Zack Snyder — the controversial director of the day

https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/12/zack-snyder-director-movies-rebel-moon/676903/?See also: https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/netflix/netflix-most-expensive-movie-dc-zack-synder-361278-20231222 ZACK SNYDER, THE DIRECTOR PEOPLE LOVE TO HATE How did one of Hollywood’s most successful and influential filmmakers also become one of its most divisive? By Dave Itzkoff, December 21, 2023 One july morning, at a cavernous soundstage on Sunset Boulevard, amplified sound effects boomed so loudly that the walls trembled. On a … Continue reading Zack Snyder — the controversial director of the day →

Give new tech a chance — Example? electric scooters

ww.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/12/22/bird-bankruptcy-scooter-backlash/ I hated electric scooters. I was wrong. Our snap judgments about new technology are often about feelings more than facts. By Shira Ovide December 22, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. EST I reviled those rented electric scooters that burst into many cities in the late 2010s. Half a decade later, I realize I was wrong. Those scooters … Continue reading Give new tech a chance — Example? electric scooters →

Best-ever baked potato

http://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/martha-stewart-just-taught-secret-203000405.html Martha Stewart Just Taught Me the Secret to the Best-Ever Baked Potato Meghan Splawn, December 18, 2023 <img src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/sM59BVU9z0wPZ01gKSQ6sw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjU3O2NmPXdlYnA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/apartment_therapy_269/f89df33243ddced56cf49c9b8675dc48&quot; alt="<span>Credit: Meghan Splawn</span> <span class="copyright">Credit: Meghan SplawnCredit: Meghan Splawn Credit: Meghan Splawn Last year, thanks to my colleague Sheela Prakash, I fell madly in love with jacket potatoes. As Sheela explains in her ode to the British … Continue reading Best-ever baked potato →

Ebikes coming into their own as alternatives to cars

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/22/ebike-boom-america-sales ‘It feels very fun and freeing’: US sees ebike boom after years of false starts Sales surge as cities and states look to cut pollution from cars and improve options for Americans to get around Oliver Milman, @olliemilman, published Fri 22 Dec 2023 12.00 EST After several years of false starts, electric bikes are finally … Continue reading Ebikes coming into their own as alternatives to cars →

Best overlooked indie movies of 2023

I go to a LOT of movies as a member of AMC's A-List which allows me to go to up to three movies a week (including IMAX and Dolby sound theatres) at the nearby 12-screen complex. I also see quite a few independent movies at the Film Society of Lincoln Center (NYC). And yet, this list … Continue reading Best overlooked indie movies of 2023 →

Fascinating details on how much money influencers make

http://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/12/22/how-much-influencers-make-youtube-tiktok/ [a fascinating story with far too many details to post -- just click thru] How much money do influencers make? 10 creators give us the real numbers. The monthly finances of 10 influencers who are cashing in — or trying to — online By Emma Kumer and Rachel Lerman

Best movies and TV of 2023, picked for you by NPR critics

http://www.npr.org/2023/12/19/1215673946/best-movies-tv-2023 The best movies and TV of 2023, picked for you by NPR critics DECEMBER 19, 20235:01 AM ET By Eric Deggans,  Aisha Harris,  Linda Holmes, Bob Mondello, Bilal Qureshi, Glen Weldon Clockwise from top left: Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One, Passages, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Four Daughters, Only Murders in the Building, Hijack Paramount Pictures; MUBI; Sony Pictures; Jour2Fête; Hulu; Apple TV+ … Continue reading Best movies and TV of 2023, picked for you by NPR critics →

Notable classical recordings of 2023 from the New Yorker

http://www.newyorker.com/culture/2023-in-review/notable-classical-recordings-of-2023 Notable Classical Recordings of 2023 I can’t remember a year of so many pleasure-inducing, addiction-triggering albums. By Alex Ross, published December 22, 2023 Illustration by Pierre Buttin If I were making my usual yearly list of memorable live performances, I would include Michael Tilson Thomas’s buoyant concerts at the L.A. Philharmonic, in January; the première of … Continue reading Notable classical recordings of 2023 from the New Yorker →

The fight over Apple’s iMessage and those green bubbles

http://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/the-fight-over-apples-imessage-and-those-green-bubbles-0ad95088? The Fight Over Apple’s iMessage and Those Green Bubbles Apple has worked to block the Beeper Android app for users, but it plans to adopt a more Android-friendly texting standard alongside iMessage By Nicole Nguyen Dec. 22, 2023 11:21 am ET After nearly 10 years, my husband, Will, finally joined the Nguyen family iMessage chat. … Continue reading The fight over Apple’s iMessage and those green bubbles →

Bookbub’s list of best books of 2023

https://www.bookbub.com/blog/best-books-2023-bookbub These Are the Best 17 Books of 2023, According to BookBub Editors By BookBub December 22, 2023 Save any books that interest you from this article to your BookBub wishlist and we’ll notify you when we have a deal on them. It’s hard to narrow down the best books of the year, but these titles … Continue reading Bookbub’s list of best books of 2023 →

2023 TV Series worth a search

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/dec/22/one-of-tvs-most-underrated-shows-the-best-television-you-never-watched-in-2023 ‘One of TV’s most underrated shows’: the best television you never watched in 2023 From Culprits to Reservation Dogs, there’s been too much incredible comedy and drama to watch this year. Here are the finest series you don’t want to miss out on Hollie Richardson, Kate Abbott, Alexi Duggins and Phil HarrisonFri 22 Dec 2023 11.00 EST High … Continue reading 2023 TV Series worth a search →

5 iPhone camera features to try out this holiday season

http://www.macrumors.com/2023/12/24/5-iphone-camera-features-to-try-out/ 5 iPhone Camera Features to Try Out This Holiday Season Sunday December 24, 2023 2:00 am PST by Hartley Charlton Over the holiday season, capturing photos and videos of the festivities with family and friends is an important activity for many. The iPhone has a suite of camera features that can significantly elevate the quality and creativity of … Continue reading 5 iPhone camera features to try out this holiday season →