This post is sponsored. 
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The magic formula behind the best online gambling sites is an abundance of high-payout slots and table games, big bonuses, and fast payouts.

With these criteria in mind, we scoured the internet to find the best real money sites for online gamblers – and landed on the ultimate top 10, with Slots of Vegas leading our lineup.

But why stop there? We’ve got several other top online gambling sites for you to check out, and each has something unique for players.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

Best Online Gambling Sites
●      Slots of Vegas: Best overall
●      Super Slots: 50+ live dealer games
●      Ignition: Top pick for table games and poker
●      Slots.lv: Over 300 real money slots
●      Lucky Red Casino: Great bonuses
●      Bovada: Seamless mobile experience
●      Wild Casino: Fastest payouts
●      BC.Game: Ultimate crypto casino site
●      Cafe Casino: 6 and 7-figure jackpot slots
●      Black Lotus: $7,000 new player package

Important: The sites listed in this guide are targeting English speakers around the world. Please remember to check your local laws to ensure online gambling is legal where you live. Also Adblock might get confused so please disable it if you have any issues with our links.

If you’re looking for the best online gambling sites for real money, you’ll find them in this top 10 roundup. But which of them is best for you to try out first? Take a closer look at a few of them below.

Pros:
●      $2,500 & 50 FS welcome bonus
●      Plenty of downloadable game options
●      Fast payout crypto and fiat currency options
●      Excellent mobile compatibility
●      Many regular gambling bonuses

Cons:
●      No sports betting markets
●      Could have more payment options
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The top place to play online casino games is Slots of Vegas. It offers one of the strongest welcome bonuses and a wide selection of high-quality games with huge payouts.

Online Gambling Options: 5/5

There are over 250 casino games to play at Slots of Vegas in total, which isn’t the largest quantity in the world. But it’s the quality that counts, and that’s something that this game catalog has in abundance.
We found a wide range of enjoyable slot games and table games like blackjack and roulette in both their live and non-live forms. In fact, the only thing that’s missing from the online gambling experience at Slots of Vegas is some sports betting markets.

Most of these games can be enjoyed in instant-play mode via a PC or on your smartphone. It’s good to see that Slots of Vegas accommodates all playing preferences with this alternative.

Bonuses and Promos: 5/5

Your first deposit at Slots of Vegas will be matched 250% up to $2,500 if you choose to trigger the bonus. It’s a generous offer that also comes with 50 free slot game spins.

You’ll need to use the bonus code WILD250. Once you’ve collected the bonus, you’ll only need to play through it 10 times to be able to withdraw it. These are some of the lowest wagering requirements we’ve seen.

Once you’ve finished with the signup bonus, you can come back for a handful of extra offers, including free spins and matched deposits. Each of these has its own promo code, which you can find by visiting the Promotions tab on the site.

Payouts and User Experience: 4.95/5

Slots of Vegas customers can choose to deposit using a handful of payment methods, including Discover, Mastercard, and a few cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Litecoin.

The payout processing time is a little long, so you may have to wait a few days to receive your winnings after you request them, particularly if you don’t want to bank with crypto.

But the good news is that the process of requesting your payout in the first place — and just finding your way around the site as a whole — is pretty straightforward.

Overall Score: 4.95/5

It’s pretty clear why Slots of Vegas has won several awards over the years. The top-tier game selection and fair bonus terms are the highlights for us.

>> Get a $2,500 bonus and 50 FS [Slots of Vegas]

Pros:
●      Over 50 live casino games
●      $6,000 welcome bonus package
●      Lightning-fast crypto payouts
●      Nearly 700 slot games
●      20+ payment methods
●      Plenty of regular tournaments
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Cons:
●      Fees on certain payment options
●      Needs better game categorization

With over 50 live dealer games from top providers such as Visionary iGaming, Super Slots is the best online casino for live-action gameplay.

Online Gambling Options: 4.95/5

There are over 50 live dealer games at Super Slots, more than most online casinos.

Top software providers Visionary iGaming and Fresh Deck Studios have teamed up to supply a mixture of roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and a handful of game show games.

It’s also impressive to see almost 900 slot games at Super Slots. A few of these come from lesser-known providers, so the collection may not be as consistently premium as that of Slots of Vegas, but there are still games from big names like Betsoft to be discovered here.

Bonuses and Promos: 4.9/5

New Super Slots players can grab up to $6,000 in matched deposits across their first 6 payments.

The counterpoint is that the bonus percentages aren’t quite as high as some of our other top picks. However, since they are split across multiple deposits, you can expect something when funding your account for the first few times.

The breakdown of the deposits is 250% up to $1000 with the code SS250, followed by five 100% up to $1,000 matched deposits with the code SS100. If your first deposit also exceeds $100, you’ll get 100 free spins as well.

Alternatively, you could opt for the crypto welcome bonus if you want a higher bonus percentage. This is a simple, one-time 400% up to $4000 deposit match that you can get with the code CRYPTO400.

Payouts and User Experience: 4.9/5

There’s an impressive selection of 24 payment methods that you can use to make your initial deposit at Super Slots. Many of these are cryptocurrencies (even options like Avalanche and Polygon), but there are also options like AMEX, Discover, MoneyOrder, and more.

It’s possible to use many of these payment methods to withdraw when you want to as well. That being said, the minimum withdrawal for the fiat currency methods is $500, unless you use Person to Person, which incurs some fees.

The Super Slots site design is generally perfect, with an attractive color scheme and a sensible layout. Although, one slight niggle we do have is that there aren’t enough slot game categories, so it can be more challenging to search through the games.

Overall Score: 4.9/5

It’s only the narrowest of margins separating the top two online casinos in our list.

And in fact, if it’s live casino games you want to play, Super Slots is probably going to be the best place for you to start.

>> Unlock a $6,000 welcome bonus

Pros:
●      Great poker app + anonymous tables
●      $3,000 welcome bonus for poker and casino
●      250+ real money casino games
●      Exciting table games for real money gaming
●      Crypto-friendly with fast payouts
●      Regular poker tournaments with big prize pools
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Cons:
●      Website needs an update
●      Stiff fees on some payment methods

Ignition Casino serves up a well-rounded casino experience, dividing its attention between the robust slots and table game selection and one of the best online poker apps in the industry.

Online Gambling Options: 4.9/5

Ignition offers a wide range of gambling options (we even found a virtual sports betting option), with a standout focus on real money poker.

The poker app is one of the easiest apps we’ve used and comes packed with features like rabbit cam, a note function, and anonymous tables — which helps level the playing field by preventing tracking software used by data miners.

Ignition hosts frequent poker tournaments, including a ton of regularly scheduled Sit & Go’s and knockout tournaments, with large prize pools and table limits suitable for all levels of skill.

For regular casino fans, Ignition features a robust selection of table games like blackjack, baccarat, and several versions of roulette, not to mention casino poker games like Caribbean Stud, Teen Patti, and Pai Gow.

The slots selection is similarly robust, with a host of games from top providers like RTG, Rival, and Genesis, all of which look and run great on mobile and desktop devices.

Bonuses and Promos: 4.9/5

Ignition offers two 150% match bonuses worth up to $1,500 each for first-time crypto depositors. The first $1,500 is available for use on the extensive selection of slots, while the other bonus is only available at the poker tables and must be unlocked with real money play.

If you don’t play with crypto, you’ve still got options. Credit card depositors will get two 100% match bonuses worth up to $1,000 each instead, with the same great wagering requirements.

Payouts and User Experience: 4.9/5

This casino is very crypto-friendly. Most promotions are geared more towards players who deposit with Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum and Tether. There are even special freeroll tournaments for crypto bettors.

But that’s not all Ignition accepts. Players can also deposit via Visa, Mastercard, and an assortment of e-wallet options through MatchPay — though MatchPay deposits do not qualify for any of the deposit bonuses.

Overall Score: 4.9/5

With its robust poker app, crypto-first promotions, and a solid selection of casino games, Ignition is a stand-out choice for players who are looking for a more well-rounded online gambling experience.

>> Claim up to $3,000 in welcome bonuses [Ignition]

Pros:
●      $3,000 & 30 FS welcome offer
●      Thrilling Hot Drop jackpots
●      Hit slots from RealTime Gaming
●      1-hour crypto payouts
●      Solid MySlots Rewards program
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Cons:
●      Fewer reload offers
●      Must use Matchpay to deposit with eWallets

Slots.lv hosts one of the best slot game selections of all online casino sites. Plus, as a new customer, you can get up to a $3,000 bonus and 30 free spins to play with.

Online Gambling Options: 4.85/5

The vast majority of the slot games at Slots.lv are provided by RealTime Gaming, Betsoft, and other key software providers. So, you could pick a game at random here, and the chances are it would have the potential to pay out well and be enjoyable to play.

Together, they’ve created a collection of slots showcasing various themes, all with grand graphic design for the most immersive gaming experiences.

Plus, players can get involved with Hot Drop Jackpots to get the chance to win must-drop jackpots at any time.

If you prefer to play casino games live, there are still a handful of options available. Slots.lv hosts 6 live dealer games from Visionary iGaming, so while it may not be the most extensive range of choice, the games are fun to play and have the potential to pay out well.

Bonuses and Promos: 4.85/5

The welcome bonus package at Slots.lv is worth up to $3,000 and 30 free spins, a pretty good reward to new players for going to the trouble of signing up.

A few reload bonuses would’ve been great. But on the bright side, there’s the MySlots Rewards program, which allows players to pick up extra perks and rewards the more they play slots on the site.

Payouts and User Experience: 4.8/5

The payout processing time at Slots.lv is typically around 24 hours, and as one of the best BTC casino sites, you’ll receive your crypto withdrawals in less than 1 hour. This makes it one of the fastest payout online casino sites available.

However, payment methods are somewhat limited as there are no eWallets available for deposits or withdrawals, though you can use MatchPay for this.

Overall Score: 4.85/5

Of all the best online casinos out there, Slots.lv is our top pick for slots. Its range of high-quality games and its super fast payouts are a couple of key reasons for that.

>> Claim a $3,000 welcome bonus and 30 FS [Slots.lv]

Pros:
●      400% up to $4,000 welcome bonus
●      Extra $75 chip with crypto
●      Offers phone support
●      Slot-specific bonuses
●      200+ RealTime Gaming slots
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Cons:
●      Fewer games overall
●      Must deposit to see live dealer tables

New players at Lucky Red Casino are in for a treat in the form of a 400% match deposit bonus, and there are some pretty good games to play using the bonus as well
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Online Gambling Options: 4.8/5

There are around 200 games in total at Lucky Red Casino, so it is not the widest range of choice. But, again, it’s quality over quantity, and thanks to contributions from industry-leading software providers RealTime Gaming, there’s plenty of that.

Most of the games RTG has provided are slots, but they’ve also put forward plenty of blackjack and roulette, as well as some video poker.

It’s easy to see which of these can be played in instant play mode, which are downloadable, and which can be played on mobile thanks to a handy key system, too.

Bonuses and Promos: 4.7/5

New players at Lucky Red Casino will be able to get their first deposit matched by 400% up to $4,000. That’s a huge first deposit bonus, and it can be triggered with either crypto or fiat currency.

This is effectively the best welcome bonus from all of the online casino companies we’ve picked out today. But if you choose to pay with crypto, it still gets more generous, as it’ll also come with a free $75 casino chip.

This offer needs to be triggered with the bonus code LUCKYRED400. After that, you can take advantage of other bonuses.

Payouts and User Experience: 4.8/5

There are 14 ways to pay at Lucky Red Casino, from Ethereum to Diner’s Club, although you’ll only be able to withdraw with four of these methods. Interac and Bitcoin are the only ways to withdraw from $50, otherwise you’ll have to reach $200 for the other three methods.

Lucky Red Casino is a pretty easy online casino to navigate because of a sensible sitemap, although it’s clear that the website itself hasn’t been updated for some time. Some players might like the nostalgic aesthetic, although we believe it looks a little dated.

We do like the fact that it’s one of the rare online casinos to still offer 24/7 phone support, and it’s toll-free. It’s good for peace of mind to know that you can pick up the phone and speak to an actual human being if you get stuck.

Overall Score: 4.75/5

Lucky Red Casino takes the final podium position in our list of the best online casinos. That enormous welcome bonus is a big part of its high position.

>> Claim the 400% up to $4,000 welcome bonus

How We Ranked the Best Online Gambling Sites for Real Money

Online Gambling Options
Online casinos aren’t much good if they don’t have a whole lot of high-quality online casino games.

For a site to make our top 10, it must offer plenty of slots, table games, or even competitive sports betting odds. The highest scores go to the best gambling sites with top-notch games from renowned providers.

Bonuses and Promos
The best online casinos ensure that your bankroll is always padded by rewarding players with either matched deposits, free spins, free poker chips, or any combination of these things. The more, the merrier, but only if the wagering requirements or minimum deposits aren’t super high.

Payouts and User Experience
All the top real money online casino sites will offer a choice of payment methods to suit all player preferences. Ideally, they won’t make you wait too long to receive your cash and will make navigating the site simple and enjoyable with quality design work.

We also used similar benchmarks to rank and rate the best European casino sites in this guide.

Why Should I Gamble Online for Real Money?
We love a land-based casino for several reasons, but a few things about gambling online make casino and sports betting websites superior. Here are a few of those for your consideration.

●      Better Bonuses: All of the best gambling sites we’ve picked out in this guide offer some kind of bonus to new players. Whether it be matched deposits, free spins, or something else, the best casino bonuses and promos help you get the most out of the gaming experience.

●      More Online Gambling Variety: There are hundreds of games available at some of our top picks, which is vastly more games than at any land-based casinos. As well as that, the average payouts of online casino games are often higher.

●      Efficient Payment Methods: You’ll typically have to pay with cash or buy chips with a credit card if you go into a brick-and-mortar casino, but online, you’ll often be able to pay with eWallets, cryptocurrencies, vouchers, and more.

●      24/7 Access: The online casino world runs round the clock, so you’ll never have to cut your gaming session short if you’re somewhat of a night owl. Plus, you can take the games anywhere you go with mobile gaming, just as long as you have an internet connection.

Are Online Gambling Sites Safe?
Online gambling sites are safe, just as long as you show due diligence by vetting any new online casinos that you like the look of.

Rest assured, we’ve done that for all the best gambling sites on our list today. We ran a number of tests to ensure that each of our top picks was as safe as possible, and you can run those tests for yourself if you want to sign up for a gambling site elsewhere.

How Can You Tell if an Online Gambling Site is Legit?
Here’s a look at the criteria you should be checking when you’re trying to figure out if an online gambling site is legit:

●      Payout Rates: The higher the average payout rate of an online casino, the further your gambling dollar will stretch. There’s typically no way to find out the overall average, but you can search for the RTP of a handful of the games to get an idea.

●      Customer Reviews: The best way to discover any potential red flags you should avoid is to look up what other players have said about the online casino. If there are lots of bad experiences being reported, it’s best to stay away from the site.

●      Encryption Technology: Make sure that all the online casinos you sign up for are encrypted with SSL. This is the top tier of online casino encryption, and it’ll ensure that all of your personal details are kept safe, including your payment information.

●      Choice of Payment Methods: An online casino that offers a wide range of payment methods and pays out quickly is generally more likely to be legit. It shows that the casino prioritizes customer satisfaction, and that goes a long way toward ensuring peace of mind.

Guide to Payment Methods at Online Gambling Sites
When it comes to funding your account at real money online gambling sites, you’ll be able to choose from various payment methods.

The options will vary from site to site, but here’s a look at some of the most popular methods:

Credit and Debit Cards: VISA and Mastercard will be on the list of deposit methods for most online casinos, and sometimes AMEX, too. But you won’t always be able to cash out in this way, so you may need to use an alternative withdrawal method.

E-wallets: Payment methods like Neteller and PayPal offer players potentially more convenient ways to deposit and withdraw quickly at online casino sites. However, these can be subject to fees and might be exempt from some deposit bonuses.

Bank Transfers: Many online casinos will allow players to deposit and withdraw large amounts of cash with bank transfers. This process will be slow, though, and the minimum transfer amount will probably be quite high.

Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin is becoming more and more of a standard deposit method at online casinos, and you may also be able to choose from certain altcoins like Ethereum or Tether. The benefits of crypto are that it’s fast and can trigger better bonuses, although it tends to be more volatile.

How Long Do Withdrawals Take?
The withdrawal payout time at online casinos depends on two key factors: how long the casino takes to process the payout and the payment method itself.

Some online casinos process payouts instantly, whereas others can take several days or weeks. As for the payment methods, here’s a look at some of the time frames you can generally expect:

●      Crypto: A few seconds to 10 minutes
●      eWallets: 1-24 hours
●      Credit cards: 1-3 days
●      Bank transfer: 1-7 days
●      Check: 7 days+

Online Gambling Games with the Highest Payouts
Here’s a list of a few online gambling games that are known to have sky-high payout rates:

●      Visionary iGaming Early Payout Live Blackjack (99% RTP): There are a lot of seriously high payout live blackjack games out there, but the best of the best has to be Visionary iGaming’s Early Payout option, available at sites like Bovada. It’s classy to pay, too.

●      Fresh Deck Studios Live Roulette (97.3% RTP): Live roulette has the potential to pay out pretty well, too. Fresh Deck Studios’ option comes in not far off the pace at all, with an RTP of 97.3%, far higher than the average online casino game.

●      Gold Rush Johnny Cash (96.08% RTP): It’s still possible to enjoy real money slot games with high RTPs. This title from Betsoft just goes to show that, and the volatility is low, so you can expect a fairly high hit rate from your spins. You can spin this game at Slots.lv, our top pick for real money online slots.

Live blackjack is typically the highest payout online casino game, and Visionary iGaming has really doubled down on that by offering an RTP of very nearly 100% with their Early Payout Blackjack option.

Best Real Money Online Gambling Sites – FAQs

Which Online Gambling Site Has the Best Deposit Bonus?
The best deposit bonus of all online gambling sites is at Lucky Red Casino. They’re offering up a 400% deposit match bonus up to $4,000 to new players, plus a $75 casino chip for crypto players.

Can You Play at Online Gambling Sites on Your Mobile Device?
​Yes, you can enjoy online gambling sites from your mobile device. Most games are developed with HTML5 technology, making them mobile-compatible.

Some online gambling sites are better than others for mobile compatibility, though. Super Slots and Lucky Red Casino are excellent mobile casino options.

Are Online Casino Games at Gambling Sites Rigged?
No, the vast majority of legit online gambling sites are RNG-verified, which means that they give players a fair chance of winning.

What’s the Best Online Gambling Site?Overall, the best online gambling site is Slots of Vegas. Here, you’ll have access to high-payout slots, convenient payment methods, and many low-wagering bonuses.

Comparing the 5 Best Online Gambling Sites for Real Money
Slots of Vegas: As the best online casino, you can expect top-tier gaming from Slots of Vegas. It’s a generous 250% up to $2,500 deposit match that also comes with 50 free spins.

Super Slots: You’ll find over 50 live casino games to play at Super Slots in total, so live dealer fans will really be spoiled for choice. When you sign up, there’s a $6,000 bonus up for grabs.

Ignition: With over 250 slots and table games and a poker app chock-full of cash games and tournaments, Ignition Casino has a little bit of everything. Get up to $3,000 in bonus cash now.

Slots.lv: Our top pick for online slot games is Slots.lv, with its impressive curation of titles from RealTime Gaming. If you’d like to check them out, you can grab up to $3,000 and 30 free spins.

Lucky Red Casino: Of all the welcome bonuses at the top online casinos, the pick of the bunch is Lucky Red Casino. They’re offering a 400% up to $4,000 deposit match.

How to Join the Best Real Money Gambling Sites
Now that you’ve decided which site to check out first, it’s time to get your casino account.

Here’s how to do that with Slots of Vegas, although you can use this guide for reference for any of our top picks.

1. Fill Out the Form
●      Head to the official Slots of Vegas website.
●      Hit the signup button.
●      Enter a few personal details in the signup form.
●      Create a password to log in with.

2. Confirm Your Personal Details
●      Check your inbox for an email from the casino.
●      Click the link to confirm your address.
●      You may also have to confirm further details.

3. Choose a Payment Method
●      Enter the bonus code in the deposit section.
●      Choose a payment method and amount.
●      Use the instructions to complete the transaction.

4. Play Online Casino Games
●      Play some games with the bonus.
●      Meet the wagering requirements as per the terms.
●      Request a payout whenever you’re ready.

Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Real Money Online Gambling
Try Free Casino Gaming in Demo Mode
You can often carry out your casino gaming free of charge by spinning free online slots or playing table games in practice mode before you try to play for real money.

This can be a good idea if you feel like you need some practice, and it allows you to determine whether any game is worth your money.

Look for High RTP Games
All online casinos (legit ones, at least) will be RNG-verified, meaning that you’ll be able to find out the RTP of each of their games.

So, if you’re not sure which game to play already, it’s always worth looking for a game with a high RTP to stretch your dollar further.

Sign Up for Multiple Welcome Bonus Offers
There are so many awesome bonus offers throughout our top picks, so while you’re working out which is best for you, you might as well claim them!

The large matched deposits and free spins can be a great way to boost your bankroll.

Monitor Your Online Gambling HabitsI
nstead of putting all your eggs in one basket with one big spin of the reels, we recommend taking things at a slower pace and making a number of smaller bets. That way, you’ll prolong the online gaming experience and have more fun overall.

Use Responsible Gambling Tools When Gambling Online
You might feel like you’re totally in control of things while gambling online, but it’s never a bad idea to use deposit limits and time check-ins to keep it that way.

And if things ever do feel like they’re getting out of control, consider entering into a cool-off period from online casino gaming.

So, What Are the Best Online Gambling Sites for Real Money?
When you’re playing online casino games or placing sports bets, there’s no need to settle for anything but the best online gambling sites. They’re packed with exciting games and/or competitive odds, are super safe, and offer intriguing bonuses to new players.

The site that does all of those things the best and more is Slots of Vegas, and that’s why we’ve named it as the king of online casinos.

Of course, there’s a lot more quality to be enjoyed throughout our top picks, so take the time to check a few of them out and grab some welcome bonuses in the process. Most importantly, have fun and gamble responsibly.
 
 
 
DISCLAIMER: 21+ only. The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Online gambling comes with many risks. Players are advised to gamble responsibly and only use funds they can afford to lose. Remember, gambling is only intended for entertainment purposes and is not a solution to any financial difficulties.

Gambling laws and policies vary from one region to another. Some sites mentioned in this guide may not be accessible in your area. Always do your due diligence and check your local laws.

If you suspect you’re becoming addicted to gambling, seek help immediately by contacting the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

The following resources may be helpful as well:

●       https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/
●       https://www.ncpgambling.org/
●       https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/

It was not that long ago that we here at NTG had the distinct honor of sitting down with Cesar Milan to discuss his illustrious career and what drives him. But during that discussion, we also talked a bit about his new technological initiative, the Halo Collar. Which just so happens to be a revolutionary dog collar. One that offers unprecedented freedom and safety all at once. Since it uses GPS tracking to keep an eye on your pup when you’re out and about and it also… gives the owner incredible control over how far a dog can explore the area it is sniffing about in.
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For the Halo Collar happens to work with your smart device to set invisible boundaries for your dog. So, if you want them to explore but want to keep them in visual range, you can make that happen and if your dog nears one of those boundaries, no harm will come to it. It will be gently reminded to head back toward you. Which is an incredible product to say the least, one that offers no physical pain but allows dogs to enjoy the world and well, it just so happens that you could get your hands on one later this month. Simply because Halo Collar is offering up a chance to win one.

For their ‘Wanna Go Out’ Contest is underway and well, here is how you enter, per Halo Collar: ‘From now to November 15, participants can create a video showcasing their dog's enthusiasm for outdoor adventures and post it on Instagram or TikTok. To enter, they simply follow @halocollar on Instagram, tag them in their post, and use the hashtag #HaloCollar. This contest is open to participants 18 and over residing in the US or Canada. 

Winners will be announced on November 25, 2024, with three lucky recipients each receiving a brand new Halo Collar 4, a three-month Gold Pack Membership, and a $1,000 cash prize!’

So, if you’re looking for a way to give your dog more freedom in a painless way, at the very least, check out Halo Collar’s website to learn more and enter the contest for your chance to bring one home.

It’s been a big week for the Apple Vision Pro. For studio after studio are taking the time to announce some incredible immersive environments for this headset, the kind that are going to help people learn and of course, stay entertained, and in the case of todays’ announcement from Paramount+, outright celebrate an animated legend. For this year does mark the 25th Anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants, one of the biggest animated shows to ever hit the airwaves and that is why earlier today, Paramount+ in association with Nickelodeon, announced that an immersive ‘Bikini Bottom’ experience is coming to the Apple Vision Pro. 
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Wherein users of the Paramount+ app on the device, can transport themselves to Bikini Bottom and enjoy a direct view of that iconic pineapple-under-the-sea, and so much more. Plus, they can interact with three dimensional houses and characters from this amazing show, play a mini ‘Jellyfishing’ game and of course, watch all of the best content on Paramount+ with SpongeBob and friends. All of which is designed to pay proper tribute to 25 amazing years of this incredible franchise, and of course, the fact that there are new features and content on the service only add to that. Such as new profile avatars, a refreshed SpongeBob Universe collection, a takeover on the app’s loading page and so much more.

But of course, at this point, you’re likely curious as to how to get in on the fun, and we are more than happy to help with that. So, without further ado, here are some instructions on how to access this immersive experience, courtesy of Paramount+, so you can properly celebrate the 25th Anniversary of this iconic franchise.

Dive into Bikini Bottom with the Paramount+ app built for Apple Vision Pro:

• Download and open the Paramount+ app for Apple Vision Pro.
• Look to the left side to open the navigation menu, then look and tap on the mountain icon.
• Tap on the environment, then tap OK, and your space will transform into Bikini Bottom.

 
Note: Apple Vision Pro is designed to fit and be used by individuals 13 years of age and older, and should not be used by children under the age of 13.
 
Navigating the Bikini Bottom environment:

• Interact with houses and characters from the series: Tap on any of the houses to interact with SpongeBob characters voiced by the original cast including Tom Kenny as SpongeBob SquarePants, Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick Star, and Rodger Bumpass as Squidward. Users can also tap bubbles to pop them. 

 

• Play a mini-Jellyfishing Game: Tap on SpongeBob at any time to open the “Jellyfishing” game. To play, users can tap to catch jellyfish before time runs out. The game is also available in a "free-play" mode so users can leisurely catch jellyfish while enjoying the Bikini Bottom environment. Note: Selecting the character will pause video playback.

 

• Enjoy shows, movies and more from Paramount+: Stream SpongeBob SquarePants and other content from Paramount+. When you watch content in Bikini Bottom, the environment dims, and SpongeBob will watch along with you while he sits nearby enjoying some popcorn.

It is definitely safe to say that Virtual and Augmented Reality are at an interesting crossroads. Because some folks simply have no idea what the value of such environments are to the common man, and some just see it as an outright gimmick to make money. But the fact of the matter is, such environments do indeed have incredible value beyond entertainment. For if done properly, they can help people to learn about our world like never before and for proof… look no further than today’s announcement from Disney+ and National Geographic.
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For earlier, Disney+ let it be known that it has launched a new immersive environment from National Geographic for Disney+ subscribers that have an Apple Vision Pro. A move that will indeed allow for people to log in and see a part of the world they know little of and explore the planet from the safety of their home, and that’s quite amazing, and a fine reminder of what this technology can accomplish. But of course, it does have entertainment value, and Disney made sure to take care of that by adding four new Marvel titles into the 3D mix offered by this system as well, and to help you experience this immersive experience and watch Avengers in 3D, here are all the details regarding this wondrous news.

‘Beginning today, Disney+ subscribers will be able to access a new immersive environment from National Geographic with the Disney+ app on Apple Vision Pro, which will transport users to the breathtaking natural beauty of Iceland’s Thingvellir National Park. The new Disney+ environment marks National Geographic’s first-ever immersive project for Apple Vision Pro.
 
Disney+ is also making four additional 3D films from Marvel Studios available to subscribers today: “Avengers,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Ant-Man”* and “Ant-Man and the Wasp.”
 
The new National Geographic environment will transport Disney+ subscribers on Apple Vision Pro to the unique rocky terrain of Thingvellir National Park on a snowy winter day, allowing them to explore their surroundings via interactive elements and sounds that make the space come to life. This UNESCO world heritage site, captured by a team of National Geographic photographers, serves as the backdrop for viewers watching Disney+ content beneath a spectacular nighttime aurora.
 
“Since its inception, National Geographic has been at the forefront of photography and has led the way in using groundbreaking technology to tell stories that inspire a deeper connection to the natural world,” said David Miller, EVP, National Geographic. “Creating this immersive environment was a natural next step for us to take to build on that legacy and to continue enabling audiences to experience the beauty of our natural world and see places they may never go to otherwise.”
 
National Geographic worked with Disney Studio Technology to lead the creative development and production of the immersive environment from high-resolution 3D models captured on-site using photogrammetry and gigapixel panoramas. The teams worked in collaboration with Disney Entertainment and ESPN Technology to bring this new experience to Disney+.
 
The foremost leader in visual storytelling, National Geographic has a rich legacy of being at the forefront of innovation, from being the first to capture a color photograph underwater to being an early adopter of Instagram and the most-followed brand on the platform with 282 million followers. For decades, National Geographic has led the way for audiences worldwide, taking them to the farthest corners of the world.
 
For more information on Disney+ on Apple Vision Pro, visit disneyplus.com/applevisionpro.
 
*Available exclusively to Disney+ subscribers

About Disney+
Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and much more. In select international markets, it also includes the general entertainment content brand, Star, and in the U.S., Disney Bundle subscribers can also access extensive Hulu content, including next-day TV and Hulu Original titles, on Disney+. The flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, Disney+ offers an ever-growing collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. With unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. Disney+ is available as a standalone streaming service, as part of the Disney Bundle in the U.S. that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, or as part of Combo+ in Latin America with Star+, the standalone general entertainment and sports streaming service in the region. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.
 
About National Geographic Content
Award-winning and critically acclaimed National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, creates and delivers riveting stories and experiences in natural history, science, adventure and exploration. The brand is the largest on social media with over three-quarters of a billion followers across all major platforms that generate over one billion impressions each month. Inspiring a deeper connection to the world, National Geographic Content reaches 300 million people worldwide in 180 countries and 33 languages as a digital, social and print publisher and across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu. Its diverse content includes Emmy® Award-winning franchise Genius, series Life Below Zero and Secrets of the Whales, and Oscar®- and BAFTA award-winning film Free Solo. For more information, visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or follow Nat Geo on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.’

Ah, the 1980s. A time when a small group of young actors dubbed, ‘The Brat Pack’, entered the zeitgeist and somehow, for better or worse, became the face of the Hollywood teen movie explosion. We loved them! Wanted to hang with them! Wanted to be them! They were buds on and off the set. Or so we thought. It wasn’t until viewing the latest documentary Brats (Hulu; 2024), that I realized the perception of the Brat Pack was very different from what actually happened. Let’s discuss, shall we?
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As a product of the 1980s, the era had a profound effect on my life. Everyone I knew embraced the decade in one form or another. Blasts of music, culture, style, and hair (LOL!!), were everywhere. Who among us didn’t have parachute pants? Multiple things stone washed. Bright colors. Michael Jackson attire. Or, thanks to Prince and Madonna, something with lace… lol. *ABSOLUTELY!!* To boot, an entire generation was molded and defined by MTV which debuted on August 1st, 1981 and changed music and TV forever. Plus, more than any other generation before, the 1980s were also defined by the rise of teen films that went out of their way to tell the story from a youth perspective. Suddenly, not only were music and videos speaking for us, but Hollywood as well. *IT WAS AWESOME!!*

To name a few. Films like Risky Business (Warner Bros.; 1983), Footloose (Paramount Pictures; 1984) and Heathers (New World Pictures; 1989) spoke to our darker, more rebellious sides. While Weird Science (Universal Pictures; 1985) and Back to the Future (Universal Pictures; 1985) gave us our very own sci-fi comedies. Even horror gave us such teen classics as A Nightmare on Elm Street (New Line Cinema; 1984) and The Lost Boys (Warner Bros.; 1987). Not to mention Sixteen Candles (Universal Pictures; 1984), Pretty in Pink (Paramount Pictures; 1986), and Say Anything… (20th Century Fox; 1989) brought all the romance. Finally, defining ensemble films such as The Outsiders (Warner Bros.; 1983), St. Elmo’s Fire (Columbia Pictures; 1985), and of course, the quintessential 80s teen flick, The Breakfast Club (Universal Pictures; 1985), spoke to our very souls and helped change how we see each other. As far as the Pack itself. Who’s in always depended on who you talked to. Even Andrew McCarthy, an OG member, who directs this wonderful documentary, notes that the group seems to be somewhat fluid. Though, the core in apathetical order consists of Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Rob Lowe, McCarthy as noted, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy. Quite frankly, it’s hard to imagine my youth without these actors. *DAMN RIGHT* I was dying to see this documentary!!

Brats premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival before landing on Hulu. It follows McCarthy on a journey to meet up with some of his fellow actors, cultural critics and even the writer who spawned the phrase, ‘The Brat Pack.’ The film is enlightening and surprisingly intimate. McCarthy talks to the viewer as he travels from interview to interview. In between we see images and video clips that take us back to all the fame, attention and spotlights. Yet, as we smile down memory lane, a gloomier side is revealed. What it was truly like from the actors’ perspective to be labeled the Brat Pack. It was horrible!! *WOW!!* I had no idea the amount of negativity the term garnered for the up and coming bunch. To be at the top of your game then suddenly be dismissed and not taken seriously – in Hollywood that is – must’ve been terrifying. A bunch of 20-somethings on the rise became immature brats overnight. As a result, the majority of them had not spoken in 30+ years. I mean… I can’t be the only one that just assumed these actors remained friends. It was shocking to learn the opposite had occurred. I was just a kid at the time and I vaguely remember some of the stars lashing out against the phrase. It was heartbreaking to learn that out of fear for their own careers, as soon as the Pack was coined, they simultaneously were no more. *SIGH*

Dubbed ‘The Brat Pack’ by David Blum in an article for New York Magazine, the term quickly took off. While embraced by fans the world over, the documentary shows us that the brand didn’t sit well with its stars. Back in the day, I didn’t read this article. I mean… what poor kid in the 80’s bought, let alone read, a grown up thing like New York Magazine... LOL! There was no internet, hashtags, or Google searches. Cell phones were not a thing. In fact, the article has a section where Estevez searches for a phone to call a theatre. Yes… seriously! *LOL!* The term social media didn’t even really exist!! A simpler time as they say… LOL!! I read the article AFTER the documentary and I gotta say… I DIDN’T like it. Would I have liked it when it first came out? Well, it’s difficult to tell. I was young too. Though, hearing what the actors went through after Blum coined the phrase made me very sad. In a way that I had not intended. In short, it belittled them. It put them in a box, downplayed their actual talent, and made them out to be selfish, egotistical, immature… brats! As the documentary goes on to reveal. No one wanted this and the Pack scattered. It’s upsetting to know that a term I held so affectionately for all these years was actually detrimental to those carrying the mantle. Blum, without a second thought, labeled them and moved on. It was a job to him. Recognition for following the hottest stars of the day. In his defense, he was trying to be clever. Tying the name to the world famous Rat Pack. Personally, I believe it’s why the term was so beloved by fans. We saw it as a cool badge of honor for our generation. However, the whole article feels like Blum’s intent was to mock these young stars. In fact, since Blum was in his late 20’s, it actually feels a bit like jealousy. Or maybe I’m just being dramatic and over protective. Yeah…  I’m sure that’s it! *EYEROLL*

Despite the fact that all of these actors were insanely talented people. *HECK YEAH!!* Blum inserted the idea that these young Hollywood kids were nothing but spoiled brats who paid no dues to get where they were like the generation before them. And he wasn’t subtle at all. In fact, Estevez notes that he felt betrayed by the article. Every card carrying member felt similar. Like the rug was pulled out from underneath them. The kicker all these years later? Blum is interviewed by McCarthy in Brats and states he has no regrets. It’s McCarthy that actually gives him a pass by accepting that he was just doing his job. Yet, only following the men of the Pack, Blum was critical of just about everything, particularly Judd Nelson! I found his article arrogant and to be honest, his in person interview was the same. Blum, capitalizing on the success of Brats (*OF COURSE!*), wrote a follow-up article for Vulture. Which, quite frankly, reads the same as the first. Conceited and indifferent. He was, after all, just trying to make a name for himself, right?? Yet, I wonder… if while making that name, he were outed TO THE WORLD, as a no talent hack riding the coat tails of all the famous writers before him, would he feel the same?? *DUH!!* He goes on to play up the vitriol he received from the Brat Pack post article as unnecessary. Interesting take for someone who nonchalantly criticized an entire group after following them for only a short time. No deep questions about them, their careers, who they are or want to become… nothing! Blum further criticizes the Brats documentary for not mentioning all the successes the Pack has had over the years. What he fails to realize is the impact was far deeper than career success. It CLEARLY caused doubt, fear, panic and anxiety that lasted decades. Sheesh!! It’s called empathy, bruh! Again, I’m sure I’m just being over protective… *RAISED EYEBROW*

Giving me all kinds of emotions, Brats is littered with nostalgia. Images, interview clips and more. And even with my frustration towards David Blum, I couldn’t help but be melted into a puddle by Andrew McCarthy’s humor, wit and overall explanation of coming to terms with being labeled a Brat. He explains that it took decades. That seeing the look on fans’ faces as they re-live their youth through him eventually softened his stance. He now accepts the Brat Pack as an affectionate term. An arc I didn’t see coming. A story I wasn’t expecting. And a love that will never die. It was wonderful to see some of these actors connect again. Even if three of my favorites – Molly, Anthony, and Judd – weren’t there. Brats is a pleasantly loving, albeit sad, film that wraps up with the lesson that growth, understanding, and acceptance comes with age. I cried, I laughed and most of all, I grew! In truth, we were all called brats once and we hated it too!! Imagine it defining your career right along with a generation. To be honest… I can’t!! You?? Until next time.

As the total solar eclipse of 2024 draws near, I have been reflecting on the incomparable experience I enjoyed in the path of totality during the 2017 total solar eclipse. I watched the August 21, 2017 eclipse from a campground on Casper Mountain, Wyoming. I was lucky enough to be invited to join a friend of mine who had the foresight to reserve the space well ahead of time and the camping equipment to keep us (relatively) comfortable. It was an exciting and incredibly rare chance to travel mere hours by car to be able to witness the majesty of a total solar eclipse directly on the center line of peak totality.
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Casper, Wyoming was an absolute zoo the entire time I was visiting for the eclipse. I was surprised and delighted by Casper, a place that felt distinctly unique to other parts of the state that I have visited. Approximately 1 million people flocked to Wyoming for that eclipse, and the city and its residents handled the influx marvelously. Nights in Casper leading up to the eclipse were like one giant block party.

Nights in Casper were also a glorious chance to eat fresh food and to use the indoor plumbing of the restaurants we visited. I have never been so excited to wash my hands with actual running water. I could pretend otherwise, but who are we kidding… my enthusiasm for the outdoors dwindles substantially around bedtime. I have been camping a total of 3 times in my life, including for the eclipse. I tell you this to help illustrate how magical I found the eclipse itself: I even enjoyed camping for it.

The actual total eclipse lasted a little over two minutes from where we observed it. It’s been years, but it seems we spent two to three hours enjoying the event in total. The clearing we were camping in became magical and otherworldly during that time. Someone much cleverer than I had prepared a spot-on playlist that included "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden and "Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd that played during the morning while we waited.

It does get nearly as dark as night during a total solar eclipse. It also got incredibly chilly, the degree of which quite surprised me, despite the fact that that time of day is usually quickly warming. The birds got eerily quiet around us. I found myself musing on what the very earliest humans must have thought was occurring during such a phenomena. It wouldn’t be hard to picture one fearing the end has come when night suddenly falls during the day and all the animals behave as though night has indeed arrived.

Day soon returned to us, though, and thus began the mass exodus of revelers back to their homes. My friend, who was far, far wiser than I, waited around Casper most of the day and headed back closer to nightfall. I foolishly got myself stuck in an epic traffic jam on I-25 because I was desperate to get home to my dog. I do not remember how many extra hours it took. I mostly remember my panic when I came to a rise where I could see unmoving taillights stretching past the horizon. I began turning off my engine during the periods where we weren’t moving at all. I finally managed to get to Cheyenne gas station and discovered one, if not two grades of gasoline entirely empty, but I did manage to get enough to make it home.

​Again, I add this part of my experience because despite a stressful drive home that probably took twice as long as it should, I consider witnessing a total solar eclipse out in the serenity of nature one the very best experiences of my life, if not the best. It was the most spectacular natural event that I have ever witnessed, comparable to none. I would recommend the experience to everyone, although maybe not the camping.

Now that we’ve survived the Holidays and firmly planted ourselves into 2024, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on one of my highlights for 2023. My first ever in person interview for Nerds That Geek (NTG). *YAY!!* Excited to say the least, I was lucky enough to meet with local Director, Producer, Writer, Filmmaker and creature feature creator extraordinaire, Hank Braxtan to discuss his latest project: Glowzies (2023). Braxtan, a military veteran, worked in Hollywood post honorable discharge for several years before returning to his Colorado roots. He now resides in Grand Junction with his wife and collaborator Arielle Brachfeld. Together, they operate Photonic Media – a professional filmmaking and photography company for film, television, and commercials all at the local level. *NICE!* Sitting at a hopping yet laid back downtown coffee shop in Grand Junction over Thanksgiving weekend, Hank and I bantered back and forth as we discussed not only Glowzies, but some of his other films, diversity in the industry, youth engagement in the arts, and more. Focusing on the film, let’s dive right in.  
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Shot in Grand Junction and the surrounding area, Glowzies is a campy zombie-esque horror comedy that brings together a group of unlikely heroes forced to fight an unknown, and glowy (*LOL!!*) evil. A fun mix of newcomers and veteran actors, it’s based on the comic book Farway Canyon created by Steve Hillard and Dennis Nowlan who took their inspiration from the Climax Uranium Mill near Grand Junction. A perfect backdrop for a spooky yet silly and slimy flick! Not to mention, as reported by local KKCO 11 News,  a large portion (70-75%) of the production and film crew were: “CMU and CMU Tech students and first time filmmakers.” *AWESOME!!* All of which fit nicely with Hank and Arielle’s vison of community and youth involvement in local filmmaking, and I LOVE IT!!

Noting this was Hank’s first comic adaptation, I asked him to tell me what drew him to this particular comic. Explaining it fell into his lap when the creators reached out to him, Braxtan also touched on the fact that he gets inquiries like this all the time. Some good… some not. Stating: “Having worked in this industry as long as I have, I would say it’s probably 99% culture.” With Glowzies, getting a: “good vibe,” from the start, Hank further explained that his choices come from style and concept by explaining that: “I have to be able to see myself being good at making [the film].” Honesty is also important as he continued with: “I’m all about making an honest film, which means you need to make something you want to make and that speaks to you.” And because no one can truly predict what will be a hit or not, Hank says: “Just make what you want to see and then the people that share your tastes will find the honesty in it.” *WELL SAID!* So… with established comradery and an interesting and new concept, Braxtan goes on to discuss that: “In the world of zombie movies, it would be cool to see something that’s a little bit different.” And different they are!! Awoken from deep within the mine, these creatures are a glowing radioactive mix of creepiness and comedy. “Quirky” is the word Hank used to describe said creatures and for him: “It made them feel like a Scooby-Doo monster.” Agreed Hank… AH-GREED!!

Not yet available to the general public, Glowzies was given two 2023 premieres right here in Grand Junction at our very own historic Avalon Theatre. The first one in August – under Farway Canyon – was the largest turn out of its kind in the theatre’s history (*NICE*) and I was lucky enough to be there! It’s also worth mentioning that the previous Avalon record in this realm was held by another one of Braxtan’s films – Dragon Soldiers (Lionsgate; 2020). *HECK YEAH* The packed theatre buzzed with excitement and campy giggles ensued throughout the film with a standing ovation and a huge round of applause at the end. The energy was palpable, and bubbly and I LOVED IT!! Before moving to the meet and greet on the roof, which was awesome by the way… as a bonus, we were given a small panel at the end of the film. It’s here where Braxtan emphasized that this project held a special place in his heart. Asking him to elaborate on this thought during our interview, he discussed several areas surrounding having much more creative freedom than with most of his other projects. He loved that Hillard and Nowlan were very receptive to his ideas and often followed his lead throughout the filmmaking process. In particular, he mentioned that studios often want to rush the final product to get it out there and make money. Of course, Braxtan respects this process because after all, at the end of the day, making movies is a business. However, art can often get lost in the shuffle. Especially when the creator(s) have little say in how the final product looks. With Glowzies, Hank notes: “They [Hillard and Nowlan] were all about it from the beginning,” by discussing film festivals, wanting to take their time, and building word of mouth before selling the final product. This marked a new and much welcomed avenue for Hank. Voicing that as he continues to put his final stamp on the film with edits, adding the score, and more, Hillard and Nowlan: “have been super patient,” prompting Hank to feel the collaboration: “Has led to the best movie we could make under the circumstances.” And by its reception of the rough cut, I wholeheartedly agree.

Since its local debut in August and November, the film was also featured in 2023 at the Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival (Dec 2023) and all the way in Spain at the Sitges International Film Festival (Oct. 2023). A first for such an honor, Braxtan attended the event and discussed that it was his biggest film festival to date. When asked what it was like taking this film all the way to Spain, stating it was: “sprawling and massive,” Hank was positively blown away by the experience. We continued to discuss Sitges and the fact that they often choose movies that: “Are really off the wall and like gory and violent.” However, Glowzies fell in the family friendly teen category which seemed to please Hank as he explained: “I just felt like considering the content, it just didn’t need to be violent. It didn’t need the blood and it didn’t need the foul language.” In full agreement, I think the overall campy feel of the film makes it family friendly indeed! 

Considering the movie is still in post-production, I followed up by asking when we can expect to see Glowzies available to the masses. Braxtan touched on many aspects of selling a film to a distributor, contract negotiations, final product edits, and more. Knowing that his film falls in the low budget category, he doesn’t expect any massive promotion and hopes we’ll see the film by spring of 2025, likely under a streaming platform. Though, he did mention that if everything falls into place, it would be great to see it released for the 2024 Halloween season. *FINGERS CROSSED*

When looking at the filmmaking process overall, Hank articulated that: “Every movie is as good as it can be under the circumstances.” Though I’ve likely thought something similar in the past, it was refreshing to hear this from an actual filmmaker. Especially when we, as the consumer, spend SOOO MUCH time complaining about this or that when we truly have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes. Keeping with this same tone, a final thought from Braxtan: “Every artist… what we really want… and even if people don’t realize it, is that we’re always looking for validation. That you belong and that your art is real.” Again, something the audience should know but often forget in the midst of their own gripes and criticisms. We’d all do well to remember that those who truly love making movies often have constraints beyond their control and more often than not, their intended vision gets rather twisted by the time it hits theatres. It makes sense why Hank would express how special making Glowzies was. With less entanglements and more creative control, any artist would hold a project like that dear and it was a pleasure to see and hear this from the creator himself. In fact, as we parted, I pondered on these concepts for quite some time and may have even changed my critique style going forward. For low budget or blockbuster mania. All can suffer from the crippling weight of an industry more concerned with profit than art. On that note… I say… keep it up Hank!!

Until next time, please enjoy some of my other NTG reviewed Hank Braxtan films:
Dragon Soldiers (Lionsgate; 2020)​
Dead Zone (Tubi Originals; 2022)

One thing that fans of animation films can agree upon, is that Megamind remains a true favorite in the minds and hearts of so many. Simply because it was a refreshing and fun story that we all found something special within, and it is one we share with others as often as possible, because of how much fun it provides. But alas, for a long, long time… that movie has served as all there is to the story. One that could accomplish more if by chance a sequel or more was available and well, after all this time, we have arrived at the moment where the Megamind franchise has expanded at last, courtesy of Peacock.
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For earlier today, Peacock let it be known that Alan Schoolcraft and Brent Simons, who wrote the film we adore, are the executive producers of a new film, and a new series set in this universe (alongside Eric Fogel), and that we are super close to enjoying new Megamind stories. For March 1, 2024, will see Megamind vs. The Doom Syndicate, and Megamind Rules! debut on Peacock and what a treat that is going to be… as evidenced by the other gift that Peacock sent our way. Specifically, key art and a trailer for this mega-release, and since you’re eager to know what to expect from these new stories from a universe we love, here is that trailer, details on these releases and that key art, to help you prepare for the return of a beloved franchise, courtesy of Peacock.  

· Produced by DreamWorks Animation, new animated kids film MEGAMIND VS. THE DOOM SYNDICATE and series MEGAMIND RULES! both premiere on March 1, 2024, exclusively on Peacock. 
 
· MEGAMIND VS. THE DOOM SYNDICATE picks up in the moments following the events of the 2010 film, teeing up more adventures to come in the companion series MEGAMIND RULES! 
 
·         The below actors will be starring in both the film and series:
·         Keith Ferguson (Robot Chicken, DuckTales) as “Megamind” 
·         Laura Post (Lego Marvel Avengers: Code Red) as “Roxanne Ritchi”  
·         Josh Brener (Silicon Valley, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) as “Ol’ Chum”  
·         Maya Aoki Tuttle (Spidey and His Amazing Friends, Destiny 2) as “Keiko Morita”  
·         Emily Tunon (Globos Negros) as “Lady Doppler”  
·         Talon Warburton (Echo Base) as “Lord Nighty-Knight”  
·         Scott Adsit (Big Hero 6, 30 Rock) as “Pierre Pressure”  
·         Chris Sullivan (This Is Us, Presence) as “Behemoth”  
·         Tony Hale (The Mysterious Benedict Society) as “Mel/Mr. Donut”  
·         Jeanine Mason (Upload, Roswell, New Mexico) as “Christino Christo”
·        Adam Lambert (American Idol, The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again) as “Machiavillain” 
 
· The new film and series are a follow-up to the 2010 DreamWorks Animation film, where Megamind goes from being a supervillain and the scourge of Metro City to a superhero who’s learning on the job.
 
· Return to the Megamind universe with the new film MEGAMIND VS. THE DOOM SYNDICATE, then keep the fun going with the new companion series MEGAMIND RULES! 
 

ABOUT MEGAMIND VS. THE DOOM SYNDICATE
Megamind’s former villain team, The Doom Syndicate, has returned. Our newly crowned blue hero must now keep up evil appearances until he can assemble his friends (Roxanne, Ol’ Chum, and Keiko) to stop his former evil teammates from launching Metro City to the moon.  

ABOUT THE FILM 
Premiere Date: March 1, 2024  
Executive Producers: Eric Fogel, Alan Schoolcraft, Brent Simons 
Director: Eric Fogel 
Writers: Alan Schoolcraft, Brent Simons 
Co-Executive Producer: JD Ryznar 
Voice Cast: Keith Ferguson, Laura Post, Josh Brener, Maya Aoki Tuttle, Emily Tunon, Talon Warburton, Scott Adsit, Chris Sullivan, Tony Hale, Adam Lambert, Jeanine Mason, Michael Beattie, Eric Fogel, Todd Haberkorn, Eric Murphy, Joey Rudman, Roger Craig Smith 
Studio: DreamWorks Animation 
Format: Film, 83 minutes 

ABOUT MEGAMIND RULES! 
Megamind goes from being a supervillain and the scourge of Metro City to a superhero who's learning on the job. He'll be bringing the audience along for the ride, as Megamind's trusty brainbots will be recording everything, making him the world's first superhero influencer.  

ABOUT THE SERIES 
Premiere Date: March 1, 2024  
Executive Producers: Eric Fogel, Alan Schoolcraft, Brent Simons 
Co-Executive Producer: JD Ryznar 
Voice Cast: Keith Ferguson, Josh Brener, Laura Post, Maya Aoki Tuttle, Jeanine Mason, Adam Lambert, Talon Waburton, Chris Sullivan 
Developed for Television by: Alan Schoolcraft, Brent Simons  
Studio: DreamWorks Animation 
Format: 8 x 22-minute episodes 

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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Truly there are few directors and writers out there that have managed to capture the zeitgeist of an era quite the way that George A. Romero was able to. For every single one of his films, spoke to a corner of the Human and American Condition that was of concern, and it did so in a manner that perfectly framed the problem and the concern, all while making the story/commentary timeless in nature. For we still examine the many messages and subtext he added to Night of the Living Dead, regarding civil rights and racism in America, and for that matter, Bruiser is a film that continues to grow in legend thanks to its powerful commentary on toxic masculinity in Modern America. But of course… of the many films he made, there is one that truly showcased his brilliance regarding his understanding our world… the iconic Dawn of the Dead.

For that motion picture truly understood the 1970s and to a certain degree, the excess that awaited us in the 1980s to a tee, and it was put on display by way of a story that saw people fight for possession and control of a shopping mall as the world ended around them. Which is a powerful allegory regarding how we value things and how consumerism means the world to us, and the movie’s message remains so relevant that even in 2023, we can still find moments regarding that commentary that reflect our modern world. Yet what is truly incredible, is that this timeless feature, has suddenly become more relevant and real in recent years, courtesy of some baseline story structure that in a way, was more prophetic than any of us could have imagined. 

Because courtesy of the pandemic, this movie suddenly takes on new life and meaning. Because in many ways… it reflects everything we’ve just been through and that makes for an uncomfortable rewatch that points out… that the living dead in this story could have easily stood in for Covid as well, since everything that went wrong in our world, went wrong in this film. Which may seem to be a statement that is grabbing at straws, but the proof is in the pudding. Take for instance, the news broadcasts in the motion picture, especially the opening credits sequence. For that sequence and it's many intense moments… feel way too familiar.

Courtesy of watching a medical professional be screamed at and over, and told he’s a buffoon by people who believe that facts, don’t matter, and that what he has to say is nothing more than manufactured lies and that the situation isn’t as bad as he’s making it out to be. Which is… everything we experienced from a television and social media standpoint in our own homes. For we watched medical professionals be ‘debunked’ and debased by so-called self-experts who literally knew nothing. They just thought they knew better, and we saw Fox News do something similar and much like in the film, not listening to the experts because some people didn’t like what they heard, only spread the virus further. Much like how the dead grew in number for the same reasons, and the eerie parallels to 2020 don’t end with that sequence.

For one of the central themes of the film and of much of Romero’s Dead saga, is that the living dead take over the world because of humanity’s inability to work as a central unit, and through ignorance and political and personal nonsense. All of which has sparked debate over the years as to whether or not the dead could really take over in a real-world scenario and well, the pandemic proved… they would. Because the collective of humanity, couldn’t handle doing something as simple as wearing a mask or shutting down the world and its economies for a few weeks to simply stop the spread dead in its tracks. Instead, there were fights about personal rights, worries about the economy and religious freedoms over bringing down a common foe. Which gives a simple message about disarray through arrogance new gravity and meaning, since Romero correctly predicted that in a crisis… we cannot work together to resolve it.
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Yet while those elements alone are enough to give this film new life and new relevance after all these years, even its visuals… make this motion picture a perfect encapsulation of the pandemic. For seeing empty roads and an abandoned shopping mall… immediately harkens back to the lockdown days of the pandemic. Where the streets were as empty as could be, save for those essential souls and where businesses stood vacant and empty, just like the mall that was home to our heroes. And of course, their being huddled around televisions, radios, and any news source available serves as reminder of our time at home as well. Since we were glued to devices for good news and hope, and heck, even just seizing the mall and having people fight for it… reminds us of those days. Since people went the extra mile to hoard something as simple as toilet paper. 

All of which, are elements that truly gives this nearly fifty-year old horror feature, new life in the 21st Century. For now, it isn’t just about the power of consumerism and its evils… it really is about how humanity… has grown selfish enough to not work together toward common goals. And how we let agendas and policies from people that care little about us, rule our lives, and because of that… elements that shock us and threaten us… can win. For Covid won the day, plain and simple, and that makes this movie painfully real and equally as important. Since seeing our foolishness in action in a story about the end of the world at the hands of living death, can hopefully teach us to change our ways and work as one when the next crisis arrives.   

There are a great many concepts that human beings cherish in this life. For instance, we are beings that believe deeply in the power of love and connection and that drives us to find a romantic partner that fills a special spot in our soul and friends that fill in the rest. Plus, we also cherish children and make sure we protect them and guide them in the hopes of having their generation lead us to a better tomorrow. But above all, what we cherish the most in this life, is tradition. Because every family out there and our species as a whole, harbors little quirks or big quirks that we pass down from generation to generation to keep alive memories and keep alive notions that would in fact, fade without such work, and we cherish these so much… that there are people out there that will push for them to stay alive and be passed down, even when they are negative in nature. 
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Which means that sadly… there is a dark side to the things that we cherish. Since we cherish love and relationships so much in this life that we will surround ourselves with the wrong people to be feel whole. And there are those who feel so pressured to be part of giving rise to the next generation, they’ll have a kid when they’re not ready or never wanted one in the first place and make life hard for that innocent kid and yes… there are traditions we take part in that are toxic and negative in nature and should stop, but don’t. But what’s truly fascinating and unfortunate about the darker side to the elements of life that we cherish, is that some of them have combined and given rise to subconscious traditions that cause more harm than good. Such as generational trauma. Where a child that grows up enduring unique abuse or is constantly exposed to negative emotions and toxic behaviors… imparts those same ugly elements upon their own children when they become a parent. 

Because sadly… those behaviors are all we know and we trust our parents to do the right thing and guide us the right way, so we accept that toxicity and treat it as a different kind of gospel and well… this is a concept we are only now really beginning to dive into and explore and understand from a scientific standpoint. Which means for countless generations this has existed and we’ve all taken part in it in some form or fashion and that does leave all of us wondering actively now… how do we break this cycle and this tradition so that we can start to remove the ugliest parts of humanity and really grow as a species. Well as it turns out, science is now working on that, and there are creative minds pondering upon how we remove it from our lives and believe it or not, Apple TV+ is host to a series that takes the time to explore how we can shatter Generational Trauma, and that makes Drops of God a supremely important series. 

For this is a story that really takes the time to explore every aspect of this problem. Since it establishes how it comes to life since we watch our main characters be subjected to it, and struggle with it as they grow older and try to get over it… only to fail when it returns to the forefront of their lives through the death of Alexandre Léger. For he makes sure to impart more trauma from beyond the grave upon Camille and Issei, and Issei even suffers from fresh bouts of it from his own parents. And while this aspect of the series does a phenomenal job of backing up the reality that this is something we accept and practice because it is all we know, it doesn’t take long for this story to really shine by pointing out how wrong this is and the pain and confusion it causes children and how it isn’t something parents can resort to. Instead, they need to be better, they need give their children the world and well… the show points out that the first step in breaking this cycle at any level is to recognize that echoing what our parents imparted upon us… is wrong. 

But it is more than just recognition that breaks the cycle, as evidenced by Camille and Issei’s journey. Since they take the time to confront their traumas and stand in front of them and acknowledge the pain it caused them… and resolve it. Resolve it in this instance by besting their father’s challenges and proving him wrong every step of the way, but that speaks as an allegory for how the rest of us can break the cycle. In that we too… should confront it, and heal from it, preferably with the help of a medical professional… but that we also most… carve a better path for ourselves mentally. One that separates us from the toxic past we know so we can embrace what could be. Which could involve cutting toxic family from our lives or it could involve forging our own path in life and ignoring our legacy and the nonsense that can sometimes come with that. But the important thing is… we recognize and change and embrace our agency over anything else. 

If anything, all of these elements make for a powerful journey. One that really does teach us plenty about generational trauma and offers some sound and simple ways to escape it, and it doesn’t hurt… that these lessons are buried beneath a story that ponders upon the wonder of wine and the majesty of finding our own path in life. Since that allows for the lesson to never be overwhelming, and that’s a big deal. since this is subject matter that can be quite heavy at times. But make no mistake about it, the message is never diluted, just handled with grace, and that only adds to the wonder of this series. One that speaks to a topic that remains taboo and offers us a great deal of powerful and uplifting messages as well. Such as how important it is to never let our past define us and to live in the present over anything else and enjoy that moment, because it will never come again, and you simply cannot go wrong with a story that takes the time to offer up those messages and offer us guidance regarding a problem that continues to plague humanity, when it shouldn’t. For with some effort… we could let go of our shadows and embrace our better angels and build that better tomorrow through kindness and understanding for the children we cherish.