Podcast #1201: The Best Movie Plot Twists

On this week’s show we shop the Internet and find you three incredible deals on UHD TVs. We also discuss some of the best plot twists in movies that we have seen. Be forewarned, there will be spoilers. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

• Fox unveils ‘Fox One’ as name of new streamer
• YouTube TV Is Now The 4th Largest TV Provider In the United States
• Free TV is booming
• tvOS 18.5 just gave your Apple TV 4K a new feature for Dolby Atmos

Three Incredible Deals on a UHD TV

As a public service the HT Guys have scoured the internet and found you three incredible deals on UHD TVs. These are not refurbished units and were available at the time of this writing.

• Samsung 70" Crystal UHD 4K HDR TV (DU7200)
• Price: $479.99
• Retailer: Amazon
• Details: This is noted as the lowest price ever for this 2024 model. It features Samsung’s Crystal UHD with 4K, Motion Xcelerator for reduced lag, and HDR (not Dolby Vision) support. Ideal for budget-conscious buyers seeking a large screen from a top brand.
• Why It’s a Good Deal: At under $480 for a 70-inch 4K TV, this is a steal for a 2024 Samsung model, especially with its HDR capabilities.
• Hisense 85" U6 Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV
• Price: $849.99
• Retailer: Amazon
• Details: This is the lowest price ever for this model, featuring a Mini-LED backlight, quantum dot color, and Google TV for a seamless smart interface. It supports HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, making it great for movies and gaming.
• Why It’s a Good Deal: An 85-inch TV with premium features like Mini-LED and quantum dots at this price is exceptional for large home theater setups.
• Samsung 55" 4K Crystal UHD DU8000 HDR Smart TV
• Price: $447.99
• Retailer: Amazon
• Details: Another record-low price for a 2024 Samsung model. It includes HDR (not Dolby Vision), a smart TV interface, and 4K upscaling, suitable for streaming and casual gaming.
• Why It’s a Good Deal: This 55-inch TV offers solid performance for under $500, balancing size and features from a reliable brand.

The Best Movie Plot Twists

I came across an article that was discussing how a good movie will lead you down one path and then in a “Plot Twist” send you down a different and completely unexpected new path. That got me thinking about what were my most memorable plot twists from movies that I have watched over the years. I have come up with four that have stayed with me. What are your favorites?

• The Sixth Sense (1999) - The twist redefines the entire story, forcing viewers to rethink every scene. It’s iconic for its emotional weight and subtle foreshadowing, often cited as the gold standard of plot twists. In this case you learn that Bruce Willis’ character Malcolm Crowe was actually deceased. I hate to admit it but I never saw this coming.
• The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - The revelation Darth Vader is Luke’s Father altered the saga’s emotional core and is still one of the most quoted twists ever.
• Planet of the Apes (1968) - we are talking about the original here with Charlton Heston. The last scene leads up to the final payoff making it one of the most memorable twists in cinema.
• Se7en (1995) - The climax delivers a horrific surprise that ties the story’s themes together. It’s a twist that’s both brutal and unforgettable, often debated for its boldness. The twist, John Doe played by Kevin Spacey manipulates Mills played by Brad Pitt emotionally to commit the seventh deadly sin.

Braden’s Pics:

• Usual Suspects
• Fight Club
• Shutter Island
• Memento