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A collection of my articles with an entertainment focus. If you'd like to send me a potential resource for a future article, or if you'd like to commission or hire me, send me an email at npyles86[at]gmail[dot]com.

Tom's Guide •

Everybody's forgotten that 'Psycho' has a sequel. I finally watched it — and it wasn't what I expected at all

Some films become so iconic that they permanently imprint themselves on pop culture, living on through remakes, spinoffs, Halloween costumes and characters that linger long after the credits roll. While I can't recall the first time I saw "Psycho," I'll never forget how deeply it resonated with me, instantly becoming one of my all-time favorite horror movies.The 1960 original was never intended to spawn a franchise like "Halloween" or "Final Destination."
Tom's Guide •

Everyone hated this disaster thriller when it came out. They were wrong

I'm a sucker for a disaster flick. Admittedly, these films get notoriously bad ratings from audiences and poor reviews from critics. But I can't resist a movie where the wildest weather-based problems slam into our little blue-and-green planet, causing absolute chaos — with the solution to save us all discovered by just a handful of people. The high stakes and overdone special effects make these films the ultimate popcorn flick experience.
Tom's Guide •

You might think a movie about fired millionaires is unwatchable, but I was surprisingly moved by this underrated drama on Prime Video

Ben Affleck has been creating quite the buzz lately between his $1 million win on "Celebrity Jeopardy" and his ongoing bromance with "The Odyssey" star Matt Damon. My own Affleck fandom kicked off way back when I first saw him in "Good Will Hunting." Honestly, gotta love a guy with a Boston accent, right?Since then, I’ve always kept an eye out for his projects. One film I feel stands as one of his most underrated roles is 2010's "The Company Men."
Tom's Guide •

I stumbled on a dark fantasy hidden gem streaming free on Tubi. I may never sleep again

I've always been a fan of obscure films. Some movies happen upon me like a dream, and the 1989 British dark fantasy flick "Paperhouse" was one of those rare finds. I stumbled across it late one night back when flipping around channels was still a thing — one of the true casualties of the streaming age, where these hidden cinematic gems are so much harder to come by organic discovery.The moment I tuned in, I was completely entranced by the eerie concept of a young girl’s drawings coming to life....
Tom's Guide •

Before 'Fight Club,' Ed Norton starred in a legal thriller with a shocking twist — stream it now on Paramount+

Edward Norton is often praised for his iconic role in "Fight Club," and it's exciting to see his name popping up for his role in Olivia Wilde’s hit indie comedy "The Invite." Yet, there is another film that I consider one of his finest hours: "Primal Fear." Shockingly, his turn as the accused killer Aaron Stampler marked his feature acting debut — a performance so powerful it even earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Tom's Guide •

Move over, 'Fatal Attraction.' This free movie on Tubi has a truly twisted revenge plot

I’ve always been a big fan of movies about relationships gone frighteningly wrong, especially those that capture the raw intensity of an affair-turned-sour, much like the classic "Fatal Attraction." As I hunt for something to watch each night, I’m always on the lookout for similar themes of obsession and psychological suspense. Recently, I stumbled upon a hidden gem that I hadn't seen before, and it's one I highly recommend adding to your evening lineup.Best of all, you can stream "Web of Decept...
Tom's Guide •

7 best miniseries to binge-watch over the holidays

As you prep for the upcoming holiday break, you may be looking for something to watch while figuring out how to operate a new gadget or waiting for cookies to finish baking in the oven.That makes this the perfect time to select a miniseries to binge-watch over the course of a few days — or hey, even in a single day, if you want to indulge in some bed-rotting. There are plenty of options that will leave you satisfied that you've seen something to its completion. I'm sharing some of my picks for t...
Tom's Guide •

7 best Netflix shows with 30-minute episodes to binge watch right now

From award-winning picks to side-splitting comedies to edge-of-your-seat thrillers, Netflix offers a plentiful array of TV shows for viewers everywhere. It's one of the most popular streaming services out there, and for good reason, considering all the quality content available. However, sometimes you aren't in the mood for an hourlong drama that you might get sucked into for an entire day. In that case, you'll want to check out their shows with 30-minute episodes.Whether you want to watch on a...
Tom's Guide •

7 best winter movies to stream for a cozy night in — and where to stream them

The holidays may be delightful, but the weather outside can get very frightful. As December brings chilly winds, dreary skies, and snow (sometimes), you begin to wonder why you ever liked this time of year at all. When that happens, watching winter movies is the perfect way to keep warm and cozy.We've compiled some of the best winter movies to watch, whether you are in the mood for a monster movie, a disaster flick or a stark drama. These movies will have you reaching for a blanket as you curl u...
Tom's Guide •

7 best political thrillers to stream right now

It's hard to imagine tuning into a political thriller in this intense political climate. Yet these films — whether based on a true event or purely fictional — can provide a fascinating angle into the real-life dramatics playing out before our eyes. Other times, they are a helpful escape that takes us away, even if just for a brief moment.We've listed some of the best political thrillers you can watch on streaming. You'll see a classic inspired by award-winning journalism and others that will mak...
Tom's Guide •

7 best medical dramas on Hulu to stream right now

Code blue, we need a doctor, stat! It's easy to get swept away in the urgency and intense emotions of a medical drama. Those of us who have no medical training get an exciting behind-the-scenes look (albeit a fictionalized one). At the same time, we gain close-up insights into the lives of the doctors and nurses saving the patients in their care. For those of you who happen to be in the medical field, it's likely harder to enjoy yourself without pointing out the flaws. However, for the rest of u...
Tom's Guide •

9 Harlen Coben shows, ranked by Rotten Tomatoes ratings

Harlen Coben has published countless bestsellers, selling over 80 million copies worldwide. In 2018, he began a partnership with Netflix to turn 14 of his books into TV series. "Fool Me Once" is the most recent of these, based on a 2016 novel of the same name, and there are more to come, with "Missing You" set to be released sometime in 2025. He remains involved in every series in some capacity through his production company, Final Twist Productions, and he has even served as an executive produc...
Tom's Guide •

7 best Tom Cruise movies to stream on Netflix, Prime Video and more

Tom Cruise is one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood. For good reason, too. With jaw-dropping stunts, a gleaming smile and an intense gaze unmatched by many, Tom Cruise is a household name in Hollywood. He's had the lead actor role in at least 39 films and counting and has a box office total that has grossed over 10 billion. He has also produced some of his own films, including the hit Mission: Impossible franchise.

While Cruise may be known as an invincible action star, he has also played
Mental Floss •

10 of the Most Valuable Cassette Tapes From the ‘80s and ‘90s

In the age of easy-to-access digital music, it’s hard to imagine a time when audio cassette tapes were popular. But back in the 1980s and ‘90s, cassette tapes were everything, even surpassing vinyl as the go-to way to listen to music (or even win over a prospective love interest).

Nowadays, music you can actually hold in your hands feels novel compared to its digital brethren. Although cassettes are making a slow comeback, most people probably don’t think of tapes as a must-have item, let alone
Mental Floss •

10 of the Most Valuable Barbie Accessories

Even though Barbie debuted in 1959, she still remains as popular as ever with fans young and old. As fascination with Greta Gerwig’s upcoming movie grows, it’s also spurred many of us to revisit the old Barbie gear we still have in storage. If you’re in the same boat, you might be wondering how much it’s all worth today.

BonusFinder.com, a casino review portal, recently took a look at the most valuable Barbies on the market. After analyzing sales figures from Barbiedb.com, they found that the o
Mental Floss •

8 Streaming Services That Still Let You Share Passwords

Although it was once the world’s most popular streaming service, Netflix is no longer a favorite among cord-cutters. For subscribers who were already bristling over cost hikes and show cancellations, the final straw seemed to come earlier this spring when the company launched its paid-sharing model, which will require users to pay an additional fee to share passwords on their accounts.

The controversial move has already dealt Netflix a serious blow; the platform lost a million users in Spain du
Mental Floss •

11 Best Gifts for ‘Twilight Zone’ Fans

When Rod Serling’s premiered on CBS in 1959, no one could have expected that it would become a cultural phenomenon. With a movie in 1983 and three revivals on television (including reboots in the mid-1980s, early 2000s, and late 2010s, respectively), this seminal anthology series has a special place in the hearts of its fans.

Given that May 11 is National Day, we figured it’s as good a time as any to journey into a wondrous land of imagination—a place where the best gifts are all out laid out a
Lady Unemployed •

12 Must-Watch Scary Movies if You Don't Like Horror

Do you love scary movies but aren’t a fan of horror movies? While I love a good, scary movie, I just don’t like the horror genre. Shocking, I know. However, I do love movies that are scary, creepy, and chilling but only if they have very little if any at all, paranormal elements. So, if you love scary movies, but don’t like horror movies, I have the perfect list for you. Many of the movies I’ve chosen fall under the thriller category, but I’m sure you’ll find a few you enjoy.
Lady Unemployed •

10 Excellent Movies About Work and Office Life

Movies about work and office life are some of my favorite types of movies. I love the comedies that center upon the idiosyncrasies of the office, the dramas that focus on a workplace gone corrupt, and the thrillers that focus on a character whose entire life is that job – and they lose it. So, I thought I’d compile some of my favorite movies based on work and office life that I recommend you add to your movie list.
Lady Unemployed •

My Top 15 Favorite Movies About Writers

Because I am a writer, I’m always drawn to movies about writers, especially if the main character is a writer. I love it when the movie portrays the struggle to develop a relationship with characters, put words onto paper, and not get too bogged down by rejection after rejection. Today, I wanted to put together a list of my top 10 movies about writers. Some you will be very familiar with, and others maybe not so much.

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Get in touch with me by sending me an email at npyles86[at]gmail[dot]com.