Cold War movies are unlike other war movies because there’s no direct fighting involved. The Cold War was a period marked by political tension, hostility, espionage, and propaganda. Instead of hand grenades and trench warfare, Cold War battles were fought with spies, bugs, and nuclear threats. Here are our picks for the best Cold War movies that involve the Cold War era spanning from 1947 to 1991. Related: The Best War Movies Based on True Stories and Events...

The bonds of sisterhood are unlike any other in the family unit. Sisters can be jolly, encouraging, humorous, strong, rebellious, serious, intelligent, or all of the above at the same time! In cinema, sisters often exist as clichés to complicate the plot in one tropish way or another. But there are also films that center on sister protagonists, resulting in fresh narratives that are uniquely captivating. Here are my picks for the best movies about sisters as well as friendships that are so strong that they basically edge into sisterhood....

With The Simpsons being the most popular cartoon show of all time in the West and the longest-running animated TV series, it’s hard to choose any set of “best episodes,” let alone just 15 of them. Creator Matt Groening has been in charge of the family-centric animated sitcom since 1989, which currently spans over 700 episodes across 32 seasons (and is still ongoing as of this writing). While most fans would agree that The Simpsons peaked somewhere between seasons 9 and 12, its continued persistence serves as proof that too much of a good thing can be bad....

Sure, most product placements are extremely lazy and slotted into the background, hoping to embed themselves in your subconscious without too much fuss. But when it’s done well, you almost don’t mind the fact you’re being sold to. Here are some of the most creative and iconic examples of product placement in cinema that integrated themselves in clever ways. 15. Audi in Iron Man (2008) Watch: Audi R8 in Iron Man (2008)...

One of the coolest abilities in any anime series is being able to control the power of ice. It might only be the solid form of water, but its crystalline appearance looks flashy and its hardened surface can be used for all kinds of practical effects. Many anime characters, perhaps unsurprisingly, possess the ability to control ice—and that ability usually bleeds into their personalities, resulting in frigid attitudes and cold stares....

Netflix is packed full of awesome TV series, but you need to comb through the rough to find the diamonds. From epic dramas to uplifting comedies and everything in between, there’s a bit of everything. But one thing Netflix seems to do particularly well—whether with their own shows or those co-produced with other networks—is craft addictive TV series with big mysteries and chilling plot twists. That makes sense for a streaming platform, as their entire mission is to get you invested and keep paying that subscription fee....

What defines the 1950s? Scratchy records playing in smoke-filled jazz bars. The first nerves of Cold War anxiety. Homes surrounded by white picket fences. James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. The Baby Boomer years were all about recuperating from half a century of wars, stabilizing family values, and suppressing the impending moral corruption of rock ’n’ roll. And so many great movies have been made that take place during that generation. With the benefit of hindsight, we can return to—and re-examine—the conveyer belt-style industry of the Nifty Fifties....

Are you a Dungeons & Dragons junkie who just can’t seem to get enough of the world’s most beloved tabletop RPG? Podcasts can be the perfect way to fill the void between sessions. Getting the group together to play can’t happen 24/7, but podcasts are there for you whenever you need them! Sure, there are plenty of “actual play” D&D podcasts out there, and those make for a great way to get your D&D fix between getting together with your friends to play....

The 80s and 90s had some of the coolest sci-fi movies of any decade—and those movies had some awesome weapons. Both heroes and villains wielded impressive arsenals that helped them blast their way through exciting adventures and harrowing close calls. They looked cool, they sounded cool, and their designs influenced decades of sci-fi tech in future movies and video games. Here are some of the coolest sci-fi weapons worth remembering from those decades of sci-fi creativity....

Some of the greatest filmmakers in cinema history came from Japan. It all started in 1899, when a short documentary about geishas was made, spurring a plethora of classic movies in its wake. However, many great movies in Japanese history were never shown to international audiences, and the ones that eventually went beyond borders wouldn’t do so for many decades. Fortunately, Japan’s film culture did reach the rest of the world at some point, and since then we’ve been blessed with great Japanese cinema....

Harper Lee’s Atticus Finch once said: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb inside his skin and walk around in it.” It’s a skill that some are blessed with more than others. And even though Finch may have been a literary character, the words ring true and apply to those who choose the acting profession. Meaning, only a few actors have that special factor where we can see they’ve truly stepped into the shoes of another—a real person whom they’re portraying in biographical form—to capture their essence, to fully transform themselves into another person....

Way back in November 2007, Ubisoft released a new kind of stealth-action game. It featured a disgraced protagonist who belonged to a secret order of assassins, and was tasked with killing nine targets to pay for his past arrogance. Gamers and critics gave the game good reviews, praising its originality and fun gameplay. But that was just the start. Since then, we’ve gotten more than 11 other games after the original, leading to one of gaming’s biggest franchises: Assassin’s Creed ....

Best friends, unhappy wives, and regrettable one-night stands—how are “ugly” female characters framed in media? Well, they’re mostly depicted as unintelligent, weird, and/or lascivious. It’s come to be known as ugly girl trope , and this continued portrayal of unaesthetic people as almost subhuman is a trend that needs to be addressed. It propagates an attitude toward “unsightly” people that’s superficial, bigoted, and derogatory. And if that weren’t enough reason to, it’s a trope that’s mostly used as a shortcut in lazy writing....

When it comes to Dungeons & Dragons, there are two primary ways to get an adventure going about running an adventure: you can write your own or you can use prewritten adventures. If you’re not into the idea of creating a custom world and story, there’s nothing wrong with using prewritten ones. Third-party adventures generally cost money as well, meaning the DM is forced to throw down hard-earned money to get an adventure going (unless nice players are willing to chip in)....

Fan service comes in many forms, and it somehow manages to weasel its way into almost every anime. It’s not so bad when fan service is done tastefully, but seeing it inserted into every scene is enough to make some viewers uncomfortable. If you’ve ever watched anime, chances are that you’ve encountered fan service. What exactly is this phenomenon and why does it cause such a stir? Here’s what you need to know....

Fans can be a powerful force in influencing creators. When a fandom is particularly vocal, networks and producers may decide to bring back a series that has already ended in hopes of raking in more cash. The modern TV landscape is littered with so-called “reunion TV series” that feature the returns of well-loved characters from well-loved shows. Frasier , Will & Grace , Roseanne , and Twin Peaks have all made (or are still making) dramatic returns after they’d already finished for good....

No PC gaming setup is complete without the proper accessories and peripherals. If you’re a burgeoning PC gamer, you’ll want to have equipment that won’t fail when you’re under pressure. One unreliable device is all it takes to ruin an entire game. If you’ve built (or bought) a powerful PC, it’s now time to pay attention to the accessories that go with it. Here are several useful accessories and peripherals that’ll greatly enhance your gaming experience....

When you’re in a bad mood, you might feel as if nothing can cheer you up. Or maybe you’re just really bored and in search of some laughter. Either way, Reddit could be the medicine for your troubles. Reddit has a seemingly infinite number of communities dedicated to comedy and smiles. Here are my picks for some of the funniest subreddits that can offer you your daily dose of humor....

When you think of professional athletes, you probably don’t think about nerds playing video games, reading comics, and cosplaying, but as it turns out, there are plenty of the world’s most skilled athletes who enjoy some nerdy activities in their free time! 1. Tim Duncan (NBA) Image credit: Keith Allison/Wikimedia This NBA star may not look like your typical fan, but he’s been known to dabble into some World of Warcraft....

Western animation has come a long way since the early 1900s. Cartoons don’t just exist as a way to kill time anymore, nor do they exist solely to sell toys to impressionable kids. The animation industry enjoys more autonomy and more funding now than it ever did before, so it might be hard to imagine a time when Western animation was little more than “for kids.” How did we get to this point, where animation matured and became a medium that’s as fitting for adults as kids?...