Whether it’s a subtle nod to a masterpiece or entire feature dedicated to a painter’s masterpieces, here are several films that recreated the look of famous paintings to infuse deeper meanings. 10. The Nightmare in Gothic (1986) Gothic is far from the best movie ever made, but critics can agree that its striking (and gruesome) imagery is what makes it stand out. A weird, lowbrow horror that caters to cult fans, Gothic reimagines the story of the Shelleys’ visit to Lord Byron and how Frankenstein was first written in 1818....

There’s a long and storied history of movies set in the Wild West, and a lot of them go too heavy on the Western themes and tropes. They also have a certain aesthetic that may not appeal to viewers who aren’t used to watching this kind of movie. But there are a handful of Wild West movies that transcend the genre and deserve watching even if you aren’t a fan of Westerns....

Yet, some of us grew to watch films with a more critical eye, and it’s clear now that some common character tropes of the past just don’t work that well anymore—to the point where they feel unsatisfying. Here are several of these outdated character tropes that are reductive, sexist, or just plain uncomfortable. They should’ve been retired long ago. 5. The Sexy Tomboy The Sexy Tomboy is a mashup of two different—but also popular—character tropes: the Tomboy and the Cool Girl....

There are all kinds of fun drinking games for movies that you can play alone or with others, and they’re a great way to put a cinematic spin on the usual nights in—especially if you’re a movie buff who likes to poke fun at common movie tropes and clichés. Get your popcorn ready, crack open a cold one, and check out these hilariously fun drinking games for movies that you can play with your friends....

You have options, like walking around the neighborhood or chilling on a blanket at the nearby park, but those things can grow stale after a while. Isn’t there anything else that can help you get up and get out? Of course there is! It’s called slacklining. You take a length of strap that’s a few inches wide (or, if you’re daring, narrower), string it up between two trees, and try to walk across it....

But if you don’t want to spend a fortune—canvas prints can get pricey depending on where you order them—there are a handful of sites you should keep in mind to get canvas prints for cheap. These sites are easy to use, too. They’ll walk you through the simple process of turning digital photos into canvas prints, and have them delivered to your house in tip-top shape. When comparing the numerous sites that offer on-demand custom canvas prints, we’ll compare their prices using the most common canvas print size: 11"x14" (10"x14" or 12"x16" if unavailable)....

By contrast, the 21st century has become an era of only two things: auteur films and blockbuster stories. We’re less and less likely to see films that have any meaning other than to rake in big bucks at the box office. Anything else lives exclusively on streaming services. So, in a way, the 90s represented the last bastion of purely theatrical filmmaking, and the romantic comedy dominated that era. It gave us an entire genre of actor and actress who seemed to specialize in the rom-com—like Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConaughey, Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts—and jumped from one rom-com to the next, willfully falling in love with reckless abandon....

Over the years, there have been numerous television shows that feature a central protagonist (or protagonists) engaging in immoral lawbreaking. For some reason, we keep rooting for them anyway. We might root for them because we empathize with their rationale and their personal struggles, or maybe they’re caught in a world where such behaviors could be seen as justifiable. These characters offer us an opportunity to examine the moral complexities of real life that go deeper than over-simplified dichotomies of right versus wrong....

Those other universes may differ in origin, physics, or biology, but overall they represent dimensions and realities that are akin to ours. There have been countless multiverse depictions of all different kinds. At times, those multiverses only exist to bridge popular IPs together. Other times, they offer deep commentary on life. And other times, they unleash bizarre worlds that know no limits or logic. Here are the best multiverse movies of all time that are written well, uniquely imagined, and sure to twist your mind....

Despite the fact these characters never age or suffer permanent damage from their (mis)adventures, The Simpsons still sticks to a loose overarching narrative across its episodes. The only exception is their annual Halloween special “Treehouse of Horror” episodes. As of this writing, there have been 32 total “Treehouse of Horror” episodes. Here’s our pick for the best of the lot and why they stand out from the rest. 10. Treehouse of Horror XIII (Season 14) The fourteenth season of The Simpsons gave us another “Treehouse of Horror” episode that’s split into three short stories (as they all are)....

The podcast format has taken over many genres—notably comedy and talk show interviews—and the horror genre is no exception. From disturbing folklore to true crime investigations, these horror-themed podcasts are guaranteed to put you on the edge of your seat. Whether you’re an ardent fan or casual listener, here are some of the scariest horror podcasts worth checking out. 10. Lore Remember watching Unsolved Mysteries and getting the sensation that those conspiracies might be true?...

Think of your favorite British show—or any other show from the UK—and you’ll notice that most have a special Christmas-themed episode or one-hour holiday special. It’s very much a tradition, so much so that even dramas like Downton Abbey have their own specials. Here are some of the best British TV Christmas specials to tune into this season. Some are merry, some not so. 12. The Royle Family: The Royle Family at Christmas (2000) With a sullen family like the Royles, how do you think they’d spend time and money during a costly holiday?...

Most viewers erroneously believe that female characters are just vehicles for fan service, but every great anime series knows that its female characters are vital to the story—not just through romance and comedy, but in ways that twist and advance the narrative. Here are some of the most badass anime series with female characters, serving as proof that they aren’t just there for fan service—and in some cases, they’re stronger than their male counterparts....

The shonen genre involves anime series that primarily target adolescent boys, with heavy emphasis on action scenes, adventure plots, and epic stakes. However, there’s a huge variety of anime within the shonen genre, and many of them appeal to those who aren’t young and aren’t male. In fact, no matter who you are, it’s pretty much guaranteed for there to be a shonen anime series that you’ll love, if for no other reason than the fact that there are so many of them out there....

These days, there are more free options for streaming movies and TV shows than you have time for. Maybe you don’t want to check them all out. In which case, which free services are worth your time? Here are our picks for the best free TV and movie streaming services this year, including what makes each one worthwhile and which type of viewer is best-suited for each streaming platform....

The looks of wonder on their faces mirrored our own in the audience, watching in amazement as a fully-grown Brachiosaurus grazes a few hundred yards away with the rest of its herd. It’s a moment imprinted upon cinema history for all time. Steven Spielberg gave the world a moment of unbridled joy with that sequence in Jurassic Park. These days, everyone is used to seeing dinosaurs on the big screen—but Spielberg’s creations still hold up to this day as some of the best creatures in any movie....

The adventures in their films rival those of Disney’s most significant efforts from decades gone by, and today Pixar sits alongside Studio Ghibli as an animation powerhouse renown for quality. That’s because Pixar knows a thing or two about developing a powerful story, and they know that every good adventure story needs a good villain—somebody that makes the protagonist’s journey harder, more challenging, and deeper. Here are our picks for the best Pixar movie villains of all time and why they stand out as formidable opponents in their films....

Thanks to the inexplicably popular cartoon and its extremely catchy theme songs—one of the catchiest of all time—the Turtles were already household names by their live-action movie’s debut in 1990. Even though the franchise was already one of the biggest names in children’s entertainment, the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie was seen as a significant risk for movie studios… …so much so that the movie failed to secure a distribution company until it was well into the production process....

And it’s a perfectly valid question, with even Christopher Reeve’s own sequels to his first two Superman films widely forgotten. There have been two Superman movies made since Reeve left the role: 2006’s Superman Returns starring Brandon Routh and 2013’s Man of Steel starring Henry Cavill. And among fans, most seem to lean toward Man of Steel as their favorite of the two. Which is strange, since Man of Steel didn’t set the box office alight nor did it meet with critical acclaim....

Why was the show cancelled?! In most cases, it comes down to low ratings, poor reviews, contract disputes—all are peddled as reasons for a cancellation, and most of the time, the decision is correct. But every so often there are TV shows that get cancelled undeservingly. We’re talking about well-made and well-liked TV series that, for one reason or another, got the boot anyway. Here are some of the best geeky TV shows that got cancelled and still deserve to be revived because they were just that good!...