Deep beneath its sugary jokes, sing-song delivery and buffoonish cheeriness, there is an urgent message fluttering away inside "Elf." Holiday stress and the convenient shield of cynicism have a way of chiseling at the ability to enjoy life's fleeting moments. And once you've lost your whimsy, you're left with alarmingly little.
No doubt the deep truths that lay within "Elf" has contributed to making it such a holiday phenomenon. The touring musical is bigger, bolder and wackier than the 2003 Will Ferrell movie on which it's based. The show, which started with a 2010 run on Broadway, embraces its embellishment, its excess and absurd nature.
By no means does the tale of a 30-year-old man raised to believe he was one of Santa's goofy minions need to last 150 minutes, but darned if every one of those minutes isn't a raucous good time. I challenge anyone to pick and choose a song and dance number that should have been cut. Every song, every dance break and every overindulgence is hard-earned and necessary for the very fact of how unnecessary they all are.
For starters, "Elf" is a treat to look at. Its cartoonish staging blends seamlessly into stunning projections, and the way it's integrated into the stage blocking is often the stuff of Loony Tunes fever dreams. The performances flow along the same note of broader is better, and the choreography often approaches the precision of a ballet. From the opening number, in which crouching ensemble actors pantomime a chorus of dancing elves, the show brims with gumdrop-sweet eye candy that puts Buddy's plates of syrup and sprinkles spaghetti to shame.
"Elf" never walks when it can skip, drifts when it can bounce or speaks when it can sing. The show is a gallon full of sugar to make the medicine of holiday burdens go down. It challenges you to connect with the inner child who wrote letters to Santa and expected replies, who wished upon shooting stars and who saw magic in mundanity. If only for 150 minutes, "Elf" makes you see the world through Buddy's candy cane-lensed glasses.
"Elf the Musical" plays through Sunday at Centennial Hall. Buy tickets here.
The timeless classic that helped define cinema returns as the beloved masterpiece Gone with the Wind debuts a newly remastered 4K Ultra HD, Limited Edition Steelbook and Collector's Edition from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment. The film comes home in a stunning newly remastered edition featuring Dolby Vision and HDR10 for an enhanced home viewing experience. Distributed across two 100GB discs to ensure maximum data rates, the visual upgrade breathes vibrant new life into the Technicolor epic. From the sweeping landscapes of Tara to the fiery devastation of Atlanta, the pristine 4K picture quality elevates this timeless cinematic achievement to modern home theater standards.
Showcasing the quintessential talent of Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard and Hattie McDaniel, movie lovers can now rewatch one of the most celebrated motion pictures in history in a fresh light. Relive every moment of Scarlett O'Hara's tumultuous journey as she navigates love, survival and ambition through the American Civil War and Reconstruction periods. Experience the roguish charm of Rhett Butler, the enduring grace of Melanie Hamilton and the heroic performance of Hattie McDaniel, who made history as the first African American to win an Academy Award. Winner of eight competitive Academy Awards including Best Picture, this film continues to stand as a landmark pillar of Hollywood history.
Beyond the breathtaking presentation of the 233 minute film itself, this 4K release comes packed with fascinating bonus features. The package includes brand-new content exploring the film's production and enduring legacy. Fans can dive into three newly created featurettes including Gone with the Wind: The Influence that Endures, Scarlett O'Hara: A Woman Ahead of her Time and Gone with the Wind: Restoring and Preserving an Epic, which provides an inside look at the detailed processes used to restore the vibrant colors and picture quality of the classic.
The release also offers an extensive array of essential legacy supplements and historical extras on 4K Ultra HD and Digital. Viewers can enjoy the Turner Classic Movies Intro Hosted by Jacqueline Stewart alongside a panel discussion on the complicated legacy of the film. The feature-length documentary The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind provides a deep look behind the scenes, complemented by featurettes such as Gone with the Wind: The Legend Lives On.
Physical media collectors choosing the Collector's Edition receive special physical keepsakes including a double-sided international mini poster, a 12-page booklet with a film release timeline, a bookmark with 1970 re-release artwork, a 1939 movie ticket reproduction and 5 original theatre lobby card reproductions with a display frame. Complete with classic theatrical trailers, newsreel footage and historical audio options, this release is the ultimate tribute to a towering Hollywood milestone.
SHREK: 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
The ogre who changed fairy tales forever returns as the beloved classic Shrek debuts a newly remastered 4K Ultra HD and Limited Edition Steelbook from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, this iconic film comes home in a stunning newly remastered edition featuring Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for an enhanced home viewing and listening experience. The upgrade in visual and audio quality breathes vibrant new life into the swamp, making every detail shine like never before. From the lush greenery of Shrek’s home to the intricate animation of the bustling Kingdom of Duloc, the pristine picture quality elevates this timeless masterpiece to modern home theater standards.
Showcasing the quintessential voice talent of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow, movie lovers can now rewatch one of the most ogre-the-top animated films of the 21st century in a fresh light. Relive every moment of Shrek's daring quest to rescue the feisty Princess Fiona with the help of his lovable loudmouthed Donkey and win back the deed to his beloved swamp from scheming Lord Farquaad. You have never met a hero quite like Shrek, winner of the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Spawning three movie sequels with another one on the way as well as holiday themed specials, a spin-off feature film and TV series, theme park integration and more, everyone’s favorite ogre has remained a cultural phenomenon that continues to charm and delight audiences of all ages.
Beyond the stunning presentation of the film itself, this 25th anniversary release comes packed with incredible extras. The package includes 30 minutes of brand-new bonus content peeling back the layers and exploring the making of the animated classic we all know and love. Fans can dive into Origin of an Ogre, a newly available featurette on digital and disc where the creative team behind Shrek reflects on the origins of the groundbreaking animated classic and shares stories from the making of the fairy tale adventure.
The home media release offers an massive collection of existing legacy bonus features on 4K Ultra HD and Digital. Enjoy hilarious featurettes like A Tale of Two Friends: The Art of the Quest, Spotlight on Donkey, Secrets of Shrek and deleted scenes including Fiona’s Prologue, The Deal and Fiona Gets Them Lost. The release also packs in ten short films including Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party, Far Far Away Idol, Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos, The Ghost of Lord Farquaad, Scared Shrekless, Thriller Night, The Pig Who Cried Werewolf, Shrek the Halls, Donkey’s Caroling Christmas-tacular and Shrek’s Yule Log.
As if that were not enough, viewers receive five episodes from The Adventures of Puss in Boots TV series, the DreamWorks Animation Video Jukebox, music videos from Baha Men and Smash Mouth, a track from Shrek the Musical and feature commentary with directors Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson alongside producer Aron Warner. This ultimate 4K Ultra HD package is a must-own celebration of animation history.
There was a ton of Ready Player One-level promise here, and a few clever gags, but it largely goes to waste. The reaches-so-far-it-stretches-and-snaps premise is about an alien overlord corporation that conquers planets, kills countless inhabitants and pits the remainders against one another in a Hunger-Games style compeititon for survival, for no good reason set inside a construct of a DragonQuest/Fallout/Warcraft style video game come to life.
Regardless of the inexplicable setup, I was down for a video game-as-life motif. My eagerness quickly faded into misery, alleviated only occasionally with a little chuckle.
The main failure of the book is the construct of the cat sidekick character, Princess Donut, who is Navi-level irritating. Had Dinniman constructed the character just to kill it off, I would have been OK. But because the pompous talking cat is a core protagonist, I was tormented by the realization that she would never, ever go away, and any momentum the book would be able to generate would be decimated by the deadweight the character plops upon the narrative.
I was also irritated with the lazy gamy-ness of the book. The presence of in-brain HUD, health meter, chat box and stats points menus was trying enough, but an invisible infinite inventory was just cheap and ludicrous. I can see the argument that Dinniman's point is to lampoon gaming constructs, but the path he takes wastes an opportunity to meld those constructs with real life. Instead of a book about life as a game, we get a book about a guy stuck in a middling VR RPG.
I will not continue with the series. I'm glad to see its success and root hard for it, especially because the author hails from my town, Tucson, but I'm getting off at this stop and won't be trudging along through the rest of the series.
The title is clickbait, with the body of the book coming nowhere close to its sentiment, but Jeanette McCurdy's autobiography about dealing with smothering motherhood, an eating disorder and the abuse inherent with childhood stardom is captivating. Even though McCurdy's willingness to act has been destroyed by the trials she endured, she draws upon the torment to launch a more promising career as a storyteller.
I was thoroughly captivated by the author's honesty, ear for minute details and cutting insights. Her wry humor is also winning, buffing up a personal style that is as intimate as a journal. The courage and wisdom she puts on display are breathtaking, and her wisdom defies her young age. No doubt McCurdy's story hints at untold tales of woe surrounding her generation of Nickelodeon/Disney stars and those who came before, working in tandem with the HBO Max docuseries Quiet on Set to decry the tortures heaped upon the it girls and boys of the moment.
McCurdy's love and appreciation of her mother shines through, despite the way she exploited her. The raw, conflicting emotions shine through, making this book truly remarkable.
First person shooter fans have long debated whether low profile hardware could keep pace with blockbuster spectacle. Infinity Ward delivers a definitive answer with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. This campaign stands as a crowning achievement for the franchise, combining relentless pacing, brilliant environmental design, and character moments that hit with emotional gravity. Beyond the explosive set pieces lies an technical marvel. On Xbox Series S, this massive military thriller runs with remarkable smoothness, proving that modest hardware can still deliver an absolute masterclass in cinematic action.
A Masterclass in Tactical Storytelling
The narrative picks up in the wake of escalating global conflicts, placing Task Force 141 inside an intricate web of shadow military operations, rogue intelligence agencies, and high stakes espionage. The writing team orchestrates a story that balances heart pounding firefights with quiet tension. Every mission feels distinct, offering a rhythm that keeps you hooked from the opening cinematic to the final frame.
Instead of relying solely on linear corridors, the level design empowers player agency. One stand-out mission drops you into a rainy, neon lit metropolis, forcing you to navigate rooftops, hack security grids, and track targets through crowded markets. Another sequences strands your squad in an isolated arctic installation where visibility drops to near zero, shifting the gameplay into a suspenseful survival experience. The gunplay remains unrivaled in the genre. Every assault rifle, sniper, and sidearm possesses heavy impact, supported by immaculate sound design that makes every firefight feel visceral.
Shocking Efficiency on Xbox Series S
Many blockbuster titles struggle to scale down gracefully to smaller hardware, often trading away performance or sharpness. Modern Warfare 4 shatters those expectations on Xbox Series S. Infinity Ward optimized this release to leverage every drop of power from Microsoft's compact console.
Running at a rock solid target frame rate, the movement feels fluid and incredibly responsive during high motion firefights. Whether you are sprinting through crumbling urban ruins or sliding into cover under heavy machine gun fire, the input latency remains razor thin. Texture work on character models, military gear, and weapons looks stunningly crisp. Dynamic lighting systems cast atmospheric shadows across smoke filled corridors, while particle effects from explosions and crumbling debris fly across the screen without inducing stutter.
The SSD optimization deserves special praise. Loading times between death restarts and mission transitions are virtually instantaneous, keeping you immersed in the combat loop without frustrating pauses. It serves as a shining showcase for what talented engineers can accomplish when prioritizing performance on accessible hardware.
Summary of Features
Engaging Campaign: A thrill ride loaded with open tactical options, memorable character beats, and world spanning operations.
Exceptional Optimization: Silky smooth performance and fast load times on Xbox Series S.
World Class Gunplay: Realistic weapon handling, tight controls, and deep audio design.
The Verdict
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 sets a high watermark for modern military shooters. It delivers a triumph of single player campaign design, crafting an adrenaline fueled narrative that lingers long after the end credits roll. Even more impressive is its stellar technical achievement on Xbox Series S, offering budget conscious gamers a top tier experience without compromise. If you love action games, this one demands your immediate attention.
Last week, I wrote about my initial impressions of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, marveling at its build quality, its staggering camera capabilities, and how it handles the rigorous demands of daily life on the go. Now, after spending a full two weeks with Apple’s latest flagship permanently glued to my hand, pocket, and backpack, the honeymoon phase has given way to real world reality. Living with a device day in and day out is the true test. Does the engineering hold up under sustained pressure, or do the initial points of praise wear thin once you start pushing the hardware to its absolute limits?
When you spend your life jumping between multiple projects, managing a demanding communications career, reviewing media, and keeping up with a blog, your phone is not just a communication tool. It is your primary hub. Over the past week, I have taken this device out of my typical routine and subjected it to a gauntlet of real world challenges. The results confirm that Apple has crafted something genuinely special this year, particularly for users who demand uncompromised performance away from a traditional Wi-Fi router.
One of the most profound differences over the past seven days has been experiencing how this hardware interacts with cellular infrastructure. Living and working in the Tucson area means dealing with varying signal landscapes, from dense urban zones to wide open desert stretches. Paired with the Verizon 5G network, the iPhone 18 Pro Max operates with an almost defiant level of speed. During a recent trip involving heavy travel and outdoor excursions, I kept a close eye on cellular throughput. Where older devices would stutter or drop down to sluggish LTE bands when moving through congested towers, the modem in this phone locks onto Verizon Ultra Wideband signals with remarkable tenacity.
Downloading massive video files, syncing high resolution photo libraries, and streaming high bitrate content happen instantaneously. There is a tangible smoothness to web browsing and cloud synchronization that makes you forget you are running on cellular data rather than a gigabit fiber connection. Verizon network performance on this device is nothing short of bulletproof, delivering a level of reliability that gives you total confidence when you are working remotely from a coffee shop, a stadium, or the middle of a travel day.
That immense network reliability proved especially crucial when testing another standout capability of the iPhone 18 Pro Max: its prowess as a mobile hotspot. Too many modern smartphones treat tethering as an afterthought, causing connections to drop, data speeds to bottleneck, or the phone to turn into a miniature radiator within ten minutes of sharing its connection. Apple’s latest flagship handles hotspot duty with absolute grace. Over the last week, I used the phone to bridge a laptop and a secondary tablet during a demanding afternoon of remote work. Multiple devices streamed video, uploaded heavy documents, and maintained active chat clients simultaneously without a single hitch. The connection remained remarkably stable, and while the back of the phone grew slightly warm under the strain, it never throttled performance or dropped the tether. For anyone who regularly works on the road, having a hotspot this dependable is a massive game changer.
Of course, a big screen phone invites multimedia consumption, and the massive display on the Pro Max is an absolute revelation for mobile gaming. Mobile gaming has evolved past simple puzzle apps into a legitimate ecosystem of visually dense, mechanically complex experiences. Stretching across that gorgeous, expansive OLED panel, games look staggering. Colors pop with vibrant accuracy, deep blacks provide incredible contrast during dark sequences, and the fluid high refresh rate ensures that fast paced action remains crystal clear without a hint of motion blur.
Whether you are jumping into a high speed racer or exploring a sprawling open world RPG, the extra screen estate completely changes the immersion factor. You are not squinting at tiny UI elements or losing your thumbs in the action. The display gives your fingers room to breathe while presenting visuals that genuinely rival dedicated portable gaming hardware. Combined with the sheer graphical horsepower under the hood, this phone runs demanding titles at maximum settings without breaking a sweat or stuttering during chaotic screen battles.
No modern evaluation of an Apple flagship would be complete without examining how Apple Intelligence fits into the daily workflow. Over the past fortnight, I have integrated these native AI tools into everything from drafting professional correspondence to sorting through a mountain of incoming notifications. Apple Intelligence does not feel like a flashy, gimmicky add-on designed for keynote presentations. Instead, it operates quietly in the background as a genuinely useful assistant. Writing tools help tighten up phrasing on tight deadlines, smart summaries cut through cluttered email threads in seconds, and contextual search features make tracking down specific notes or images effortless. It anticipates what you need before you finish typing, streamlining daily digital chores in a way that genuinely saves time over the course of a busy week.
After two full weeks of heavy usage, the iPhone 18 Pro Max has transitioned from being a shiny new review piece to an indispensable daily companion. It excels across every conceivable metric, marrying top tier cellular performance, flawless tethering capabilities, an incredible gaming display, and smart AI integration into a single cohesive package. Capcom might know how to revive a classic franchise, but Apple has proven it knows how to keep its premier smartphone line sitting comfortably at the absolute top of the industry.
Apple lent device for review. Verizon provided network access for review.
A rebellious acid trip to the psychedelic 1960s, "The Who's Tommy" obliterates the senses with thumping bass lines, dazzling visuals and clockwork choreography, set to an iconic double album that still manages to seem ahead of its time more than a half century after its release.
Pete Townshend's gutteral vision of iconoclastic defiance against a hypocritical society strums a tune of underdog triumph, egging on its audience to clap and stomp in time, at least when they aren't too awestruck to do so.
The classic seems new, because it largely is. Even if you've got the music on heavy Spotify rotation and spent your teen years watching the 1975 Elton John film while chemically enhanced, you've never seen this version of "Tommy" before.
The touring production is based on the 30th anniversary version of the show, which includes rewritten lyrics, revamped effects and a suite of projections.
The story folows the unlikely rise of a boy, left numb and trauamatized by domestic violence, who loses the ability to see, hear or speak. Or is it that he just deems the world unworthy of seeing, hearing or being spoken to?
Enduring belittling, bullying and dubious, increasingly desperate medical treatments, Tommy stumbles upon a knack for obliterating pinball leaderboards, rising to the status of counterculture celebrity. It's all set to a relentless succession of "The Who" tunes, each calibrated to punctuate the emotional resonance of the scene. There's no intermission because the orchestra and cast don't have the patience to pause for even a moment.
Collin Matthew Flannigan rocks out as the title character, his unruly mop often serving as something of a co-star, courtesy of close-up projections in the background. Even when silent, his pungent expressions and decisive gestures speak as much as when he starts to belt out tunes.
Mia Bergstrom desperate and bewildered turn as Tommy's mother provides a striking counterpoint to Tommy's indomitable inner drive, and Zach Fogel's stern turn as his aloof and stubborn father are a relection of the social norms Tommy seeks to expose and obliterate.
This revved-up version of "Tommy" doesn't settle for drawing on '60s nostalgia. It reached back into the era and brings it front and center, generating time travel by jolting the feeling of the era into the modern agek rather than looking back at longing for it. The show unfolds with the rhythm and flow of a concert, pulsing to a rhythm all its own. As audience members, you are as helpless and momentum-fueled as a pinball sprung forward to brighten the scoreboard with a blinding light.
"The Who's Tommy" plays through Oct. 25 at Centennial Hall. Buy tickets here.
The new Grand Theft Auto VI launch trailer is officially here, offering another look at the upcoming title and its world. Rockstar Games has shared a fresh glimpse into Leonida, showcasing updated environments, character animations, and a distinct aesthetic direction.
A central highlight of this new trailer is the soundtrack. The footage features new music from electronic duo Justice, who are also serving as composers for the original score of Grand Theft Auto VI. Known for a distinct electronic sound, Justice brings a tailored sonic backdrop to the trailer that complements the game's atmosphere and pacing.
In addition to the trailer music, details have emerged regarding the official soundtrack release. The album includes the track "Flower in a Hurricane," a collaboration between Justice, Tame Impala, SZA, and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album is currently available to pre-save on major music streaming services. Physical editions, including vinyl and CD releases, are also available for pre-order at gtavi-thealbum.com.
For further updates on the game's soundtrack and musical score, you can visit rockstargames.com/VI/music.
Capcom spent decades leaving one of its defining franchises in the vault. Fans waited through multiple console generations for the demonic forces of the Genma to rise again, wondering if the classic mix of samurai swordplay and survival horror atmosphere could ever work in the modern gaming landscape. Onimusha Way of the Sword answers that question with a resounding yes. This is not just a nostalgic victory lap. It is a stunning reimagining that respects its PS2 roots while carving out a sharp identity of its own.
Stepping into the straw sandals of legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi feels incredible. Modeling his likeness after iconic actor Toshiro Mifune gives every cinematic scene a heavy weight. You feel like you are starring in a lost classic samurai movie. Kyoto during the early Edo period is visually breathtaking. Ancient temples gleam under moonlight, misty forests hide ancient evils, and blood Splatters across cobblestone streets in striking detail. The environmental design strikes a perfect balance between haunting beauty and sinister dread.
The original games relied on pre-rendered backgrounds and tank controls. Way of the Sword throws those limitations away for a fluid dynamic camera that pulls you directly into the action. Combat is where this revival truly shines. Swinging your blade feels heavy and responsive, but mastering timing is essential. Parrying incoming strikes at the exact split second triggers the devastating Break Issen mechanic. Watching Musashi slice through a towering demon with a single lethal counterattack never gets old. It requires sharp focus and fast reflexes, delivering the exact kind of high stakes combat loop action fans crave.
The signature Oni Gauntlet returns as the heart of character progression. Sucking up floating demon souls in the heat of battle adds a thrilling layer of risk and reward. Do you stand your ground to absorb red souls for weapon upgrades, or do you dodge to safety? Unleashing special Oni Armaments turns the tide against massive horde attacks and terrifying boss encounters. Using Oni Vision to spot hidden threats and unravel ghostly mysteries around Kyoto adds an enjoyable investigative layer that keeps the pacing tight.
Boss battles stand out as some of the finest Capcom has designed in years. Face-offs against rival demonic swordsmen demand perfection. Every duel feels like a deadly chess match where one wrong move means death. Winning these grueling clashes gives you a massive rush of adrenaline.
Beyond the core story, the game offers plenty of reason to return. Optional side quests invite exploration across open areas without bogging down the overall narrative pacing. Unlocking new combat buffs through flawless parry streaks encourages players to master every mechanical nuance. Sound design deserves equal praise. The satisfying clashing of steel, the guttural roars of Genma monsters, and a haunting orchestral soundtrack elevate every single encounter.
Purists might miss the old puzzle heavy structure of the original titles, but the relentless action focus here is a complete triumph. Capcom took a massive gamble bringing this series back in a bold new format. That gamble paid off completely. Onimusha Way of the Sword is a masterclass in how to revive a forgotten legend. It delivers brutal combat, phenomenal visual flair, and an unforgettable journey that no action fan should skip.
