Posts Written by Lambert Varias

Gear Tags are Matador’s weatherproof version of luggage tags. Their straps are made from Hypalon rubber, making them waterproof, dustproof, tear-resistant, and impact-resistant. Their writing surface works with most pens, though Matador recommends using a permanent fine-tip marker like a Sharpie. Each pack comes with two Gear Tags.

“Jumanji is a series of jungle emergencies! And we, sir, are not prepared for that!” Kristen Wiig returned to host Saturday Night Live for the fifth time this past weekend. One of the episode’s skits sees Wiig refuse to play board games because of what happened in the movie Jumanji. And yeah, Beverly, we’re talking about the true Jumanji. Jumanji Jumanji.

Lorde provides her take on Talking Heads’ cover of Al Green’s Take Me to the River. It’s chill and minimalist, but you can still chicken bop to it. The single is part of A24’s upcoming tribute album, which will feature covers of songs that Talking Heads played in their 1984 concert fil Stop Making Sense. The list of artists is on A24’s Instagram page.

Customizing is the point of modern mechanical keyboards. But Wired In’s Protagonist takes it to a different level. This 60% keyboard has a swappable hybrid faceplate and case top called a keyframe. Not only does the keyframe come in a ton of colors and material options, it also comes in Winkey, Winkeyless and HHKB layouts.

Skate shoes are always a safe bet for sneakers that can take a beating. Now we have that durability to go with the comfort and fit of a knit upper, thanks to Vans and skater Anthony “AVE” Van Engelen. The AVE 2.0 has a sock-like upper, TPU reinforcement, a cushioned midsole, and Vans’ trademark sticky waffle outsole. It comes in either cream or black.

NileBlue wanted to recreate grapples: apples that taste like grapes. You’d think it would be a complicated process involving genetics and plant breeding, but it turns out to be a hilariously simple task. We’re not going to spoil it, but the video ends up explaining why grapples are not around anymore and why you shouldn’t try making your own.

We love IFL Watches’ custom colored G-Shock watches. Good thing they expanded the collection using the thin and sporty 43mm GMA-S2100 as their base. The playful rainbow accents on the dial and bezels contrast nicely with the all black case, but there are also see through and other colorways in the CasiOak Mini Collection.

“And we said nay, we are but men.” Polyphonic’s April Fools’ video is only partly silly. In it, he explores the references, metaphors, and themes in Tenacious D’s seminal song Tribute. It’s a surprisingly rich dive with lots of interesting trivia. It ends with a pragmatic reflection on chasing perfection versus finding fulfillment in the act of creation itself.

Samsung made a little brother for the Frame TV. Behind the Music Frame’s 8″ x 10″ photo holder is a surprisingly punchy Dolby Atmos speaker. It has two tweeters, two mid-range drivers, and two subwoofers. It can stream music from most services including Spotify and Chromecast, as well as via Bluetooth.

“Get smart the dumb way.” So goes the tag line for Dropout’s upcoming web series, Smartypants. The show sees the comedy network’s rotating cast of members try to educate, convince, or blow each other’s minds on any topic using good ol’ PowerPoint. Learn why vegetables don’t exist, which birthday is happiest, and more starting 4.25.24.

Solo developer Dan Govier is promising both scale and detail in this ambitious sandbox game. He claims that he’s designing the spaceships as if they were real-world naval vessels, including having full wiring and plumbing. To top it off, the game is set in a 1:1 scale adaptation of the Milky Way, filled with other systems and life forms. A demo is out now on Steam.

“Why have a conversation when you can just… hit ’em with the belt!” SNL pokes fun at the sometimes cruel and odd sentiments that immigrant fathers have about their sons, all while doting over their daughters. Guest host Ramy Youssef did a good job, but Marcello Hernandez stole the show with his rapid-fire outbursts. Spanish dad rap goes hard.

Proof’s 72-Hour Merino Travel Pant promises to ward off water and odors for up to 3 days, not just when you forget to wash it. Its Merino wool blend fabric and a water-repellent finish will keep you feeling and smelling fresh even in harsh outdoor environments. The gusseted crotch and back zip pocket make them more dependable for traveling light.

The Hierro v8 took the best of New Balance’s running shoes and turned them into all-terrain beaters. The tried-and-tested combo of a lightweight textile upper and the Fresh Foam midsole will keep you comfortable, while the thick and grippy Vibram outsole will help you keep the pace up no matter where you choose to go.

Janus Films presents a digitally restored 4K version of one of the most influential noir films of all time. Jean-Pierre Melville’s 1967 film Le Samouraï has it all: a cool and quiet hitman, austere cinematography, calculated actions over expository dialogue, and a head-scratching mystery. Premieres 4.5.24.

Do you often find yourself buying a helmet? Jokes aside, these retro helmet bags from Japanese brand Post O’Alls do have more space than most packable bags, with two buttoned front pockets along with the zipped main compartment. We love the iridescent navy and khaki variants, but there’s also a more discreet black.

The residents of a rural town are powerless to stop the construction of a glamping site in their area. It may seem like a tragic but cliche tale of man destroying nature, but Evil Does Not Exist builds up to a different and equally disturbing observation. A quiet thriller from Drive My Car writer and director Ryusuke Hamaguchi. Premieres 5.3.24.

If building a gaming PC is out of your budget at the moment, manifest that machine with this neat kit from LEGO knockoff brand Pantasy. The kit has a surprising amount of detail and distinct parts, including a motherboard, GPU, and storage drives. It even has an RGB light. Pantasy also has equally impressive 90s PC and 80s PC kits.

Don’t be fooled by the LG Cinebeam Q’s throwback design. It’s packed with features that allow you to enjoy a 4K 120″ screen anywhere. One of the smallest 4K laser projectors in the market, it has a 360° handle that doubles as a stand and a lightning fast automatic screen adjustment. It runs LG’s webOS smart TV platform, and supports AirPlay 2 and Miracast.

You probably know that Nintendo came up with the A and B buttons in video game controllers. But did you know that they were not the first to use Start and Select? Or that we have Sega to thank for the ergonomics of the Xbox controller layout? Learn all that and more from YouTuber Lextorias’ deep dive into the origins of video game controller buttons.

Anker’s compact MagGo power bank delivers up to 15W wireless charging for Qi-compatible devices. The 10,000mAh portable charger can also recharge devices via USB-C. Its sturdy folding stand makes it easy to use your device while charging, and its compact display shows its remaining capacity by percentage and duration.

(PG-13: Language) “Are you ever so horny you’re like, “I can figure out Palestine”?” Ramy Youssef had more to say after his 2019 standup special. Then everything happened. And is still happening. But the comedian went ahead with More Feelings anyway, giving us a bit of release while sharing the lose-lose situation of a celebrity trying to help out. Out now on Max.

Hexcal makes a strong case for a $900 desk shelf. The Hexcal Studio isn’t just a fancy monitor riser. It has eight AC outlets (each with its own circuit breaker), two USB charging ports, a wireless charger, a 40″ wide chamber for routing and storing cables and adapters, two USB passthrough ports, and an adjustable LED lamp below its top surface.