Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
lundi 25 décembre 2017
There Was 1 Big Star Wars: The Last Jedi Easter Egg Hidden in Rogue One This Whole Time
There are a bunch of spoilers for Star Wars: The Last Jedi lurking below, FYI!
One of the major plot points in Star Wars: The Last Jedi involves the First Order acting like a bad Tinder date that just doesn't get the hint: no matter how many times the Republic's fleet appears to escape their ships via hyperspace, they just can't shake the enemy. Thanks to the brilliant minds of Finn and Rose Tico, they eventually come to the conclusion that the First Order has devised a way to track the resistance's starships through hyperspace travel, which was previously assumed to be impossible. While the concept might be new to the characters in The Last Jedi, there's another set of Star Wars personalities who were already (at least somewhat) aware of the possibility.
As pointed out by Reddit user rhodetolove, who clearly has a memory like a steel trap, the concept is actually first brought up in 2016's standalone Star Wars story, Rogue One. Jyn Erso is searching for the Death Star plans in one scene when she inadvertently stumbles upon other Empire files that detail something called "hyperspace tracking."
With the knowledge that the events in Rogue One precede those in A New Hope, it means the Galactic Empire has been working towards hyperspace tracking for quite some time. It's not until The Last Jedi, decades later, that they appear to have finally succeeded in their mission. Lucasfilm executive Pablo Hidalgo confirmed the retroactive Easter egg on Twitter with a screenshot of text that explains hyperspace tracking was first explored by the "Tarkin Initiative," a secret think tank put together by the Advanced Weapons Research division of the Galactic Empire's intelligence agency.
http://pic.twitter.com/0fgqFX8vy4
- Pablo Hidalgo (@pablohidalgo) December 18, 2017
Pretty cool, huh? At the very least, it's something else to think about other than Kylo Ren's shirtless scene.
18 Lavish Holiday Gifts Stars Have Received
Celebrities spare no expense when it comes to holiday gifts. Throughout the years, we've seen stars receive everything from massive engagement rings to giant cheese wheels (we're looking at you, Chrissy Teigen). In 2014, Justin Bieber treated himself to his own private jet, and who could forget Drake's stripper pole from 2012? At the end of the day, what's the point of having money if you can't spend it, right?
Finally Find Out What the F*ck Brut Means on Bottles
As you're looking around the Champagne aisle for the perfect type of bubbly to bring to a party, you are confronted with an array of choices: sweet, brut, dry, extra dry, and a few more. While some of these are easy to make assumptions about, brut can definitely stump a Champagne or sparkling wine drinker. So, what exactly is brut?
"The term brut refers to a style of sparkling wine or Champagne, based on how sweet it is," Melissa Rockwell, direct-to-consumer sales manager at Long Island, NY, -based Sparkling Pointe, told POPSUGAR via email.
Developed in the 1800s, brut is a dry, crisp style of Champagne or sparkling wine, compared to the sweeter extra dry, sec, demi-sec, and doux. Those Champagnes or sparkling wines that are members of the brut variety have between zero and 12 grams per liter of residual sugar.
According to Rockwell, brut and the other terms used to describe sweetness levels originated with Champagne in France.
"The sweetness comes from a step in the méthode champenoise process, called the dosage. This is a small amount of sugar added back into the wine after disgorging and before corking. It is the last step of the méthode champenoise process and is used to balance the natural high acidity in Champagne and sparkling wine to a desired amount of dry or sweet," she said.
Brut tends to pair well with a plethora of food flavors, from caviar and oysters Rockefeller to heavier dishes like pot roast and potatoes. Additionally, bottles can range from $9 to more than $50, depending on the brand of Champagne or sparkling wine.
45 Red Carpet Beauty Looks That Took Our Breath Away in 2017
Say what you will about 2017, but it's blessed us with some pretty unbelievable red carpet beauty looks. From the Golden Globes to the Cannes Film Festival and many, many award season soirées in between, celebrities served hair and makeup inspiration like it was their dang job. (Because it sort of is!) Ahead, find the 45 hands-down hottest beauty looks to walk down red carpets this year.
Find Your Perfect Curling Iron, No Matter What Style You Want
We get it: sometimes shopping for the perfect curling iron can be a chore. Between the different barrel lengths, the hot curlers, and that rumor that you can get beach waves with a flat iron, how are you supposed to make heads or tails? Quit scratching your head. We've broken down what each size curling iron does (with pictures to match!) to help you find your new iron BFF.
Want to Know What the Star Wars Cast Is Up To? Follow Them on Social Media!
Star Wars: The Last Jedi officially hits theaters on Dec. 15. But if you're like us and can't wait for the premiere, you can get your fix by following the cast on Twitter and Instagram. Sadly, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, and Adam Driver aren't on social media, but there are plenty of other stars who are, like John Boyega, Mark Hamill, and Lupita Nyong'o. Keep reading and get ready to click "follow."
Nobody Gets More Excited About Christmas Than Reese Witherspoon
In case you don't already know, Reese Witherspoon loves the holiday season, especially Christmas. Not only did she recently unveil a Draper James holiday collection in 2016, but the actress, who is best known as "Wreath Witherspoon" during the cold Winter months, also makes it a point to blow out the holiday as soon as Thanksgiving is over. In 2015, Reese posted a bright and festive Instagram photo of herself sitting by a plate of gingerbread cookies 24 days before Christmas, writing, "Never too early to wait for Santa ... Am I right?? #AnyMinuteNow." We can't say we don't admire her dedication. Sleigh on, Reese, sleigh on.
An Exhaustive Guide to the Complex Web of Characters in Netflix's Dark
Netflix's Dark, an intriguing sci-fi series that's been labeled with an unfair comparison to Stranger Things, weaves a complex, time-traveling mystery throughout its 10-episode first season. The show opens in 2019 and introduces a large group of characters, only to begin a series of flashbacks to two other time periods: 1953 and 1986. That means that while you're trying to solve the mystery of where when Mikkel Nielsen disappeared to, the pool of characters is only widening and getting more confusing.
If you have trouble keeping track of the 1953, 1986, and 2019 iterations of each major player, you're definitely not alone. To make things easier for you (and for ourselves, let's be honest), we went ahead and made a handy guide to who (and when) everyone is, for the characters who exist in multiple time periods. But be warned, this gallery gets more spoiler-y the further you scroll.
15 Times Kesha Proved She Was Back and Stronger Than Ever This Year
Kesha made a triumphant return to the spotlight this year after taking a five-year hiatus from music. Not only did she release her third studio album, Rainbow, but she also hit the road for the accompanying Rainbow tour. In addition to her music career, Kesha also seemed to focus more on expressing herself and making a difference in the world. In January, she joined a bevy of stars at the Women's March in LA and she even hosted a workshop in Texas to fight against cyberbullying two months later. Celebrate Kesha's monumental year by taking a look back at some of her best moments from 2017.
Ta-Da! The Real Meaning Behind Those Vague Emoji
Rule number one of emoji: there are no rules. You can use those cute little symbols as much as you want. The only caveat is that sometimes they're a little . . . confusing. What's with the guy on his stomach, for instance? To get the meanings behind the most head-scratching characters, we looked to Emojipedia. Yes, it's a real thing, and all the names listed are official emoji character names. The meanings and descriptions, however, aren't necessarily accurate because Emojipedia isn't affiliated with the emoji makers. But it's better than nothing, right?
Source: Emojipedia
50+ Homemade Edible Gift Ideas For Any Time of Year
We all gotta eat, right? Rather than giving your friends or family stuff they don't need when holidays or birthdays roll around, why not make them something yummy that won't take up a bunch of space in their home? Ahead, we have more than 50 homemade gift ideas that are all edible, and many of them don't even require much skill in the kitchen. Whether your bestie loves cookies or vodka, we have ideas in here that include a little bit of everything.
The Best New Grocery Store Snacks of 2017
If you're anything like us, you're constantly thinking about food . . . especially snacks. That's why we embarked on the quest of finding the best new grocery store snacks of 2017. Last year's best new snacks included plenty of spicy chips, artisanal pork rinds, and pickle-flavored everything, but we're looking looking back at even more creative and irresistible creations that filled the aisles this year.
We've found plenty of new products that made the cut this year, from vegan "beef" jerky to pasta-inspired chips and more. Read on to discover all the best new snacks we've discovered, and be sure to make note of the ones that deserve a spot in your own shopping cart.
The 1 Thing I Learned in Italy That Changed the Way I Cook
I thought I knew how to cook Italian food . . . until I went to Italy. I got the amazing opportunity to travel to Tuscany to stay at Casa Buitoni, home of Buitoni, the fresh-pasta brand you've likely seen in the refrigerated section at the grocery store. I was in good company with chefs who develop authentic recipes for the nearly 200-year-old brand (it was founded by the Buitoni family in 1827), so I think they know a thing or two about Italian food. After a week of making pasta from scratch, visiting wineries and restaurants among the rolling hills of Tuscany, and eating too many incredible meals to count made by chefs born and raised in Italy, I learned an invaluable lesson that really stuck with me and will change the way I cook for myself from now on.
Simplicity is key, and less is more.
The mentality that surrounds food in Italy is unlike everything typical about food in the US. Italians eat slowly. They savor every single bite and every single moment at the table - "family style" means more than just passing around a plate of food for everyone to try. A young woman who grew up in Italy told me her family never served a meal without setting the table, complete with a white tablecloth. And yes, of course I realize that setting up a gorgeous tablescape with a movie-worthy view is not something most people have the privilege of re-creating at home, but what we can (and should) copy is the overall idea. Eating is a time to unplug from the rest of the world and to connect with the food and the people right in front of you.
And most importantly, authentic Italian cooks let the ingredients shine. If you start with the best quality ingredients you can find, you only need a few to make an amazing dish. I'll be the first to admit that using restraint in the kitchen is not my strong suit. My favorite pasta recipes often involve a long list of ingredients (spaghetti with garlic, white wine, thyme, lemon, and more, for example), but now I realize that there is such a thing as too much, and you don't always need 20 ingredients to make the most flavorful dish.
The best thing you can do is start out with really, really good olive oil. Spend the money on that fancier bottle - it's 100 percent worth it. Because, as I learned, olive oil is just as much an ingredient as pasta or parmesan cheese. When you simply use olive oil to sauté vegetables or throw in a tablespoon to prevent your pasta from sticking before adding other ingredients, the pure flavor gets lost in translation. The rich flavor of homemade olive oil is unlike anything else, and it's truly at the heart of Italian cooking - let it be the star.
Use good salt and fresh garlic. Invest in the freshest seasonal vegetables when you can. And, most importantly, take the time to savor every single bite. I thought this pizza topped with merely tomato sauce and a thin slice of roasted garlic would be boring, but I could not have been more wrong. After one bite, I realized it embodied everything Italian food is about: freshness, simplicity, and flavor. And that's what I'm going to aim to re-create in my own home.
Here Are All the '90s Foods That Made a Long-Overdue Comeback This Year
No one can argue with the fact that the snacks from the '90s were the best. And as much as we miss Dunkaroos, Surge, and Butterfinger BB's (RIP), we're so glad that some of our other discontinued favorites have made a comeback! We're calling 2017 the year of the '90s resurgence, at least in the world of food and drinks. So far this year, four major brands have announced the return of some of the most classic products from the '90s that were sadly discontinued at some point. Bring on the nostalgia and read on to discover all the details about each product's much-anticipated (and appreciated) return.
Unicorns Are Coming With Us to 2018 in the Form of "Magic Cupcake" Cereal
The crazy year of 2017 may be coming to a close, but that doesn't mean one of its biggest trends - unicorns - is over yet. In fact, unicorns are coming right along into the new year and will be joining people at their breakfast tables, because Kellogg's has confirmed the US's first Unicorn Cereal is hitting shelves in March 2018. The cereal consists of red, blue, and purple loops with white crunchlets, and as for the taste, it's "magic cupcake" flavored, because would you expect anything less? What a world.
This might look vaguely familiar to you if you saw that Kellogg's released Unicorn Froot Loops in Germany earlier this year. But rest assured: this will be the first Kellogg's unicorn cereal available in the US, so get your bowls ready, because you're probably going to want this for breakfast every day. We're not sure what magic cupcakes taste like, but we can't wait to find out! Before the cereal hits shelves nationwide in March, it's available at Kellogg's NYC Café in Union Square.
These Candy Cane Soft Serve Cones Are the Ultimate Disneyland Holiday Food
During the holiday season, Disneyland turns into a veritable Winter wonderland. Every corner of the parks is touched with holiday magic, with fan-favorite rides changing their form to suit the season and park merchandise specially suited for the holidays. So with every other part of the Disney resort transforming for the season, it makes sense that the food would too - even regular ol' ice cream cones!
At Disney's California Adventure park, you can get your hands on a traditional cone totally covered in candy cane "sprinkles." Filled with the soft serve you know and love, this seasonal treat from the Cozy Cone Motel in Carsland is an Instagrammable and oh-so-droolworthy addition to your edible Disney bucket list. Check it out, then grab a candy cone during your next trip to the parks!
Your Next Flight Is About to Be Lit With This Carry-On Rosé Cocktail Kit
Picture this: you're on a flight just wishing you could take a sip of some refreshing and delicious Rosé. Well, now you can - kind of - thanks to Sugarfina's Rosé All Day Carry-On Cocktail Kit ($25). This beauty comes with Sugarfina's infamous Rosé gummy bears, which you can add to the spirit of your choice along with elderflower syrup. Using the bar spoon, jigger, linen coaster, and recipe card, you can create your own cocktail from the comfort of your seat. Sugarfina also has a Champagne cocktail kit that comes with its famous Champagne gummy bears. Stick this in your handbag and you will be golden, but use it sparingly, because it only makes two cocktails.
The Best and Worst Oreo Flavors of 2017
No food brand throws its fans for a loop quite as often as Oreo does. Every year - actually, more like every month - we can expect a new and entirely unexpected flavor announced by Oreo, and we're hardly surprised anymore. This year, we were introduced to Apple Pie Oreos, Dunkin' Donuts Mocha Oreos, and even Waffles & Syrup Oreos (see what we mean?).
We had a chance to try the new cookie flavors for ourselves, and some are decidedly better than others. If you're curious about which ones are worth a try (and which ones deserve a hard pass), read on for our definitive ranking of the best and worst Oreo flavors of the year - and truthfully, it's only a matter of time until the 2018 flavors start hitting shelves.
Spread Endless Cheer This Holiday Season With These Addictive Apps
Whether you're throwing a casual cocktail party or an elaborate holiday feast, deliciously decadent appetizers are necessary for a truly festive evening. Choose from this extensive list of sometimes gooey, sometimes crispy, and always scrumptious holiday starters for the meal of your dreams.
20 Gifts For Every Geek in the Kitchen
That person in your life who spends all his or her free time in the kitchen is often the most satisfying person to buy a holiday gift for, as chances are you'll wind up benefiting from that oh-so-kind purchase in the future. Now, we've made it even easier to find the right present by doing the legwork for you: we've gone through all the latest in food gadgetry across the world to come up with these 21 gifts that we promise any geek in the kitchen will love.
Macarons: Don't Confuse Them With Macaroons
It's high time we set the record straight: the word "macaron" is not an alternate spelling of macaroon. In fact, the two terms refer to distinctly different things. Both macarons and macaroons are confections, and both names are derived from ammaccare, which is Italian for "to crush" - but that's where the similarities end.
A macaron specifically refers to a meringue-based cookie made with almond flour, egg whites, and granulated and powdered sugar, then filled with buttercream, ganache or fruit curd. The delicate treat has a crunchy exterior and a weightless interior with a soft ending that's almost nougatlike in its chewiness. To add to the confusion, it's often called a French macaroon.
In contrast, the word macaroon is a generic phrase that is applied to a number of small, sweet confections. Mostly, the term is equated with the moist and dense coconut macaroon, which is composed of egg whites, sugar, and dried coconut, often piped with a star-shaped tip, and sometimes dipped in chocolate. The coconut macaroon, or congolais, as it's known in France, is frequently served during Passover because it contains no flour.
40 Steamy Songs That Probably Made It Onto Your Sex Playlist This Year
Whether you were getting down with yourself or a significant other (or, hey, even a stranger - we don't judge), there were a ton of songs that had sex-playlist potential this year. From newcomers like SZA and Gallant to musical mainstays like Ed Sheeran, Demi Lovato, and Kendrick Lamar, we've rounded up the steamy tunes that had us fanning ourselves in 2017. Scroll through to see them all now, then press play on our Spotify playlist at the end.
The Best Movie Kisses of the Year So Far
This year's movie kisses bring out a variety of emotions: swooning, lust, envy . . . it's sort of the huge reason we go to the movies. Though some of these kisses are sweeter and some are on the very steamy side, all of them are worthy of reliving (and maybe some will end up as all-time best movie kisses).
Wedding Music Ideas: 100 Songs For Your First Dance
There are plenty of details to consider when planning a wedding, not the least of which is the music. The first dance is often the first song decision many couples make, because it's the centerpiece of the reception, with the newlyweds dancing for the first time with all eyes on them. If you're on the hunt for the perfect tune for the first dance, we're here to help. From rock to classic to pop, here are 100 song suggestions sweet enough for a first dance. Need more advice? Here are all of our wedding music ideas!
40 Kickass Gifts For Your Own Real-Life Wonder Woman
If you're still obsessed with Wonder Woman, we don't blame you. That's why we went ahead and scoped out the internet's best Diana-approved gifts for the upcoming holiday season. If you have a superhero-loving friend who needs a new iPhone case, or maybe you just really need a stars-and-stripes romper, we have plenty of ideas for you to check out below.
The Best Places to Watch Star Wars: The Last Jedi For Freebies, Food, and More
OK, if you haven't seen Star Wars: The Last Jedi yet: 1. What are you doing with your life? and 2. Get your butt to the theater to see Kylo Ren's hot bod and find out who Rey's parents are! (One of those is probably more important than the other, but I digress.) Before you buy those tickets, though, if you're wondering where to watch it, we saw it a few times to figure out which theaters best enhance the experience.
The Theater to Address All Your Foodie Needs
Alamo Drafthouse theaters are famous for their playful, local feel and themed showings (like the clown-themed showing for It and the women-only Wonder Woman screening), but the word "drafthouse" is in the name for a reason: they serve booze directly to your seat. What's more, the food options go above and beyond to take "dinner and movie" to the next level - they even have a Star Wars-themed menu right now!
The Easy-to-Find Theater With the Best Sound
If you want to enjoy the full potential of The Last Jedi's vivid color and beautiful score, Dolby Cinema at AMC theaters is a great option. In addition to the impressive surround-sound feel, many of these theaters let you choose your seat ahead of time (so you can show up right on time instead of 20 minutes early), and you can lay back in your seat and prop your feet up for the full two and a half hours of runtime. (Plus, you can get exclusive Star Wars merch at certain showings!)
The Theater With the Most Buzzworthy Snack Right Now
If you want a regular movie experience with IMAX possibilities, Regal Cinemas is just fine, but it does have one stand-out draw over the others: Cheetos popcorn. Need I say more?
The New Girl in Peaky Blinders Is Based on a Real-Life Feminist Hero
The fourth season of Peaky Blinders introduces us to a number of highly anticipated new characters. Oscar winner Adrien Brody has joined the cast, and Game of Thrones star Aidan Gillan will also make an appearance. On top of all that, the first episode introduces us to a third new face: Jessie Eden. What's most interesting about the introduction of this character is that she's actually based on a real person.
We first meet Jessie when she arrives at Tommy's factory to discuss the rights of female factory workers, but her name is actually first mentioned in season three, when the women of the Shelby family go to listen to her speak at Birmingham's Bull Ring. Eden is an outspoken trade union activist and a member of the British Communist party during the time Peaky Blinders is set. She fought tirelessly for equal pay and persuaded female workers at the Joseph Lucas motor components factory in Birmingham to join the 1926 general strike. She led thousands of female workers on further strikes in the '30s. Weaving her into the story of the Shelby family, who also have factories in Birmingham, makes complete sense.
Creator Steven Knight discovered Jessie while researching the series and decided she was the perfect addition to the show, telling The Guardian, "So much of history concentrates on the memoirs of some politician or other but then in the middle of all that gray there's a flash of color and that's Jessie – being female and working class there was very little prospect that she would become a household name but she did extraordinary things."
Since its inception, Peaky Blinders has always woven truth into its stories. Though the members of the Shelby family are fictional, the Peaky Blinders themselves are not, and there was indeed a gang of young men in the poor suburbs of Birmingham at the turn of the century who sported peaked caps (which may or may not have concealed razor blades, depending on who you believe). The show also used other real-life figures, like Winston Churchill, to keep the story moving.
As the lines between truth and fiction blur, let's just say this isn't the last we've seen of Jessie (played by Happy Valley star Charlie Murphy). Sparks will inevitably fly between her and Tommy as the series continues.
In Case You Forgot: 13 Places You've Seen Adrien Brody Before His Stint on Peaky Blinders
Image Source: Everett Collection
We're currently enjoying Adrien Brody as Luca Changretta on Peaky Blinders, but his stint on TV certainly isn't his first big gig. Throughout his long and successful career, the American actor has appeared in more than 62 films and TV shows (as well as in one of our all-time favorite Christmas commercials) and has won 13 awards, including the Oscar for best actor in a leading role. But in case you need a refresher (or would like to see more of his work), here's where you might have seen Brody before.
Dummy, 2002
Image Source: Everett Collection
In Dummy, Brody plays the role of Steven Schoichet, a man who decides to pursue his dream of becoming a professional ventriloquist.
The Pianist, 2002
Image Source: Everett Collection
In this critically acclaimed biographical film, Brody appears as a Polish Jewish radio station pianist who is forced into the Warsaw Ghetto and then later separated from his family during Operation Reinhard. Thanks to his incredible performance, Brody won the Oscar for best actor in a leading role.
The Village, 2004
Image Source: Everett Collection
In this psychological horror film, the actor joined Bryce Dallas Howard and Joaquin Phoenix as members of a 19th-century community that fears the strange creatures that inhabit the surrounding forest.
The Jacket, 2005
Image Source: Everett Collection
Brody costars in this thriller alongside Keira Knightley, playing the role of an amnesiac Gulf War veteran who can't explain why he's been found at the scene of a murder.
King Kong, 2005
Image Source: Everett Collection
Brody was cast in this remake of the 1933 classic and plays the role of charming playwright Jack Driscoll.
The Darjeeling Limited, 2007
Image Source: Everett Collection
In 2007, Brody appeared in this Wes Anderson film about three estranged brothers who reunite for a train trip across India.
Cadillac Records, 2008
Image Source: Everett Collection
Brody plays the role of a Polish emigrant and bar owner in this 2008 drama alongside Beyoncé Knowles, Eamonn Walker, and Chuck Berry.
The Brothers Bloom, 2008
Image Source: Everett Collection
Brody joins Mark Ruffalo and Rachel Weisz in this story about a final con that fails to play out as planned when his character falls in love with the target.
The Passion Within, 2008
Image Source: Everett Collection
In this biopic, Brody plays the role of Spanish bullfighter Manolete, and the story covers his late in life love affair with actress Lupe Sino (Penélope Cruz) before he was gored to death in the bullring.
Midnight in Paris, 2011
Image Source: Everett Collection
Woody Allen's romantic comedy sees Brody as Salvador Dalí. He was cast alongside Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Michael Sheen, and Tom Hiddleston.
Third Person, 2013
Image Source: Everett Collection
In this star-studded film, Brody plays the role of Scott, an American businessman on a trip to Italy who falls in love with a Romanian woman. Other members of the cast include Liam Neeson, Mila Kunis, Olivia Wilde, and James Franco.
The Grand Budapest Hotel, 2014
Image Source: Everett Collection
After someone is murdered in the Grand Budapest hotel, we follow Brody and the rest of this star-studded cast - Ralph Fiennes, Saoirse Ronan, Léa Seydoux, Owen Wilson, Tilda Swinton, and Jude Law, to name a few - as they attempt to find out what happened. This Wes Anderson film won the Golden Globe Award for best motion picture, musical, or comedy and garnered nine Academy Award nominations.
Honourable Mention: a Wes Anderson Christmas Commercial for H&M, 2016
In this 2016 Christmas advertisement, Brody stars as a train conductor who has to break the news to his passengers that they're running 11 hours behind schedule. But don't worry: he has a Christmas miracle in store!
Raise Your Hand If You've Been Personally Victimized by Frosty the Snowman's Melting Scene
The 1969 animated Frosty the Snowman film will go down in history as one of the best holiday films of all time, but it will also go down in history as one of the films that scarred me (and apparently many others) most as a child. I was probably around 7 or 8 when I first saw it on TV. My favorite Christmas movie at the time was How the Grinch Stole Christmas - I've always appreciated how deliciously petty he is, robbing people blind because they dare to be in a good mood - but I thought watching something "lighter" and "happier" with no "sad parts" would be a nice departure. Boy, was I wrong.
Frosty was just too good of a soul; he cared so much about Karen that he sacrificed his own holly, jolly life to keep her warm.
Spoiler alert: Frosty dies. He is viciously murdered by an evil magician named Professor Hinkle, who wants Frosty's magical top hat so badly that he traps him and his friend Karen in a greenhouse while she tries to get warm from the cold. I grew up in Boston, so I was quite familiar with the concept of snow melting and leaving water behind - which is why, when Frosty walked into that greenhouse, I knew he wasn't going to come out alive. And I cried. I cried a lot. Frosty was just too good of a soul; he cared so much about Karen that he sacrificed his own holly, jolly life to keep her warm. And now he's dead, and Karen has to live with that guilt for the rest of her life. How many of your friends would melt for you?!
Karen, sobbing over the death of her best friend after he was taken down by a monster in a waistcoat.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that Frosty melting in that damn greenhouse caused mental anguish that has stayed with me throughout my life. OK, sure, Santa shows up at the end to drag the hell out of Professor Hinkle and bring Frosty back to life, but I was still curled up in a ball mourning his traumatic demise by the time that happened.
The whole situation forced me to think about death and rebirth, made me painfully aware of the devastating effects that climate change can cause, and taught me that magicians can be horrible people. I hope that anyone else who was personally victimized by Frosty's untimely death has been able to find some peace over the years, but if you haven't, just know that you're not alone. And if you need a good cry this holiday season, Frosty the Snowman will definitely get the waterworks flowing.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Could Have Been Better If This Character Had Died
Warning: spoilers for Star Wars: The Last Jedi ahead.
Overall, I loved the latest installment of the Star Wars franchise, The Last Jedi - but I've got a serious bone to pick with our newest Rebel hero, Rose Tico.
Let me first mention that, in general, I wasn't the world's biggest Finn fan after seeing both The Force Awakens and the first three quarters of The Last Jedi. I'm not not a fan, but for me, there are other characters who satisfy my hero itch (and my eye-candy itch - hello, buff Kylo Ren). Sure, it's honorable that Finn ran away from his life as a Stormtrooper after gaining a conscience, but once he became low-key obsessed with Rey, I kind of just waited for him to do something, anything, for the Resistance other than act in her favor or to save her life.
In Episode VIII, his storyline isn't much different - he attempts to run away from the Rebel fleet with Leia's remote tracker that would allow Rey to know where the Rebels were when she was ready to return, because he didn't want her to come back to a ship being tracked and hunted down by the First Order. After Rose, a Resistance ship maintenance worker, catches him in the act, stuns him, and inadvertently helps him solve the mystery of how to shut down the First Order's lightspeed tracker, Poe Dameron sends the pair on a mission to do just that. It's a difficult mission that Finn's happy to attempt if it means saving Rey's life - again (though The Last Jedi made it pretty clear that Rey doesn't actually need saving because she's the one doing the saving, thankyouverymuch).
Finn's actions, though honorable, are completely driven by Rey and not necessarily for the greater good of the Resistance.
Finn's actions, though honorable, are completely driven by Rey and not necessarily for the greater good of the Resistance.
That is, until the Resistance lands on Crait, where they attempt to send out a distress signal to the outer rim while fighting off Kylo Ren, General Hux, and the rest of the First Order, who have a huge-ass laser cannon that threatens to obliterate the Rebel fleet. Although Rey had made her reappearance by now - flying in Han Solo's Millenium Falcon with Chewie and leading the First Order fighters away from the janky ships her friends were piloting - Finn chooses this moment to make his first real, selfless decision for the Rebel cause: destroy the cannon by flying his ship into the mouth of it, thus sacrificing himself.
At this point, I'm sitting on the edge of my theater seat (figuratively though, because I was actually nestled way into the back of my chair, resisting putting my hands over my eyes), mouth wide open in shock as I watched Finn in his unflinching resolve head toward the cannon after Rose and the rest of the Rebels had already peeled away from the fight on Poe's orders. It's clear that nothing is going to stop him from making this ultimate sacrifice for his friends - until Rose freaking flies back toward him and knocks his rust-bucket out of the sky using her own ship.
Immediately, Jack Dawson's lines in the Titanic scene after Rose jumps out of the lifeboat started filling my head. "Rose! You're so stupid, why'd you do that, huh? You're so stupid, Rose! Why did you do that? WHY?!"
Like, are you f*cking kidding me, Rose?!
Finn was about to, for the first time, do something for the Rebel cause that made me truly respect him and his character - something that yes, would ultimately help Rey, but this time, the Resistance as a whole was put first, not just Rey's life. It's not like I wanted Finn dead, but if he had to die, this was certainly the most noble way to go (and not to mention would be an instance of one of our beloved heroes actually dying in the middle of a huge fight, instead of always narrowly and conveniently dodging death). His bold act would have completely redeemed him from what, in my mind, was a period of selfish actions and decisions solely in favor of Rey's survival.
As I said, I loved The Last Jedi, but if you need me, I'll be here tweeting at Rian Johnson to film an alternate to that scene in which Finn dies the ultimate hero.
8 Books That Remind Us of This Is Us
The well-loved NBC drama This Is Us has taught fans everywhere the art of ugly-crying, and we can't get enough. With a cast of deep characters, feel-good revelations, and heartbreaking storylines, it is no wonder fans of the show are obsessed. For anyone who craves more relatable stories about family and finding your way, we think these book picks will give you exactly what you're looking for.
I'm Sorry, but Ellen Deserved Way Better in Netflix's Christmas Inheritance
Netflix struck gold with their unintentionally hilarious original holiday romance, A Christmas Prince. Against all odds, it captivated audiences with its cheesy dialogue, fantasy royal family, entirely nonsensical plot, and heaping amounts of fake snow. When I saw that the streaming giant had another Christmas romance up its sleeve, A Christmas Inheritance, I decided not to fight the inevitable: I was going to watch this sure-to-be-terrible movie, whether I (or my two bottles of wine) wanted to or not. I regret to inform you that the movie, although it boasts a far better script and more established actors, disappoints for one annoying reason. Actually, a few reasons.
The romantic comedy tells the story of a smart, capable heiress named Ellen Langford (The 100's Eliza Taylor), who's about to inherit her father's gift company. That's right - a gift company, called Home and Hearth Gifts Incorporated. What exactly does a "gift" company sell? By the end of the movie I still hadn't figured that out. Anyway.
Even though Ellen is intelligent and has plenty of great ideas about how her father's company can grow, she's punished for her behavior at a charity event for Toys For Tots. A man attending the event offers to write her a massive check for the charity if she does a backflip across the room; she lands in a Christmas tree and the embarrassing photo dubbing her the "Party Heiress" is splashed all over New York City tabloids. Before she can take over the mysterious company (seriously, I have to know what they sell), her father forces her to prove her worth as a successor by delivering a special box of Christmas letters (Honestly, don't ask) to her dad's former partner, Zeke, in their small hometown, Snow Falls (a classic Winter romance movie town name, if I do say so myself).
Trailer for @MisElizaJane's new Netflix movie #ChristmasInheritance http://pic.twitter.com/n2nl1o5UQH
- Clexa Culture (@ClexaCulture) December 7, 2017
Her father takes away her credit cards and tells her that she isn't allowed to reveal who she really is to anyone in Snow Falls, since he wants to make sure she's not treated differently because of her famous family name. Her fiancé, a rude Wall Street businessman named Gray Pittman (Michael Xavier), is understandably annoyed - her ridiculous trip to Snow Falls cuts it extremely close to their scheduled Christmas vacation to Hawaii.
Regardless of the annoying trip, Ellen is dedicated to proving herself and heads to Snow Falls. It's there that she meets the manager of Zeke's bed and breakfast, Jake Collins (Zeke went on a spontaneous trip to the mountains and is nowhere to be found). Although he's played by very, very charming Girls actor Jake Lacy, Jake is, well . . . a huge d*ck. After a huge blizzard leaves her trapped in Snow Falls, a love triangle blossoms for Ellen when she finds herself falling for Jake, despite her fiancé back in NYC and the fact that Jake's hair looks like this:
It turns out that Jake once lived in New York City, too, where he was engaged to an accountant. But then one night around Christmas, she dumped him at dinner while "Silent Night" was playing in the restaurant. Now he has a hatred for 1.) the song "Silent Night," which he proves when he almost destroys a diner jukebox that's playing it, and 2.) women from New York City. Since Ellen is the latter, he gives her a tough time with just about everything, until she can prove to him that she's actually a nice person. Seems kinda judgmental for someone whose haircut is modeled after Anastasia's Dimitri, you know? Also, Ellen is a nice person, but Jake refuses to acknowledge it because she's committed the grave sin of being . . . from out of town.
Jake eventually starts to see just how nice Ellen is when she teams up with his aunt Debbie (Andie MacDowell) (Yes, Andie MacDowell is in this movie!) and helps save the Christmas Eve charity fundraiser he's organizing for Snow Falls. Later on, they share a private moment in the bed and breakfast's storeroom, where it's revealed Jake is an "artist." How do we know this? Because he's working on these sketches. Ellen thinks he's "very talented."
Girl, what?
These are on par with a series of paintings my little sister did in her fourth grade art class, which featured stick figures wearing comically large sombreros. Ellen - incredibly smart, kind, and savvy Ellen - is having to convince this guy that she is worthy of his time. OK. As if the terrible Santa drawings and his penchant for being mean to Ellen weren't enough to convince you how big of a jerk he is, he also attempts to put the moves on her IMMEDIATELY after she opens up to him about her mother's tragic death.
Ellen: My mom died when I was little and it completely destroyed me.
Jake: Is this the part where we're supposed to kiss?
They don't kiss, but poor Ellen, god love her, is still into this dude. But it's OK to have this emotional affair, because her fiancé Gray is a huge jerk. We're reminded of just how big of a jerk he really is when he inserts himself into this mess by coming to Snow Falls to demand Ellen leave to go on their expensive vacation to Hawaii (Patrick Dempsey in Sweet Home Alabama he is not).
He can tell there's something going on between Ellen and Jake straightaway, and he's not having it. Who can blame him? He's a wealthy businessman whose hair doesn't make him look like a pauper from a 1997 animated children's film. He doesn't understand, and in an effort to mess up her thing with Jake, tells him who Ellen really is. Jake might've judged her harshly for being from New York City, but finding out she's secretly been RICH this whole time infuriates him.
"This is why I left New York," he tells her. "Because of people like you." Kind, intelligent people who have shown over and over again how empathetic they are? C'mon Jake. Ellen, naturally, is devastated, especially because Jake refuses to deliver the letters to Zeke for her, and her future at the gift company is in jeopardy.
Gray, meanwhile, has given Ellen an ultimatum - leave with him to Hawaii, or they're over. She goes, but decides at the last second that her future life with her mean big city fiancé isn't for her. Instead, it's a life with a small town jerk that she's after! I know this is supposed to be a silly Christmas romance and I'm way too invested, but Ellen can do so much better than either of these guys.
She hops out of the car and into another blizzard (while wearing a skirt and stilettos, mind you) to race back to the Christmas Eve fundraiser. It turns out both Zeke and her father are there, who reveal they conspired this whole time to have Ellen be stranded in Snow Falls with no money in hopes that she would . . . learn about small town life? Fall in love with Jake? I truly don't know. She and Jake patch things up while Andie MacDowell sings in the background, and presumably live happily ever after.
A Christmas Prince might be one of the cheesiest romance movies I've ever endured, but its silly ending doesn't hold a candle to Christmas Inheritance. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go write a sequel to this movie that sees Ellen dumping Judgy Jake the day after the fundraiser, moving back to NYC, taking over her father's company, and becoming the successful HBIC CEO she deserves to be.
11 Disturbing Things You Notice While Watching The Santa Clause as an Adult
When I sat down to watch The Santa Clause recently, I expected to see the same funny, family-friendly Christmas classic I remembered loving in the '90s. Instead, I came away from viewing the holiday flick about Tim Allen reluctantly taking over Santa Claus's job with a whole bunch of new insights that soared way over my head as a kid.
There Was 1 Big Star Wars: The Last Jedi Easter Egg Hidden in Rogue One This Whole Time
There are a bunch of spoilers for Star Wars: The Last Jedi lurking below, FYI!
One of the major plot points in Star Wars: The Last Jedi involves the First Order acting like a bad Tinder date that just doesn't get the hint: no matter how many times the Republic's fleet appears to escape their ships via hyperspace, they just can't shake the enemy. Thanks to the brilliant minds of Finn and Rose Tico, they eventually come to the conclusion that the First Order has devised a way to track the resistance's starships through hyperspace travel, which was previously assumed to be impossible. While the concept might be new to the characters in The Last Jedi, there's another set of Star Wars personalities who were already (at least somewhat) aware of the possibility.
As pointed out by Reddit user rhodetolove, who clearly has a memory like a steel trap, the concept is actually first brought up in 2016's standalone Star Wars story, Rogue One. Jyn Erso is searching for the Death Star plans in one scene when she inadvertently stumbles upon other Empire files that detail something called "hyperspace tracking."
With the knowledge that the events in Rogue One precede those in A New Hope, it means the Galactic Empire has been working towards hyperspace tracking for quite some time. It's not until The Last Jedi, decades later, that they appear to have finally succeeded in their mission. Lucasfilm executive Pablo Hidalgo confirmed the retroactive Easter egg on Twitter with a screenshot of text that explains hyperspace tracking was first explored by the "Tarkin Initiative," a secret think tank put together by the Advanced Weapons Research division of the Galactic Empire's intelligence agency.
http://pic.twitter.com/0fgqFX8vy4
- Pablo Hidalgo (@pablohidalgo) December 18, 2017
Pretty cool, huh? At the very least, it's something else to think about other than Kylo Ren's shirtless scene.
18 Lavish Holiday Gifts Stars Have Received
Celebrities spare no expense when it comes to holiday gifts. Throughout the years, we've seen stars receive everything from massive engagement rings to giant cheese wheels (we're looking at you, Chrissy Teigen). In 2014, Justin Bieber treated himself to his own private jet, and who could forget Drake's stripper pole from 2012? At the end of the day, what's the point of having money if you can't spend it, right?
Want to Know What the Star Wars Cast Is Up To? Follow Them on Social Media!
Star Wars: The Last Jedi officially hits theaters on Dec. 15. But if you're like us and can't wait for the premiere, you can get your fix by following the cast on Twitter and Instagram. Sadly, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, and Adam Driver aren't on social media, but there are plenty of other stars who are, like John Boyega, Mark Hamill, and Lupita Nyong'o. Keep reading and get ready to click "follow."
Nobody Gets More Excited About Christmas Than Reese Witherspoon
In case you don't already know, Reese Witherspoon loves the holiday season, especially Christmas. Not only did she recently unveil a Draper James holiday collection in 2016, but the actress, who is best known as "Wreath Witherspoon" during the cold Winter months, also makes it a point to blow out the holiday as soon as Thanksgiving is over. In 2015, Reese posted a bright and festive Instagram photo of herself sitting by a plate of gingerbread cookies 24 days before Christmas, writing, "Never too early to wait for Santa ... Am I right?? #AnyMinuteNow." We can't say we don't admire her dedication. Sleigh on, Reese, sleigh on.
An Exhaustive Guide to the Complex Web of Characters in Netflix's Dark
Netflix's Dark, an intriguing sci-fi series that's been labeled with an unfair comparison to Stranger Things, weaves a complex, time-traveling mystery throughout its 10-episode first season. The show opens in 2019 and introduces a large group of characters, only to begin a series of flashbacks to two other time periods: 1953 and 1986. That means that while you're trying to solve the mystery of where when Mikkel Nielsen disappeared to, the pool of characters is only widening and getting more confusing.
If you have trouble keeping track of the 1953, 1986, and 2019 iterations of each major player, you're definitely not alone. To make things easier for you (and for ourselves, let's be honest), we went ahead and made a handy guide to who (and when) everyone is, for the characters who exist in multiple time periods. But be warned, this gallery gets more spoiler-y the further you scroll.
15 Times Kesha Proved She Was Back and Stronger Than Ever This Year
Kesha made a triumphant return to the spotlight this year after taking a five-year hiatus from music. Not only did she release her third studio album, Rainbow, but she also hit the road for the accompanying Rainbow tour. In addition to her music career, Kesha also seemed to focus more on expressing herself and making a difference in the world. In January, she joined a bevy of stars at the Women's March in LA and she even hosted a workshop in Texas to fight against cyberbullying two months later. Celebrate Kesha's monumental year by taking a look back at some of her best moments from 2017.
These Hilarious Harry Potter Comic Illustrations Will Have You in Tears
Image Source: Everett Collection
When we first read the absurd Harry Potter chapter written entirely by a predictive text bot, we thought it was the funniest thing that would ever come out of the Potter fandom - but, blessedly, we were wrong. Artist Megan Nicole Dong decided to illustrate the bot-written story, complete with overly friendly Death Eaters and a Hagrid pig. The hand-sketched illustrations capture precisely how hilarious the entire faux chapter is; Dong's drawings have us in tears!
Don't take our word for it - check out the entire series of illustrations below, then follow the artist on Twitter and Tumblr for more of her work.
I have to draw some moments from this bot-written Harry Potter chapter. #loudslowsoftbird https://t.co/YdKLyJd64o http://pic.twitter.com/3Xywuaa5uQ
- Megan Nicole Dong (@sketchshark) December 14, 2017
#mcgonagallslongpumpkins http://pic.twitter.com/G61vMd4n2d
- Megan Nicole Dong (@sketchshark) December 14, 2017
🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲👁👁💨💨 http://pic.twitter.com/zeLL8GNiOQ
- Megan Nicole Dong (@sketchshark) December 14, 2017
Ron's Ron shirt. So bad. http://pic.twitter.com/s5TajvI33z
- Megan Nicole Dong (@sketchshark) December 14, 2017
Stupid, handsome Ron. http://pic.twitter.com/ZsZMhjtBU3
- Megan Nicole Dong (@sketchshark) December 14, 2017
"BEEF WOMEN!" http://pic.twitter.com/ITfga49oSn
- Megan Nicole Dong (@sketchshark) December 14, 2017
Extremely polite Death Eater kisses. (I know that I basically drew Shy Guys) http://pic.twitter.com/02kWpI92qu
- Megan Nicole Dong (@sketchshark) December 14, 2017
That tall Death Eater who tried to neg Hermione with his clothes http://pic.twitter.com/3HGokhV9QX
- Megan Nicole Dong (@sketchshark) December 14, 2017
Dumbledore to #thePigofHufflepuff: "You are Hagrid now." http://pic.twitter.com/wk4rNh7pYe
- Megan Nicole Dong (@sketchshark) December 14, 2017
8 Photos of Meghan Markle and Her Mom That Prove They're 2 Peas in a Pod
Meghan Markle and her mom, Doria Ragland, have a bond unlike any other. From their adorable yoga sessions to their Summer BBQs to Meghan's sweet Instagram tributes, it's pretty clear that Doria ranks number one in Meghan's book. Most recently, Doria and Meghan's dad, Thomas, expressed their excitement over their daughter's engagement to Prince Harry in a joint statement through Kensington Palace, saying, "We are incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry. Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person. To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us as parents. We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are very excited for their future together." Keep reading for a look at Meghan and Doria's sweetest moments together.
30 Stars Who Are Turning 30 in 2018
For stars like Rihanna, Adele, and Emma Stone, 1988 was a huge year - because they were all born that year! It was also the year the world welcomed talented actors like Supergirl's Melissa Benoist and Harry Potter's very own ginger, Rupert Grint. Those are just a few names that might surprise you on our list of 30 celebs turning 30 in 2018. Read on to find out who's in good company while hitting their 30th birthday milestones ahead.
James Franco Plays Hot Santa in This Painfully Accurate Hallmark Parody
Though widely viewed and adored, Hallmark's original holiday movies can get a little formulaic. Like, why are they always starring the same actors? And wasn't that same exact gazebo featured in the last one? Saturday Night Live recently took on this holiday phenomenon in a spot-on skit starring James Franco.
The skit opens up with the following narration: "From the people who bring you one-sentence greeting cards comes 21 full-length original Christmas movies." In the first movie, Yes, Santa!, Chris Bearstick (Franco) portrays a young Santa Claus who pretty much encourages a woman to cheat on her workaholic fiancé. His other movie, Prince Santa, is just as ridiculous. All in all, the parody made us feel very exposed for our holiday entertainment preferences. Enjoy!
The Good, the Bad, and the Extremely Ugly: What Critics Are Saying About Bright
I have to hand it to Bright - the concept behind the film, which takes place in an alternate version of LA where orcs, fairies, and elves live alongside humans, genuinely intrigued me. The idea of Will Smith and Joel Edgerton playing a pair of mismatched cops - Daryl Ward (Smith), a human man, and Nick Jakoby (Edgerton), an orc - who must overcome their differences and their community's racism to keep a magic wand from getting into the hands of an evil elf (Noomi Rapace) was enough to make me stop and say, "You know what? I'll give this insane movie a shot."
Not to mention, Netflix poured a reported $90 million into the project led by Suicide Squad director David Ayer and screenwriter Max Landis and already greenlit a sequel. It couldn't bomb that hard, could it? According to some critics: yes, yes it could. There have been some positive responses to Bright so far, sure, but on the whole, the critiques have been damning. See exactly what they're saying below.
The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter's John DeFore called the fantasy-gritty cop mashup "plenty embarrassing" and said that it's "awkward enough to make Cowboys & Aliens look like a stroke of genius." He added: "Stars Will Smith and Joel Edgerton play it mostly straight here, doing their part to sell the dopey premise, but the screenplay offers viewers little reward for our own suspension of disbelief. The supernatural elements are so poorly explained and implemented they make us wish we were watching some generic reality-based policier instead."
The Wrap
The Wrap's Todd Gilchrist did not mince words: "If this new Netflix production exemplifies Ayer's creativity unfettered by major-studio interference, I'll take a lousy DC movie over . . . whatever this is any day of the week. Astoundingly bad in virtually every way, Bright shares in common several of the shortcomings of Ayer's previous film, including conspicuous evidence of desperate efforts to cobble its under-explained and yet somehow overcomplicated mythology into something coherent."
IndieWire
IndieWire's David Erlich put it bluntly: "There's boring, there's bad, and then there's Bright, a movie so profoundly awful that Republicans will probably try to pass it into law over Christmas break. From the director of Suicide Squad and the writer of Victor Frankenstein comes a fresh slice of hell that somehow represents new lows for them both - a dull and painfully derivative ordeal that that often feels like it was made just to put those earlier misfires into perspective. The only thing more predictable than this high-concept police story is the idea that a year as punishing as 2017 would save the worst for last."
The Guardian
If you're one of the few who enjoyed Bright, you're not alone. The Guardian's Steve Rose commended the film for taking risks, saying, "For all its flaws, Bright is still a headlong leap into a bracingly different new world. Cinema could do with more of that." He also praised Edgerton's performance, writing that he "gives his orc character a credible blend of timidity, dignity and inner turmoil."
Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair's Jordan Hoffman wrote of the film's potential to ruin Netflix's big Hollywood debut. "There is a whiff of an interesting idea in there, but it is buried in tedious scenes lacking clear direction, endless generic (and poorly lit) shoot-outs, and cringeworthy sequences of allegedly witty banter. This movie is an absolute wreck - which is unfortunate, as it is also something of a big debut for Netflix's original-films shingle."
Los Angeles Times
Noel Murray of the Los Angeles Times called it "less than thrilling" and questioned its sequel potential. "It's hard to imagine Bright inspiring anyone to want to see or make a full-blown series of films. Aside from a few nifty ideas and the occasional amusing or exciting scene, this film is a chore."
Vulture
Vulture's Emily Yoshida took issue with the film's choice to merely skim the surface when it came to exploring its racial undertones (even if that was for the best). "Bright turns out to be more interested in its mythrilpunk world-building than any kind of social commentary, which is a good thing, because while it is so-so at the former (the plot holes in this thing), it is clearly out of its depth with the latter," she wrote.
Fortune
Fortune's Scott Mendelson declared Bright "a giant Christmas/Hanukah gift from Netflix to the major studios" since it shows the streaming giant might not be as big of a threat to them as they think. "Congratulations, Netflix!" he writes. "You can make a visually grotesque, dreadfully dull and hopelessly convoluted would-be franchise action movie just as well as the stereotypical Hollywood machine!"
Variety
Variety's Peter Debruge was a huge fan of the daring genre bender. "Bright is the best Netflix original movie to date, and it absolutely deserves to be seen on the big screen, though don't let that stop you from watching it home, as End of Watch director David Ayer's welcome return to the cop-movie genre - following a disastrous wrong turn into Suicide Squad territory, of which we will say no more - fills an intense, grown-up movie niche that Hollywood once did so well, but has since replaced with formula-driven product."
2017's Sexiest Bikini Moments Are Guaranteed to Keep You Warm All Through Next Year
Stars like Fergie and Hilary Duff kicked off the year by hitting the beach, while the Kardashian-Jenner clan enjoyed the warmer temperatures of Mexico, Costa Rica, and Cannes. From the beach days of Britney Spears and Bella Hadid to Emily Ratajkowski's perfect pool days, we were blessed with so many hot bikini moments this year.
17 Photos of the Stark Siblings That Prove Blood Is Thicker Than Water
Game of Thrones has taken so much from the Stark family, but we have a feeling that no matter what other horrible things may happen in Westeros, nothing will be able to fully break them. Despite parents Ned and Catelyn being killed off a long time ago, as well as Robb (Richard Madden) and Rickon (Art Parkinson), their remaining children have never stopped loving each other (despite being separated by wars and thousands of miles). And it turns out that their bond is just as strong in real life.
Sansa (Sophie Turner), Arya (Maisie Williams), Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright), and "bastard" Jon Snow (Kit Harington) - who isn't Ned's son, but nobody really knows yet - love getting together outside of work. Whether they're hitting a red carpet or just relaxing on a Friday night, we love their sibling-like bond. Keep scrolling to see some of their best moments together (some also feature more familiar Game of Thrones faces).
This Black Mirror Season 4 Episode Has One Hell of a Cast
When Black Mirror drops its fourth season on Netflix in early 2018, one episode that is sure to have people talking is "USS Callister," which pays homage to the early iterations of Star Trek with its fictional show Space Fleet. At least, that's what the episode appears to be about. With Black Mirror, looks can be deceiving.
But until the episode premieres, it would be good to familiarize yourself with the cast. There are a couple bigger names, like Jesse Plemons and Cristin Milioti, but what about the supporting characters? We're here to help you figure out where else you've seen your favorite Space Fleet crew member.
40 Steamy Songs That Probably Made It Onto Your Sex Playlist This Year
Whether you were getting down with yourself or a significant other (or, hey, even a stranger - we don't judge), there were a ton of songs that had sex-playlist potential this year. From newcomers like SZA and Gallant to musical mainstays like Ed Sheeran, Demi Lovato, and Kendrick Lamar, we've rounded up the steamy tunes that had us fanning ourselves in 2017. Scroll through to see them all now, then press play on our Spotify playlist at the end.
13 Famous Guys Who Have Had Eyes For Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten Dunst is pregnant with her first child, and her big news - and recent engagement to Fargo costar Jesse Plemons - has us thinking about the other famous dudes she dated before settling down. Most of us remember her high-profile relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal, but there are a few other romances that flew under the radar. Keep reading to see all the guys who had eyes for Kirsten.
Essie's Latest Nail Polish Collection Was Made For Practicing Your Princess Wave
A fresh manicure can take your mood from zero to 100, but the latest nail polish colors from Essie will make you feel like a straight-up princess.
The brand is releasing six new Gel Couture shades ($12), all inspired by romance and royalty. Its enchanted new lineup features creamy, opaque hues that deliver salon-quality results at home. Just apply two coats of polish, finish with the Gel Couture top coat, and - voilà! - you'll have a magical, long-lasting mani.
While we love the longevity of Gel Couture polishes, the stunning colors are what have us hyped as hell. You can take a cue from Kate Middleton, Queen Elizabeth II, and Duchess-to-Be Meghan Markle and opt for a classic pink, like Matter of Fiction. But if you're fond of Cinderella's ballgown blue, metallics, and vampy hues, you'll also find a color in the new range that fits you like a crown.
Rita Remark, Essie's global lead educator, told us via email that she's personally smitten with Good Knight (blackened plum) and Princess Charming (neutral mauve-pink). "With another royal wedding around the corner, the timing [of this new collection] couldn't be more charmed!" she added. And Rita's right - we could totally see Meghan rocking a shade similar to Princess Charming down the aisle next Spring.
Luckily, you don't have to be an actual princess to get in on the magic. The entire collection is available to snag now on Amazon. Ahead, you can get a better look at each shade and see them swatched on different complexions. In the meantime, we'll be here practicing our royal waves before our next manicures.
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