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With “Twisters,” “Minari” director Lee Isaac Chung offers a cast that includes Anthony Ramos, Katy O’Brian, Brandon Perea, Sasha Lane, Daryl McCormack, Tunde Adebimpe, and Kiernan Shipka. But is it worth the price of popcorn? Review.

Before I saw Twisters, I wondered what merited a sequel to the 1996 smash hit Twister. Surely there’s got to be more to it than the box office records smashed by that Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton vehicle, which awed audiences with a compelling ensemble and groundbreaking visual effects — including an iconic flying cow. Perhaps a new angle on the story? A fresh embrace on what natural disasters mean in our current climate crisis? Or a worthwhile spin around the tornadoes with mind-snapping visuals? 

Nope. 

Though Twisters boasts heralded Minari director Lee Isaac Chung, rising stars Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Anthony Ramos, and a big budget that dwarfs that of its predecessor, this disaster film is a wobbly ride that leaves disappointment in its wake. 

Is Twisters a Twister sequel? 

Sure, technically. Do these two movies have any characters in common? No. Does this new one acknowledge the plotline of the 1996 hit? Only in the most cursory of ways. 

Remember the research gadget that Dr. Jo Harding (Hunt) and Bill Harding (Paxton) were trying to send up into a tornado so they could improve weather warning systems? It was named Dorothy, and that device — inspired by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s TOTO (TOtable Tornado Observatory) — pops up here, accompanied by some newfangled tech similarly named after The Wizard of Oz. Otherwise, the script by Mark L. Smith (The Boys in the Boat) steals so heavily from the plot of the previous movie that he owes its screenwriters, Anne-Marie Martin and Michael Crichton, a thank-you card, if not royalties. 

Remember how Twister began with its female storm-chaser’s tragic origin story, in which an F5 tornado ripped her farmer father right out of their storm shelter? Well, Twisters takes that plot and applies Scream’s slasher rules to it: bigger, deadlier, higher body count.

Weather scientist Kate Cooper (British actress Daisy Edgar-Jones with a very dodgy Southern-ish American accent) is testing her own experimental tech with a batch of colorful friends, all with the hope to “tame the twister!” But just as we get into the groove of this rowdy crew’s journey, they all get sucked away from the story, leaving behind a blandly traumatized heroine and her furrow-browed pal Javi (Hamilton‘s Anthony Ramos in a thankless role). 

Cut to five years later: Kate has given up twister-chasing for a tame life in meteorology. But like Paxton’s character in the original, Kate is drawn back for one last job. Just as in Twister, sneering but well-funded scientists are regarded with open hostility, while the scrappy crew using homespun gadgets and instinct are upheld as heroes. Chief among the latter is Hit Man‘s Glen Powell as Tyler Owens, a YouTube star famous for his cowboy persona and twister-chasing bravado. A romance will inevitably spark between Kate and Tyler, because that’s what Hollywood demands.

Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell don’t click. 

Edgar-Jones won praise for her performance on the BBC drama series Normal People and previously headlined the American mystery movie Where the Crawdads Sing. But here, she’s out of her depth. Part of the problem is the script’s spin on her backstory makes her tragic tornado more recent, so our heroine is still fairly deep in the throes of grief and survivor’s guilt. Kate’s nowhere near as plucky or as engaging as Hunt’s storm-chaser was in Twister. But even when Kate eventually lightens up — her flirtation with Tyler has her trade her white mock turtlenecks and scowl in for a red T-shirt and clumsy smile —  she still feels like a bore next to the other quirkier chasers. 

Swaggering in a ten-gallon hat and a Tom Cruise grin, Powell better shoulders his heroic duty. As Tyler, he relishes the intensity of the chase and the risks of their DIY doodads, and that joy is contagious. Unfortunately, these thrills are short-lived, for a number of reasons. First, Twisters is burdened with a subplot about survivors left hurt and homeless by the storms, making for a series of scenes that are egregiously maudlin for a summer popcorn movie. Plus, the romantic subplot feels forced, highlighting Tyler’s good-guy gestures until it seems like he just wears her down. They’re a hard couple to root for. She’s dull, and he’s aggressively one-note; together, they’re a cardboard cutout of a cowboy and the wet blanket who loves him. 

Twisters wastes its best assets. 

Between the sweeping scenes of tornado-related action and the hackneyed romance plotline, there’s little sense of Chung’s vision as a director. The connections to Minari become clearer in the moments of community, like when Tyler takes Kate to a local rodeo. Footage of strangers crowding into the stands and riders getting ready to take to the arena exude Chung’s love for the American South and its people. Likewise, Tyler’s rowdy crew of misfits shines with the chaotic but passionate bond seen in Chung’s rightfully heralded family drama. 

The character actor lineup in Twister was (and is still) absolutely astonishing. While there were plenty of “That Guy!” faces like Alan Ruck, Joey Slotnick, and Jeremy Davies, the group also included future Academy Award–winner Philip Seymour Hoffman and Todd Field, who would go on to write and direct critically adored dramas like In the Bedroom, Little Children, and Tár. 

To Chung’s credit, Twisters is suitably stacked in its own right. Brandon Perea, who played the camera-savvy Angel in Jordan Peele’s Nope, plays Tyler’s right-hand cameraman, Boone. Sasha Lane, who broke through as the captivating unknown in Andrea Arnold’s road trip drama American Honey, brings her exuberance to fearless drone operator Lilly. Tunde Adebimpe (Rachel’s Getting Married, She Dies Tomorrow, Spider-Man: Homecoming) manages to deliver the inevitable movie-science exposition with an earnest enthusiasm that is undeniably charming. Katy O’Brian, who elated critics earlier this year as Kristen Stewart’s brawny co-lead in the gnarly thriller Love Lies Bleeding, brings her kinetic charisma as mechanic Dani. 

Elsewhere, Kiernan Shipka and Daryl McCormack (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande) entice with their very presence. Unfortunately, they’re all given too little screen time. As in the original movie, this ensemble is far from the focus of the film. But unlike Twister, its sequel clearly forgets just how fun it is to watch a band of thrill-seekers do their thing! The hangout vibe of these eccentric storm-chasers has always been a major part of Twister‘s appeal, whereas Twisters is too eager to flee the party. 

Sure, Twisters throws plenty of storm action at audiences, pitching in fireworks, flames, and even ripping a movie theater to shreds for good measure. But none of this touches down if you don’t feel invested in the characters. Edgar-Jones’ and Powell’s characters are too two-dimensional to hook us. Ramos is kicked to the sidelines with a haphazard sinister business subplot. And the most dynamic characters are treated as little more than window dressing for a plot that’s so close to the original Twister I marvel it was (re)made at all. 

In the end, Twisters is big and flashy, but not fun or frightening. There are better movies — even better popcorn movies — out there. So, don’t waste your time with this tiresome retread masquerading as a stale sequel. 

Twisters is now in theaters.

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Answers to each clue for the July 19, 2024 edition of NYT’s The Mini crossword puzzle.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times‘ revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player’s flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT’s The Mini for Friday, July 19, 2024:

Across

“Blue Ribbon” brewery

The answer is Pabst.

Put at ease, as fears

The answer is allay.

Sound heard at a ramen restaurant

The answer is slurp.

Slight trace of color

The answer is tinge.

Starts a pot, in poker

The answer is antes.

Down

Popular meal the night before a marathon

The answer is pasta.

100% committed

The answer is allin.

Untactful to a fault

The answer is blunt.

Boot camp boss, informally

The answer is sarge.

Goes tap-tap-tap in a texting app

The answer is types.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.

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The NYT Strands hints and answers you need to make the most of your puzzling experience.

If you’re reading this, you’re looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times‘ elevated word-search game.

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you’re feeling stuck or just don’t have 10 or more minutes to figure out today’s puzzle, we’ve got all the NYT Strands hints for today’s puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: And the Oscar goes to…

They are class acts.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The clues are the last names of Oscar winners in acting categories.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today’s NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today:

Today’s spangram is BestActing.

NYT Strands word list for July 18

Field

Bridges

Stone

BestActing

Berry

Swank

Phoenix

Hunt

Looking for other daily online games? Find one you might like – or hints for another game you’re already playing – on Mashable’s Games page.

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Here’s the answer for “Wordle” #1126 on July 19, as well as a few hints, tips, and clues to help you solve it yourself.

Oh hey there! If you’re here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we’re serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today’s answer.

If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for July 18’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.

What’s the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.

Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:

Subtly mention someone.

Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are 2 letters that appear twice.

Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…

Today’s Wordle starts with the letter R.

The Wordle answer today is…

Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today’s Wordle…

REFER.

Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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Connections is a New York Times word game that’s all about finding the “common threads between words.” How to solve the puzzle.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that’s captured the public’s attention. The game is all about finding the “common threads between words.” And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we’ve served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today’s puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for July 19’s Connections solution. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT‘s latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications’ Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there’s only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here’s a hint for today’s Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

Yellow: My beloved

Green: Picking on someone

Blue: Filling up gas

Purple: Types of tables

Here are today’s Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:

Yellow: Romantic Partner

Green: Insult

Blue: Gas Pump Options

Purple: ___Table

Looking for Wordle today? Here’s the answer to today’s Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today’s puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today’s Connections #404 is…

What is the answer to Connections today

Romantic Partner: FLAME, LOVER, STEADY, SWEETHEART

Insult: BURN, DIG, JAB, SLIGHT

Gas Pump Options: DIESEL, PLUS, PREMIUM, REGULAR

___Table: COFFEE, PERIODIC, POOL, WATER

Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday’s Connections.

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Amazon slashed prices on classic science-fiction and fantasy novels for Prime Day 2024. You can buy books for 62% off the usual price.

SAVE UP TO 62%: As part of Amazon’s post-Prime Day deals, you can save 50% to 60% on classic sci-fi and fantasy books.

Once upon a time, a partially bald man named Jeff Bezos decided to launch an online book store. Thirty years later, and that store has evolved into a digital everything store. Amazon now makes Oscar-winning movies, provides healthcare services, delivers groceries, and sells smart home gadgets galore.

During Amazon’s annual Prime Day event, professional deal hunters spend a lot of time focusing on gadgets, tech, and kitchen appliances. That’s where we typically find the biggest discounts. But in all the hubbub of Prime Day 2024, you may have missed that one of Amazon’s biggest sections was also full of deals. We’re talking about books, obviously. And because quite a few of our readers are interested in science-fiction and fantasy, we wanted to give you a heads up that plenty of sci-fi bucket-list novels are on sale right now.

We’re finding titles by legendary authors like Stephen King and Frank Herbert available at up to 60% off. You can also find contemporary titles like Three Body Problem and Project Hail Mary discounted by 57%. Now, because a lot of Amazon discounts are of the “always-on” variety, not all of these discounts are quite as big as they appear to be. But there are plenty of genuine deals.

Case in point, the paperback version of Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation is 61% off. It’s new $6.99 price is the lowest it’s ever been on Amazon. The same goes for Stephen King’s The Shining sequel, Doctor Sleep. The hardcover edition is discounted by 65%, bringing it to a record low for Amazon.

The discounts span paperback, hardcover, box sets, and Kindle. So if there’s a book that’s been on your reading list for too long, there’s a good chance it’s on sale right now. Check out some of our favorite discounted reads below.

Post-Prime Day deals on books:

A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J. Maas, Box Set — $51 $95 (save $44)

A Secret History of Witches: A Novel (Kindle edition), by Louisa Morgan — $2.99 $18.99 (save $17)

Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer — $6.99 $18 (save $11.01)

Doctor Sleep, by Stephen King — $10.49 $30 (save $19.51)

Dune, by Frank Herbert — $7.61 $10.99 (save $329)

Fairy Tale, by Stephen King — $11.99 $32.50 (save $22.50)

House of M, X-Men Omnibus — $73.44 $125 (save $51.56)

Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir — $13.04 $30 (save $16.96)

The Three Body Problem Series (Kindle editions), by Cixin Liu — $28.78 $56.97 (save $28.19)

Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu — $8.14 $18.99 (save $10.85)

Uprooted, by Naomi Novik — $11.69 $18.99 (save $7.30)

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Premiering November on HBO and Max, “Dune: Propehcy” unveils the origins of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood.

Premiering November on HBO and Max, “Dune: Propehcy” unveils the origins of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood.

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“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is almost upon us, and Warner Bros. dropped a new trailer with Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenna Ortega and Catherine O’Hara.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is almost upon us, and Warner Bros. dropped a new trailer with Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenna Ortega and Catherine O’Hara.

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Actors KiKi Layne and Thomas Doherty discuss their inspirations behind the music in Dandelion.

Actors KiKi Layne and Thomas Doherty discuss their inspirations behind the music in Dandelion.

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It’s been three days of the 2024 Republican National Convention, and ‘The Daily Show’s Ronny Chieng unpacks the strangest moments.

It’s been three days of the 2024 Republican National Convention, and ‘The Daily Show’s Ronny Chieng unpacks the strangest moments.

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