“This film is an ode to cinema, an eternal nod to my mother,” states Lemohang Mosese in voiceover, near the beginning of “Ancestral Visions of the Future,” his always arresting and sometimes abstruse third feature. He hardly needs to say so. The personal monologue that fills the entire film is sewn through with dedications to […]
Grosse Pointe Garden Society Episode 1-4 Review
Grosse Pointe Garden Society premires Sunday, February 23 at 10 p.m. ET.
From Desperate Housewives to How to Get Away with Murder and Good Girls, we’ve seen plenty of soapy dramas where a group of people suddenly commit a crime then go to great lengths to pretend everything is still normal while their seemingly perfect lives fall apart around them. It’s a simple hook, but one that can be mined for great escapism. If done correctly, it can offer a mix of character drama, suspense, and sarcastic humor. But it’s not a foolproof formula, as the first four episods of Grosse Pointe Garden Society prove. While the dynamic between the characters is compelling, and some of the individual storylines are quite fun to follow, the different elements don’t quite mix together into an absorbing mystery.
From Good Girls creator Jenna Bans (who also wrote for Desperate Housewives) and Bill Krebs (co-showrunner on Good Girls), Grosse Pointe Garden Society opens with its four leads burying a body in a lavish garden in the affluent suburb of Grosse Pointe. This is the kind of place where everything and everyone looks as if it were approved by a committee, where nothing happens without the entire community hearing about it, where the biggest show of creativity is the annual garden competition. The questions of who the dead body is, how they were killed, and why they were killed echo throughout the show, which slowly (very slowly) moves toward providing answers. Unfortunately, the opening episodes take such a slow approach to revealing new hints and pieces of the puzzle that by the time we actually start learning what happened, it feels uninspired and redundant.
Thankfully, there’s more to Grosse Pointe Garden Society than its dull central mystery. The story is told across two timelines, each offering some campy fun. In the present, we see the events leading up to the murder, as we learn about the lives of the titular society and the many potential victims that the characters would want to rid from their lives. Though many of the side stories feel like they’re being rushed through, they are some that are so bonkers that it’s impossible to look away. (To name one, and to offer a warning to pet owners: A lost dog turns out to be murdered!) Meanwhile, we get a glimpse of six months into the future, when the group scrambles to cover up their crime. It’s here that the group dynamic shines brightest.
The characters are what make Grosse Pointe Garden Society enjoyable. The principals – AnnaSophia Robb, Aja Naomi King, Ben Rappaport, Melissa Fumero – have great chemistry. Sadly, they’re attending to their individual arcs for most of the first four episodes, only really converging in the future timeline. There’s Alice (Robb), a high-school English teacher fighting against her husband’s wishes to abandon her artistry to become an ordinary and respectable member of Grosse Pointe society. She’s the one with the dog that gets murdered, which does result in some delicious drama when she starts doubting the people closest to her – but once that subplot is abandoned, her character has little to do. Next up is Catherine (King), an unhappily married mother of two who uses her realtor job to cheat on her husband, and ends up too entangled with her lover, who wants to destroy her life. Though King is no stranger to this kind of show – having delivered a great performance in How to Get Away with Murder – she, like Robb, gets little to play with in Grosse Pointe Garden Society, trapped in a flat subplot with a character who’s mostly reacting to people around her.
The two standouts are Brett (Rappaport) – the garden store manager who scores some laughs with his paranoia and nervousness in the post-crime timeline – and the absolute MVP of the season so far, Birdie (Fumero). This is the main reason to watch the show: To witness former Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Fumero shed her high-strung onscreen persona and play a needy socialite who joins the Garden Society as part of her community service sentence after a DUI. (Naturally, she spends every episode day-drinking.) Birdie is a hot mess, yet she’s a delight to watch. And she contains multitudes: a subplot involving the son she gave up for adoption as a baby is emotional, but also boasts some moments of chaotic amusement.
MSNBC Chief Plans Evening Shake-Up, Replacing Joy Reid, Alex Wagner
MSNBC’s evening line-up may soon look quite different from what die-hard viewers have come to expect. The NBCUniversal-backed cable network is expected to move the trio of Symone Sanders-Townsend, Alicia Menendez and Michael Steele to its 7 p.m. weekday slot Tuesday through Friday, according to two people familiar with the matter, and the group on […]
Oscar Party Essentials: 13vBest Picture-Inspired Decorations and Accessories for Your Viewing Party This Year
If you aren’t lucky enough to be at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for Oscar night, you can always take the festivities in-house by throwing an Academy Awards viewing party. Order some food, fill out your Oscar ballots and then watch the ceremony to see who takes home the big prize in Hollywood — […]
‘A Complete Unknown’, ‘The Wild Robot’ Win Cinema Audio Society Awards
The sound mixing teams behind “A Complete Unknown” and “The Wild Robot” won awards in the categories of live action feature and animated feature, respectively, at the 61st Cinema Audio Society Awards for sound mixing, Saturday at the Beverly Hilton. “A Complete Unknown” and “The Wild Robot,” along with “Dune: Part Two,” “Wicked” and “Emilia […]
USC Scripter Awards Winners (Updating Live)
This year’s USC Libraries Scripter Awards nominated “A Complete Unknown,” “Conclave,” “Nickel Boys,” “Sing Sing” and “The Wild Robot” on the film side, while in TV, “Baby Reindeer,” “Ripley,” “Say Nothing,” “Shōgun” and “Slow Horses” were recognized for their outstanding episodes. Considered a strong indicator for the best adapted screenplay category at the Oscars, past […]
Kamala Harris Gives Rousing NAACP Image Awards Speech in First TV Appearance After Leaving Office: ‘Our Power Has Never Come From Having an Easy Path’
Former Vice President Kamala Harris gave a rousing speech at the 56th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday night at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California, where she accepted the organization’s Chairman’s Award. “This organization came into being at a moment when our country struggled with greed, bitterness and hatred. And those who forged the NAACP, […]
Sean Baker calls for higher upfront fees as ’Anora’ triumphs at 2025 Spirit Awards
Neon’s Palme d’Or winner continues impressive late season surge.
NAACP Image Awards 2025 Winners (UPDATING LIVE)
The 56th NAACP Image Awards have begun. The ceremony, hosted by actor and comedian Deon Cole, is being broadcast live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, airing on BET and CBS. The theme for this year’s show is, “Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Excellence.” Queen Latifah was named the first winner of the evening, nabbing the […]
The Best Deals Today: Sony Headphones, Nintendo Switch Games, Logitech Racing Wheels, and More
Here are best deals for Saturday, February 22. The highlights today include a massive Woot! video game sale with big price drops on a variety of items like Nintendo Switch video games, Logitech racing wheels, SteelSeries gaming headsets, and more. There’s also a great deal on a Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless noise canceling headphone if you don’t mind an import.
Check out “the best deals under $30” for any impulse buys on items that you never knew you needed until you visited this page. Read on lower for some great deals that cost over $30 and may require a bit more involved decision-making.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Headphones for $221
AliExpress is currently offering the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless noise canceling headphones for only $221.10 after coupon code: USAFF30 is applied during checkout. This product is also sotcked in a US warehouse, so it ships free and arrives within about a week. This is a genuine Sony product, however keep in mind that this is probably an import model with a warranty that won’t be honored in the United States. AliExpress makes up for it with a 15-day free return policy and guarantees a refund if your order doesn’t arrive within 20 days.
This is an excellent price for one of the best wireless noise cancelling headphones available today, and far less expensive than any deal you’ll find stateside. In our glowing Sony WH1000XM5 review, Kevin Lee wrote that “The Sony WH-1000XM5 is hands down the best sounding and most impressive noise-canceling headphones around. They demand a high premium but the cost of audio excellence is well worth it with this pair of headphones.”
Super Mario RPG for $29.99
Woot! (which is owned by Amazon) is offering the excellent Super Mario RPG remake for Nintendo Switch for only $29.99. Amazon Prime members get free shipping (the rest of us pay $5). Super Mario RPG is a remake of the 1996 SNES classic. It was one of the best games to grace the console back then amidst a sea of other incredible titles, and Nintendo did a great job of staying faithful to the game’s charm and fun factor.
Logitech Racing Wheels (Refurb) on Sale Today
Woot! has dropped the price on refurbished Logitech racing wheels with 90-day Woot! limited warranty, including both PS5 and Xbox Series X compatible models. The G29 (PS5) and G920 (Xbox) are down to $154.99 each ($300 list price) after you apply coupon code “LOGITECHFIVE“. The new G923 (PS5) is also down to $214.99 with the same coupon ($350 list). These are some of the best racing wheels you can get for under $300. If you’re a big fan of games like Gran Turismo 7 on PS5 or Forza Horizon 5 on Xbox, and you’ve been using a gamepad-style controller this entire time, then this price drop might be the excuse for you to step up your immersion to the next level.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Headset (Refurb) for $79.99
Woot is offering a refurbished SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P gaming headset with 90-day Woot! limited warranty for only $79.99. A brand new model retails for $179.99. The Arctis Nova 7P is one of the best headsets you can get for PS5 and PC. IGN writer Matthew Adler reviewed the PC version of the Arctis Nova 7, saying: “SteelSeries continues to push the boundaries of what a headset is capable of. The Arctis Nova 7’s new design is sleek, lightweight, and still remains one of the most comfortable headsets I’ve ever used.” I own a pair of these myself and highly recommend it.
$39.99 Nintendo Switch Video Games at Woot!
Woot! has also dropped several must-have Nintendo Switch video games from $59.99 to $39.99, a savings of 33%. You won’t lose out even if you plan to upgrade to the Switch 2, since the new console has been confirmed to be backwards compatible with nearly all Switch games.
$39.99 Nintendo Switch Video Games at Best Buy
Best Buy has also dropped the price on several must-have Nintendo Switch video games that arent’ available at Woot!, like Splatoon 3 and Pikmin 4. Most of these discounts are on physical copies, however I’ve added links to digital downloads if that option is available as well. These deals will likely end today, February 22.
Lisen 5,000mAh MagSafe Power Bank for $17.38
The Lisen 5,000mAh MagSafe power bank, which is normally listed at $49.99, is down to only $17.38 after a combined instant discount and a 42% off clippable coupon. At 0.3″ thick, this is one of the slimmest MagSafe power banks we’ve seen, and won’t add much bulk to your iPhone’s profile. If you have a chonky Pro Max, then you won’t even notice. Unlike most other power banks at this price point, the Lisen model is made out of a magnesium aluminum alloy that makes it feel much more premium. It delivers up to 18W of power over USB Type-C and 7.5W over wireless.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown for PS4, Xbox for $14.99
Prince of Persia drops to just $14.99 for PS4 and Xbox. If you get the PS4 version, you’re eligible for a free download of the PS5 digital edition. he Lost Crown is one of the most underrated games of 2024. Ubisoft’s return to the franchise brought new and challenging elements while still retaining what made this series so beloved. In our 8/10 review, we wrote, “Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown captures not only what made games such as The Sands of Time so good, but it irons out a lot of the little issues that plagued the 3D games in this series by opting for a 2D perspective – and owning it.”
Humble Choice Games for February 2025
If you’re searching for your next new game to play, Humble Choice February is now live, and this is the perfect bundle to discover something new! This month, Immortals of Aveum headlines the bundle, with seven other games like Total War: Pharoah Dynasties, Fabledom, and more included. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars to grab these games individually, you can get all eight games for just $11.99 at Humble Bundle for this month only.
Sonic X Shadow Generations for PS5 for $26.99
Today Woot! is offering Sonic X Shadow Generations for even lower than what I saw during Black Friday. You can get it for only $26.99 (46% off) and if you’re an Amazon Prime member you also get free shipping. Sonic X Shadow Generations is easily one of the best Sonic games in recent history. In our 9/10 Sonic X Shadow Generations review, Jada Griffin wrote that “Sonic X Shadow Generations takes an already excellent game and spring jumps it to new heights with a creative Shadow campaign and an appreciable graphical upgrade.” This game is actually a collection of two games in one: a remaster of the 2011 Sonic Generations and – the highlight – an original campaign starring Shadow the Hedgehog.
Anker PowerExpand USB-C Hub for $12.50
Anker’s handle little USB hub is 50% off for Amazon Prime members, now only $12.50 (normally $25). This versatile 6-in-1 hub features a USB Type-C port with up to 85W of passthrough charging, two USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 ports, an HDMI port (4K @ 60Hz), an SD card slot, and a 3.5mm audio output.
AstroAI L7 Tire Inflator for $17.59
You should always keep a tire inflator in your car for emergencies, but you don’t need to pay a premium price for a fancy one. Right now Amazon has this AstroAI cordless tire inflator for only $17.59 after you clip both coupons on the product page. This tire inflator features a 4,000mAh power bank, enough to fill up all four tires to the proper PSI at least a few times over and has a USB Type-C input for easy charging. You can even use it to charge your smartphone in a pinch.
Hoto Electric Precision Screwdriver for $24.95
Amazon has this Hoto electric screwdriver for $24.95 (50% off) after you clip the 23% off coupon and apply coupon code “361P5KK7” during checkout. This is an excellent tool for quickly dealing with tons of small screws when you’re assembling or taking apart electronics like your gaming console, mechanical keyboard, Joy-Con controller, or pretty much anything else where a real power drill is way too powerful and a manual screwdriver is too tedious. It comes with 25 bits that should cover most of the screw types out there including flathead, Philips, torx, and hex. The screwdriver can be charged via USB Type-C so no need to worry about losing a proprietary cable.
Preordered the iPhone 16E? Get a Screen Protector for $6
If you’re in line to get the successor the the budget-minded Apple iPhone SE series of phones, then here’s an early bird deal for you. Amazon has an amFilm iPhone 16e screen protector for only $5.99 after you apply coupon code “5PIM3OFI. Here’s your chance to have a screen protector ready before your phone even arrives. AmFilm is an extremely well known and popular screen protector brand, and this particular model includes the auto alignment kit and camera lens protector.
Sabrent Docking Station and Charger for ROG Ally for $20
Steam Deck / Nintendo Switch compatible
Sabrent has a dock charger specifically designed for the Asus ROG Ally for only $19.99 after you apply coupon code “26R399DW“. According to reviews, it works just fine with other gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch. It includes a USB Type-C port for connecting to your gaming handheld, an HDMI 1.4 port for up to 4K @ 60Hz video output, a USB Type-C port with up to 95W of Power Delivery for charging your handheld, and two extra USB Type-A ports for connecting or charging extra peripherals.
2-Pack Anker Power Cubes for $15.99
This deal is exclusively for Amazon Prime members. Get a two pack of Anker Power Cubes, which is a cube-shaped power strip with three AC outlets, two USB Type-A ports, and one USB Type-C port, for only $15.99. That averages out to just $8 per cube. This power outlet is much smaller than your average power strip thanks to its ingenious cube design. The USB Type-C port delivers up to 20W of power, which is good enough to charge the Nintendo Switch at its maximum rate (18W).
4 Pack of Pen Lights for $7.99
Get a four pack of pen lights for only $8 after an instant 20% off discount. These diminutive lights feature an anodized aluminum housing and weigh in at only an ounce each. The super bright LED bulb lasts about 2 hours on two AAA batteries. These are handy to have around the house, and at $2 apiece they are practically expendable.
GE Color Changing Night Light for $4.52
Night lights are an inexpensive, efficient way to provide a bit of practical accent lighting to your home at night. This GE color changing night light goes one step further by offering eight different colors to choose from, with a color changing mode for a bit of RGB flair. The built-in light sensor means it will automatically turn itself off when it isn’t needed. It’s normally well-priced at just $9, but there’s a 50% instant discount right now that drops it to under $5.
Craftsman Magnetic Pickup Tool for $6
A magnetic pickup too is handy to have around to pick up dropped screws, nuts, and bolts. Amazon has this Craftsman model for only $5.98 after a $2 price drop. There’s not much to say about it, except that it’s well built, it’s magnetic, and it can telescope up to 24 inches long for extended reach.
77outdoor LED Rechargeable Headlamp for $17.99
Get this LED headlamp for only $17.99 on Amazon after a $12 off coupon code “40XUYLSW“. 77outdoor is a sister brand of Sofirn, a well known manufacturer or affordable yet good quality flashlights and lamps. In fact, some reviewers have reported that they receive this item in a Sofirn branded box. This headlamp offers two modes: a standard 5,000K 90 CRI white light with 550 lumen output for general purpose use and a 660nm red light at night to preserve your night vision. This headlamp can be recharged using a USB Type-C cable.
30% Off Panther Vision Hand Warmers and Lighted Beanies
If you’re looking for a practical Valentine’s Day gift idea, Panther Vision is offering a big 30% coupon code that works sitewide. If you suffer from cold appendages, the Panther Vision 602R rechargeable hand warmer is small enough to fit in your jacket pocket. It offers three different heat settings depending on how numb your fingers are, boasts an IP67 waterproof rating, and can even double up as a 5,000mAh USB Type-C power bank for emergencies.
Pair it with the Panther Vision lighted beanie, which will keep your noggin warm while lighting up the way with a built-in LED headlamp rated for up to 150 lumens at max output. If you prioritize longevity over intensity, the 15-lumen setting will last up to 10 hours on a single charge. There are plenty of other useful gadgets on the site, including portable lamps and flashlights, so you might want to stock up to reach the $60 free shipping threshold.
Not all of the best deals are dirt cheap. Here are some excellent deals if you’re willing to spend a little or a lot more depending on the items, including video games, TVs, gaming PCs, gaming handhelds, high-end chairs, and more.
Nintendo Switch OLED for $223.61
AliExpress is currently offering a Nintendo Switch OLED console for only $223.61 after coupon code: USAFF30 is applied during checkout. This is a genuine Nintendo Switch console that’s imported from either Japan or Hong Kong. Switch consoles are region unlocked so you’ll be able to play them in the US without any problems. You’ll also be able to select English as your default language just like any console you buy here. A US power plug adapter is supplied in the packaging. This product is also stocked in a US warehouse, so it ships free and arrives within about a week. AliExpress has a 15-day free return policy and guarantees a refund if your order doesn’t arrive within 20 days.
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 for $95.99
Lenovo has dropped the price of this professional-grade Xbox Series X Elite Series 2 Core Wireless Controller in White/Black to $95.99 after you apply coupon code “MXBOXELITE“. The controller itself is identical to the older generation Xbox Elite Series 2 controller that retails for $179.99. The only difference is that this “Core” model doesn’t come with as many accessories, like the extra sets of paddles, thumbsticks, D-pad, and travel case.
Nerf LMTD Halo Needler for $67.18
For you Halo fans out there, have we found a deal for you. Right now you can save 33% off the NERF LMTD Halo Needler Dart-Firing Blaster. It’s normally $100, but this discount drops it down to only $67.18 shipped. NERF’s LMTD is a collection of fan-service weapons that are designed after iconic weapons from popular movies and video games, and the Halo Needler is definitely one of the coolest looking guns in the lineup, with a lot of cool little touches like the needles and accents that light up whenever you grip the handle, a 10-dart rotating drum (10 Elite darts included, but it will also take standard darts), and a display stand that activates all the light-up features when mounted.
4-Pack Apple AirTags for $69.99
Amazon and Best Buy are both offering a four-pack of Apple AirTags keyfinders for only $69.99. That’s $30 off the retail price and only $16.50 for each AirTag. This is a very practical accessory for anyone who owns an iPhone and tends to lose small wearables like wallets, keys, or remotes.
Crucial X9 Pro 1TB Portable SSD for $69.99 (2TB for $120)
The Crucial X9 Pro is one of the fastest portable hard drives out there, thanks to a fast SSD drive and USB 3.2 interface that can deliver both read and write speeds of up to 1,050MB/s. The 2TB model is actually $10 less than the best deal we saw during Black Friday and, in my opinion, the best deal to get.
65″ LG Evo C3 4K OLED Smart TV for $1197
You don’t have to wait for the new 2025 LG TVs to drop to score a great deal on an older generation model. Right now as part of Amazon’s Presidents’ Day Sale, you can pick up a 2023 65″ LG Evo C3 4K OLED TV for just $1,196.99 with free shipping on Amazon. This is a better deal than what I saw during Black Friday. The LG Evo C-series of TVs have consistently been our favorite high-end 4K TVs, especially for 4K HDR movies and gaming.
Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme Gaming Handheld for $449.99
Starting this week, Best Buy is taking $200 off the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, now only $449.99. That’s the lowest price I’ve seen for a brand-new unit, even during Black Friday. In addition, you get a free official ROG Ally travel case, one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and two months of a Crunchyroll Mega Fan subscription. The ROG Ally This is one of the best gaming handhelds currently available, especially if you don’t want to be tied to Steam’s ecosystem.
Secretlab Presidents’ Day Sale
Secretlab’s Presidents’ Day Sale is still live for a little while longer. Save up to $139 off Secretlab’s popular Titan line of gaming chairs, Magnus gaming desks (including the Magnus Pro electric standing desk model), and accessories like the Secretlab Skins upholstery covers, desk mats, cable management, and more. Unfortunately, new releases like the Titan Evo Nanogen chair and the recliner add-on are exempt from this sale.
Preorder Elden Ring: Nightreign at Best Buy, Get $10 Gift Card
Elden Ring Nightreign is set to release for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC on May 30. A new standalone game set in the world of Elden Ring, Nightreign lets you team up with two other players to slice your way through an oppressive fantasy world. It’s kind of like a faster-paced remix of the original game. It’s available for preorder in a number of editions, so read on for the details about what comes in each one.
Preorder the HP Omen 45L RTX 5090 Prebuilt Gaming PC
HP just added the option to add the GeForce RTX 5090 GPU as an upgrade to one of its flagship HP Omen 45L prebuilt gaming PCs and, fortunately, it is very reasonably priced for a prebuilt RTX 5090 desktop relative to what we’ve seen from other brands. Put your order in sooner than later because, unless HP has readily available 5090 GPUs in its inventory (unlikely), these prebuilts will probably have a bit of a lead time before they ship out.
Flexispot C7 Ergonomic Chair with Footrest for $230
Flexispot is offering a great deal on its workhorse Flexispot C7 ergonomic chair with built-in footrest. It’s normally listed at $429.99, but there’s a $200 off coupon code “C7PDSALE” that drops it to only $229.99. We generally like the Flexispot brand because it includes electric standing desks and ergonomic chairs with solid build quality and a plethora of practical features at a fraction of the price compared to other more well-known models. We rated the Flexispot C7 is the best budget-friendly ergonomic chair and the Flexispot E7 Pro as the best overall standing desk of 2024.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn’t hunting for deals for other people at work, he’s hunting for deals for himself during his free time.