Let’s be real. You cut the cord and switched to YouTube TV to simplify your life, but with the base plan now sitting at $82.99 a month, that initial promise of “cheap TV” is starting to feel a little heavy. The service is robust, sure—but when you hit a paywall for a buzzy new vampire show or a sci-fi horror hit you’re dying to see, clicking “subscribe” feels riskier than it used to. Are these add-ons actually worth pushing your monthly bill toward the triple digits? Spoiler alert: Only one of them is a “must-have” for movie buffs, while the other is strictly for the superfans.
Here is the breakdown of whether AMC+ and MGM+ are worth the extra squeeze on your wallet.
In a world where multitasking has become second nature, audiobooks are the perfect companion. Whether you’re commuting, working out, or winding down at night, Audible has transformed the way we consume stories and knowledge. And while Audible offers different membership tiers, Audible Premium Plus stands out as the ultimate choice for book lovers who want both flexibility and value.
Golf Up for Xbox is meant to be a lighthearted golfing experience enjoyed with friends and family, but it ultimately falls short in several key areas. While the ability to play with up to four players and the various game modes, particularly Tournament mode, do offer some social fun, numerous flaws hamper the overall experience.
If you’ve ever dreamed of being a superhero, then Ben 10, from Outright Games, on Xbox is your chance to step into the shoes of the beloved Ben Tennyson. I recently had the pleasure of diving into this action-packed adventure, and let me tell you—it’s a blast from start to finish.
Beavis and Butt-Head are back and stupider than ever. The new series Mike Judge’sBeavis and Butt-Head is here! Read on for more details and watch the first full episode of this Paramount+ show for free.
To celebrate the past 25 years of pop culture, Entertainment Weekly released a new book entitled The Must List. Is this compact hardback book worthy of sitting on your coffee table? Watch my video review to find out:
WWE 50 is a beautifully-bound hardback book that celebrates 50 years of the most iconic company in the history of sports entertainment. Below is my video review of WWE 50. The book comes out March 31 and you can buy it here.
When recently speaking with Michael Des Barres, he recommended that my girlfriend and I watch his latest movie, California Solo, so we did. The film, starring Robert Carlyle, premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and went on to win several awards at other film festivals. After watching the movie, I’m not surprised it received such acclaim. It’s a terrific character study about an endearing former rock star I couldn’t help but feel for. Carlyle’s ability to convey MacAldonich’s internal and external struggles was mesmerizing. Even when he didn’t speak a word, his body language said everything. As expected, Des Barres’ role as the former manager of MacAldonich’s dissolved band was delightfully charming. And at one hour and 35 minutes, this movie doesn’t overstay its welcome. I highly recommend you check it out.
Synopsis
Lachlan MacAldonich is former Britpop rocker who has settled into a comfortably numb existence in farm country just outside Los Angeles. By day, he works on an organic farm and travels regularly to the city’s farmers’ markets to sell produce. By night, he retreats to his crummy apartment to record “Flame-Outs,” his podcast that recounts the tragic deaths of great musicians. The only spark in his humdrum existence is Beau, a lovely struggling actress and amateur chef who frequents the Silver Lake farmers’ market.
One night, Lachlan gets pulled over for a DUI, a charge that dredges up his past drug offense and threatens him with deportation. Lachlan’s only hope of staying in the U.S. is proving that his removal would cause “extreme hardship” to a U.S. citizen spouse or relative. Lachlan contacts his estranged ex-wife and daughter, raising past demons that he must finally confront.
California Solo is a human story about post-fame life and personal redemption.
I recently met one of my favorite thriller writers for the second time: Harlan Coben. With more than 50 million books in print and his last five consecutive novels debuting at the top of The New York Times Bestseller list, Coben is one of the most successful and skillful authors. He rose to fame with Tell No One, which was turned into an award-winning foreign film, and Coben is also well known for his popular Myron Bolitar novels. If you enjoy thrillers or mysteries in any capacity, I urge you to pick up one of his books. They’re tremendous.
But back to the book signing. So there I was at Barnes & Noble with my girlfriend, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Harlan Coben. I was telling her about his sense of humor and how he doesn’t read from his books during these events. My goal was to make sure she understood this was not going to be a boring book signing. Having read three of his books prior to going, I had a feeling she would leave with a greater appreciation of the man and his work.
When Harlan was introduced, I cringed as the book seller butchered Myron Bolitar’s name calling the fictional character Byron Molitar. It’s a strange name, no doubt about it. But either she or the person who typed up the sheet she read off of mercilessly destroyed Myron’s name. Who’s to blame? The world may never know.
Upon his arrival, Coben was met with a wave of applause and he shared the good news that Hugh Jackman is set to appear in the film adaptation of his new novel Six Years. Considering the book just came out, I though it was a heck of an accomplishment. Coben went on to say, “Working with Hollywood is like being separated by a barbed-wire fence. I throw the books over and they throw the money over. Then we both run in opposite directions. Until I’m at the movie premiere, I won’t believe it’s real.”
One of the most interesting pieces of information to come out of the evening was Coben’s criteria for what makes a good writer. “You need to have three things: inspiration, perspiration and desperation.” By this he meant, first and foremost a writer needs an idea to write about, following by a strong work ethic. Moreover, Coben feels that writers like himself are fearful of “having to work a real job” if their writing fails. This is where the desperation comes in. “I’m not fit to do anything other than write,” Coben said as fits of laughter echoed through the room.
I had the opportunity to ask Coben a question during the Q&A portion of the event, and he graciously answered. It was about his thoughts on audiobooks, and he went on to tell us about his experience narrating one of his own books. “The producer in the studio told me to slow down and that I didn’t understand the characters. I wrote the characters,” Coben said with a chuckle. He also spent a great deal of time with fans signing books, answering questions, listening to their stories and posing for photos. There’s a reason why I go see Harlan Coben when he’s nearby. Not only is he a great author, he’s a great person. Similar to Lisa Scottoline, he’s genuine. If Coben comes to your neck of the woods, make it a point to attend. You’ll enjoy yourself.
