Vodafone’s (LSE: VOD) 8% share price jump on the back of its 11 November H1 2025/26 results looked well-founded to me. And it is still around levels not seen since May 2023.
That said, I believe there remains a major gap between the stock’s price and its value. And in my experience, all asset prices tend to converge to their ‘fair value’ over the long term.
So, how much exactly is this gap?
What’s the stock’s true worth?
There can often be a big difference between a company’s share price and the value of that stock.
This is because price is simply whatever people are willing to pay for a stock. But value reflects the true worth of the underlying business’s fundamentals.
The discounted cash flow method uses cash flow projections for the underlying business to ascertain where any stock should trade.
Additionally positive for me is that it does so on a standalone basis. This means that it does not reflect any over- or undervaluations in the business sector in which it operates. This can happen with comparative valuation measure, such as price-to-earnings and the like.
In Vodafone’s case, the DCF shows its shares are a massive 66% undervalued at their current 94p.
Therefore, their fair value is £2.76.
What’s the market waiting for?
The current price-to-valuation gap has opened up due to market caution, I think. Vodafone is in the middle of a major transformation, and there are risks involved. This change comes from its merger with Three, with the new ‘VodafoneThree’ entity starting on 1 June.
The foundation stone of this new venture will be £11bn invested over 10 years to create Europe’s most advanced 5G network. £1.3bn will be invested in the first year to this end.
The aim is to secure the market leadership position in the UK over EE and O2.
The risk here is that this merger will fail in one respect or another. This could be financially costly in the short-term and could damage its reputation long term as well.
However, the analysts’ consensus forecast is that Vodafone’s earnings (or ‘profits’) will jump a colossal 62% a year to end 2027/28.
And it is precisely this growth that drives any firm’s share price (and dividends) higher over time.
How the recent numbers look
The H1 results released on 11 November looked solid enough to me for a company undergoing such a transition.
Revenue increased 7.3% year on year to €19.609bn (£17.29bn). This was driven by strong service revenue growth and the consolidation of Three UK.
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation, and leases (EBITDAaL) rose 5.9% to €5.728bn.
On the back of these figures, the firm now expects to deliver the upper end of its guidance ranges. More specifically, these are for adjusted EBITDAaL of €11.3bn-€11.6bn and adjusted free cash flow of €2.4bn-€2.6bn.
My investment view
The only reason I am not buying Vodafone shares is that I already own BT stock. Buying another telecoms firm would unbalance the risk-reward profile of my portfolio.
So, I am looking at other deeply discounted, high growth stocks.
But for investors without my portfolio issue, I think Vodafone is well worth considering.
A dental expert has issued a warning that mouth ulcers which refuse to heal could signal something far more sinister, as oral and throat cancer cases surge nationwide. While cold weather, weakened immunity and stress can trigger more ulcers during winter months, any lesion persisting beyond two weeks demands immediate attention, according to Dr Andrej Bozic, oral surgeon at Dentum in Croatia, which caters to hundreds of British patients annually.
“Most ulcers are harmless and clear within a week or two,” he explained. “But if one persists, bleeds, or keeps coming back in the same spot, it’s a red flag that shouldn’t be dismissed.”
Why persistent ulcers pose serious risks
Whilst the majority of mouth ulcers stem from stress, friction or inadvertently biting the cheek, stubborn sores may occasionally indicate early-stage oral or throat cancer – particularly amongst smokers, heavy drinkers or those with HPV (human papillomavirus). These cancer rates are climbing sharply throughout the UK.
The Oral Health Foundation reports mouth cancer diagnoses have doubled over the past two decades, while HPV-linked throat cancers now rank amongst the fastest-rising cancer types, especially affecting men.
“These cancers often start small and painless,” Dr Bozic said. “You might not feel unwell, so the temptation is to wait and see if it heals. But catching it early makes all the difference.”
He highlighted that dentists and oral surgeons are often the first to identify early tissue changes – including white or red patches, ulcers that don’t heal, or thickened areas inside the mouth.
The warning signs to look for
Dr Bozic advises anyone to seek a check-up immediately if they notice:
A mouth ulcer that lasts longer than two weeks
A lump, patch or sore spot that keeps recurring in the same area
Pain or difficulty swallowing
A lump in the neck or under the jaw
“If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t wait for it to hurt,” he recommended. “Early detection gives the best chance of full recovery.”
Simple steps to stay safe
Dr Bozic stated that keeping up with regular six-monthly dental check-ups is one of the simplest ways to ensure early detection of serious conditions.
“Your dentist isn’t only checking for cavities,” he said. “We’re also trained to spot early signs of cancer, infections and other diseases that may first appear inside the mouth.”
He also suggests maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol – both significant risk factors for oral and throat cancers – and ensuring HPV vaccination for young people.
“Most ulcers are nothing to worry about,” Dr Bozic added. “But if one refuses to heal, don’t wait. Getting it checked could save your life.”
The First Church of Springfield is in need of a new organist: TVLine has confirmed that Alice Glick, whose first appearance on the animated comedy dates back to 1991, officially died in the Sunday, Nov. 16 episode.
“In a sense, Alice the organist will live forever, through the beautiful music she made. But in another, more important sense, yep she’s dead as a doornail,” executive producer Tim Long tells TVLine in a statement.
If you missed the episode, here’s how it all went down (so to speak): The episode began midway through a typical church service, with Reverend Lovejoy’s sermon building to a characteristically droll climax. He assumed that Alice was merely being overzealous when a bang from the organ interrupted his preaching, only to discover Alice’s lifeless body slumped over the enormous instrument. The discovery was met with gasps from members of the congregation, many of whom have been enjoying Alice’s music for more than three decades.
The episode then cut to Springfield Elementary, where Principal Skinner accurately introduced Alice to the student body as “a dead lady you’ve never met.” Despite this, Alice apparently left all of her money to the school, with specific plans to fund a new music program — because she was always an angel.
Fox
We know what you’re probably thinking right now: If the school held a memorial for Alice, why is her death even a question? Not to get all Comic Book Guy about it, but our girl has been in a similar situation before, having previously “died” back in Season 22 at the hands of a rogue Robopet. Alice has made several appearances since then, both as a ghost and as a live woman, leaving fans to question her place both in the world of “The Simpsons.” Now, we can confidently say that Alice has rocked out to her last hymn.
The elderly organist made her debut in Season 2’s “Three Men and a Comic Book,” originally voiced by the late, great Cloris Leachman. “Simpsons” staple Tress MacNeille took over the role in subsequent appearances.
We can’t tell you how to feel right now (grief is complicated!), but we think the best way to honor Alice’s memory is to rewatch her most iconic moment — and a classic “Simpsons” moment in general — from a Season 7 episode in which Bart tricks the congregation into singing a Biblical version of Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” If you aren’t holding a lighter up during Alice’s organ solo, do you even appreciate real music?
Your thoughts on the passing — for real this time — of another longtime “Simpsons” character? Drop them in a comment below.
President Trump pledged that prices will come down in a speech to owners, operators and suppliers of his beloved McDonald’s Monday.
Trump’s address at the fast-food giant’s Impact Summit in Washington, DC, comes as concerns over his handling of the economy and the cost of living have mounted.
“Prices are coming down,” the president claimed.
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures at the McDonald’s Impact Summit at the Westin Hotel in Washington, D.C.. REUTERSTrump touted his investment and trade deals, arguing that the economy would’ve been a “catastrophe” and the country may have gone “bankrupt” if he’d lost to former Vice President Kamala Harris. Getty Images
“I will tell you that nobody has done what we’ve done in terms of pricing,” Trump argued. “We took over a mess. We had the highest inflation in the history of our country … and now we have normal inflation.”
Inflation ticked up to 3% in September over the past 12 months – the highest rate since the start of this year.
The Economist’s famed “Big Mac” index, which tracks the average price of the Golden Arches’ iconic burger, shows the sandwich cost $6.01 in July, up from $5.69 a year ago.
The surge in price comes as the cost of ground beef went up to an average of $6.32 in September — up from $5.67 a year before, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Last week, the Trump administration eased tariffs on imports of beef, coffee, tropical fruits and other food products to help ease affordability concerns.
Trump argued that McDonald’s employees “know the people of our country better than anybody.” REUTERS
“We have it down to a low level,” Trump said of inflation. “But we’re going to get it a little bit lower. We want perfection.”
The president, describing himself to the audience as “one of your all-time, most loyal customers,” said he’d heard from CEO Chris Kempczinski that “prices at McDonald’s are coming down,” as well.
Trump touted his investment and trade deals, arguing that the economy would’ve been a “catastrophe” and the country may have gone “bankrupt” if he’d lost to former Vice President Kamala Harris last November.
“You are so damn lucky that I won that election,” he said.
Then-Republican presidential nominee Trump works the drive-through line during a campaign photo op as he visits a McDonald’s restaurant in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania. Getty Images
Trump, who served french fries at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s during the 2024 election campaign, quipped that he’s “the very first former McDonald’s frycook to ever become president of the United States.”
“It was not that easy!” he said of working the drive-thru.
Trump argued that McDonald’s employees “know the people of our country better than anybody.”
“Before the sun rises, you’re serving hot coffee to construction workers, nurses and police officers on the way to the job,” he said. “In the evening, you stand ready with the fast dinner and the smile for busy moms and their children as they race from school to soccer practice.
“And late at night your lights are on, and the only one still glowing when the long haul trucker pulls up for a good meal and the best Coca-Cola in America.”
Trump suggested that his go-to McDonald’s item is their Filet-O-Fish — heavy on one condiment.
“I like the fish,” he said. “You could do a little bit more tartar sauce.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently warned that America faces a “1939 moment” — a “moment of mounting urgency,” cheers The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board, which hopes this “translates into fixing how the US military fields equipment.”
“Hegseth says the Administration is aiming to ‘rebuild the arsenal of freedom,’ ” adjusting “buying strategies” as new tech evolves, boosting competition and awarding longer contracts to assure companies that expanding production will pay off.
Alas, “the Administration isn’t proposing a defense budget that shows investors the Pentagon is serious”; defense spending is just 3% of the economy, down from 6% in the 1980s.
Yet if President Trump can launch “a revolution in military contracting affairs, it would be one of the biggest achievements in his second term.”
Conservative: ‘Socialism of Fools’ Reborn
“Western leftists” have “celebrated” Zohran Mamdani’s “storming to power” as a triumph of “millennial socialism” just as fervently as they hailed the “mass murder of socialists on a kibbutz in Israel,” fumes Spiked’s Brendan O’Neill.
Israeli kibbutzim, long recognized as “living, breathing exercises in ‘radical democracy’” and one of the only “successful models of socialism,” reveal an “unpalatable truth” about “what passes for ‘socialism’ in bourgeois circles today.”
The “ridiculous” appearance of “Fisher-Price revolutionaries of the Ivy League” cheering on the “slaughter of peace activists and ageing leftists” speaks to the “ugly rebirth of the socialism of fools.”
Israelphobia “holds the Jewish nation responsible for the ills of the entire world,” and “is a story of our moral decline, not Israel’s.”
Libertarian: Beware Lina Khan’s Power Grab
Under former Federal Trade Commission chief Lina Khan’s “influence, we can expect the future Mamdani mayoral administration to get creative — and, perhaps, unconstitutional — in its application of existing laws and authorities,” warns Reason’s Elizabeth Nolan Brown.
“Khan is ‘exploring ways to maximize . . . Mamdani’s executive authority through little-used laws already in place,’ as Bloomberg put it,” which has “a particularly chilling ring when applied to Mandami, a Democratic Socialist” and Khan, who as FTC chair “attempted to do through an executive agency things that should have been left to Congress.”
Khan recently spoke “about how her time at the FTC taught her there were ‘unused and underused’ powers that she could wield, and she wanted to find out the full extent of authority that would be possible for Mandami as mayor.”
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Democrat: The Last Days of Chuck Schumer
Democrats “seem unable to agree on much” except for ensuring that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s “leadership position is increasingly untenable as he comes under fire from both moderates and his left flank,” grumbles Douglas E. Schoen at The Hill.
“After eight Democrats broke with their party to reopen the government,” both factions insist: “He must resign.”
Progressives fault Schumer for failing “to rein in the ‘defectors’”; moderates grumble “that he engineered the longest shutdown ever for nothing.”
Polling shows Schumer would “suffer a historic defeat in a primary against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.”
By trying to please “both wings of the Democratic Party,” he “often ended up with nobody happy and everybody angry.”
Instead, Schumer should’ve “been more focused on delivering Democratic priorities.”
Eye on Europe: EU Censorship Clampdown
The European Commission’s new Democracy Shield “is just the latest vision in unfreedom: suppressing dissent and policing speech under the pretext of defending democracy from foreign interference and fake news,” thunders Thomas Fazi at Unherd.
It’s part of a bid “to control the narrative at a time when Europe’s political elites are facing unprecedented levels of public distrust, by centralizing control over the flow of information and imposing a single ‘truth’ defined by Brussels.
In short, the European Commission is building a continent-wide censorship machine.”
EC President Ursula von der Leyen “is, in effect, buying consensus — and using citizens’ own money to do it — collapsing the boundaries between the European superstate, media, civil society and academia.”
The 2025 CMA Awards nominations have already set the tone for one of the most competitive ceremonies in years. Leading this year’s contenders are Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley and Megan Moroney, who each earned six nods across major categories, followed closely by breakout favorite Zach Top with five. The lineup reflects a dynamic year in country music, highlighting both chart-topping veterans and fast-rising newcomers.
Wilson will also return as this year’s host, continuing her standout run at the CMAs. And with performers such as Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban already on the bill, anticipation for Nashville’s biggest night—taking place on November 19, 2025—continues to build.
Below, see the full list of nominees for the 2025 CMA Awards.
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
Album of the Year
Am I Okay? — Megan Moroney (Producer: Kristian Bush)
Cold Beer & Country Music — Zach Top (Producer: Carson Chamberlain)
F-1 Trillion — Post Malone (Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins)
I’m the Problem — Morgan Wallen (Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi, Joe Reeves)
Whirlwind — Lainey Wilson (Producer: Jay Joyce)
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Morgan Wallen
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War & Treaty
New Artist of the Year
Ella Langley
Shaboozey
Zach Top
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Single of the Year
“4x4xU” — Lainey Wilson
“Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” — Luke Combs
“Am I Okay?” — Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie” — Zach Top
“you look like you love me” — Ella Langley & Riley Green
Song of the Year
“4x4xU” — (Writers: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson)
“Am I Okay?” — (Writers: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney)
“I Never Lie” — (Writers: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top)
If you’re yearning for a retreat where lush green landscapes meet quaint cobbled lanes and a comforting cup of tea is never far away, then one town should be at the pinnacle of your wish list.
This charming spot nestled in the Yorkshire Dales has gained fame in its own right, owing to its portrayal as the fictional Darrowby in Channel 5’s ‘All Creatures Great and Small’. Devotees of the series will instantly recognise the familiar streets and stone-faced shops.
However, even if you’ve never tuned into an episode, the actual town of Grassington has plenty to charm any visitor. For families, it offers the ideal mix of adventure and wholesome excursions.
Begin in the lively village square, where independent boutiques and inviting cafes, including the Cake House, beckon you to stay awhile.
Not to mention the authentic North Yorkshire pubs where the welcome is hearty, the servings are ample, and the ale is plentiful. The inns of Grassington are the lifeblood of the village, from the Gamekeeper’s Inn to Grassington House, providing everything from blazing fires and Sunday roasts to locally brewed beers and family-friendly meals, reports the Mirror.
Whether you’re nestling into a cosy nook after a lengthy stroll or savouring a meal in a bustling pub where locals exchange tales across the tables, it’s the sort of place where time seems to stand still.
Many visitors insist that the pubs alone justify the journey, particularly if you’re seeking a genuine taste of Dales hospitality.
Grassington, with its quaint village allure, swiftly transitions into the enchanting countryside. The surrounding Dales are perfect for family strolls, from tranquil riverside walks along the Wharfe to more daring trails leading up to Linton Falls.
The falls themselves are a mere stone’s throw from the village, offering breathtaking views, particularly after a heavy downpour.
Children delight in watching the water cascade over the rocks, and parents appreciate that this stunning spot doesn’t necessitate a lengthy hike.
For families with a fondness for wildlife, Grass Wood Nature Reserve is an absolute must-visit. This ancient woodland serves as a sanctuary for birds, wildflowers, and occasionally, roe deer.
The serene trails here are ideal for a leisurely wander where young adventurers can search for bugs, spot woodland animals, and expend some energy.
History enthusiasts aren’t forgotten either. A visit to the nearby Grassington Folk Museum offers a chance for the entire family to delve into rural life across the ages.
It’s surprisingly captivating for children, with numerous interactive displays, and provides a genuine insight into the community spirit that continues to thrive in the village today.
Naturally, a visit wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging the beloved ‘All Creatures Great and Small’. Devotees can wander the same streets James Herriot does on screen, glance into shop fronts used for filming and absorb the charming ambience that makes the series so adored.
Many tourists claim it feels like stepping directly into the programme (bar the occasional unruly cow).
Whether you’re in search of snug pubs, picturesque landscapes or a family weekend that combines relaxation with just the right amount of adventure, Grassington delivers in abundance. It’s no surprise that TV crews, walkers and families all become somewhat smitten with it and, after one visit, you likely will too.
Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut is the acclaimed director’s final film. But the movie is much more than that. It is a slow-burning fever dream that dares you to set everything aside and decode it. Dropped into theaters just days after Kubrick’s death, the film feels like a final provocation — a puzzle-box of sex, secrecy, and suburban dread that refuses to resolve cleanly. Adapted from Arthur Schnitzler’s Dream Story, it finds Kubrick trading fin-de-siècle Vienna for a chilly, late-’90s Manhattan, where desire is constantly simmering beneath the surface of every polished surface and Christmas light.
At the center of it all are Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, then Hollywood’s golden couple, playing Bill and Alice Harford. They are a well-heeled pair whose marriage begins to unravel after a single, offhand confession. What follows is a descent (or maybe an ascent?) into a world of masked rituals, unspoken rules, and erotic power plays. Cruise’s Bill stumbles through it all like a man half-asleep, chasing fantasies he doesn’t fully understand and barely survives.
And then there’s that ending. And it is cryptic, abrupt, and endlessly debated. Was it all a dream? Who’s really pulling the strings? And what, exactly, does Alice mean when she says they need to “f**k”? Kubrick doesn’t hand us answers. He leaves us with a question mark — and a mirror. Because Eyes Wide Shut isn’t just about Bill and Alice, it’s about us, watching, wondering, projecting. And maybe that’s the point.
What Happens in ‘Eyes Wide Shut’s Ending?
Warner Bros.
But to understand why Kubrick left us all hanging, it helps to take a look at how the film actually ends. After a series of suspicious events and Bill’s surreal plunge into the masked underworld, Ziegler pulls him back to reality and assures him that nothing sinister is afoot. No one’s out to get him. The woman who saved him is dead, yes, but it was just a tragic coincidence. Or so Ziegler says. Whether you buy that explanation or not, Bill returns home shaken, guilt-ridden, and finally honest. He confesses everything to Alice (or at least everything he understands) and begs for a fresh start.
It’s a resolution of sorts because the film loops back to where it began, and yet, everything feels altered. The danger may be gone, but it still feels unsettling. Kubrick’s ending doesn’t tie things up; instead, it peels them open. On one level, it closes the book on Bill’s misadventure. On the other hand, it exposes the raw nerves of marriage. The fantasies we hide, the truths we dodge, the roles we perform. The final scene is a dare: to look closer at Milich, Mandy, the Red Cloak, and maybe even ourselves.
What’s the Purpose of Milich in ‘Eyes Wide Shut’?
Warner Bros.
A lot of what happens in the first hour of Eyes Wide Shut only pays off in the film’s final moments, and even some of the longer sequences can only be understood when looking carefully beyond the surface. The whole scene at Milich’s shop is awkward and disjointed, adding hints of humor while simultaneously building tension toward something unsettling. At some point, Milich finds his underage daughter engaged in sexual activity with two older men in the back of the shop. He becomes hysterical and threatens to call the police. On the other hand, his daughter calmly holds tightly to Bill and whispers that he should “have a cloak lined with ermine.”
The words whispered by Milich’s daughter suggest she knows Bill’s destination, which fits perfectly with the movie’s mystical atmosphere. While it’s difficult to jump to conclusions, the scene in which Bill returns his costume to Milich makes it all the more obvious. Milich’s daughter shows up in underwear alongside the same two men from before. This time, Milich is not only completely nonchalant about it, but also offers his daughter to Bill. This scene suggests that Milich is now aware of Bill’s activities in the secret society, which changes his attitude toward Bill, letting his mask fall and revealing his true wicked nature.
Who Was the Masked Woman That Helped Bill?
Warner Bros.
At the beginning of Eyes Wide Shut, a young woman, Mandy, with whom Ziegler was having an affair, overdoses in his room, and Dr. Bill is assigned to assist her. The incident isn’t discussed again until Bill infiltrates the masked orgy his buddy Nick mentioned. When people immediately perceive him as an outsider, a mysterious masked woman warns Bill he’s in great danger and must leave as soon as he can. It’s unclear how the woman and the rest of the group identified Bill as an intruder so easily, but the cab driver left waiting outside is one of the most obvious clues.
When Bill is summoned by a man in a red cloak and judged before the whole group, the masked woman steps forward and offers to be punished in Bill’s place. The woman in question turns out to be Mandy, whom Bill helped in Ziegler’s room. When he hears of her death by overdose the day after the secret meeting, Bill immediately suspects she really did sacrifice her life in exchange for his.
Mandy’s death becomes one of the movie’s unsolved mysteries. While Ziegler later calls Mandy a “junkie” and claims that she had it coming, it’s difficult not to suspect that there’s something darker about his masked sexual encounters. The whole ritualistic aspect of the secret meeting indicates that something out of an ordinary orgy was going on in there, and he might have been responsible for Mandy’s death.
Who Was the Red Cloak?
Warner Bros.
The true identity of the Red Cloak figure, supposedly the leader of the secret meeting, isn’t revealed, and doesn’t quite impact the overall story. The audience might be inclined to focus on the masked group rather than on Eyes Wide Shut‘s true conflict: Bill’s obsession and his marriage to Alice. However, there’s no denying that this meandering in the story was Kubrick’s purpose: he intentionally inserted a distressing twist in the middle to disorient both Bill and the audience. But the beauty of it is precisely how it all comes down again to the simple things in the end.
Regardless of the ending’s true intention, it’s reasonable to speculate that Ziegler might be the Red Cloak. At the end of the day, his manipulative manners, obscured by his nonchalant discourse, make it clear how comfortable he is behind a mask. Ziegler insists that Bill doesn’t arouse suspicion towards what he’s seen, but can’t hide his anger towards Nick and Mandy, indicating that Nick might not only have been beaten but was actually killed, just like Mandy.
The True Meaning of ‘Eyes Wide Shut’
Warner Bros.
In short, Eyes Wide Shut is a movie that redefines loving relationships from an unorthodox standpoint. The decision to tell this story from Bill’s point of view is highly effective because his obsessive need to fulfill his desire and patch up his pride perfectly exposes the true nature of fragile masculinity. The scene in which Alice and Bill argue about Ziegler’s party sums up everything. While Alice discusses jealousy from a pragmatic perspective, Bill is quick to dismiss her speculations as unfounded fantasies or stoner assumptions. However, when she opens up about her own fantasies, Bill is triggered by an unrelenting blow to his ego.
Eyes Wide Shut analyzes the decaying piles that support the structure of marriage and anonymity in a patriarchal society. Mandy embodies how women are often far more exposed than men, even when in the same circumstances. The masks suggest that even the most earnest relationships can’t survive without a few secrets. Neither demonizing what monogamy stands for nor defending its conservative constraints, the movie addresses the topic of ideal matrimonous life with a somewhat satirical approach, especially after Bill’s many failed attempts to cheat on his wife brings him to a dangerous masked orgy with nefarious consequences, let alone how close he came to contracting HIV from a sex worker, something that would have affected not only him but also Alice.
By committing to marriage, Bill’s life is no longer solely his own, which is why he breaks down when he finds the mask next to Alice’s pillow. That’s the pivotal moment he realizes how close he got to destroying the life he built. In the final scene, Alice formally tells Bill they have something very important to do: unify their fragmented selves and become two once again. Eyes Wide Shut is available to rent on Google Play and Apple TV.
Unlike any other decade, the 2010s brought an explosion for the anime industry. Amid the rise of streaming platforms that gave greater access to readily available titles, many anime series emerged that became true treasures that years later continue to be masterpieces that no fan should hesitate to add to their watchlist.
Although excellent anime are released every year, there’s something special about the 2010s, whose series currently teeter on the edge between being considered classics or new-gen marvels. Within the diversity of available genres, these animes are masterpieces released during the 2010s that reached the pinnacle of the industry in terms of storytelling, high-quality animation, original concepts, and characters with majestic development.
The Tatami Galaxy (2010)
The Tatami Galaxy is an anime that overflows with creativity thanks to its unique aesthetic and color palette and the personality of its atypical animation style, going from being an underrated series to becoming a cult classic and one of the most recognized works by the famous director Masaaki Yuasa.
The anime encompasses the supposedly idyllic college life of an unnamed protagonist who realizes that nothing has gone as he wished and who contemplates what could have happened if he had made different decisions. While The Tatami Galaxy isn’t for everyone, it’s an entertaining anime gem with a powerful life lesson that manages to break with the standards of the medium.
Steins;Gate (2011)
Steins;Gate is a must-watch anime for fans of suspense, time travel, mad scientists, and real-life references. The anime follows Rintaro Okabe, a self-proclaimed mad scientist, who seems to need a dose of reality but whose experiments lead him to manipulate time. Steins;Gate isn’t only carried forward by the charisma of the characters but also by the impact of its twists.
While the anime develops slowly at first with dialogues that may seem inconsequential, once it lays the groundwork, the plot escalates with each episode, with new events unraveling mysteries and conspiracies. Steins;Gate is the ultimate sci-fi anime that perfectly handles the risks of time travel and leaves viewers pondering for hours trying to digest the story.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011)
Madoka reflected in shattered glass holds her handout to Homura.
Viewers who start watching Puella Magi Madoka Magica believing it’s an anime about adorable magical girls with lace and ruffle dresses are in for a wild ride. Madoka Magica is an anime that subverts expectations to prove that being a magical girl isn’t all as fun as many think, with amazing plot twists that generate many questions in the audience.
Madoka Magica is a rich amalgamation of unexpected genres with astonishing psychedelic and extravagant animation and moments packed with action that, with its twisted characters and bittersweet, melancholic feeling, has opened the door to a universe of countless interpretations for the public.
Hunter x Hunter (2011)
Even carrying the burden of surpassing its first adaptation, Hunter x Hunter is a masterpiece that has endured on the podium of the top shōnen anime by managing to encapsulate the true essence of an adventure, creating a universe that feels alive and fascinating characters with their own philosophies and nuances that blur the line between good and bad.
In addition to its imaginative power systems and being known for holding one of the best story arcs in anime history, Hunter x Hunter strikes a balance between quality, impressive action sequences, and a story that is fresh and capable of appealing to a wide audience. As a result, Hunter x Hunter continues to be one of those anime in which fans can always find new details to love.
Attack on Titan (2013)
Eren Yeager from the anime Attack on Titan
Despite its controversial ending, Attack on Titan is undoubtedly one of the most influential anime in recent years. Hajime Isayama’s story exploring a society living inside walls to protect themselves from the outside world, replete with human-eating giants, never ceased to amaze viewers with its mind-blowing plot twists that recontextualize everything they thought they knew.
Attack on Titan‘s story is filled with mysteries, complex characters, with deep reflections on political warfare, discrimination, the human condition and the search for freedom, which even gained meaning upon rewatch thanks to its use of foreshadowing and symbolism. Furthermore, the anime boasts bombastic animation and a delightful soundtrack that perfectly complements the atmosphere and tone of every scene from beginning to end.
Parasyte: The Maxim (2014)
In Parasyte: The Maxim parasites start appearing on Earth and invading people’s bodies, with Shinichi Izumi suddenly forced to live with one of these creatures that has failed to control his brain and lodged itself in his hand instead. This premise is just the tip of the iceberg, as there is more in Parasyte: The Maxim than what meets the eye.
What appears to be a typical survival horror anime evolves into an anime full of philosophy, with criticisms of the morality and ethics of society and the meaning of being human. Although Parasyte: The Maxim provides exciting battles filled with tension and intensity, it becomes truly captivating thanks to the fascinating dynamic between the characters, as their evolution leaves no viewer unmoved.
Ping Pong the Animation (2014)
Peco in Ping Pong the Animation
Although its experimental animation style may appear sloppy to some viewers at first, those who give it a chance are rewarded with marvelous, dynamic sequences featuring well-thought-out uses of perspective and angles that not only fill the matches with a thrilling rhythm but also enrich the narrative with the character’s expressiveness.
Revolving around Smile and Peco, Ping Pong The Animation shows the different perspectives of the athletes as they hone their talent and struggle to win in a competitive environment. However, what makes the anime unique is how it reflects the characters’ emotions with a painful realism that can sometimes feel even too relatable and isn’t exclusive to the ping pong table.
Ping Pong The Animation explores issues that most people experience at one point in their lives, such as hitting a wall and reaching your limits, as well as inferiority complexes and other insecurities. This makes Ping Pong The Animation more than a simple sports anime but a stellar work that showcases the wonders that only animation can achieve.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (2015)
Mobile-Suit-Gundam-Iron-Blooded-Orphans
Despite initially flying under the radar and facing mixed reception for its ending, Iron-Blooded Orphans has gained recognition over the years and become one of the most celebrated entries in the Gundam universe. Following the mercenary group Tekkadan, made up of young orphans, Iron-Blooded Orphans builds up its political conflicts without forgetting to give depth to the characters.
Iron-Blooded Orphans shines with its own spirit and is enjoyable as a standalone anime for viewers unfamiliar with the Gundam franchise. Furthermore, Iron-Blooded Orphans is an incredibly brutal story that stands out especially for its unpredictability and high stakes that keep viewers completely invested in the outcome of the battles as well as moments capable of emotionally wrecking anyone.
March Comes In Like a Lion (2016)
March Comes In Like a Lion follows a young and lonely professional shogi player, Rei Kiriyama, haunted by his past, which prevents him from interacting with others normally. Just like in other great sports anime, shogi serves as a vehicle for developing the characters’ conflicts and exploring meaningful themes such as family and bullying.
However, the anime goes a step further to be a deeply human story about empathizing with others and the important things in life. Also, despite being a slice-of-life, few anime are as visually stunning as March Comes In Like a Lion, as its cheerful and colorful animation is meticulously crafted to create a flawless contrast that elevates every scene.
March Comes In Like a Lion is one of the most introspective anime ever created, brilliantly conveying the characters’ turbulent emotions in both the shogi matches and their everyday lives. While this could have been overbearing due to its vivid depictions of depression and grief, March Comes In Like a Lion is a heartwarming anime that inevitably touches the viewers’ hearts.
Mob Psycho 100 (2016)
Mob Psycho 100 poster depicting Mob surrounded by images of his friends with a smile and an outstretched hand.
Despite not quite reaching the popularity of other big titles, Mob Psycho 100 pretty much has it all for being among the greatest anime of all time. Mob Psycho 100 is a crowning achievement in terms of character development, epic battles, and impressive animation, wrapped in one of the most inspiring stories in anime.
Not your typical hero, the gifted esper Shigeo Kageyama is troubled by his powers, choosing not to rely on them and instead improve as a person and impress his crush. Despite its simple story, Mob Psycho 100 is more than a battle anime with comically exaggerated characters; it masterfully explores self-love in a way capable of changing viewers’ perspectives on life.
The Road, by Brian Baker 128 pages, $37.27 If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookstores.
As a guitarist, Brian Baker has punk rock and hardcore credentials that are unparalleled. From effectively launching “hardcore” as a genre with Minor Threat when he was a teenager to bringing in the more melodic side of the scene with Dag Nasty and then joining Bad Religion in the mid ’90s, it’s hard to argue that any guitarist has been more influential to their scene than Baker.
“I think I just have a knack for being at the right place at the right time,” Baker says when asked about his contributions to the aforementioned legendary bands. “The key is to respect that legacy and not f— it up. I understand it’s a big deal to a lot of people — much more than it is to me. I’m just the guy who’s playing guitar, but I’ve been fortunate enough to be in bands that have been foundational for a lot of people. I think about that when I get on stage every day. I want to do a great job every time. As long as I’m able to still deliver a performance that I have respect for, hopefully other people will too.”
Standing at a high-top table under a white awning backstage at Riot Fest (Chicago’s massive punk rock festival where most of the acts are either friends of Baker or inspired by one or more of his bands) after nearly a half-century of allegedly just happening upon one iconic band after another, Baker recently released a new project — one that he’s worked on for almost 20 years during his ongoing run with Bad Religion.
A shot of Baker’s guitars on a wood pallet.
(Brian Baker)
Every time the legendary Los Angeles punk band goes on the road, Baker (like most touring musicians) finds himself with entirely too much time to kill before and after their nightly performances. To fill those long hours in strange cities, the 60-year-old D.C. native often turns to the piece of technology that so many use to occupy their free time, his smartphone. But rather than mindlessly scrolling social media or watching YouTube videos, Baker discovered a new passion for photography, constantly using each and every camera lens on the iPhones that have been in his pocket since the original released in the late 2000s.
Until recently, the fruits of Baker’s photography hobby had effectively only existed on his personal Instagram. That was until things started falling into place (“Like many things in my career,” Baker says, consistent in his refusal to take credit for the majority of his successes) for him to release some of his favorite photos as a book, appropriately titled “The Road” (released Nov. 4 via Akashic Books).
A mug shot of Baker’s first band, D.C. hardcore pioneers Minor Threat.
(Brian Baker)
“My wife suggested for a long time that people might want to look at my photographs, and I was like ‘OK, that’s great,’ but never really thought about it,” Baker says, his bandmates and other longtime friends circulating through Chicago’s Douglass Park. “Eventually, a good friend of ours named Jennifer Sakai — who’s a great photographer and has made books in the past — made a mock-up from my Instagram of what a book could look like. I wasn’t looking to make a book, but she basically presented a finished product to me, so I contacted a guy I went to elementary school with, Johnny Temple — who plays [bass] in Girls Against Boys and Soulside and has a publishing company. Much like my more successful rock bands, I walked in after everyone did all the work, and now I’m just going to coattail it.”
With or without the new book, Baker says his time-killing love of photography was born out of the veteran guitarist feeling as though he was forgetting too much and missing some of his key memories from his time on tour. Once he gave up drinking, Baker realized that he needed a way to embrace the 20+ hours each day he wasn’t spending on the stage or getting ready. He started filling his days with long walks and visits to his favorite locales — old churches, interesting buildings, graveyards (“That’s not the goth in me saying this,” Baker jokes) and anywhere else where he entertain himself away from people. And rather than trying to tell the story of the last 18 years through his iPhone camera, he’s happy just documenting those certain moments and “a lot of different ways to spend your time” in “The Road.”
“I used to take a film camera on tour, and I’d shoot a couple rolls and then forget about the camera and leave it at the hotel or something,” Baker says. “I didn’t really do a good job of being a photographer, because I’m not a photographer. I’m just a guy with a cellphone, but having the phone always on me, I just kept taking pictures of stuff for no real reason. It was like ‘Hey, look at this weird thing’ or “Look what we ate tonight” or “That church is f— up” with no intention of it being a collection or anyone really seeing it beyond my friends and family. Eventually, I got an Instagram account and some of the stuff would go there, but I’m not really a social media maven either.”
Bad Religion bassist Jay Bentley playing a bass.
(Brian Baker)
Aside from his photography skills, the release of “The Road” has also allowed Baker to flex his storytelling muscles at the various bookstores, record shops and more that he’s hitting this fall (including early October dates at West Hollywood’s Book Soup and Fullerton’s Programme Skate & Sound). Although it’s a more intimate setting than he’s used to and he’s lacking his signature guitar, Baker jokes that it’s not so different from performing music, because he’s still “on a stage with a microphone and wearing black pants.”
The book tour has also been an opportunity for Baker to connect with fans and reflect on Bad Religion and his prior bands (along with various side projects like supergroup Fake Names and Beach Rats). While he maintains that his involvement in punk history mostly comes down to happenstance, he believes that Bad Religion’s multi-generational staying power stems from always being “uniquely unfashionable” and having intelligent lyrics about topics that are still relevant. Add in the fact that they’re always improving as musicians and just enjoy getting together without looking at the bigger picture, and “not having a plan has proven to be effective” for the stalwarts.
Photo of Baker’s first amp and guitar
(Brian Baker)
But more than anything, Baker’s lack of planning or direction around his photography brings him back to the DIY nature of his early days creating albums that are now viewed as the very foundation of a four-decade-old global hardcore movement.
“Anybody can do this, so it does remind me of making records when I was very young,” Baker says. “We were just making our own records ourselves and selling them in high school, and that was Minor Threat. You think about how significant that is now, 45 years later, it’s the same thing with taking pictures. I just took a bunch of pictures, and now someone’s made a book out of them. It’s something you can do yourself, and I love that about it.”
