The problem with the good old days is that you only recognize them after they’re over. It’s the same with being a kid; you don’t know how great life is without adult responsibilities, and it’s true that you’ll always have a soft spot for the movies you watched growing up. 90s kids are especially spoiled thanks to Robin Williams putting out Hook, Jumanji, Flubber, and Aladdin within the decade, but his most iconic and widely quoted to 90s kids is Mrs. Doubtfire. The 1993 blockbuster is now available on Netflix for a new generation to discover why he was one of the most beloved stars in history.
Robin Williams Is The Only Reason Mrs. Doubtfire Works
Odds Are You Can Hear This Image
Robin Williams was already a star before Mrs. Doubtfire thanks to his hit sitcom, Mork & Mindy, and years of high-profile movie roles from Good Morning Vietnam to Dead Poets Society, but a divorce comedy about a man so desperate to be with his children that he’d dress as an old British woman doesn’t sound like the highest-grossing film of the year, but that’s exactly what it was. As a down-on-his-luck actor Daniel Hillard, Williams carries the barebones plot through sheer force of will, which is good because when you stop to think about what’s really going on in the movie, Daniel is absolutely insane.
Posing as Mrs. Doubtfire becomes more difficult when his ex-wife, Miranda (Sally Field), starts dating again, but her rebound, Stu (Pierce Brosnan), is a fantastic guy who does nothing wrong throughout the film. His dislike of Daniel, even calling him a loser, is how anyone would react in his position. As a kid, all of that went over the heads of the target audience. Williams covering his face in whipped cream and unleashing that bizarre not-quite British accent was all that theater goers needed to lose their minds.
Still One Of The Greatest Family Comedies Of All Time
The low-stakes is a large part of the charm of Mrs. Doubtfire, which is oddly devoid of any real conflict. Daniel putting his life together in the oddest way possible is the entire point of the story, but you have to imagine if it were made today, more emphasis would be placed on the legal proceedings, maybe the threat of jail time, and of course, some social media influencer finding out about the scheme and going after Daniel about it. Thankfully, back in the 90s, Robin Williams being allowed to be Robin Williams was all that audiences needed.
Mrs. Doubtfire is a sentimental movie that wears its heart on its sleeve. That’s why it’s been one of the 90s’ most popular and enduring movies since its release over 30 years ago. On Rotten Tomatoes, it sits at a 70 percent critic rating and 77 percent audience rating, both of which seem, to 90s kids, far too low.
There will never be another performer like Robin Williams. The enthusiasm and pure joy he radiated every second on screen can not be duplicated. No matter what demons he battled throughout his life, Williams left a lasting legacy of timeless classics, including Mrs. Doubtfire, a film that would have crashed and burned with anyone else in the lead, which is still one of the greatest family comedies of all time.
Sony WH-CH520 headphones are down to under $50 at Amazon — save over $20 right now
SAVE OVER $20: As of Feb. 3, the Sony WH-CH520 headphones are on sale for $48 at Amazon. This is $21.99 off their list price of $69.99.
$48 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $21.99
If you’ve had a new pair of headphones on your shopping list this year, but don’t want to drop a lot of cash on something fancy, there are plenty of great budget options to consider. The Sony WH-CH520 headphones are included in that bunch — we even consider them the best on-ear budget headphones — and they’re on sale right now at Amazon.
As of Feb. 3, every available color of the Sony WH-CH520 headphones is discounted to $48 at Amazon. Considering they’re usually listed for $69.99, this deal allows you to save just over $20. On top of that, some colors are even back at their lowest-ever prices right now, such as the blue and white models.
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The Sony WH-CH520s boast solid sound quality and a battery life that can last up to 50 hours on a single charge. Our review from writer Alex Bracetti said they’re the “best headphones under $50 — period.” He continued on to say that they “surpass expectations by delivering broad connectivity, energetic sound, and longer playtimes than most luxury models.”
While they don’t come with noise-canceling features, and our roundup of the best budget headphones notes they feel “quite flimsy”, they are worth grabbing for their sound alone. In that regard, the roundup states that the “the audio quality of this Sony pair certainly packed a punch.”
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If you’re looking for headphones that offer great sound with a lighter price tag, this deal on the Sony WH-CH520 headphones is worth a look.
The Pokémon TCG: Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box is $15 off at Amazon
TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box is now just $91.80 at Amazon. That’s $15 off its usual $106.89 list price.
Credit: The Pokémon Company
$91.80 at Amazon
$106.89 Save $15.09
Elite Trainer Boxes tied to high-demand Pokémon TCG expansions don’t tend to hang around at discounted prices for long, and Phantasmal Flames has been no exception. As of Feb. 3, the Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box is down to $91.80 at Amazon. That’s $15 off its usual $106.89 list price.
Currently undercutting the cheapest listings available at TCGplayer by over $52, a Phantasmal Flames ETB at this price — compared to current market demand — is offering solid value for Pokémon trading card collectors and players alike.
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Like other Elite Trainer Boxes, this contains nine Phantasmal Flames booster packs, along with a full-art foil Charcadet promo card. You’ll also get 65 themed card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, a player’s guide to the expansion, six damage-counter dice, a competition-legal coin-flip die, and a sturdy collector’s box with dividers to keep everything organized.
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Considering that individual Phantasmal Flames booster packs on Amazon currently cost $9.87, you’re essentially getting the Charcadet promo card and all the other bonuses from the ETB for only an extra $2.97 — a great deal if you’re both aiming to get caught up on the expansion and be equipped for real-life play at the same time.
A Winter Playlist for Walks/Fires/Reading on the Sofa
Last night, my friend Claire and I went to play trivia at a local bar. Are you good at trivia? I never know things like who was president when, but I was able to identify what fairy tale had a villain known simply as the Evil Queen and name all five Great Lakes. “I self-identify as smart,” my friend Rob told me yesterday. “But I’m truly terrible at trivia.” Made me laugh. Are you the same?
Anyway, the third round was all about music. The host played 30 seconds of each song, and you had to name the artist or band. One was Ella Fitzgerald, another was UB40; and the exercise got me in the mood to make a playlist. So, my loves, here’s a winter playlist for you, if you’d like something to listen to while taking a shower, making dinner, or reading in bed.