Entertainment
Disturbing, R-Rated 70s Thriller Sees Evil Before It Happens
By Robert Scucci
| Published
If you ever found yourself wondering what it would be like if a Precog from Minority Report made a living shooting smut, 1978’s Eyes of Laura Mars has the answer you’ve been looking for. We’re not getting the sci-fi treatment here, however, but rather a neo-noir murder mystery centered on exploitation and sensationalism, anchored by a screenplay written by John Carpenter and directed by Irvin Kershner. As the mystery unravels, so does the film’s titular protagonist, who finds herself caught between her controversial occupation, an escalating criminal investigation tied to the deaths of her friends and colleagues, and a pool of suspects who are just a little too close for comfort.
Never afraid to go fully mental with its premise, Eyes of Laura Mars checks off all the boxes for a compelling psychological thriller, and it’s largely thanks to the on-screen chemistry between Faye Dunaway and Tommy Lee Jones.
A Suspicious Amount Of Precognition
Eyes of Laura Mars tells the tale of its eponymous heroine (Faye Dunaway), a fashion photographer who’s made quite the name for herself with her risqué images. Her work centers on staging violent scenes involving assault and exploitation, often echoing the kinds of compositions you’d expect to see in crime scene photography. Laura’s work is the talk of New York City, and she lives the high life, especially now that her photography book The Eyes of Mars is about to hit shelves.
The night before her book release, Laura begins experiencing disturbing visions. She witnesses murders, but from the first-person perspective of the assailant committing the crimes. Nightmares alone wouldn’t be cause for alarm, but Laura quickly realizes that these visions are tied to real events. She’s watching her friends and colleagues get killed, without knowing whose eyes she’s actually seeing through.
After crossing paths with Laura, Lieutenant John Neville (Tommy Lee Jones) is tasked with investigating the grisly murders before the killer strikes again. He suspects that Laura’s ex-husband Michael (Raul Julia) may be involved, largely because the timeline of his return to New York City lines up with the rising body count.
What troubles John most is how many images from Laura’s upcoming book bear a striking resemblance to unpublished crime scene photos connected to murders that haven’t yet been solved. Either Laura is blacking out and killing people herself, or she possesses some inexplicable ability to witness murders moments before they occur. As John and Laura grow romantically involved and the killer escalates, Laura begins pushing everyone away, realizing she no longer knows who she can trust.
Neo-Noir Beats And A Classic Twist
If you’ve spent any amount of time watching psychological thrillers, you’ll likely clock the guilty party in Eyes of Laura Mars before the credits roll. That doesn’t make the film hack or derivative, but it does rely on a logic that many modern, second-rate thrillers have turned into a familiar template for cranking out neo-noir mystery fare. Even with what I’d consider a fairly predictable third-act twist, the film remains engaging, especially during Laura’s violent visions, when she knows another one of her friends is about to be killed and she’s powerless to act quickly enough to stop it.
Tommy Lee Jones’ portrayal of Lieutenant John Neville stands out because the clear conflict of interest between his growing affection for Laura and the case itself threatens to cloud his judgment. John is aware of this and remains committed to solving the murders, even as his investigative instincts become compromised. For all he knows, he could be dating the killer, unknowingly putting himself directly in harm’s way.
Faye Dunaway’s take on Laura Mars walks a fine line between a hysterical damsel in distress and a woman who’s had enough and is ready to take control of the situation. It’s a performance that adds depth to a character who could easily fall apart under a more one-dimensional approach.
Eyes of Laura Mars is equal parts glamorous and violent, but what really pulled me in is how it leans into classic slasher beats without ever fully committing to that lane. Most of the violence happens off screen, allowing the mystery to take center stage while the tension remains intact. Things only get worse before they get better in Eyes of Laura Mars, and you can see for yourself by streaming the title for free on Tubi.
Entertainment
Pregame with puppies: How to watch the 2026 Puppy Bowl
Table of Contents
There’s no better way to pregame the Patriots vs. Seahawks game on Sunday than with a puppy palooza. The longest-running call-to-adoption television event is back in 2026 with Puppy Bowl XXII. This year’s event includes 150 dogs from 72 shelters across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands, which marks a new record.
The reigning champions, Team Fluff’s lineup includes Benito, a Siberian Husky-Chihuahua from Puerto Rico, Showgirl, a Chow Chow-Rottweiler, and Chappell Bone, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. They’ll take on Team Ruff, which includes Lobster Roll, a Bulldog-Border Collie, Brûlée, a Boston Terrier-French Bulldog, and Miso, an American Cattle Dog-Beagle, to get their paws on the “Lombarky” trophy. Prepare for adorable puppies, heartwarming adoption stories, and play-by-play commentary from sportscasters Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks. A special halftime exhibition game (new this year) with senior dogs on Team Oldies and Team Goldies will also surely tug at your heartstrings.
If you need some cozy and comforting content before the chaos of the Big Game, here’s what you need to know to watch the Puppy Bowl.
When is the 2026 Puppy Bowl?
Puppy Bowl XXII kicks things off on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. ET, making it the perfect pregame for the Big Game at 6:30 p.m. ET. A Puppy Combine pre-show will air just before the 22nd annual adoption awareness event at 1 p.m. ET.
How to watch Puppy Bowl XXII
Got cable? You can watch the 2026 Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet, TBS, or TruTV — take your pick. Those without cable have options as well. The event will simulcast on both HBO Max and Discovery+ streaming services. You can also opt for a live TV cable replacement service, which usually will give you a free trial. We’ve rounded up the best (and cheapest) ways to watch below.
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Best way to watch without cable: Get a free 7-day trial to Discovery+
free 7-day trial, then starting at $5.99/month
free 7-day trial, then starting at $5.99/month
Hands down the best option to watch the Puppy Bowl without spending a cent is to sign up for a free seven-day trial to Discovery+, either through Discovery+ directly or as a Prime Video add-on. After your trial, it’ll cost you either $5.99 per month with ads or $9.99 per month without ads unless you cancel first.
Best way to watch the Puppy Bowl and Super Bowl live: Get a Hulu + Live TV free trial
free 3-day trial, then $89.99/month
If you want to watch both the 2026 Puppy Bowl and the football game, you’re going to need a live TV cable alternative. Fortunately, most options offer free trials — including Hulu + Live TV. While you’ll only get three days for free, you really only need it for Sunday, Feb. 8, so that’s plenty. Just be sure to cancel your subscription before the three-day trial ends, or else you’ll be charged full price — *gasp* $89.99 per month. Other options include YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream.
Best HBO Max deal for most people: Save 16% on HBO Max annual subscriptions
$109.99 per year (save $21.89)
$184.99 per year (save $36.89)
If you don’t qualify for the trials above, or if you just want to commit to HBO Max for more than the Puppy Bowl, we recommend signing up for the annual plan over the monthly plan. The HBO Max Basic plan with ads typically costs $10.99 per month, but if you pay for an entire year upfront, that price drops down to just $9.17. You’ll pay $109.99 total for the year, which saves you about 16% compared to paying each month.
Rather go ad-free? The annual HBO Max Standard or Premium plans will also save you about 16% over their monthly counterparts. The Standard tier costs either $18.49 per month or $184.99 per year (about $15.42 per month), while the Premium tier costs either $22.99 per month or $229.99 per year (about $19.17 per month). Both tiers unlock ad-free viewing, but the Premium tier also adds 4K Ultra HD video quality, Dolby Atmos immersive audio, and the ability to download more offline content.
Best way to get HBO Max for free: Switch to Cricket’s Supreme Unlimited plan
Credit: HBO Max / Cricket
Free for Cricket customers on the Supreme Unlimited plan
One of the best ways to get HBO Max for free in 2026 is to switch your phone plan to Cricket’s $60 per month Supreme Unlimited plan. It includes HBO Max Basic with ads for free — a $10.99 per month value. When you open up the HBO Max app or website, you’ll just select Cricket as your provider and use your credentials to log in.
Best HBO Max deal for students: Save 50% on HBO Max Basic with ads
$5.49 per month for 12 months
College students can sign up for an entire year of HBO Max with ads for half price. Just verify your student status through UNiDAYS and use the unique discount code to drop the price from $10.99 to just $5.49 per month. After 12 months, the price will jump back up to the full $10.99 monthly fee unless you cancel.
Best HBO Max bundle deal: Get HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu for up to 42% off
Credit: Disney / Hulu / HBO Max
$19.99 per month (with ads), $32.99 per month (no ads)
The Disney+ bundle deal that includes Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max is one of the best deals in streaming. That lineup of streamers would usually cost you $34.97 per month if you paid separately for each, but you can bundle them for only $19.99. If you prefer to watch without ads, the bundle will run you $32.99 per month as opposed to $56.47. That’s up to 42% in savings for unlimited access to all three streaming libraries.
Entertainment
Bitcoin price climbs Friday, but can it continue? Experts are skeptical.
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency markets are rebounding on Friday after hitting lows not seen in years.
As of publication, Bitcoin has since soared back over $70,300 following yesterday’s crash.
But is the worst really over? Or is the worst yet to come? Despite the recent rebound, one of the experts we talked to warned of further decreases to come.
In a statement provided to Mashable before today’s bounceback, early Bitcoin investor Michael Terpin foresaw an uptick in the market before another potential downturn.
“Most likely we will have a bounce back over $80k before the final plunge, exhausting weary ETF investors into capitulation, despite how oversold we are right now,” Terpin said. “It would be awesome if we could rip the band-aid off quickly and hit the bottom this week or month, but there is really strong buying resistance at $65k and $60k. If we lose that support, price could drop all the way to $45k.”
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Other analysts have also predicted that Bitcoin could drop as low as $40k if the current market trends continue.
According to a CryptoQuant analysis, investors should still proceed with caution as crypto whales are currently very active and “account for a disproportionately large share of total deposits.”
“This behavior typically signals that whales are aggressively moving funds onto the exchange, a precursor often associated with heavy selling (dumping) or hedging activities,” the report says.
Head of Bitfire Research Allen Ding told Mashable in a statement that a rebound in the market is “likely to be constrained by the pace of institutional capital returning and the unwinding of market leverage risks.”
With big holders still actively selling, analysts say crypto prices could continue to fluctuate and even start to plunge once again.
The current price range, even after the rebound, also provides a challenge for Bitcoin miners. As CoinDesk reports, the current Bitcoin price is well under the average cost of $87,000 to mine a single Bitcoin. The outlet notes that this has traditionally been one of the signs of a bear market.
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Bitcoin
Cryptocurrency
Entertainment
Upgrade aging PCs with Windows 11 Pro for $12.97
TL;DR: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for $12.97 (reg. $199), offering a lower-cost upgrade for compatible PCs through March 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
If your PC is starting to feel laggy or your operating system no longer keeps up with current demands, upgrading to Microsoft Windows 11 Pro unlocks a faster, more modern experience. At $12.97 through March 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT, this upgrade is a wallet-friendly way to access the latest features and security enhancements without buying a new device.
Microsoft has announced that support for Office apps — including Word, Excel, and Outlook — on Windows 10 will end in October, making this a timely moment to consider an upgrade. Windows 11 Pro stands out as the logical next step for anyone who wants to keep their system secure and compatible, particularly for those who need a standalone license rather than an update through Windows Update.
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With Windows 11 Pro, you’ll notice a streamlined, contemporary interface and tangible speed gains from day one. Boot times are faster and navigating the system feels more responsive. Features like Snap Layouts and virtual desktops help you organize windows and multitask with ease, while the revamped search function means less time hunting for files, apps, or settings.
Security also gets a notable boost. Windows 11 Pro adds biometric login, TPM 2.0 support, Smart App Control, and BitLocker encryption, all of which are crucial for small businesses, remote workers, and anyone managing sensitive files. For power users and IT professionals, features like Azure AD integration, Hyper-V virtualization, and Windows Sandbox offer more advanced options without complicating everyday use.
There are also productivity and quality-of-life updates. Voice typing, enhanced multitasking tools, and DirectX 12 Ultimate for improved graphics support gaming and creative workloads. Microsoft’s AI assistant, Copilot, is built in to help with tasks like summarizing information and navigating settings, which may be useful for school or professional learning environments.
Mashable Deals
Windows 11 Pro is intended for users ready to move on from older operating systems and take advantage of Microsoft’s latest platform features. At $12.97, the current deal lowers the cost of upgrading, making it easier to consider the switch before Windows 10 support winds down. Get it at its discounted price through March 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Pregame with puppies: How to watch the 2026 Puppy Bowl
Bitcoin price climbs Friday, but can it continue? Experts are skeptical.
