Entertainment
The Zombie Remake As Good As The Original Horror Classic
By Brian Myers
| Published
Remakes are a source of a great divide among horror fans, seemingly split into even-numbered camps that either welcome new visions of old classics or consider the very thought of reimagining a beloved film blasphemous. When it was announced in 1989 that George Romero’s zombie cult classic Night of the Living Dead would be remade for modern audiences, the news was met with mixed reaction. For those who have seen the finished 1990 version, most will agree that it is every bit as much of a gem as its 1968 predecessor.
The Night of the Living Dead remake begins in the same way of the original, with brother and sister Johnny and Barbara (played by Bill Moseley and Patricia Tallman, respectively) visiting their mother’s grave in a country cemetery in Pennsylvania. While putting flowers on the plot, the siblings are attacked by an elderly man. In the scuffle to protect his sister, Johnny is killed.
Barbara runs from the graveyard and finds what she thinks is an empty farmhouse. But a small group of zombies, much like the one that attacked her and Johnny in the cemetery, are there to greet her. She is suddenly joined by a man named Ben (Tony Todd), who helps her keep the undead at bay.
The Night of the Living Dead remake continues along much of the same path as the Romero original, with the farmhouse being occupied by a group of survivors in the basement. Conflict between the newcomers and the squatters arises, with devastating consequences. With limited resources and even fewer options, the small group tries to develop a plan to escape and find better digs.
The Night of the Living Dead remake marks the directorial debut for special effects and film makeup wizard Tom Savini. While he did not work on the 1968 Romero original, Savini became a staple of Romero‘s subsequent films. The filmmaker/special effects master helped to bring the undead to life on screen with Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead, as well as lending his acting talents to small roles in several of Romero’s films that include Dawn of the Dead and Martin.
The Night of the Living Dead remake brought the horrors of the original in full, gory color. Little is left to the imagination in this version, and Savini was forced to edit out some of the more brutal scenes to avoid an NC-17 rating. The added gore aside, the movie sticks pretty close to the original as far as plot and character development, with one glaring and welcomed exception.
For the role of Barbara, Savini had actress Patricia Tallman (best known for her role on Babylon 5) evolve the character over the course of the film into a powerful player who takes no prisoners. This is a far cry from the original Barbara from 1968, who was meek and pretty helpless.
The Night of the Living Dead remake delivers better performances from its stars, particularly Tallman and Tony Todd. Sharp-eyed horror fans will recognize two faces from the 1968 version in Bill Cardille (who played a TV news reporter in both versions) and Russell Streiner, who played Johnny in the 1968 version and was cast as Sheriff McClelland in the 1990 reboot.
You can stream the 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead on Amazon.
Entertainment
How to contact Amazon customer service during your Big Spring Sale shopping spree
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Another Amazon sale is upon us. The Big Spring Sale returns for its third year in a row in 2026 and runs from March 25-31.
With new deals dropping all week long, shopping can get pretty overwhelming. We know all too well that it’s easy to get caught up in the sales, indulge in some impulse purchasing, and experience a little buyer’s remorse. No judgment.
As with every major Amazon sale, deals started popping off ahead of the official event kickoff, and there are lots more to come. If you run into some questions or concerns during your shopping journey — from classic cases of buyer’s remorse to damaged packages to Prime membership questions — it’s good to know that you can actually speak to customer service.
Since contacting Amazon can be tricky at times, here are all the ways you can get in touch with customer service for a smoother online shopping experience before, during, and after the Big Spring Sale:
Amazon customer service help page
This is probably the most common and easiest way to look for answers to common queries, such as those about Amazon’s return policies or information about international shipping. The page contains a whole library of questions that users can get answers to, including how to track packages, cancel orders, or start a return. Your most recent purchases will pop up at the top of the page for easy navigation.
To access Amazon’s Customer Service Help Page, go to the website landing page and click on “Customer Service” in the top left of the screen.
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Amazon customer service email
Sometimes customer queries need to be worked through on a case-by-case basis, and the answers on the official website need to be more specific to offer any help to shoppers. In these cases, users can email [email protected] and explain their issues. Remember that contacting Amazon’s customer service via email might not be the best solution if you have an urgent question regarding your purchases, since customers are unlikely to get a prompt response.
Amazon customer service phone number
Need a quicker reply? Call Amazon at 1-888-280-4331. When customers call this number, a bot picks up the phone and eventually connects them to Amazon staff, depending on the type of query that needs to be answered. It’s important to note that customers should have a cell phone number connected to their Amazon account. Customers must enter verification codes that will be messaged to their linked contact information before using this service. In other words, things can get a bit tricky if you’re sharing an account with someone else.
Amazon online chat service
Real-time chatting with Amazon representatives is the most convenient way to get all your questions answered. To use the live chat feature, return to the Customer Service help page and click on “Help with something else.” When the list pops up underneath, choose “something else” once again. Another page opens with a list of more help options. Select “I need help with something else.”
Now you’ve officially entered the chat. Type “Talk to associate” in the chat box. Amazon’s messaging assistant might prompt you to give more info on your issue, which you can, but if you’d rather get to a real person ASAP, you can select “I need more help” from the pre-written responses.
From there, you can choose if you’d prefer to talk via chat or call. If you’re looking for immediate help with a Prime Day purchase — be it due to buyer’s remorse, a damaged package, an address change, etc. — this is your best bet to get your needs met.
For simple questions, Amazon’s AI chat feature (launched in 2024) called “Rufus” can help customers solve some problems and make more informed purchase decisions.
If your questions aren’t that urgent, you can contact Amazon Customer Service at @amazonhelp on X, @amazon on Instagram, and www.facebook.com/Amazon on Facebook.
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Entertainment
IKEA released a smart version of its viral Varmblixt donut lamp — I tried it
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In 2023, the internet was ablaze with IKEA’s Varmblixt lamp, aka the viral donut lamp. If you were among the crowd trekking to IKEA, attempting to find the donut lamp in stock, we’ve got some news for you — there’s a new version of the lamp to covet. At CES 2026, IKEA unveiled a smart version of its viral donut lamp. Now you can enjoy the same shape lamp in a whole new array of colors.
As the owner of an OG Varmblixt lamp, I’ve been waiting for the smart version to drop, and it’s finally here. And I got to go hands-on with the new donut lamp to see what it’s all about.
About the IKEA Varmblixt lamp
The OG Varmblixt lamp has the donut design, encased in a warm orange glass shade.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
The IKEA Varmblixt lamp first debuted in 2023, designed by Dutch artist Sabine Marcelis. Operating as either a table or wall lamp, the Varmblixt is crafted from orange glass, bringing gorgeous ambient glow to any room.
Differences between the OG and smart Varmblixt lamp
The new Varmblixt lamp has a glowing white light, compared to the warm orange of the original lamp.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
With the Varmblixt lamp getting the smart upgrade, it’s a slight departure from the original. The Varmblixt still has the same donut shape and can still be installed as a table or wall lamp. However, unlike the OG, it’s no longer orange. Instead, the updated smart Varmblixt has a matte white glass finish. The color instead comes from the inside with a color-changing bulb. The old Varmblixt has a simple on/off switch, while the new version has a remote to adjust the lamp’s color and brightness. Plus, the smart Varmblixt is a Matter device, meaning it will connect to any smart home hub.
How does the new Varmblixt lamp work?
The new Varmblixt doesn’t look as exciting from the outside with its white base. But once you turn on the lamp, you can adjust the color and brightness with the included remote.
Using the Varmblixt required a bit more trial and error than I anticipated because, as I should have expected, IKEA’s instructions were sparse. You don’t need a smart home hub to operate the Varmblixt, although it will connect to yours if you have one.
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In classic IKEA fashion, the remote didn’t come with explanation of its controls.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
If you don’t have a smart hub (or even if you do), use the included remote to turn the lamp on or off, adjust the color, and adjust the brightness. IKEA doesn’t provide instructions on which remote buttons do what. Luckily for you, I struggled through some trial-and-error, so you don’t need to.
The remote has two buttons, marked by a large dot and a small dot. To change the lamp’s color, double-click the large or small button. The large button moves you forward through the color wheel, but you can move back if you skip over a color you like, using the small button. To dim the light, hold the small button; to increase the brightness, hold the large button.
You can swap the Varmblixt bases
A cool feature of all Varmblixt lamps is that the base and glass shades are swappable. So, potentially, I could move the smart base to my existing orange shade, a huge boon for smart home aficionados who want to turn on the Varmblixt with their smart home hub.
How does the new Varmblixt look?
While the OG Varmblixt lamp embraced the warm, orange tones, the new smart version is notably cooler. The matte white shade is quite stark and bright, so to warm it up, adjust the color toward orange or red hues.
The full smart Varmblixt color range.
Credit: IKEA
The color palette of the Varmblixt is not as extensive as you’ll find in other smart light bulbs that let you choose from millions of hues. The IKEA colors are preprogrammed and tend to be cooler pastel shades. It’s a definite departure from the warmth of the original Varmblixt. Luckily, if you’re not into the cool pastels, the OG orange lamp is available.
Will I be swapping the new Varmblixt for the old?
While I don’t love the cool tone of the new Varmblixt lamp, I see its potential.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
The new smart Varmblixt lamp is a fun progression in the lamp’s lineup, but will I be swapping out my own? Probably not. We’re not big into smart home in my house, so I don’t get the benefit of its Matter connectivity. And while I like the new colors, I still prefer the OG’s warm orange shade that adds an ambient glow to my house. While I could see myself incorporating the new smart Varmblixt elsewhere in my home, it’s not going to take the OG’s spotlight.
Do I think the new light is worth it? Certainly. Especially for those excited about its smart home potential.
Entertainment
Kathy Hilton Shares the Style Rule She Passed Down to Paris and Nicky: 'You Don’t Need the Whole Kitchen Sink'
Less really is more, just ask Kathy Hilton.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star spilled the effortlessly chic beauty and style tips she passed down to daughters Paris, 45, and Nicky, 42, while hosting a fête for LoveShackFancy’s Sweetheart fragrance at her Bel Air, California home on March 20.
Though Hilton loves a glamorous moment (and throws a party like no other), she’s all about keeping things polished, and never overdone.
“A classic rule I’ve told Paris and Nicky is to be comfortable. I’d rather be a little underdressed than overdressed because you can always throw on fun earrings or change your shoes if you’re leaving work or getting off a plane,” she tells ET.
“You don’t want to come in with the whole kitchen sink and make a fool out of yourself. Dim it down a little bit. Just be fresh, pretty, and confident. That’s the best,” the entrepreneur continues.
Naturally, the mother-daughter trio shares more than just style advice, they share closets too.
“They can’t wear my shoes because I have a smaller foot, but they wear my jewelry, my accessories, and my handbags. … I recently borrowed a bag that was so cute from Paris. She was calling every day saying, ‘I’m going to come by and get my bag.’ … She knows her inventory and doesn’t forget, but I’m happy that she takes care of her things and that she’s appreciative,” the Bravo star says.
When it comes to what Hilton actually keeps in her purse, she leans into easy and practical items.
“I carry an eye mask that I found years ago at a drugstore in New York, pale pink silicone foot pads for comfort, my little fan, and my Lorna Murray hat because it gives an outfit a great look, makes me look a little bit taller, and keeps the sun off my face,” she explains.
“I’m also always trying the latest and newest product to moisturize my lips because they’re chronically dry, and I love the Revive neck cream and can’t put on makeup without it.”
Beyond her essentials, one thing Hilton never leaves the house without is a signature spritz.
“I spray my perfume at the end, but I make sure I don’t have pearls on. … I have a collection of fragrances. … There are ones I would wear to a ladies’ lunch, and others that are romantic and sexy that I would wear after 5 p.m. for dinner with my husband.”
Luckily, her current favorite works for just about any occasion.
“Sweetheart is so fruity and floral, and the bottle is the pinkest, most sparkly, and gorgeous. … It’s perfect for spring and summer because it’s happiness in a bottle. … I like to bring a little bit of summer everywhere I go. … Hot girl summer every day, even in the winter,” Rebecca Hessel Cohen, founder of LoveShackFancy, notes.
“It can take you anywhere. … It’s so beautiful that you want to just hold it or keep it on your dressing table,” Hilton continues.
Still, there is one area where Hilton doesn’t hold back: health and wellness.
“I do Tru Niagen IV treatments every week and take two of their supplements every day to give me energy. … I’m a mad professor with putting things together. I always have my lotions and potions, and everyone loves it. … My girls are very into it and it’s fun to compare notes.”
Through it all though, her philosophy stays grounded.
“I’ve always mixed high and low. I’m as happy at Target and Walmart as I am on the seventh floor of Bergdorf Goodman.”
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