- Help
- Google+
SAVE $50: As of Jan. 24, the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen, GPS, 40mm) is on sale for $199 at Amazon. That's 20% off its list price of $249.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) $199.00 at AmazonIf you've had your eye on a smartwatch but don't want to pay through the roof for a fancy model, the Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen is an excellent budget pick for Apple users. This smartwatch covers all of the basics without a massive price tag, and it's even better when you can find it on sale. At the moment, Amazon's offering a nice little discount on this Apple Watch so you can pick it up at an even lower price.
The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen, GPS, 40mm) is currently on sale for $199 at Amazon. This is 20% off its list price of $249, allowing you to pocket $50. That's a great price for such a sleek smartwatch, and this Apple Watch has plenty of features that make it worth every penny, too.
SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift cardThe Apple Watch SE 2 boasts a variety of health and safety features including a heart rate monitor, Fall Detection, and Crash Detection. It's also a great companion for active individuals, offering advanced metrics to track your workouts. And as with other Apple Watch models, it fits perfectly into your Apple ecosystem so you can send texts or make calls right from your wrist.
This is a deal well worth taking advantage of if you've been hoping to get a smartwatch. Don't miss out on this deal on the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen, GPS, 40mm) at Amazon.
If you're looking for even more Apple deals, there are a few more worth checking out at the moment. You can also save on an Apple Magic Keyboard case and the Apple AirPods Pro 2 at Amazon right now, too.
After the success of coronavirus Zoom nightmare Host, it was only a matter of time before more video call-based horror movies rolled out.
Next up is Bloat, a film that unfolds via video calls between a soldier and his family who are vacationing abroad in Japan. The problem? After almost drowning, one of their sons starts to exhibit some unusual symptoms — and the dad has to contend with things via ever-glitchy long distance technology.
Ben McKenzie and Bojana Novakovic star in writer/director Pablo Absento's modern take on the found footage genre.
Bloat is in theatres and on demand from March 7.
SAVE $498: As of Jan. 24, Samsung's 85-inch 4K Crystal UHD DU8000 smart TV is on sale at Amazon for $999.99. This is 33% off its list price of $1,497.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung SAMSUNG 85-Inch Class 4K Crystal UHD DU8000 Series HDR Smart TV $999.99 at AmazonIf you're looking to transform your living room into the ultimate mini movie theater but don't want to go overboard on price, look no further than this deal on an 85-inch Samsung 4K TV at Amazon. Not only does this TV boast an extra-large size that's perfect for your next movie night, but it's also down to its lowest-ever price at the moment.
Samsung's 85-inch 4K Crystal UHD DU8000 smart TV is on sale right now for $999.99, 33% off its list price of $1,497.99. This is the lowest-ever price for this TV according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, making now a great time to grab it. Amazon also has it listed as a limited-time deal, so you'll want to act fast to scoop it up before the discount disappears.
SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift cardAlongside its massive screen size and a slim design that fits nicely into a living space, this TV boasts 4K resolution so your favorite shows and films will shine with vibrant and clear quality. It's also a smart TV that can house all of your favorite streaming apps, so your next movie night or TV show binge is just a click away.
This limited-time deal won't last long, so grab the Samsung 85-inch 4K Crystal UHD DU8000 smart TV on sale at Amazon for $999.99 while the discount is still available.
There are quite a few more TV deals floating around right now, if you want to see some more options. Also on Amazon is a 98-inch TCL QLED TV, which is currently $3,000 off, and an 85-inch Samsung QLED TV, which is $400 off right now. Best Buy has a few worth checking out as well, including this deal on a 75-inch Samsung DU6950 4K Smart TV.
In the wake of Trump's sweeping promises to "reform" the country's immigration processes, crackdown on "illegal immigrants," and repeal birthright citizenship (among several other terrifying promises to deport people en masse), the internet is arming their undocumented community members with the power of constitutional knowledge.
After signing multiple executive orders and shutting down the CBP One app, Trump is set to sign his first immigration bill, mandating the detention of undocumented immigrants charged with crimes, but migrant advocates and their allies are focusing on people in immediate need first. And their primary order of business is to get as much information, predominantly through widely-used immigration "red cards," into the hands of undocumented people as possible — all while waiting out how Trump's anti-green card decisions play out in court.
SEE ALSO: Social Security Administration axes pages referring to changing gender or sexual identityRed cards (tarjetas rojas) are assertively eye-catching Know Your Rights resources popularized and disseminated by Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), a national nonprofit immigration resource hub.
The simple paper cards act as a defense against illegal entry and search by government entities, helping "people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home," the ILRC explains. Individuals are encouraged to refrain from speaking or opening the door to immigration agents if they are approached, instead offering the multilingual red cards as a response asserting their legal rights and requests.
Red cards include an assertion of one's right to remain silent and the following text in the non-English language of your choice:
Do not open the door.
Ask to see a warrant signed by a judge.
Do not answer any questions.
You have the right to remain silent.
Do not sign any documents.
Ask for a lawyer.
On the English side, intended to be read by an inquiring ICE agent, the card says:
I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my 5th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution.
I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my 4th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution unless you have a warrant to enter, signed by a judge or magistrate with my name on it that you slide under the door.
I do not give you permission to search any of my belongings based on my 4th Amendment rights.
I choose to exercise my constitutional rights.
The ILRC offers free printable red card downloads in more than a dozen languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Hmong, and Ukrainian.
"Trump wants to hold the entire country hostage to his anti-immigrant agenda by forcing states and localities to help him do immigration enforcement even if this is in contravention to their local priorities," wrote ILRC Policy Director Sameera Hafizin in a statement following Trump's executive order on immigration. “Studies have repeatedly shown that cooperating with ICE increases racial profiling by law enforcement.”
Users like @FlowersInSpanish, a digital advocate for migrant farm workers, have taken to social media to encourage their followers to act quickly and decisively to protect immigrants and undocumented people by distributing such red cards, even going directly to worker populations in agricultural areas. But you can also start closer to home: A Jan. 21 video posted by TikTok user @KristinDawnMunoz, detailing a kind encounter with a shop employee who helped her print out a set of red cards for friends and family, has been viewed by more than 1.2 million people. Munoz later pinned a printable PDF to her page, allowing others who had run to the recently-banned app to share the resource. Munoz also started a Go Fund Me to raise money for printing and sending out large quantities of red cards in support of the ILRC.
Institutions are speaking out, too. Los Angeles Unified School District, for example, shared immigration resources, including red cards, with students and families shortly after Trump's inauguration. Trump recently authorized immigration enforcement on school grounds.
Immigrant rights organizations, artists, and advocates have shared their own versions of constitutional rights cards, like Barrio Drive, an undocumented-Latinx owned apparel and art business that fundraises for DACA renewals and provides other support to undocumented individuals.
Barrio Drive has also shared a free Google drive of immigration information, art, and infographics to the public. For large organizations, bulk orders for ILRC's red cards can also be made online.
Tweet may have been deletedOther advice circulating online included a widespread call for people to cry out "La Migra" — a Spanish slang term for immigration enforcement — whenever ICE agents are spotted in an area. This has long been used as a public distraction tactic to get people out of harm's way quickly, but advocates also want folks to prioritize sharing resources before migration officials step in. Many users pointed to the Reddit page r/LaMigra, a subreddit dedicated to posting and tracking raids mainly around the 100-mile border enforcement zone, to help keep community members safe from ICE.
Earlier this week, a group of 80 allied organizations penned a letter to U.S. government officials asking for leaders to shore up protections, including legal representation and mandates preventing law enforcement from cooperating with ICE agents, in light of Trump's executive orders. "Trump is putting in motion efforts to target children and their parents on school grounds, coworkers in their workplaces, patients in their hospital beds, and neighbors in our grocery stores," wrote the letter's authors. "It is no exaggeration to say Trump’s anti-immigrant assaults will cost lives."
Groups like the Immigrant Defense Project have shared additional resources for those at risk for detention and deportation, many of whom have been flocking to community and mutual aid networks, legal services, and policy advocates in anticipation of Trump's immigration plan. For example, the organization recommends that undocumented individuals keep medical, childcare, and legal information on-hand and written down (not just saved digitally), in addition to contact information for family or other support. They also suggest getting screened by a lawyer to see if they qualify for deportation relief.
Tweet may have been deletedBeyond Legal Aid, a network of lawyers and activists that offer assistance to marginalized communities, have posted supplemental information for individuals with active UCIS cases or applications. The organization also runs a 24/7 immigration helpline at (872) 267-2252. And the National Immigrant Justice Center also published a guide to building a safety plan should Trump's plan for mass deportation goes into effect. The center's helpline can be reached at 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY or 1(855) 435-7693.
Tweet may have been deletedMost importantly, advocates advise the public not to stoke more fear than necessary, only reporting active ICE raids when they are confirmed and an active risk for undocumented communities.
Tweet may have been deleted"ICE regularly tears people away from their children and communities, throws them into indefinite detention in a system where people are routinely abused, neglected, sexually assaulted, denied medical treatment, and denigrated in countless ways, and then deports people to countries they may or may not have any ties to," wrote Hafiz. "Deportation is painful and cruel and even people who voted for Trump may find themselves or their family members/friends/community members swept up in these efforts that will be done via raids at workplaces and other places… Trump has convinced the American people that harsh immigration enforcement, including mass deportations, will make us safer, which is far from the truth."
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 programs within each one!
Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services 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 FBI action, a star-studded video game adaptation, a timely animation, or a Star Trek spinoff, we've got something just for you.
Here's what's new on streaming, from worst to best.
9. The Night Agent Season 2No longer contained to the FBI basement picking up calls from agents in distress, the consistently awake Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) is now a proper Night Agent in Shawn Ryan's Netflix series — you don't save the president in Season 1 and stay behind a desk. Season 2 sends Peter and super-coder Rose (Luciane Buchanan) back into don't-trust-anyone mode, this time in New York City. After a surveillance op tracking intel leaks goes to shit in Bangkok, Peter's on the run, trying to track down the people involved in the ambush. Although the hand-to-hand combat is as furious as Season 1, the second series doesn't feel as fun or unique, bringing nothing new to the genre and little reason to cheer for these trope-fuelled characters. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
Starring: Gabriel Basso, Luciane Buchanan, Amanda Warren, Arienne Mandi, Louis Herthum, Berto Colon, Michael Malarkey, Keon Alexander, Brittany Snow, Teddy Sears, Navid Negahban, and Rob Heaps
How to watch: The Night Agent Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
8. What Drives YouJohn Cena's conquered the world of professional wrestling, movie stardom, and game show host. So, why not take a crack at talk show host next? What Drives You is Cena's spin on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, in which he rolls up to the homes (or studios) of celebrities, checks out their car collections and — while going on a ride in their preferred conveyance — talks life, adversity, and ambition. See, What Drives You is a title both literal and metaphorical.
SEE ALSO: What drives John Cena? The 'What Drives You' host speaks outIn the first four episodes released to press, Cena talks with Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, pro-wrestlers The Miz and Logan Paul, and rapper Jelly Roll. While Cena has a soft touch as an interviewer, his subjects — perhaps comfortable with his presence or in their rich rides — are happy to share their stories of highs and lows. This makes for an interview series that's glossy and feel-good, with a lot of revved engines. —Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
Starring: John Cena, Logan Paul, Travis Barker, The Miz, and Jelly Roll
How to watch: What Drives You is now streaming on Roku.
7. Star Trek: Section 31An action film starring Academy Award-winner Michelle Yeoh should be an easy must-see. But regrettably, this Star Trek: Discovery spinoff is a mess of a movie.
Reprising the role of pansexual chaos gremlin Philippa Georgiou, Yeoh headlines a movie that plunges into the former Terran Emperor's tragic origins. But the story's main thrust is that Star Fleet's secretive Section 31 squad wants to recruit her for a mission that could save her new home universe from the conquering old one. Now, while there's a batch of fun characters in this story, the movie overall feels rushed. We suspect that's because Section 31 was originally intended as a series and was potentially retrofitted into a confining feature-length runtime. So, while a lot of big reveals happen, little has time to land. The result is a Star Trek movie that is wildly unwieldy, sometimes fun, but often frustrating. But it goes without saying Yeoh slays in it — literally and figuratively. —K.P.
Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Omari Hardwick, Kacey Rohl, Sam Richardson, Sven Ruygrok, Robert Kazinsky, Humberly Gonzalez, and James Hiroyuki Liao
How to watch: Star Trek: Section 31 is now streaming on Paramount+.
6. Prime TargetOne Day's Leo Woodhall swaps romance for thriller in Prime Target, a new thriller from Sherlock writer Steve Thompson. The series follows a math student and Good Will Hunting-style genius who discovers a new pattern involving prime numbers — only to realise a shadowy group is trying to sabotage him at all costs. This one starts slow, but from the trailer, it looks like it'll quickly turn into a full-blown Bond movie. — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor
Starring: Leo Woodall, Quintessa Swindell, Stephen Rea, David Morrissey, Martha Plimpton, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Jason Flemyng, Harry Lloyd, Ali Suliman, Fra Fee, Joseph Mydell
How to watch: Prime Target is streaming now on Apple TV+.
5. GraftedThe body horror gets turned up to 11 in Sasha Rainbow's New Zealand-set college slasher with a sci-fi twist. Wei (Joyena Sun), a Chinese student and the daughter of a scientist on the breakthrough of a new skin grafting treatment, travels to New Zealand to stay with her popular cousin Angela (3 Body Problem's Jess Hong) while attending the local university. But Wei quickly discovers that even though she's a bit socially awkward, her path to friendship and her dead father's research may go hand in hand. This one never quite gets to the heart of the deeper issues it hints at, but it's still a fun watch with plenty of truly icky moments. — S.H.
Starring: Joyena Sun, Jess Hong, Jared Turner, and Eden Hart.
How to watch: Grafted is now streaming on Shudder.
4. Sonic The Hedgehog 3Teethgate aside, the latest batch of Sonic the Hedgehog films are completely fine movies with absolutely and shockingly killer cast performances. Jim Carrey's Dr. Robotnik is one of his most gloriously ridiculous and underrated roles to date. The second film saw Idris Elba crushing it as Knuckles. And for the third, Keanu Reeves joins the cast as Shadow the Hedgehog.
Directed by Jeff Fowler and written by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington, Sonic The Hedgehog 3 sees Ben Schwartz back as Sonic, Colleen O'Shaughnessey voicing Tails again, and Carrey making a triumphant return this time playing both Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik and his grandfather Gerald, Shadow's creator. That's a lot of villain firepower.* — S.C.
Starring: Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter
How to watch: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is now available to rent/buy on Prime Video.
3. Sleep"Someone's inside." Two words begin writer/director Jason Yu's feature debut Sleep, uttered by a slumbering Hyun-su (Lee Sun-kyun) sitting at the end of his bed. This terrifies his wife Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi) and is the beginning of a long line of erratic, disturbing behaviour. Is it a sleep disorder or something more sinister? A subtle horror about the anxieties of marriage and new parenthood, Sleep deprives its protagonists of vital rest, instead sending them into a waking nightmare of somnambulism and threat — mainly to the couple's extremely cute Pomeranian, Pepper, but also, you know, the baby.
Sleep doesn't reinvent the wheel as a slow-burn, possibly supernatural horror, instead leaning on well-worn markers of the genre — the increasingly shocking events, the enlisting of a medium, the race to discover the truth. However, Lee and Jung give intense performances that make the film feel fresh. At the same time, cinematographer Tae-soo Kim and editor Meeyeon Han find unique ways to capture the inside of a small apartment for maximum tension. Both Soo-jin and Hyun-su fear what the other is capable of, with the film pivoting from one parent's unconscious fears to the other's over the course of a sharp 90 minutes.* — S.C.
How to watch: Sleep is now streaming on Hulu.
2. Night CallYou ever have one of those days where nothing goes your way? Well, Brussels twentysomething Mady Bala (Jonathan Feltre) would trade your worst day for his. As a locksmith working the night shift, his job is pretty straightforward most times. But when a distress call from a pretty brunette leads him into a skinhead's apartment, things go from bad to FUBAR in the blink of an eye — or the stab of a screwdriver.
Turns out, a femme fatale lured him unwittingly into a robbery, crossing a vicious kingpin (Romain Duris). To survive the night, Mady must find the girl and the money. And this grounded thriller from Michiel Blanchart will drag him through the city's underbelly — from nightclubs to brothels and beyond — in search of salvation. In my review for Mashable, I cheered, "Blanchart's first film is as electrifying as it is surprising. An action movie that's daring, dark, and distinctly wild, Night Call is not to be missed." —K.P.
Starring: Jonathan Feltre, Natacha Krief, Jonas Bloquet, and Romain Duris
How to watch: Night Call is now available on VOD.
1. The Wild RobotOne of the most buzzed-about animated movies of 2024 is now on Peacock. From Chris Sanders, the co-writer/co-director of Lilo & Stitch and the voice of Stitch, delivers a heartfelt adaptation of Peter Brown's novel, named for the curious android at its center.
Lupita Nyong'o lends her voice to Roz, a helper droid intended for domesticity but stranded on an island populated only by wild animals, like a cunning fox (The Last of Us's Pedro Pascal), a sassy opossum (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice's Catherine O'Hara), and an orphaned gosling (Heartstopper's Kit Connor).
In her review out of the film's Fantastic Fest premiere, Belen Edwards praised the fish-out-of-water story and the visual splendor Sanders paints. She writes, "Pristine forests and tidal pools bloom to life on screen, their blue and green hues a sharp contrast to Roz's metal-gray plating and blinking lights. Flocks of geese take flight in a dazzling airborne montage. Roz's bright lights slash through a driving snowstorm. Each image is a marvelous snapshot on its own. But together, they create something wholly incredible, making The Wild Robot an unforgettable viewing experience and a perfect capstone to celebrate DreamWorks' 30th anniversary."
SEE ALSO: How Lupita Nyong'o and filmmaker Chris Sanders designed 'The Wild Robot'Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O'Hara, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames
How to watch: The Wild Robot is now streaming on Peacock.
* denotes that this blurb appeared in a previous Mashable list.
"I should have spoken with my doctor before doing this shit."
"My teeth hurt, fuck."
"The ice cream got spicy."
Just a few snippets from Bad Bunny's journey on First We Feast's Hot Ones, with the Grammy-winning artist taking on increasingly spicy chicken wings while being interviewed by Sean Evans about his career. And it's probably one of the most relatable rounds of Hot Ones, watching Bad Bunny inhale ice cream to fan the flames.
It's pretty impressive to see the Debí Tirar Más Fotos musician walking Evans through his fashion history, from the Met Gala to the Grammys red carpets, while suffering through the pain of the hot sauce. He chats salsa dancing for the "Baile Inolvidable" video, Puerto Rican slang on social media, WWE wrestling, and whether he was more nervous about Coachella or his school talent show performance of Juanes' "Mala Gente".
I wouldn't have made it past the second sauce. A solid effort.
Astronauts will wriggle into their spacesuits next week to swab outside the International Space Station and see if the lab orbiting 250 miles above Earth is releasing microorganisms into space.
The experiment will focus on collecting samples of bacteria and fungi near vents. NASA wants to know whether germs can survive the harsh environment and, if so, how far they travel. The specimens will be frozen and taken back to Earth for analysis.
Despite the U.S. space agency's stringent spacecraft cleaning process, hardy microscopic lifeforms can't be totally removed from instruments bound for space. Furthermore, people carry veritable ecosystems of life on their skin and in their bodies when they go to space. Humans can't help but spread this stuff — a point John Grunsfeld, NASA's former chief scientist, emphasized in 2015.
"We know there’s life on Mars already because we sent it there," he said then.
SEE ALSO: NASA discovered bacteria that wouldn't die. Now it's boosting sunscreen. A NASA researcher shows how to remove a swab from the sampling caddy that is used by astronauts during spacewalks. Credit: NASANASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams — yes, the same pair waiting for their ride home after their Boeing spaceship experienced problems — will conduct the spacewalk to collect the samples, among other tasks. The 6.5-hour jaunt outside the station is targeted for 8 a.m. ET on Jan. 30.
At NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, scientists have discovered hundreds of these extremophiles — organisms that can live in the harshest Earth environments — while trying to clean spacecraft. The United States has signed an international treaty to avoid introducing contaminants to extraterrestrial environments.
To comply, NASA has sought to sanitize Mars rovers at a threshold of no more than 300,000 bacterial spores on any surface. That process has revealed plenty of microbes that can survive high temperatures, low nutrients, and a lack of moisture.
Scientists have collected the specimens to keep a record of the types of so-called "dead bug bodies" that could remain. That way, if a rover shovel digs up some otherworldly dirt and finds life, they have an idea of whether they've discovered an alien or just a hitchhiker from Earth.
One super bacteria found in a NASA cleanroom was eventually sent to the space station on purpose, where astronauts hung it outside. When the sample came back, many of the spores were still alive, even after 18 months exposed to cosmic radiation.
An International Space Station fungal culture shown after five days. Credit: NASAThis upcoming station research aims to better understand the potential for microbes to survive and reproduce in space. The study will determine which human-related bugs could inhabit environments on Mars or other destinations in the solar system during crewed missions. The findings could inform changes to crewed spaceships and spacesuits in the future.
Russian space agency Roscosmos has attempted a similar experiment. They have sampled surfaces and announced the discovery of non-spore-forming bacteria growing outside the station. But NASA is skeptical of whether the devices used in the Russian experiment were contaminated and seeks to produce its own data for comparison.
U.S. astronauts already conduct quarterly studies to monitor what's living in the air, surfaces, and water within the station. They now have equipment onboard to perform some identification themselves, without sending cultures back to Earth.
NASA hopes the research could also lead to new products. It's happened before: An extract from that bacteria once left outside the station is now being used as a sunscreen ingredient.
Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Eddy Maday and West Mulholland describe the process making Presence with Steven Soderbergh. The filmmaker used only first-person perspective to create the feeling of being watched by another entity.
Presence is now in theaters.
SAVE $700: As of Jan. 24, the 65-inch Samsung The Frame TV is on sale at Best Buy for $1,299.99. That's $700 off its list price of $1,999.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-Inch Class LS03D The Frame Series QLED 4K TV (2024) $1,299.99 at Best BuySamsung's The Frame TV is a great investment for those who want a TV that doesn't immediately stand out in their living space. Doubling as a display for art alongside being a high-quality 4K TV, The Frame is worth every penny. It's even better when you can score it at a discount, and thankfully Best Buy's offering a very nice deal on the 65-inch model right now.
Samsung's 65-inch The Frame TV is currently down to $1,299.99 at Best Buy. This is $700 off its list price of $1,999.99, which is a fantastic discount to take advantage of. Not to mention, it also comes with one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for free. So, if you're a gamer, you can get set up with the massive Game Pass library right away.
SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift cardWhile The Frame is largely known for its art mode, it boasts several features that make it a high-quality TV, too. With 4K resolution, your favorite shows and movies will look crisp and clear. This TV also has a Matte Display that reduces glare on screen, which works wonders whether you're watching something or enjoying pieces of art.
And speaking of art, Samsung Frame TVs even feature pieces from New York's Museum of Modern Art. This includes works from the likes of Vincent van Gogh, Henri Rousseau, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Frida Kahlo, so you can have an exciting variety of pieces to put up.
Don't miss out on this excellent deal on the 65-inch Samsung The Frame TV at Best Buy.
If you're on the lookout for even more TV deals, there are quite a few to check out right now. Amazon, in particular, is offering some great discounts at the moment, including $3,000 off a 98-inch TCL QLED TV and an 85-inch Samsung QLED TV that's on sale for $400 off.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, January 24, 2025:
AcrossBowser in the Mario games, e.g.The answer is Boss.
The answer is Ruler.
The answer is Atari.
The answer is SitUp.
The answer is SeeMe.
The answer is Brass.
The answer is Outie.
The answer is Slate.
The answer is Serum.
The answer is Ripe.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
Timothée Chalamet is hosting SNL this weekend, and in the video above the A Complete Unknown star and Oscar nominee joins Sarah Sherman for some silly rapid fire promos.
"Hey, I'm Timothée Chalamet and I'll be the host and musical guest this week on SNL. And Sarah, I was thinking about dedicating one of my songs to you," says Chalamet in one of the clips.
"Oh my God, really?" Sherman responds. "Which one is it? Probably 'Forever Young.'"
"No, I was thinking 'Knocking on Heaven's Door,'" comes the deadpan reply.
Elsewhere there's a gag about stolen lines and an inevitable peach-themed joke.
Samsung has officially announced its next-generation Galaxy phones: The S25 series. Sitting at the top of that lineup is the company's most premium model of Android smartphone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
If you already own the previous generation, the S24 Ultra, you may have some questions about whether it's worth it to upgrade. Or, maybe you're looking to get your first Ultra model of Samsung's Galaxy phone and trying to decide if you should spend the $1,299 for the S25 Ultra 256GB model or save a few hundred bucks and get the previous model, the Galaxy S24 Ultra model.
Mashable's got you covered. We reported on Samsung Unpacked, we meticulously researched both the S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra models, and now we have a breakdown of what the S25 Ultra has that the S24 doesn't so you can decide which model is worth getting for your own personal needs.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S24 Ultra: Processing PowerThis is the biggest upgrade: The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy that powers the new S25 line, including the S25 Ultra.
According to Samsung, this new powerful chipset provides a 40 percent boost from its predecessor. The chip was designed to seamlessly power the intense Galaxy AI processes that the Samsung S25 line was made for.
On the gaming front, Samsung says that the Snapdragon 8 Elite integrates ray tracing and Vulkan optimization for a better, smoother gaming experience.
SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphonesIf you're planning on fully utilizing Galaxy AI on a daily basis or if you're a mobile gamer, you're going to want the power that comes with the S25 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Elite over the S24 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S24 Ultra: Galaxy AIWhile we're talking about AI, lets get into the specific AI features on the S25 and S24 Ultra.
In terms of the AI features available on both smartphones, the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra are nearly identical. Circle to Search, Note Assist, Call Assist, Transcript Assist, Photo Assist, and more more Galaxy AI features can be used on both devices. But, the Galaxy S25 Ultra will be able to process your requests faster thanks to its chipset.
SEE ALSO: Snag the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for $300 off at Best Buy ahead of Samsung Unpacked 2025In addition, not all AI features are available on both phones. According to Samsung, the new Now Brief feature is exclusively available on the Galaxy S25 line, including the S25 Ultra. This was Samsung's highlighted feature during the Galaxy S25 announcement, which provides users with automatic, personally tailored notifications, reminders, and more on a homepage-like lock screen on the Galaxy S25.
Again, if you're looking to fully immerse yourself in Galaxy AI capabilities on a daily basis, you'll want to go with the S25 Ultra over the S24 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S24 Ultra: BatterySpeaking of processing power, the efficiency of the Galaxy S25 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Elite also plays a role in its battery life.
Both the S25 Ultra and the S24 Ultra have a 5000mAh battery, but Samsung says the S25 Ultra has 31 hours of battery life when playing video compared to the 30 hours of life being the S24 Ultra needs a charge.
That one hour might not seem like a deal breaker, but when your smartphone is about to die, that extra 60 minutes will feel like a big difference in the moment.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S24 Ultra: Design and DisplayThe S24 Ultra was the first premium Galaxy smartphone built with titanium and Samsung stuck with it for the S25 Ultra.
The S25 Ultra is lighter at 218g compared to the 233g that the S24 Ultra weighs. In addition, the S25 Ultra has a more rounded, flat design when compared to the S24 Ultra. Samsung says that the S25 Ultra is 0.4 mm thinner than the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
However, even with the sleeker and lighter design, the S25 Ultra manages to have a slightly larger display at 6.9" in comparison with the S24 Ultra's 6.8" display.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: The ultra-slim smartphone teased at UnpackedThe Galaxy S25 Ultra also received an updated screen with a more scratch resistant Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass. According to Samsung, its 29 percent more resistant to scratches and cracks than its predecessor.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S24 Ultra: CameraBoth the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the S24 Ultra have a 200mp wide-angle and 50 / 10mp telephoto camera.
Where they differentiate is the ultra wide camera. The S25 Ultra gets an upgrade to a 50mp ultra wide camera compared to the 12mp ultra wide camera in the S24 Ultra. Megapixels aren't everything when it comes to photography, but they are something. The image resolution using the ultra wide camera on a S25 Ultra should be much better than its predecessor.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S24 Ultra: VerdictThe Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra were both the same price on each's respective release date. Now that the S25 Ultra is out though, you should be able to find some pretty good deals on the S24 Ultra if you don't mind missing out on some of the aforementioned upgrades and features.
But, if those upgrades are a must-have for you, the S25 Ultra certainly seems to be the way to go.
Mark Zuckerberg stood up in the Senate hearing room on Capitol Hill, turned around, and began to speak. It was hard to hear him over the camera clicks. I felt the room lift behind me as bereaved parents held up photos of their dead kids, lost to suicide or exploitation following exposure to Zuckerberg's online platforms. I realized I was standing by the time I could make out any of his words. “I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through,” he said.
That was January 31, 2024 and less than a year later, Zuckerberg announced Meta would be abandoning fact-checkers and implementing similar policies to Elon Musk's X.
This deeply craven and dangerous reversal, ostensibly to reduce “censorship” from Meta platforms, will make Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp even more unsafe for LGBTQ+ users. That’s why, after 13 years on Instagram, amassing 80,000 followers, and having monetarily benefited from being an influencer, I am finally leaving Instagram.
SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg wants more 'masculine energy' in corporate AmericaI initially joined Instagram because it was what all of my friends were doing. As a young dancer featured on television shows, it was a place to build and maintain connections and community. It was also a business, a place where I could earn money for more dance training and raise awareness about causes and issues I cared deeply about. But over time, due to policy and content moderation decisions made — or not made — by Meta, it went from something fun and engaging to something that fueled anxiety, took over my childhood, and ultimately caused harm to me and people I love.
At the end of the day, social media is a product of its environment, and the environment is getting worse. The rise in hate speech on social media has become a significant concern in recent years. Meta's decision to end its fact-checking program and ease content moderation will only add to the increase in harmful behaviors, including harassment and hate speech, especially if Zuckerberg implements something similar to X’s community notes. Giving anyone with a valid phone number and six months of a clean record on the platform the status of “approved moderator,” a status kept anonymous, is not enough to keep harmful disinformation and hate speech from spreading.
That doesn’t mean members of the LGBTQ+ community should lose hope entirely. There are people fighting to hold technology companies accountable and to make online spaces better. It’s important that young LGBTQ+ people know that there are people, like my colleagues at Heat Initiative, fighting for Big Tech to clean up their act, so that isolated members of the LGBTQ+ community aren’t forced to turn to dangerous online experiences when their in-person community fails them. The unfortunate reality is that, right now, the LGBTQ+ community is harmed disproportionally more on these platforms than their peers. Zuckerberg’s actions will only accelerate the risks that young LGBTQ+ people face on Meta’s platforms.
Lennon Torres protesting an an Apple store for the Heat Initiative. Credit: Photo by Johnny MakesIronically, Meta’s new policies seem likely to hurt their business too. In his announcement, Zuckerberg parroted language that has been used by Musk to justify the elimination of safety measures on X, but those decisions have proven to be terrible for X’s business. When Twitter became X and it immediately shifted away from a place people could connect and keep up to date to a cesspool of illegal and harmful content, users and advertisers fled. Zuckerberg should take note, especially since he said himself that it’s likely we will see a similar uptick in harmful content on Meta’s platforms.
But no one in the LGBTQ+ community should be under the illusion that social media or the newest technology will inherently increase connection or belonging. At least not without thorough protections. After I saw that even Apple CEO Tim Cook, a so-called LGBTQ+ advocate, donated $1 million dollars to the Trump Inauguration and sat directly behind the now president as he took the presidential oath, I was reminded again that technology CEOs are focused only on protecting their power. That unsettling realization and Zuckerberg’s announcement left me asking myself if I will keep using these platforms. Our LGBTQ+ community must come to terms with the fact that tech tycoons like Zuckerberg, Musk and Cook don’t have our best interests at heart. Ever.
Ultimately, we have to reckon with the fact that Meta’s new policies are just the latest in a long line of decisions that have put LGBTQ+ users at risk on their platforms. To know they have a ton of hate speech on their platforms, are building algorithms meant to addict young users to their products for life, and are actively moving to ensure less content safety, I can't sit idly by and use their platforms. Zuckerberg is taking the company in a fundamentally dangerous direction.
It is so clear to me that the young and wild toxic relationship of my youth was not with a romantic partner or friend, but with Mark Zuckerberg and the products he has built to imprison and profit off of our attention. And like many exes do, he sticks around uninvited — and I am certainly done giving him a pass.
Join me. It’s time to delete your Instagram.
Lennon Torres is an LGBTQ+ advocate who grew up in the public eye, gaining national recognition as a young dancer on television shows. With a deep passion for storytelling, advocacy, and politics, Lennon now works to center the lived experience of herself and others as she crafts her professional career in online child safety at Heat Initiative, aiming to bridge the gap between online safety and LGBTQ+ representation through intentionally inclusive strategies. Lennon’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennon-torres-325b791b4/
TL;DR: Live stream Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Cleveland Cavaliers head to Wells Fargo Center to face the Philadelphia 76ers in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Cavs are 36-7, which puts them in first place, and gives them the best record in the NBA. The Sixers are 15-27, which puts them in 11th place.
The Cavs have won three of their last five games, but are coming off a 109-108 loss to the Houston Rockets. The Sixers have lost seven consecutive games. The team's last win came against the Washington Wizards on Jan. 8.
When is Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers?Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Jan. 24. This game takes place at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ersYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Cavs vs. Sixers basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV 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.
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 affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV 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, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Cavs vs. Sixers from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers for free 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 the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office for life and Windows 11 Pro together for just $54.97 if you buy before February 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Tired of software subscriptions? Cancel them. You actually don't need a Microsoft 365 subscription to get access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and all the other productivity tools you rely on. Instead, you can switch to a Microsoft Office lifetime license that comes with the same apps for a one-time payment. And now, you also get Windows 11 Pro, and the whole package is just $54.97 (reg. $438).
No more software subscriptionsOffice Pro gives you lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. There are no hidden fees or recurring costs of any kind. Download each of these apps onto your Windows computer, and you're good to go.
Now, if you're used to Microsoft 365, these might look a little different (but not much). 2021 Microsoft apps still work great, so you can keep relying on Excel for work or Word for school, minus the constant cost.
Windows 11 Pro is a serious upgrade, even if you're just coming from Windows 11 Home. It gives you access to more advanced security tools like Bitlocker device encryption and TPM 2.0. You also get to use Windows Copilot, your own built-in AI you can use to generate text, conduct research, or just answer a quick question.
Gamers even get their own boost with DirectX 12 Ultimate, super useful for getting the most out of your hardware for graphically intense games.
You only have until February 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Pro 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for just $54.97.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: UGR Tech The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $54.97TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home works for Mac or PC, lasts for life, and is on sale for $120 (reg. $149) until February 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
One of the only reasons to stick with Microsoft 365 was that it had the most recent versions of apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The subscription is expensive, but the AI upgrades really save a ton of time.
Good news: that's not the only way to get updated Microsoft apps. Now, you can get Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC as a one-time purchase, and it's marked down to 119.97 (reg. $149) until February 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Why rent when you can buy?This license lasts for life with no recurring costs of any kind. It connects directly to your Microsoft account and lets you use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote on a PC or Mac.
Each of these apps have all the recent upgrades. Word now includes real-time co-authoring, which lets multiple users work on the same document simultaneously. You also get to use AI-powered suggestions to help streamline the writing process.
In Excel, dynamic data handling with new formulas like FILTER, SORT, and UNIQUE can be a serious time-saver for anyone working with complex data sets. That means Excel can now handle real-time updates, so your data visualizations and reports stay accurate and current without the need to manually refresh anything.
PowerPoint has received a major upgrade, too. You can record presentations with voice, video, and closed captions. That's a lot easier than manually inserting everything yourself after recording it on another app.
And don’t forget about OneNote. The updated app is designed for smoother collaboration so you can share notes and work with others way more efficiently.
You have until 11:59 p.m. PT on February 2 to get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or Windows for $119.97.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC: One-Time Purchase $119.97TL;DR: Keep your files close with a Dual USB-C USB-A 1TB Flash Drive on sale for $69.97 until Feb. 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Opens in a new window Credit: UGR Tech Dual USB-C + USB-A 3.2 High Speed Flash Drive (1TB) $69.97Cloud storage sounds convenient, but there are all these hidden frustrations built in. Sure, it should theoretically mean your files are always available, but only if you have WiFi and the platform isn't down. And that doesn't even go into upload and download speeds or data security or the fact that you're basically paying rent for your files.
The simpler alternative is to switch back to hard storage. Replace that pricey cloud storage subscription with a 1TB Dual USB-C and USB-A High-Speed Flash Drive on sale for $69.97 (reg. $109).
Keep all your files in your pocketThis flash drive is a straightforward solution to a problem that really doesn't have to be complicated. It has a 1TB capacity, which translates to a whole library of photos, videos, and more. On one end, it has a USB-C connector, and the other has USB-A. You can plug your flash drive into most modern smart devices, and data transfers are fast. Read and write speeds are 20-30MB/S, so your data transfers won't take long, and they aren't slowed down by a bad WiFi connection. Cloud storage probably can't say the same.
This is a practical, no-nonsense solution for people who want a reliable place to keep their files that's more portable than an external hard drive and more reliable than cloud storage.
Just plug it in and drag your files where they need to be. You don't even have to install any drivers.
Feb. 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT is the cutoff to get a Dual USB-C USB-A 1TB Flash Drive for $69.97.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: This car adapter lets you wirelessly use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on older cars, and it's on sale for just $99.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: RochasDivineMart Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Wireless Adapter with Streaming Service Support (2024 Edition) $99.99Not all cars let you wirelessly connect your phone, even if they have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This wireless adapter lets you ditch the aux cable and wirelessly play music, navigate, or even stream your favorite shows. And instead of paying $149 for one of these adapters, it's on sale for only $99.99.
This adapter lets you finally cut the cord and enjoy that sweet wireless connection, whether you're an iPhone or Android user. It uses Qualcomm's QCM2290 chipset to keep your wireless connection smooth and seamless with fast response times. That's important if you need to input a new destination or quickly skip an annoying song. And with support for Bluetooth and WiFi, you can even connect multiple devices.
It's not all music and maps. This adapter also has 16GB of built-in storage and comes with pre-installed streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube. It also supports TF cards if you don't have a WiFi connection. That means you can catch a quick episode on your lunch break or keep the kids entertained on long road trips.
These wireless car adapters are compatible with over 800 car models from 2016 onward, and it's so easy to set up. Just plug it in and connect your phone. Then, it's all easy riding from there.
Get an Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Wireless Adapter while it's on sale for $99.99.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
The trailer for The Wild Robot has reduced me to tears every time I've seen it. What can I say? The idea of a robot finding community in the wilderness was just too much for my heart to handle, even in a three-minute package.
SEE ALSO: The 25 best movies of 2024, and where to watch themIt's great news, then, that The Wild Robot delivers on its trailer's promise a thousandfold. Director Chris Sanders, known for Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, has crafted a sweet (and yes, tear-jerking) tale of motherhood and connection, all backed up with some of DreamWorks' most stunning animation to date.
What's The Wild Robot about? Credit: DreamWorksBased on the novel by Peter Brown, The Wild Robot strands us on a deserted island alongside ROZZUM unit 7134 (voiced by Lupita Nyong'o). Unable to complete tasks for her human owners as her programming demands, ROZZUM — or "Roz" for short — looks to the island's many wild animals to try to fulfill her function.
It quickly turns out that these animals don't love a robot barreling down on them with a cheerful cry of, "Do you need assistance?" No matter that Roz can mimic their movements or understand their language; to the inhabitants of this island, she's a frightening intruder, and is treated as such. Without any understanding of the island's ecosystem, Roz winds up in dust-ups with everyone from thieving raccoons to frightening bears, leaving her dinged up and all alone.
SEE ALSO: 'Flow' review: An animated animal adventure unlike anything you've seen beforeRoz's initial isolation opens the floodgates on the first of The Wild Robot many sob-worthy moments. I dare you not to hear her confused plea, "Did anyone order me?" without your heart breaking. Someone help this robot find her purpose, please!
That purpose comes to Roz in the form of an unhatched goose egg, the last survivor of its nest. Once the gosling, named Brightbill (voiced by Heartstopper's Kit Connor), hatches and imprints on Roz, it's up to her to teach him how to swim, eat, and fly in time for migration. But the parenting process proves to be more than just any old menial task, and Roz soon finds herself experiencing thoughts and feelings beyond her programming.
The Wild Robot is a precious exploration of motherhood and community. Credit: DreamWorksSanders is no stranger to crafting films that meld the classic fish-out-of-water trope with unlikely friendships. Lilo & Stitch's eponymous human-alien pairing is one of the greats, along with the dragon-rider dynamic between How to Train Your Dragon's Hiccup and Toothless. With Roz and Brightbill inThe Wild Robot, Sanders hits the jackpot once again.
Brightbill and Roz may be a goose and a robot, but so many of their interactions feel true to those between human parents and children. Roz is constantly concerned about doing right by Brightbill — something a wry mother possum named Pinktail (voiced by Catherine O'Hara) tells her is par for the course of parenting. Meanwhile, Brightbill walks the line between wanting independence and worrying about what will happen if he migrates away from Roz. Sure, he and Roz fight in the way that only mothers and teenagers do, but it's clear that they know they're each other's whole world.
SEE ALSO: 'Agatha All Along' review: Kathryn Hahn conjures up pure, witchy funThat sense of closeness is made all the stronger by the fact that both Roz and Brightbill are viewed as "defective" by members of their own kind. When Roz encounters the occasional other robot, they are confused by her ability to feel at all. For his part, Brightbill takes after his mother, developing a near-robotic voice and punctuating his every move with a whir or beep in order to mimic her, a habit that other geese find off-putting. Of course, in the end, these differences end up being Roz and Brightbill's greatest strengths, a message that, while nothing revolutionary, always bears repeating.
The Wild Robot also widens its scope beyond Roz and Brightbill, showing how Roz relates to the island's other critters. In another one of the film's most touching relationships, Roz relies on conniving fox Fink (voiced by Pedro Pascal) for help with Brightbill. His philosophy, like that of many other animals on the island, is that there's one rule to life: Eat, or be eaten. Roz sees things differently, proposing that kindness can be its own survival mechanism. Over the course of the film, Fink and the other animals' outlooks shift from the former to the latter, a testament to Roz's impact on those around her. She's changing the island as much as it is changing her.
Roz is the next great movie robot. Credit: DreamWorksRoz's ability to bring misfits and entire communities together places her in conversation with other great animated robots in film, like Wall-E and the Iron Giant. So does her individual transformation, which The Wild Robot crafts with tremendous care.
Nyong'o's voice acting is impeccable here, and vital to Roz's journey. At the start of the film, she voices Roz as relentlessly chipper, with a hard robotic edge that mirrors how Roz stands out in an otherwise all-natural environment. As The Wild Robot continues, Nyong'o adds more emotions to Roz's vocal toolbox, letting her get mad, uncertain, and exasperated. The end result is a voice that's full of feeling yet still carries traces of the robotic; it's the culmination of a breathtaking tightrope of a vocal performance.
Nyong'o's work goes hand in hand with Roz's extraordinary design and animation. Her dynamism and versatility as a character — she can be a crab! A lighthouse! A builder! — is matched only by that of the artists who brought her to life. Every scene gives you something new to notice about Roz, whether it's the ever-flickering displays in her eyes or how the light strips along her body convey emotion. Like Nyong'o's performance, Roz's design also charts her arc on the island, with each mechanical injury or occasional plant growth acting as exquisite visual storytelling.
The Wild Robot is a visual marvel. Credit: DreamWorksSpeaking of exquisite, it's impossible to talk about The Wild Robot without highlighting its gorgeous animation. DreamWorks has shifted away from the 3D CGI look somewhat in past years, with a more illustrative style on display in films like The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. For The Wild Robot, Sanders opts for a watercolor-inspired aesthetic, with the film looking like something out of a fairy-tale storybook.
Pristine forests and tidal pools bloom to life on screen, their blue and green hues a sharp contrast to Roz's metal-gray plating and blinking lights. Flocks of geese take flight in a dazzling airborne montage. Roz's bright lights slash through a driving snowstorm. Each image is a marvelous snapshot on its own. But together, they create something wholly incredible, making The Wild Robot an unforgettable viewing experience and a perfect capstone to celebrate DreamWorks' 30th anniversary.
The Wild Robot is now streaming on Peacock.
UPDATE: Jan. 23, 2025, 3:20 p.m. EST "The Wild Robot" was reviewed out of its premiere at Fantastic Fest 2024. This review was originally published on Sept. 21, 2024. It has since been updated to include the most recent viewing options.
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...
Boston's most important responders: Bostonians The people of Boston are to be congratulated for being...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
Digital Privacy: A Catch 22 Mobility, convenience, accessibility and real-...
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...