In the abstract, all musicals are weird. People don’t just start singing at dramatic moments in real life, so the genre already requires viewers buy into significant suspension of disbelief. As a result, some people just can’t get into musicals — and to appeal to those people, studio marketing departments seem desperate to hide any trace of musical numbers from trailers for films like Wonka and Mean Girls. However, once one buys into the genre’s expectations, most movie musicals don’t feel weird at all when watching them. The films on this list are not most movie musicals. Whether intentionall ..read more

Once upon a time, collecting movie props was a specialist hobby, limited more by availability than price. That changed in 1970 when Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer decided to sell the contents of seven sound stages to Los Angeles auctioneer David Weisz for the unheard-of sum of $1.5 million (a little under $12 million today). Talk about expensive movie props! The haul included over 300,000 costumes, stacks of furniture, vehicles of every kind – cars, trains, tanks, airplanes, and spaceships – entire sets, models, production art, scripts, stills, posters, special effects paraphernalia, and everything else ..read more

You might know Mark Cuban as the former owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA basketball team, but he’s also a brilliant businessman worth over $6.2 billion as of 2024. Years ago, Cuban published a short video of his nine rules for getting rich. I agree with many of them, but two of his rules are flat-out wrong. And several others demand a little context. What are Cuban’s rules for getting rich, and which two are wrong? Rule #1: Live Like a Student Image Credit: Shutterstock. This is a rigid rule, especially after living several years literally as a student. After high school or college graduation ..read more

Whether you're embracing your quarter-life crisis, taking your running hobby more seriously, or seeing the marathon race as symbolic of something more profound, the extensive race is often considered a holy grail of symbolic transformation. It's something larger than ourselves, and whether we come from a background of running or not, it's often about more than just a race. Whatever your reason for participating, marathon training is no walk in the park. Most people need to train for the training, let alone the actual marathon race. Be prepared for a lot of hard work, which pays off once you've ..read more

Decluttering your home is a rejuvenating experience that can bring clarity and joy to your life. Over the next 50 days, challenge yourself to let go of items that no longer serve a purpose, don't bring you happiness, or simply clutter your space. This journey is about rediscovering the beauty of simplicity and making room for things that truly matter. 1. Unused Cooking Utensils Image Credit: Shutterstock. We all have those kitchen gadgets we thought we’d use but never did. Whether it's a fancy slicer or an avocado pitter, it's time to let it go if it’s not being used regularly. I got rid of my ..read more

Thanks to his long and fruitful partnership with director Martin Scorsese, too many people think of Robert De Niro as a tough guy who dabbles in other genres. Without a doubt, De Niro knows how to play an intimidating figure, whether as a hired thug, a mobster, or a dictator who wants to kill a moose and a squirrel. However, De Niro finds complex notes to play, even with otherwise similar characters. Furthermore, he’s worked in a variety of genres, showing off an impressive range, too easily overlooked by those who aren’t paying full attention. For proof, look no further than these Robert De N ..read more

One of the best ways to improve your writing is by reading. The more you read, the more you’ll learn from other writers who have honed in on their craft. While great writing is a personal and subjective topic, there are books that several agree that every aspiring writer should read at least once. These books will take your writing skills to the next level and teach you how to write like your favorite authors. 1. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King Image Credit: Scribner; Canva. Stephen King is a legendary author known as “The King of Horror.” His books have sold over 350 million ..read more

Your instinct may be to turn to Dave Ramsey, Warren Buffett, or Jim Cramer for financial advice. What if I told you that Walter White belongs in your circle of financial advisors? Faced with a medical scare, White pivoted from a modestly paid high school chemistry teacher to a generationally wealthy kingpin by repurposing his skillset. As White morphed into Heisenberg, he (and his associates) learned several financial lessons from which we can all derive value. Whether you are a student, employee, employer, or entrepreneur, it might be time to break bad money habits and cook up some new strate ..read more

In 2024, house shopping doesn't just happen on Zillow, Redfin, or other real estate websites anymore. Instead, many people have considered shopping for land, rather than a home, and once the land is purchased, they buy a folding tiny home and plop in a dreamy meadow. Yet, it can’t be that easy to purchase a folding home, can it? If someone said, “You can own a home for under $20,000,” what would your first thought be? As tempting as it may be to say, “Sign me up,” there’s a lot to consider. You can purchase a house of this caliber on Amazon. One YouTuber's viral video highlighted this homeowne ..read more

Renowned for its breathtaking views, rugged coastlines, and vibrant cities, the Pacific Northwest is jam-packed with so many amazing vacations. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast eager to explore the expansive trails of national parks, a foodie looking to indulge in the freshest seafood and local delicacies, or a history buff interested in the region's rich heritage, the PNW has something for everyone. Here are the 15 best Pacific Northwest vacation ideas. Where is the PNW? The Pacific Northwest is a region that sparks friendly debate about its exact boundaries. While Washington, Oregon, and ..read more