A unique battery pack, electric grill, and noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones kick off Friday’s best deals. Bookmark Kinja Deals and follow us on Twitter to never miss a deal. Commerce Content is independent of Editorial and Advertising, and if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale. Click here to learn more, and don’t forget to sign up for our email newsletter.

Top Deals

$25 is a great price for any 20,000mAh battery pack, but it’s especially noteworthy when the pack includes a Lightning input for all the Apple devotees out there. And don’t worry, it has a microUSB port too. [AUKEY Micro & Lightning Input 20000mAh External Power Bank, $25 with code W62238B6]

As long as you like Açaí berry, you won’t find a better deal on Burt’s Bees lip balm than $16 for a 12-pack. [12-Pack Burt’s Bees Lip Balm, $16]

http://co-op.kinja.com/most-popular-l...

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Sphero’s remote-controlled BB-8 droid was one of the coolest toys ever made when it first came out, and it’s still improving to this day! Today on eBay, you can buy your own for 130 portions dollars, or $20 less than usual. [Sphero BB-8, $130]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sphero-BB-...

http://toyland.gizmodo.com/sphero-bb-8-re...

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$18 is a solid price for a 64GB USB 3.0 flash drive, especially when you consider that this one includes a microUSB plug to connect to your Android devices. That’s perfect for storing videos to watch on your tablet during a long flight, or sharing large amounts of vacation photos from your phone without using a computer. [SanDisk 64GB OTG Flash Drive, $18]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...

While there are obviously cheaper ways to shave, this $3 discount on a Gillette Fusion Proglide might be tempting if you want to take the infamous Flexball out for a spin. You even get two razor refills in the package, which Gillette claims are good for a month of shaving each. [Gillette Fusion Proglide, $7. Clip the $3 coupon]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...

If you live in an apartment building, but still want to enjoy grilling meats and veggies out on your patio, this Cuisinart electric griddler can get the job done for $90, no flames required.

The reversible plate offers 180 square inches of cooking surface, and can be heated to 200-400 degrees, no open flames required. Plus, it can be used either as a grill or a griddle, if you feel like brewing a cup of coffee and making pancakes out on your patio in the morning, which just sounds lovely.

Just note that this is a Gold Box deal, meaning the price is only available today, or until sold out. [Cuisinart GRID-180SA Indoor Outdoor Electric Griddler, $90]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XTJX8IK/...

Today on Amazon, if you buy one of four adorable Funko Deadpool toys (starting at under $10), you’ll get a digital copy of Deadpool (2015-) #1 for free. [Deadpool Promotion]

http://www.amazon.com/Deadpool-2015-...

Mpow’s Swift Bluetooth headphones shot up the sales charts in 2015, but their new Swallow line adds a sleek design and active noise cancellation to the mix. The best part: You can still get them for under $30. [Mpow Swallow Wireless Bluetooth 4.1 Noise Canceling Sports Headphones, $26 with code Z3F7MDAJ]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015III3ES

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This well-reviewed 55"4K Samsung TV has all the smart apps you could want, plus a price tag that’s $100 cheaper than Black Friday. If you just got your tax refund, I can think of much worse things to spend it on. [Samsung UN55JU6400 55-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV, $700]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B010Q8G3TC/...

Even if you aren’t usually into anime, it’s worth giving Cowboy Bebop a try for under $30. And if you have seen it, the Blu-ray’s worth it for the extras alone. [Cowboy Bebop: The Complete Series, $28]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NP06DJE/...

Anytime you can get an 8-pack of Panasonic’s class-leading Eneloop AA rechargeable batteries for under $20, I recommend you take advantage. [Eneloop AA 8-Pack, $19]

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If you need a charger, this 4-pack includes one for $16, which is its usual price. You might also want to pick up some C and D spacers to get even more use out of your AAs.

As you might expect, this discounted Logitech Harmony remote can interface with over 270,000 popular home theater devices, but it’s also set up to control Philips Hue lights, Nest thermostats, and other smart home devices. Plus, the included repeater can turn any smartphone into a full-featured remote, which is great when you can’t find the real thing. Today’s $94 deal is the best we’ve ever seen. [Logitech Harmony Home Control - 8 Devices, $94]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3RFC4G/...

Our readers have bought a ton of Ninja Blenders over the years, and now, their Auto iQ system is marked down to $100 on Amazon, matching an all-time low. The Nutri Ninja Auto iQ features a 1000 watt motor, three different size blending glasses, and even intelligent blending programs that take the guesswork out of smoothie making. [Nutri Ninja Auto iQ, $100]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NGV3X2W/...

It certainly doesn’t look as futuristic as a Nest, but this $85 Sensi thermostat includes Wi-Fi, smartphone apps, and can even Amazon Echo integration. In fact, it’s actually Amazon’s top-selling HVAC controller, and boasts a 4.4 star average on over 1,200 reviews. [Sensi Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat, Compatible with Amazon Echo, $85]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HHE60CE/...

Stick-anywhere motion-sensing night lights have been incredibly popular over the last year, but they don’t usually make an effort to be aesthetically pleasing. Not so with this $10 sconce from OxyLED. Maybe it’s not your style, but at least it’s trying to look nice. [OxyLED Luxury Aluminum Stick-Anywhere Motion Sensor LED Wall Sconce Night Light, $10 with code UF2W93EJ]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0079TPCIU/

$13 for a Cree LED flashlight with a rechargeable battery would be a good deal on its face, but this model from DBPower is also waterproof, includes a glass-breaking hammer and seatbelt cutter, and can be used as a USB power bank in a pinch. That’s quite a package. [DBPOWER Rechargeable LED Flashlight 5200mAh IPX6280LM Cree, $13 with code LIHLPN9S]

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No matter your budget, there’s a gaming headset deal for you today, including the HyperX Cloud II, which was one of your favorites.

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HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset with 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound w/ Rainbow Six Siege ($70) | Amazon

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Polk Audio Striker P1 Gaming Headset ($50) | Amazon | Xbox One-specific model also on sale.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NZ3YOQ0

JGmax Gaming Stereo Headset with Noise Reduction ($20) | Amazon | Use code B2ZBP84A

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B010B08G0E/...

Fitness trackers can help you ward off winter weight gain, but if you don’t want to commit to wearing a bracelet every day, the clip-on Fitbit One is is a great alternative.

In addition to steps, the Fitbit One will monitor calories burned, stairs climbed, and distance traveled, and you can even configure it as a silent, vibrating alarm clock so you don’t have to disturb your sleeping partner. If that sounds like an appealing package, you can grab one on eBay today for $55, one of the best deals we’ve ever seen. [Fitbit One, $55]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2318268364...

The humble and inexpensive cast iron skillet is one of most important pieces of cooking gear you can own, and Lodge’s highly-rated 10” model is back down to $15 again on Amazon. If you don’t own one, you should have no hesitation. [Lodge LCS3 Pre-Seasoned 10-inch Cast-Iron Chef’s Skillet, $15]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008GKDJ/...

While you’re there, pick up some cast iron scrapers or a chainmail scrubber for cleaning, and a silicone handle cover to protect your hands.

If USB battery packs have a shortcoming, it’s that you have to carry a USB wall charger to juice them back up at the end of the day. Not so with this model from RAVPower, which recharges by plugging directly into a wall, while simultaneously acting as an AC charger for your phone. It even comes with a built-in microUSB cable, in addition to a standard USB port, making this a truly self-contained device. [RAVPOwer 9,000mAh Portable Charger With AC Connector, $24 with code 6QLBJT9O]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NWEB49W

Apple device owners know that you can never own too many Lightning cables, and $8 for a 2-pack is about as good a deal as we ever see on them. [2-Pack RAVPower Lightning Cables, $8 with code NM3K582E]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZZFT6EQ?...

For a limited time, Amazon will give you a $25 account credit when you spend $50 on eligible “luxury” beauty and grooming supplies. Included items run the spectrum from shaving gear to lotions to makeup, and that’s just for starters, so chances are, you won’t have any trouble filling your cart. Just be sure to use promo code LUX25BACK at checkout to get the account credit. [$25 Amazon account credit with $50 luxury grooming purchase]

No matter how beautiful your lawn is, you won’t spend much time out there if there’s nowhere to sit or eat a meal. If you’re tight on space (not to mention cash), this Lifetime convertible bench can convert in seconds from a park-style bench into half of a picnic table, and today’s $150 price tag is within a few bucks of Amazon’s all-time low. [Lifetime Convertible Bench/Table, $150]

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If you like to shop at Newegg, this deal is an absolute no-brainer. Groupon will sell you a 6 month Newegg Premier membership plus a $50 gift card for just $45, or a 12 month membership with a $100 gift card for $90. So you’re basically getting a discounted gift card, with Newegg Premiere tossed in for free. There’s really no downside here.

Newegg Premier is Newegg’s answer to Amazon Prime, and includes free three-day shipping, free returns, exclusive deals, and more. But even if you never use it, this deal is worth it for the discounted gift cards alone.

• Newegg 6-Month Premier Membership and $50 Credit ($45) | Groupon | Use code NEWEGG10
• Newegg 12-Month Premier Membership and $100 Credit ($90) | Groupon | Use code NEWEGG10

We see great deals on Bluetooth headphones almost every day, but even I did a double take when I saw this pair of Aukeys for $11. [Aukey Wireless Stereo Sport Bluetooth Headphones, $11 with code UROULTJN]

http://www.amazon.com/Aukey-Bluetoot...

Vega plant-based supplements are some of the best things you can put in your body, and Amazon’s taking an extra 20% off their protein powders, bars, and more today.

The 20% coupon is valid on dozens of different Vega items, and will stack with any existing discounts you see on the product pages. Just add your selections to your cart, and you’ll see the final price at checkout. [20% off Vega Protein Products]

Vega has a great calorie-to-protein ratio, but the best thing about their shakes is that they aren’t just about protein. Vega’s shakes typically contain six grams of fiber, 3 servings of vegetables, and good amounts of Omega-3, probiotics, vitamins, and illusive potassium. It’s like a protein shake, a multivitamin, and a bunch of bonuses all in one convenient package.

Update: If you prefer EAS supplements, they have a 20% coupon today as well.

If you want to stop paying your cable company $100/month for channels you don’t watch, it might be time to cut the cord. Between services like Netflix, Hulu+, Sling TV, and HBO Now, it’s easier than ever to declare cable independence, but a good antenna is still a critical piece of equipment for picking up your local broadcast stations.

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Today on Amazon, the refurbished amplified Mohu Leaf 50 is down to $30, an all-time low. Lifehacker readers voted the Leaf as their favorite antenna, praising its unobtrusive design and great performance, and the upgraded Leaf 50 is basically the same product, but with a USB-powered amplifier for extended range. [Refurb Mohu Leaf 50 Indoor HDTV Antenna, $30]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DHKKI16/...

Anker’s PowerCore line of external battery packs is a newly-minted Co-Op winner, and you can save $10 on one of the largest capacities today. While this model probably won’t fit in your pocket, it’s perfect for sharing on long flights, during conferences, or any other extended period where power outlets aren’t readily available. [Anker PowerCore 20100 Power Bank, $30 with code HAVKXACP. Also available in white.]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X5RV14Y/

Tech

Storage

• Seagate Backup Plus 4TB Portable External Hard Drive with 200GB of Cloud Storage ($120) | Amazon
• SanDisk Ultra 64GB USB 3.0 OTG Flash Drive With micro USB connector For Android Mobile Devices ($18) | Amazon
• ORICO Tool-free 2.5 inch SATAIII to USB3.0 External Hard Drive Enclosure Case ($10) | Amazon | Use code J8Z5ZP4N

Power

• 40W Family-Sized 5-Port High Speed Desktop USB Charger ($7) | Amazon
• Inateck 40W 5-Port High Speed Desktop USB Charger with Smart Charging technology ($16) | Amazon | Use code NYRK2IHJ
• AUKEY Quick Charge 3.0 USB Wall Charger ($15) | Amazon | Use code UZ6JDF5E
• AUKEY Quick Charge 3.0 USB Car Charger ($14) | Amazon | Use code F8JWB7DV

Audio

• Mpow Swallow Wireless Bluetooth 4.1 Noise Canceling Sports Headphones ($26) | Amazon | Use code Z3F7MDAJ
• Refurb Polk Audio Omni S2 Network Audio Wireless Multi Room Speaker ($70) | eBay
• Photive HYDRA Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth Speaker ($40) | Amazon
• Sennheiser HD439 Over-Ear Headphones ($35) | Newegg
• Energy CB-20 Bookshelf Speakers ($150) | Newegg | After $20 rebate
• Inateck Lacerta Dual Dynamic Driver In-Ear Noise-isolating Headphones with with A/B Switch Modes for iOS and Android ($17) | Amazon | Use code G247YQIN
• SoundPEATS B10 3.5mm Headphones In-ear Wired Earphones Earbuds ($4) | Amazon | Use code SPB104UD

Home Theater

• Samsung UN55JU6400 55-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV ($700) | Amazon
• Magnavox 55-Inch 1080p 60Hz LED TV ($450) | Target
• Insignia 40-Inch LED 1080p Smart Roku HDTV Roku TV ($230) | Best Buy
• 65 Mile Flat HD Indoor Amplified TV Antenna ($25) | Amazon | Use code 8NEWMEQV

Computers & Accessories

• Lenovo - G70 17.3" Laptop - AMD A8 6410 - 4GB Memory - 1TB Hard Drive ($300) | eBay
• HP Stream 11.6-Inch Laptop (Intel Celeron, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB SSD, Violet Purple) with Office 365 Personal for One Year ($180) | Amazon
• Refurb Neat NeatReceipts Portable Scanner ($90) | Best Buy

PC Parts

• EVGA 700W SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Non-Modular Power Supply ($40) | Newegg | After $20 rebate
• Corsair Graphite Series Yellow Steel / Plastic Mini-ITX Case ($55) | Newegg | After $30 rebate
• Cooler Master High Performance Thermal Paste ($2) | Amazon

Mobile Devices

• BLU Studio Selfie with 8GB Memory Cell Phone (Unlocked) ($60) | Best Buy
• Dell Venue 8 7000 Series Android Tablet ($200) | Dell
• Nextbook Flexx 8.9" 2-in-1 Tablet 32GB Intel Quad Core Windows 10 ($70) | Walmart

Photography

• Garmin Virb XE Action Cam ($300) | Amazon

Home

• Sensi Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat, Compatible with Amazon Echo ($85) | Amazon
• SYLVANIA Lightify 9.5-Watt (60W Equivalent) 2,700K A19 Medium Base (E-26) Dimmable Soft White LED Bulb with Built-In WiFi ($10) | Lowes
• 3-Pack of Mr. Beams MB363 Wireless LED Spotlight with Motion Sensor and Photocell ($35) | Amazon
• BUFFALO 0.58 cu. ft. Wall Safe with Electronic Lock ($60) | Home Depot
• OxyLED Luxury Aluminum Stick-Anywhere Motion Sensor LED Wall Sconce Night Light ($10) | Amazon | Use code UF2W93EJ
• Cuisinart Indoor Outdoor Electric Griddler ($90) | Amazon
• Sterilite 01428501 4-Shelf Utility Cabinet ($57) | Walmart
• 12W Plant Grow Light Bulb ($20) | amazon | Use code ZHBSUX96
• Homdox Dog Training Collar with Remote Pet Training Electric Collars for Dogs 300 Meters Range with LCD Display ($20) | Amazon | Use code 9DVK9D2V

Beauty & Grooming

Kitchen

• Nutri Ninja Auto iQ ($100) | Amazon
• Oster DuraCeramic Reversible Grill and Griddle ($70) | Amazon

Fitness

• Goplus Weight Lifting Bench Fitness Body Workout Home Exercise w/Bar ($80) | eBay

Apparel

• Bill Adler Men’s Pebble Leather Wallet ($6) | Amazon
• ARSNL Men’s Fleece Full Zip Ninja Hoodie ($28) | eBay
• Men’s Columbia Frost Fighter Jacket ($50) | Finishline
• Black Diamond Access Hybrid Jacket - Men’s ($90) | REI

Camping & Outdoors

• BYB Super Bright LED Headlamp ($5) | Amazon | Use code 52N6XK97
• PeleusTech Life Waterproof Super Bright Cree T6 Powerful 900 Lumens 3-Mode LED Zoomable Aluminum Alloy Flashlight ($7) | Amazon | Use code AV5QRHGL
• REI Travel Sack Sleeping Bag ($35) | REI
• 700c Schwinn Men’s Scenic Dutch Style Bike ($200) | eBay
• 700c Schwinn Men’s GTX 2 Dual Sport Hybrid Bike ($165) | eBay
• 4 Bicycle Hitch Mount Bike Rack ($30) | eBay
• Gonex 550 Paracord Survival Bracelet Buckles with Compass+Fire Starter+Eye Knife ($7) | Amazon | Use code 2IUFEQTW

Tools & Auto

• DBPOWER Rechargeable LED Flashlight 5200mAh IPX6280LM Cree ($13) | Amazon | Use code LIHLPN9S
• Universal Trunk Cargo Mats ($19) | eBay
• Black Craftsman Heavy-Duty Top Chest ($300) | Sears
• Craftsman 4pc Wobble Extension Bar Set 3/8 Inch Drive ($10) | Sears

Media

Movies & TV

• Preorder Star Wars: The Force Awakens (SteelBook) ($30) | Best Buy
• Preorder Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($25) | Walmart
• The Fifth Element Mastered in 4K ($15) | Amazon
• Winter’s Bone ($5) | Amazon
• Snowpiercer ($7) | Amazon
• Cowboy Bebop: The Complete Series ($28) | Amazon

Books & Magazines

• The Misremembered Man [Kindle] ($2) | Amazon
• The Perfect Son Audiobook ($4) | Audible

Gaming

Peripherals

• Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows ($25) | Newegg
• HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset with 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound w/ Rainbow Six Siege ($70) | Amazon
• Polk Audio Striker P1 Gaming Headset ($50) | Amazon | Xbox One-specific model also on sale.
• JGmax Gaming Stereo Headset with Noise Reduction ($20) | Amazon | Use code B2ZBP84A

PC

• Life is Strange - Complete Season ($12) | Amazon
• Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim ($8) | Amazon
• Titanfall ($8) | Amazon
• Square Enix Publisher Weekend | Steam
• Talos Principle ($10) | Steam
• Call of Duty: Black Ops III ($40) | Best Buy

PlayStation 4

• Call of Duty: Black Ops III ($40) | Best Buy
• Tearaway Unfolded ($19) | Amazon
• Payday 2 Crimewave ($20) | Amazon
• Evolve ($10) | Amazon
• The Order: 1886 ($10) | Gamestop
• Preorder No Man’s Sky ($48) | Amazon | Prime only, discount at checkout

Xbox One

• Call of Duty: Black Ops III ($40) | Best Buy
• Evolve ($10) | Amazon
• Dead Island Definitive Collection ($32) | Amazon | Prime only, discount at checkout

PlayStation 3

• Call of Duty: Black Ops III ($30) | Best Buy
• Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel ($10) | Amazon

Xbox 360

• Call of Duty: Black Ops III ($30) | Best Buy
• Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel ($10) | Amazon

Wii U

• Select Amiibo Figures ($10) | Best Buy

3DS

• Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate ($20) | eShop

Board Games

• Zombicide Black Plague Board Game ($65) | Amazon

Toys

• The Lowest Prices We’ve Seen on a Large Selection of LEGO Sets | Amazon
• K’NEX 52 Model Building Set ($20) | Amazon
• Barbie Collector 2015 Ballet Wishes Doll ($16) | Amazon

Commerce Content is independent of Editorial and Advertising, and if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale. Click here to learn more, and don’t forget to sign up for our email newsletter. We want your feedback.

Send deal submissions to Deals@Gawker and all other inquiries to Shane@Gawker

Along with the Pyramids in Giza and the Colosseum, Italy has asked the United Nations to add another item to UNESCO’s list of protected landmarks: Pizza.

The Guardian reports that Italy is submitting a new application to UNESCO that would add Neapolitan pizza to its list of recognized cultural landmarks. Although UNESCO’s world heritage list is better known for the physical landmarks it protects, it has also actually has kept a list of what it calls “intangible cultural heritage” for several years now. It includes:

• Camel-coaxing rituals (Mongolia)

• Tightrope walking (Korea)

• Cowbell manufacturing (Portugal)

• Human towers (Spain)

In other words, pizza-making could fit in quite nicely. But, while UNESCO recognition of physical landmarks usually results in some attempt at preservation, the point of the cultural landmarks list seems to be mostly to merely exist. In fact, the real point of the application may be to simply get a recognized standard for what is—and isn’t—Neapolitan pizza written down somewhere.

Italy has had big problems with food fraud lately, from green-painted olives forged by counterfeiters to shredded parmesan cheese with a surprisingly heavy wood content. The application that Italy’s government will submit will include some fairly exacting standards detailing everything from whether a mixer would be allowed for use with the dough (low-speed only, please) from to the allowable thickness of crust (under 3 millimeters, or it doesn’t count). The real goal may be to get some very precise specifications on the record, before the next food counterfeiting case comes up.

Follow the author at @misra.

It sounds too crazy to be real, but it’s actually coming true. The crossover between 21 Jump Street and Men in Black, which was first revealed by the Sony hack in 2014, is now going forward as a possible film. And they found a perfect director.

When this possible crossover was first leaked a couple years ago, lots of people freaked out—but Sony still decided to get Rodney Rothman to write a screenplay for the series. And they liked what they read enough to move ahead. Now James Bobin, who directed 2011's The Muppets as well as episodes of Flight of the Conchords and Da Ali G Show, is lined up to direct. The movie isn’t 100 percent greenlit, but production could actually start in June.

Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are both on board to return, and will also produce. But neither Will Smith nor Tommy Lee Jones is coming back for Men in Black—and in fact, recasting those roles with younger actors could allow Sony to relaunch this series.

If this crossover is successful, just imagine what we could get next. Jurassic Rim? Ghostbuster Activity? We are in.

Thanks to Cheryl for the crossover suggestions! [Variety]

Charlie Jane Anders is the author of All The Birds in the Sky, which is available now. Here’s what people have been saying about it. Follow her on Twitter, and email her.

“Vessels-4 AM” by Chloe Hayward is like being on a tourist spaceship touring a volatile world. And, as it navigates water, ice, and lava, to music, it’s somehow perfectly lovely.

[Vimeo Staff Picks]

Contact the author at katharine@io9.com.

If the moviegoing public is willing to stand for yet another Spider-Man reboot, surely there’s also some room for one of Spidey’s greatest foes. But don’t get too excited, webslingers: Venom is moving ahead as its own stand-alone franchise, unrelated to the next Spider-Man movie starring Tom Holland.

The villainous Venom—who’s long been bandied about as possible feature-film fodder—did appear onscreen in Spider-Man 3, so here’s his chance to redeem himself in a movie that isn’t totally cringe-worthy. Promising: Dante Harper, who worked on Edge of Tomorrow, has been hired to write the script. No word yet on who will star or direct.

[The Hollywood Reporter]

Contact the author at cheryl.eddy@io9.com.

How’s a guy supposed to blow up the Death Star from the comfort of his own couch? Naturally, through the ancient Jedi technique of crochet.

Your feet go inside the cockpit and the engines act like hand warmers. The wings probably just end up collecting crumbs and popcorn bits. It has all the laziness of a slanket, while also removing the burden of mobility. You can’t buy these yet, but you can purchase the pattern for $6 if you’re handy with a crochet hook and have 2,000 yards of yarn. It’s sure to make someone in your life very happy/lazy.

I only hope this picture doesn’t follow this kid into adolescence.

If you’ve ever wondered why you knew the name Steven Spielberg before you knew anything about movies, just remember how much fun you had watching his movies. His eye for specific shots and his films’ visual style set the template for what we all enjoy in movies. Here are 30 of his most memorable from each of his movies.

Jacob T. Swinney writes:

Before I knew what a director was, I knew who Steven Spielberg was. I believe that this is partially due to the fact that Spielberg has crafted some of the most iconic shots in all of cinema. Many filmmakers have that one signature shot that will forever solidify them in film history— Spielberg has dozens. This video showcases the work of Steven Spielberg in 30 memorable shots, one from each of his full-length films. From something as magical as a silhouetted bicycle streaking across the moon, to something as simple as tiny ripples in a cup of water, this is Steven Spielberg.

SPLOID is delicious brain candy. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Christopher Nolan’s film The Prestige is one of my absolute favorites, and it’s one that I can reliably go to over and over and still be thrilled at the twists and turns. In this video essay, Nerdwriter takes a look at the film’s structure and how it plays into the plot.

In particular, he takes a look at the film’s structure, and how Nolan has twisted it around to serve the interests of the narrative, each feeding into one another.

The movie here is that it’s all a trick, which is really what film editing is: tricks for the audience.

Give it a watch here:

[SF Signal]

Contact the author at andrew.liptak@io9.com.

In November 2014, the team behind Disney’s Zootopia had a very bad day. After years of development and production, they realized a huge aspect of their movie didn’t work. There were two main characters, one primary and one secondary— and they had to be flipped for the film to make sense.

In Zootopia, which hits theaters March 4, a young bunny named Judy Hopps leaves home for a job as a police officer in the big city of the title. There, she must team up with a con-man fox named Nick Wilde to solve a crime. Nick, voiced by Jason Bateman, is jaded, sarcastic, and believes everyone is exactly who they are. Judy, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, is exactly the opposite. She’s cheery, optimistic and believes anyone can be whatever they want.

For years, Nick was the focus on the film, with Hopps playing a crucial, but secondary role. But on that fateful November day, a little over a year before the film’s release, director Byron Howard realized they had to make the switch.

“We’re telling a story about bias, and when you have the Nick character starting the movie, through his eyes the city was already broken,” Howard said. “He didn’t like Zootopia.”

Hopps, on the other hand, did. She loved it. And suddenly, everything became obvious.

“We asked ‘What are we saying with the movie?’ If we’re telling this movie about bias—something that is everywhere and in all of us, whether we want to admit it or not—the character that’s going to help us tell that message is Judy, an innocent, [who comes] from a very supportive environment where she thinks everyone is beautiful, everyone gets along,” Howard said. “Then let Nick, this character who knows the truth about the world, bop up against her and they start to educate each other. When we flipped that, it was a major flip, but it worked so much better.”

In retrospect, the flip may seem like the most simple thing ever. Have the positive character be the main one. But the reason something like that doesn’t happen immediately is that movies like Zootopia happen in an insanely organic, fluid way. When the film was first pitched, for example, there wasn’t much more than the idea of talking animals living together in a city. There was no story, no characters, just an idea, followed by an approval, and then the research begins. The hope is, through this research process, a story is arrived at organically, which is what happened.

It started with looking at animals behaviors, futuristic ideas for cities, and then a trip to Africa lit up a figurative lightbulb. “We looked at this situation around the watering hole,” Howard said. “Predators and prey are behaving because they both need something, water, and everyone’s cool. They’re kind of looking at each other cautiously, but people are behaving. That’s very much like our city. People are different in cities, and they have to get together to live, and what does that mean?”

What it meant was, the story was going to be one about bias and stereotypes, told through a big adventure. And though the decision to make Judy the main character in that story came very late, some of people responsible for the film’s story admit that she was always stealing the limelight, from the beginning.

“Even when Nick was the main character, Hopps kept pushing through,” said head of editorial, Fabienne Rawley. “She’s the character she is. She just kept being the main character. And we kept saying that we wanted Nick to be the main character. And sort of because of that, forcing a round peg in a square hole sort of thing, she just came through. And finally we’re like, ‘Fine! Go do it.’ So then you start again.”

For a normal person, changing and scrapping so much hard work would probably be seen as a huge defeat. But this is Disney and, according to the people there, everyone embraced it

“We knew it was going to be a lot of work, but immediately hearing the idea no one said like, ‘Oh no! I’ve got to keep this thing.’ It was very much the opposite,” said co-director Jared Bush. “It was ‘This is really exciting. This is going to help the movie immeasurably. We just need to execute it, and we’re running out of time to do it.’ But it’s an amazing opportunity to make this movie really special.”

In changing the movie, Howard, Bush, Rawley and others found that they were better able to incorporate the film’s message of inclusion and harmony, along with a satisfying story.

“We never wanted this to be a message movie,” said Howard. “We always wanted it to be this great piece of entertainment, great emotion, great storytelling, but it’s never, ever supposed to be in-your-face with the message of the movie. Just letting Judy learn that and seeing her progress grow and grow, it became sort of a personal story between the two of them and helped us in a huge way.”

The other thing that helped in a huge way—especially when in executing such a major change—was adding Rich Moore as another director. When Zootopia was starting production, Moore was working on his own movie, Wreck-It Ralph, which was released in 2012. He then went to work on something we won’t see for several years, before his phone rang with the head of Disney Pictures, John Lasseter, asking him to come on board.

“When you’re in production for years, there are these kind of gear shifts that you can feel,” Moore said. “‘Okay, that’s ramping up. It’s going up another level.’ And [Zootopia] was just ready to go up another one. It was like jumping onto a fast-moving train.”

Moore’s main task at the beginning was helping Howard manage all the changes that switching lead characters from Nick to Judy meant for the movie as a whole, and Howard was happy for the help.

“It’s great to have partners on these films,” Howard said. “It’s great to have someone to do a gut check with.”

Oddly, while everyone making Zootopia has no problem balancing and checking each other, even when it becomes incredibly difficult, the president of Disney Animation Andrew Millstein claimed there’s one place they never ever look to make sure they’re on the right track.

“Well, we really don’t follow the competition all that much,” Millstein said. “When Byron and Jared wanted to make this film, talking animals in an animal world, we didn’t say, ‘Oh, Blue Sky is making that, Illumination is making one.’ There are so many ways to tell a talking-animal story, and what better challenge is there to differentiate yourself from whatever anybody else is making? So our standard is really a self-referential standard, cause we want to make it great. And let the chips fall where they may.”

http://io9.gizmodo.com/inside-secrets...

Contact the author at germain@io9.com.

AMC has greenlit Dan Simmons’ novel The Terror as a 10-episode anthology series, with plans to release the series in 2017.

According to Deadline, the series is a joint project from Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions, Alexandra Milchan’s Emjag Productions, Entertainment 360 and AMC Studios, and will be written by David Kajganich.

The story is a fictionalized account of the Franklin Expedition in 1845, during which the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror were lost. (The wreck of the Erebus was discovered in 2014). In Simmons’ novel, Franklin and his crew face numerous challenges after both ships are wrecked, and are plagued by starvation, scurvy, mutiny and cannibalism, all the while they’re stalked by a monster.

The series has been in development since 2013, and it seems that we’ll finally get to see it before too long. What’s interesting about this project is how it’s being billed as an ‘anthology’ show - like True Detective or American Horror Story, we’re guessing that this will be a self-contained season or a miniseries. Either way, we’re pumped.

[Deadline]

Despite fairly low ratings this season, Agent Carter has consistently been an excellent show, and according to NerdReactor, the chances for a third season seem pretty good.

According to the site, studio sources have confirmed that they’re sticking with the show, and plan on renewing the sophomore drama soon. That said, with any unnamed studio source, it’s news that should be taken with a dose of salt.

After its companion show, Agents of SHIELD was renewed for a fourth season without word about Agent Carter, we were pessimistic about its changes for the 2017 television season. Now? Maybe the television gods will be generous this time around. Let’s just hope we’re not getting our hopes up.

[NerdReactor]

Contact the author at andrew.liptak@io9.com.

Uh oh. Remember when Donald Trump called Marco Rubio “Little Marco” in the last debate? Well, now the internet is having a field day with this real photo of Marco Rubio sitting in a gigantic chair.

The original photo is from back in August 26, 2015 when Rubio was visiting a furniture store in Franklin, New Hampshire.

Of course, they’re not all necessarily mean. Some are silly photoshops of Rubio in nerdy movies.

But yeah, this is getting meme’d to death right now. If you’d like to make your own, please include them in the comments below.

Also, I’m not sure what’s going on here...

But Twitter user Darth has helpfully found the “original”:

Now if only someone could Photoshop an image of Donald Trump using a computer.

[Reddit via Twitter]

Contact the author at novak@gizmodo.com.

DARPA’s VTOL X-plane initiative takes a cocktail of totally innovative technologies and puts them together in one aircraft design that could very well solve some of the chronic limitations of vertical takeoff and landing capable aircraft. Oh, and it’s a design so radical it looks like something that may not be from this planet.

http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/darpa-released...

The program has been underway for some time now, but just today DAPRA announced that they have selected Aurora Flight Sciences to execute the second round of the contract which includes building fly prototype. This aircraft has been named LightningStrike.

Foxtrot Alpha talked to Ashish Bagai, the project manager on VTOL X-plane, and learned some interesting details about this totally unique aircraft.

LightningStrike will feature a pair of rear-mounted wings and two smaller canards mounted on the aircraft’s nose. The aircraft’s power will come from a single Rolls Royce T406 tuboshaft engine, the same type that is used on the V-22 Osprey. The engine will be mounted inside the fuselage and will pump out three megawatts of electrical power.

This avalanche of electrical output will be used in part to drive 24 ducted fans, each of which is integrated into its own custom-formed aerodynamic cell. These cells combine to make up the aircraft’s wings and the canards and are tailored to create lift during cruise and increase thrust during VTOL phases of flight. Each wing will include nine cells and each canard will have three. Both the wings and canards will rotate to direct thrust as needed, both rearward and forward as well as downward for hover.

The LightningStrike demonstrator planned to fly in 2018 is no toy; it’s a serious unmanned flying machine that seeks to reach sustained speeds between 300 and 400 knots and carry a useful load of 40 percent of its gross weight of around 12,000 pounds. Additionally, it aims to prove far greater efficiency than any VTOL aircraft flying today, with a lift to drag ratio of at least 10. The best existing VTOL aircraft, like the V-22 Osprey, have a lift to drag ratio of between 5 and 6. The technology demonstrator also aims to raise hover efficiency from around 60 percent for current VTOL aircraft to at least 75 percent.

Yet this aircraft concept has more to prove than enhancing raw performance statistics over existing VTOL craft. Its design and unique power system could have massive implications on the future of flight.

Instead of using a bunch of gears and transmissions hooked to a poweplant to turn rotors, it uses a distributed propulsion system that runs on electricity generated by the aircraft’s turbine engine. This “hybrid-electric” design is similar to that used on modern commercial ships and increasingly on the Navy’s own surface combatants.

http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/hybrid-electri...

By using electricity to drive individual ducted fans, the aircraft’s overall propulsion system design can be simplified and made significantly lighter. This technology also has the potential to greatly increase reliability and reduce maintenance requirements. It also allows for dynamic control of each engine cell in flight, with individual cells being able to be shut down during certain phases of flight, such as cruise, to increase range.

One day, this distributed propulsion scheme could also mean a whole new level of redundancy for aircraft. Although the program does not aim to prove this precise capability, further extrapolation of the concept could see a single propulsion cell, or even number of cells, that shut down in an emergency have others take over to compensate for their loss.

Although Lightning Strike does not have a battery component, battery power could one day take the place of a large power producing source. This is especially relevant for unmanned aircraft. This project could have a a huge impact on the future potential for all-electric aircraft designs.

The idea behind the whole VTOL X-plane initiative is not to put an aircraft into production or to fill a distinct mission set, but to rapidly mature and reduce risk on a package of technologies that could make their way to production aircraft in the not so distant future. And according to Bagai the technology is scalable, both up to much larger aircraft and down to small unmanned system. Clearly the tactical and commercial applications for a LightningStrike craft, that can land virtually anywhere while also being able to fly a near jet speeds are huge.

http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/darpas-vertica...

Ashish Bagai sums up this vision:

Imagine electric aircraft that are more quiet, fuel-efficient and adaptable and are capable of runway-independent operations. We want to open up whole new design and mission spaces freed from prior constraints, and enable new VTOL aircraft systems and subsystems.

Although vertical takeoff and landing aircraft have been around for the better part of a century, for Bagai and his team, it sounds like the real VTOL revolution has just begun.

Contact the author at Tyler@jalopnik.com.

We really dug Allen M. Steele’s Arkwright, a novel that spans centuries, and talks exactly how science fiction can inspire scientists to change the world.

After reading it, we spoke with Steele about just went into the novel.

Arkwright is a sweeping story that spans centuries: tell us a little about what inspired it.

I’d been kicking around the essential idea for the first part of the novel, “The Legion of Tomorrow”, for quite a few years, doing research between whatever else I was writing at the time. But no editor was interested in a novel about the history of the science fiction genre , and after awhile it occurred to me that the only way I’d ever get to publish this story was if I wrote it in the context of a science fiction novel ... that is, a novel about science fiction that becomes a SF novel itself.

Then a few years ago, I was invited to the Starship Century Symposium at the University of California-San Diego’s Arthur C. Clarke Center. This was the follow up to the 100 Year Starship conference in Florida a couple of years earlier, and once again the organizers, Greg and Jim Benford, brought in a broad range of scientists and writers to discuss the prospects for interstellar travel in this century.

http://www.amazon.com/Arkwright-Alle...

So we had SF writers like David Brin and Joe Haldeman and me rubbing shoulders with scientists like Freeman Dyson and John Cramer and Jill Tartar, with a handful of well-known fans like Mike Glyer and Naomi Fisher there as well, and everyone was on the same wavelength because they’d all been thinking the same thoughts and sharing the same dreams, and it occurred to me that there’s a sort of golden braid between science and science fiction that stretches back over many decades and this was something I’d like to write about. And when I connected “The Legion of Tomorrow” to this, I finally had a way to tell the story I’d been wanting to do for years.

The first part of the novel is wonderfully meta: how difficult was it to insert a totally fictional science fiction author, but which stuck with genre history?

When you study the history of the SF genre, one subtle thing that stands out is that, although space opera has always been central to the field, there’s no one single author who was responsible for space-op and therefore became an outstanding figure like the Big Three were. So while writers like Edward E. Smith, Edmond Hamilton, Murray Leinster, and Jack Williamson were the fathers of space adventure, none of them became as famous as Asimov, Heinlein, or Clarke. The closest we got was Philip Francis Nowlan, the creator of Buck Rogers, but he died in 1939, at the very beginning of the Golden Age, and therefore never really shared in the glory.

So Nathan Arkwright is kind of a composite character. He’s all those writers rolled into one figure, a personification of all the creators of space opera. I imagined him as having the sort of success George Lucas might have had if Lucas had come along several decades earlier and written for the pulps instead of making movies. Once I had that in mind, it was easy to picture Nathan as being one of a Big Four instead there only being a Big Three.

This book felt very much like it was an homage to stories that inspired you, but which also gently pulled those stories apart. We don’t have faster than light capabilities, but we do have practical ideas for how to travel through space to other star systems.

Nearly all the technology I wrote about in this novel was discussed at the Starship Century conference and, before that, the 100 Year Starship conference. People much smarter than I am, like the Benford brothers and Freeman Dyson and Bob Zubrin, believe that it is entirely possible that we can develop the ways and means to build the first starship in this century. We don’t have to wait until the 23rd century, and it doesn’t have to be some faster-than-light “Star Trek” vessel. We can start working on it now...and quietly, there are people who already are.

Do you think that the things that you described in this book are practical? What’s holding us back from testing this out?

The biggest thing holding us back, I think, has been the idea that space travel is something that can only be accomplished by NASA. As I said at the symposium, though, while NASA has accomplished many great things and still does, it has become the hostage of Washington politicians whose science education ended in high school and, in some instances, are actively hostile toward science. So any serious effort at space exploration is going to require a different model than waiting for Capitol Hill to supply funding higher than half a cent on the dollar, or thinking only in terms of Apollo-style crash programs.

Does this book mean that you’ve updated your will for the ‘Steele Foundation’?

As if I made that kind of money! Go ask George Lucas ... he’s the one who sold Star Wars to Disney for $4 billion. Maybe he ought to put some of that into turning dreams into reality.

Arkwright is now available in stores.

Contact the author at andrew.liptak@io9.com.

Rejoice! Adult Swim’s fantastic show Rick and Morty is coming back to television by the end of 2016, and will include more episodes than originally anticipated!

At Magic City Comic Con in Miami Florida in January, Dan Harmon and Dino Stamatopoulos spoke a bit about Rick and Morty, and revealed that they’re planning on releasing the third season in 2016.

When asked about when the show would return, Harmon replied: “I think season three, I believe we’re targeting around the end of this year. But, you guys realize that we’re at the beginning of this year.”

Shortly thereafter, he noted that “We’re doing 14 episodes this year.” Season 1 of Rick and Morty contained 11 episodes, while the second season was only 10 episodes.

You can see the entire panel here. (Season 3 episode comments at 10:20)

There’s some other interesting tidbits here: they noted that Season 2 was supposed to end with two episodes, without such a major cliffhanger, while the purge episode took about half an hour to write.

Considering that we had been thinking that the show would return in 2017, this has us very excited!

[Inverse]

Contact the author at andrew.liptak@io9.com.

Gunnar glasses, tax software, and a Lodge grill pan kick off Saturday’s best deals. Bookmark Kinja Deals and follow us on Twitter to never miss a deal. Commerce Content is independent of Editorial and Advertising, and if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale. Click here to learn more.

If you still haven’t filed your taxes, Amazon’s offering the biggest discounts of the season on H&R Block tax software, today only. H&R Block even allows you to take $100 increments of your tax refund as gift cards to Amazon, restaurants, and more, with a 10% bonus thrown on top. [H&R Block Tax Software Gold Box Deal]

While Gunnar glasses are marketed towards gamers, they can be effective at reducing eyestrain for anyone that spends their day staring at a screen. The problem is that they’re typically pretty expensive, and rarely go on sale. Today only though, Amazon’s got a handful of options on sale starting at $40. [Up to 60% off Gunnar Gaming Glasses]

http://lifehacker.com/5861585/gunnar...

Everyone with a kitchen should own a Lodge cast iron skillet, but this grill pan certainly has its uses as well. [Lodge Pro-Logic Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Square Grill Pan, 12-inch, $27]

http://bestsellers.kinja.com/bestsellers-lo...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001DJVGA/...

Range extenders can’t work miracles, but if a corner of your house just doesn’t quite get acceptable Wi-Fi reception, this little gadget can probably do enough to help. [TP-LINK AC750 Dual Band Wi-Fi Range Extender, $35]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NR2VMNC/...

It’s not from a brand you’ve probably heard of, but this is the best price we’ve ever seen on a 30+ ounce, vacuum insulated water bottle. I own something similar, and it’ll keep ice frozen for hours on end, even in the Texas heat. [Fnova 35 oz Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, $18 with code 4V4RMWPH]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015388COY

As long as you don’t mind buying a refurb, this is probably the best Xbox One deal we’ve ever seen. You even get a Kinect! [Refurb Xbox One Console with Kinect and Four Games, $305]

http://electronics.woot.com/offers/microso...

Sphero’s remote-controlled BB-8 droid was one of the coolest toys ever made when it first came out, and it’s still improving to this day! Today on eBay, you can buy your own for 130 portions dollars, or $20 less than usual. [Sphero BB-8, $130]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sphero-BB-...

http://toyland.gizmodo.com/sphero-bb-8-re...

http://toyland.gizmodo.com/heres-what-sph...

http://toyland.gizmodo.com/bored-with-bb-...

While there are obviously cheaper ways to shave, this $3 discount on a Gillette Fusion Proglide might be tempting if you want to take the infamous Flexball out for a spin. You even get two razor refills in the package, which Gillette claims are good for a month of shaving each. [Gillette Fusion Proglide, $7. Clip the $3 coupon]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...

Mpow’s Swift Bluetooth headphones shot up the sales charts in 2015, but their new Swallow line adds a sleek design and active noise cancellation to the mix. The best part: You can still get them for under $30. [Mpow Swallow Wireless Bluetooth 4.1 Noise Canceling Sports Headphones, $26 with code Z3F7MDAJ]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015III3ES

http://bestsellers.kinja.com/bestsellers-mp...

This well-reviewed 55"4K Samsung TV has all the smart apps you could want, plus a price tag that’s $100 cheaper than Black Friday. If you just got your tax refund, I can think of much worse things to spend it on. [Samsung UN55JU6400 55-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV, $700]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B010Q8G3TC/...

Anytime you can get an 8-pack of Panasonic’s class-leading Eneloop AA rechargeable batteries for under $20, I recommend you take advantage. [Eneloop AA 8-Pack, $19]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...

If you need a charger, this 4-pack includes one for $16, which is its usual price. You might also want to pick up some C and D spacers to get even more use out of your AAs.

Stick-anywhere motion-sensing night lights have been incredibly popular over the last year, but they don’t usually make an effort to be aesthetically pleasing. Not so with this $10 sconce from OxyLED. Maybe it’s not your style, but at least it’s trying to look nice. [OxyLED Luxury Aluminum Stick-Anywhere Motion Sensor LED Wall Sconce Night Light, $10 with code UF2W93EJ]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0079TPCIU/

Apple device owners know that you can never own too many Lightning cables, and $8 for a 2-pack is about as good a deal as we ever see on them. [2-Pack RAVPower Lightning Cables, $8 with code NM3K582E]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZZFT6EQ?...

For a limited time, Amazon will give you a $25 account credit when you spend $50 on eligible “luxury” beauty and grooming supplies. Included items run the spectrum from shaving gear to lotions to makeup, and that’s just for starters, so chances are, you won’t have any trouble filling your cart. Just be sure to use promo code LUX25BACK at checkout to get the account credit. [$25 Amazon account credit with $50 luxury grooming purchase]

Tech

• 5-Pack of 3ft MicroUSB Cables ($6) | Amazon
• TaoTronics Adjustable Aluminum Tablet / Phone Stand ($5) | Amazon
  
• Slingbox 500 ($225) | Amazon
• NZXT 2-Meter Sleeved PC CaseMod LED Kit ($15) | Amazon
  
• Dell S2316M 23.0" Screen LED-Lit Monitor ($120) | Amazon
• TP-LINK AC750 Dual Band Wi-Fi Range Extender ($35) | Amazon
• PNY 120GB SSD ($40) | Amazon
• LG - Music Flow H7 Wireless Speaker ($190) | Best Buy
• Wacom - Bamboo Spark Smart Folio and Stylus Pen ($100) | eBay
• Seiki 42" 4K Ultra HD LED TV ($255) | Woot
• Mpow Grip Air Vent Car Mount Holder Cradle with Quick Release/Lock Button ($10) | Amazon | Use code YE3SNHCL

Home

• H&R Block Tax Software Gold Box Deal | Amazon
• Etekcity 15lb/7kg Digital Kitchen Food Scale ($9) | Amazon
• 32Degrees Weatherproof Men’s 3 in 1 Systems Jacket ($36) | Amazon
• iPhone 6 Plus Running Belt ($5) | Amazon
• Skybell Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Version 2.0 ($105) | Woot
• Etekcity Ultra Bright Portable LED Camping Lantern Flashlights ($8) | Amazon
• Lodge Pro-Logic P12SGR3 Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Square Grill Pan, 12-inch ($27) | Amazon
  
• All-Clad KZ750D Stainless Steel Immersion Blender ($59) | Amazon
• Honeywell - Surround Select Ceramic Heater - Black ($45) | eBay
• Rowenta DW5197 Focus Steam Iron ($55) | Woot
• Ray-Ban Sunglasses Sale | Woot
• 6-Pack Philips 60W Equivalent LED Bulbs ($15) | Home Depot
• Blackhead Remover Kit ($8) | Amazon | Use code LKPQNKJH
• Fnova 35 oz Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($18) | Amazon | Use code 4V4RMWPH
• Dpower Foldable Camping Stove with Piezo Ignition ($12) | Amazon | Use code H5WH3U6Q
• REXING V6 2.7" Fullscreen 1080p HD Dash Cam ($50) | Amazon | Promo code 88CZQUJA

Gaming

• Refurb Xbox One Console with Kinect and Four Games ($305) | Woot
• Up to 60% off Gunnar Gaming Glasses | Amazon
• Final Fantasy VII [PC] ($6) | Amazon
• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD Prima Game Guide Collector’s Edition ($25) | Amazon
• Dark Souls III Estus Flask Edition ($78) | Amazon
• Minecraft Stop-Motion Animation Studio ($30) | Amazon

Media

• Preorder Top Gun ($15) | Amazon | Blu-ray release
• Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court, John Wooden [Kindle] ($2) | Amazon

Commerce Content is independent of Editorial and Advertising, and if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale. Click here to learn more, and don’t forget to sign up for our email newsletter. We want your feedback.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has left the anticipated adaptation of Sandman, citing creative differences between his vision of the film and that of New Line Cinemas.

Sandman was a comic series written by Neil Gaiman, about Morpheus, the Lord of Dreams. The series gained a considerable fanbase and critical acclaim over the 75 issues produced between 1989 and 1996. In 2013, Sandman returned as a limited series.

Over the years, there have been numerous attempts to adapt the series for film, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt came onboard in 2013, along with David Goyer producing the film and with Jack Thorne writing the script. Now, Gordon-Levitt has dropped out.

The actor announced his departure on his Facebook page:

So, as you might know if you like to follow these sorts of things, a while back, David Goyer and I made a producing deal with Warner Brothers to develop a movie adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s SANDMAN. Neil himself came on as an executive producer, we hired the excellent screenwriter, Jack Thorne, and we started in on the ambitious task of adapting one of the most beloved and boundary-pushing titles in the world of comics. I was pleased with the progress we were making, even though we still had quite a ways to go.

Recently, as you also might know if you like to follow these sorts of things, the sorta “ownership” (for lack of a better term) of the Sandman material changed hands when Warner Brothers shifted the entire catalogue of Vertigo comics (an imprint of DC) to their subsidiary, New Line. And a few months ago, I came to realize that the folks at New Line and I just don’t see eye to eye on what makes Sandman special, and what a film adaptation could/should be. So unfortunately, I decided to remove myself from the project. I wish nothing but the best for the team moving forward.

I’d like to thank all the great people I’ve had the opportunity to work with on this one. I’ve had a blast with and learned a ton from David and Jack. Niija Kuykendall, Greg Silverman, and everyone at Warner Brothers have been fantastic, as have Geoff Johns and everyone at DC. And it’s been a particular privilege as well as a rocking good time getting to know Mr. Gaiman, whose generous insights and masterful work have certainly convinced me that the Lord of Dreams and the Prince of Stories are one and the same Endless pattern.

Neil Gaiman weighed in as well, noting that he was pleased to have worked with the actor:

Interestingly, this comes a day after New Line announced that they were bringing on Eric Heisserer, who has written such movies as Final Destination 5, and The Thing (the 2011 version). It certainly sounds as though this isn’t a coincidence, and that New Line wasn’t particularly happy with the film that was shaping up.

There’s obviously no word yet on who will replace Gordon-Levitt.

[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]

Contact the author at andrew.liptak@io9.com.

Contact the author at andrew.liptak@io9.com.

Digging Deeper has produced some really interesting videos about Jurassic Park and Serenity, and in their latest video, they make the case for the use of CGI as a sort of fetishization of images.

Contact the author at andrew.liptak@io9.com.

I opened up my copy of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD yesterday and aside from the game disc it was depressingly empty, which describes exactly how I feel every time I pick up tellingly lightweight retail game. I miss instruction booklets something fierce.

There was a time when retail games were solid, meaty things. First they were cartridges with sleeves and booklets packed with extra pages for notes. Then they were hard plastic CD cases with square manuals, extra thick due to compact dimensions. Those gave way to DVD cases with lighter plastic but a more satisfying snap upon opening and closing and epic instructions secured via plastic tabs.

As we move further and further towards digital download domination (PC gaming is already lost) we’re losing the tactile sensation of purchasing a new game, but in many cases (pun intended) we’ve already lost one of the most important parts. The smell of freshly-printed paper mingling with new plastic. The rush of excitement upon cracking open a new game for the first time.

http://kotaku.com/5520488/a-cele...

Ubisoft started the trend of replacing physical manuals with digital equivalents back in 2010. Other publishers started following suit. Combined with the practice of cutting holes in game cases to conserve plastic, retail games have gotten a great deal lighter.

I understand the ecological reasons behind leaving print media behind. In fact these days I tend to lean towards digital purchase rather than physical, if only to ensure I don’t get rid of a game before seeing it all the way through.

But in the process I’ve several rituals that used to make buying a retail game a special occasion for me.

Going to the game store used to be an event. I’d browse for around an hour, make my selections and pay. Then I’d stop at a restaurant on the way home, crack open the cases and read over the manuals. Character bios, controls, game mechanics; by the time I finished eating I’d committed these things to memory. Then I’d go home and play.

And let’s not forget the importance of having something to read in the bathroom during breaks from gaming. There was a time that my bathroom book rack was filled with gaming instruction manuals. I’d read through them over and over again, sometimes in the same sitting.

Digital instruction booklets are nice. They get the job done. But they don’t extend the gaming experience beyond the screen. They aren’t extensions of digital entertainment in the physical world. They lack that freshly printed smell.

There are still publishers who are bucking the manual ditching trend. I’m not talking about companies that place a printed leaflet in the case. Quick reference cards do not count. I’m taking about companies like Marvelous, whose recently-released Return to PopoloCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairy Tale comes with a nice thick manual filled with cast intros, maps, tips and even staff credits. I’ve not gotten a chance to play the game yet, but damn if it doesn’t smell wonderful.

Yesterday I nearly spent $30 (minute 20 percent for reasons) on a collector’s edition strategy guide for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD. I know how to play the game. I am familiar with the characters. It’s just my yearning for some sort of physical reading accompaniment was so strong I was almost willing to spend half of the game’s price for it.

I would certainly pay an extra five or possibly even ten dollars for some sort of official (or officially sanctioned) instruction booklet/strategy guide that fit inside this flimsy blue game case.

I could print my own manuals, but it’s not the same. The paper is different. The ink doesn’t have the same scent. It wouldn’t marry with the case plastic in the same way.

But if game publishers wanted to maybe forgo the massive officially licensed strategy guides or collector’s edition art books and just give me the option of paying extra for a game with a manual, I’d be down. Or if the strategy guide folks started printing mini-guides that fit inside game cases, that’d work as well.

Physical video game releases are losing more ground to digital downloads every year. As much as I’d love to say there will always be a place for retail releases, I’m not so sure that’s the case anymore. Over the past decade game cases have become increasingly weaker and more frail. If they’re going to die, I say we let them die with dignity, full of grace, knowledge and that new video game manual smell.

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