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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 November 12’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: Expressing dissatisfaction

Green: Plural of certain veggies

Blue: Components that affect computer performance

Purple: Symbols associated with Lady Justice

Here are today’s Connections categories

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

Yellow: Complain

Green: Vegetable Units

Blue: Laptop Specs

Purple: Features of Justice Personified

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 #520 is…

What is the answer to Connections today

Complain: BELLYACHE, CARP, CRAB, GRUMBLE

Vegetable Units: CLOVE, FLORET, SPEAR, STALK

Laptop Specs: RAM, RESOLUTION, SPEED, STORAGE

Features of Justice Personified: BLINDFOLD, ROBE, SCALES, SWORD

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.

If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

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Here’s the answer for “Wordle” #1242 on November 12, 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 November 12’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.

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 was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

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:

Having just traveled by plane.

Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today’s Wordle starts with the letter F.

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 is…

FLOWN.

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

If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

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Here are the best ways to watch Pharrell Williams’ Lego-inspired biopic ‘Piece by Piece’ — including the best Peacock streaming deals.

American music mogul Pharrell Williams has never been one to color inside the lines. So, it’s no surprise that his biopic takes a completely different approach than, well, anyone else. Directed by Oscar-winning documentarian Morgan Neville, Piece By Piece “is a winsome reinvention of the music biopic” that’s told entirely through Lego-inspired animation. Williams, of course, lends his voice and produces, inviting in his famous friends and collaborators — also in Lego minifigure form. It features Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Daft Punk, Kendrick Lamar, and Jay-Z, just to name a few.

If you missed it in the theaters, it’s no big deal. Piece by Piece is now available to watch at home, and here’s everything you need to know.

What is Piece by Piece?

Piece by Piece is a music documentary of Pharrell Williams’ life and career, told entirely through the use of Lego figures. Like many documentaries that came before it, interviews with some of his major collaborators and famous friends help to tell the chronological life story. But beyond the interviews themselves, the film offers a colorful and whimsical in-depth look into the most transformative moments of his career, illustrated through playful visuals and metaphors. From his childhood in Virginia Beach through his modern day relevance as a cultural icon, the Lego documentary reinvents the boring talking heads biopic format.

Is Piece by Piece worth watching?

While it struggled at the box office, only pulling in $9.5 million against a $16 million budget, Piece by Piece earned largely positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, the Pharrell Lego documentary has an 84 percent critic rating and 90 percent audience rating with over 500 verified reviews. Mashable’s own reviewer, Film Editor Kristy Puchko, called it “a delight that could well have audiences dancing in the aisles.”

It’s not perfect, as it glosses over the low points of Williams’ life and career, but it has more positives than negatives. “The more I mulled over what this movie does offer, the more I was won over by its playful, glossy approach,” Puchko writes in her review. “Animation is enthusiastically employed to bring the audience into the experience of being Pharrell Williams. The colorful blocks not only allow the construction of musical beats to become a physical act rather than an abstract idea, but also give a Ratatouille-like understanding of how this art form affects its hero. His synesthesia is showcased in waves of color as the beat bounces.”

Read our full review of Piece by Piece.

How to watch Piece by Piece at home

Less than a month after its theatrical debut, Piece by Piece became available to watch at home. Thanks to digital video-on-demand retailers like Prime Video and Apple TV+, you can rent or purchase the film online. If you’d rather stream the Pharrell biopic, keep scrolling for more information.

Here are some quick links to rent or purchase Piece by Piece starting Oct. 29:

Prime Video — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

Apple TV+ — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

Fandango at Home (Vudu) — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

Google Play — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

YouTube — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

Note: Keep in mind that with rentals, you’ll only get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish once you start it.

Is Piece by Piece streaming?

There’s no official streaming date yet for Piece by Piece, but we expect there to be an announcement soon. It’ll likely start streaming later this month on Peacock, as other Focus Features flicks before it have — including Polite Society, Back to Black, Drive-Away Dolls, and Lisa Frankenstein. In the meantime, you can either rent or purchase on VOD retailers or prepare by signing up for Peacock in advance.

Peacock recently raised its prices, sadly, with subscriptions now starting at $7.99 per month with ads or $13.99 per month without. Fortunately, though, we’ve found a few different ways you can save some money on a subscription. Check out the best Peacock deals below to stream Piece by Piece when it makes its streaming debut.

The best Peacock streaming deals (to watch at a later date)

Best long-term Peacock deal: Save 17% on an annual subscription

By committing to Peacock long-term and paying for a year upfront, you can save about 17% as opposed to paying month to month. A yearly subscription is just $79.99 per year with ads or $139.99 per year without, which breaks down to just $6.67 or $11.67 per month. Comparatively, a monthly subscription will run you either $7.99 per month ($95.99 per year) or $13.99 per month ($167.88 per year). So, you’ll basically be getting 12 months of streaming for the price of 10.

Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers: Free Peacock Premium with select plans

If you’re an Xfinity customer, check your eligibility for Peacock through your account. Select customers can score a Peacock subscription for free. Here’s a brief breakdown of who is eligible:

Xfinity Internet users on the Gigabit or Gigabit+ plans can score free Peacock Premium (with ads) for two years (offer ends June 25, 2025).

Xfinity Internet customers who are Diamond or Platinum Xfinity Rewards members can get Peacock Premium for free by redeeming a reward for it. Sign in at xfinity.com/rewards and choose Peacock as a reward. Then, wait for your email (it may take a few hours) with instructions on activating the offer.

NOW TV customers can also receive Peacock Premium as part of their service.

New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.

Best Peacock deal for students: Save $6 per month on Peacock Premium

College students can get a Peacock Premium subscription for just $1.99 per month for an entire year, so long as they can prove their student status via SheerID. Once you’re verified, you’ll receive a unique promo code to use for the discount. Just remember that the code can only be used once. In other words, don’t share it with your friends.

Best Peacock deal for first responders: Save $6 per month on Peacock Premium

First responders can also score Peacock Premium for $1.99 per month, so long as they can prove their status via SheerID. If you continue to meet verification qualifications, you can renew the deal annually. Once verified, you’ll receive a unique promo code to drop the price from $7.99 to $1.99 per month. Each year, you’ll have to receive a new promo code to secure the discount. Learn more about eligibility terms and requirements.

Best for Instacart users: Free Peacock Premium for Instacart+ subscribers

Peacock and Instacart partnered up last year to offer paid Instacart+ members free Peacock Premium subscriptions. That’s a $79.99 per year value for free. Instacart+ costs $99.99 per year and includes free grocery delivery on orders over $35, lower fees, credit back on eligible pickup orders, and more. Plus, you can kick things off with a two-week free trial. Pro tip: Wait until Piece by Piece starts streaming, then sign up for your trial to watch for free. If you cancel before the two weeks are up, you won’t pay a cent.

Best for JetBlue members: Free Peacock Premium for one year for Mosaic status members

Through July 2025, JetBlue TrueBlue members can earn 1,000 free TrueBlue points when they sign up for Peacock. Plus, if you have Mosaic status, you can get your first year of Peacock Premium for free (a $79.99 value). Read more about eligibility and terms over on Peacock’s special offer page.

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The trailer for the Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning sees Tom Cruise returning for the eighth instalment of the action franchise.

The trailer for the Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning sees Tom Cruise returning for the eighth instalment of the action franchise.

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“Dune: Prophecy” premieres November 17 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max. Read Mashable’s review.

2024 has been a banner year for witches on TV, from The Acolyte‘s Brendok Force users to Agatha All Along‘s doomed coven. Now, Dune: Prophecy is here to close us out with a look at some of science fiction’s greatest witchy figures: the Bene Gesserit from Frank Herbert’s Dune.

With their near-supernatural control over their minds and bodies, the Bene Gesserit Sisters are a force to be reckoned with, and one of the most iconic elements of the Dune universe. Traditionally, though, they operate in the shadows, manipulating the politics of the Imperium with a firm touch. That they manage to make such an impact from the fringes in both the original Dune novels and the films speak volumes to their influence. So it should come as no surprise that they shine in the direct spotlight that Dune: Prophecy casts on them. Not only does the show deepen our understanding of the Bene Gesserit, — it also throws us into a meticulously wrought sci-fi world that finds the perfect balance between the palace intrigue and cosmic strangeness that make up Dune‘s bread and butter.

What is Dune: Prophecy about?

Inspired by Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert (Frank Herbert’s son) and Kevin J. Anderon, Dune: Prophecy kicks off over 10,000 years before Paul Atreides was born. That means the Imperium — the galactic empire of noble houses — we see in the show is fairly different from what we’ve come to know from both Frank Herbert’s original novels and David Lynch and Denis Villeneuve’s films. (And while familiar names like Atreides, Harkonnen, and Corrino do pop up, they aren’t quite the families you’re used to.) At this point in time, the Imperium is still reeling from the Butlerian Jihad, a war against “thinking machines” that rendered all artificial intelligence forbidden.

Since then, new forms of power have risen to fill the vacuum left by thinking machines. Among them are the Bene Gesserit — known for now simply as “the Sisterhood” — who have yet to grow into the force they are in Dune. These Sisters still wield great influence, serving the Great Houses as Truthsayers. However, abilities like the controlling Voice have yet to become the norm, and the breeding project to create the Kwistatz Haderach is not in motion.

Leading the Sisterhood is Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson), who is determined to use her status to push the boundaries of what it means to be human. She also wishes to increase the Sisterhood’s power in the Imperium, conspiring with her sister Tula (Olivia Williams) to put a Sister on the throne. What prompted all this scheming? A prophecy from the Sisterhood’s founder Mother Raquella (Cathy Tyson), who foresaw the coming of a terrible tyrant who would bring the Sisterhood to its knees.

However, after a brutal attack racks the Sisterhood, Valya finds herself faced with a daunting question. Could all her work to improve the Sisterhood’s standing in the Imperium be bringing about the very destruction Mother Raquella warned her of?

Dune: Prophecy is dense, but deliciously epic

Valya’s preoccupations with prophecy are only one branch of Dune: Prophecy‘s sprawling narrative. Elsewhere, Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) struggles to keep control over the planet Arrakis. (In Dune, there are some things even 10,000 years can’t change.) He also welcomes the charismatic, Sisterhood-hating soldier Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) into his inner circle, causing friction with Valya and his daughter Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina), who hopes to one day be a Sister herself.

Meanwhile, the young acolytes of the Sisterhood undergo rigorous physical and mental training. Some, like the slippery Sister Jen (Faoileann Cunningham), question the Sisterhood’s control over its members. Others, like Sister Theodosia (Jade Anouka) or Sister Lila (Chloe Lea), remain fiercely loyal, even if that means pushing themselves past their limits. But do they make these choices of their own free will? Or are they just pawns of prophecy?

These many intertwining stories are a lot to take in, especially when paired with the deep, strange lore of Dune. Plus, a veritable exposition bomb in the show’s first 10 minutes is enough to make it seem like Dune: Prophecy is only accessible for hardcore Dune lovers.

Yet once you get past those initial exposition-heavy scenes (and yes, they are a lot), Dune: Prophecy unfurls into a deliciously varied sci-fi epic with a little something for everyone. If you love political machinations, you’ll be blessed with scene after scene of scheming and negotiations. (Truly, this is the closest TV has gotten to the idea of “Game of Thrones…in space!”) If you want more insight into what goes into becoming a Sister, brace yourself for the rigorous training acolytes undergo, which feels like Dune‘s take on the “magic school” trope. And of course, if you’re looking for some of Dune‘s wonderful sci-fi weirdness (we’re talking about a series where someone becomes a worm, after all), you’re in luck. Dune: Prophecy makes a meal of the Sisters’ many strange visions, in some cases even eclipsing Villeneuve’s interpretations of the Bene Gesserit’s internal powers. Plus, we get the occasional visit from the almighty sandworm, whose appearances never feel like gratuitous Dune Easter eggs but rather a key part of the story to come.

With so much juicy story to unpack, it’s almost easy to overlook Dune: Prophecy‘s greatest flaws. Again, its first few minutes are a barrage of narrative bullet points that barely give you time to sink into the show’s world. Elsewhere, the occasional clunky sexposition scene can feel like a dated stereotype about what a 2010s-era HBO sex scene should look like.

Overall, though, showrunner Alison Schapker (Westworld, Lost) deftly navigates the minefields that come with adapting anything related to Dune. Following its early sprint to get us up to speed on all things Sisterhood, Dune: Prophecy steps back from lore overload and instead focuses on the characters — most of them women — who make it tick. Dune as a series is full of complex women, with some, like Chani, gaining far more nuance and agency in Villeneuve’s films. But to see the Sisterhood take center stage in Dune: Prophecy is to add more depth to the women who will tread in their footsteps thousands of years down the line — especially since we know how their plans will one day turn out.

It’s a treat, too, to wind back the clock on the worlds of Dune, as Dune: Prophecy delivers some of the most stunning sets and costumes on TV this year. Between the sumptuous halls of Emperor Corrino’s palace, the austere library of the Sisterhood, and the hazy pleasures of a spice den, each environment is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As harsh as the Imperium can be, there’s something alluring about it, too — just as the power the Sisterhood wields can be a double-edged sword. You’ll want it, you’ll fear it, but above all, you’ll just need to keep watching it.

Dune: Prophecy premieres Nov. 17 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

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Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal face off in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II.” Review.

Just last year, the internet was mightily bemused by the discovery that many men are low-key obsessed with the Roman Empire. Decades after Gladiator swept the Oscars, Ridley Scott is back with the highly anticipated Gladiator II, proving there’s no historical fixation quite like it. This long-awaited sequel is an extraordinary creation, made up of outrageous action sequences inspired by ancient history, emotional storytelling underpinned by modern ideals of masculinity, and yet joltingly problematic gender norms. But are you not entertained?

Gladiator II stars Paul Mescal as Maximus 2.0. 

Reteaming with Napoleon and All The Money In the World scribe David Scarpa, Scott lays down a story of Lucius Verus, son of Lucilla, who was daughter, then sister, to two successive Roman emperors. In the first film. Lucius was a boy who idealized the revolutionary gladiator Maximus (Russell Crowe). In the sequel, he’s all grown up and played by Paul Mescal, a contemporary figure of non-toxic masculinity. 

Like Maximus before him, Lucius is a disillusioned citizen of Rome who’s been tossed in the Colosseum as meat for the grinder that is the empire’s entertainment. In Gladiator II, he will not only face off against trained warriors — including a decorated Roman general played by The Last of Us‘ Pedro Pascal — but also an array of wild animals, like a rampaging baboon, a charging rhinoceros, and thrashing sharks. Believe it or not, many of these seemingly ludicrous moments are actually cherry-picked from Rome’s heyday. And under Scott’s eye for spectacle, these scenes are freshly shocking and, yes, very damn exciting. 

Lucius fights not only to survive, but — also like Maximus — to avenge his wife, who was slain by the command of a cruel emperor, and to bring about “the dream of Rome,” meaning an empire not run by reckless, mercurial tyrants. Long dead is Gladiator‘s villain (played by a squalling Joaquin Phoenix), and in his place are a pair of red-haired, pasty-skinned twins, Emperor Geta (Stranger Things‘ Joseph Quinn) and Emperor Caracalla (Thelma‘s Fred Hechinger). Though the framework of this plotline is very similar to the 2000 box office hit that preceded it, Gladiator II brings a fresh vulnerability to its titular hero. 

Mescal has packed on added brawn for the role of a warrior, but the boyish vulnerability radiant in his critically heralded performances in the indie dramas Aftersun and All of Us Strangers shines through. He doesn’t just put on a scowl and seek bloody vengeance on those who killed his beloved wife (May Calamawy). He also talks about his feelings to his mother (a returning Connie Nielsen). And even as he battles, he carries with him not just a sword but a woeful expression that violence is his only resort. There’s a tragedy even in victory, in part because it’s been 20 years since Maximus fought for Rome to be freed, and change has not come, a heavy burden that Mescal carries with every step. 

Ridley makes femininity a failing in Gladiator II. 

Throughout his long and storied career, Scott has delivered movies that are not only critically praised and iconic, but also engaging in terms of gender politics. Sure, on the surface 1979’s Alien was Jaws in space. But beneath the creature-feature creepiness, Scott fostered a narrative about the horrors of losing your bodily autonomy that rings all the more horrifying since Roe v. Wade’s been overturned. Then in 1991, Thelma & Louise offered a free-wheeling tale of female friendship, liberation, and vengeance for an attempted rape. The hardships of female soldiers in the U.S. military was the center of 1997’s G.I. Jane. And most recently in 2021, Scott delivered the double whammy of the scorching rape culture historical drama The Last Duel and the deliciously trashy exploration of a wife’s ruthless revenge in House of Gucci. Where does Gladiator II fit into all this? 

Well, on the other side of the gender politics divide, Scott has also explored male egotism, blind ambition, and the paternal urge to protect in warrior-focused films like Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Robin Hood, The Last Duel, and last year’s Napoleon. Here is where Gladiator II fits, building on Scott’s keen understanding of the slippery man’s world where politics meets corruption and principles meet violence. However, where some elements of Gladiator II build on the original film, others are awkward reworkings, and still others feel like clumsy ideas undeserving of screen time in 2024. 

This is a story of men, men, men, from the gladiators to the emperors to the generals to the senators to the conniving arms dealer Macrinus (Denzel Washington in top form), who plays many of these figures like pawns on a chess board. Women in Gladiator II exist to be cut down (or fridged, to pull from comic book conventions) or suffer in strong-jawed steadiness. Lucilla is not exactly reduced to a damsel in distress, as there’s a subplot has her plotting a coup against the sniveling emperor twins. However, her role in the film is chiefly as the mother who disappointed her son, so many of her scenes are about apologizing for being a bad mom. She is a Strong Female Character, reduced chiefly to her roles in the lives of the men around her. 

Meanwhile, the twins are ghastly throwbacks to the lisping, sissy villains of 1960s movies. Surrounded by tanned, brawny men in leather armor, Geta and Caracalla are scrawny, sickly pale, and dress in embroidered robes and gold crowns, rocking excitedly in their thrones like mischievous children. They are not just foils to Lucius and the other traditionally manly men strutting and brawling in Gladiator II. The emperors are queer-coded characters, meant to be repellant not only for their sadistic behavior but also for their mewling femininity, a sign of their weakness. They are an amped-up version of Phoenix’s Commodus, not only because there are two of them, but because they are even more visibly effete — as if the root of their evil was their lack of machismo. 

The tropes in this emperor diptych are bizarrely dated, undercutting Gladiator II‘s exploration of masculinity by leaning into regressive tropes. Would it not have been enough to make them sickly? Or with an ego based on power over nobility? In either case, Washington’s Macrinus comes to complicate matters and save this movie from Scarpa and Scott’s worst impulses. 

Denzel Washington is glorious as Gladiator II’s most compelling figure. 

Mescal will rightly win praise for his textured lead turn, and Pascal fans will cheer for his latest portrayal of a world-weary warrior, equally dashing and haunted. (Their face-off is among the movie’s most thrilling sequences, and it doesn’t even involve shark attacks!) Yet it is no surprise that 10-time Oscar nominee (and two-time Academy Award–winner) Denzel Washington steals this movie. 

Where much of the cast is pitched into the labyrinthine retread of the first film’s plotline, Washington forges a fresh path with Macrinus. Introduced as a slave owner who buys Lucius to fight in the Colosseum, Macrinus is bedecked in gold and richly colored fabrics that scream of wealth. But even when Scott cuts to close-ups that clip out these visual cues, Washington’s countenance alone conveys the character’s comfortable status. His physicality, full of grand, sweeping arm gestures that make dramatic use of his rich robes, suggests this man is comfortable being seen — in fact, he demands to be! And yet, there’s a glimmer in his eye that warns he’s no fool like Rome’s senators and emperors, who relish every cheap thrill of sex, violence, and animal cruelty. He is a force of masculinity, mighty yet terrible, focused on what he can own, not what he might build for others. 

Scarpa bestows upon Washington a monologue of backstory, which the rightfully heralded actor makes a feast of. But even in little moments of smiling threats or whispered villainy, he is utterly compelling. Part of this is Washington’s screen presence, which is still that of an absolute movie star. He carries a gravitas that suggests the most powerful man in Rome is not the guy wielding the mightiest sword, but the one who can turn every word into a weapon. 

Make no mistake. Gladiator II is bedecked with action sequences that are awe-inspiring — especially in the IMAX presentation showed to critics. The fight choreography feels as ruthless as the gnarliest matches out of the AEW. There are man-versus-beast matches that are electrifyingly feral, despite Mescal facing off against a clearly CG critter. And there are one-on-one duels that are powerful not only in their violent blows but in their emotional underpinnings. And yet, Washington is the film’s most marvelous draw. Whether he is making a plaything out of a dead man’s head or flashing his signature smile like a warning, he is marvelous to behold. 

In short, Scott’s Gladiator II is an ambitious film, full of action, drama, stranger-than-fiction history, and palpable emotion, but it’s also tiresome and riddled with problematic tropes. Still, it’s undeniably enthralling, which is more than can be said for his similarly grand Napoleon. For all its faults, Gladiator II is an extraordinary film, the kind that demands to be seen in theaters. 

Gladiator II opens in theaters Nov. 22. 

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John Oliver has shared his reaction to the 2024 US election during Sunday’s “Last Week Tonight”.

John Oliver has shared his reaction to the 2024 US election during Sunday’s “Last Week Tonight”.

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As of Nov. 11, Target Circle members can save on a wide variety of books with this Buy Two, Get One Free deal.

BOGO BOOK DEAL: As of Nov. 11, Target Circle members can save on a selection of books with this Buy Two, Get One Free deal.

The holiday season is fast approaching, and that means a variety of sale events are starting to kick off. The main event of this sale season is Black Friday, but several retailers like to drop their own deals ahead of the official launch date. If you’re a book lover looking to build out your library, Target has an excellent BOGO offer for Target Circle members at the moment.

Right now, Target’s offering a Buy Two, Get One Free deal for Target Circle members on a wide variety of books. Not only does this include new releases like Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo, but there are also some massive box sets included in the sale, like the A Game of Thrones leather-Cloth Boxed Set or Frank Herbert’s Dune Saga 3-Book Boxed Set.

This deal is only for Target Circle members, but thankfully, it’s free and easy to sign up for it. Especially with Black Friday fast approaching, having a membership like this can score you even more discounts throughout the holiday season, which is always welcome. And Target has plenty more deals planned in the lead-up to the shopping event, too.

While Target’s early Black Friday sale event has come and gone, its “Deal of the Day” program is still going strong and running until Dec. 24. It’s worth keeping an eye on the store throughout the month to score even more discounts, but it’s not the only one with sales to have a look at before Black Friday. Walmart and Best Buy have their own Black Friday plans in motion, so have a look at our breakdowns of each to learn about what they’ve got planned for this season of savings.

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Live stream Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames in the NHL for free from anywhere in the world.

TL;DR: Live stream Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Prime Video is offering live coverage of Monday Night Hockey this season, with Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames next up. Both sides have made positive starts to the season. This showdown is expected to be a real battle between two strong teams.

If you want to watch the Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames?

Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames takes place at 8:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 11. This fixture will be played at Scotiabank Saddledome.

How to watch Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames for free

Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames is available to live stream on Prime Video in Canada, but you don’t need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this game. Fans in Canada can watch Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames (plus more Monday Night Hockey fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

If you’re abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to watch the NHL for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you’re not already a member)

Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

Open up the app and connect to a server in Canada

Watch Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames for free from anywhere in the world

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the NHL without actually spending anything. This is obviously only a short-term solution, but this gives you enough time to watch select NHL fixtures before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free live streams from around the world, you’ll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the NHL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NHL, for a number of reasons:

Servers in 105 countries

Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

Fast connection speeds

Up to eight simultaneous connections

30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, saving you 49% on list price. This deal includes a bonus three months of coverage, a year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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Answers to each clue for the November 11, 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 Monday, November 11, 2024:

Across

Chopped down

The answer is Axed.

___SmithKline, pharma giant shortened to GSK in 2022

The answer is Glaxo.

Luxury car line owned by Toyota

The answer is Lexus.

Banish from a country

The answer is Exile.

N.L. division for the Phillies and Mets

The answer is East.

Down

Amazon “assistant” you might ask for help to solve a puzzle

The answer is Alexa.

Horizontal graph line

The answer is X-axis (without the -).

Be of good cheer

The answer is Exult.

Amount of medicine to take

The answer is Dose.

Extreme delight

The answer is Glee.

If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

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

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