Additional Posts From This Author
What if I told you a celebrity may be worth more dead than alive? Forbes' roundup of the highest-paid deceased celebrities of 2023 provides more fodder for those who find a kernel of suspicion in every untimely celebrity passing. These stars are absolutely raking it in from beyond the grave. 1. Michael Jackson: $115 Million The...
Comedy and drama are two distinct genres that require different skills and approaches from actors. While some performers specialize in one or the other, others are capable of seamlessly transitioning between the two. From unexpected turns to critically acclaimed performances, these actors have demonstrated their range and versatility, and we'll explore how they transitioned from...
You'll be hard-pressed to find any item that is getting more affordable. Consumer goods are getting less affordable daily, from Rice Krispies to rice cookers. However, inflation is more visible in some sectors than others, and we have the data to tell you where your dollar is losing value most quickly. 1. Cooking at Home...
It's the internet age, and virtually every answer to every conceivable question lies at your fingertips. Yet, some questions and phenomena still manage to defy explanation. You seem like an intelligent person. Perhaps you can help us figure out these 15 mysteries. 1. The Tax Code You use TurboTax, so you think you understand how...
America is the Land of the Free and the Home of the Scam. With advertisers becoming increasingly savvy, algorithms targeting your vulnerabilities as a consumer, and money getting tighter and tighter, we're all vulnerable to a good scam. The least you can do is recognize these 15 grifts as the scams that they are. 1....
Collectively, we brand those aged 25 to 44 as millennials and often assign this group a set of characteristics as if they were a monolith. While the millennial generation is, in fact, a group of distinct, independent-minded individuals, many of them share common traits and values. This is important when we consider that millennials are...
Rising inflation has forced Americans to make tough choices whenever they visit the supermarket. If you want to stretch your grocery budget, avoid the items that have inflated most rapidly in recent years. 1. Sugar If you want non-health-related reasons to cut sugar from your diet, do it for your bank account. The cost of...
Families uproot their lives to ensure their children have a quality education, and a strong public school system is one of the key criteria renters and buyers consider when relocating. With the ever-rising costs of living, sending kids to private school is, for most, untenable. The researchers at WalletHub have spared you hours of painstaking...
Whether you're operating a John Deere tractor in central Nebraska or dining on caviar nightly in a Manhattan penthouse, you can become the victim of adultery. Man, woman, short, tall, or otherwise, partners stray and break hearts. It turns out, though, that you may be more at risk of cuckolding if you live in a...
For most, “New Year, new me” only lasts for three weeks or so. Though you are not defined by the residents who live in your state, social contagions suggest your peers could influence your behaviors. Residents of the 25 worst-ranking states professed how long they tend to stick to their New Year's resolutions before reverting...
Dave Ramsey is one of the forefathers of financial management culture. Ramsey's 50/30/20 budgeting rule has helped countless Americans find financial independence, and his advice is gospel for many. Suppose you're planning to retire soon or in the distant future. In that case, it's worth considering these cities that the Ramsey team has deemed retiree-friendly...
These 25 metropolitan cities have plenty to offer residents and visitors alike, from world-class cuisine to vibrant nightlife and rich American history. However, these areas also offer heavy doses of danger. Each of these municipalities earned their rankings from WalletHub based on the per-capita homicide rate in the city. With all due respect to the...
The National Football League (NFL) is the epitome of a high-growth industry, with each new year presenting a new crop of eye-popping contracts. Quarterbacks are the highest-paid athletes in the NFL, and the savviest signal callers supplement their annual salaries with off-field endorsement deals and entrepreneurial ventures. These well-paid quarterbacks have paired hard work, natural talent, and...
When it comes to NFL stadiums, one man's trash pile is another's nostalgia factory. That said, we'll consider history and practicality as we rank the current crop of NFL stadiums from best to worst. Apologies in advance if your team's home base falls in the bottom five. 1. Lambeau Field: Green Bay Packers Not even...
In honor of the encroaching National Pizza Day, we must recognize the most beloved pizza toppings ever to grace the planet. We know what hits to play when playing it safe on pizza night, from pepperoni to green peppers and sausage. As importantly, though, we must recognize the concoctions that polarize Americans more profoundly than...
There is something about music that makes it a dangerous profession. The hard-charging lifestyle and frequent travel are among the reasons why we lose so many iconic musicians at such young ages—including these memorable songbirds. 1. John Lennon The Beatles released their last album, Let It Be, in 1970, ten years before John Lennon's death. Yet, the...
You wouldn't have to worry about tipping if you lived in Florence, Italy, or Mykonos, Greece. You (presumably) live in America, though, which means you're either expected to tip regularly, your livelihood depends on benevolent tippers, or both. While we have widely held beliefs about tipping (20% for elite service), each state has its own...
Talent makes up for many faults, especially if you want to play for the National Football League. Scouts and executives have a long history of overlooking major red flags about a person's character if they demonstrate serious skills on the field. 1. Darrell Russell An Oakland Raider defensive tackle, Darrell Russell, videotaped himself and two...
Looking back in time reveals that not every Super Bowl venue is equal, and some Super Bowl site selections remain downright puzzling. While there is some justification for choosing these host cities and stadiums, better options were available. You'll find many of those better options on this list, too. 1. MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ:...
Though you might be surprised by the rhetoric from political talking heads, war is horrific. I will suggest that decent people avoid war at nearly all costs, and most certainly avoid war with these well-stocked nations if they can help it. 1. China While the United States has long held its status as a supreme...
Pull up Zillow, and it won't take long to realize that home prices are bonkers. If your American dream includes a first-time home purchase, the dream may be further from reality than it's ever been. However, relief could be coming. Home prices in these 13 cities are primed for decline in 2024. 1. Boulder, CO...
You hear Millennials complain about America no longer being the land of single-income families and abundant pensions. Are they just spoiled complainers, or has the middle-class dream evaporated in the past half-century? It turns out there have been undeniable changes in middle-class America in the past 50 years. 1. The Outlook for the Middle Class...
You know a casting director has knocked it out of the park when an actor's character becomes their de facto identity. Like Bryan Cranston as Walter White or Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, some actors will always be synonymous with one character over all others. You'll find this true of the TV actors on...
Despite proclamations that the American economy is as strong as ever, working-class Americans' bank accounts don't lie. Inflation continues to erode the value of the dollar (and the net worth of those paid in dollars), but inflation does not unleash its fury equally. Researchers compared several major metropolitan areas to determine which Americans are feeling...
The steadily-building cascade of the James Bond theme song puts the audience on notice: The alpha is about to enter the room, perhaps with a shaken-not-stirred martini in his hand. There is nothing like those 007 vibes, which start from the moment the gun-barrel sequence triumphantly emanates from the Dolby surround sound. Yet, unrivaled as the...
For some, the Super Bowl is about their beloved 49ers or Chiefs claiming the world champion title. For bettors, the game's outcome may determine if little Timmy still has his college fund. For most, though, the Super Bowl party is about one thing only: the eats. If you want to win hearts, minds, and stomachs,...
While many TV shows earn cult status over time, few command an instantaneous legion of followers that give a show “must-watch” status. Members of a popular forum recently discussed a few shows that are currently airing (or streaming) that should have everyone's attention right now. Here are their top recommendations. 1. Yellowjackets (2021-Present) Kind of...
In terms of mind-boggling, era-defining news stories, the 2020s have been tough to contend with. However, are we suffering from recency bias? Were past eras, including the 1980s and 1990s, more chaotic than we recall? Let's take a trip back to these two decades and review some of the most headline-dominating events Americans couldn't stop...
It is no wonder why Americans now routinely use terms like “national divorce” and “civil war” when we can't get through a family get-together without saying something politically incendiary. If you want to avoid political screaming matches, know your loved ones' pain points and avoid bringing them up. 1. Why Don't You Pay Your Fair...
Fun is subjective. One person might need the adrenaline spike of skydiving to wet their whistle, while another finds unbridled pleasure in hitting the local dive tavern to catch the game. This variance is why researchers took a comprehensive approach to gauge the American cities having the most fun. From the number of gyms to...
No network has a more prestigious resume than HBO. Over more than 50 years in business, Home Box Office has defended its title of Heavyweight Champion of the Television World again and again, and it has done so by creating the most believable, compelling characters fathomable. These legendary side characters capture what HBO is all...
For the chorus of Rockwell's 1984 hit, Michael Jackson once sang, “I always feel like somebody's watching me.” Think either of them was anxious to get the first iPhone? While informed citizens know that their phone is constantly tracking them, you deserve to know which apps violate your privacy the most. Of course, this knowledge...
While the state you live in will not solely determine your happiness, it is far easier to be happy in a tropical paradise (Hawaii) than in a frequently frozen wasteland (Ohio). Researchers weighed various criteria, including unemployment rates, sleep quality, and depression rates, to determine which states are most likely to produce miserable residents. 1....
Jesse Plemons is not what you would call conventionally handsome, yet has become one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood. In certain roles, Plemons has even proven capable of carrying a film or show, occupying a wide range of roles with mastery. Already in his brief career, Plemons has set a torrid pace and...
Artists can find inspiration in the strangest places. For example, legendary guitarist Carlos Santana has credited the angel Metatron for much of his musical accomplishment. In many cases, though, people are the compelling inspiration for the songs we know and love. 1. Rosanna Arquette Actress Rosanna Arquette is the inspiration for multiple songs. Arquette's time...
Rather than Ethan Hunt or James Bond running on trains or whipping Aston Martins every four to five years, these series took the “more is better” approach to espionage. There is more television here than you can probably watch for the rest of your life, so choose wisely. This message will self-destruct in five, four, three…...
The nature of celebrity has changed immensely in the Internet age. Never has being famous been so easy (Exhibit A: Bhad Bhabie), but even so, a handful of stars shine brighter than the rest. It helps that most of the stars gained their stardom pre-YouTube. Even so, making this list requires a level of sustained...
Have you seen the news stories warning that foreign adversaries might be scouting America's infrastructure for an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack that would cripple the power grid? Maybe you recently watched Leave the World Behind on Netflix, or perhaps you just have a sense that chaos is coming. If there is ever a catastrophic event affecting...
Modern life can leave many of us singing the blues. When dark times hit, entertainment becomes a form of therapy. Like therapists, some movies are better at helping you get out of the dumps than others. Next time you feel down, consider watching any of these 17 movies for a pick-me-up. 1. Anchorman: The Legend...
You might decide to move somewhere safer when crime is rising in your current city. WalletHub identified 25 locations with relatively low crime, traffic accident rates, unemployment, and other factors that contribute to instability and safety threats. 1. Nashua, NH Located just north of the Massachusetts border, Nashua ranks well in “Community Safety” (with a...
With the average cost of a new car encroaching upon $50,000, the used car market is the only market for many buyers. Even so, used cars are not cheap. Buyers have no room for error when spending thousands of dollars on their vehicles. Savvy buyers will avoid these 24 used car models, which is the reason...
Depending on your taste and perspective, the 90s may have been a musical Golden Age, wasteland, or somewhere in between. If you ask us, these 90s hits could go the way of the floppy disk, Furby, and portable CD player, and our playlists wouldn't miss a beat. 1. Sisqo: “Thong Song” At its peak, this...
You must be a bona fide superstar to perform during the Super Bowl's mid-game break. The thing about superstardom, though, is that it can be fleeting. While aged halftime acts like The Who may leave room for hope, we're confident there are quite a few still-active musical acts who have missed their window for earning...
In these trying, divided times, an unabashedly patriotic movie can be just what the Americans ordered. These 25 movies put their own twist on patriotism, making for quality movies that will make you want to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” 1. Gettysburg (1993) Critics loved this take on the Civil War starring Martin Sheen and Tom...
HBO remains the gold standard for excellence in television. The network's history is so rich, in fact, that viewers can spend weeks immersed in first-class miniseries. For some, they're hidden gems in the Goliath-sized shadows of hallmark series like The Sopranos, The Wire, and even SATC. Step to the side so we can give some shine...
The most resourceful individual could make a living in the middle of the Sahara, but why make things so hard on yourself? Being in an opportunity-rich locale is the first step towards financial prosperity, while the inverse is also true. Researchers from WalletHub used 34 criteria, including job opportunities and job security, to determine the very...
The 1990s is just a different decade in time, but it may as well be a galaxy far, far away. Those who lived through the 1990s feel old, but our old age can't take nostalgia away from us. Through technological advancement, social upheavals, and unprecedented changes in how humans interact, we'll always have our memories of the...
Bob Dylan said the times they were a-changin', and that truism has never been more accurate. With social norms morphing at a breakneck speed, it's worth looking back at past social trends that seem like relics of a distant time. Don't be too ashamed if you feel nostalgic for these entries. Don't tell anyone, though....
The wheel was the next big thing. The printing press was the next big thing. The fidget spinner was not. It turns out the next big thing. We have to call out those who pushed ballyhooed products that failed to earn their “next big thing” status. 1. PlayStation Portable (PSP) If it feels like it's...
Shows that drag on too long are a bummer but undeniably better than the alternative. The TV buff fears nothing more than a beloved show suffering ratings-rated cancellation or ending prematurely for any other reason. TV buffs feel a sense of unfinished business when they think of these shows that expired far too soon. 1....
People use the term “must-see” a little too lightly these days. With this list of movies, however, we really mean it. These are the films that you need to see before you die. You won't regret it. 1. Inception Few movies are as ambitious as Inception. Between Christopher Nolan's deft directorial hand, a cast that transcends the...
Did you feel the same degree of Christmas cheer in 2021 as you did in 2011? The holidays don't always hit the same, which is apparently true in Hollywood. We have found that some years produce far more (and better) Christmas movies than others. In ranking the best years for Christmas flicks, analysts at BestBettingSites considered the...
A good movie knows how to play with your emotions. Some films, however, lack any feel-good moments. Sure, they might exist, but you can't help but feel a little bit of dread and despair after watching them. These aren't movies you want to watch when you're looking for some good ol' escapism, as they strike a...
Few actors today deliver so consistently that you can convince yourself to watch any film they're in. Edward Norton is one of those rare few. Whether it's a 90s classic or an underrated 2000s flick, do yourself a favor and stream one of these Norton-led treasures tonight. 1. American History X (1998) Arguably Ed Norton's grittiest role...
Modern movies are, for better or worse, filled with CGI and special effects. Films using practical effects are few and far between. Despite this, some movies, classic or modern, opt for those realistic effects instead of relying on CGI. The result is an exhilarating performance you won't ever forget. The hair-raising vibration, retina-expanding sound, and...
When fans put forth the best lines they've ever heard from a movie, it's not all about how clever the line is. An elite turn of phrase or line of dialogue that sticks in your head— forever. How many do you know? 1. Top Gun (1986) We've all said it when we're going super fast...
Some movies can take us on an emotional ride — and there are even films that have such a profound impact that they leave us drained. Here are 18 powerful movies that will leave you emotionally wrecked. 1. Schindler's List (1993) Schindler's List tells the story of a German business man who saved the lives...
Crime movies should be gritty- otherwise, are they really crime movies? Some films really make you forget the camera is there and transport you to a criminal underworld that's seedier than an uncut watermelon. Here are the most underrated crime movies of the 1990s. 1. Carlito's Way (1993) It's not as if Brian De Palma's Carlito's...
People move for lots of reasons. They get a new job in a new city. They relocate to be closer to family. They decide to sell all their worldly possessions and retreat to a monastery deep in the cliffs of Bhutan (#monkmode). But when thousands of people leave a city several years in a row,...
12 Angry Men isn't just a bad Monday for the local psychiatrist, it's also arguably the gold standard for courtroom drama films. Sidney Lumet's 1957 classic paved the way for later films that thrive on nothing more than an elite script (packed with whiplash-inducing dialogue) and elite performances. These 15 movies took a page from the...
Many people think they'd enjoy being rich, and the private jet, Aspen winter home, and disposable income would undoubtedly be nice. However, many films about the ultra-wealthy prove that being generationally wealthy isn't everything it's cracked up to be. 1- Casino (1995) One of Scorsese's all-time best, Casino brings the life of a casino magnate to the...
Belgian-born actress Audrey Hepburn is most known as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Had she taken her father's advice and abided by the pleas of Otto Frank, Hepburn may have become most recognized for playing Anne Frank on the silver screen. Revelations from Robert Matzen's biography Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and WWII revealed that, despite...
Martin Scorsese is a modern giant in film history, and each of his movies is appointment viewing. Scorsese's 27 films include massive hits and minor misses (though very few of the latter). We have created a beginner's guide to Scorsese, picking out twelve films that most define the director's long, storied career. 1. Taxi Driver...
When Jimmy Buffett passed away on September 1st, 2023, the world didn't just lose one of the most iconic, transcendent, vibey musicians of his generation. The world also lost a pirate, a sailor, and a Parrothead. From the release of his debut album Down to Earth in 1970, Jimmy developed a fever, and the only cure was...
You can't compile a list of legendary modern actors without including Al Pacino. Though polarizing, virtually every “Best Movie Ever” list contains at least two Pacino films and typically two or three more. These are some of the highlights of one of the most impressive acting resumes you'll ever encounter. 1. The Insider (1999) In...
Whether you're a seasoned (no pun intended) foodie seeking an unconventional dish to add to your repertoire, or you want to get excited about cooking, these unconventional twists on classic dishes will raise eyebrows and, maybe surprisingly, activate taste buds. 1. Everything Bagel Pull-Apart Bread Pull-apart bread has been a Betty Crocker staple since the...
Some actors prove that starring roles are overrated. If you're talented enough, you need no more than 30 minutes of screen time (or even less) to steal the show. These roles are proof of that. 1. The Departed (2006): Jack Nicholson as Costello The cast in The Departed was so loaded (DiCaprio, Damon, Wahlberg, Martin...
Sometimes an actor's amazing talent can't save a bad film from being a complete trainwreck. Most critics and fans agree that even in a terrible movie, a talented actor can still deliver a scene-stealing performance, however. 1. Willem Dafoe, Death Note (2017) Willem Dafoe's performance in the live-action adaptation of the anime Death Note is about...
People use the term “must-see” a little too lightly these days. With this list of movies, however, we really mean it. These are the films that you need to see before you die. You won't regret it. 1. Inception Few movies are as ambitious as Inception. Between Christopher Nolan's deft directorial hand, a cast that transcends the...
Dogs indeed are man's best friend. Their only fault is that they leave us far too soon. Every canine out there is a good dog whose worst feature is that we have to say goodbye to them one day. Owners of puppies and dogs long in the tooth avoid these movies at all costs. They...
There are tense, tasteful thrillers (dare we even say horror flicks?), and then there are psyche-scarring gore fests. Most fans want the former but too often face the latter when they stream a scary movie they've never seen before. These well-done movies will raise your heart rate without robbing you of two weeks of restful sleep. 1....
Take it from me, a once-scolded uncle. When pre-teens say they want to watch a scary movie, they don't mean The Silence of the Lambs. Responsible adults treat scary movies like Goldilocks treats porridge—not too intense, but not so corny as to lose its essence of fear. These 25 scary movies are just frightening enough...
If you're looking for comedy movies that deliver maximum laughs, we've got the perfect list. A film fan on a popular online forum asked, “What comedy movie do you think has the greatest laughs-per-minute ratio?” Here are 14 hilarious comedies that deliver non-stop laughs. 1. Bridesmaids (2011) Bridesmaids is a no-brainer for the list, with...
Literacy rates may be falling along with political engagement and household income, but consumer debt continues to balloon in lockstep with inflation. These Cyber Monday statistics are incredibly mind-blowing within the context of American debt. 1. Experts Forecast $13.7 Billion in 2023 Cyber Monday Spending This seems like a ton of money, and it is....
When it comes to food, Thanksgiving is the time for the classics. Too much experimentation or adventurousness is a recipe for disappointment, and the meal's final course is no exception. While you may not be shocked at the three choices that dominate this list, you might be surprised which Turkey Day dessert your state craves...
Thanksgiving dinner is high art, and your plate is the canvas. The Frankenstein-ian creations we conjure from our turkey, casseroles, cranberry sauce, and pecan pie are impossibly delicious, and the fun doesn't have to stop when the relatives head home. Feel free to get just as creative with your Turkey Day leftovers as you were...
Few meals are worth traveling with, but holiday meals tend to be the exception. If you need to travel with ingredients or leftovers this holiday season, prepare for the gauntlet of airport security. Knowledge is power when aiming for headache-free (and patdown-minimal) travel, and we have the information you need. 1. Carry It On: The...
Producing a theater-worthy movie is expensive, but a small budget can go also lead to a great film. There are many examples of films that don't need a six-figure, Avengers-sized budget to make a fantastic movie. 1. Mad Max (1979) The gulf between the budgets of the original Mad Max and its decades-later progeny, Mad...
From Norm Macdonald to Tim Dillon, there are plenty of beloved stand-up comedians who have had only middling or short-lived success in film and television. Then, there are comedians who parlayed their on-stage brilliance into on-screen superstardom. 1. Mel Brooks Melvin Kaminsky, known to legions of followers as Mel Brooks, is the defining comedy director...
