Anime is so popular that it’s become a source of all kinds of memes, involving characters, plots, and story tropes. The scenes and screenshots used have been cleverly morphed into thousands of jokes. The thing is, anime memes give off different vibes depending on who sees them: manga readers, dubbed watchers, subbed watchers, anime-only fans, etc. But even if you’ve never seen a particular anime, you can appreciate an anime meme—if you understand the context....

From the days of Sherlock Holmes to the era of Humphrey Bogart and film noir to the TV detectives of modern television, the crime genre has long been dominated by men. But that’s slowly changing. During Hollywood’s Golden Age, the only parts women had to play in murder mysteries were as femme fatales, murder victims, or sidelined wives of the more important characters. Never did we see a female holding the magnifying glass itself....

Islands are one of the most interesting settings for a film, and it doesn’t even matter if it’s a tropical haven or deserted hellhole. Most of the time, an island is there for characters to get trapped on, leading to all kinds of interesting scenes and developments. But whether the island setting involves a grand escape, a ghost story, or even a dinosaur rampage, we’re in for it! Here are our picks for the best island movies that take place on an isolated island spot somewhere surrounded by water....

The blues originated in the American South, back when slaves sang out their woes as they worked the plantations, and then later when they began plucking their songs with makeshift instruments. Distinct somber tones and techniques like guitar choking were the champions of this grassroots music genre, which eventually evolved into classics like jazz, rock, soul, and R&B. From dramas to biopics to documentaries, here are our picks for the best movies about blues music that pay tribute to the genre’s roots and most famous musicians....

Have you ever had the feeling that you’re being followed? You know, that inescapable nagging sensation that someone is sharing your shadow? The tingle on your neck as invisible eyes peer at you? Stalking isn’t just creepy—it’s serious and it’s dangerous. It strips you of your personal privacy and makes you feel unsafe all the time, robbing you of the security and dignity that all humans deserve to have. And when stalking becomes harassment?...

Slasher movies make up one of the biggest subgenres in horror, with origins rooted in Italian giallo films of the 1960s and 1970s. Not to be confused with splatter films—which focus heavily on graphic, gory violence—slasher movies tend to follow a murder (or several murders) carried out with some kind of bladed weapon. It sounds weirdly specific, but there are actually tons of slasher movies, and they’re usually categorized into three cinematic eras:...

Rivalries, like friendships, involve a bond between characters that inexplicably draws them together while pushing them apart. Anime series love to include rivalries because it’s an easy—but effective—way to incorporate drama, tension, backstory, and character growth across many episodes. Rivalries are also great at showing us a character by their interactions with their rival. Sometimes a rivalry is nothing more than a competition between friends, but it can be something more—like a violent connection built on hatred, jealousy, or insecurity....

If you have an amazing D&D group, make sure you cherish each and every player, especially the DM. We all know how hard it can be to find a group that plays well together and meets regularly. One way to show your appreciation is to send them gifts—maybe for their birthday, maybe for the holidays, or maybe just because. In my experience, D&D friend groups are relatively easy to please. Sometimes, all you need is a large pizza and maybe a round of drinks; but for special occasions, you need something truly special....

Car chases are an enduring staple in action movies. Almost every action flick includes one, because it just wouldn’t feel complete without a cat-and-mouse chase between brooding heroes and scheming villains, each riding in their vehicles of choice. And it makes sense why car chases are so prevalent. The high-speed action represents the adrenaline-filled intensity of the conflict between good guys and bad guys, and we get to see cool cars and impressive choreography—at least when the car chase is executed well....

In the real world, contract killing is far from the most ethical profession. But in movies? It’s a common plot device that acts as the driving force for many action flicks and adrenaline-pumping thrillers. Assassins and hitmen are given special assignments to eliminate specific targets, no questions asked. They may come off as cold or even psychotic, but they’re still fundamentally people with desires, histories, and relationships. And even if we’d never be friends with an assassin or hitman in real life, they often end up being characters whom we can root for....

If there are heroes, then there are also criminals and underground syndicates who roam the streets to spread fear and commit intolerable acts of theft and robbery—or worse, abduction and murder. These beyond-the-law characters help make many anime series packed with action and full of good-versus-bad scenes, or filled with mystery and suspense as they spark mind-bending investigations. Despite being hunted by the law, thief-like criminals aren’t always villains. They may be trapped by circumstances or they may have noble intentions behind their actions, perhaps reminiscent of Robin Hood....

Carnivals were a big thing back in the day—and probably creepier than they are now. They (controversially) allowed the public to witness all kinds of wild creatures and acrobatic performances, often at the expense of real, disabled workers with nowhere else to go. These days, carnivals are more a place of fun than derogatory freakshow and animal abuse. Rides, games, food stalls, and toy prizes make it a treat for the whole family when the circus rolls into town....

Poverty and homelessness have always been pressing issues around the world, but their shape and appearance have differed across countries, across cultures, and across centuries. It’s a hard topic to talk about as poverty and homelessness are tough to truly grasp if you haven’t had first-hand experience, and it’s (understandably) prone to get emotions flaring. One of the best ways to develop sympathy and cognizance for both poverty and homelessness is to watch movies with realistic depictions of what it’s like to live on the poverty line, the failings of modern society, and the challenges of climbing out when you’re stuck....

Even the most toxically positive person still cries now and again—and that’s a good thing! It’s important to cry and let your feelings loose. While some of us might be natural weepers, the rest of us need a bit of a push to crack open our hardened hearts from time to time. Fortunately, heartbreaking films are a great way to do that! Here are my picks for the saddest movies of all time, guaranteed to open the floodgates for even the coldest, most callous viewers....

Buying gifts for a PC gamer can be tough. Most PC gamers are enthuasiasts at heart, so they’ve already geeked out on goodies and decked out their battlestations with everything they need. Even so, there are always gifts worth giving! You just need to know what’s out there—and it helps if you’re willing to spend a bit more than usual. Nobody really wants another mug warmer or branded cap. In need of gifts for the PC gamer in your life?...

Everybody knows today’s star actors like Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Tom Cruise. They’re the leading men of Hollywood and most viewers appreciate their ability to lead ensemble casts. However, there are plenty of other Hollywood actors who have the same quality of acting chops yet remain marginalized and overlooked, always asked to sit on the sidelines and never offered leading roles. Whether it’s due to fate or simply the mandates of the market, there are so many fantastic actors capable of commanding performances who simply don’t garner the kind of attention they deserve....

There’s just something great about a character team-up. When done well, a duo with a bond that transcends their social situations can represent the best of humanity. Throughout cinema history, there have been many examples of two people putting their differences aside and coming together to serve the greater good—or sometimes evil. Whether that bond is forged in combat or through shared emotional turmoil, the dynamic of two people brought together has a real-world pull to it....

Since the release of Toy Story in 1995, Pixar has become one of the most consistent film studios in the world. All of their later films have tried living up to their first movies—and most have succeeded. For that reason, Pixar’s animated movies generate mass excitement whenever there’s a new one announced. But unlike parent company Disney, Pixar’s reputation for quality holds them to a higher standard than even Disney’s animated output....

Unlike most film genres, horror movies can be packed with tropes and cliches and viewers are willing to overlook them—as long as the film delivers a frightening experience. Whether those scares come from supernatural demons, ghastly figures, or bone-chilling serial killers, all can be forgiven if done well. But if nothing feels unique, if the scares are unearned, or if the movie isn’t scary at all? Then horror tropes and cliches can be exceedingly annoying....

Actions speak louder than words—except in anime, where words often have the power to cut, slice, dice, kill, and even alter reality. Some of the coolest anime characters have the ability to use words as their weapon, and among them, some have creative twists to their verbal powers that make them uniquely interesting. From characters who can shape reality to those who can forbid entire words from being spoken without penalty, here are the best anime characters who use verbal powers of the spoken word....