But long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe hit the big screen, DC was building up a different media franchise: the DC Animated Universe, a shared universe for DC’s animated TV shows. The DC Animated Universe (often shortened as DCAU) launched with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992, and always had at least one animated TV series on the air until 2005. Over those 13 years, eight DCAU shows were bound by common characters and settings....

After Microsoft declared intention to buy Activision Blizzard in January 2022—to the tune of a whopping $60 billion plus—many have expected some sort of response from Microsoft’s main gaming rival, Sony. Sony is still bigger than Microsoft in the gaming market, and will continue to hold a larger market share even after the Activision Blizzard acquisition goes through. However, the Microsoft deal represents a monumental shift in the balance of power and what the future holds....

If we broaden our minds, we can start seeing different D&D campaign settings as unique sandboxes with special traits—and these traits come together as a toolset that DMs can use to craft deeper, more intricate, and more interesting stories. And few D&D campaign settings have introduced as much depth and narrative magic as Eberron. Originally published in 2004, the world of Eberron combines pulp action-adventure with a fantasy setting that even incorporates steampunk elements (because who doesn’t love airships?...

Not all such movies are well-made, but the good ones are really good. Here are our picks for the best movies about robots and artificial intelligence, from cute Pixar bots to evil computer villains. 10. I, Robot (2004) The year is 2035. The boring jobs people don’t want have been filled by helper robots, who are given their own laws to live by. When one of those robots is suspected of murder, Detective Del Spooner (played by Will Smith) is sent to investigate and uncovers a conspiracy that could endanger the entire human race....

Fortunately, if you’ve got Xbox Game Pass, you have access to a treasure trove of fantastic racing games. Here are some of the best racing games on Xbox Game Pass across gaming genres. 10. Dirt 5 While Codemasters’ rally racing series started off by taking itself rather seriously, Dirt 5 throws most of that out the window. Instead, the game cranks up the color and the fun rating thanks to a dose of inspiration from the criminally underplayed Onrush....

That’s why we’ve had so many comedy troupes throughout the ages. With their combined chemistry and energy, comedy troupes can make for the most amusing gags and sketches that bring out the best of every comedian or performer. The power of a comedy troupe is the diversity of humor between its members. Whether you love slapstick gags or deadpan deliveries, there’s a little of everything for everyone. It’s no wonder that comedy troupes put out the most hysterical shows and movies....

These are the typical heroes of fantasy movies and TV shows. It’s their destiny to fulfill the heroic journeys ahead of them, and they may even help make more heroes out of others along the way. Here are some of the best fantasy heroes in movies and TV shows, and what make them such great characters. 10. Willow Where is he from? Willow Dwarf Willow just wanted to get away from his farm and become a sorcerer....

With iconic figures like Spider-Man, Wolverine, Superman, and Wonder Woman, it’s hard to imagine what a superhero movie could be like when it doesn’t fall into the same tropes used by MCU and DCEU. The good news is, Netflix’s library contains more than a handful of superhero movies that are very different from the ones by Marvel and DC—and that alone makes them worth checking out. Here are some of the best superhero movies on Netflix that involve super-powered or super-geared heroes who are up against corruption, evil, and impossible odds....

Those anti-Vietnam War, pro-LSD stoners took to nature and advocated for free love and spirituality throughout America, sparking a countercultural movement that became a lifestyle identity across the globe. Here are some of the greatest movies in cinema history about hippies and similarly free-spirited characters. 12. More (1969) A co-production between Germany, France, and England, More shows us the dangers of being a trip-loving hippie. Hitchhiking was an integral part of the yippie lifestyle—and almost as dangerous as the drugs they took....

Corruption, ambition, and depravity have turned these emblems of morality into widely known abusers who exploit their high positions to get what they want—and even when they’re exposed, they evade justice. Of course, that’s not always the case. For every dubious priest, there are also those who live to do good and lift up those in need, even at the expense of their own happiness and safety. Here are our picks for the best movies about priests and ministers, including those who are good, those who are evil, and in between....

While there are characters with strengths that are too much to handle (but haven’t yet been shown in the anime), there have also been characters with great potential that were (sadly) nerfed or omitted entirely from the anime adaptation. But between the characters that did make it into the anime series, from full-fledged hunters to that random guy who manages to use Nen, here’s our take on the strongest Hunter X Hunter characters who have showcased their strengths in the anime....

Examples include The Prestige, Inception, The Usual Suspects, Shutter Island, and The Matrix. While I wouldn’t mind watching them again, I have no desire to put them on, if I’m being honest. But there are a handful of movies I can watch over and over again. Not many films make that list for me—and the ones that do aren’t necessarily good movies, just well-made and entertaining. The characters, the acting, the cinematography, the story, the stakes, the dialogue all combine to pull me in and refuse to let go....

The premise is simple: Carpool Karaoke: The Series is an easy-to-watch reality show that showcases two celebrities who sing along to their favorite songs as they cruise around a city together. While James Corden was originally host who sang with guests, the concept has evolved beyond Corden and now functions as a fun snippet of music and chatter amongst famous people. Every so often, there are even crazy stunts thrown into the mix to shake things up....

But the story wasn’t only about their own romantic tale. The whole cast of Gongjin enjoyed their own narratives, too, in a series that gave ample screen time to its supporting cast—and with great thought. The expansive cast of characters gave the show a well-rounded collective performance, making fictional Gongjin feel like a real place to watchers, complete with a bustling intertwined society at its heart. The knowledge, secrets, and fears of every character are expertly explored in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, as the narrative gently unfolds, unwilling to rush toward its conclusion....

In the 21st century, the nature of tragedy hasn’t changed all that much. We empathize with characters as they live their lives, and we watch as they scramble to keep those lives whole while pieces fall apart. Yet, while every television character has aspects of tragedy to their stories, some come out far worse on the other end. Who are the most tragic characters in television, forced to endure hells of every kind as they struggle to maintain peace and sanity?...

Biographical movies present one of the greatest risks for any performer because they demand far more. Unlike a normal movie, in which the actress has creative license in how they appear on screen, biographical performances must capture the spirit of an actual person. Throughout cinema history, viewers have been drawn to movies that bring high-profile figures to life on screen—and the aspect that draws us is the opportunity to witness the intricate details of a person whom we know so much about, yet also know so little about....

Which is why oceans and seas have been where some of the greatest battles have been fought. From pioneers in search of a home to ships lost to Davy Jones’ locker, the ocean proves itself perfect for adventure. Unfortunately, there aren’t that many great movies set on the high seas—at least, not as many as you’d think. A lot of scripts and directors fail to truly capture the sense of intensity of the ocean’s raw power....

Decades ago, Hollywood had a knack for putting out films with a grand sense of purpose without even trying. Today, movie theaters are full of superheroes and blockbusters that are more for escapism and raw entertainment—which isn’t, of itself, a bad thing. The kinds of movies that get pumped out today aren’t always the same as what got made decades ago, but if you look around enough, you’ll find that there are plenty of excellent modern films—ones that are even challenging—that stimulate the grander questions of life....

One of those genres is disaster movies. Everything ranging from disease outbreaks to horrific monster appearances, from world-ending catastrophes to post-apocalyptic survival, South Korea’s movie industry has given us some of the best in the genre. Between excellent CGI and talented acting and uniquely written scripts, South Korean disaster movies have all the ingredients of a thrilling, dramatic, and emotional cinematic experience. Here are some of the best Korean disaster movies worth watching if you haven’t already....

Over eight decades later, Batman has changed quite a bit from that original concept and is now one of the most recognizable characters in all of pop culture. And that popularity has brought Batman to the big screen on many occasions, in both live-action and animated form. From Michael Keaton to Kevin Conroy, from George Clooney to Adam West, many notable actors have worked to bring The Dark Knight to life in their own ways, with varying degrees of success....