr. Milchick gives Mark the fakest newspaper of all time. Tramell Tillman in "Severance." Credit: Apple TV+

Mr. Milchick catches Mark up on everything that's happened since the Innies escaped. In the past five months, he claims their Outies have become "the face of severance reform," leading to Lumon attempting to make amends. His proof? A clearly doctored newspaper. You're telling me with all its resources, Lumon can't properly Photoshop a fake parade photo? Or maybe they just underestimate the Innies' ability to spot a fake, in which case, that's just insulting. Either way, it's clear Mr. Milchick is lying about what's going on in the outside world. But what else is new at Lumon?

SEE ALSO: 'Severance' Season 2, episode 1: Milchick's newspaper proves Lumon is lying about severance reform Severance brings throuples into the mix.

According to Mr. Milchick, Lumon fired Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette) because she was romantically pursuing both Mark's Innie and Outie. (More lies!) Her goal? A throuple, a word that I never thought I'd hear on Severance. I'm not mad about it, though, nor have I stopped thinking about Tillman's line read. Seriously, he deserves an Emmy for his delivery of "throuple" alone.

Miss Huang isn't here to make friends. Sarah Bock in "Severance." Credit: Apple TV+

The red ball icebreaker game from Season 1 is back! But Miss Huang is not playing around. When Mark says he's lucky to have made four new friends that day, she steps in with a condescending, "That's nice, Mark. But I have to remind you that I'm a supervisor. Not a friend."

It's enough to make your skin crawl, as is Mark's extra long pause afterwards before amending his statement to "three new friends." Great work environment you're fostering here, Lumon!

SEE ALSO: Ben Stiller jokingly addresses his 'Severance' Season 1 cameo in the official 'Severance' podcast It's an Innie-only episode. Adam Scott in "Severance." Credit: Apple TV+

In a first for Severance, "Hello, Ms. Cobel" doesn't alternate between the Innie and Outie worlds. Instead, we only the Innies' perspective on life, and it is downright horrifying. Not only do we experience firsthand the information barrier between the Innies and the Outies, but we also experience the constant, mundane loop of their lives, which begin and end at the Lumon elevator.

Season 1 already highlighted that this is no way to live, but getting a better firsthand understanding of the Innies' experience hammers home just how miserable this existence is. I could barely handle it for one episode — how are they supposed to handle it for years at a time?

"Kier Pardons His Betrayers." Sarah Bock, Adam Scott, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, and Britt Lower in "Severance." Credit: Apple TV+

I've got some good news and some bad news. The good news? Helly, Irving, and Dylan are back! The bad news? Lumon has installed a new painting outside the elevator, titled "Kier Pardons His Betrayers."

SEE ALSO: Ben Stiller, Adam Scott, and John Turturro revisit 'Severance's weirdest scene on the 'Severance' podcast

Lumon's no stranger to cursed paintings — I'll never forget how "Kier Taming the Four Tempers" foreshadowed the waffle party — but this one, with its half-likenesses of the MDR Innies, is especially WTF-inducing. I simply do not like how the "betrayers" are buried up to their shoulders in the ground, or how Kier is holding a bloody sword. If that painting was the first thing I saw after getting out of an elevator, I'd turn around and head back up, I tell you that much.

So, Mark basically murdered those other Innies, right?

The return of the core MDR group means the loss of Mark W., Gwendolyn, and Dario. But since Mark and Gwendolyn's branch shut down, that means they're permanently retired, right? And who knows what the future holds for Dario? Basically, it looks like this new trio of Innies has been offed, unless they come back in future episodes. After all, why bring in actors like Balaban if you're barely going to use them? (Unless, of course, this was Severance tricking us all along.)

For now, though, RIP to these new Innies. We hardly knew you, but you seemed fun.

SEE ALSO: Severance Season 1 Recap: Everything you need to remember before watching season 2 Severance presents: the greatest, strangest corporate video ever made.

The MDR Innies file into the Break Room, which they've now discovered is an actual torture-free room where can take breaks. Here, Mr. Milchick plays them a new orientation video that promises them that "Lumon is Listening." Words can't even begin to describe how much I adore this freaky stop-motion gem.

Over the course of the video, Severance treats us to Rankin/Bass-style stop-motion reenactments of key moments from Season 1. My personal favorite? When Irving's declaration of "Let's burn this place to the ground" causes his head to burst into raging flames, Heat Miser-style. (Second place goes to the Helly and Mark kiss, which prompts a valid "What the shit?" from Dylan.)

The entire video is full of fascinating details (for example, Lumon operates in 206 countries) and bananas storytelling, from the talking Lumon building and water tower (voiced by Keanu Reeves and SNL's Sarah Sherman) to the infectious pronunciation of "pineapple BOBBING." Dylan is totally right that Lumon's promises of new perks are just a "massive-ass head game," but I'll be damned if they don't know how to put on a good show.

Why did Helly lie about what she saw outside Lumon? Adam Scott and Britt Lower in "Severance." Credit: Apple TV+

Severance follows up this confounding video with yet another weird twist: Helly lies to her coworkers about what she saw when she woke up in the outside world. Instead of telling everyone she's Helena Eagan, heir to Lumon, she concocts some story about leaving her "boring" apartment and telling her story to a "night gardener."

So, why in the world would Helly lie? Could she be so ashamed of her Outie identity that she doesn't want to share it with her friends? Could she be so afraid of the Eagans' retaliation that she decides to keep quiet? Or could she actually be Helena, posing as Helly to gather intel? Whatever the truth, you'd think Helly could come up with a better lie than one involving a night gardener, of all things.

Is Helly jealous of Gemma?

When Mark reveals his plans to break Gemma out of Lumon, Helly's reaction is... suspicious. She seems to downplay the situation and questions Innie Mark's allegiance to Gemma. After all, she's not really his wife, right?

But for Mark, it's not so simple. "We're the same-ish person," he says of Outie Mark. "So it's mushy."

I agree, Mark; it is mushy. With Innie and Outie Mark each having their own romantic interests, Severance is setting up for what might be the most complicated love triangle ever. (Or would this be more of a quadrangle?)

What will happen in the Outie Family Visitation Suite?

As incentive for trying to get Dylan to stay, Mr. Milchick reveals that he's planning to build an Outie Family Visitation Suite, where Dylan can meet his wife Gretchen. It's the perfect psychological button to press following Dylan's desire to see his family back in Season 1, and it works like a charm.

The implications of the visitation suite are massive, as they could be the one place where Innies and their Outies' acquaintances can communicate. Could any of the Innies sound the alarm on their plights from the suite?

SEE ALSO: 'Severance' Season 2: What is Cold Harbor?

For now, it's looking unlikely: Milchick only offers this privilege to Dylan, as all the other Innies are single and this perk could lead to jealousy down the line. But hold on, Mr. Milchick — being single doesn't mean the Innies don't have family ! What about Mark's sister Devon (Jen Tullock)? Why not just call it the Outie Significant Other Visitation Suite then?

What is Cold Harbor, and what does it have to do with Gemma?

"Hello, Ms. Cobel" ends with the MDR Innies back at work, refining their macrodata while still not knowing what it does. But wait! The last few seconds give us a small hint, revealing that Mark's file, labeled Cold Harbor, is somehow linked to Gemma. For her part, Gemma appears to be under some kind of observation, but as for why (or what is going on) we still don't know yet. But after such a strong start to Season 2, I can't wait to find out.

Severance Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV+, with a new episode every week.

TL;DR: Live stream Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Brooklyn Nets head to crypto.com Arena to face the Los Angeles Lakers in a non-conference matchup. The Nets are 14-27, which puts them in 12th place in the Eastern Conference. The Lakers are 21-17, which puts them in sixth place in the Western Conference.

The Nets have lost four of their last five games, but are coming off a win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The Lakers have lost three of their last five games, which were all consecutive losses. The Lakers have not won a game since January 3.

When is Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers?

Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 17. This game takes place at crypto.com Arena in L.A.

How to watch Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

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 Nets vs. Lakers 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 Nets vs. Lakers 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 Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers 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

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 Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers 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 Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

Severance's Season 2 premiere, "Hello Ms. Cobel," has already left us with a ton of questions. Is Lumon really telling the truth about severance reform? Why is Helly (Britt Lower) lying about what she saw in the Season 1 finale? And what in the world is Miss Huang's (Sarah Bock) deal?

SEE ALSO: 'Severance' Season 2 may already be the best show of the year: Review

But perhaps the most pressing question surfaces in the episode's final seconds, when Mark (Adam Scott) returns to work in Lumon's Macrodata Refinement (MDR) department. As he and his team get back to sorting numbers, images of his screen alternate with flashes of another screen, which displays Mark's Outie's wife Gemma (Dichen Lachman), whom he believed to be dead but who was actually working on Lumon's Severed Floor as Wellness Counselor Ms. Casey. The screen also shows Gemma's vitals, like her heart rate and temperature, as well as a small symbol that looks like a severance chip, highlighting that Ms. Casey is Gemma's severed Innie. Above it all, on the top left of the screen, are two mysterious words: Cold Harbor. What in the world could that be?

What, exactly, is Cold Harbor? Dichen Lachman in "Severance." Credit: AppleTV+

Cold Harbor is the name of the file Mark is working on at the moment. (Fun fact: It was also the code name for Season 2 during filming.) Like prior MDR files we've heard about, including Allentown and Tumwater, it's named after a location — likely the historic district in Virginia where the 1864 Battle of Cold Harbor took place. Severance has yet to reveal the significance of these file names, but could each of MDR's files be linked to real-world consequences in these specific locations?

SEE ALSO: 'Severance' Season 2, episode 1: Milchick's newspaper proves Lumon is lying about severance reform

We don't know that for sure, but thanks to the end of "Hello, Ms. Cobel," we do know that Cold Harbor is linked to Gemma in some way, and that Mark is 68 percent done with the file. Given that Lumon is tracking Gemma's vital signs, could Mark's progress on the file be linked to her physical wellbeing? Is his MDR work tied to the resurrection of his Outie's late wife, or keeping her alive outright? And if Gemma is linked specifically to Cold Harbor, could files like Allentown and Tumwater be linked to other individuals once presumed dead?

While the final moments of "Hello, Ms. Cobel" leave us with several questions, they also give us some helpful hints about MDR's work. Chiefest among them is what MDR's numbers actually mean.

What do the numbers in Severance mean? Adam Scott in "Severance." Credit: AppleTV+

At the bottom of the screen monitoring Gemma and Mark's progress on Cold Harbor, we see the five boxes Mark has to sort his number clusters into. Unlike on Mark's screen, though, these boxes have four smaller boxes under them, labeled WO, DR, FC, and MA. These are almost certainly abbreviations for the Four Tempers established by Kier Eagan: woe, dread, frolic, and malice. That would explain why Mark tells Helly the numbers should make her feel different ways back in Season 1.

This theory is further backed up by Severance's 2022 companion book Severance: The Lexington Letter. The last section of the book is an orientation booklet for Macrodata Refiners. It's the first confirmation that the numbers are divided into subgroups WO, DR, FC, and MA, and it gives specific details for the reactions these numbers should prompt. WO numbers, for example, "elicit melancholy or despair." FC numbers, on the other hand, "elicit joy, gaiety, or ecstasy." Sounds like woe and frolic to me!

But now that we know what the numbers mean, a whole new crop of questions arise. What is Lumon hoping to achieve in sorting Kier's Four Tempers into different combinations? Are they trying to build a person with the perfect balance of the Tempers? Is Gemma just the latest in a series of guinea pigs in pursuit of this goal? Or maybe Mark is unknowingly rebuilding the late Gemma's personality so that she can be resurrected in earnest. In which case, are these numbers how Lumon cracks immortality? And perhaps most pressing of all, what will happen when Mark completes Cold Harbor? My head is spinning, and we're only one episode into Season 2!

Severance Season 2 is now streaming on AppleTV+, with a new episode every Friday.

OK, deep breaths. That was a lot to unpack.

The Silo Season 2 finale had multiple threads to follow, most of which led to more questions than answers. So let's unpack what answers we do have, and speculate on what might be coming in Season 3.

From the fate of Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson) and Bernard (Tim Robbins) to that weird pre-apocalypse flashback, we've broken down the finale below.

SEE ALSO: 'Silo' Season 2, episode 9: What is the safeguard? What happens at the end of Silo Season 2?

Multiple cliffhangers, plus an unexpected flashback!

Like the second season as a whole, the finale jumps between key characters like Juliette, Bernard, Lukas (Avi Nash), Shirley (Remmie Milner), Knox (Shane McRae), and Sims (Common). As rioters finally reach the top of the silo, hellbent on getting answers from Bernard, they see Juliette reappear on the camera outside and warn them not to come out. But as she runs down the stairs towards the airlock she's met by Bernard, coming the other way with a gun. The two of them discuss how to save the silo from the ominous safeguard procedure (more on that below), before they find themselves trapped between the airlock doors as fire engulfs them.

Elsewhere, Sims visits the vault after confronting Lukas. The same robotic voice that spoke to Lukas in the tunnel addresses Sims, agreeing with his statement that he "wants to save the silo" before telling him and his son to leave the vault. "Camille can stay," the voice says, referring to Sims' wife (Alexandria Riley).

Finally, we have a flashback in which two people meet for a date in a bar, before the days of the silo. It eventually becomes clear that the man is a Congressman and the woman is a journalist, trying to get answers from him about a possible "radiological attack on the Unites States." Eventually he leaves, but not before giving her a gift he picked up on a whim from a nearby store: what appears to be the same duck-shaped Pez dispenser that appears as a "relic" in Silo Season 1. Intriguing!

Credit: Apple TV+ So what is the safeguard procedure?

It was a major question in Season 2, episode 9, and in the finale we finally get the answer. When Juliette encounters Bernard leaving the silo, their conversation makes it clear that the safeguard is a way for someone outside the silo to pump in poison.

"There's no point what you're trying to do: Save them. It's out of your hands, it was never in your hands, in my hands, in anyone's hands," says Bernard.

"Because of the poison they can pump in?" responds Juliette.

"You know about that?"

"I know about that. But I don't know who'd do it, and I don't know why."

"I know the who. But I don't know why and I don't fucking care."

Presumably the "who" is the owner of the voice that threatens Lukas with the safeguard in episode 9. But who exactly that owner is — whether some kind of sentient AI or ultimate Head of IT — will be a question for Season 3.

What will happen to Sims and his family?

The voice in the vault that responds to Robert Sims claims to want to save the silo, too — but how do we know if it's telling the truth? On the one hand, you could argue that it surely wouldn't even engage with Sims if it didn't want to save the silo. On the other, we know that Juliette has a plan in place for stopping the safeguard. Maybe the poison takes time to pump in? Perhaps the owner of the voice is aware of this, and is planning to use Sims' family to stop Juliette from getting in the way of its plans?

One thing that does seem likely, though, is that the owner of the voice intends to work with Camille Sims, rather than her husband. Maybe, based on its observations of the silo, it thinks she's the more capable family member?

Credit: Apple TV+ Will Juliette and Bernard survive the fire?

Juliette and Bernard aren't in a great spot at the end of Season 2, and that's putting it mildly. As the airlock doors closes Bernard throws himself to the ground, and when the fire starts pouring into the cramped chamber Juliette does the same. But is there any way either of them can have survived that?

Well, maybe. Let's not forget that Juliette is actually wearing a fire suit. Although she's not as quick to duck down as Bernard, that should offer her some protection.

If either of them is going to die, Bernard seems the most likely. He drops to the floor quickly, but that may not be enough to save him — especially now that he's no longer the show's main villain.

What's the deal with that flashback?

From all the clues we're given, it seems fairly obvious that the flashback at the end of Season 2 is meant to take us back to the silo's origin. The Congressman is from Georgia, for starters, and it's heavily implied that this is where the silos are located (the travel book relic from Season 1 references Georgia, for instance, and the skyline beyond the silo resembles that of Atlanta).

The scene we witness also implies that the threat of war is looming, or possibly already here. The Congressman has to pass a radiation checker before he enters the bar, there's talk of a dirty bomb and a threat from Iran, and there's the journalist's mention of a possible "radiological attack". The silos may be already under construction at this point, for all we know. Perhaps the Congressman even has knowledge of the project.

So, will we see these people again? Will Season 3 be peppered with flashbacks that tell the silos' origin story? At this point it's impossible to say, but it certainly seems possible. Maybe the journalist will end up being one of silo 18's first occupants — the Pez dispenser certainly hints at this — and maybe, just maybe, the Congressman will be revealed as one of the fabled founders.

How to watch: Silo is streaming now on Apple TV+.

Lumon is back to their lying ways in the Severance Season 2 premiere — but would we expect anything less from the world's shadiest company?

SEE ALSO: 'Severance' Season 2 may already be the best show of the year: Review

In Season 2, episode 1, Mark (Adam Scott) returns to the Severed Floor following the Innies' daring Season 1 escape. But in a shocking turn of events, Lumon doesn't have any plans to punish Mark and his fellow Macrodata Refiners. Instead, new floor manager Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman) claims that the Innies' worries about mistreatment resonated with the outside world, leading Lumon to reflect upon its wrongdoings (aka torture). Now, Milchick claims, Mark and his fellow Innies have become the face of "severance reform." He's even got a newspaper to prove it!

Something's fishy about this. Credit: Screenshot: AppleTV+

The heavily redacted newspaper, titled The Kier Chronicle, features a front-page story about the Innies blowing the whistle on their mistreatment, along with two side stories about the "Baird Creek Bandit" and new Lumon recycling technology.

The key article here remains the whistle-blowing story, which is full of juicy tidbits, including mentions of new Innie privileges like "top-of-the-line recreational facilities, sexual liberation, improved snacks, and the possibility for field..." The text cuts off here, but I'm guessing it goes on to say "field trips." These seem fairly consistent with the promises Milchick makes to Mark, Helly (Britt Lower), Irving (John Turturro), and Dylan (Zach Cherry) later in the episode, although he doesn't mention "sexual liberation" to them outright.

SEE ALSO: 12 burning questions we have after the 'Severance' Season 2 trailer

Interestingly, the article also name drops Mark's brother-in-law, Dr. Ricken Hale (Michael Chernus), cited as author of The You You Are and These Values Nine: How I Let Kier In. The former book was key to the Innies' revolt in Season 1, but the latter book hasn't been mentioned yet. It's likely a Lumon fabrication, one meant to make Mark believe that Ricken — whose work he respects — is a dedicated follower of Kier Eagan. If Mark trusts Ricken, and Ricken likes Kier, then surely Mark should trust Kier and Lumon, right?

The many, many redactions and Ricken mention aren't The Kier Chronicle's only red flags. In fact, the title of biggest red flag falls to the front page image of Mark, Helly, Irving, and Dylan being celebrated in a ticker tape parade.

Right off the bat, it's obvious that photo has been doctored. The image of the Innies is taken from their group photo from Helly's very first day, which everyone kept on their desk.

Compare with the newspaper, and this is a match! Credit: Screenshot: AppleTV+

The Innie photo has been pasted onto an image that isn't even from this century. It's actually a photo from a ticker tape parade from Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1960 visit to Rio de Janeiro. See for yourself:

Dwight D. Eisenhower, notably NOT a Lumon employee. Credit: Universal History Archive / UIG via Getty images

The faking of the photo and the whole newspaper is continued proof of how Lumon manipulates the Innies and what little information they have of the outside world. And since that photo is a fake, it's clear there never actually was a celebration for the Innies, which means their message didn't spread as far as Lumon would have Mark believe. So why would Lumon lie about that and severance reform in the first place? Why ply Innie Mark with better perks in the hopes of getting him to remain at Lumon, when the company could theoretically just fire his Outie and replace him in MDR?

Given all this effort to keep Mark at Lumon, perhaps the key to MDR's "mysterious and important" work isn't having just any severed worker perform it. Maybe the true key is having Mark himself carry it out. After all, episode 1 ends with ominous flashes between Mark's macrodata refining and shots of Gemma/Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman). Could Lumon be exploiting Outie Mark and Gemma's relationship for the sake of their latest sinister project?

Severance Season 2 is now streaming on AppleTV+, with new episodes every Friday.

After three long years, Severance is finally back with its second season, and things are just as mysterious and confusing as ever.

The good news? After a disorientating start, where it seems Mark (Adam Scott) has had his team replaced, he finally reunites with Dylan (Zach Cherry), Irving (John Turturro), and Helly (Britt Lower). The bad news? Helly decides to lie to them about what she saw on the outside at the end of Season 1.

SEE ALSO: 'Severance' Season 2 may already be the best show of the year: Review What happens with Helly in Severance Season 2, episode 1?

We know from Season 1's final episode who Helly really is on the outside of the severed floor: She's actually Helena Eagan, a direct descendant of Lumen founder/CEO Kier Eagan and the daughter of the current Lumon CEO. While on the outside she takes to the stage to give a speech, telling the confused audience that the innies are "prisoners," declaring, "They torture us down there!" before being tackled by security.

In the first episode of the second season, however, Helly has a different story for her friends. Instead of telling them who she is on the outside, she tells them that when she woke up, she was in an apartment by herself.

"I was watching some nature show on TV, wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt," says Helly. "Then I went outside and found a guy; he looked like a gardener. Told him everything. I think he kind of thought it was bullshit, but he said that his brother was a cop and that he would tell him everything. I don't know. Sorry, guys. I really tried."

Why does Helly lie to the others about what she saw?

There are really only three possible explanations as to why Helly might be lying to the others. The first, and maybe most likely, is that she's ashamed. Her outie isn't just an employee at Lumon — she's literally one of the higher-ups. To some extent, she's responsible for what the innies go through on the severed floor. Perhaps Helly lies because she doesn't want her friends to think badly of her?

The second option is that she's lying because Lumon has some kind of leverage over her. Maybe they're forcing her to tell a certain story, and have threatened her with something bad happening if she doesn't.

The third and most out-there option is that she's not really innie Helly at all. Maybe, just maybe, the Helly who rejoins Mark and the others is her outie counterpart, Helena, in disguise as her innie in order to gain information about what the others know.

Severance Season 2 is streaming now on Apple TV+, with a new episode every week.

President Joe Biden reportedly won't enforce the U.S. TikTok ban, leaving it up to President-elect Donald Trump to make the final call on the popular video-sharing app's immediate future. 

In a statement to ABC News, a White House official indicated that the current administration will leave the implementation of TikTok's ban to the incoming Trump government. Even so, this isn't a stay of execution, as TikTok will still have no legal authority to continue operating in the country. The Biden administration just won't be jumping down its throat as soon as the ban begins.

"Given the timing of when it goes into effect over a holiday weekend a day before inauguration, it will be up to the next administration to implement," the official said.

SEE ALSO: TikTok ban countdown: See the latest updates as time runs short

This alleged decision to leave the matter to Trump isn't all that surprising. Barring the Supreme Court intervening in TikTok's favour within the next few days, the U.S. TikTok ban is currently scheduled to take effect from Sunday, Jan. 19 — just one day prior to Trump's presidential inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20. As such, it seems likely that Biden and his staff will be preoccupied with other issues on his last full day in office.

Trump previously issued an executive order banning TikTok in 2020, however blocks by the courts meant it never took effect. The then-president subsequently appeared to lose interest in the ban, with Biden eventually dropping the order altogether after he took office in 2021.

Now it seems the roles are reversed, with Biden having approved a TikTok ban which Trump may try to thwart.

Fortunately for TikTok's U.S. users, Trump appears to have softened his stance on the app since his first term in office. Speaking at an event last December, the billionaire mused that "maybe we gotta keep this sucker around for a little while," seemingly swayed by the millions of views his videos have received.

Less than a week later, Trump submitted an amicus brief in TikTok's appeal against the ban, requesting that the Supreme Court issue a stay on it so he can "pursue a political resolution of the questions at issue" once in office. Trump also met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in December, and has reportedly invited him to Monday's inauguration alongside fellow tech executives Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk.

SEE ALSO: As TikTok faces a ban, creators brace for an uncertain future

It seems few people truly want TikTok banned altogether. Many politicians and business people have been expecting that TikTok's parent company ByteDance will simply sell its U.S. operations to an American company, with everyone from Musk to former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick being suggested as potential buyers. Even the White House official told ABC News that the Biden administration's position is that "TikTok should continue to operate under American ownership." 

"I don't think TikTok is going to be banned," then-North Carolina Congressman Jeff Jackson said after voting for the ban last March (ironically speaking in a TikTok video). "The bill that just passed the House was about telling TikTok they have to sell to another company…. If it [passes the Senate], TikTok will be sold for billions of dollars and will continue to operate."

However, it seems as though such baseless confidence may be misplaced. ByteDance has given little indication it would be willing to sell, with a complete U.S. TikTok shutdown reportedly planned for when the ban comes into effect on Sunday. This would prevent people from downloading the app, while current U.S. users who open TikTok will be shown a pop-up directing them to a website with information about the ban.

Even if the outgoing Biden administration has stated that it won't enforce the TikTok ban, continuing to operate without official authorisation is a risk ByteDance is unlikely to take. If it does so, TikTok could be hit with a fine of around $850 billion, incurring penalties of up to $5,000 for each of its 170 million U.S. users (a cohort which hypocritically includes Biden, Trump, and Attorney General Jackson). ByteDance was valued at $300 billion last November.

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

The Oklahoma City Thunder head to American Airlines Center to face the Dallas Mavericks in a Western Conference matchup. The Thunder are 34-6, which puts them in first place. The Mavericks are 22-19, which puts them in eighth place.

The Thunder have won four of their last five games, and are coming off three consecutive wins. The Mavericks have lost three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back losses to the Denver Nuggets.

When is Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks?

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 17. This game takes place at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks

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. Mavs 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. Mavs 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. Dallas Mavericks 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

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. Dallas Mavericks 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

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• 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. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA with ExpressVPN.