The Twilight Zone is one of the earliest shows that challenged the status quo of television. To this day, Rod Serling’s sci-fi/horror anthology series influences media and pop culture. This amazing show was the pioneer that paved the way for later excellent anthology series, like Black Mirror , American Horror Story , and the classic Are You Afraid of the Dark? Related: The best Netflix shows with big plot twists...
The most prestigious awards one can get for involvement in the film industry are the Academy Awards (also called Oscars). Winning an Academy Award statuette often infuses a movie with a reputation and sense of recognition that puts it above other movies—but the decisions made by the Academy aren’t always sensible. Sometimes, an Academy Award goes to a production that sticks out like a sore thumb and generates all kinds of controversy....
Video games are a great way to bond, and that’s especially true for romantic relationships! Competitive games can be fun for skillful gamers and opportunities for gentle ribbing, but if those tend to bring out unsightly behaviors, you can always opt for cooperative games instead. Either way, video games provide a shared opportunity for laughter and entertainment. And mobile games are one of the best options for couples who want to game together....
Have a friend, co-worker, or family member with an anime obsession? Finding it hard to shop gifts for them? Birthdays and holidays can be stressful as you scramble for a gift they’ll actually like, especially if you don’t know the first thing about anime gifts that fans actually want to get. So, if you’re desperate for awesome anime gift ideas, don’t despair! While every anime fan has their own unique interests, you’ll find all kinds of winning gift ideas below that most anime lovers will appreciate....
Welcome to the 1990s, which—in retrospect—is considered by many to be the golden age of independent cinema! In 1991, the Sundance Film Festival officially launched and paved the way for many of today’s greatest filmmakers, and with it came the “Independent Cinema movement.” From this movement emerged several notable film directors (which we’ll get into below). This was the era where indie films finally forced Hollywood to start paying attention, as even Hollywood couldn’t ignore the fact that A-list actors were starring in more and more indie projects....
Star Wars fans can be rabid in our fandom. A slight disagreement might break out and turn into an all-out war between factions on message boards, Reddit, social media, and even the various conventions that keep the Star Wars franchise moving forward. From the space dust that was once Alderaan to the deserts of Jakku, the Star Wars universe has been expanding for over 40 years with input from all manner of creative minds and storytellers....
Not all anime series (especially in the shonen genre) feature deep and nuanced family relationships, certainly not as much as they explore friendships and rivalries. But some do! The gradual introduction of more characters from a particular family, bloodline, clan, or lineage can add lots of texture and depth to the world of an anime series—and that complexity draws us in further. Families in anime series can serve to support the emotional growth (or regression) of a main character, introduce mysteries via secrets only known to the family, or even hook us with special abilities that are only passed down to blood relatives....
Whether you’re just getting into reading as a hobby or you’ve been an avid reader for years, you’re into literary tales or prefer genre fiction, there are some books that everyone should read. The classic books of American literature are among those must-read books. Not only did they have immense influence over the development of writing, but they endure as stories beloved by many worldwide. In short, Great American Novels explore American identities from throughout the country’s history....
Gift giving can be a real drag. Don’t know what to get? Not sure you want to burden someone with physical stuff? Want to get something that the recipient is guaranteed to like? Well then, you should consider these digital gifts! Not only are they really cool (and useful), but they can be purchased and redeemed instantaneously—so they’re great as last-minute gifts. Yup, that’s when digital gifts really shine. If you’re scrambling for a gift and you’re running out of time, here are our favorite digital gift ideas that you can grab right now....
Anime series are filled with all kinds of cool elements like swords and weaponry, magical abilities, and even hairstyles. But one of the coolest elements is the mask—something that adds a lot of mystique when worn by a character. While the main purpose of a mask is to hide the user’s identity, some anime series go a step further and give masks an even greater role in the character’s prowess and capabilities....
Whether you’re new to the board game hobby or a seasoned veteran, you can get a ton of entertainment value by listening to board game podcasts. Not only that, but listening to game geeks talk about a board game can give you a better idea if you want to splurge on it. The next time you’re headed to work, switch on a board game podcast during your commute. These board game podcasts will have you engaged, entertained, and will make you excited to introduce a new game to your friends....
A Metroidvania is exactly what you think: a game that has elements of both Metroid and Castlevania games. Metroidvanias are typically side-scroller platformer games with a world composed of interconnected map screens. While you’re unable to access certain areas of the map at first, you can always return once you acquire a certain item or ability. If you miss the days of exploring a complex map, collecting special items, and defeating difficult enemies, you should pick up a modern Metroidvania!...
When you think of tabletop RPGs, the first game that probably comes to mind for you is Dungeons & Dragons . Wizards of the Coast’s RPG masterpiece has become as ubiquitous as Kleenex is for facial tissues. Related: The best YouTube channels for learning D&D As such, most people tend to imagine tabletop RPGs in a fantasy setting, since that’s where D&D exists. However, there are a slew of tabletop RPGs out there set in science fiction worlds....
Finding fan art is exciting! It allows you to view a show, video game, or movie from a completely different perspective. The artist often injects their own style into the piece, which can spark your interest even more. Sometimes, the artist creates their own scenes using your favorite characters. This makes you wonder: “What if this scenario actually happened?” Whether you’re a fan or an artist yourself, finding fan art provides a sense of inspiration and satisfaction....
In cinema, witches make for one of the best subjects in horror, especially given the dark history of witch folklore across civilizations. Horror movies about witches and the occult can take all kinds of different approaches, but they often share in the same themes: evil spirits, devilish pacts, vengeance, religious corruption, and fanaticism. Sometimes, the witch in question may be tortured and killed, inspired by real-life events like the infamous Salem Witch Trials....
Power, friendship, rivalry, and romance are common themes across all anime. But when an anime centers on heroic selflessness, there’s more power in its narrative and character developments. Sure, plenty of animes have heroic characters, but we’re talking about animes that have a central thematic thesis about heroism. These often have many characters who are willing to sacrifice even their own lives and freedom for the sake of someone else....
Is it possible to sum up HBO’s Succession using nothing more than a quote from the show itself? Well, yes, there are many to choose from, but they all involve obscene expletives used humorously—and most of the time, it’s a creatively veiled way to tell someone: “Go away.” And it’s that vicious nature that has drawn millions of people to see the show, to love the show, and to consider Succession to be one of the finest examples of storytelling in television history....
Sometimes, life is too stressful for a serious shooting or role-playing game. After a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is get frustrated by a video game. Instead, you’ll have a lot more fun with a lighthearted gaming session. Turn to these hilarious video games to get some quick comic relief. 10. Katamari Damacy Katamari Damacy was originally a game for the PlayStation 2, but it has since been remastered....
I finally decided to give Dungeons & Dragons a try recently, and I think I’ve found a brand new addiction. Before I showed up to the local board game cafe, I have to admit I was incredibly nervous. Would the people there be receptive to a new player? Do I need to understand all of the rules of the game before I start playing? Will the other players be a bunch of smelly super-nerds?...
There’s nothing like the satisfaction of doing something in real life. However, getting out there in the real world isn’t always possible. This is especially true with escape rooms. You need to gather a group of friends, find a place you haven’t been yet, book the room, spend a good chunk of cash, and drive to wherever the room is. Depending on where you live, there might not even be an escape room available within a reasonable driving distance!...
