Couch Review: 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm'

This article originally appeared on Complex.com

I would imagine the most ardent fans of Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat scratched their heads when news of a sequel trickled out earlier this summer. Sacha Baron Cohen’s 2006 social satire feels like a lifetime ago, with its lasting impact reduced to memeification. The biggest question facing a follow-up seemed to hinge around whether or not it’d be able to chart new territory 14 years later. Turns out the truly unprecedented events of this year yielded the exact conditions needed for a compelling sequel.

The plot of Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan—its full title, out now on Amazon Prime—matters only in the broadest sense. Upon returning from the events of the first movie, Borat’s actions overseas have embarrassed his home country of Kazakhstan. His punishment comes in the form of a sentence to a lifetime of hard labor—until he receives a shot at redemption. Having familiarity with the U.S., Borat is tasked to bring a gift in the form of a celebrity monkey to Vice President Mike Pence to restore Kazakhstan’s standing with America. Somewhat unsurprisingly, the monkey doesn’t make it alive. So Borat’s estranged, 15-year-old daughter Tutar (Maria Bakalova, providing a masterful and fearless comedic performance), who has stowed away on the trip over, becomes the gift instead.

Read the full story here.

The Best 4K Blu-Ray Players for Your Favorite Physical Media

As great as streaming services are, there’s still a time and a place for physical media in 2020. Whether you’re collecting the Criterion Collection, have a robust Steelbook compilation, or want to make sure you can watch your favorite TV show without worrying about whether or not it’s on Netflix, investing in a physical media player is essential. And the best of the best is a 4K player.

You might know that Blu-ray players are high-definition media players, but a 4K player is a step above HD. In fact, 4K is also known as Ultra High Definition (UHD) and provides more clarity, more color, and an overall better quality image for your favorite piece of media. If you have or are planning to get a 4K TV, this is the physical player you’ll need to purchase to get the most out of your TV.

The desire for physical media is decreasing, so there aren’t as many companies making 4K players as there once was for DVD players. You’ll see a few brands repeated here, but each fulfills a specific need. With all that said, here are the seven best 4K Blu-Ray players to buy right now.

Read the full story here.

10 of 2020’s Best Fleece Jackets to Curl Up In This Winter

Fleece jackets are kind of like a cheat code for winter weather. A longstanding stalwart of the outdoor world, fleeces are decidedly comfy, staggeringly warm, and full of character, making them great to wear while in the great outdoors. They’ve found a function outside of the woods, as the inherent technical nature of fleece makes them great for kicking it around town as well.

Fleece is made from finely woven polyester fibers into a light fabric that’s then brushed to give it both thickness and texture. The result is unparalleled warmth and that overall cozy feel. Entirely synthetic, it also has a bit of moisture-wicking properties, which make it great for variable weather conditions.

Regardless of whether you’re on the trail or just hanging on the sofa, you’ll want to do it in a fleece this winter. Here are 10 of our favorites to buy now.

Read the full story here.

Your Pup Deserves a Comfy Bed, too — These Are the Best Dog Beds to Get

If there’s one thing dog owners love more than their dogs, it’s spoiling them whenever possible. And one of the most important ways to do that is by getting a really nice dog bed.

Sure, you could let your dog sleep on the floor or the couch but providing a safe and cushioned place for your pup is just as critical as it is for you to sleep in a bed. Plus, making sure they’ve got the proper cushion and support, especially as they age, is absolutely critical.

With all this in mind, we’ve found 10 of the best dog beds on the market to ensure your dog has the best bed available. Here are our favorites from lounge beds for aging dogs to big splurges and even easy to travel with beds.

Read the full story here.

Couch Review: 'The Trial of the Chicago 7'

This article originally appeared on Complex.com

Leave it to a historical, political, and legal drama to bring out some of Aaron Sorkin’s best work. The Trial of the Chicago 7—formerly a Paramount Pictures release sold to Netflix in the wake of COVID-19—is filled with The West Wing creator’s favorite topics: progressive ideologies, the importance of democracy, the triumph of rightness, the value of good trouble—all those facets, and more, are on display as the movie reminds the audience that the “whole world is watching.” In short, Trial is about what you’d expect from an Aaron Sorkin project.

Read the full story here.

Winter Weather Will Never Be a Problem With These 10 Snow Boots

When you were a kid, you prayed for a snow day so you could toss on your snow boots and go sledding. As an adult you pray there isn’t a snowmageddon heading your way as you try to make it to work. Clunking around in snow boots while commuting or shoveling the walk isn’t fun. When you’re shopping for men’s snow boots, it seems that you must sacrifice warmth for waterproofines, or vice versa. Not anymore. We’ve done a ton of research and found quality snow boots, the best snow boots for men as a matter of fact, that will keep your feet warm, dry, and as comfortable as your favorite plaid shirt.

While these boots won’t make you as nimble as a mountain goat leaping across alpine crevasses, they do provide grip so that you won’t fall on your butt if it’s icy out. And these snow boots for men are ruggedly stylish; they’ll look awesome when worn with cords or jeans. We’ve rounded up our 10 favorite men’s snow boots that’ll last from this winter to the next one. Scroll on through to find the best snow boots for any winter terrain.

Read the full story here.

Tracksmith’s Fall 2020 Collection Will Help You Conquer the Elements

There are a lot of benefits to running outside. Whether it’s just to get away from the monotonous nature of treadmill running or to just (literally) have a change of scenery, a good jog in the fresh air can do wonders for changing up the routine of a run. Yet with the great outdoors comes the unpredictability of Mother Nature, which means you’ll need clothes to match.

Running brand Tracksmith is looking to help you push past nature’s worst with their new Off Roads collection for fall and winter. While the collection was geared around trail running, there’s still plenty of great pieces to help you make the most of your run even when the weather is at its worst. Tracksmith has already created some highly technical pieces for the average run, but Off Roads sees them elevate their game once more.

Read the full story here.

The Best Whiskey Deserves the Best Whiskey Glass: These Are the Ones to Get

Drinking whiskey is, for many, nothing short of a spiritual experience. There’s a whole process to it all; the pouring of your favorite brand, deciding whether to drink it on the rocks or neat and having a pleasant conversation with a friend or loved one. Yet, if you don’t have the proper glassware, you’re missing out on a crucial piece.

Investing in the proper whiskey glasses makes all the difference. There are a handful of different kinds —from double-walled to snifters, and even some strikingly designed ones — but each is crafted to ensure you’re getting the best taste possible. Whiskey glasses have a good heft to them, feeling sturdy and robust, much like the spirit itself.

No matter how and where you drink your whiskey, make sure you do so in one of the best whiskey glasses, which we’ve highlighted for you below.

Read the full story here.