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SAVE $50: As of April 9, get the Ultimate Ears Epicboom portable speaker for $299.99 at Amazon. That's $50 off its normal price of $349.99 and a discount of 14%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ultimate Ears Epicboom portable speaker $299.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Planning on going camping or spending some quality time outside now that it's warmer? Why not take your favorite tunes with you? A portable speaker is a great way to make sure you can take the party with you wherever you go, even if said "party" is just you relaxing and listening to 1989 (Taylor's Version) while eating some trail mix. One particularly great option that can handle lumps and bumps of travel is on sale right now, and it offers some seriously excellent sound.

As of April 9, the Ultimate Ears Epicboom portable speaker is just $299.99 at Amazon, down from its normal price of $349.99. That's $50 off and a discount of 14%.

This is one of your best bets if you're planning on spending time outdoors where your speaker could take a tumble or two. It can weather that and a lot more thanks to its rugged exterior. It also sports a bass-heavy woofer with a 360-degree design and two high-frequency transductors that translate to excellent sound. In fact, Mashable's SaVanna Shoemaker praised the speaker for its "impressive sound quality" and simple setup in her review.

With a 17-hour battery life and thick, waterproof construction, this speaker can handle just about any situation, making it the perfect companion for outdoor treks. It's even better now that it's been discounted, so if you need a good outdoor guest to bring along on your next excursion, this could be the one.

GET A FREE $10 TARGET GIFT CARD: Purchase a $50 gift card to Panera Bread, AMC Theatres, or Regal Cinemas and get a free $10 Target gift card.

Opens in a new window Credit: Target $10 Target gift card Free with purchase of select $50 gift cards Get Deal

As the cost of living creeps higher with each passing day, every bit of savings helps. During Target Circle Week you can save up to 40% on toys, tech, home goods, and more through April 13 — and there's a deal for today only where you'll score some extra funds for purchasing gift cards from some of your favorite retailers.

As of April 9, Target Circle members will receive a free $10 Target gift card when purchasing a $50 gift card to Panera Bread, AMC Theaters, or Regal Cinemas. Note that this deal is available today only. Target Circle membership is free to join and means you'll get special price offers and accrue rewards through Target purchases.

SEE ALSO: Get ready to save: Target Circle Week is back with discounts of up to 40%

If you're a cinephile, grabbing a $50 gift card to either movie theater chain will get you a couple of movie tickets and the necessary popcorn and candy to enjoy during your film. Alternatively, grab this gift card to give as a thoughtful present to the movie-lover in your life — and get a free $10 gift card to use on your next Target purchase as a little gift to yourself.

The deal also extends to $50 Panera Bread gift cards, a staple for a wholesome meal on the go, Panera has locations across the country should you be hungry for soup, sandwiches, or a combo of both.

Remember, this deal on some extra Target cash with the purchase of a $50 gift card ends today, but Target Circle Week deals will keep popping up through April 13.

TL;DR: Watch the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're still only in the early stages of the 2024 MotoGP calendar, but it's already looking like an exciting and unpredictable season. You never know who is going to win the next race (unlike F1), which is exactly what fans love. Every race weekend throws some surprises your way.

If you're interested in watching the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas?

The Grand Prix of the Americas takes place at Circuit of the Americas. The 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas race starts at 8 p.m. BST on April 14.

How to watch the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas for free

Every MotoGP 2024 race is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ServusTV by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria

4. Connect to ServusTV

5. Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees. By leveraging these money-back guarantees, you can watch MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas without actually spending anything.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for MotoGP?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking free streaming platforms like ServusTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas for free with ExpressVPN.

Most apps have taken TikTok's lead, trying to imitate the winning vertical video format. But TikTok is also making its own attempts, developing a direct competitor to Instagram – and leaking the name of the forthcoming app in the process.

Users have discovered that the Instagram rival is likely named TikTok Notes, according to screenshots shared by eagle-eyed viewers. Some users have received pop-up notifications directing them to post photos on TikTok Notes, alerting TikTokkers that these will also be shown on "a new app for photo posts". However, users seemingly have the option to not share these posts on the upcoming app. The message from TikTok reads: "Your existing and future public TikTok photo posts will be shown on TikTok Notes."

Tweet may have been deleted

News of TikTok's photo app came last month, through another leak. References to "TikTok Photos" came in the back-end code of the TikTok app. It seems now that the tentative name has been changed, as TikTok is launching its foray into the photo-sharing space more affirmatively.

SEE ALSO: LinkedIn is testing a TikTok-like video feed

As Mashable's Christianna Silva reported, "We don't know if TikTok's attempt to copy Instagram will work as well as Instagram's copycat playbook has. But the app is pulling out all the stops to maintain its hold — and relevancy — on U.S. users."

Millions of people made pilgrimage to the cities within the total solar eclipse track today, praying for clear skies at the moment the moon would briefly evict the sun from the heavens. 

But a few shadow chasers didn't want to risk the April showers, and instead booked a flight that all but promised an unobstructed view above the clouds.

SEE ALSO: That iconic Trump meme may save eyes this solar eclipse

When Delta Airlines offered me one of about 200 seats on its A321neo commercial airplane from Dallas to Detroit on Apr. 8, I agreed for the opportunity to report on this historical space event — the last total solar eclipse to touch the U.S. mainland for the next 20 years, according to NASA. But it wasn't an immediate "yes" from me. As a chronic sufferer of motion sickness, the idea of combining vertigo with a work deadline at 30,000 feet seemed like the recipe for a really memorable panic attack. 

Tweet may have been deleted

But my mind kept going back to a conversation with Jenna Samra, a solar physicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. She had conducted research on an airplane during the 2017 solar eclipse and would be flying a telescope again this time to survey the sun's corona in infrared light. Her journey aboard a Gulfstream V jet, run by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, would take her even higher, to 45,000 feet. 

Despite having had this rare opportunity, Samra admitted she had not actually looked at the eclipse — not even once. In fact, instead of telling me about her own encounter with totality, she described the screams of other passengers ricocheting through the metal airborne tube while she locked her eyes on a computer screen. Those precious three minutes of data — captured in the darkness — gave her a thesis. 

Did she feel regret, I wondered, working through the peak moment, rather than experiencing it for herself? 

Shadow chasers avoided rainy weather by taking a Delta flight into the path of totality. Credit: Delta

"I think no," she told me. "I definitely want to be in the air because there will definitely be an eclipse in the air. As far as 'seeing' it or 'not seeing' it, that's somewhat under my control." 

A deep-seated desire for control? Yeah, I can identify with that.

Total solar eclipses happen somewhere around the globe about every two years, but it takes an average 375 years for one of these celestial coincidences to recur in the same place. 

This will be the last total solar eclipse to touch the U.S. mainland for the next 20 years. Credit: Delta

The main event is the milky light of the sun's corona. Because the face of the sun is a million times brighter, this swaddle of super-hot gas is normally bleached out of the sky. Only when the moon completely blocks the sun from Earth does the corona emerge, spilling beyond the moon's rim into space. 

Despite all that we've learned about the cosmos, there are still enigmas right here in our planetary neighborhood, like why the ever-present corona is so much hotter than the sun itself. These mysteries are what beckon humanity to look up. They unify us in our yearning for answers. They also remind us of our smallness — our fundamental blippiness in the universe. 

Never wanting to turn down a reporting assignment, I packed my motion sickness tablets and spent the entire weekend before the flight working myself into a frenzy. But if Samra could get a thesis out of her three minutes in darkness, surely I could cobble a good story out of four.

Tweet may have been deleted

As Delta passengers at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport arrived at the gate on Monday, the airline greeted them with a massive balloon archway and baskets of solar eclipse safety glasses. Jeanne Walker tried to balance a pair of the cardboard solar viewers on her dog Maddigan, who travels with her and her husband, John Walker. Jeanne, who came from Colorado, was glad she would have the window seat. 

"She's a good sharer," John said. 

"Not today," she said slyly. 

Julie Anderson, who brought along her three sons, James, Justin, and Jeffrey, said she sort of sprang the trip on her family. 

"I told their principals that we were missing school days for something epic, but I didn't say what it was," she said. 

Among the swag, Delta gave passengers SunChips and Moon Pies to enjoy during the eclipse. Credit: Delta

For the eclipse flight, Delta worked with the Federal Aviation Administration to design a flight path with special turns in the air allowing passengers on both sides of the aircraft to get optimal views. The plane ascended, and passengers broke out the complimentary snacks — SunChips and Moon Pies, of course — and watched the flight tracker on the seat backs to see where we were in the air. We would intercept the eclipse over Northeast Arkansas toward Southeast Missouri, said Warren Weston, a Delta meteorologist on the flight.

A boy enjoys the view with his protective solar eclipse glasses. Credit: Delta

After the so-called "first contact," when the moon began the great shuffle in front of the sun, the main cabin gradually fell dim. Passengers who had clutched their solar eclipse glasses like rosaries started to put them on. 

The mood shifted. Suddenly, I felt a primal urge to thump my chest and beat a drum as I scanned the sky with my eclipse glasses for bright light. The pilot, Captain Alex Howell, said he would tilt the plane so the sun would drop down into our field of view. 

There it was. I found the sun, but not totality. I could see an orange sliver peeking out, shaped like a fingernail. There was no glorious halo of white light.

Though passengers on the Delta flight that departed from Austin, Texas, saw the corona, most people on the flight from Dallas only saw a partial eclipse from the sky. Credit: Delta

"That was it," a woman from somewhere behind me said. "We've passed it." 

I didn't know what to do, other than laugh with Kasey Stiles, who sat beside me. Stiles told me she had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer a month ago. Since then, she had been traveling and crossing things off the proverbial bucket list. Seeing the eclipse was one of them.

She wasn't disappointed — life is full of things you can't plan for. Her mind was already somewhere else, thinking about her next excursion to Niagara Falls. She and her travel companion, Drew Heilman, were about to hop in a rental car and begin the drive.

"I mean, what can you do?" she said. "It's not for not trying."

You can watch Mashable Space Reporter Elisha Sauers on her solar eclipse flight on Mashable's X/Twitter or Instagram.

TL;DR: Stream Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women in a UEFA EURO 2025 qualifier for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

UEFA EURO 2025 will bring together some of the best international women's team in the world, but there isn't enough room for everyone. Qualification is always tough, and some very good teams will not make it. What's clear is that every qualification fixture is crucial.

If you want to watch Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women?

Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women kicks off at 7:30 p.m. BST on April 9. This fixture takes place at the Aviva Stadium.

How to watch Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women for free

Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women will be broadcast live on ITV1, with coverage starting from 7 p.m. BST on April 9. You can also live stream this fixture for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK. This process makes it look like you're connecting from the UK, so you can access ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ITVX to watch live football by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Stream Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

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 ITVX without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There's a lot more to gaming than sitting on your backside. It's about finely-honed skill, next-level visuals, and total immersion. And it's about having the right hardware. Specifically, a top-rated gaming monitor.

Monitors get better and better as technology advances. And it’s possible to get a solid gaming monitor for a low price. Then again, serious gamers want all the bells and whistles that more expensive monitors offer. Prepare yourself. Things can get pricey.

We've done our bit to help by researching some of the best monitors available, picking at a range of price points so there's something for every budget. But first, here's some useful information to help you choose a monitor.

What kind of gaming monitor do you need?

This depends on what kind of gaming you’ll be doing. For some, visuals are the most important part of a gaming monitor. These shoppers may want to go large-screen, and for something uber immersive, such as a curved screen. High resolution will be the key here. Some gamers prefer an ultra-wide monitor, but we think that awesome audio is also important to compliment a beautiful display. What’s cooler than a monitor that enables you to hear different noises from the game from different locations?

E-sports players, pro gamers, or those looking for something to enable multiplayer gaming will want to go with a monitor that supports high-speed gaming. While all the monitors we’ve included on this list work at great speeds, the best one for this type of player might be the ViewSonic Elite, which doesn’t compromise on speed or visuals. 

How big are gaming monitors?

Size is an important thing to nail down from the start. What size display do you want? How much desk space do you have? What's your budget? Usually, the bigger displays are on the more expensive side. Also, bigger isn't always better. Most monitors on this list are around the 27-inch mark, but it's possible to get bigger.

What resolution are gaming monitors?

The higher the resolution your display can produce, the higher pixel count, which creates better visual detail and clarity. You'll want something that is at least 1080p Full HD, but if you want the very best quality, aim for 4K. For something in between, there's 1440p, otherwise known as Quad HD.

What is refresh rate in gaming monitors?

This measures the number of times your monitor can refresh an image per second. If you have a good GPU in your PC, you should be able to handle a smooth frame rate, and can go for a high Hertz count. 144Hz is a good middle ground.

What does response time mean?

Response time is a measurement of how much time a pixel needs to go from black to white. When it comes to gaming, this will mostly affect camera movement — the lower the response time, the less motion blur you'll experience during gameplay. Response time is measured in milliseconds. Aim for a monitor with a response time of around 1 millisecond.

Do you need Adaptive Sync?

Adaptive Sync comes at no extra cost in most monitors, so it's important to make sure your chosen display includes it. AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync are some of the more common versions, and prevent screen tearing while you play.

What are the best gaming monitors?

All the monitors we have lined up are spectacular, but we wanted to include monitors that span all price points, as well as monitors for different types of gamers. So you’ll find something for everyone and every budget in this list. With every choice, we kept resolution, refresh rate, and key features in mind.

These are the best gaming monitors in 2024.

Monday's solar eclipse brought with it plenty of media buzz, but during his Late Show monologue Stephen Colbert drew particular attention to Fox News' over-the-top coverage — and the network's decision to use the eclipse to try and scare viewers on the topic of immigration.

"Oh yes. Immigrants in dark clothing are using the eclipse to sneak across the border," says Colbert in the clip above. "They won't get another opportunity like that...until night."

He also took some jabs at a fan-made Trump video which shows the sun being eclipsed by a giant silhouette of the former president's head.

"That is a hell of a campaign message," Colbert says before launching into his Trump impression. "I will bring darkness upon the Earth, blocking out all the light-giving warmth, driving the animals to stark madness."

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: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 9 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 9

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, April 9, 2024:

AcrossMusic genre with Jamaican origins

• The answer is ska.

Sound of spring?

• The answer is boing.

"Sesame Street" character who sings "Dance Myself to Sleep"

• The answer is Ernie.

Religious offshoot groups

• The answer is sects.

What you might use to test the temperature of a bath

• The answer is toe.

Down"Well, ___ you asked …"

The answer is since.

Work with yarn and needles

• The answer is knit.

Years and years

• The answer is best.

First word of every Oscars category

• The answer is ages.

Black-and-white froyo topping

• The answer is oreo.

The solar eclipse was the big event on Monday, but Jon Stewart had other things on his mind.

After joking about it at the start of his Daily Show monologue, the host used the event to segue into another milestone — the fact the war in Gaza is now six months old.

"As the war has grinded on, justice is beginning to seem more like cruelty," says Stewart in the clip above. "But not to worry: America, shining city on a hill, is on the case with our universal values."

Stewart proceeds to play clips of various U.S. politicians condemning the weaponisation of food, the repression of journalists, and the taking of land by Russia in Ukraine, before using completely different language to describe similar things happening in Gaza.

"The verbal gymnastics that the American government must undertake so as not to offend the delicate sensibilities of a country we provide most of the weapons for is...gah!" says Stewart. "What the **** are we doing here? The subtext of all this is America knows this is wrong, but it apparently doesn't have the courage to say it in a straightforward manner."

Every wild experience needs some ambiance. 

The Ultimate Ears Epicboom speaker ($349.99) is a portable Bluetooth speaker that can provide the music for even your most rough-and-tumble outdoor adventures. Featuring a bass-heavy woofer, two high-frequency transductors, and a 360-degree design, the speaker is deceptively powerful, clear, and loud for its size and portability.

With a 55-meter range, long battery life, and optional Outdoor Boost, it’s also really thoughtfully designed for outdoor use. Not to mention, it’s waterproof, drop-proof, dust-resistant, and it floats.

Here are my thoughts after testing the speaker (although unfortunately, considering I was very pregnant and it was peak winter during my testing period, it didn’t involve any grand adventures).

SEE ALSO: The best wireless headphones for every budget Setup and connectivity

The Epicboom had by far the easiest, most straightforward setup process of any Bluetooth audio player I’ve ever used — speakers, Echo devices, earbuds, you name it. 

After unboxing and downloading the app, I was streaming music on the speaker in about 60 seconds. I was able to connect directly to Spotify from the app and there are options to connect to other apps like Amazon Music and Apple Music as well.

Testing the UE Epicboom’s controls

The controls on the speaker are also really straightforward. The top control panel features the power, Bluetooth, play/pause, and Outdoor Boost controls. (Outdoor Boost increases the sound by one decibel, increasing the volume and helping it to project further when outside.)

You can't miss the volume buttons on this bad boy. Credit: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable

And while the speaker itself looks like something you might see hanging on stage at your local megachurch, the “cross” is actually two oversized volume buttons: up (+) and down (-). 

You can also control all aspects of the speaker directly from the app, including power and Outdoor Boost, so you don’t have to physically walk over to the speaker every time you want to tweak something. The app features additional sound settings, too, including access to a full equalizer if you want to really customize your sound. I kept the Adaptive EQ setting enabled and everything sounded fine to my ears. 

The little tree button on the speaker turns Outdoor Boost on and off. Credit: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable Sound that’s, well, epic

Before we get into this section, I want to confess that I am not an audiophile. However, I have tested and reviewed several different audio devices before, so I’m developing a decent ear.

This speaker produces a truly impressive sound. I hate to be cliche, but it’s buttery smooth. The bass really reverberates, especially when you have Outdoor Boost activated. It’s also a very clear sound — even outside. With its 360-degree design, you also get the same sound quality wherever you are in relation to the speaker.

If you’re used to listening to music on your phone, giving your favorite songs a listen on this speaker will be almost like listening to them for the first time again. Listening to music on this speaker was truly a pleasure. 

I also listened to some podcasts and audiobooks using the speaker. I really appreciate just how loud it can get. During evening chores, my phone is quickly drowned out by our roaring dishwasher, along with all the sounds that happen naturally in a home with young children. Unfortunately, tuning them out with headphones isn’t an option.

However, this speaker allowed me to listen comfortably without needing to wait to start the dishwasher until right before bed. Maybe I need a new dishwasher. In the meantime, this speaker is a good solution.

SEE ALSO: Our 5 favorite noise-cancelling headphones that actually work Built with durability in mind

According to Ultimate Ears, this speaker is TOUGH. It’s waterproof (and it even floats!) and it’s been drop-tested from one meter with no damage.

I wasn’t brave enough to toss mine in the bathtub or push it off of my dining table, but I will say that it’s really well-made. It’s heavy for its size, and you can tell it’s made from high-quality materials. Nothing about this device says “cheap.”

The strap is also really thick and securely placed. I would absolutely feel comfortable hanging this speaker at a campsite or on a boat.

The carrying strap is durable and secure. Credit: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable

It also has a 17-hour battery life according to the Ultimate Ears website, so it can DJ through a full day (or more) of adventures without needing a recharge.

Is the Ultimate Ears Epicboom speaker worth it?

This speaker is a great investment… for the right person. If you spend a lot of time outdoors — camping, boating, or even just hanging out in your backyard — and you want a speaker that will hold up well while providing the oomph you want from your music, this is your speaker.

However, at $349.99, it is a pretty hefty investment. That price puts it in range with Sonos products and well above the cost of portable speakers from Bose, Sony, and JBL. If your main purpose for a Bluetooth speaker isn’t outdoor activities where it might get dropped, covered in dirt, or submerged in water, you can certainly find something less expensive with still-decent sound quality. Or look for the Epicboom on sale — we've seen it drop to $299.99 at Amazon.

As for me, the Ultimate Ears Epicboom Speaker will definitely be accompanying me on my next camping trip.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Epicboom speaker $349.99 at Amazon
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If you saw our coverage last week concerning the Galaxy S24 Ultra's touchscreen issues you may have thought, "Huh, those users should just upgrade to the latest model: the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra."

While those users may avoid those touchscreen problems with the new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, they're not in the clear when it comes to problems with their device, particularly when it comes to the camera.

Reports of Galaxy S24 Ultra camera issues are piling up

Since the latest generation of Samsung Galaxy smartphones launched earlier this year, some users have been dealing with ongoing camera issues with the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

As TechRadar pointed out, Android users have been reporting that there are white balance and overexposure problems, "abnormal" red colors showing up in camera, and degradation issues with telephoto imagery.

Tweet may have been deleted

Now, Samsung insider @UniverseIce reports that an upcoming update will deal with those issues.

"Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will improve many camera problems in the next 'camera firmware update,' including telephoto image quality, inaccurate white balance and abnormal red color," they said while noting there is no schedule yet for when this latest update will be released.

Mashable reviewed the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and didn't notice these problems with our device. However, it affected enough users that Samsung has issued updates in an attempt to fix the problems – twice before.

TechRadar reports that a February update "improved shutter speed, video clarity, and automatic exposure and color selections." Another update in March "included more improvements to camera quality and usability." That last update fixed the white balance issues for some users — but not all. 

I guess Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra users will see if a third time's the charm with this next update.

TL;DR: Through April 16, the Unlimited Lifetime Learning subscription bundle comes with Rosetta Stone and StackSkills for a lifetime of new things to learn, and it's available for $151.99 with code ENJOY20. 

Even if you're excited about it, learning something new isn't easy. Having a good teacher or reliable lessons to work through may make it a whole lot easier, not just because it means you have a set path to work through. It also means you don't have to hunt down all the material yourself. 

You might be able to find language lessons online, but Rosetta Stone could make it easier to study in a way that works for you whenever you're ready for a quick lesson. This online learning bundle comes with a lifetime subscription to Rosetta Stone and unlimited access to an expansive learning platform called StackSkills which has more than 1,000 courses on fun and useful skills. You can get both for only $151.99 through April 16 with coupon code ENJOY20.

Study 25 languages on your schedule

Rosetta Stone has been in the business for years, and that's why it has a really impressive selection of languages and lesson styles to choose from. There are 25 languages total, including Spanish, French, Italian, German, Vietnamese, Turkish, Swedish, Russian, and a lot more. 

And this isn't just a boring memorization exercise. If you want to practice speaking, Rosetta Stone has unique speech-recognition technology that analyzes your pronunciation and word choice 100 times per second. It's not quite the same as learning from a native speaker, but it's a lot like having a pro tutor in your pocket. 

Need a break from language lessons? Hop into a course offered by StackSkills. With so many to choose from, you could search for new hobbies, potential side hustles, or skills that'll help you out at your existing job. Learn guitar, Python, yoga, or finally sit down and figure out what's actually going on with Excel. 

Save on a lifetime of Rosetta Stone

Don't miss your chance to get a lifetime of language lessons and useful skill courses. 

April 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT is the deadline to get the Unlimited Lifetime Learning subscription featuring Rosetta Stone for $151.99 with code ENJOY20. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Rosetta Stone The Unlimited Lifetime Learning Subscription Bundle ft. Rosetta Stone $151.99 at the Mashable Shop
$849.00 Save $697.01 with code ENJOY20 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 16, if you want to build your own AI tools, you don't need a tech degree to do it. Start learning with this AI ChatGPT and Python programming bundle for $31.99 with code ENJOY20.

Using ChatGPT can be exciting, but the applications are still limited. That is, unless you start learning to program AI and learn to build your own custom chatbot. That's what's on the agenda in this AI ChatGPT and Python course package, and it doesn't cost much to enroll. Get all course material while it's only $31.99 when you enter coupon code ENJOY20 at checkout until April 16.

Study Python, AI, Tkinter, and more

This 14-course bundle is packed with over 80 hours of instruction from pros like John Elder, a web developer who's also responsible for creating one of the first internet advertising networks in 1997. 

Course progression isn't linear, so you can hop into any class you want. Study the basics of robotics one day or try your hand at programming with Python the next. Still a beginner programmer? There are two different Python beginner courses totalling 26 hours of instruction breaking down the basics for different kinds of projects. 

It's not all theory here. One course even has you work on 15 real projects to practice working with deep learning and other AI tools. Students in this course can learn to program AI to detect images in videos, detect faces, track color, or even identify emotions in videos.

Program your own chatbot

The price of this AI programming bundle won't be dropped for much longer. 

Until April 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get the AI ChatGPT and Python programming bundle on sale for $31.99 with code ENJOY20. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: John Elder The Ultimate AI ChatGPT & Python Programming Bundle $31.99 at the Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: Through April 16, score Pixilio, an AI image generator with 150 monthly images available, for just $31.99 with code ENJOY20. 

Whether you're adding some color to your company website or just thinking of something to post on social media, stock photos can only take you so far. AI image generators are versatile alternatives, but many options also require you to constantly pay for each new image. A more affordable alternative may be to get lifetime access to an AI image generator. 

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A lifetime of custom art

A few words, a few clicks, and that's all it takes to turn your idea into a picture. This AI image generator creates high-quality art that's 100% yours to do with as you please, whether you need something for your business's rebrand or want to see what alien cats would look like. 

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Bring words to life

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Until April 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get a lifetime subscription to Pixilio the Ultimate AI Image Generator for $31.99 with code ENJOY20. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Plus 8 Group Pixilio The Ultimate AI Image Generator: Lifetime Subscription $31.99 at the Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: Through April 16, keep your batteries charged on the go with the 2-in-1 Keychain Wireless Charger for iPhone and Apple Watch on sale for $15.19 with code ENJOY20. 

It might be on a long road trip or just during a long day, but those batteries aren't gonna last forever. A low phone battery is a major inconvenience, and the same goes for a smartwatch. Finding an outlet might be difficult or impossible if you're stuck in a middle plane seat or just on the move. 

The alternative is to get a charger you can take anywhere. The 2-in-1 Keychain Wireless Charger is a compact, portable wireless and wired charger for iPhone and Apple Watch, and it can even charge both of them at the same time. Normally, this compact charger would cost $25, but you can get it for $15.19 for a little bit longer. 

Recharge almost anywhere

Your Apple Watch and iPhone may have some hefty batteries to refill, but this keychain charger comes with a 2,500mAh battery. Whenever you need to recharge your portable charger, just plug it into a power source using the USB-C port. That port works for input or output, so you could also use it to power your iPhone, iPad, or other portable device. Just check the LED display to see how much power is left in your charger. 

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Opens in a new window Credit: Shenzhen Centralspot Innovation 2-in-1 Keychain Wireless Charger for iPhone and Apple Watch - Black $15.19 at the Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: A wide range of online courses from Stanford University are available to take for free on edX.

Stanford University is one of the biggest names in the education game, so it's probably really difficult to become a student of this famous institution, right? No, actually. Anyone can become a student of Stanford University with a little help from edX.

This online course provider offers a wide range of online courses from Stanford University, covering topics like Python, mathematics, computer science, and much more. And you don't even need to spend anything to access these online courses.

These are the best Stanford University courses you can take for free this month.

• Algorithms: Design and Analysis

• Communicating with Presence

• Compilers

• Computer Science 101

• Databases: Advanced Topics in SQL

• Databases: Modeling and Theory

• Databases: OLAP and Recursion

• Databases: Relational Databases and SQL

• How to Learn Math: For Students

• How You Say It Matters: A Toolkit for Improving Communications About Academic Standing

• Introduction to Food and Health

• Introduction to the Natural Capital Project Approach

• Language, Proof, and Logic

• Living at the Nuclear Brink

• Nano at Stanford

• Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers 1

• Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers 2

• R Programming Fundamentals

• Semantics of First-Order Logic

• Statistical Learning with R

• The Threat of Nuclear Terrorism

• Your Body Inside and Out: Using Exercise Physiology to Slow Aging

• Your Body in the World: Adapting to Your Next Big Adventure

These free courses do not include certificates of completion, but that's the only catch. You can still learn at your own pace with unlimited access to all the resources on offer, so there's nothing holding you back.

Find the best free online courses from Stanford University at edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: Stanford University Stanford University Courses Free at edX Get Deal

It's impossible to watch Netflix's Ripley and ignore the Caravaggios. Don't even try.

They loom large through Steven Zaillian's exquisite adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel, which both sticks to the source material with elegant ferocity and finds suitable moments to make its own mark. Across the eight-episode show, the eponymous anti-hero Tom Ripley (an excellent Andrew Scott) absorbs the cultural keys to the social kingdom on his identity theft quest, including the art the fancy folks apparently like — and that means Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.

(And yes, dear reader, as an avid TV fan and Ripley enthusiast, I'm about to wave my art history degree at you. I'm still in debt for it; let me at least flaunt it.)

SEE ALSO: 'Ripley' review: Andrew Scott is a stone cold marvel in exquisite Highsmith adaptation

The target of his obsession, Dickie Greenleaf (Johnny Flynn), declares his adoration for the 16th century Milanese painter in the very first episode. Attempting to be something of an artiste himself, Dickie casually collects works by Spanish 20th century icon Pablo Picasso and tries his hand at abstracts, doing one of these things better than the other. Taking advantage of his proximity to cultural cornerstones like Rome, Dickie also loves himself a grand Italian master; he gravitates towards Caravaggio, whose works turn up again and again in the series.

Credit: Philippe Antonello / Netflix

Of course, as Tom absorbs Dickie's identity throughout the series, so too does he become a Caravaggio fan, circling the artist's must-see works in every city he visits. He even buys himself a beautiful hardcover catalogue of Caravaggio's works, so he can study them up close in the comfort of his Venetian palazzo.

Why is Caravaggio used in Ripley, of all artists?

The thing is, novelist Patricia Highsmith never referred to Caravaggio's works in her book, only mentioning in passing that Dickie owns a book of Quattrocento art (15th century Italian art, or early Renaissance, so before Caravaggio's time). Art serves as newfound love for Tom in the book, as Highsmith writes, "He had learned a lot about painting, even in trying to copy Dickie's mediocre paintings. At the art galleries in Paris and Rome he had discovered an interest in paintings that he had never realized before, or perhaps that had not been in him before."

In Ripley, Zaillian places great importance on Caravaggio's works, not only using the Baroque artist's repertoire to expand upon his characters' tastes, but also to draw comparisons with the inner workings of his protagonist.

Another major theme of the show is repressed sexuality. Historians have long debated Caravaggio’s sexuality, and today he'd probably be considered bisexual. Caravaggio’s works overtly eroticise the male figure, notably his homoerotic representations of Biblical figures like John the Baptist and mythological figures like Bacchus and Cupid. Caravaggio's works have influenced gay male artists such as Robert Mapplethorpe and Derek Jarman, and would undoubtedly have quite the influence on one Tom Ripley, a closeted gay man in the '60s.

Take me to this corner with a Caravaggio catalogue and leave me forever. Credit: Philippe Antonello / Netflix

Caravaggio was famed for the brutal, bloody realism in his paintings, all rendered with chiaroscuro (an Italian term meaning light-dark) and tenebrism (from the Italian tenebroso, meaning darkened and obscured) — a technique Ripley also wields through its black-and-white cinematography and commanding use of light and shadow. Director of photography Robert Elswit shows every last detail of David Gropman's production design in high contrast, with the Ripley lighting team obscuring and revealing vital clues, intensifying reactions, and capturing the elegance of Italy all through tenebrist and chiaroscuro techniques.

But the artist himself proves a perfect artist for Tom to admire in Ripley, beyond Dickie's influence. Caravaggio gained a reputation for violence off the canvas, reportedly quick to anger, getting into fights on the regular, and even being accused of murder; it's no surprise that Tom Ripley stans.

Here's what London's National Gallery has to say about Caravaggio's...attitude:

According to one of his biographers: ''after a fortnight's work he will swagger about for a month or two with his sword at his side and with a servant following him, from one ball-court to the next, ever ready to engage in a fight or argument, with the result that it is most awkward to get along with him''. (The sword was illegal — as with guns today, one had to have licence to carry arms.) Caravaggio was arrested repeatedly for, among other things, slashing the cloak of an adversary, throwing a plate of artichokes at a waiter, scarring a guard, and abusing the police.

When "throwing a plate of artichokes at a waiter" is your lightest offence, you're probably a bit of a nightmare.

Which Caravaggio works are shown in Ripley?

Zaillian chooses to only really feature Caravaggio’s Biblical commissions, avoiding his famous work Narcissus. While this work about a man in love with his own reflection might seem suitable for Ripley, the director possibly sought to avoid associations of autoeroticism — Tom Ripley's obsession is with others, not necessarily with himself.

Here's a list of the works you can see in the show, and which episode they appear in — there's a few spoilers in here.

The Seven Works of Mercy

Dickie takes Tom to see his first Caravaggio in Naples during episode 2, The Seven Works of Mercy, which is displayed in the church of Pio Monte della Misericordia. It's a representation of seven acts of mercy, ranging from feeding the hungry to giving drink to the thirsty. Dickie shows Tom this painting in the same episode as his grand act of charity, helping a robbed woman get a cab.

The Inspiration/Calling/Martyrdom of Saint Matthew

In episode 4, when Tom makes it to Rome and begins absorbing Dickie's identity, he makes sure there's a Caravaggio visit on his list to begin the process. He heads for the church of San Luigi dei Francesi, where he stops in the Contarelli Chapel. There are actually three Caravaggios in there — The Inspiration...,The Calling..., and The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew — all of which get multiple appearances throughout the series.

In episode 8, Tom is flicking through his catalogue of Caravaggios in Venice studying The Calling of Saint Matthew, right before he's about to be interrogated by Inspector Ravini (Maurizio Lombardi) as Tom Ripley not as Dickie Greenleaf. A work of shadow and revelation, it's a fitting work for Tom to study right before he turns off all the lights and adopts a disguise.

Featured Video For You Andrew Scott on crafting the iconic 'Ripley' in Netflix's new mystery series David with the Head of Goliath

This is probably the best inclusion of a Caravaggio work in the series, the painting of the story of David and the giant Goliath, which Tom visits in the Galleria Borghese in Rome. Tom wanders through the gallery, listening to a tour guide describe Caravaggio's last year of his life in 1610, when he painted this piece.

"In the painting, Caravaggio links the killer and victim by portraying David as compassionate, even loving, in the way he gazes at the severed head of Goliath," the tour guide says. "And he made this bond even stronger by using himself as the model for both. Both are Caravaggio's face. Young and old." A self portrait of a killer and victim being one and the same? It's exactly how Tom Ripley sees himself, and the director keeps bringing back glimpses of the work, especially after Tom's head-bludgeoning murder of Freddie Miles (Eliot Sumner).

The Nativity with Saint Francis and Saint Lawrence

In episode 7, on his trip to Palermo, Tom visits the Oratory of Saint Lawrence, where this Caravaggio sits on the altar. The thing is, this Nativity scene was actually stolen in 1969 — around the time Tom visits it in the series. Tom Ripley, did you steal this Caravaggio?

The Crucifixion of Saint Peter

This high-drama work was painted in 1601 for the Cerasi Chapel of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome, but we see it in the series finale of Ripley in the studio of none other than Caravaggio himself in a historical flashback (more on that below).

The Madonna and Child with St. Anne (Dei Palafrenieri)

Also in the finale flashback, this work sits above a candlelit mantlepiece in the Palazzo Colonna in Paliano. This domestic setting isn't where the work was commissioned for — that would be St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican — but it's now in the Galleria Borghese. The work shows the child stepping on a snake, a visual the episode will keep coming back to, possibly representing the stamping out of sin. Good luck with that, Tom.

Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy

It's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, but you can spot this work in Tom's Caravaggio book in episode 8, when he's flipping through it. The work has stirred up all kinds of debate over authenticity, which is a fitting element in this series.

Sacrifice of Isaac

This one's an overt thematic moment for Tom, a depiction of the Old Testament story of Abraham killing his son Isaac. This one comes at a time in episode 8 when Tom needs to kill off his Dickie Greenleaf identity in case he loses his own.

What's with the final Ripley episode and the flashbacks?

The eighth and final episode of Ripley begins in the past. It's a lavish descent into the history books that connects Ripley's present with the legacy of Caravaggio himself (played by Daniele Rienzo) in the halls of the Palazzo Colonna in Paliano.

After we watch a group of soldiers marching into an artist's studio, we see a man with a bloodied knife drinking a goblet of wine by the fire in a palazzo — it's Caravaggio himself. Ripley is depicting the moment after the artist killed a man in 1606 and was sentenced to death; a tour guide in episode 4 actually tells this story in the Galleria Borghese. From the halls of the Palazzo Colonna, Caravaggio planned his escape to none other than where Tom Ripley's journey to murder began: Naples. Though Caravaggio died in Porto Ercole, north of Rome, Naples is significant to both men.

It's a full circle moment, bringing Caravaggio to his end and Tom to his beginning, to the city of Naples, where Highsmith's protagonist would start his journey toward the ill-fated Dickie Greenleaf and begin his path of violence and obsession. And ultimately, Caravaggio is the perfect artist for Tom to worship: a man of violence worshipped by a man of violence.

How to watch: Ripley is now streaming on Netflix.

Some days, it feels like there are too many streaming services and too many options. How can you possibly choose what movie to watch next?

For those of you who have Peacock (and why wouldn't you? Their TV offerings are stacked!), we're here to help. We’ve combed through the streaming service's catalog to bring you the funniest comedies, the most moving dramas, the most suspenseful thrillers, and the all-around best movies for your viewing pleasure. All you need to bring is the popcorn!

1. Bridesmaids Credit: Suzanne Hanover / Universal / Kobal / Shutterstock

If you haven't seen Bridesmaids, written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, we're so sorry that you've obviously been trapped in a siren’s cave for the last 11 years — because there is simply no other excuse. Bridesmaids was an era-defining film. In 2011, there were still prominent male comedians claiming women couldn’t be funny! Bridesmaids put an end to the debate.

Wiig stars as Annie, a wayward thirtysomething who feels out of step with her best friend Lillian (a perfect Maya Rudolph) when she meets the other women in Lillian's bridal party. What follows is both romantic comedy and buddy flick, stuffed to the brim with punchlines, physical gags, and a repulsive and unforgettable gross-out scene. The entire cast here is flawless: Rose Byrne is delightfully haughty. Jon Hamm is perfect as a hot idiot. Chris O'Dowd is a swoon-worthy love interest, and Melissa McCarthy was nominated for a dang Oscar for her scene-stealing performance as another misfit bridesmaid. Please escape the siren’s cave and see this legendary comedy — for your own good! — K.G.

How to watch: Bridesmaids is streaming on Peacock.

2. John Wick Credit: David Lee / Thunder Road / Lionsgate / 87eleven / Mjw / Summit / Kobal / Shutterstock

Currently, all John Wick properties, including the so-so prequel series, The Continental, are streaming on Peacock. This highly stylized and violent neo-noir thriller franchise tells the story of John Wick (Keanu Reeves), the best assassin there ever was, who gets drawn back into the underworld after a personal tragedy leaves him set on revenge. Wick's body count is prodigious and creative, but his cause is just. You can't help but root for the quiet, brooding antihero. He wanted out of the game — but the game won't let him say goodbye that easily. John Wick is a nonstop action spectacular with stunning cinematography and positively mesmerizing fight choreography. — K.G.

How to watch: John Wick is now streaming on Peacock.

SEE ALSO: 'The Continental' review: Just watch 'John Wick' instead

3. Dayveon  Credit: Mama Bear Studios / Kobal / Shutterstock

Devin Blackmon stars as Dayveon, a young kid in Arkansas struggling in the aftermath of his brother's death. Unmoored and spending his days listlessly wandering the little town he lives in, he is increasingly drawn to the sense of belonging he finds in a local gang. Directed by Amman Abbasi, with a script by Abbasi and Steven Reneau, Dayveon is a sophisticated and deeply intimate film made even more incredible by the fact that its cast is primarily composed of non-actors. It's a moving and beautifully shot story that feels wholly, heartbreakingly real. — K.G.

How to watch: Dayveon is streaming on Peacock.

SEE ALSO: 13 best shows on Peacock for when you need a break or a binge-watch 4. Girls Trip Credit: Michele K Short / Universal / Kobal / Shutterstock

2017’s raunchy comedy about a group of friends traveling to New Orleans for the Essence Festival made Tiffany Haddish a household name. And once you watch the scene of her zip-lining above a partying crowd on Bourbon Street, you’ll know why. Written by Kenya Barris and Tracy Oliver, Girls Trip is boisterous, outrageous, and ridiculously lovable. The jubilant ensemble, which features Haddish, Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Queen Latifah, is clearly having so much fun celebrating female debauchery, it’s hard not to be on board with Girls Trip. — K.G.

How to watch: Girls Trip is now streaming on Peacock.

5. Ip Man Credit: Dreams Salon Culture / Pegasus Motion / Kobal / Shutterstock

Ip Man is an exciting martial arts biopic about the extraordinary life of the Wing Chun grandmaster who was Bruce Lee's teacher. The film tracks Ip Man's journey from the Southern Chinese village where he was well known as a skilled martial artist, to his family's displacement during the Japanese occupation of the Second Sino-Japanese War, his eventual rise as a fighter, and his establishment of a school in Hong Kong.

Starring the skillful Donnie Yen, Ip Man doesn't skimp on character development; it's an electrifying rumination on philosophy, power, and honor in addition to its stunning action. Ip Man is a deeply influential film in the martial arts genre and, to everyone's delight, has inspired three equally stirring sequels, all of which are available on Peacock. — K.G.

How to watch: Ip Man is streaming on Peacock.

6. Harry Potter (the entire series!)

And now the franchise that needs no introduction: Harry Potter. The original eight-movie series starts as a charming coming-of-age tale about a boy wizard learning about magic and ends as a serious and emotional allegory about fighting fascism and the lengths we will go to protect the people we love. J.K. Rowling notwithstanding, Harry Potter is our hero, Ron Weasley our goofy best friend, and Hermione our actual hero, because duh.

The quality of the movies vary based on the different directors at the helm and the age of the young leads, but the strength of the source material — paired with the prodigious gifts of the many, many storied British actors who fill out the sparkling supporting cast — assure a satisfying watch. Most agree that the final two movies, each covering half of the last book in the series, are the most enthralling in the group — but you'll have to watch them all to get what’s going on. So, you might as well start with number one, The Sorcerer's Stone, and go from there. Poor you! You're about to have a really great time! — K.G.

How to watch: Harry Potter is streaming on Peacock.

SEE ALSO: 'The Secrets of Dumbledore' review: Time to put 'Fantastic Beasts' out of its misery

7. Long Way North

This absolutely stunning, hand-drawn film hasn't garnered as much attention as, say, Pixar's latest, but that's no reason to skip this immensely affecting French-Danish tale. Sasha (Christa Théret) is a 15-year-old aristocrat living in St. Petersburg, Russia during the 19th century. Determined to find her missing grandfather, a famed explorer, and clear her family’s name, she locates a vessel and sets off with a motley crew into the unforgiving Arctic landscape.

Directed by Rémi Chayé, Long Way North is both an epic adventure and a human drama, exploring themes of empowerment and empathy. What truly makes this 80-minute movie special, though, is its unique artistic style. The snow-covered landscape might be stark, but Long Way North makes the icy world feel both beautiful and alive. — K.G.

How to watch: Long Way North is streaming on Peacock.

8. Melancholia Credit: Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Part of Lars von Trier's "Depression Trilogy," (which includes Antichrist and Nymphomaniac), 2011's Melancholia is an artsy, atmospheric sci-fi thriller about the end of the world. A rogue planet is due to collide with Earth, and everyone must come face-to-face with the inevitable nothingness ahead of them. The cast is magnetic (Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alexander Skarsgård, and more) and the cinematography is unforgettable. A memorable, piercing rumination on grief that stands alone in its category. — K.G.

How to watch: Melancholia is now streaming on Peacock.

9. Man on Wire

In 1974, Philippe Petit walked a high wire between the two towers of the World Trade Center in NYC. Petit was later arrested for the stunt. In 2008, documentarian James Marsh made Man On Wire, a moving, awe-inspiring chronicle of Petit's audacious feat, based on Petit's own book about the event. Suspenseful, mischievous, and paced like a heist movie, Man On Wire is a riveting watch sure to keep even the most ardent documentary-avoider on the edge of their seats. — K.G.

How to watch: Man on Wire is now streaming on Peacock.

10. Point Break

Point Break is an iconic '90s movie in which Keanu Reeves plays rookie FBI agent Johnny Utah, who has to — and we're not kidding here — infiltrate an L.A. "surf gang" suspected of robbing banks. Very little in this movie makes any sense (the large reason Utah is assigned the undercover role is because he used to play football in college?), which is exactly why it's so dang wonderful. You've got Patrick Swayze as the enigmatic leader of a surfing cult, Gary Busey as Reeves' gruff veteran partner, and again, Keanu Reeves plays a former college football star named Johnny Utah who has to learn to surf as a matter of life and death. Point Break is ludicrous, magnificent, and fantastically, perfectly '90s. Vaya con dios, baby. — K.G.

How to watch: Point Break is now streaming on Peacock.

11. The Holdovers Credit: Focus Features

It's Christmas at a New England all-male boarding school in 1970. Most of the students go home to their families for the holidays, but one teacher is forced to stay over the break and supervise the stragglers. This year, it's the curmudgeonly history professor Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) who must oversee a student abandoned by his mother, Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa). 

SEE ALSO: How an average Joe became 'The Holdovers' cheered scene-stealer

The Holdovers is one of those lovely, complicated comedy-dramas that makes you laugh, cry, and feel a little bit happier to exist in the world. One of its brighter spots is Da'Vine Joy Randolph's Oscar-winning performance as the school's cafeteria manager whose son was killed in Vietnam. If this is all sounding a bit dreary, that's because it could be in the hands of a different director. Alexander Payne makes sure that this rumination on loneliness is anything but. 

How to watch: The Holdovers is streaming on Peacock.

12. Booksmart

2019's Booksmart is Superbad for the National Honor Society girlies. Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever are hilarious as BFFs Molly and Amy, two social misfits who spent the last four years of high school studying instead of partying. On the eve of graduation, they learn that even the kids who were making out and getting high also got into good colleges? What the EFF?! The only response to this injustice is one epic night of partying to make up for lost time.

Written by Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel (The Spy Who Dumped Me), and Katie Silberman (Don't Worry Darling), and directed by Olivia Wilde, Booksmart is a super fun romp with warm, lived-in friendships. It's impossible not to be charmed by this fresh iteration of the classic "last night of high school" party flick. 

How to watch: Booksmart is streaming on Peacock.

13. Oppenheimer

As a director, Christopher Nolan has always been fascinated by brilliant, tormented men. Think The Prestige's dueling magicians, Inception and Interstellar's dream thieves and astronauts fighting to rejoin their families, or even the embattled Batman of his Dark Knight trilogy. So it's no surprise that the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb, yields Nolan's finest and most devastating work yet. Here is a man whose brilliance led to a lifetime of torment, both for himself and for the entire world — a fact Nolan never shies away from.

In typical Nolan fashion, Oppenheimer is epic in scope, delivering jaw-dropping shots of New Mexico vistas, dancing particles, and of course, the fateful Trinity Test. But it's the film's third act that hits the hardest, as the weight of the Manhattan Project reverberates through time, extending past Oppenheimer's life and into our present. With an unflinching focus on Oppenheimer's flaws and a haunting lead performance from Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer becomes part tragedy, part horror movie, and entirely unforgettable.* — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Oppenheimer is streaming on Peacock.

14. Notting Hill

The movie that cemented Hugh Grant's place in cinema history as one of the most lovable bumbling brits of all time, Notting Hill is a rom-com hall-of-famer. This dreamy and captivating love story, bursting with heart, is just as poignant now as it was in 1999. If you aren't moved by the final scene, then we're sorry, your heart is simply made of stone, and there's not much we can do about that. 

Julia Roberts absolutely glows as international movie star Anna Scott, who wanders into Hugh Grant's humble book store one day to hide from the paparazzi. Because, as previously mentioned, Grant is at his most criminally charming here, an unlikely romance blooms between the pair from completely different worlds. A superb supporting cast and an airtight script from rom-com veteran Richard Curtis (Bridget Jones's Diary, Four Weddings and a Funeral, About Time) makes Notting Hill the definitive take on the "celebrity falls for regular person" genre — the standard to which all subsequent romances have been held.

How to watch: Notting Hill is streaming on Peacock.

15. Nope Credit: Universal Pictures

A chimpanzee in a party hat. A white shoe inexplicably balanced on its tip. A dusty field full of inflatable tube men dancing in the breeze. In just three films (Get Out, Us, and Nope), writer-director Jordan Peele has proven exceptional at creating iconic imagery out of truly ridiculous things. And Nope, his 2022 alien-invasion terror set in the remote hills outside of Hollywood, is his imagination unleashed on a larger-than-life scale.

Not that Peele doesn't keep it grounded where it counts; the relationship between grieving brother OJ (Daniel Kaluuya) and sister Emerald (Keke Palmer) keeps the stakes and the heart real even as the skies pour blood and a crowd full of curious looky-loos find out just a hair too late that maybe it'd be better to turn away just this once.* — Jason Adams, Freelance Writer 

How to watch: Nope is now streaming on Peacock.

16. The Host Credit: Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

When an enormous monster emerges from the Han River in Korea, father and snack bar owner Park Gang-du (Song Kang-ho, Parasite) will stop at nothing to rescue his daughter from the creature's clutches. Written and directed by Bong Joon-ho (Parasite, Snowpiercer), The Host is a simply fantastic monster movie, and one that cemented Bong Joon-Ho's place in cinema history — even before he made his Oscars kiss. It's gripping. The tension won't leave your body until the end of the film, but it also has a strong sense of satire. There is levity to be found between moments of fright. 

How to watch: The Host is now streaming on Peacock.

17. A Royal Affair Credit: Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Alicia Vikander is the forward-thinking Princess Caroline Matilda of Great Britain, who is on her way to Denmark to marry King Christian VII and become the Queen. But when she arrives, she learns the truth of her situation: Christian (Mikkel Følsgaard) is immature, changeable, and likely mentally ill. Her marriage becomes intolerable — until a German physician and political radical, Dr. Johann Struensee (played by a smooth Mads Mikkelsen), is brought to court to soothe the king's temper. Princess Caroline and Struensee are drawn together by their desire to usher Denmark into the age of Enlightenment alongside the rest of Europe, but the Church and the landed gentry won't accept change so easily. 

A Royal Affair spans genres. It's both a lavish period romance and a historical political drama. You'll swoon at the pair's forbidden love and surprise yourself with your newfound investment in the rights of 18th century Danish peasants. 

How to watch: A Royal Affair is now streaming on Peacock.

18. The Godfather

Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 mobster drama is a classic, boasting three Academy Awards, two sequels, and a slew of iconic performances from the likes of Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton, and Oscar-winner Marlon Brando. But the reason this saga about the Corleone crime family has been resurrected to relevance is The Offer, the Paramount+ mini-series that explores how this marvelous movie got made. Clearly, many fans have been inspired to revisit The Godfather with a fresh appreciation that behind-the-scenes context brings. — Kristy Puchko, Film Editor

How to watch: The Godfather is now streaming on Peacock.

19. Kajillionaire

Kajillionaire is a truly strange and curiously captivating movie written and directed by Miranda July. Evan Rachel Wood is magnetic as the daughter of a Los Angeles grifter couple (played by Debra Winger and Richard Jenkins) who have never shown her love a day in her life. Together, the family lives by running small cons, thieving, and hiding from the landlord to avoid paying months of back rent. When they head to New York to scam an airline with "missing luggage," they meet Melanie, played by a sparkling Gina Rodriguez, and her surprising induction into the family conning business threatens the tenuous dynamic. Nothing is predictable about this offbeat gem. 

How to watch: Kajillionaire is streaming on Peacock.

20. The Fast & Furious franchise

Universal is the proud owner of the Fast & Furious franchise, so during any given month on Peacock you'll be able to watch at least one of the 10 movies in this indelible saga of cars going fast and sometimes blowing up. Each film is technically different; the earlier entries focus more on illegal street racing, while the later pictures expand their range to include heists, spy rings, cyber terrorists, hidden nuclear arsenals, and more. However, they all orbit around a central theme: "There's a problem, and only this motley crew of street racers can solve it." And honestly, there's not much more you need to know! 

These movies are high-action, low-substance in the best possible way. They're fun, they're truly ridiculous, and they know it. And last but not least, the car stunts are absolutely insane. Celebrities love being in these movies, from Vin Diesel to Idris Elba to Dame Helen Mirren, and people love watching them. It's a no-brainer.

How to watch: The Fast and the Furious is streaming on Peacock.

21. 13 Assassins Credit: Photo courtesy of Magnet Releasing.

In the mood for an epic? Have we got the movie for you! Takashi Miike's 13 Assassins is an electrifying, propulsive samurai flick with high stakes and spectacle; the battle sequences are both artistic and riveting. A remake of Eiichi Kudo's 1963 period drama of the same name, 13 Assassins is in every way possible a modern masterpiece.

When the sadistic, murderous tendencies of the Shogun's brother, Lord Matsudaira Naritsugu (Gorô Inagaki), begin to threaten the stability of the realm and loyalty of the Shogun's council, a veteran samurai named Shimada Shinzaemon (Kōji Yakusho) is hired to discreetly remove the problematic sibling from the equation. Unfortunately, he is not going to go down without a fight, so Shinzaemon brings on 12 additional samurai, hoping a group attack will do the trick. But will 13 samurai be enough to take this powerful, vengeful man down? 

How to watch: 13 Assassins is streaming on Peacock.

22. My Best Friend's Wedding

The mother of modern romantic comedies, My Best Friend's Wedding holds up brilliantly. In fact, we're all currently dressing like we're 1997 Julia Roberts anyway, so we might as well watch one of her most endearing and iconic performances. 

Roberts is sparkling as Jules Potter, a food critic who long ago made a pact with best friend Michael (Dermot Mulroney) that they would get married if they were both still single at age 28. Weeks before her 28th birthday, Jules gets a call from Michael — he's engaged (to an impossibly young Cameron Diaz). Suddenly, her path becomes clear. She needs to break up this couple, sabotage the wedding, and declare her love for Michael before she loses her soulmate forever. Yes, she is objectively the villain of this movie! That's what makes it so good!

Sharp, funny, and burning with unspoken yearning, My Best Friend's Wedding is as touching as it is entertaining, now two decades later and counting.*

How to watch: My Best Friend's Wedding is streaming on Peacock.

23. Liyana

A deeply moving and singularly unique documentary, Liyana follows a group of orphans in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) as they work together to write a story. Led by South African writer Gcina Mhlophe, the children create Liyana, their main character, and through the exploration of her fictional life, begin to work through the trauma they themselves have faced. It's a captivating piece of cinema, featuring both scenic and intimate shots of the kids' lives, as well as animated renderings of Liyana's adventures. A stirring celebration of humanity and the power of storytelling.

How to watch: Liyana is streaming on Peacock.

24. Superbad

The plot is simple. Seth and Evan (an iconic Jonah Hill and Michael Cera) want to lose their virginities before graduating high school. But to do that, they're going to have to get to a party. And to get to a party, they'll need booze, and to get booze, they'll need fake IDs, and so ensues the extremely epic night that introduced McLovin' to the world. 

Written by Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg, and directed by Greg Mottola (yes, somehow this isn't a Judd Apatow movie!), Superbad is a hall-of-famer when it comes to teen comedies. It's both raunchy and honest, larger-than-life and intimate. The codependent and relatable friendship between Seth and Evan is the beating heart of this often-disgusting movie.

How to watch: Superbad is streaming on Peacock.

25. Despicable Me Credit: Universal / Kobal / Shutterstock

Before there were gentleminions swarming our movie theaters, there was Despicable Me, a surprisingly sweet and funny kids flick about a so-called super villain learning to love three rambunctious young girls suddenly placed in his care. Steve Carell is impeccable as the dastardly curmudgeon whose heart slowly melts throughout the course of the film. In 2010, we couldn't have predicted that this fun family adventure — and Universal's attempt to compete with the Disney/Pixar CGI monopoly of the 2000s — would become the media juggernaut it is today, but honestly we were all much, much younger in 2010. Since then, Despicable Me has spawned multiple sequels, prequels, short films, and video games, as well as a web series, a television special, and a theme park attraction. It's not just good; it's "theme park" good.

How to watch: Despicable Me is streaming on Peacock.

26. She Said

Though it was released far too soon (the Weinstein trials were still going on and audiences were exhausted), there's no denying that the subject matter of She Said represents a pivotal moment in modern women's history. Zoe Kazan and Carey Mulligan play Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, the Pulitzer prize-winning journalists whose groundbreaking New York Times story directly led to Harvey Weinstein's downfall. With sensitivity, respect, and a focus on the survivors, She Said tracks Kantor and Twohey's investigation into one of Hollywood's most powerful and predatory  men. 

Thankfully, the film correctly keeps its narrative centered on the brave women who made the choice to speak or go public about their experiences, preventing She Said from collapsing under the weight of its own harrowing content. While She Said might be a little too glossy at times, it's still a stirring entry about a singular moment in the recent fight for women's equality. Now that Weinstein is safely rotting in jail, it might finally be time to give it a watch.

How to watch: She Said is now streaming on Peacock.

27. Liar Liar

Remember when goofy comedies starring Jim Carrey could make over $300 million at the box office? Go watch 1997's Liar Liar and revel in the heyday of such nonsense with one of Carrey's funniest performances. 

In director Tom Shadyac's hit comedy, Carrey plays a slimy lawyer named Fletcher who's forced to tell the truth — and nothing but the truth — when his alienated son Max (Justin Cooper) makes a birthday wish that makes it so. Carrey's rubbery physicality is on full display here, as his entire body twists itself into knots trying to stop his tongue from spilling all of his secrets, all to no avail. And bonus points for any movie that has Jennifer Tilly in general, but as a lying, cheating, gold-digging divorcée especially.* — J.A.

How to watch: Liar Liar is now streaming on Peacock.

(*) denotes writeup came from a previous Mashable list.

Opens in a new window Credit: Courtesy of Peacock Peacock Watch Now

UPDATE: Apr. 5, 2024, 2:18 p.m. EDT This article has been updated to reflect Peacock's current streaming selection.

When the Aztecs experienced a total solar eclipse, the wailing began.

After all, the moon had eclipsed the almighty sun, transforming it into an ominous onyx eye.

Then there were a tumult and disorder. All were disquieted, unnerved, frightened. There was weeping. The common folk raised a cry, lifting their voices, making a great din, calling out, shrieking. There was shouting everywhere.

These are translations from the early ethnographer Fray Bernardino de Sahagún, a friar who meticulously recorded Aztec culture and history in the 1500s. Human sacrifices ensued, Sahagún noted, an attempt to feed the sun invaluable energy from these bodies.

And in all the temples there was the singing of fitting chants; there was an uproar; there were war cries. It was thus said: "If the eclipse of the sun is complete, it will be dark forever! The demons of darkness will come down; they will eat men."

Not all cultures feared eclipses. Some, like the Navajo, viewed an eclipse as a time for reflection and renewal. But fear was awfully common across the globe. It's an understandable sentiment; for those today who stand in the shadow of a rare solar eclipse — like the many millions who watched on April 8, 2024 — the exciting experience can also feel awfully strange, if not disquieting. A constant in our lives, our radiant star, turns black and reveals its ghostly corona, or atmosphere.

"It was profoundly unsettling to have this black hole in the sky," Melissa Barden Dowling, a Roman historian at Southern Methodist University, told Mashable. "Losing the sun would be just terrifying."

SEE ALSO: NASA astronaut witnessed an eclipse from space. It was 'unnatural.'

For many peoples, a total solar eclipse was profoundly terrifying because they believed in an animate universe where earthly or cosmic happenings were divine communication (these common worldviews existed in places like ancient China, India, Mesoamerica, the Mediterranean, and beyond). "It was rooted in the idea that the gods spoke to us through the natural world," Dowling said.

There is one long-lived culture that has a notable absence of solar eclipse accounts in its widespread art and text: ancient Egypt. This surprises Dowling, yet it's telling. Mind you, this was a society that for thousands of years worshiped the falcon-headed sun god, Ra, who was considered a divine father of many pharaohs. But in ancient Egypt there was a general avoidance of the eclipsed sun. "There's no serious attempt to record solar eclipses in the material that survived," Dowling noted.

A plausible reason? "It was too dangerous to depict," she said.

The demons of darkness will come down; they will eat men.

It's difficult to know what every culture thought of such a dramatic event. But descriptions often weren't rosy. Thousands of years ago, in 1200 B.C.E., scribes in Anyang, China, recorded solar eclipse events on bones. "The Sun has been eaten," they wrote.

Following a total solar eclipse, prominent Aztec warriors would hold all-night vigils. They quaffed maize beer, explained Adam Herring, a historian at Southern Methodist University specializing in the pre-Columbian Americas. The warriors grew drunk with their military brethren. "They showed solidarity for the greatest of all warriors, the sun god, in his time of need," Herring said.

Indeed, the Aztec sun god was often beset with threats in the darkness, when malevolent gods would come out. It's one reason why Aztecs would sacrifice human lives — to release energy from bodies and offer them to the sun god. A total eclipse, however, unleashed perhaps the greatest of cosmic struggles for the sun god, as the deity's resplendence was extinguished in broad daylight.

A petroglyph from Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico, appearing to show a total solar eclipse. Credit: National Park Service A total solar eclipse photographed in August 2017. Credit: NASA / Gopalswamy

It's little surprise advanced cultures like the Aztecs were suspicious of the dark, like pre-Industrial cultures around the world. In Western folklore, the deepest of night, the "witching hour," is when evil beings gather their strength and lurk among us.

"Nighttime is a very troubling time," Herring said. "It's cold, dark, and dangerous." Especially when it strikes unexpectedly.

Yet even knowing a solar eclipse is coming doesn't smother the fear. The Maya devised intricate eclipse tables, showing when an eclipse was possible. "That was worked out with incredible intricacy and ingenuity and persistent, dogged observation over centuries," Herring marveled. The Maya even predicted an eclipse that happened in July 1991, many centuries in advance.

Still, the Maya dreaded totality. "They were feared events viewed and based on the Maya cosmovision as the struggle of the Sun and the Moon, day and night, or the good and the bad," explained the Heritage Education Network Belize, an organization preserving Belizean history and culture. "This phenomena was seen as a bad omen, but also as a closure and as a sign of renewal."

It's cold, dark, and dangerous.

As humanity's space and astronomical knowledge evolved, eclipses have grown less ominous — though not completely so. During the 2017 total solar eclipse, among gasps I heard unsettled cries across the high Oregon desert. In her seminal 1982 essay Total Eclipse, Annie Dillard reported hearing rattled people staring up at the eclipsed sun. "From all the hills came screams," she wrote.

An engraving showing people in Bekul, Southern India, in 1871, expressing unease during a solar eclipse. A British expedition watches the event in a fort above. Credit: Universal History Archive / Universal Images Group via Getty Images

By the 1800s, the astronomers made it widely known that these eclipses were caused by an enthralling, though not dreadful, cosmic dance. Take this excerpt from the Mexican publication La voz de la religión, on July 24, 1852, before such an eclipse:

The total eclipse is also a spectacle that deserves to call anyone’s attention… it looks like the unraveling of nature’s well-arranged order... [But] it is possible to calculate with the greatest precision the movements of celestial bodies. Now, eclipses, far from scaring people, have become for them an object of curiosity.

Times had turned. "The mood changes from fear to curiosity," Amílcar E. Challú, a historian of Mexico and Latin America at Bowling Green State University who translated both the quote above and that at the start of this article, told Mashable. Challú is also one of the creators of the podcast Eclipsing History.

Six pages of the Mayan book called the Dresden Codex, which includes astronomical and eclipse information. Credit: SLUB Dresden Tweet may have been deleted

Later, in 1908, The Mexican Herald gave recommendations to readers for how to witness a looming total eclipse. Some 500 people would take a train an hour north from Mexico City to experience the event, Challú, who hosts the podcast Eclipsing History, explained.

In modern day, eclipse chasers travel all over Earth to catch these cosmic spectacles. And on April 8, 2024, people drove or flew hundreds to thousands of miles to peer at the dark star.

It's worth it. "It's most fun to experience with other people, because of the surprise, and the awe," the Roman historian Dowling said.

But it might be a bit unsettling, too. We're still human, after all.