Entertainment
Malcolm In The Middle Revival Completely Lives Up To Its Hype
By TeeJay Small
| Published
By now, we’re all sick of reboots, revivals, and legacy sequels. Sometimes it feels like Hollywood has no new ideas, and the entire industry is propped up on packaging our nostalgia for a time before we paid bills, and selling it back to us on a subscription-based model.
While I’m usually super wary of these things, I couldn’t help but tune in the very moment that Malcolm In The Middle: Life’s Still Unfair dropped on Hulu. Much to my surprise, the four-part reunion show actually holds up superbly, leaving me cautiously optimistic about the future of the franchise.
Malcolm’s Fourth-Wall Insecurities Still Prevail
In case you missed it, Life’s Still Unfair was announced all the way back in December of 2024, with nearly all of the original actors and producers returning to their respective roles. Breaking Bad‘s Bryan Cranston had been championing a return to the series for years, though I never thought I’d see the day that it would actually come to pass. The original Malcolm In The Middle series ended all the way back in 2006, so it was nice to see the old, no-last-name family aging into new roles, facing fresh challenges, and maturing in their own dysfunctional way.
Life’s Still Unfair picks up 20 years after we last saw Malcolm, finding him as a well-adjusted adult who has finally adapted to tolerate the stupidity of those around him. He’s a single father to a teenage girl, who seems to have inherited his otherworldly ability to break the fourth wall. Malcolm isn’t the President of the United States just yet, though he’s in the midst of making a “reluctant pivot” into politics, with a foundation in charity work. The only downside is that he can only keep his neurosis at bay by completely cutting off his entire family.
After spending the bulk of the first episode explaining his avoidance process, Malcolm’s charade is completely shattered. His parents, Lois and Hal, come barging into his home, not content to handle another wishy-washy email exchange. In doing so, we get several of the funniest moments in modern TV history, back, to back, to back. Lois, realizing she has a teenage granddaughter she’s never met, left me in stitches. Malcolm immediately losing his composure at the mere sight of his mother brought me right back to the early 2000s. Hal’s weepy, fainting spells had me genuinely crying.
Everyone brings their A-game to this reboot, but Bryan Cranston has to be my personal highlight. After spending years in other roles, including drug kingpin Walter White, it was shocking how seamlessly he blended right back into the same goofy, dorky, well-meaning Hal. Likewise, nearly everyone in the extended Malcolm In the Middle universe shows up for a cameo appearance without missing a beat. Stevie, Craig, Abe, and Francis’ old military school buddies feel so natural that it’s almost hard to believe they’ve been gone for two decades.
A Perfect Legacy Reboot
Most of these cameo appearances show up for the fourth and final episode of Life’s Still Unfair, at Hal and Lois’ explosive 40th anniversary party. It’s the perfect excuse to organically work all of the old characters back into the fold without making the experience feel like an obnoxious clip show. Meanwhile, we get a handful of new characters, including Malcom’s daughter and his younger, non-binary sibling, Kelly. Some viewers will complain that the brief mention of a non-binary person ruins the entire show, but Malcolm In The Middle has always struck a perfect balance between inclusive and realistic, so I thought it went over quite well.
My only major critique of Life’s Still Unfair is its uninspired shot composition and drab color grading. These things don’t ruin the show, and probably aren’t even noticeable to 90 percent of viewers, but it does strip the series of some of the original’s magic. Some social media users have slapped a filter on a few still images of the show to give it that warm, stylized, early 2000s look, and it’s a massive upgrade.
It’s Only Natural To Want More Of This Family
I’ve heard conflicting reports about the future of Malcolm In The Middle in the wake of the reunion special. Series creator Linwood Boomer has suggested that there are no plans to make more episodes, but there’s an uncanny backdoor pilot feel to the entire special. The introduction of new characters suggests, to my eye, that there might still be untapped adventures with this wild family, even if the original characters only serve as occasional guest stars. Either way, Life’s Still Unfair has courted millions of viewers, with Variety calling the show Disney+ and Hulu’s biggest premiere of the year.
It may not be perfect, it may not be for everybody, but I think Malcolm In The Middle: Life’s Still Unfair is a complete success. The four-part series is currently streaming on Hulu, along with the original show. I’d encourage any sitcom fan to give this one a shot, and maybe revisit a few of its classic episodes while you’re at it.
Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair SCORE
Entertainment
Chuck Norris' Insane, R-Rated 80s Action Flick Is Exploitative, Violent, And Awesome
By Robert Scucci
| Published
1985’s Invasion U.S.A. Holy crap, what a movie. Chuck Norris doesn’t kill terrorists. Terrorists kill themselves when they learn that Chuck Norris is coming for them. This movie was made possible by Cannon Films, the studio that also brought us 1987’s Masters of the Universe and 1989’s Cyborg. The latter was famously written in a single weekend by Albert Pyun after Masters of the Universe underperformed, its sequel plans fell apart, and Cannon needed to repurpose expensive sets and props in a last-ditch effort to recoup their losses.
In case you’re wondering what caliber film Invasion U.S.A. is, the above paragraph is all the explanation you need. It was written by Chuck Norris and James Bruner, and directed by Joseph Zito, best known for classic punishers like 1979’s Bloodrage, 1984’s Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, and 1984’s Missing in Action, another powerhouse Chuck Norris vehicle that sits with a 19 percent critical score on Rotten Tomatoes but is revered as a cult classic.
One Lone Badass Against Every Single Terrorist
Chuck Norris is retired CIA Agent Matt Hunter in Invasion U.S.A., and before things truly heat up, he’s totally fine with his quiet life. He rides around on his airboat with his best friend John Eagle (Dehl Berti), wrestles alligators, and rocks a full Canadian tuxedo like it’s standard issue. What Matt Hunter doesn’t know yet is that he’s about to be forced out of retirement when he learns that his old rival Mikhail Rostov (Richard Lynch) is back to his old tricks.
And what are Mikhail Rostov’s old tricks, you ask? It’s a bit convoluted, but here’s what I picked up after watching Invasion U.S.A., not knowing what I was getting into. Rostov, a Soviet terrorist, wants to create civil unrest in the United States. He first leaves his mark by posing as the Coast Guard and murdering a group of Cuban refugees. He then walks into a flop house, shoots a random dude in the dick, and throws a cocaine-addicted woman through a window.
By themselves, these sequences are unintentionally hilarious, but they also establish exactly what kind of menace Rostov is. These incidents are just the tip of the iceberg, because what he plans next is total anarchy. Rostov, haunted by nightmares of Matt Hunter finally delivering brutal justice, decides to assassinate him so he can finally stop looking over his shoulder. He screws it up, misses his target, blows up Hunter’s swamp house, and kills John Eagle in the process. That’s enough to bring Hunter out of retirement so he can make Rostov’s nightmare come true after all.
Rostov and his goons, thinking they’ve eliminated Matt Hunter, show up in suburban neighborhoods with bazookas and start blowing up random houses. They hit a mall with enough explosives to blow the Santa display into the stratosphere. They show up at public spaces and mow down people coming out of church. All of these acts of terror build toward race wars and full societal collapse. Chuck Norris drives around in his truck wearing driving gloves, because he needs to keep his hands fresh for combat.
More Collateral Damage Than You Could Ever Reasonably Count
Everything explodes in Invasion U.S.A. There is a very clear bad guy and good guy here, and Rostov has a very specific, very insane calling card. He shoots multiple people in the crotch as if it’s his signature move. He literally pulls down the waistband, inserts the muzzle, and starts blasting. Right in the family jewels. He does this a lot. It’s a perfect action movie if these are the kinds of thrills you seek. As Matt Hunter gets further into his crusade for justice, he stays stoic, confident, and ready to tell the higher-ups exactly what they need to do to make sure America rebuilds and remains a dominant world power.
It’s all so stupid, but it’s such a great flick to throw on with friends. The rewind-and-laugh-your-ass-off value on this one is off the charts, making it perfect for a group setting. If you want to celebrate one of Cannon’s most insane clunkers from the 80s, you can stream Invasion U.S.A. for free on Tubi as of this writing.
Entertainment
How to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Atletico Madrid vs. Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Atletico Madrid are fresh from beating Barcelona in the quarter-final stage of the Champions League. They’re going to come up against Arsenal in the next round, but first they face off against Real Sociedad in the final of the Copa del Rey.
Atletico Madrid are comfortably above their opponents in La Liga, but Real Sociedad possess the quality to beat any side on their best day. The likes of Mendez and Oyarzabal will likely cause problems for Diego Simeone’s team this weekend.
If you want to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Atletico Madrid vs. Real Sociedad?
Atletico Madrid vs. Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on April 18. This fixture takes place at the Estadio de La Cartuja.
Mashable Top Stories
How to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Real Sociedad for free
Atletico Madrid vs. Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final is available to live stream for free on ITVX.
ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to live stream the Copa del Rey for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Atletico Madrid vs. Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey for free by following these simple steps:
-
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
-
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
-
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
-
Visit ITVX
-
Watch Atletico Madrid vs. Real Sociedad for free from anywhere in the world
$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Copa del Rey without actually spending anything. This obviously isn’t a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Atletico Madrid vs. Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for ITVX?
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:
-
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
-
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
-
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
-
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
-
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
-
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Live stream Atletico Madrid vs. Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final for free with ExpressVPN.
Entertainment
How to watch Verona vs. AC Milan online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Verona vs. AC Milan in Serie A for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Serie A showcases a number of interesting matchups this weekend, including Verona vs. AC Milan. These teams are at either end of the table, so most fans will be expecting a comfortable victory for the visitors. There’s always the possibility that the slim chance of survival will drive Verona on to do something special at the Marcantonio Bentegodi.
If you want to watch Verona vs. AC Milan in Serie A for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Verona vs. AC Milan?
Verona vs. AC Milan in Serie A kicks off at 9 a.m. ET on April 19. This fixture takes place at the Marcantonio Bentegodi.
How to watch Verona vs. AC Milan for free
Verona vs. AC Milan in Serie A is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
Mashable Top Stories
BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Verona vs. AC Milan for free by following these simple steps:
-
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
-
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
-
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
-
Visit BBC iPlayer
-
Live stream Verona vs. AC Milan for free from anywhere in the world
$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Verona vs. AC Milan without committing with your cash. This isn’t a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from Serie A before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:
-
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
-
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
-
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
-
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
-
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
-
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Live stream Verona vs. AC Milan in Serie A for free with ExpressVPN.
Nolan Gorman's big blast offsets 3 Astros homers as Cards take opener
Heliot Ramos powers Giants past host Nationals
