7 best twist endings of all time
This month, 'The Usual Suspects' celebrates its 30th anniversary. The final twist in the Oscar-winning thriller is still one of the best in cinematic history. Where does it rank among all-time twist endings? Let's find out.
'It was clear whoever got that role was going to blow up,' Matt Damon said about auditioning for the 1996 legal thriller, 'Primal Fear.' The role in question was for Aaron Stampler, a stuttering boy accused of murdering the archbishop of Chicago. Edward Norton won the coveted part and, like Damon predicted, blew up, culminating in an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
There's no proof as to what moment secured Norton the critical acclaim; the best guess is that it happened during the film's final moments. After a not guilty verdict, Aaron reveals he faked an alternate personality to get away with murder. Richard Gere's stunned look speaks for everyone in that moment.
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If you listen closely, you might still hear Charlton Heston's scream at the end of 'Planet of the Apes.' In the distant future, astronaut George Taylor (Heston) and his crew crash-land on an unknown planet where apes are the dominant species. On this planet, apes can talk and think like people, while humans are mute and primitive.
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The makeup and philosophical themes have stood the test of time and even spawned an entire franchise that still exists today. However, the ending remains the film's lasting legacy. Taylor learning that the planet he landed on is Earth in the future remains a stroke of genius and a shocking conclusion to a revolutionary film.
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Imagine being a child in 1980 and seeing 'The Empire Strikes Back.' After George Lucas opened your world to the wonder of a space opera in 'Star Wars,' you then learned that Darth Vader, one of the three most famous villains in cinematic history, was the father of Luke Skywalker. In today's Hollywood, twists are spoiled within minutes of the embargo lifting. But 45 years ago, you had to sit on that cliffhanger for three years before the trilogy wrapped in 1983's 'Return of the Jedi.'
If this list consisted of misquoted lines in movie history, 'The Empire Strikes Back' might occupy the top spot. As much fun as it is to say, 'Luke, I am your father,' the correct reciting of Darth Vader's line reads, 'No, I am your father.'
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From a critical standpoint, 'Psycho' is on the shortlist of most influential horror movies ever produced. Alfred Hitchcock's mystery centers around Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), a real estate secretary who, after stealing money from her employer, flees Phoenix for California. Due to heavy rain, Marion stops for the night at the Bates Motel, where she meets a peculiar proprietor, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins).
Hitchcock solidified his 'Master of Suspense' title thanks to his revolutionary camerawork and haunting score. The tale also included two twists. The first occurs during a stabbing in the shower. The final twist happens near the end, when Norman, not his mother, is revealed to be the killer. Norman's sadistic smile will be ingrained in your memory.
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The first rule of Fight Club: Do not talk about Fight Club. Apologies to Edward Norton and Brad Pitt, but we have to break the first rule for good reason. David Fincher's crime drama follows the journeys of the unnamed Narrator (Norton) and soap salesman Tyler Durden (Pitt) as they form an underground fight club. The club attracts depressed men looking for excitement in their lives.
Eventually, the club transitions into Project Mayhem, an anarchist movement to disrupt the social order through acts of violence and vandalism. The Narrator disapproves of Tyler's methods until he realizes — and here's the twist — that Tyler is his alter ego. The second rule of Fight Club should be: Don't talk about the twist unless your job requires you to make a list about twist endings.
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The movie that inspired the list has to be near the top. For nearly the entire 106-minute runtime of 'The Usual Suspects,' Agent Dave Kujan (and the audience) attempted to identify the criminal mastermind known as Keyser Söze. Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey) led us to believe Keyser Söze was Dean Keaton (Gabriel Byrne).
Then, Kujan drops the coffee cup as the details from the random flyers jump off the wall. Keyser Söze was none other than Verbal Kint, and the moment his limp disappears remains one of cinema's most iconic images of the last 30 years.
Watch on Prime Video
The biggest strength of 'The Sixth Sense' is its twist ending. It also happens to be the film's greatest weakness. 'The Sixth Sense' relies on its twist more than any other movie on this list. It's hard to enjoy M. Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller and pretend like the reveal isn't coming. The twist is all you can think about, which hurts the movie's rewatchability.
Nevertheless, learning that Malcolm (Bruce Willis) had been dead the entire time was jaw-dropping. It changed the trajectory of Shyamalan's career and became the new standard for twist endings.
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Time Magazine
15 minutes ago
- Time Magazine
Tributes Pour In for Actor Terence Stamp
'My only regrets,' the Oscar-nominated British actor Terence Stamp once said, 'are the films that I passed on because I was fearful.' Stamp, who was best known for starring as the villain General Zod in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980), has often called turning down the lead role in the 1967 Oscar-winning movie adaptation of Broadway hit Camelot—because he wasn't confident in his ability to sing—his biggest regret. But the actor, who died Sunday at age 87, took on no shortage of fearless roles later in his career and even got the opportunity to overcome his trepidation about singing onscreen when he starred in the 2012 film Song for Marion, earning a Best Actor nomination at the British Independent Film Awards for his portrayal of a widower in a seniors' choir. Stamp's family confirmed his death in a statement to Reuters, saying that he 'leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come.' Described by the Guardian as the 'seductive dark prince of British cinema,' Stamp had a film career that spanned decades. He was also a prolific writer, authoring five memoirs as well as a fiction novel and co-authoring two cookbooks. 'Terence was kind, funny, and endlessly fascinating,' said Edgar Wright, who directed Stamp in the 2021 film Last Night in Soho, in an Instagram tribute to the late actor. 'Terence was a true movie star: the camera loved him, and he loved it right back.' Bill Duke, who acted alongside Stamp in Steven Soderbergh's 1999 film The Limey, posted on Facebook that Stamp 'brought a rare intensity to the screen' but 'carried himself with warmth, grace, and generosity' off-screen. Stamp's artistry, Duke said, 'left an indelible mark on cinema, and his spirit will live on through the unforgettable characters he gave us.' Billy Budd and (almost) James Bond Stamp was born on July 22, 1938, in the Stepney area of London's East End. He was one of five children. According to the British Film Institute (BFI), Stamp's interest in acting began after his mother took him to a local cinema to watch the 1939 film Beau Geste, though his father, a merchant navy stoker, had encouraged him to pursue something more practical. "When I asked for career guidance at school, they recommended bricklaying as a good, regular job, although someone did think I might make a good Woolworths manager,' Stamp told British newspaper the Independent in 2011. After studying on scholarship at the Webber Douglas School of Dramatic Art, according to the BFI, Stamp would first tour in repertory theater. He appeared in a 1960 episode of the BBC series Spy-Catcher, according to his IMDb profile, but he first gained global prominence after portraying an 18th-century seaman in the film adaptation of Herman Melville's novel Billy Budd in 1962. That drama directed by Peter Ustinov earned him an Academy Award nomination as well as a Golden Globe Award for 'New Star Of The Year.' Throughout the 1960s, Stamp worked with renowned British filmmakers like Ken Loach and John Schlesinger as well as Italians like Federico Fellini and Pier Paolo Pasolini. Stamp earned fame not only for his work, but also for his high-profile romances during that decade, including with supermodel Jean Shrimpton and actor Julie Christie. At one point, Stamp was even considered to be the next James Bond after Sean Connery, though he said in a 2013 interview with the London Evening Standard that he scared the filmmakers behind the popular spy franchise with his ideas for how to make the role his own. But just as Stamp felt he was entering his prime, work started to dry up. Stamp recalled to the Guardian in 2015 his agent telling him when he was only 31 or 32 that the movie studios were all 'looking for a young Terence Stamp.' 'When the 60s ended, I almost did too,' he said. In 1969, Stamp moved to an ashram in India. 'I thought I'm not going to stay around here facing this day-in-day-out rejection and the phone not ringing,' he told the BFI in 2013, looking back on that period in his life. General Zod and The Adventures of Priscilla Stamp was in India when he received a now-famous telegram addressed to 'Clarence Stamp' that would lead to his most recognized role of his career. It was an invitation to meet with director Richard Donner to join the ensemble cast, including Christopher Reeve and Marlon Brando, of a blockbuster adaptation of DC comic Superman. Stamp received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of the Kryptonian villain General Zod in the 1978 film and its 1980 sequel and said in 2013 that he 'can't go out on the street in London without somebody saying, 'It's Zod!'' Sarah Douglas, who played fellow villain Ursa in the films, remembered the late Stamp on Instagram as 'beyond gorgeous and talented,' adding: 'What a start to my career to have spent so many months in his company.' Stamp told BFI that the 'great blessing' of this next phase of his career was that he'd been 'transmuted from a leading man to a character actor.' Throughout the decades that followed, he was praised by critics for his performances, particularly in crime thrillers The Hit (1984) and The Limey (1999). But he appeared in a multitude of genres, and many consider his star turn in the 1994 Australian film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, to be a standout example of his creativity and dedication to his craft. Departing from his traditionally hardman roles, Stamp portrayed transgender woman Bernadette alongside co-stars Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce as drag queens. The endearing comedy became a cult classic, and Stamp earned his second BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations for his performance. 'You were a true inspiration, both in & out of heels,' Pearce posted on X after Stamp's passing. Stamp's work would continue on in the 2000s and 2010s, with roles in films like The Adjustment Bureau, Valkyrie, Big Eyes, and the movie adaptation of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Before Stamp's passing, Priscilla director Stephan Elliott told the Guardian last year that Stamp was slated to return with Weaving and Pearce for a sequel, with a script already finished. Elliott described Stamp to the Guardian as someone who had left a lasting impression on him since he first saw Stamp in 1965 thriller The Collector. 'Terence's greatest beauties were his eyes—in some of the early films you don't see it, but in person, when they were shining, he could hold a room,' Elliott said. 'He'd show up, use the eyes and turn everybody to jelly.' Elliott also noted how Stamp became more discerning with his roles later in his career. 'If he'd already seen something like it, he didn't care. If something pressed his buttons and piqued his interest, he'd consider it,' Elliott said. Elliott remembered marveling at all the notable directors and actors Stamp got to work with throughout his career. 'He said to me, 'I just drifted from one to the other—if somebody had something interesting, I'd do it. That's the way it's always been.''
Tom's Guide
44 minutes ago
- Tom's Guide
Google TV Streamer vs Apple TV 4K: Which streaming device wins?
The Google TV Streamer takes over for Google's long-lived Chromecast devices, offering a premium TV interface jam-packed with loads of free content and helpful features. The third-generation Apple TV 4K is a compelling mix of performance and specs built on the Apple ecosystem. While a bit pricey, this streaming device has tons of versatility and offers speedy load times. Streaming devices are a dime a dozen these days, but if you're looking for the absolute best performance built on the most versatile interface, the Google TV Streamer and Apple TV 4K are the ones to get. Deciding which of these two to buy can be slightly tricky. The Google TV Streamer is the newer of the two, taking over for the now-defunct Chromecast. Up against it is the third-generation Apple TV 4K, which first launched in 2022. While it's a few years older, it still remains one of the best streaming devices, offering blazing fast speeds and Apple's interconnected OS ecosystem. So which one should you buy? Google TV Streamer Apple TV 4K Ports USB-CHDMI 2.1aEthernet (10/100/1000) HDMI 2.1Ethernet (10/100/1000) Refresh rate 60Hz 60Hz Storage 32GB 64GB/128GB Resolution 3,840 x 2,160p 3,840 x 2,160p HDR HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision Smart TV software Google TV tvOS Price $99 $179/$199 Apple engineering tends to be at the forefront of design, offering products with minimalist aesthetics that normally don't stand out. This extends to the Apple TV 4K, which has a boxy look and glossy finish, sporting the Apple logo on the top. It comes in a black finish, unlike the original Apple TV, which was available in a glossy silver color. This is something I like about the Apple streaming device, as it blends in a bit more on your tabletop, making it a lot less noticeable. The Google TV Streamer takes a different approach: It comes in a porcelain white colorway, which extends to its included remote. The device itself looks almost like a ski slope or skateboard ramp, flowing downward in a way that allows it to tuck neatly under a TV. This makes it easy to hide the wires that protrude from its rear and it's easier to hide behind the screen if you want it out of the way. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. To make matters slightly confusing, the Apple TV 4K comes in two different models — one of which is 64GB while the other is 128GB and offers a few more features. These include an Ethernet port and Thread networking technology, both of which are available on the Google TV Streamer. The major difference in terms of I/O between devices is the USB-C port available on the Google TV Streamer. This input not only functions as its power delivery source, but can also be used for data transfers. The TV Streamer also has a button on its rear so you can easily find the remote if it ever gets lost in the couch. All in all, I find both devices to be particularly premium-feeling when it comes to design. While it might be nice if the Apple TV 4K had a USB-C port, I don't think it's totally necessary. A 32GB model at a cheaper price wouldn't hurt, though. Winner: Draw These two devices are neck-and-neck in the performance category. They largely offer similar speeds, though the Apple device does come equipped with two much-higher storage capacities. This means you won't have to worry about memory all that much, especially on the 128GB model. The Google TV Streamer and Apple TV 4K also support the full range of HDR specifications, wrangling Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG all in one package. Of course, the TV you use alongside the device will require compatibility with the spec first, but having that full range on hand is a big plus. They also both have Dolby Atmos support, so if you're looking to get the best possible sound out of these streaming devices, it's definitely in the cards. I'd recommend pairing your TV and streaming device bundle with one of the best soundbars like the Sonos Arc Ultra for the best sound quality. Speaking of content playback, while you will get Apple TV Plus content served up to you, it's not as in-your-face as the Google TV interface, plus navigation is slightly more convenient on the Apple device (in my opinion). Another thing the Apple TV 4K has is a clean, no-ad interface. That's truly hard to come by these days, as it feels like ads are plastered everywhere you look. Lastly, the Google TV Streamer only supports Wi-Fi 5, while the Apple TV 4K has access to Wi-Fi 6. You won't need that faster speeds or security of Wi-Fi 6, but the stability is nice to have if you've ever noticed signal dropout in your home. Winner: Apple TV 4K Google TV is one of our favorite TV interfaces, offering a plethora of free content to enjoy and simplified navigation that's just too hard to beat. But Apple puts in a sincere effort with its redesigned tvOS platform. The big new feature is karaoke support, referred to as Apple Music Sing. It's a fun feature that lets you use your iPhone as a microphone to sing along to millions of songs on Apple Music. Also new is the liquid glass look that definitely looks more polished, but adds little to the general functionality of the interface. The Google TV Streamer, on the other hand, offers both better smart home support via Google Home and boasts several improvements with Gemini, the greatest of which are stronger search functionality and recommendations. Voice controls are also greatly improved on the device, extending to smart home automations, news overviews, and the like. Apple's AI plans are still up in the air at the moment, so it's hard to say if the Apple TV 4K would ever get an upgrade to include Apple Intelligence. Seeing as the third-gen model uses the A15 Bionic chip, it's unlikely the device could even support it, but rumors are circulating that a new set-top box with the A17 Pro processor is in the works. While I do like the clean and less-cluttered (ad-free) look of Apple TV 4K's tvOS, I think you'll get far better mileage out of Google TV and Gemini. Winner: Google TV Streamer You can't go wrong choosing one over the other, as they both offer very similar experiences. But here's how I'd set them apart from one another. I think if you're looking to get the best streaming upgrade for your TV but are looking to spend as little as possible, the Google TV Streamer is the one to buy. You can find the Google TV Streamer for $97 on Amazon right now, which nets you about the same features available on the $199 128GB Apple TV 4K. You will have to contend with Google TV's ads and older Wi-Fi 5 standard, but I find these compromises tolerable given the price disparity. Plus, you get access to some incredible features built on Gemini. That's totally worth the $99 price of entry. If you use Apple products regularly, appreciate that functionality, and want to deal with absolutely no ads tossed your way (on the fastest possible interface to boot), get the Apple TV 4K instead. I personally use Apple's streaming box more often, but I think it'll be better when Apple finds its AI footing. When that might happen is still anyone's guess.
Fast Company
2 hours ago
- Fast Company
5 excellent free podcast apps for iOS and Android
I'm going to go out on a limb and assume you've been on the internet before. If so, you've likely stumbled upon a podcast or two. There are almost 5 million of them out there, after all. The problem isn't finding a podcast, though—it's finding the best way to listen in. While Apple and Spotify have made a big push into the space, and their apps are perfectly serviceable, they're not always the best fit for power users or people who just want a clean, no-nonsense experience. The good news? There are other options, and you don't have to pay a dime to access them. Here are five fantastic, and completely free, podcast apps for iOS and Android. Pocket Casts: Cross-platform king If you ask a podcast aficionado for a recommendation, there's a good chance they'll say Pocket Casts. And for good reason. It's got a clean, intuitive interface that makes managing your subscriptions a breeze. The free version offers all the essentials you need, including variable speed controls, silence trimming, and a volume-boost feature to level out inconsistent audio. Better yet, it syncs your listening progress across iOS, Android, and the web, which is a big deal if you like to jump between your phone and your computer. There is also a premium version, Pocket Casts Plus, which costs $40 per year. With it, you get some power-user features like folders to organize your shows, a shuffle feature for your 'Up Next' queue, bookmarks, access to a variety of themes and app icons, and some cloud storage for your own audio files. Overcast: iOS app makes podcasts sound better If you're looking for something that's equal parts simple and fully featured, Overcast is a must-try. Developed by Marco Arment, this iOS app includes features such as 'Smart Speed,' which shortens silences dynamically without distorting the audio, and 'Voice Boost,' which normalizes and enhances volume across all your shows. The free version has some light, unobtrusive ads, but if you want to get rid of the ads and support the developer, a premium subscription costs just $15 per year. With that subscription, you also get the ability to upload audio files to your own private feed. Podcast Addict: Android powerhouse For Android users, Podcast Addict is an absolute beast. It's a feature-rich, highly customizable app that gives you an almost overwhelming amount of control over your listening experience. You can manage podcasts, audiobooks, live radio, YouTube channels, and RSS news feeds all in one place. While its interface can be a bit busy, it's a great choice if you're a tinkerer who likes to fine-tune every detail. For the sheer number of features you get for free, it's tough to beat. The premium version, which removes all ads, starts at 99 cents per month and grants you access to some extra customization options like different app themes, a custom opening screen, and a playlist widget. Castbox: Smart recommendations If you're looking for your next podcast obsession, Castbox is a great place to start. Its AI -powered recommendation engine does a surprisingly good job of serving up new shows based on your listening history. It's a solid, all-around player with a large library, and it also includes some nifty features like in-audio search, which lets you find specific keywords within an episode. It's available on both iOS and Android and provides a smooth, modern experience. Castbox Premium starts at 99 cents per month and gets rid of all the visual ads and video ads that play when you launch the app. It also gives you unlimited subscriptions (the free version limits you to 100 channels), a personalized homepage, and advanced playback settings that can be customized for each individual podcast. AntennaPod: Android's minimalist, open-source choice If you're looking for a no-frills, ad-free experience, AntennaPod is a fantastic option for Android users. It's a lightweight app with a clean interface that focuses on the core task of listening to podcasts. There aren't a ton of fancy discovery tools, but if you already know what you want to listen to and just need a simple, reliable way to manage and play your episodes, AntennaPod gets the job done. AntennaPod is unique on this list because it's a completely free and open-source project, which means it doesn't have a paid version or any in-app purchases. The early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, September 5, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
