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While you can't go wrong with flowers and chocolate, let's branch out this Valentine's Day. There's no better way to show someone your love than getting them a gift that demonstrates just how well you know them. We've put together a list of the 30 best Valentine's Day gifts and ideas to get for literally anybody on your list. Whether you're in need of a gift for an eco-conscious best friend or a comedy-obsessed partner, there's something for everyone on this list. Plus, we've included Mashable-vetted items like the most comfortable headphones or fastest e-reader.
In need of a more specific gift? You're in luck. We have Valentine's Day gift guides for girlfriends, boyfriends, husbands, and wives too.
TL;DR: Live stream Pachuca vs. León in Liga MX for free on Tubi. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
León have a perfect record in the Clausura stage of Liga MX. They've won four from four so far, but next they face unbeaten Pachuca. Both sides have made impressive starts to the campaign, but something has got to give in this hotly-anticipated encounter.
If you want to watch Pachuca vs. León in Liga MX for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Pachuca vs. León?Pachuca vs. León in Liga MX kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on Feb. 5. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Hidalgo.
How to watch Pachuca vs. León for freePachuca vs. León in Liga MX is available to live stream for free on Tubi.
Tubi is offering coverage of select Liga MX fixtures for free in Mexico, but anyone can access these free live streams with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Mexico, meaning you can unblock free live streams of Liga MX from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Pachuca vs. León by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Mexico
Visit Tubi
Live stream Pachuca vs. León for free
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Pachuca vs. León in Liga MX without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Liga MX fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Tubi?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Tubi, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Mexico
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 also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Pachuca vs. León in Liga MX for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Real Estelí vs. Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free on Tubi. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
There are number of really interesting first-round matchups in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, including Real Estelí vs. Tigres UANL. The Nicaraguan side aren't expected to take anything from this opening leg, but you never know. They could upset the odds.
If you want to watch Real Estelí vs. Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Real Estelí vs. Tigres UANL?Real Estelí vs. Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup kicks off at 10 p.m. ET on Feb. 5. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Independencia.
How to watch Real Estelí vs. Tigres UANL for freeReal Estelí vs. Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup is available to live stream for free on Tubi.
Tubi is the exclusive home of the Concacaf Champions Cup in Mexico, but anyone can access these free live streams with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Mexico, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Concacaf Champions Cup from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Real Estelí vs. Tigres UANL by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Mexico
Visit Tubi
Live stream Real Estelí vs. Tigres UANL for free
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Real Estelí vs. Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Concacaf Champions Cup fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Tubi?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Tubi, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Mexico
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 also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Real Estelí vs. Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Forge vs. Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free on Tubi. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup showcases some really interesting matchups, including Forge vs. Monterrey. The Hamilton side is hosting this first-leg fixture, and they'll be hoping for an upset.
If you want to watch Forge vs. Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Forge vs. Monterrey?Forge vs. Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions Cup kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Feb. 5. This fixture takes place at Tim Hortons Field.
How to watch Forge vs. Monterrey for freeForge vs. Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions Cup is available to live stream for free on Tubi.
Tubi is the exclusive home of the Concacaf Champions Cup in Mexico, but anyone can access these free live streams with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Mexico, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Concacaf Champions Cup from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Forge vs. Monterrey by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Mexico
Visit Tubi
Live stream Forge vs. Monterrey for free
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Forge vs. Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Concacaf Champions Cup fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Tubi?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Tubi, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Mexico
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 also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Forge vs. Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
Technology is often viewed as a contributor to our culture's epidemic of loneliness and isolation, but one company is trying to prove the opposite. Ageless Innovation's meowing "cats," wagging "dogs," and chirping "birds" have lifted the spirits of many seniors, with numerous state-sponsored programs funding the interactive, animatronic pets for veterans and those in hospice care. Three Washington, D.C. wards recently began distributing the Joy for All Companion Pets to residents 60 and older.
Ted Fischer, CEO and co-founder of Ageless Innovation, tells Mashable that the comfort and contentment seniors receive from the robots is not just anecdotal.
"Multiple clinical studies from AARP, UnitedHealthcare, and other trusted sources have shown that the introduction of [robotic] companion pets helps to improve the quality of life for older adults as it relates to depression and social isolation," Fischer says. "In a study conducted in late 2024 on behalf of New York State Office for the Aging, 93 percent of [robotic] pet recipients reported increased feelings of joy and companionship as the result of receiving the pet."
The idea for furry 'bots that can respond to their owners with purrs, barks, songs, and heartbeats — and don't require walking, feeding, or emptying litter boxes — came a decade ago from employees at toy giant Hasbro. In 2018, the team behind the Joy for All line spun out from Hasbro to form Ageless Innovation, eventually distributing over 700,000 pets in 30 countries.
The two companies still collaborate closely, with Ageless Innovation holding the exclusive license for reimagining Hasbro's games for older adults. But it's the Joy for All pets, with there three different varieties of cats, two breeds of pups, and a Blue Bird and Cardinal to choose from, that have resonated the most with their target audience.
It isn't only the pet owners benefiting, Fischer says, but also younger relatives and home care nurses.
"Ultimately, caregivers are happier when their loved ones are happy," says Fischer.
SEE ALSO: Unlearning loneliness: How TikTok is rewriting the rules of connectionWhile many have been introduced to the pets via programs like the New York Office for Aging, they can be purchased by anyone at JoyforAll.com and on Amazon. Fischer notes that individual bonding with the pets is a personal matter, with some taking to them at first sight.
"We have seen that many recipients immediately take to their new pet, giving him or her a name and telling stories about a pet they loved in the past," Fischer says. "The simplicity of the technology allows for immediate bonding with most recipients."
How has it taken this long to have Will Forte as the male lead in a romantic comedy?
Yes, on its surface, Netflix's Kinda Pregnant is a raunchy comedy about female bonding. Amy Schumer, Jillian Bell, Brianne Howey, and Lizze Broadway co-star as moms-to-be building community as they get ready to give birth. There's just one problem. Lainy Newton (Schumer) is a single woman who's faking her pregnancy for wacky reasons all her own. And while faking it, she meets a real charmer in Will Forte's Zamboni-driver. (That's not an innuendo. He drives a Zamboni on an ice rink like he got the gig from a game of MASH.)
This comedy from The Wrong Missy director Tyler Spindel is hit or miss when it comes to laughs, as the script by Schumer and Julie Paiva attempts to cruise on fart jokes and tired punchlines. However, Forte is utterly crush-worthy as the Mr. Right for Lainey, who's in the middle of getting it all wrong.
They'll meet-cute at a coffee shop, share an inside joke right away, reconnect in a kismet manner, then go on a date that feels adorably old-school. As in, going to an ice rink with a guy was romantic in adolescence and still is in middle age. But it's not so much the B-plotting of their romance that sells Forte as a romantic lead. It's the goofy wholesomeness he's brought to comedy for years.
Charting the crush-worthiness of Will ForteHis time on Saturday Night Live led to a barrage of wacky characters, but none had us crushing. (Sorry, MacGruber!) Still, the sheer gameness of Forte's brand of comedy is enchanting. He'll chuck himself into a pratfall or throw on a silly voice or a costume made purely for buffoonery. While shooting his gone-too-soon comedy series The Last Man on Earth, he shaved half of his head and face, and still attended the Fox All-Star party, where the look earned headlines.
You could certainly argue that within its post-apocalyptic setting, The Last Man on Earth was a romantic comedy, as Tandy and his motley team of survivors fought for love and life in spite of all the end-of-civilization-ness. Another sci-fi spin on romance, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, cast Forte in the voice-acting role of a spurned lover. His uniquely unhinged brand of panicked whining played well within both roles — as they have in MacGruber. He brought this hilarious whinging to his voice work on Bob's Burgers as the skeevy sea-plane pilot Upskirt Kurt and Rick and Morty as the vile villain Piss Master. And while he's popped up in comedies with a hint of romance, like Baby Mama and A Good Old Fashioned Orgy, it was always as a quirky side-character, never as the romantic hero.
Was it not until The Great North that audiences could hear the winsome sweetness of this comedian? In this Bob's Burgers' adjacent animated sitcom, Forte voices Wolf Tobin, who loves nothing more than his wife Honeybee (Dulcé Sloan). This couple is crazy about each other, relishing every moment and opportunity to reference their favorite movies, from Shrek to Titanic. Far from the rom-com rogues who refuse to settle down, pitching their partners into a desperate search for a more emotionally available partner, Wolf is a blank calendar, ready to be filled with whatever his lover needs. (And she's equally game, following him down a kinky romp that involves a food-shaped vehicle.) Yet the bigger clue that it's damn time Forte gets a rom-com is his skill at building chemistry, no matter the obstacles.
Will Forte tackles love scenes and sex scenes with appreciated humor.The boyish charms of Will Forte are not only a silliness, but an openness that makes him a stellar scene partner. In Kinda Pregnant, he and Schumer banter and hook up in a memorable love scene that involves a bit of accidental exhibitionism. But before the garage door opens (not an innuendo), Forte brings an endearing believability to Josh's acceptance of Lainey's terms.
They agree they want to have sex with each other. But she claims she's self-conscious about her baby body (when in reality she wants to bang him without revealing her belly is made of foam, not fetus). So, she lays down rules for him: No looking, no touching. As she attempts to sit on his face, there's a thrill at just how enthusiastically Josh consents to these unusual boundaries. He's so into her that it's intoxicating. It's like the Bridget Jones' Diary speech, but thanks to Forte having none of that British inclination to hold back, it's coming at the movie's half-way point instead of the climax. He is into her and isn't afraid to show it. (Even if showing it to the neighbors' wasn't part of his plan!)
Yet, there's a moment previous to Kinda Pregnant that also proves his ability to spark with a co-star.
In "Will Forte and Seth Meyers Go Day Drinking and Share Their Thoughts on the Day," these SNL icons re-team for fun and drunken games. There are a lot of hilarious moments as these two old friends let us into their relationship as they strive to crack each other up — sometimes so much that they seem almost unaware of the at-home audience. But the bit that belongs in fan edits for Forte comes when he tries to get Meyers to "break" — meaning lose his calm exterior and laugh.
Abruptly, Forte flings his face (and body) across the table between them, coming close to Meyer's nose. "You don't have to kiss me," he whispers, as the pair are a pog-width away from each other's mouths. Deeper into the bit, Forte is so close that their noses are not only touching, they are smooshed against each other. And while Meyers fights to maintain a neutral face, Forte looks him in his eyes and commends him on being a great dad, "I'm so proud of you." Rather than simply offering a silly voice or a bit, Forte goes for open-hearted emotion, then goes harder by continuing the praise through a kiss, talking even as their lips touch. At this Meyers gives way to giggles, and so do we.
This same joyful openness is what Forte brings to Kinda Pregnant. So, when his Zamboni rolls up in a big romantic gesture, we smile big and broad, like Meyers after getting a chatty kiss from a prince of comedy.
Not everyone loves football, and that's OK. However, this Sunday, Super Bowl LIX game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles might be hard to avoid, even for those who aren’t into sports.
Still, non-sports fans might want to tune into the Big Game for another reason: the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar.
Let’s be honest: It’s a big year for the halftime show. Lamar is arguably one of the biggest stars of the past year, as his ongoing beef with Drake spawned a chart-topping diss track that recently won five Grammys. With all eyes on him, fans can’t help but wonder: Will he use the biggest stage of the year to perform his scathing diss tracks?
SEE ALSO: Will Kendrick Lamar diss Drake during the Super Bowl halftime show? Why and why not.If you want to skip the football and only watch the halftime show, it's a tricky prospect, but we've laid out how and when to tune in for just Lamar's anticipated performance.
When to watch Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime showFirst, there is no guaranteed time to tune in for Lamar's performance. Football games are not a uniform length. The game-clock stops frequently, there are commercial timeouts, and lots of other factors that affect how long a game goes. But we can give you a decent estimate.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Fox. You can also livestream the game.
A typical Super Bowl broadcast lasts around 3 hours and 44 minutes. Typically speaking, that means halftime should begin about 90 minutes after kickoff. So you can expect Lamar to take the stage around 8 p.m. ET.
However, don't count on that completely. Again, football games don’t run on a strict schedule. Despite being structured around four 15-minute quarters, the actual game time varies. To be safe, you should plan on tuning in around 7:30 p.m. ET to ensure you don't miss the halftime show. That way, you can see how far along the game is and whether halftime is approaching.
So, to all the non-football folks out there, good luck avoiding the game and enjoying Lamar's performance.
The distant world WASP-121b is so hot that it hosts metallic clouds and rains gems.
Astronomers discovered the gas giant planet — dubbed a "hot Jupiter" — in 2016, but have continued to investigate this intriguing exoplanet, which is a world beyond our solar system.
Using a powerful telescope equipped with an instrument (called a spectrometer) that can detect the composition of far-off objects, researchers found WASP-121b contains an unusual amount of rocky material, indicating the massive planet formed quite close to its star. If a world has a higher proportion of rocky material (like iron and silicon) compared to ices, this means it formed in a zone of the developing solar system, called a "protoplanetary disk," where it was too hot for many ices to form.
But this observation contradicts what planetary scientists thought about how gaseous giants like WASP-121b spawned in their expansive, donut-shaped protoplanetary disk. The leading theory was these giant worlds were created in the outer part of these disks, where it's frigid, but there are copious amounts of gas available to amass onto a developing world.
"Our measurement means that perhaps this typical view needs to be reconsidered and our planet formation models revisited," Peter Smith, an astrophysicist at Arizona State University’s School Of Earth and Space Exploration and coauthor of the research, said in a statement. The research was recently published in The Astronomical Journal.
SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.The graphic below shows how different materials solidify and vaporize based upon the proximity to their star. In the mid-region, beyond where everything vaporizes, rock materials solidify, but it's too hot for gases, like water vapor or CO2, to turn to ice.
A visualization of how rocky and icy materials form in a solar system's protoplanetary disk. Credit: NOIRLab / NSF / AURA / P. Marenfeld The Gemini South telescope, located atop Cerro Pachón in the Chilean Andes. Credit: International Gemini Observatory / NOIRLab / NSF / AURA / M. ParedesThe researchers used the powerful Gemini South telescope, located at 8,980 feet in the Chilean mountains, to peer into the atmosphere of distant WASP-121b, located some 880 light-years away in the Milky Way galaxy. Attached to the telescope was an instrument called the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrometer, or IGRINS, which separates out the light observed from distant space objects, like a prism. The different light spectrums reveal the atmospheric composition of these distant worlds.
Peering into WASP-121b also revealed more about the intensity of this alien realm. "The climate of this planet is extreme, and nothing like that of Earth,” Smith explained.
"The climate of this planet is extreme, and nothing like that of Earth."The planet is tidally locked to its star — like the moon is locked to Earth — meaning that one side of WASP-121b is incessantly seared by its star, while the other is dark and (relatively) cooler. On the dayside, elements like calcium are vaporized into the air. But on the nightside, these materials can condense and produce rain. The astronomers, for example, spotted "calcium rain" on WASP-121b.
There are no "hot Jupiters" like WASP-121b in our solar system. Nor are there any rocky super-Earth worlds. Yet exoplanet researchers have found both these planet types are common in our galaxy. Although there are some strange-sounding worlds out there, it may be that it's our cosmic neighborhood that's actually quite unusual. And not just that. Our solar system may host an extraordinarily rare galactic phenomena: an intelligent, communicating civilization.
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A cult-centric popstar thriller that quickly falls apart, Mark Anthony Green’s debut feature, Opus, features hints of ideas about journalism and celebrity that never fully come to the fore. A tale of a music writer attending the listening party of a long-awaited return album from an ‘80s mega star who’s been in hiding for the past two decades, the film’s supposed eeriness is marred by dramatic disconnect. Even its basics are hard to follow, when tracking them should be the easiest thing in the world.
As a former GQ columnist, Green brings occasional insight to magazine newsroom politics. However, the rest of his story is visually and narratively malformed. The performances are mostly enjoyable, especially John Malkovich as the aforementioned returning glam rock idol, but they end up in service of a deeply confused movie that has little, if anything, to say.
What is Opus about?An early scene in the film, a casual lunch date between novice music writer Ariel Ecton (Ayo Edebiri) and her long-time friend Kent (Young Mazino), establishes core tenets about the former’s character. She’s talented but withheld, never letting anyone close to her as she guards a persona she fears is unremarkable and middle-of-the-road. Unfortunately, neither Kent nor this entire emotional setup ends up factoring into the movie in the slightest, which quickly moves on to its tale of an icon’s surprise return after decades away.
The character dynamic that really matters is Ariel, a Black woman, being overshadowed and dismissed by her smiling, white male boss Stan (Murray Bartlett), especially when the two of them are among a select handful invited to visit the isolated ranch of the returning Moretti (Malkovich), a pop icon whose stature the film portrays in amusing ways. After his comeback album is announced in a YouTube video by his long-time publicist (Tony Hale), the singer’s history is neatly condensed for us in the form of a globe-spanning montage celebrating his return, made up of news stories and social media posts which heavily center his posters, famous bobbleheads and other valuable memorabilia. This makes his presence — and really, his absence — feel tactile. All of this set to his iconic ‘80s dance ballad, “Dina Simone,” a fictitious earworm sung by Malkovich himself. It’s not hard to see why he was once so beloved.
Alongside paparazzo Bianca (Melissa Chambers), influencer Emily (Stephanie Suganami), talk show host Clara (Juliette Lewis) and former music rival Bill (Mark Sivertsen), Ariel and Stan receive invites by courier, after which they’re flown out to a nondescript desert, then bussed 50 miles to Moretti’s sprawling, gated compound, home to a creativity-worshipping faith known as the Levelists. Part spa, part Jonestown, and part Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, the dustbowl getaway is populated by acolytes of various ages all dressed in navy blue robes. This cult-like group serves at Moretti’s beck and call, with actors like Amber Midthunder and Tatanka Means handing the guests strict instructions on the weekend’s activities — a dinner, a massage, nothing too out of the ordinary — while younger, pre-teen members of the pseudo-religious fanhood engage in painting and other arts and crafts.
The arriving journos are also stripped of their electronics to “preserve the integrity of the experience,” one of several red flags that only Ariel seems attuned to. However, as members of their group go missing one by one, the film’s framing of these supposedly strange events doesn’t quite serve this Get Out-esque narrative, in which only Ariel sees through the Matrix-code of Moretti’s constructed reality.
The cult saga in Opus is visually malformed.The biggest flaw in the film’s construction is the blurry boundary between what the camera sees and what Ariel notices. Instructed by Stan to take notes when she should be writing her own article, Ariel isn’t blinded by Moretti’s celebrity and jots down her observations on the surrounding sycophancy. However, what she finds off-putting is, more often than not, the result of mere quirks that the other guests aren’t necessarily wrong to dismiss, while any doubts about the group’s safety arise through information only the audience is given. And yet, despite this disconnect, we’re expected to invest in Ariel’s attempts to convince Stan and the others that something strange is afoot; we know that she’s right, but she has little reason to believe the things she’s saying, so it can’t help but feel like crying wolf.
There are certainly strange happenings in the movie’s margins, á la Ari Aster’s Midsommar, but rather than the film’s protagonist being slowly drawn into a mystery, or discerning oddities no one else sees, the cult’s more disconcerting behavior is visible only to the camera, and thus to the audience, but not Ariel. Sometimes it’s not even clear what, if anything, she actually sees even when faced with disturbing revelations (like the fate of a fellow guest), owing to off-kilter visual framing and editing that yanks us away from the action far too quickly. While rightly she notes the Levelists’ beliefs as out of the ordinary — they worship creativity above all else, and consider it divine — the premise as seen through her eyes is never quite unnerving.
The movie’s aesthetic shortcomings pile up the further it goes on. Each guest is chaperoned around the compound by a specific cult member, and when skirmishes arise between Ariel and her assigned Levelist, an entire fight scene unfolds off screen. Not long after, a chase scene on ATVs hops and skips around in time and space, as though the production had either failed to shoot enough footage for these moments, or they had to be somehow rescued in the edit, and this was the best possible outcome. It’s bizarre to watch, given how incomplete the movie feels, and how it obscures the one tenet that ought to be central to a story such as this: the controlled reveal of information.
Opus has no bigger picture.The flaws in the film’s moment-to-moment construction go hand-in-hand with its lack of a macro point of view. The film is, on its surface, akin to Mark Mylod’s The Menu, wherein people semi-related to the world of a renowned artist (Ralph Fiennes’ gourmet chef Julian Slowik) are drawn into an elaborate series of games or traps stemming from his warped worldview. While Opus pulls back its curtains in much the same way, what it reveals is shockingly empty.
Malkovich adds enigmatic layers to Moretti as best he can — the actor appears to have had fun in the role — but at no point does the character seem like he has any kind of coherent plan or outlook. When harm inevitably comes to the guests, it often seems random and coincidental, and when it’s time for Moretti to express his twisted reasoning, the result is a series of long, drawn-out monologues that barely connect to the events as they unfold on screen. All of this makes you ask: What is Opus even about?
There are, on occasion, hints of racial subtext — the professional dynamic between Ariel and Stan is realistic and familiar — but none of this extends to the larger premise, given the cult’s multiracial makeup. Moretti may be an esoteric figure, but even his late-era-Kanye musings on genius and celebrity feel distinctly ordinary. No real-world element in the film is ever magnified enough to function as satire, leaving Opus in a lukewarm middle ground, where ideas never evolve, and character drama seldom extends beyond what someone (usually Ariel) observes or experiences in-the-moment.
The real tragedy here is that the premise of Opus has potential. The world of celebrity worship is fertile ground for a tale of religious fervor, and Edebiri has the kind of frank, matter-of-fact timing that feels tailor-made for emphasizing the bizarre. However, the film’s scattered pieces never allow even its minor strengths to enter the spotlight for too long. The little that works ends up shackled by lousy, scattershot filmmaking that saps the movie of all tension, insight, and fun.
Opus was reviewed out of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
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Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard Software Limited AdGuard VPN + Ad Blocker Family Security Suite $49.98Despite the enthusiasm of actors in Swiffer commercials, few people are smiling at the workout that is manually mopping their floors.
If you experience similar dread when faced with vacuuming, the best robot vacuum and mop combos will cross those two chores off of your list (three, if you count digging your old mop out of the closet as a chore in itself).
Are robot vacuums good at mopping?I'm not saying you can expect a hybrid robot vacuum to scrub your kitchen grout with the same tenacity you would get with a toothbrush, but robot vacuums have gotten much better at mopping over the past few years.
Since 2020-ish, most robot vacuum companies have added at least one (several, in most cases) hybrid model to their lineup, with prices ranging from $200 to well over $1,000. You can generally expect the mopping technique to get a little more meticulous as price goes up, so the type of mess that your 2-in-1 model will need to conquer becomes a big deciding factor. Are you mostly concerned with wiping up spur-of-the-moment spills, or will you be a stickler about dried-on stains that call for more heavy-duty scrubbing?
SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuumFortunately, both ends of the pricing spectrum provide way more bang for their buck in 2024 than they did in the early 2020s. The mere presence of a cloth and a water tank is far from good enough at this point — now, the best robot vacuums and mops are armed with more mechanics attempting to mimic the elbow grease that a human with a mop or Swiffer would provide, like pressurized and/or spinning mopping pads (rather than lackadaisical, stationary ones). Most modern 2-in-1 robot vacuums can also mop with real germ-fighting cleaning solution rather than just water — key in upping my own personal confidence in walking around barefoot.
SEE ALSO: Top 3 best robot vacuums from CES 2025, from coolest to most practicalBut arguably, the most pivotal shift 2-in-1 robot vacuums saw in the past year isn't on the robot vacuums themselves but in their docks. Past automatically emptying the dust bin, the best robot mop combos also cross post-mopping maintenance off of your list by automatically washing and drying their own mopping pads, then refilling themselves with clean water from the dock. With one of these fancy self-cleaning stations, your robovac will be ready to mop again almost immediately — a clutch change from an older, more basic design that had us all choosing between manually washing a smelly mopping pad after each use, letting it mop with a dirty pad, or just avoiding the mopping feature altogether.
Not sure how fancy of a hybrid robot vacuum you even need at home? I've tested 15+ of the most popular robot vacuum and mop combos at a range of prices on my own floors at home, narrowing down your options to the top four robot vacuums that also wash your floors so far in 2025.
(Note that each vacuum's retail price is listed by default, but that I've also noted the most common sale price each vacuum frequently drops to in "The Good" section. And yes, robot vacuum deals are common all throughout the year — not just during a shopping holiday like Black Friday.)
UPDATE: Feb. 5, 2025, 5:00 a.m. EST New flagship robot vacuums from Roborock, Eufy, and more were announced at CES 2025 at the beginning of January. I'm in the process of getting my hands on them for at-home testing, and will update this guide accordingly.
The 10 minutes it takes to manually vacuum a 700-square-foot apartment probably isn't enough to send someone over the edge as far as chores are concerned. While the time-saving factor may be a moot point here, it doesn't completely diminish the appeal of using a robot vacuum in a tight space.
It's actually totally plausible that spaces with less square footage get dirty faster because virtually every spot is a high-traffic spot. With that logic, a robot vacuum is absolutely worth it in a small space.
SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuumHowever, it is crucial to not automatically assume that less floor to cover means that the cheapest vacuum you can find will suffice. Cramped furniture arrangements and quick changes between floor types actually call for a vac that's relatively good at navigating, or you'll risk coming home not to a clean home, but to a vacuum that got stuck in kitchen chair legs during the first five minutes of cleaning. Before getting into my specific robovac recommendations, let's chat about the specs to keep in mind to make this robot vacuum a smart purchase.
Do robot vacuums work in small apartments?While some heavy-duty robot vacuums with large do-everything docks would probably be overkill in a small space, there are several compact, quiet robot vacuums on the market that make a lot of sense in a small space.
One way to downsize the space a robot vac takes up is to forgo the self-empty dock. While forgoing automatic emptying to save room on the floor may not be ideal, having to empty manually may be a little less damning in a small space, as the vacuum wouldn't be sucking up as much dirt on each run as it would in a big house. However, finding a super compact auto-empty dock nowadays isn't hard.
SEE ALSO: Roomba models, explained: The guide to deciding which Roomba to buy in 2025If your small apartment has hard floors, a robot vacuum and mop combo is a genius way to downsize chores supplies. This'll save you not only the time it takes to mop manually but also the breath it takes to curse your Swiffer for hogging your scarce closet space. Smart mapping and zone-within-rooms labeling that comes with it are a crucial feature if your home has multiple floor types, despite the fact that your home may not have many specific rooms to select on a map in the first place.
Not sure which robot vacuum would be worth it in your small space? I've hands-on tested a ton of options in my own apartments over the years and have handpicked the three best robot vacuums for apartments, studios, and other one-story homes at the start of 2025. (While each vacuum's retail price is listed by default, I've also noted the most common sale price in "The Good" sections. And yes, robot vacuum deals can be found throughout the year — not just during a shopping holiday like Black Friday.)
SAVE $200: As of Feb. 5, the Apple Studio Display is on sale for $1,999.99 at Amazon. That's a 13% saving on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Studio Display $1,999.99 at AmazonIf your work setup needs a refresh and you're a MacBook user, you'll love this latest deal on the Apple Studio Display. As of Feb. 5, this impressive monitor is reduced by $200 at Amazon, now priced at $1,999.99. The Apple product has never been priced lower than this, and this is its first discount in 2025.
The screen boasts a 27-inch 5K Retina display with 600 nits of brightness, P3 wide color, and support for a billion colors — so everything looks really high quality and vibrant. It’s got a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage, meaning your video calls stay focused on you, even if you move around.
SEE ALSO: Score $70 off the 10th Gen Apple iPad at Best BuyThe three-mic system is seriously impressive, ensuring your voice comes through loud and clear, and the six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio delivers an immersive listening experience. Perfect for long calls or meetings, or watching movies and TV.
Connectivity-wise, you get one Thunderbolt 3 port and three USB-C ports, plus 96W of power delivery to keep your MacBook charged. And for added comfort, there’s an optional stand that lets you adjust both tilt and height.
This is a limited-time deal, so head to Amazon if you want to add the Apple Studio Display to your setup for less.
SAVE $30: As of Feb. 5, Beats Flex wireless earbuds are available at Amazon for $39 (regularly $69.95). That’s a 44% discount on Bluetooth earbuds featuring Apple’s W1 chip, 12-hour battery life, and tangle-free magnetic design.
Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds+ $39.00 at AmazonFinding reliable wireless earbuds that don’t break the bank can be challenging, but today’s deal makes it easy. Right now, Beats Flex wireless earbuds are just $39 at Amazon ($30 off their regular $69.95 price). Fancy solid audio, seamless Bluetooth connectivity, and all-day comfort without spending a fortune? These are the best budget-friendly earbuds you can buy.
The Beats Flex is powered by Apple’s W1 chip. This means fewer dropouts, more extended range, and easy pairing across any device that supports Bluetooth. They also support audio sharing, so you can stream music or movies with a friend using AirPods or Beats.
SEE ALSO: Beats Studio Buds+ are $50 off at Amazon — upgrade your earbuds for lessBattery life is another highlight. Beats Flex offers up to 12 hours of listening time on a single charge, making them perfect for commutes, workouts, or long study sessions. When you need a quick boost, Fast Fuel charging delivers 1.5 hours of playback with just a 10-minute charge via USB-C.
Comfort and convenience set the Beats Flex apart. The flexible neckband design is lightweight and tangle-free. At the same time, the magnetic earbuds automatically pause your music when clipped together and resume playback when separated. This simple but smart feature prevents unnecessary battery drain. It makes them easy to wear around your neck when not in use.
Call quality is another win. The built-in microphone features wind noise reduction, ensuring clear conversations even in noisy environments. On-device controls let you adjust volume, take calls, and activate voice assistants without reaching for your phone.
At just $39, the Beats Flex wireless earbuds are an unbeatable deal for casual listeners, students, and anyone looking for affordable wireless audio. With this 44% discount, a better time to grab a pair is never better.
SAVE $50: As of Feb. 5, Beats Studio Buds+ are available at Amazon for $119.99 (regularly $169.95). That’s a $50 discount on these true wireless earbuds that feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Transparency Mode, spatial audio, and up to 36 hours of battery life.
Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds+ $119.95 at AmazonBeats Studio Buds+ is shedding the brand tax, so now’s the time to grab them. Right now, Amazon is offering these premium wireless noise-canceling earbuds for just $119.99 — $50 off their usual price of $169.95. Whether you’re an Apple or Android user, these earbuds are designed for seamless connectivity and powerful sound performance.
Beats Studio Buds+ are built to deliver deep, immersive audio with a custom acoustic platform that ensures a rich, balanced sound profile. They also feature spatial audio support, making them ideal for movies, music, and gaming. If you want complete focus, switch on Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to block out background distractions. Need to hear your surroundings? Transparency Mode lets in ambient sound, keeping you aware of what’s happening around you.
SEE ALSO: The Beats Pill is now only $99.99 — save 33% on this powerful Bluetooth speakerBattery life is another standout feature. The Beats Studio Buds+ offer up to 36 hours of total listening time with the charging case, meaning fewer interruptions for charging. The USB-C fast charging capability ensures that even a short charge gives you hours of playback.
Comfort is key with any earbuds, and the Beats Studio Buds+ come with four sizes of silicone ear tips to ensure a secure and comfortable fit. This creates an optimal acoustic seal, reducing sound leakage and enhancing audio quality.
Beats upgraded the phone call microphones with 3x larger voice-targeting mics, improving clarity and reducing background noise. Your calls will sound crisp and clear even on the windiest walks or the noisiest offices.
With one-touch pairing and native compatibility for Apple and Android devices, these earbuds seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem. They’re IPX4-rated, making them sweat- and water-resistant, perfect for workouts and outdoor adventures.
At $119.99, the Beats Studio Buds+ offers high-end features at a mid-range price. With this limited-time Amazon deal, now is the perfect chance to upgrade your audio experience.
2024 was a tough year for Sonos. The company completely revamped its mobile app, but instead of making it better, Sonos messed it up in a myriad of ways. Now it's scrambling to earn the trust of its user base once again.
The way to do that, it appears, is through a new product category. According to The Verge, Sonos is planning to launch a streaming box, with a price tag between $200 and $400.
The product, codenamed Pinewood, is going to be Android-based. It's going to look like most such devices — The Verge, who has seen images of the product, says it's a "flattened black square and slightly thicker than a deck of trading cards."
SEE ALSO: Sonos Ace headphones review: Hands-on with the first headphones from the audio giantThe Pinewood streamer will reportedly offer content from various streaming platforms, including Netflix, Max, and Disney+, with a unified user experience and universal search to find content across various accounts. It will come with a physical remote control unit with integrated voice control. This is tough to achieve — accessing all these various streaming platforms under one UI — but if Sonos could pull it off, it could be a big incentive to buy the product.
But the Pinewood streamer will come with other interesting options. Thanks to HDMI passthrough functionality, you'll be able to plug other devices, including gaming consoles and 4K Blu-ray players into it. And of course, the streamer will be able to send TV audio, lag-free, to its soundbars and speakers. User should also be able to configure surround sound by using the Sonos speakers they have in their household.
Featured Video For You In Memoriam: The tech that died in 2024It won't be easy to pull this off. Part of the controversy surrounding Sonos' new app is the fact that it broke integration between various Sonos products, which has always been one of the company's strengths. The new Pinewood streamer sounds like something that aims to become a core component of a user's home audio and video ecosystem, and this will require everything to go extremely smoothly.
There's also some strong competition in the streaming box arena, including devices such as Apple TV, Nvidia Shield TV, Roku's Streaming Stick, Google's TV Streamer, and Amazon's Fire TV stick (all of which cost way less than $200). Sonos reportedly doesn't plan any other new hardware soon, so the Pinewood streamer might turn out to be its most important product of 2025.
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