Entertainment
Unhinged R-Rated 2000s Thriller With Stacked Cast Is The Strangest Film You’ve Never Seen
By Robert Scucci
| Published
There’s one album that will forever be my white whale, and it’s Captain Beefheart’s 1969 disasterpiece, Trout Mask Replica. It’s one of those albums that’s considered unlistenable garbage or the work of a complete genius, depending on who you ask. It blends genres, polyrhythms, polytones, and whether you like it or not, it’s considered one of the most challenging records in 20th century music. I agree with this assessment because there’s so much going on that either Don Van Vliet (Captain Beefheart himself) secretly knows something nobody else does and he’s trying to speak to us through code, or he’s certifiably off his rocker. Maybe he was both.
This is all to say that I think I found the cinematic equivalent of Trout Mask Replica, and it comes in the form of 2001’s Hotel, a film that forces you to find meaning through the talent involved. The ensemble cast includes, but is not limited to, John Malkovich, David Schwimmer, Salma Hayek, Rhys Ifans, Burt Reynolds, and Lucy Liu, and their performances are all frenetic, unhinged, and absolutely wild.
The movie itself is set almost entirely in or around the titular hotel in Venice, Italy, and the plot increases in complexity because we’re pretty much seeing everything from the perspective of the hotel. Think of it like Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, but if it were an avant-garde jazz album performed by musicians who only caught a brief glimpse of the chord chart after it was set on fire and blasted with a high-pressure fire hose.
Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Like the Beefheart album, I don’t really have an answer. I’m glad art like this exists because sometimes you just need it to take a leap, and for writer-directors like Mike Figgis to come up with something so unhinged that its influence will be felt long after it’s forgotten.
Several Movies In One, But They’re All Incomplete
Unpacking the plot to Hotel is no easy feat, but I’ll break it down to its barest components for the sake of brevity. While staying at the Venice hotel with his film crew, writer-director Trent Stoken (Rhys Ifans) constantly butts heads with his overbearing producer Jonathan Danderfine (David Schwimmer). They’re filming an adaptation of The Duchess of Malfi, and their production is rife with issues, ranging from talent refusing to stick to the script to heavy implications that Trent has a bit of a drinking problem. At least I can’t think of any other reason why Jonathan demands to smell his breath whenever he arrives late to the set.
After a freak accident involving Trent getting shot in the spine, with no exit wound or bullet ever found, the writer-director falls into a coma, forcing Jonathan to helm the film even though he has no talent beyond wearing a bunch of rings and looking like a henchman from a straight-to-VHS action thriller.
Meanwhile, documentarian Charlee Boux (Salma Hayek), whose initial project was capturing behind-the-scenes footage of the movie, finds a much more compelling story demanding her attention: the hotel staff are cannibals, storing human meat in their walk-in coolers. The film’s opening sequence features John Malkovich’s Omar Johnson checking into the same hotel and slowly realizing the meal he’s eating is probably made of people. The fact that we never see him again after this scene suggests whoever’s staying at the hotel probably already ate him, or he’s at least marinating at one of the prep stations.
There’s so much more going on in Hotel, but unpacking everything here would be an exercise in futility. The plots all intersect at one point or another, but they’re not always supposed to, as far as I can tell. Instead, it feels like we’re getting a slice-of-life presentation through different mediums and guests as they come and go from their private spaces to the public ones they’re obligated to occupy.
Roger Ebert Compared It To Jazz Improv
When commenting on Hotel, Roger Ebert said, “It reminds me above all of a competitive series of jazz improvisations, in which the musicians quote from many sources and the joy comes in the way they’re able to keep their many styles alive in the same song.”
I wholeheartedly agree with Ebert’s assessment, which is why I opened this review bloviating about Captain Beefheart (It’s not a mid-life crisis, I swear!). For a film this weird and obscure to not even have a critical or audience score on Rotten Tomatoes despite its star power, my takeaway is that this whole thing is a disjointed mess by design.
Oftentimes we see four perspectives on screen at the same time, like you’re playing a multiplayer video game, with each window unfolding in a different location. Other times, we get anywhere from two to four perspectives, but they’re all following the same person or group from different angles, as if to make you wonder whether there’s something just over somebody’s shoulder you should be paying attention to.
My favorite part about Hotel is how it changes aspect ratio as a visual shorthand to let you know who’s in control of the narrative. We get a lot of split-screen footage when they’re working on The Duchess of Malfi, a tight square whenever we see what Charlee’s looking at, and so on. In many cases, these perspectives overlap, making me think this hotel has the same kind of power as the Overlook did in The Shining.
Hotel isn’t a story about a bunch of people trying to make a movie in Italy. In fact, it hardly tells a story at all. What we’re witnessing, though, isn’t insignificant. It’s an exercise in shifting perspective and showing how chaotic life becomes when it doesn’t stick to the script. Visually, you can see its influence in music videos, with Blink-182’s “Always” being the most well-known example that comes to mind. There’s plenty more where that came from, though.
Listen, you may not appreciate what Hotel is trying to accomplish at face value, but if you decide to fire this one up on Tubi, where it’s streaming for free, I want you to think about what it actually does, and where else you’ve seen its influence over the last 25 years. You might be surprised.
Entertainment
Prime members can get a free e-book every month with Amazon First Reads: See the thrilling July 2026 picks
Table of Contents
Summer vacation season is upon us. As you’re packing your swimsuit and sunscreen, don’t forget to pack your e-reader with plenty of summer reads. Luckily, Amazon just dropped its July First Reads lineup.
Prime members who also happen to be bookworms can maximize their monthly reading with the Amazon First Reads program. Similar to Book of the Month, every month, Amazon First Reads drops a new collection of discounted titles. However, unlike Book of the Month, these books are totally free for Prime Members. Here’s everything you need to know about Amazon First Reads.
What is Amazon First Reads?
Amazon First Reads is a monthly program in which eight to 10 editor-selected books are offered free to Prime members. Members are allowed to choose one book per month, which is then added to their library. Non-Prime members can still join in on the fun, but they have to pay $1.99 for their book pick.
Featured Amazon First Reads books are totally free at checkout for Prime members.
Credit: Screenshot: Amazon / Mashable composite
Some months, like Prime Day’s July (or June) and Black Friday’s November, offer two free books. And in others, you can select a free short story with your one free e-book.
To select your book, visit the Amazon First Reads home page to browse the options. As a Prime Member, you’ll see the option to “read now for free ” when you go to purchase the titles. Once you make your selection, it’ll automatically be added to your Kindle library.
Which books are featured in Amazon First Reads?
Among the eight to ten books selected each month, the book editors at Amazon provide a variety of genres for every reader. The books are typically new or soon-to-be-released books — many of the books are published under one of Amazon’s publishing imprints, so they’re exclusive to Amazon’s shelves.
In addition to the full-length books offered each month, there’s typically a short story available, too, exclusive to read through the Kindle Store. You’ll find familiar names in the First Reads collections. Past authors include Abby Jimenez, Rebecca Yarros, Lee Child, Fredrik Backman, Alice Hoffman, and Dean Koontz.
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Kindle Unlimited members are able to read most of the previous First Reads picks for free, so if there are multiple each month that you want to add to your digital bookshelf, consider a Kindle Unlimited membership.
July 2026 Amazon First Reads books
July’s First Reads includes a short story from Peter James and an array of thrillers, romance, and fiction.
Credit: Screenshot / Amazon
July’s First Reads lineup brings more fun stories for your summer reading list. The July deals feature nine novels and one short read.
This month’s short read, John Grebble Is Gone, comes from Sunday Times bestselling author Peter James. It follows John Grebble, who wakes up to find he’s been declared dead. He realizes this was no accident — someone intentionally tried to erase him, and he’s on a quest to figure out who.
But there are plenty more books to choose from, including a cozy mystery, The Oxford Detective Society, which is the first book in the Lyssa Moore Mysteries series.
Here are all of the First Reads deals for July 2026:
Do you need a Kindle for Amazon First Reads?
All of the books selected are technically purchased through the Kindle Store. But does that mean you need a Kindle to read them?
Nope! No Kindle e-reader is necessary to read books collected through First Reads. All books purchased through the Kindle Store are available in the Kindle app, which can be read on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
However, if you’re asking if you should get a Kindle, that’s a different question. While a Kindle is not required to enjoy the bounty of the Kindle store, it is our favorite e-reader brand if you’re in the market.
Entertainment
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 3, 2026
Today’s Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you watch international soccer.
As we’ve shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the “common threads between words.” And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we’ve served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today’s puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
What is Connections: Sports Edition?
The NYT‘s latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication’s sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
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Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there’s only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.
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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
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Here’s a hint for today’s Connections: Sports Edition categories
Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
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Yellow: Skill move
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Green: Trustworthy
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Blue: Famous Dodgers
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Purple: In the bullpen
Here are today’s Connections: Sports Edition categories
Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:
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Yellow: Move to Evade a Defender
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Green: Dependable
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Blue: Dodgers in the Baseball Hall of Fame, Familiarly
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Purple: Pitching____
Looking for Wordle today? Here’s the answer to today’s Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today’s puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today’s Connections: Sports Edition #648 is…
What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
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Move to Evade a Defender: DEKE, JUKE, SIDESTEP, SPIN
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Dependable: CONSISTENT, RELIABLE, STEADY, UNFAILING
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Dodgers in the Baseball Hall of Fame, Familiarly: DUKE, JACKIE, PEE WEE, SANDY
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Pitching____: COACH, MACHINE, STAFF, WEDGE
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Connections.
Entertainment
NYT Pips hints, answers for July 3, 2026
Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.
Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.
Currently, if you’re stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.
How to play Pips
If you’ve ever played dominoes, you’ll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we’ve shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don’t necessarily have to match.
The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.
Here are common examples you’ll run into across the difficulty levels:
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Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.
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Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.
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Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.
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Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.
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Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.
If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.
Easy difficulty hints, answers for July 3 Pips
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.
Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed vertically.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally.
Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally.
Medium difficulty hints, answers for July 3 Pips
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.
Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally.
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Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.
Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 3-6, placed horizontally.
Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 3-6, placed horizontally.
Hard difficulty hints, answers for July 3 Pips
Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally.
Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed horizontally.
Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.
Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 2-0, placed horizontally.
Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.
Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.
Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.
Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
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