Not long after Apple announced the Vision Pro at WWDC, rumors about its inevitable follow-up began to spread. In June, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in his newsletter that a second-generation headset was already in the works and that it would add several major new features. We’re still months out from the launch of Apple Vision Pro, but now MacRumors has shared a report of its own spoiling even more Vision Pro 2 details.

According to MacRumors, Apple’s second-generation headset “bears striking resemblance to the first-generation Vision Pro.” It’ll feature the same curved aesthetics and button placement as the original device, but the speaker will have a new home. MacRumors also claims that the device is known internally as Project Alaska and device identifier N109.

Sources say that early designs of the new headset do not include the rounded areas that house the speakers on the current model. Instead, Apple has placed “temples that are flat and uniform throughout their entire length” on the headset.

MacRumors’ sources apparently saw documentation from Apple about the next Vision Pro as well. Those documents contain references to an audio accessory but don’t provide any details. MacRumors suggests it could be an external speaker. They also reveal that Apple considered two designs for the top vents, “one being the same as the vents on the first-generation ‌Apple Vision Pro‌, and the latter featuring two clusters of tiny speaker-type holes.”

Another potential change is simpler rear straps that look more like “flat straps commonly found on laptop bags or backpacks.” Plus, the sources suggest that Apple might be sticking with the external battery pack, which will also be available for the Vision Pro.

MacRumors also provided a list of key hardware components for Project Alaska:

• 2 micro-OLED displays
• 1 TrueDepth camera
• 4 computer vision (CV) cameras
• 2 RGB cameras
• 2 low light infrared illuminators
• Semi-automatic interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment
• Compass, ambient light sensor, magnetometer, accelerometer, gyroscope

The second-generation Apple Vision Pro is reportedly scheduled to enter the product validation testing (PVT) stage of development in 2025. That would align with a late 2025 or early 2026 release date for the next-generation headset. Of course, Apple’s plans could change depending on a variety of factors, such as the success of the first-gen Vision Pro.

The post Apple Vision Pro 2 leak unveils new features and changes appeared first on BGR.

On Friday, Netflix took to YouTube again for another Geeked Week 2023 showcase. Similar to the Thursday Showcase, Netflix premiered a boatload of new trailers, teasers, and clips from its upcoming TV shows and movies, including 3 Body Problem, The Brothers Sun, Yu Yu Hakusho, and The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep. If you didn’t tune in for the live stream on Friday afternoon, don’t worry — we’ve rounded up all of the trailers for you below.

3 Body Problem

Curious about what Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have been up to since their HBO show ended? Well, they’ve been working on a new adaptation for Netflix. 3 Body Problem is an original series based on the Chinese science fiction series written by Liu Cixin. The books follow an alternate history in which Earth contacts an alien civilization from a nearby system. And wouldn’t you know it — the fate of humanity is at stake.

The Brothers Sun

“When the head of a powerful Taiwanese triad is shot by a mysterious assassin, his eldest son, legendary killer Charles “Chairleg” Sun (Justin Chien) heads to Los Angeles to protect his mother, Eileen (Michelle Yeoh), and his naive younger brother, Bruce (Sam Song Li) — who’s been completely sheltered from the truth of his family until now,” says Netflix.

Obliterated

What if The Hangover was also an action thriller? Enter, Obliterated. This new series from the creators of Cobra Kai is about an elite special forces team that got so drunk they accidentally defused a fake bomb, so now they have to find the real one.

Leave the World Behind

Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la, and Kevin Bacon come together for an apocalyptic thriller from Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail. Oh, and if that didn’t pique your interest, Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground is producing.

Code 8 Part II

To be entirely honest, I didn’t know there was a Code 8 Part I, but fans of brothers Robbie Amell (Upload) and Stephen Amell (Arrow) will be thrilled to know that both star in this sequel set in a world where “4% of the population are born with abnormal powers.”

Masters of the Universe: Revolution

“It’s technology versus magic when He-Man and the heroic warriors face the forces of Skeletor and something more in MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: REVOLUTION – the new epic chapter in the battle for Castle Grayskull!” Netflix teases. This is a direct sequel to the 1983–1985 series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.

Onmyoji

For the first time, the Onmyoji Heian-period supernatural mystery novels by Baku Yumemakura are being adapted into an anime series, and this is the first clip.

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep

Fans were devastated when they learned that Henry Cavill would no longer play Geralt of Rivia after The Witcher season 3. Netflix is doing its best to make it up to them by casting Doug Cockle as Geralt in the upcoming animated movie, The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep. You’ll recognize Cockle’s voice from The Witcher 3 video game, in which he voiced Geralt.

Yu Yu Hakusho

Yu Yu Hakusho is the latest live-action anime adaptation from Netflix. In case you haven’t seen the anime, the story is about a teenager named Yusuke who dies trying to save a young boy from being hit by a car. In the afterlife, he is given the opportunity to be revived, but in return, he has to become an Underworld Detective and battle demons.

Blood of Zeus season 2

Here’s what happens in this clip from Blood of Zeus season 2: “Heron reflects on the war for Olympus and his battle with Seraphim, and channels his new demigod powers.”

The post Netflix drops trailers for 3 Body Problem, Yu Yu Hakusho, and more appeared first on BGR.

Shortly after the 2023 actors’ strike came to an end, as SAG-AFTRA and the studios reached a new three-year deal, Disney shared new release dates for four upcoming Marvel movies. These delays are sure to frustrate fans of the franchise, but given the sad state of the MCU, this might be the break that both the viewers and Marvel need.

As for the new release dates, Deadpool 3 is now set for July 26, 2024; Captain America: Brave New World hits theaters on February 14, 2025; Thunderbolts lands on July 25, 2025; and Blade moves to November 7, 2025. That’s right — we’re only getting one Marvel movie in 2024, and it won’t arrive until the second half of the year.

I think this should be a net positive for everyone involved. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a bloated mess, and as I have pointed out on half a dozen occasions, the four lowest-rated MCU projects to date have all been released in the last three years (and The Marvels currently has a worse rating than Thor: Love and Thunder on Rotten Tomatoes).

As a self-proclaimed fan of the MCU, I have felt obligated to keep up with every new show and movie. More often than not, I’ve been let down by Marvel’s latest releases, from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness to Secret Invasion. I don’t have comic book fatigue — I’m playing and loving Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PS5 right now! — but I am struggling to get excited about the MCU. I know I’m not alone in that, and I have a feeling that the next 12 months are going to shape the future of Marvel Studios and the MCU.

On Friday, The Marvels began playing in theaters. The initial reaction has been relatively tepid, both from critics and box office projections. However it ends up faring, there’s a decent chance that it will be the least financially successful Marvel movie in years.

After that, Marvel has three Disney+ shows on the docket: What If…? season 2 in December 2023, Echo on January 10, 2024, and X-Men ’97 in early 2024. These shows might not appear to have much in common at first glance, but they do have a key similarity: They aren’t beholden to the ongoing story of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga.

In fact, Echo will be the first project under Marvel’s Spotlight banner, which the studio describes as “a platform to bring more grounded, character-driven stories to the screen, and in the case of Echo, focusing on street-level stakes over larger MCU continuity.” In other words, you don’t have to watch 30+ movies to understand what’s going on in Echo.

Meanwhile, What If…? does explore alternate realities that are part of the MCU multiverse, but these are mostly standalone stories. And X-Men ’97 is a direct sequel to X-Men: The Animated Series from the ’90s. That’s three consecutive Marvel releases that have little or nothing to do with the multiverse, incursions, or the end of reality.

After that comes Deadpool 3, which, as noted above, will be the only Marvel Studios theatrical release of 2024. The last time Marvel released one movie in an entire calendar year was 2012. You probably remember it, because that was The Avengers.

Putting that much pressure on Deadpool 3 isn’t fair to director Shawn Levy or producer and star Ryan Reynolds, but the movie needs to be a smash hit. Marvel has one chance to get us back on board as we round the back half of the Multiverse Saga. If they can’t do it with a sequel to two of the most successful R-rated movies of all time, it might never happen.

The post Marvel’s movie delays give us the break we need from the MCU appeared first on BGR.

All week, Netflix has been building up to an avalanche of announcements, and on Thursday, fans finally got what they’ve been waiting for. During its Thursday Showcase for Geeked Week, Netflix shared trailers for a number of highly anticipated shows and movies, including Avatar: The Last Airbender, Sweet Home 2, and Ultraman: Rising. We also learned more about The Umbrella Academy season 4 and Arcane season 2, both coming in 2024.

In case you missed the Geeked Week showcase, here are all of the biggest announcements:

Arcane season 2

Three years after the first season blew audiences away, the incredible animated series Arcane will return in November 2024. The first season followed sisters Jinx (Ella Purnell) and Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) as they found themselves on opposite sides of a war between the city of Piltover and the oppressed denizens of the undercity Zaun.

The Umbrella Academy season 4

In a featurette for The Umbrella Academy, cast member Emmy Raver-Lampman says the fourth and final season is “really, really packed with classic Umbrella Academy family nonsense and shenanigans that you look forward to” and introduces “unbelievable new characters and villains that are super exciting.” It will premiere on Netflix at some point in 2024.

Squid Game: The Challenge

Squid Game creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk walks us through some of the ins and outs of the reality competition series based on his show. Squid Game: The Challenge premieres on November 22, 2023, and will air new episodes weekly.

Sweet Home season 2

Speaking of K-dramas, Sweet Home is back for its second season on December 1, 2023.

My Daemon

“My Daemon is an all-new anime born from a collaboration between writer Hirotaka Adachi (Otsuichi) and a spirited animation studio in Thailand,” Netflix explains. “In Earth’s near future, a kindhearted boy named Kento and a Daemon child called Anna set out on a grand adventure together in hopes of saving Kento’s mother.”

Ultraman: Rising

“When baseball superstar Ken Sato returns home to Japan to pick up the mantle of Earth-defending superhero Ultraman, he quickly finds more than he bargained for as he’s forced to raise the offspring of his greatest foe,” says Netflix. This movie is directed by Shannon Tindle and John Aoshima, who worked together on Kubo and the Two Strings.

Leo

The upcoming animated feature Leo stars Adam Sandler as a lizard and Bill Burr as a turtle. You can watch it starting on November 21, but in the meantime, Netflix shared this hilarious clip of Leo trying and failing to make his escape.

Orion and the Dark

After leaving me dazed and confused with the inexplicable I’m Thinking of Ending Things in 2020, Charlie Kaufman is now… helping to adapt a cute children’s book called Orion and the Dark. It’s a new animated movie from DreamWorks, and it looks really good!

Avatar: The Last Airbender

At long last, Netflix has given us our first look at its live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series. You may remember that the creators of the animated series were once attached to this project before leaving over creative differences, but maybe it’ll still work.

We’ll be back with more news from Geeked Week in the coming days.

The post Avatar, Arcane, and all of Netflix’s Geeked Week announcements today appeared first on BGR.

Every week, dozens of fresh, original series and classic shows join the libraries of our favorite streaming services. It can be virtually impossible to keep up with them all, even if you binge one new show every night. In reality, you probably spend as much time scrolling through the options as you do actually watching TV. That’s why we wanted to put together this guide of all the best new shows to watch on Netflix, Max, Disney Plus, and beyond.

Each week, we’ll update this list with the best new shows you should be watching on Netflix, Max, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Peacock, and Paramount+.

Netflix

Blue Eye Samurai (2023)

Netflix synopsis: Driven by a dream of revenge against those who made her an outcast in Edo-period Japan, a young warrior cuts a bloody path toward her destiny.

• Genre: Action
• Cast: Maya Erskine, Brenda Song, Kenneth Branagh
• Rating: TV-MA

Blue Eye Samurai premiered on November 3, 2023.

Pluto (2023)

Netflix synopsis: When the world’s seven most advanced robots and their human allies are murdered one by one, Inspector Gesicht soon discovers that he’s also in danger.

• Genre: Anime
• Cast: Shinshu Fuji, Yoko Hikasa, Minori Suzuki
• Rating: TV-14

Pluto premiered on October 26, 2023.

Big Mouth (2017-2023)

Netflix synopsis: Teenage friends find their lives upended by the wonders and horrors of puberty in this edgy comedy from real-life pals Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg.

• Genre: Comedy
• Cast: Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein
• Rating: TV-MA

Big Mouth season 7 premiered on October 20, 2023.

Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix (2023)

Netflix synopsis: Branded an enemy of the state, a cyborg supersoldier struggles to find a cause worth fighting for in a dystopian society where nothing is what it seems.

• Genre: Action
• Cast: Nathaniel Curtis, Caroline Ford, Balak
• Rating: TV-MA

Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix premiered on October 19, 2023.

The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)

The Fall of the House of Usher on Netflix. Image source: Eike Schroter/Netflix

Netflix synopsis: To secure their fortune — and future — two ruthless siblings build a family dynasty that begins to crumble when their heirs mysteriously die, one by one.

• Genre: Horror
• Cast: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Mary McDonnell
• Rating: TV-MA

The Fall of the House of Usher premiered on October 12, 2023.

Max

Rap Sh!t (2022-2023)

HBO synopsis: From executive producer Issa Rae, estranged high school friends Shawna and Mia reunite to form a rap group.

• Genre: Comedy, Music
• Cast: Aida Osman, KaMillion, Jacob Romero
• Rating: TV-MA

Rap Sh!t season 2 premiered on November 9, 2023.

The Gilded Age (2022-2023)

HBO synopsis: The Gilded Age follows a young woman who moves in with her old-money aunts and quickly gets entangled in the social war between them and their new-money neighbors. In a world on the brink of the modern age, will she follow the rules of society or forge her own path?

• Genre: Drama, Family Relationships
• Cast: Carrie Coon, Louisa Jacobson, Christine Baranski
• Rating: TV-MA

The Gilded Age season 2 premiered on October 29, 2023.

Doom Patrol (2019-2023)

Brendan Fraser as Robotman in Doom Patrol. Image source: Max

HBO synopsis: DC’s unlikeliest band of heroes take on evil and otherworldly forces to help protect the world.

• Genre: Adventure, Superheroes
• Cast: Diane Guerrero, April Bowlby, Joivan Wade
• Rating: TV-MA

Doom Patrol season 4, part 2, premiered on October 12, 2023.

Our Flag Means Death (2022-2023)

Rhys Darby in Our Flag Means Death. Image source: Nicola Dove/Max

HBO synopsis: An outrageously funny period comedy following Stede Bonnet, an 18th-century aristocrat who left a life of privilege to become the “Gentleman Pirate.”

• Genre: Comedy, Offbeat
• Cast: Rhys Darby, Taika Waititi, Vico Ortiz
• Rating: TV-MA

Our Flag Means Death season 2 premiered on October 5, 2023.

Starstruck (2021-2023)

Rose Matafeo in Starstruck. Image source: Mark Johnson/Max

HBO synopsis: After Jessie has a one-night stand with famous film star Tom, the pair attempt to navigate the complications that follow.

• Genre: Comedy, Romantic Comedy
• Cast: Rose Matafeo, Nikesh Patel, Emma Sidi
• Rating: TV-MA

Starstruck season 3 premiered on September 28, 2023.

Disney+

The Santa Clauses (2022-2023)

Disney Plus synopsis: The beloved franchise returns! Scott Calvin, after 28 years, reigns true as Santa Claus, leader of the North Pole and Christmas. With his family – Carol, Sandra, and Cal – by his side, and his elves at the reins, Scott Calvin contends with a changing world to keep the spirit of Christmas alive for a new generation.

• Genre: Family, Comedy, Fantasy
• Cast: Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, Kal Penn
• Rating: TV-PG

The Santa Clauses premiered on November 8, 2023.

The Three Detectives (2023)

Disney Plus synopsis: Kim, Marie, and Franzi are BFFs and have what other girls can only dream of: their very own detective club! Be it criminals, beaus, issues with their parents, a case of blackmail, theft, or cyber mobbing, there isn’t a mystery the clever but often stubborn Kim, the sporty and confident Franzi, and the stylish, versatile Marie cannot solve.

• Genre: Mystery, Family, Buddy
• Cast: Purnima Grätz, Bella Bading, Lilith Johna
• Rating: TV-PG

The Three Detectives premiered on November 1, 2023.

Goosebumps (2023)

The cast of Goosebumps. Image source: Disney

Disney Plus synopsis: Inspired by R.L. Stine’s worldwide bestselling book series, “Goosebumps” follows a group of five high schoolers as they embark on a shadowy and twisted journey to investigate the tragic passing three decades earlier of a teen named Harold Biddle – while also unearthing dark secrets from their parents’ past.

• Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
• Cast: Justin Long, Rachael Harris, Zack Morris
• Rating: TV-14

Goosebumps premiered on October 13, 2023.

Loki (2021-2023)

Ke Huy Quan as O.B., Wunmi Mosaku as Hunter B-15, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and Owen Wilson as Mobius in Loki season 2. Image source: Gareth Gatrell/Marvel

Disney Plus synopsis: “Loki” Season 2 picks up in the aftermath of the shocking season finale when Loki finds himself in a battle for the soul of the Time Variance Authority. Along with Mobius, Hunter B-15 and a team of new and returning characters, Loki navigates an ever-expanding and increasingly dangerous multiverse in search of Sylvie, Judge Renslayer, Miss Minutes and the truth of what it means to possess free will and glorious purpose.

• Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Super Hero, Action-Adventure
• Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Sophia Di Martino, Owen Wilson
• Rating: TV-14

Loki season 2 premiered on October 5, 2023.

Launchpad (2021-2023)

Jenna Qureshi as Zainab and Shanessa Khawaja as Ameena in Disney’s Launchpad. Image source: Disney

Disney Plus synopsis: Disney’s “Launchpad” Season 2 is a collection of live-action shorts from a new generation of dynamic filmmakers. This season showcases six writers, five directors and one writer-director from underrepresented backgrounds who were given the opportunity to share their perspectives and creative visions.

• Genre: Drama, Comedy, Family, Coming of Age
• Directors: Gabriela Ortega, Spencer Glover, Erica Eng
• Rating: TV-G / TV-PG

Launchpad season 2 premiered on September 29, 2023.

Hulu

Black Cake (2023)

Hulu synopsis: Eleanor Bennett loses her battle with cancer, leaving her children a flash drive that holds untold stories of her journey from the Caribbean to America; the stories shock her children and challenge everything they know about their family’s origin.

• Genre: Drama, Mystery
• Cast: Mia Isaac, Adrienne Warren, Chipo Chung, Ashley Thomas, Lashay Anderson
• Rating: TV-MA

Black Cake premiered on November 1, 2023.

Shoresy (2022-2023)

Hulu synopsis: Foul-mouthed, chirp-serving, mother-loving, fan favorite LETTERKENNY character, SHORESY (Jared Keeso) joins the Sudbury Bulldogs of the Northern Ontario Senior Hockey Organization (aka The NOSHO) on a quest to never lose again.

• Genre: Comedy, Sitcom
• Cast: Jared Keeso, Tasya Teles, Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat, Blair Lamora, Keilani Rose
• Rating: TV-MA

Shoresy season 2 premiered on October 27, 2023.

Living for the Dead (2023)

The cast of Living for the Dead. Image source: Hulu

Hulu synopsis: From Executive Producer Kristen Stewart and the creators of Queer Eye, join five fabulous, queer ghost hunters crisscross the country, helping the living by healing the dead. As they explore some of the world’s most infamous haunted locations, they’ll shed light on those not seen and illuminate untold stories. Together they’ll push past boundaries to bring acceptance to the misunderstood – living and dead. This is Living For The Dead, Ghost Hunties!

• Genre: Comedy, Reality
• Cast: Alexandre LeMay, Roz Hernandez, Ken Boggle
• Rating: TV-14

Living for the Dead premiered on October 18, 2023.

Undead Unluck (2023)

Undead Unluck on Hulu. Image source: Hulu

Hulu synopsis: Andy, a Negator with the ability “Undead,” has been long in search for someone with the ability to give him a ‘real death.’ Fuko Izumo brings misfortune to those around her due to her ability “Unluck.” The two decide to join the Union, an organization which aims to control and protect the world from unidentified phenomena. The two uncover the mystery of the world as they search for the “greatest death ever.”

• Genre: Anime, Action-Adventure
• Cast: Yuichi Nakamura, Moe Kahara, Natsuki Hanae, Kenji Nomura
• Rating: TV-MA

Undead Unluck premiered on October 6, 2023.

The Kardashians (2022-2023)

Kim Kardashian in The Kardashians. Image source: Hulu

Hulu synopsis: The cameras are back with all access to the personal and private lives of Kris, Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, Kendall and Kylie. From second chances and new beginnings to unexpected blessings, they continue to bare it altogether, a reminder that the most beautiful part of life is family.

• Genre: Reality
• Cast: Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian
• Rating: TV-14

The Kardashians season 4 premiered on September 28, 2023.

Prime Video

Invincible (2021-2023)

Prime Video synopsis: After an earth-shattering betrayal, Mark fights to rebuild his life. In the face of apocalyptic threats, he discovers new allies and wrestles with his greatest fear – that he might become his father.

• Genre: Science Fiction, Suspense, Drama, Animation
• Cast: Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, J.K. Simmons
• Rating: TV-MA

Invincible season 2 premiered on November 3, 2023.

Upload (2020-2023)

Prime Video synopsis: In Season 3, the recently downloaded Nathan and Nora start an IRL relationship while taking down Freeyond. Meanwhile, a digital copy of Nathan is brought to life in Lakeview where he explores an alternate path with Ingrid. Aleesha is promoted to manager and has a new workplace love interest, and a lonely Luke looks for work in the Grey Zone.

• Genre: Science Fiction, Comedy, Drama
• Cast: Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Allegra Edwards
• Rating: TV-MA

Upload season 3 premiered on October 20, 2023.

Gen V (2023)

Lizze Broadway, Jaz Sinclair, Maddie Phillips in Gen V. Image source: Amazon Studios

Prime Video synopsis: From the world of The Boys comes Gen V, a thrilling new series set at America’s only college for superheroes. These gifted students put their moral boundaries to the test, competing for the university’s top ranking, and a chance to join The Seven, Vought International’s elite superhero team. When the school’s dark secrets come to light, they must decide what kind of heroes they want to become.

• Genre: Science Fiction, Comedy, Drama, Adventure
• Cast: Jaz Sinclair, Chance Perdomo, Patrick Schwarzenegger
• Rating: TV-MA

Gen V premiered on September 29, 2023.

The Wheel of Time (2021-2023)

Moiraine Damodred played by Rosamund Pike. Image source: Amazon Studios

Prime Video synopsis: Though Rand thought he destroyed the Dark One, evil is not gone from the world. Threats new and very old seek out the young friends from the Two Rivers, now scattered over the world. The woman who found and guided them is now powerless to help, and so they must find other sources of strength. In each other, or themselves. In the Light… or the Dark.

• Genre: Drama, Adventure, Action
• Cast: Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney
• Rating: TV-MA

The Wheel of Time season 2 premiered on September 1, 2023.

Harlan Coben’s Shelter (2023)

Abby Corrigan (Ema Winslow), Jaden Michael (Mickey Bolitar), Adrian Greensmith (Arthur “Spoon” Spindell) in Shelter. Image source: Prime Video

Prime Video synopsis: Based on the bestselling series by Harlan Coben, Shelter follows the story of Mickey Bolitar after the death of his father leads him to start a new life in suburban New Jersey. When another new student disappears, Mickey finds himself tangled in a web of secrets. With the help of two new friends, Spoon and Ema, they reveal a dark underground that may hold the answers to decades of disappearances.

• Genre: Suspense, Drama, Action
• Cast: Jaden Michael, Constance Zimmer, Adrian Greensmith
• Rating: TV-MA

Harlan Coben’s Shelter premiered on August 18, 2023.

Apple TV+

The Buccaneers (2023)

Apple TV Plus synopsis: A group of fun-loving American girls burst onto the scene in tightly corseted 1870s London, kicking off an Anglo-American culture clash. Sent to secure husbands and status, the buccaneers’ hearts are set on much more than that.

• Genre: Drama
• Cast: Kristine Froseth, Alisha Boe, Matthew Broome
• Rating: TV-14

The Buccaneers premiered on November 8, 2023.

Lessons in Chemistry (2023)

Brie Larson in “Lessons in Chemistry” on Apple TV+. Image source: Apple

Apple TV Plus synopsis: Set in the early 1950s, “Lessons in Chemistry” follows Elizabeth Zott (played by Larson), whose dream of being a scientist is put on hold in a patriarchal society. When Elizabeth finds herself fired from her lab, she accepts a job as a host on a TV cooking show, and sets out to teach a nation of overlooked housewives — and the men who are suddenly listening — a lot more than recipes.

• Genre: Drama
• Cast: Brie Larson, Lewis Pullman, Aja Naomi King
• Rating: TV-MA

Lessons in Chemistry premiered on October 13, 2023.

Still Up (2023)

Antonia Thomas in Still Up. Image source: Apple

Apple TV Plus synopsis: Bonded by insomnia, best friends Lisa and Danny stay connected to each other late into the night and find their way through a world of wonderfully weird surprises as their relationship deepens.

• Genre: Comedy
• Cast: Antonia Thomas, Craig Roberts, Blake Harrison
• Rating: Unrated

Still Up premiered on September 22, 2023.

The Morning Show (2019-2023)

Jon Hamm, Jennifer Aniston, Mark Duplass and Tig Notaro in The Morning Show. Image source: Apple

Apple TV Plus synopsis: This Emmy winner is an unapologetically candid drama that looks at the modern workplace through the lens of the people who help wake America up. Pull back the curtain on early morning TV.

• Genre: Drama
• Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crudup
• Rating: TV-MA

The Morning Show season 3 premiered on September 13, 2023.

The Changeling (2023)

LaKeith Stanfield in The Changeling. Image source: Apple

Apple TV Plus synopsis: Apollo and Emma’s love story is a fairy tale – until Emma mysteriously vanishes. Bereft, Apollo finds himself on a death-defying odyssey through a New York City he didn’t know existed.

• Genre: Thriller
• Cast: LaKeith Stanfield, Clark, Backo, Adina Porter
• Rating: TV-MA

The Changeling premiered on September 8, 2023.

Peacock

Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder. (2023)

Peacock synopsis: When the founder of the Hare Krishna movement dies, a renegade disciple tries to seize control, leading to accusations of racketeering and murder and the investigation of a West Virginia detective who becomes known as the “Krishna cop.”

• Genre: Documentary
• Cast: Will O’Donnell, Andrew Buzzeo, Maria Almeida
• Rating: TV-MA

Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder. premiered on October 24, 2023.

John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams (2023)

“Bunnyman,” Episode 104 of John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams. Image source: Gabriel Kuchta/Peacock

Peacock synopsis: John Carpenter unearths the evil that lurks in the suburbs, showcasing true stories of real-life slashers, psychos, hauntings and possessions.

• Genre: Documentary
• Cast: Will O’Donnell, Andrew Buzzeo, Maria Almeida
• Rating: TV-MA

John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams premiered on October 13, 2023.

The Continental: From the World of John Wick (2023)

Colin Woodell as Winston in Peacock’s The Continental. Image source: Katalin Vermes/Starz Entertainment

Peacock synopsis: In a three-part event set in 1970s New York, Winston Scott is roped into an underground world of assassins and must make things right after his estranged brother’s attack on the Continental.

• Genre: Action
• Cast: Mel Gibson, Colin Woodell, Mishel Prada
• Rating: TV-MA

The Continental premiered on September 22, 2023.

Killing It (2022-2023)

Claudia O’Doherty as Jillian, Craig Robinson as Craig in Killing It. Image source: Adam Rose/PEACOCK/UTV/USG

Peacock synopsis: Craig Foster, a Miami bank security guard, enters a state-sponsored snake-hunting contest to achieve his American dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur.

• Genre: Comedy
• Cast: Craig Robinson, Claudia O’Doherty, Rell Battle
• Rating: TV-MA

Killing It season 2 premiered on August 17, 2023.

Twisted Metal (2023)

Joe Seanoa as Sweet Tooth in Twisted Metal. Image source: Skip Bolen/Peacock

Peacock synopsis: A motormouthed outsider with no memory of his past gets a chance at a better life if he can deliver a package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

• Genre: Comedy
• Cast: Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, Thomas Haden Church
• Rating: TV-MA

Twisted Metal premiered on July 27, 2023.

Paramount+

Lawmen: Bass Reeves (2023)

Paramount Plus synopsis: From executive producers Taylor Sheridan (1883) and David Oyelowo (Selma) comes the untold story of the most legendary lawman in the Old West: Bass Reeves. LAWMEN: BASS REEVES follows the journey of Reeves (Oyelowo) and his rise from enslavement to law enforcement as one of the first Black U.S. Deputy Marshals west of the Mississippi. Despite arresting over 3,000 outlaws during his career, the weight of the badge was heavy, and he wrestled with its moral and spiritual cost to his beloved family.

• Genre: Drama
• Cast: David Oyelowo, Lauren E. Banks, Demi Singleton
• Rating: TV-MA

Lawmen: Bass Reeves premiered on November 5, 2023.

Fellow Travelers (2023)

Paramount Plus synopsis: Decades-long chronicle of the risky, volatile and steamy relationship between the charismatic and ambitious Hawk and the pious and idealistic Tim, two political staffers who fall in love at the height of the 1950s Lavender Scare. Through the Vietnam War protests of the 1960s, the drug-fueled disco culture of the 1970s and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, the two men’s fiery affair only intensifies despite the constant threat of being exposed and losing everything.

• Genre: Drama
• Cast: Matt Bomer, Jonathan Bailey, Allison Williams, Noah J. Ricketts, Jelani Alladin
• Rating: TV-14

Fellow Travelers premiered on October 27, 2023.

Frasier (2023)

Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane and Nicholas Lyndhurst as Alan in Frasier. Image source: Chris Haston/Paramount+

Paramount Plus synopsis: Filmed in front of a live studio audience at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, the new series follows Frasier Crane (Grammer) in the next chapter of his life as he returns to Boston with new challenges to face, new relationships to forge and an old dream or two to finally fulfill. Frasier has re-entered the building!

• Genre: Comedy
• Cast: Kelsey Grammer, Jack Cutmore-Scott, Nicholas Lyndhurst
• Rating: TV-14

Frasier premiered on October 12, 2023.

Bargain (2023)

Jeon Jong-Seo as Park Joo Young and Jin Sun-kyu as Noh in Bargain. Image source: TVING Co/Paramount+Hyung-soo

Paramount Plus synopsis: Men are lured to a remote hotel under the guise of sexual encounters only to be caught in a trafficking ring where their organs are auctioned off to the highest bidder. After a catastrophic earthquake, the victims, traffickers and buyers all are trapped inside the crumbling building. Cut off from the outside world, they must fight to survive the aftermath at any cost.

• Genre: Drama
• Cast: Jeon Jong-seo, Chang Ryul, Jin Seon-kyu
• Rating: TV-MA

Bargain premiered on October 5, 2023.

The Gold (2023)

Emun Elliott as Tony Brightwell, Hugh Bonneville as Brian Boyce, and Charlotte Spencer as Nicki Jennings In “The Gold” on Paramount+. Image source: Sally Mais/Tannadice Pictures/Paramount+

Paramount Plus synopsis: A record-setting robbery leads to years of investigation, corruption and murder as the police try to identify the criminals and recover the gold.

• Genre: Drama
• Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Jack Lowden, Charlotte Spencer
• Rating: TV-MA

The Gold premiered on September 7, 2023.

The post Best new shows to stream on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Disney+, and more appeared first on BGR.

Valve surprised fans of the Steam Deck on Thursday with the announcement of the new OLED model. According to Valve, the Steam Deck OLED not only features a new high-dynamic range OLED display, but also a larger battery, faster download speeds, and a bigger fan. Plus, it’s 30 grams lighter than the LCD model due to the OLED screen.

Valve says the HDR OLED display has “more colors, pure blacks, and amazing motion rendition” to improve upon the original LCD display. The upgraded display also draws less power, and that combined with its bigger battery means the Steam Deck OLED should last 30-50% longer than the LCD model. The OLED model also ships with Wifi 6E for increased bandwidth and lower latency. Downloads should be up to three times faster.

Going forward, there will be three Steam Deck models available: 256GB LCD for $399, 512 OLED for $549, and 1TB OLED for $649. Valve is retiring the 64GB and 512GB Steam Deck LCD models, but they are both permanently discounted to $349 and $449, respectively, until they’re out of stock. If you don’t care about an OLED display, those are great deals.

Steam Deck OLED will be available in the US, Canada, European Union, and United Kingdom, as well as Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

In addition to the standard OLED models, Valve is also launching a Limited Edition Steam Deck OLED in a unique red colorway. The company says that quantities are highly limited and will only be available in the US and Canada while supplies last.

“Steam Deck Limited Edition is an experiment for our team, and we were only able to make a small quantity,” Valve explained. “That said, we hope this is a successful experiment and customers are excited – if we see there is a large demand for this kind of product, we will definitely continue to explore more colorways in the future.”

If Valve runs out of stock for any new models, it will switch to a reservation queue and customers will receive invitations to purchase in the order that they entered the queue. That said, the company doesn’t foresee supply constraints like the original launch suffered. Additionally, customers can only purchase one Steam Deck OLED per week at launch.

The post Steam Deck OLED launches on November 16 for $549 appeared first on BGR.

We’ve been anxiously awaiting official news about the Switch 2, but while the Switch continues to sell like hotcakes, there’s not much incentive for Nintendo to rush its successor out. That said, there’s no stopping us from extrapolating hints about the Switch 2 from the company’s comment. For instance, in its financial briefing published on Wednesday, Nintendo was adamant that it will continue to support and release games for the Switch throughout 2024. But in doing so, it might have also hinted at a feature of the Switch 2.

We have countless unanswered questions about the Switch 2, but chief among them is whether or not it will be backward compatible with the Switch. Leaks have given us hope that this will be the case, but there are obviously no guarantees. That’s why this specific line from the financial briefing stood out to me when I saw it today:

“We will continue to release new titles and content for Nintendo Switch without being bound by the traditional concept of the platform lifecycle.”

There are a few potential implications here. One is that Nintendo isn’t worried about whether or not it launches a new console next year at all. As we discussed previously, Nintendo has never waited more than seven years to release a new home console. If all the leaks and rumors are wrong, it’s possible the Switch 2 will skip 2024 altogether.

That does not seem especially likely, so the other possible implication is that Nintendo will keep releasing new games for the Switch after the Switch 2 debuts.

If that does end up being the case, my guess is that those games will be playable on the Switch 2. After all, it would be quite a confusing strategy to continue launching new Switch games that are incompatible with the next-gen console after it goes on sale.

Assuming the Switch 2 is backward compatible with the Switch, it begs another question: How will Nintendo differentiate Switch games from Switch 2 games? It might look something like the jump from DS to 3DS, where the DS cartridges could fit in 3DS consoles, but not the other way around. Or maybe it will be more like disc-based consoles, where a PS4 console simply won’t recognize a PS5 disc (don’t try that at home, by the way).

Whatever the case, Nintendo’s recent comments have generated more questions than answers. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa even went as far as to dispute online rumors, which the company typically ignores. As we speculate, at least we can look forward to a GTA6 trailer.

The post Nintendo’s recent comments might spoil a Switch 2 secret appeared first on BGR.

Anime has become mainstream in recent years. Not only does every major streaming service have anime from Japan in their libraries, but some license and produce their own anime as well. Netflix might not have as large of an anime library as Hulu or Crunchyroll, but it does have some outstanding titles that you can’t watch anywhere else. Below is our list of the top 10 anime series that are exclusive to Netflix and deserve to be on your watch list.

Beastars

Beastars on Netflix. Image source: Orange

Beastars is set in a world full of anthropomorphic animals. Herbivores and carnivores co-exist in this society, but there’s a sense of unease that boils to the surface when an herbivore student is killed and eaten at Cherryton Academy. What follows is an intriguing murder mystery with a healthy dash of romance and a splash of comedy.

“In a world where beasts of all kinds coexist, a gentle wolf awakens to his own predatory urges as his school deals with a murder within its midst,” says Netflix.

Carole & Tuesday

Carole & Tuesday on Netflix. Image source: Bones

Directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, the creator of Cowboy Bebop, this musical anime is a far cry from the aforementioned action-packed space western. What it does have is gorgeous visuals, a cute friendship between two struggling musicians, and a stellar soundtrack.

“Part-timer Carole meets rich girl Tuesday, and each realizes they’ve found the musical partner they need. Together, they just might make it,” says Netflix.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Kenn as David Martinez and Aoi Yuki as Lucy in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Image source: Netflix

It took the developers at CD Projekt Red a few tries to get their video game Cyberpunk 2077 in decent shape, but the anime spinoff came out fully baked. The hyperviolent, incredibly mature anime Cyberpunk: Edgerunners understands what’s so simultaneously alluring and terrifying about these futuristic dystopias and does an even better job than the game of creating empathetic, dynamic characters who we want to see exist in that world.

“In a dystopia riddled with corruption and cybernetic implants, a talented but reckless street kid strives to become a mercenary outlaw — an edgerunner,” says Netflix.

Devilman Crybaby

Devilman Crybaby on Netflix. Image source: Science SARU

Although this anime is based on the 1970s Devilman manga, Devilman Crybaby is a modern adaptation of the story set in the modern day. High school student Akira Fudo learns about the existence of demons, unites with one to gain its power, and fights to save humanity.

“With demons reawakened and humanity in turmoil, a sensitive demon-boy is led into a brutal, degenerate war against evil by his mysterious friend, Ryo,” says Netflix.

Great Pretender

Great Pretender on Netflix. Image source: Netflix

Other than the legendary Lupin the Third, there aren’t nearly enough heist anime. Thankfully, Netflix’s Great Pretender does its best Ocean’s Eleven impression with a motley crew of con men and women who pull off some spectacularly entertaining heists.

“Supposedly Japan’s greatest swindler, Makoto Edamura gets more than he bargained for when he tries to con Laurent Thierry, a real world-class crook,” says Netflix.

Hi Score Girl

Hi Score Girl on Netflix. Image source: J.C.Staff

This slice-of-life anime is one of my all-time favorites. It’s just as much a love letter to the arcade culture of the 1990s as it is about two misfit schoolchildren falling for one another. It’s got a great sense of humor and enough heart to make you cry.

“A chronic gamer abysmally inept in academics and sports finally meets his match at his usual shady arcade — and it’s his rich classmate, Akira,” says Netflix.

Kotaro Lives Alone

Kotaro Lives Alone on Netflix. Image source: Liden Films

No, Kotaro Lives Alone is not about a single man in his 20s who can’t make friends. Kotaro is actually a 4-year-old boy who moves into an apartment by himself, makes friends with his manga artist neighbor, and enrolls himself in a nearby kindergarten.

“A lonely little boy moves into a ramshackle apartment building all on his own and makes friends with the broke manga artist who lives next door,” says Netflix.

Little Witch Academia

Little Witch Academia on Netflix. Image source: Trigger

Calling Little Witch Academia “anime Harry Potter” would be underselling this early 2010s phenomenon. That said, it is about a group of young girls who attend a school where they train to become witches. But unlike in Harry Potter, magic is fading in this world.

“Akko enrolls at the Luna Nova Witchcraft Academy. She’s not the best student, but her bright attitude is the key to her and her friends’ success,” says Netflix.

Pluto

Pluto on Netflix. Image source: Studio M2

Pluto is a thrilling mystery following Europol robot detective Gesicht as he investigates a string of human and robot murders that might have been committed by another robot. Who is the killer, and why are they targeting the world’s most powerful robots?

“When the world’s seven most advanced robots and their human allies are murdered one by one, Inspector Gesicht soon discovers that he’s also in danger,” says Netflix.

The Way of the Househusband

The Way of the Househusband on Netflix. Image source: J.C.Staff

If you’re looking for pure laughs, The Way of the Househusband is easily the funniest show on this list. As its title suggests, this show follows a retired yakuza boss who takes care of chores around the house while his wife, Miku, goes to work to support the family.

“After disappearing from the underworld, the legendary yakuza known as the “Immortal Dragon” resurfaces — as a fiercely devoted stay-at-home husband,” says Netflix.

The post The top 10 anime series you can only watch on Netflix appeared first on BGR.

As of Wednesday, November 8, Spotify Premium users in the US have access to over 200,000 audiobooks as a part of their subscriptions. Spotify Premium individuals and Plan managers for Family and Duo accounts can listen to audiobooks for up to 15 hours per month for free. If you use up your allotment, you can buy a 10-hour top-up.

“Audiobooks are an entertaining way to finally get around to all the books you’ve always meant to read, a new way to experience the stories you already love, and a great way to discover your next favorite book,” the Spotify team noted in a new blog post on Wednesday. “In fact, we ran a consumer survey of over 1,000 Americans that showed that the younger generations are really taking to audiobook listening: Gen Z and millennials lead in audiobook listening, with 72% of 18-to-34-year-olds reporting that they listen to audiobooks.”

The next step is figuring out where to start. Remember, you only have 15 hours of listening time before you have to start spending money, so here are three 2023 bestsellers clocking in around or under 15 hours that are absolutely worth your time:

The Wager (8h 28m)

Synopsis: “From the author of Killers of the Flower Moon, a page-turning story of shipwreck, survival, and savagery, culminating in a court martial that reveals a shocking truth. The powerful narrative reveals the deeper meaning of the events on The Wager, showing that it was not only the captain and crew who ended up on trial, but the very idea of empire.”

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store (12h 21m)

Synopsis: “In 1972, when workers in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, were digging the foundations for a new development, the last thing they expected to find was a skeleton at the bottom of a well. Who the skeleton was and how it got there were two of the long-held secrets kept by the residents of Chicken Hill, the dilapidated neighborhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans lived side by side and shared ambitions and sorrows. Chicken Hill was where Moshe and Chona Ludlow lived when Moshe integrated his theater and where Chona ran the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. When the state came looking for a deaf boy to institutionalize him, it was Chona and Nate Timblin, the Black janitor at Moshe’s theater and the unofficial leader of the Black community on Chicken Hill, who worked together to keep the boy safe.”

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (16h 59m)

Synopsis: “Shannon Chakraborty, the bestselling author of The City of Brass, spins a new trilogy of magic and mayhem on the high seas in this tale of pirates and sorcerers, forbidden artifacts and ancient mysteries, in one woman’s determined quest to seize a final chance at glory—and write her own legend.”

The post Spotify Premium users now have access to over 200,000 audiobooks – here are 3 worth checking out appeared first on BGR.

On the heels of the record-breaking success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie earlier this year, Nintendo announced this week that it is developing a live-action movie based on The Legend of Zelda. In a press release on Tuesday, Nintendo revealed Wes Ball (The Maze Runner, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) will direct the movie, while Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto and Marvel Studios founder Avi Arad will serve as producers.

The Zelda movie is being co-financed by Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., but Nintendo is putting up more than 50% of the financing. Once the movie is done, Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. will handle the theatrical distribution worldwide.

“This is Miyamoto. I have been working on the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda for many years now with Avi Arad-san, who has produced many mega hit films,” Miyamoto said in a statement on X. “I have asked Avi-san to produce this film with me, and we have now officially started the development of the film with Nintendo itself heavily involved in the production. It will take time until its completion, but I hope you look forward to seeing it.”

Once the animated Mario movie shot past $1 billion at the global box office, it was inevitable that more Nintendo movies would follow. The gaming company has a massive stable of recognizable worlds and characters. If Marvel turned Ant-Man and Doctor Strange into blockbuster franchises, there’s no reason Nintendo can’t do the same with Link, Kirby, and Samus.

With that said, this will be the first live-action Nintendo film since 1993’s disastrous Super Mario Bros., starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo. It’s no wonder that the company has been so hesitant to try again, but The Super Mario Bros. Movie changed everything.

Nintendo didn’t share any details about the movie, from the cast to the plot to a potential release date. We had to wait five years between the announcement of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and its theatrical release, so we might be in for another long wait.

The post Nintendo confirms live-action Zelda movie is in the works appeared first on BGR.