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TL;DR: A lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac is on sale for $39.99 — enjoy permanent access to essential productivity tools.
Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac: Lifetime License $39.99Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac on sale for $39.99 (reg. $229).
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TL;DR: Through December 31, you can save 78% on a Babbel lifetime subscription with our unbeatable end-of-year sale price.
As the new year rolls in, it’s time to set goals. If you’ve always wanted to learn a new language, 2025 might be the year to finally do it — especially if you plan to travel or make a career change. Here’s how Babbel can help:
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TL;DR: The KeySmart® SmartCard, now $29.97, works with Apple Find My and offers wireless charging for ultimate convenience — plus it ships free.
Opens in a new window Credit: KeySmart KeySmart® SmartCard - Thinnest Card Tracker & Works with Apple Find My $29.97Get a KeySmart® SmartCard for just $29.97 (reg. $39.99). This tracker works with Apple Find My and offers wireless charging for ultimate convenience — plus it ships free.
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Opens in a new window Credit: UGR Tech Dual USB-C + USB-A 3.2 High Speed Flash Drive (1TB) $69.97The '90s are back, baby, and we don’t just mean biker shorts, middle parts, and platform shoes! '90s movies are the perfect dose of nostalgia for a time when you were too young to notice the rampant injustices of the world around you. Sorry! You grew up!
Though some '90s movies have been robbed of their rose-colored sheen by modern revelations about their cast or creators, many still hit just right. They were made in a time when all movies were meant to be seen in a theater — when budgets were big and the explosions were even bigger. In no particular order, here are the best '90s movies available via Prime Video for your next movie night.
26. Fever Pitch Credit: Moviestore / ShutterstockThis British rom-com has a disappointingly low American profile, likely because we went and remade it with Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore as Red Sox fans. The original Fever Pitch, itself based on a Nick Hornby book, stars Colin Firth (!!!) as a schoolteacher whose love for his soccer team, Arsenal, gets in the way of his budding romance with Ruth Gemmell. Guys and their sports, huh? If the tagline doesn’t thrill you (“Life gets complicated when you love one woman and 11 men”), then the kick of watching Mr. Darcy become a likable slob definitely will!*
How to watch: Fever Pitch is streaming on Prime Video.
25. RoundersWhen Mike McDermott loses $30,000 at a high stakes poker game, he promises his girlfriend he’ll stop the gambling for good. But when his old childhood friend, Worm, starts joining games on Mike’s credit and losing, Mike gets drawn back into the high stakes world he’s been trying to escape.
1998’s Rounders is a fun sports flick about poker; the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat on full display. Matt Damon is young and charming as the well-intentioned Mike, Edward Norton is appropriately shifty as the hustling Worm, and John Malkovich is indulgently, preposterously, delightfully campy as a temperamental Russian mobster.
How to watch: Rounders is streaming on Prime Video.
24. FernGully: The Last RainforestThat’s right, the movie that traumatized '80s and '90s kids is still around to traumatize the next generation! Crysta and her friends are fairies that care for and protect their rainforest. When she discovers humans are cutting down their trees, she accidentally shrinks one of them (the hottest one), Zak, to fairy size. As Zak learns more about the fairies, his appreciation for the forest grows, as does his determination to stop human encroachment. If that plot sounds familiar, it’s because FernGully: The Last Rainforest is more or less the '90s animated version of Avatar, but with kicky mullets, throwback slang (bodacious babe!), and Robin Williams as a rapping bat.
How to watch: FernGully: The Last Rainforest is streaming on Prime Video.
23. Armageddon Credit: Frank Masi / Touchstone / Kobal / ShutterstockVery few movies can encapsulate the rampant American exceptionalism of the '90s like Armageddon. With a meteor barreling toward earth, the only people with the skills to save the human race are a group of blue-collar, American off-shore oil drillers led by a rugged and curmudgeonly Bruce Willis. With minimal training and the eyes of the world upon them, they’re blasted into space to drill a nuclear bomb into the meteor’s core. Of course, not everything goes to plan.
Ben Affleck is at his dreamiest as a young oil driller, hopelessly in love with Willis’ daughter, one of Liv Tyler’s most iconic roles. Packed with American flags, a star-studded cast, tons of explosions, and a bunch of wives sitting at home while their husbands become heroes, Armageddon is a classic Hollywood blockbuster. It’s a nostalgic, fun piece of action-packed fluff, and somehow, it’s an Academy–Award nominee! Don't forget: Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want a Miss a Thing” was in the running for Best Original Song.
How to watch: Armageddon is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
22. Empire RecordsLiv Tyler, Rory Cochrane, Ethan Embry, Robin Tunney, Renee Zellweger are young employees of a failing independent record shop that band together to try and save the store. We’ve got teenage drama, nostalgic music, '90s fashion, and Rex Manning Day — Empire Records has it all! It’s a quintessential hangout comedy that embodies the spirit of early '90s and launched the careers of some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Critics hated it; teens loved it — and if that’s not a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is!
How to watch: Empire Records is streaming on Prime Video.
21. GoldenEyeIn this installment, Bond is sent by M (Judi Dench) to St. Petersburg to investigate an electromagnetic weapon, but he soon discovers a spider web woven frighteningly close to home. Pierce Brosnan’s first turn as James Bond was his best and a necessary breath of fresh air for a franchise that had been stalling in its Timothy Dalton years. GoldenEye boasts all the Bond hallmarks: plot twists, explosions, sadistic villains, beautiful Bond girls (Izabella Scorupco), cool gadgets, sexy cars, and Bond’s own smooth, unflappable flair, which Brosnan exudes in spades.
How to watch: GoldenEye is streaming on Prime Video.
20. She’s All That Credit: Claudette Barius / Miramax / Kobal / ShutterstockA romantic comedy hall-of-famer, 1999’s She’s All That gives us one of the most iconic and absurd examples of nerdy-girl-isn’t-hot-until-you-take-her-glasses-off movie magic. Freddie Prinze Jr. is lovably smug as the high school top dawg who bets his bros he can turn any girl into the prom queen in six weeks, even social outcast Laney Boggs. That’s right, it’s a 1990s Pygmalion/My Fair Lady — and you already know how it ends!
This is a teen comedy that retains some of its edge; the teens were still allowed to be mean to each other in the '90s. Rachael Leigh Cook became a household name as the artsy high school misfit who was obviously cute long before she got contacts. Matthew Lillard, Paul Walker, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Kieran Culkin, Anna Paquin, Gabrielle Union, and more help cement She’s All That in the hallowed halls of rom-com history, and its soundtrack is a full-fledged nostalgia bomb. It’s time for a rewatch.*
How to watch: She’s All That is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
19. Cruel IntentionsLes Liaisons Dangereuses is a 1782 French novel where two bored aristocrats, skilled in social politics and manipulation, bet that if Vicomte de Valmont can seduce a virtuous newcomer, then the Marquise de Merteuil will sleep with him. Cruel Intentions takes this story and plops it in a world as gossipy, hierarchical, and sexy as an 18th-century French court — a NYC private high school.
Ryan Phillippe is the charmer looking for a challenge, Sarah Michelle Gellar the queen bee who dangles her sexuality over him like a carrot, and Reese Witherspoon the prudish fresh face caught in their little game. But as Phillippe’s Sebastian dedicates himself more and more to his seduction, he begins to wonder if he’s still playing a part… or does he actually have feelings for his mark? Gleefully dark and comically corrupt, Cruel Intentions is a superbly entertaining teen drama that holds up enough to have inspired a 2024 series, also on Prime.
How to watch: Cruel Intentions is streaming on Prime Video.
18. Total RecallBased on a Philip K. Dick short story (like most of the best science fiction movies!),Total Recall is a mind-bending cyberpunk exploration of the relationship between memory and the self. In 2084, Earthman Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) begins having dreams about Mars, currently under the control of an oppressive regime. Looking to learn more about his visions, he visits Rekall, a company that embeds fake memories on demand. Directed by Paul Verhoeven (who also directed RoboCop, Starship Troopers, and… Showgirls?), Total Recall is a gritty, action-packed, dystopian blockbuster. It’s got its fair share of '90s machismo, but many controversial elements at its time — like a three-breasted prostitute — have become iconic with age.
How to watch: Total Recall is streaming on Prime Video.
17. Forrest Gump Credit: Paramount / Kobal / ShutterstockDirected by Robert Zemeckis and written by Eric Roth, Forrest Gump is a family-friendly comedy-drama about a big-hearted but slow-witted man who finds himself directly involved in some of the major historical events of the last half of the 20th century. Tom Hanks won an Oscar for his earnest portrayal of Forrest, and the film won five more Academy Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture. (Plus it launched a popular casual seafood chain!) The cast here is unmissable, with Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, and Sally Field each shining in their respective roles. Charming, nostalgic, and sweet, Forrest Gump overcomes its sentimentality with its abundant good-heartedness.
How to watch: Forrest Gump is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
16. The Joy Luck Club Credit: Buena Vista / Hollywood / Kobal / ShutterstockBased on the best-selling novel of the same name, The Joy Luck Club should be required viewing for anyone with a mother. In San Francisco, four women, all Chinese immigrants, form a mahjong group. Over the course of the film, each woman shares her story, from their lives in China to the modern struggles they are each having with their American-born daughters. The Joy Luck Club is a lovely, moving film about the generational divide, self-respect, and most crucially, mother-daughter relationships. It’s full of heart, the kind of movie that requires a box of tissues but leaves you feeling warm and renewed.
How to watch: The Joy Luck Club is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
15. True RomanceElvis-superfan Clarence (Christian Slater) and former call girl Alabama (Patricia Arquette) fall in love, get married…. and then murder her former pimp, steal his cocaine stash, and head to California. Unfortunately for the lovebirds, there are a few people with a financial interest in their suitcase of drugs, and they’re not going to stop until they recoup their money.
Directed by Tony Scott and written by Hollywood newcomer Quentin Tarantino (!!!!), 1993’s True Romance is a dynamic, unpredictable ride. For a large portion of the film, Alabama and Clarence seem to think they’re in a romance flick — while everyone else around them is in a pulpy, violent thriller. It’s a darkly comic look at the destructive power of two idiots falling in love. Being a Tarantino film, True Romance does not shy from using the n-word, but it also has a sinister James Gandolfini, a stoned Brad Pitt, and an absolutely unhinged, and possibly offensive, Gary Oldman.
How to watch: True Romance is streaming on Prime Video.
14. Titanic Credit: 20th Century Fox / Paramount / Kobal / ShutterstockKate Winslet is Rose, a young, upper-class Brit aboard the RMS Titanic, who soon finds herself in a whirlwind romance with the handsome, charming, and penniless Jack — Leonardo DiCaprio’s star-making role. Their class difference isn’t the only obstacle their love faces, as Rose’s wealthy fiancé Cal (Billy Zane) is also on the ship. And the ship is about to run into an enormous iceberg and become the world’s most famous maritime catastrophe.
James Cameron’s Titanic is an epic in every sense of the word. The love story is melodramatic and all-encompassing, made even more urgent by the impending doom we know is waiting for the lovers. When the action hits, it is visceral, harrowing, and breathtaking: an incomprehensible disaster seen through the eyes of its human victims. There’s also a whole bit about Rose in the present as an old woman and the team trying to find the ships’ wreckage. But no one really remembers that part.
How to watch: Titanic is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
13. The Talented Mr. RipleyThe Talented Mr. Ripley walked so Saltburn could run. This iconic psychological thriller features a young Matt Damon as Tom Ripley, a poor New Yorker who finds himself in the entourage of the rich and impossibly charismatic Dickie as he lounges and carouses his way across 1950s Europe. But is it luck that brought Tom into Dickie’s orbit, or something more sinister?
Jude Law is at his Jude-est Law-iest as Dickie, exuding the effortless grace of a young, handsome aristocrat who can’t help but charm everyone meets. Gwyneth Paltrow glows as Dickie’s girlfriend, Marge, and Philip Seymour Hoffman is pitch-perfect as another of Dickie’s rich friends, who mistrusts Tom from the get-go. Based on the Patricia Highsmith novel and directed by Anthony Minghella, The Talented Mr. Ripley is a suspenseful, captivating classic.*
(If you can’t get enough of this psychosexual story, don’t miss Netflix’s excellent 2024 series, Ripley, starring Andrew Scott.)
How to watch: The Talented Mr. Ripley is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
12. The Long Walk Home Credit: Moviestore / ShutterstockWhoopi Goldberg is Odessa Cotter, a maid for Miriam Thompson (Sissy Spacek), in Montgomery, Alabama, during the 1955 Montgomery bus boycotts. Unwilling to take a bus, Odessa must endure long walks to and from the Thompson home. Against the wishes of her husband and her neighbors, Miriam offers Odessa a ride a few days a week to ease her burden. If made today, the film would certainly have not opted for a white narrator to tell the story of these two well-developed women from different communities, but nonetheless, The Long Walk Home remains a complex and powerful exploration of injustice.
How to watch: The Long Walk Home is streaming on Prime Video.
11. October Sky Credit: Moviestore / ShutterstockBased on a true story, October Sky is a touching drama about a West Virginian coal miners’ son (Jake Gyllenhaal), who is developing an interest in aerospace engineering. Alongside his friends and against the wishes of his father (Chris Cooper), he tests homemade rockets and teaches himself the necessary science to eventually become a NASA engineer. October Sky is a masterclass in inspirational, feel-good movie-making. It’s both sincere and emotionally complex, refusing to simplify its characters into archetypes. You’ll be left with a warm, fuzzy feeling, contemplating both your relationship with your father and how to go about building your own backyard rocket. Don’t miss Laura Dern as a truly wonderful high school science teacher!
How to watch: October Sky is streaming on Prime Video.
10. The Sixth SenseDoesn’t matter if you’re old enough to have witnessed The Sixth Sense twist first-hand, you have definitely made an "I see dead people" joke. The endurance of this movie’s cultural relevance — no matter how you feel about M. Night Shyamalan today — is a testament to just how groundbreaking it was when it debuted in 1999.
Bruce Willis is a child psychologist whose newest patient (Haley Joel Osment) claims to speak to the dead. The Sixth Sense is a breathlessly tense psychological thriller — some of us have had nightmares about Mischa Barton puking in a tent for the last 20 years — that’s as emotionally affecting as it is surprising. If somehow you haven’t seen this smart, sophisticated, and just plain excellent film, it’s time to right that wrong.
How to watch: The Sixth Sense is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
9. Reservoir DogsQuentin Tarantino’s feature-length directorial debut, Reservoir Dogs, is violent, coarse, nonlinear, and irreverent. He’s known his brand since day one. Paying homage to multiple Hollywood classics like Stanley Kubrick's The Killing, 1992’s Reservoir Dogs is chaotic and energetic, celebrated as an independent hit thanks to an intelligent script and an idiosyncratic cast (Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen, and more). Decades later, though Tarantino’s profile and production budgets have gotten significantly bigger, this first entry, full of pluck and passion, is still one of his best.
When a diamond heist goes wrong, eight men try to determine who sold them out, using any means necessary to extract the truth.
How to watch: Reservoir Dogs is streaming on Prime Video.
8. Galaxy Quest Credit: Murray Close / Dreamworks LLC / Kobal / ShutterstockTim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, and Daryl Mitchell are the fictional crew of a cult TV sci-fi series, Galaxy Quest. Years after the show’s been off the air, they float from convention to convention, signing autographs and wishing their careers had gone in a different direction. Until one day, they’re kidnapped by aliens who saw their TV broadcast from across the galaxy and thought it was real! Uh oh! Now the aliens hope Tim Allen and crew can defend their planet against an invading force, while the hapless band of actors just hopes they can keep up the ruse long enough to find a way home. Galaxy Quest is a deeply silly movie that packs a sneaky emotional punch. An absolute winner, through and through.*
How to watch: Galaxy Quest is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
7. Searching for Bobby FischerSeven-year-old chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin is a natural. He picked up the rules of the game by simply watching others (like Laurence Fishbourne) play in Washington Square Park. But when his parents discover the depth of his talent, everything changes for Josh. Now he has a methodical chess teacher (Ben Kingsley) who decries his brazen style; he’s in tournaments constantly; and his dad becomes hyperfixated on Josh’s success. That’s a lot for a seven-year-old to handle. Too much, in fact.
Another winning entry in the grand Hollywood tradition of riveting chess dramas, 1993’s Searching for Bobby Fischer is the moving true story of chess whiz-kid Joshua Waitzkin. It’s also a sensitive, captivating study on achievement and the need for balance. If you liked The Queen’s Gambit, you’ll love Bobby Fischer.
How to watch: Searching for Bobby Fischer is streaming on Prime Video.
6. Run Lola RunRun Lola Run has a simple premise that translates into an impossibly gripping and entertaining action flick. Right out the gate, the movie starts at a 10: Lola has 20 minutes to find 100,000 bucks or her boyfriend will be killed. Fueled by an infectious, relentless electronic score, Lola runs through the streets of Germany to try to make her deadline — and we’re with her every breathless step along the way.
Written and directed by Tom Tykwer, Run Lola Run is an electrifying watch, with surprising moments of humanity and surrealism. Don’t let the subtitles stop you — this is one of those gems that reminds you why you love movies so dang much.
How to watch: Run Lola Run is streaming on Prime Video.
5. Fargo Credit: Moviestore / ShutterstockThere aren't many films out there popular enough to inspire a very popular-in-its-own-right TV show, but Fargo — with its snowy North Dakota setting and offbeat black comedy style — has managed it with aplomb. One of the most memorable roles in Hollywood history, heavily pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) attempts to untangle a messy murder and its links to some hired kidnappers, with things quickly spiraling in the amusingly chaotic way only Coen brothers' movies can. Complimentary characters include a spineless William H. Macy as desperate-for-money car dealer Jerry Lundegaard, a chillingly dead-eyed Peter Stormare as hired kidnapper Gaear Grimsrud, and Steve Buscemi as his slimy partner in crime.* — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor
How to watch: Fargo is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
4. CluelessClueless, first of all, is iconic. Nearly 30 years have passed, but it’s still a cultural touchstone for today’s teens. Perhaps its staying power comes from its plot, directly lifted from the literal founder of the romantic comedy, Jane Austen. Like Austen’s Emma Woodhouse, Clueless’s Cher (Alicia Silverstone) acts as a matchmaker to everyone around her but can’t seem to get her own love life in order. The story alone does not fully capture the movie’s charm. Clueless is both hilarious and sweet, features unforgettable costumes, and most importantly, is filled to the brim with memorable, quotable lines. Cinema has never heard a more cutting insult than “You’re a virgin who can’t drive.”*
How to watch: Clueless is streaming on Prime Video.
3. Good Will HuntingMatt Damon and Ben Affleck have been such mainstay figures in Hollywood for decades now that it’s easy to forget how mythical and meteoric their entry into filmmaking was. But these two young, relatively unknown bros showed up in Hollywood with the script for Good Will Hunting and walked out with an Oscar and a lifetime on the A-list.
When an MIT professor (Stellan Skarsgård) puts a near-impossible math problem on his blackboard, he’s shocked to find that someone in the school has solved it... And that someone is the janitor, Will (Matt Damon). The professor helps Will, currently on parole, get permission from the court to study mathematics — provided he also receives therapy for his behavioral issues.
Good Will Hunting is a captivating and heartfelt drama that has been parodied, copied, and referenced, but never repeated. Ben Affleck is perfect as Will’s rough best friend, and Robin Williams won an Academy Award for his performance as the empathetic, unconventional, and no-bullshit counselor who just might be the one to help Will break out of his pattern of self-destruction and make something of his life.*
How to watch: Good Will Hunting is streaming on Prime Video.
2. Sense and Sensibility Credit: Moviestore / ShutterstockDirected by Ang Lee, 1995’s Sense and Sensibility is unquestionably one of the best cinematic Jane Austen adaptations to date. Emma Thompson is heavenly as the practical, thoughtful Elinor Dashwood, the “sense” to her changeable, emotional sister Marianne’s (Kate Winslet) “sensibility.” It’s a scenic, romantic, and simply lovely watch that is as poignant now as it was two decades ago (or two centuries ago!).
When their father dies, Mrs. Dashwood and her three daughters move to a small cottage in Devonshire and must concern themselves with what all 18th and 19th century women without an inheritance must concern themselves with: an advantageous marriage. Elinor is consumed by caring for others and counseling Marianne, who is absolutely besotted with John Willoughby, a total rake!!!! Will Elinor successfully manage the family's misfortunes? And will she even have time to consider love for herself?
How to watch: Sense and Sensibility is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
1. L.A. ConfidentialA fantastically stylized, neo-noir crime thriller, L.A. Confidential is an intricate web of whodunnits and double-crosses set in a sultry, seedy 1950s Los Angeles. Everyone here is operating at the top of their ability: the cast is excellent (Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe, James Cromwell, Kim Basinger, David Strathairn, and more); the script is airtight, intelligent, and meticulously plotted; and the cinematography brings color to a moody, noir atmosphere. Even the audience is doing good work here — you’ve got to pay attention to reap the rewards of this spectacular drama that would have swept the 1997 Academy Awards had it not been competing against Titanic.
Adapted from a James Ellroy novel, L.A. Confidential follows three different cops working to rehabilitate the LAPD’s image after a series of scandals. But in rooting out corruption, they’ll uncover a complex maze of lies, celebrity, sex, and murder that puts them deeper in danger the closer they get to the truth.
How to watch: L.A. Confidential is streaming on Prime Video.
UPDATE: Dec. 27, 2024, 3:48 p.m. EST This article has been updated to include current streaming options.
The Pop-Tarts Bowl might have been viral last year for it's adorable, edible mascot, but this year? There's an extra spin on the game...the mascots of the two teams participating: the Iowa State Cyclones and the Miami Hurricanes. Can you hear the weather puns now? The weather bowl will take place on Saturday, December 28, and is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT.
Iowa State was a Top 25 team, including being No. 18 in the College Football Playoff, but the Cyclones fell short in the Big 12 championship to Arizona State. The Sun Devils went on to take the No. 4-seed in the CFP playoffs, earning a first round bye. Miami is also a top 25 team, pulling the No. 13 spot in the CFP field. Unfortunately, Miami fell short of the 12-team playoff. The Hurricanes were upset by Syracuse in the final game of the regular season, eliminating themselves from the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship.
SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Iowa State vs. Miami football kickoff time and networkThe Iowa State vs. Miami football game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT start on ABC on Saturday, Dec. 28.
Best streaming services for Iowa State vs. Miami football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Iowa State vs. Miami football game on ABC.
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 DealYouTube 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 channels: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling 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, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV 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.
The No. 22 Army Black Knights (11-2) will face the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (5-7) in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. The game is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. ET/6:15 p.m. PT on Dec. 28.
The Black Knights have had an up and down season that didn't stop when they earned a bowl game. Originally, Army was set to face Marshall. But, a coaching change led to a large number of Marshall players hitting the transfer portal, and the team waiving their bowl game appearance. Then, LA Tech was subbed in.
But, the Black Knights had ups and downs before that, becoming a ranked team and winning the American Athletic Conference. Then, they lost to Navy in America's game.
SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Louisiana Tech vs. Army football kickoff time and networkThe Louisiana Tech vs. Army football game is scheduled for a 9:15 p.m. ET/6:15 p.m. PT start on ESPN on Saturday, Dec. 28.
Best streaming services for Louisiana Tech vs. Army football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Louisiana Tech vs. Army football game on ESPN.
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 DealYouTube 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 channels: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling 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, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV 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.
The Valero Alamo Bowl becomes the Big 12 bowl in 2024 for two teams that could have been. The BYU Cougars will face the Colorado Buffaloes, and their Heisman Trophy-winner, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The matchup is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT on Dec. 28.
Both BYU and Colorado had significant wins, at 10-2 and 9-3 respectively. The Cougars and the Buffalos both spent time in the top 25 and in the College Football Playoff rankings. Both were situated in a four-way tie atop the Big 12, but were bested by Arizona State and Iowa State, who went on to face each other in the championship. Colorado has one more significant win though: the Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. The odds are favoring Deion Sanders and his Buffaloes.
SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable BYU vs. Colorado football kickoff time and networkThe BYU vs. Colorado football game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT start on ABC on Saturday, Dec. 28.
Best streaming services for BYU vs. Colorado football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the BYU vs. Colorado football game on ABC.
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 DealYouTube 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 channels: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling 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, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV 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.
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Opens in a new window Credit: FolderFort FolderFort 2TB Cloud Storage Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription £87.54 at the Mashable ShopDigital storage is critical in just about everyone's daily lives, and having enough space has become an irritating and expensive endeavor. FolderFort's lifetime deal could be the ideal solution, with 2TB of storage that guarantees 99.99% uptime, fast upload speeds, and BackBlaze encryption. Pay only once for a lifetime of secure cloud storage — on sale for £87.54 (reg. £398.02) at the Mashable Shop. That's a 78% discount.
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Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. 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 today's 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?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach 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.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers 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.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 28 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Expressions for something very easy or effortless
Green: Legendary items or symbols from ancient stories
Blue: Starting or avoiding action
Purple: Begins with "my," "its," "his," of similar
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: "Nothing To It!"
Green: Objects from Greek Myth
Blue: Proverbial Things To Kick
Purple: Starting With Possessive Pronouns
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 #568 is...
What is the answer to Connections today"Nothing To It!": EASY, NO SWEAT, PIECE OF CAKE, SURE THING
Objects from Greek Myth: AEGIS, APPLE OF DISCORD, GOLDEN FLEECE, PANDORA'S BOX
Proverbial Things To Kick: CAN, HABIT, HORNET'S NEST, TIRES
Starting With Possessive Pronouns: HERSHEY, HISTAMINE, ITSY, MINEFLIED
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.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 28Are 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 yesterday's Connections.
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.
Tweet may have been deletedEach 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.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers 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 categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Opposite of throw in sports.
Green: Grappling words.
Blue: Sports abbreviations.
Purple: Shared first name.
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Catch
Green: Wrestling terms
Blue: NFL teams on scoreboards
Purple: Big ____
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 #96 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayCatch - GRAB, NAB, SNAG, SNATCH
Wrestling terms - FALL, PIN, REVERSAL, TAKEDOWN
NFL teams on scoreboards - CAR, DEN, JAX, WAS
Big ____ - 12, DANCE, FLY, LEAGUE
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 yesterday's Connections.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 28 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 28 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Just the essentialsThese words promote healing through scents.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedWords are essential oils.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Aromatherapy.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for December 28Cedarwood
Lavender
Patchouli
Eucalyptus
Aromatherapy
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and 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 yesterday's Strands.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. 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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for December 28 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 28 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Publicly denounce.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
DECRY.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle 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.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 28Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
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 yesterday's Wordle.
Google's been driving Street View cars around the world for nearly two decades now. And TikTok has recently discovered that backlog of images is ripe with nostalgia.
There's a new trend on the app in which folks dig up old Google Maps images showing their homes, meaningful places, or photos from a specific time via Street View to tell a story — this might involve a relative they lost, a past relationship, a childhood moment, or whatever else.
Here's a TikTok, for instance, of a person showing their now-deceased grandparents working on their lawn in 2008.
Here's another of a grandmother, this time sitting on their porch.
Here's one of someone playing with their childhood dog.
Here's one that's just stores in someone's hometown that have closed.
Lots of the comments in these wistful posts are about how nostalgic and sad they are. Some folks have even lamented looking for their deceased relatives and not finding them on Google Maps.
The trend caught my attention because I wrote about Street View nostalgia back in 2021, long before it became a TikTok trend. At the time, I explored how strange it felt to see your life — your home, your old car — frozen in a specific moment in time.
"The reason why the Google Street thing wasn't enough...what you were really wanting was to relive, to some extent, that little portion of your life," said Dr. Krystine Batcho, a psychologist who has studied nostalgia extensively, told Mashable in 2021. "Now, when I say relive it, that can end up being misunderstood by people. Generally, people don't want to go back and live their old life. That's not what I mean. But it's a little bit like visiting."
SEE ALSO: The strange nostalgia of Google Street ViewThe folks on TikTok seem to be experiencing the same feelings that I did. Looking at old images on Street View are a window into an old version of your life, one you left behind but recall with some fondness. If you want to look at old images for an address, you just need to click "see more dates," and the backlog with auto-populate on the bottom of your screen.
Credit: GoogleJust be warned, if you go down that rabbit hole, pangs of nostalgia will likely follow.
Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television within each one!
Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services trying to determine what to watch! We've got your back whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, animation, and more.
But if you're seeking something brand spanking new (or new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.
SEE ALSO: The best Netflix TV shows of 2024Mashable's entertainment team has scoured the streaming services to highlight the most buzzed-about releases of this week and ranked them from worst to best — or least worth your time to most watchable. Whether you're looking for some dystopian sci-fi, sports drama, or the new Doctor Who Christmas special, we've got you covered.
Here's what's new on streaming, from worst to best.
5. Squid Game, Season 2After a three-year wait, the sequel to Hwang Dong-hyuk's massively popular dystopian thriller is finally hitting Netflix. Following on from the events of the first Squid Game, the second season sees Player 456 (Lee Jung-jae) returning to the titular games in an attempt to right the wrongs of the first season.
Details are still fairly secretive — though if you want the full scoop on S2, we've got a spoiler-filled review — but we do know that there will be some nightmarish new games to look forward to, including this humongous carousel from the trailer. Oh, and that giant murderous doll will be back. — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor
Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, Gong Yoo
How to watch: Squid Game Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
4. ChiefsAholic: A Wolf in Chiefs ClothingThe worlds of sport and true crime collides in ChiefsAholic: A Wolf in Chiefs Clothing, Dylan Sires' documentary about Kansas City Chiefs super-fan Xaviar Babudar, who was recently imprisoned for a string of armed bank robberies.
Babudar became a famous face at Kansas City Chiefs' games, appearing in a signature full-body wolf costume, before his arrest in 2022 — and subsequent escape. — S.H.
How to watch: ChiefsAholic: A Wolf in Chiefs Clothing is now streaming on Prime Video.
3. Y2KEverybody remembers the hysteria over the feared Y2K computer issues amounted to much ado about nothing. But this crackling comedy from Saturday Night Live's Kyle Mooney imagines: What if it did though? Specifically, what if Y2K caused all our home electronics to Voltron up into killing machines, Terminator-style?
SEE ALSO: How Kyle Mooney incorporated our fears of AI using the 'Y2K' hysteriaSet at a high schooler's New Year's Eve party, Y2K is a madcap teen comedy about popularity, lust, friendship, and embarrassing social situations on the brink of robopocalypse. Out of the film's SXSW premiere, I wrote for Mashable's review, "Y2K is a lot of fun. Its teen cast overall has terrific energy, and a supporting cast that includes Alicia Silverstone, Tim Heidecker, and Mooney — as a burnout video store clerk — brings welcomed microdoses of weirdness. The celebration of all things '00s is undeniably charming, even if used superficially. Jokes come fast and frantic, so even if some don't land, there's plenty of laughs to be had." —Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
Starring: Jaeden Martell, Rachel Zegler, Julian Dennison, Kyle Mooney, Fred Durst, and Alicia Silverstone
How to watch: Y2k is now available to rent or purchase on Apple TV+.
2. The OrderAn FBI agent (Jude Law) goes up against a bank robbing neo-Nazi gang in The Order, a thriller based on a true story from Assassin's Creed director Justin Kurzel.
"The Order seldom slows down, skillfully building to each new action crescendo with the help of Jed Kurzel's rumbling, unrelentingly energetic score," wrote Siddhant Adlakha in his review for Mashable. "It may not have anything novel to say about race in America — whether then or now — but its broad reminders of the mechanics of neo-Nazi terror feel mostly justified by the movie's brisk, deftly modulated pace. That it's an action movie in the body of something more 'prestigious' or important ought to feel insulting, but really, it's been the key to Kurzel's necessary transformation all along." — S.H.
Starring: Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Jurnee Smollett, Alison Oliver, and Marc Maron
How to watch: The Order is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Fandango at Home.
1. Doctor Who, "Joy to the World"'Tis the season for a Doctor Who Christmas special! In a festive adventure penned by former showrunner Steven Moffat, the Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) makes a new friend in Joy (Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan), a lonely but lovely young woman whose plans to celebrate the holiday alone end when the two-hearted time-traveler barges into her solitude.
You see, after stumbling onto a Time Hotel, where tourists can visit Christmases across time, the Doctor finds a curious mystery. To crack it, he'll need the help of new friends, and to best a wily enemy and a dinosaur to boot! Whether a longtime Whovian or a newbie to the decades-spanning sci-fi franchise, you'll relish the fun and twists of "Joy to the World." But have some tissues at the ready, as Moffat favors a bittersweet finale. — K.P.
Starring: Ncuti Gatwa and Nicola Coughlan
How to watch: Doctor Who "Joy to the World" debuts on Disney+ on Dec. 25.
Give or receive a gently used Meta Quest 2 or 3 for the holidays? If so, your augmented reality headset may have gone comatose after completing a suggested software update; similar complaints have flooded Reddit forums about the issue, How-to-Geek reports.
Meta's initial response to the problem was to offer out-of-warranty replacements for $150. Unsurprisingly, the response to that suggestion was not greeted well and the Meta help site came back with a stop-gap solution: Force a reboot of the headset by holding the power button for 45 seconds.
A more conventional solution is coming, according to Meta, but few details were provided.
SEE ALSO: Meta Quest 3S vs. Meta Quest 3: What are the differences?The bricking issue is solely affecting the Meta Quest 2 and 3 models, not the 3S model released in October. The Meta Quest offers immersive games, how-to videos, fitness apps, and Xbox experiences.
SEE ALSO: 'Batman: Arkham Shadow' goes all in on character psychologyThe story of Flint Olympian Claressa "T-Rex" Shields, The Fire Inside marks the feature-length directorial debut of Black Panther cinematographer Rachel Morrison. The boxing drama, written by Moonlight's Barry Jenkins, follows the ebb and flow of a traditional sports biopic right up until it doesn't, before branching out in unexpected ways. However, its story beats are often restrained and awkward, resulting in a film that never fully blooms.
SEE ALSO: The 25 best movies of 2024, and where to watch themThis is especially a shame considering its magnificent lead performances, from Grown-ish star Ryan Destiny as the formidable Shields, and Brian Tyree Henry as her diligent coach, Jason Crutchfield. Both actors bring tremendous nuance and passion to their roles, turning Shields and Crutchfield into fully formed characters whose interpersonal drama remains enticing throughout, even when it feels hampered by the film's construction. It is, both fittingly and unfortunately, a work at odds with itself, making it a strangely perfect embodiment of the story it tells.
What is The Fire Inside about? Credit: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios © 2024 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.Formerly titled Flint Strong, the film is as much about Shields' Michigan hometown as it is about the Olympian boxer. Few sports movies outside of the Philadelphia-based Rocky have so deftly captured the relationship between a person and a place. Given her rough upbringing, Shields' dreams are often at odds with reality, which makes for a solid dramatic foundation.
Flint may have entered the mainstream consciousness after its water crisis came to light in 2014, but the meat of Shields' story unfolds in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics, and tells of a place already suffering from economic downturn. The movie's prologue introduces a precocious, tomboyish Shields trying to force her way into Crutchfield's all-boys boxing gym, and while the volunteer coach is initially hesitant, advice from his headstrong wife Mickey (De'Adre Aziza) makes him reconsider his gendered stance.
As the years go by, Crutchfield remains in Shields' corner, often to his own financial detriment, but his belief in the young prodigy goes hand in hand with her sense of self-worth. After all, given her fractured home life, her coach's mentorship is the closest thing she has to parental guidance. Her father is in prison, and while her mother Jackie (Olunike Adeliyi) is physically present, she's always emotionally elsewhere, leaving the teenage Shields to raise her two younger siblings.
When the prospect of national (and international) competition arises, Shields and Crutchfield go into overdrive and begin knocking down records and barriers, but navigating the larger sports world is a matter of delicate politics. Winning turns out to not just be about punching, but about facing unspoken racial animus and paradoxical notions of femininity — about embodying a traditional "daintiness" outside the ring, despite the sport's rough, seemingly masculine demands. All these challenges make for intriguing drama during Shields' travels. However, her larger challenges remain in Flint, and continue long after her sporting success.
Where most sports movies might climax in an athlete's initial rise to fame, The Fire Inside practically transforms into its own sequel. It devotes its second half to what's demanded of American sportswomen behind the scenes, especially Black sportswomen, who may not be given the same support structures as their white and/or male peers despite their achievements.
This structure sets the film apart from its contemporaries, turning it into a larger sociocultural examination, while forcing its two leads to undergo rigorous changes — as individuals, and as a unit. However, the main issue afflicting The Fire Inside is that its many setups rarely result in deft dramatic payoffs. The pieces are all there, but they seldom form a satisfying bigger picture.
The Fire Inside is filled with sparks that never burst to life. Credit: Sabrina Lantos © 2024 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.In the director's chair, Morrison — who shot Ryan Coogler's Fruitvale Station and Dee Rees' Mudbound — retains her eye for accentuating moment-to-moment drama. Along with cinematographer Rina Yang, she maintains a sense of place, mood and momentum with every shot, but rarely do her scenes culminate in moments that are appropriately rousing, depressing, amusing, or even just curiosity-piquing.
The in-ring combat is captured with a proclivity for motion and impact, with shots and sequences that create a lucid sense of time and physicality. Isolate any stretch of 30 to 60 seconds, and The Fire Inside seems like one of the greatest movies ever made. But at length, it's one of the most disappointingly assembled works of its kind. It creates the anticipation of joy, of success, of loss, and of anguish, but when it comes time to pull the trigger, it misfires.
There's a distinct dullness to each micro-climax, rendering the experience of watching the movie one of disappointment and deflation, even when the text and on-screen imagery are geared towards maximum impact. It's a film whose rhythms frequently come undone, in large part because it refuses to luxuriate in the cinematic pleasures (and even displeasures) that it constantly builds towards.
However, that The Fire Inside remains a decently enjoyable prestige biopic despite its baffling construction is a testament to its performances.
The Fire Inside features remarkable performances. Credit: Sabrina Lantos © 2024 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.Every step of the way, the two leads of The Fire Inside deliver deeply considered performances that bring their characters to life. They're so good at what they do (and Morrison is so adept at guiding them towards their emotional objectives) that their skills are almost a detriment to the film's eventual, lopsided form. At every turn, they fill you with the hope and belief that what you're watching might amount to something great, rather than merely passable.
Destiny's fearless physicality is an enormous part of this. The actress is constantly at war not only with the world around her but with Shields' very sense of being, a method of moving through the world that, despite radiating toughness, becomes a double-edged sword, thanks to the mechanics of sponsorship and media visibility. And yet, the character's fortitude is also at odds with her own vulnerabilities, and the way she exhibits an innocent, girlish excitement amidst her teenage romance with a fellow Flint trainee.
Henry, meanwhile, offers yet another masterclass in thoughtful performance, as a man struggling to leave his mark on the world by living vicariously through another person. The film never quite gets into the weeds of Crutchfield all but replacing his own daughter with Shields while the former is away at college, but Henry's approach to the story — his seeming awareness of its themes and its trajectory — ensure that each moment of internal and external drama is buoyed by conflicting questions of fatherhood. In fact, Crutchfield's story is just as much about the social and racial expectations of gender as Shields' is, given his constant war between what's expected of him as a man (and as a father) and what he's capable of achieving on his own, as a person bound by oppressive economic circumstances.
Morrison's debut may have missed the mark, but it features all the makings of something that could have been great. There's a real sense of passion, and a detailed understanding of social mechanics that she often translates into dramatic moments, even though they seldom add up to anything satisfying.
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