YouTuber Jimmy Mango is a massive Stephen King fan and read all of his books. This is his ranking of all 61 main Stephen King novels, minus the collections of short stories (so no The Mist)…and I have to admit it’s a great ranking! I haven’t read every single book like he has…but it made me want to add several to my backlog. Check it out!
Stephen King is like your eccentric but endlessly entertaining uncle who can turn even the most mundane trip to the grocery store into a spine-tingling horror saga. His novels have a special knack for making you terrified of everyday things—cars, clowns, hotels, even your own dog. With over 60 novels to his name, it seems he’s either tapped into some dark, supernatural well of storytelling or has just accepted that his brain is wired for creepy, whether he likes it or not. Somehow, this master of horror also manages to look like the world’s friendliest librarian. You just know he’d be the guy at a family barbecue spinning a ghost story by the grill, saying, “Don’t worry, it’s fiction”—but you’re still sleeping with the lights on that night.
This video from reccollect highlights some of the coolest, craziest and weirdest vinyl record releases in the past 50 years. Some truly amazing gems here.
Music has seen its fair share of unusual releases, where artists really put their creative hearts (and possibly sanity) on the line. Here are five of the strangest ways people decided to distribute their music:
1. The Frozen Record (Shout Out Louds)
Swedish band Shout Out Louds released a single made out of ice. Yes, ice. Fans had to pour water into a custom mold, freeze it, and then play the fragile record before it melted. Listening quickly became a race against time. “How’d you like it?” “Well, I think I heard the chorus before the puddle on my turntable shorted out my speakers.”
2. The Chocolate Record (FC Judd)
In a rare attempt to combine auditory and digestive experiences, avant-garde electronic musician FC Judd created a playable record made of chocolate. This one hits that sweet spot: you can listen to it once, then chow down on it when you’re done. The downside? It sounds great until you reach the drum solo, where a suspicious crunch indicates you’ve just bitten off half the bridge.
3. The X-Ray Record (Soviet Bootlegs)
During the Cold War, enterprising Russians recorded banned Western music onto used X-rays because vinyl was strictly monitored. They called them “Bone Records” because they were literal X-ray images of skeletons. These were like the mixtapes of rebellion, complete with visible femurs. Imagine trying to explain to your friend, “Here’s that Beatles album… oh, and also, that’s Olga’s broken leg.”
4. The Blood Record (Kiss)
In true Kiss fashion, the band decided to mix their own blood into the red ink used to print their comic book in 1977, but Gene Simmons later hinted it ended up in a vinyl pressing too. So, yes, die-hard Kiss fans can say they literally own the band’s DNA. Just don’t expect it to pass any basic health inspections if you accidentally scratch yourself with it.
5. The Urine-Infused Record (Matthew Herbert)
For his 2019 release, experimental musician Matthew Herbert pressed vinyls using the sounds of his bathroom breaks, from the actual flush to… well, you get the idea. Yes, the album cover practically screams, “Sanitize after handling.” This was one record release that truly had fans divided: collectors loved it, but hygienists… not so much.
Music may be timeless, but these records prove that sometimes, it’s also best enjoyed on regular vinyl!
Johnny Happy Console Gamer shows the video games and collectables he picked up at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo (PRGE).
Happy Console Gamer is like your ultra-nostalgic, joyfully eccentric friend who treats each old video game like it’s an ancient artifact unearthed from a forgotten age. Johnny, the channel’s mastermind, is all about spreading the love for classic games with a near-spiritual enthusiasm that could make you feel genuinely moved about, say, Faxanadu or the “magic” of the Dreamcast. His set? A retro wonderland filled with neon lights, towering game stacks, and anime treasures that practically smell of vintage 80s bliss. Tune in if you want a warm, nerdy hug of gaming nostalgia—because Johnny is on a lifelong quest to make sure everyone knows just how amazing his childhood games really were.
Lon.Tv shares what he uses to play retro video games, from the original Atari and NES to Sega Saturn, PS2 and even Xbox 360. Lots of good info and solutions from the MiSter project, to emulation on the Steam Deck and connecting to a CRT with a lightgun. Good stuff!
Here are some of the most beloved methods for diving back into the retro video game classics:
1. The Raspberry Pi Shrine
Imagine a small, raspberry-sized computer you can worship for all its retro gaming glory. People pour their heart and soul into decorating their Raspberry Pi cases with LED lights, custom decals, and little totems of Mario or Sonic. You might think it’s overkill for a device that could fit in your pocket, but retro gamers know the joy of transforming a $40 gadget into a virtual time machine. Just don’t forget to bring a magnifying glass to actually play anything.
2. The “Totally Legit” Desktop Emulator
This setup requires downloading highly legitimate copies of Super Mario World, meticulously organizing every ROM, and downloading the fanciest emulator to get that authentic “my computer is on fire” experience. Between tweaking settings to get the frame rate perfect and dodging ads on those sketchy ROM websites, this is a labor of love that teaches patience. Bonus points if you manage to find one that doesn’t crash every time Mario jumps.
3. The Franken-console Build
There’s an entire subculture of folks who would rather hack old consoles themselves than use a plug-and-play emulator. Dust off an old NES, unscrew some plastic, add a Pi Zero or some hidden SD slot, and voilà – you’ve got a barely-working Frankenstein console that plays everything from Pong to EarthBound. Sometimes it even works. Other times it sparks. Either way, that soldering iron burn on your hand is proof you’re hardcore.
4. The Flash Drive of Mystery
This one’s for the committed and resourceful: they carry a flash drive loaded with emulators and ROMs everywhere. Plug it into any unsuspecting device – your grandma’s old Windows 7 laptop, a friend’s smart fridge, the work computer during a lunch break – and boom, they’re deep in a game of Zelda II before you can say “IT support.” The trick is having a thumb drive so suspiciously loaded with games, you’re ready for any retro gaming challenge that comes your way.
5. The All-in-One Retro Handheld – aka “The Portable Time Machine”
Why settle for modern graphics on the go when you can have a handheld that fits in your hand, overheats, and drains battery in mere minutes? With brands like Anbernic and Retroid pumping out nostalgia-packed handhelds, you’re basically carrying an entire arcade in your pocket. Be prepared to explain to people why you’re “playing Game Boy in the 2020s.” (Just flash a picture of Tetris and say, “Because it’s Tetris!”)
6. The Couch Potato Box – aka the Mini Consoles
Remember the NES and SNES Classic consoles? Gamers rushed to buy these little pre-loaded cuties, sat them next to the TV like trophies, and proceeded to play them once before they became collectors’ items. They’re adorable, they’re simple, and they deliver retro bliss straight to your living room without frying your PC – just try not to cry when that non-expandable game list starts feeling a little stale.
These retro emulation methods prove one universal truth: there’s no wrong way to travel back in time to save a princess or collect a ring – as long as you’re almost breaking your device in the process.
Modern Vintage Gamer takes us back to what made the original Wing Commander PC game so special.
Wing Commander is like jumping into a soap opera… in space! Imagine you’re a hotshot pilot battling evil feline overlords called the Kilrathi (think if your cat grew up on bad vibes and space lasers). Your job? To protect the galaxy while bantering with crew members who have enough drama to fill a few seasons of Days of Our Lives. Between missions, you wander the ship like it’s a floating high school, bonding with friends and frenemies alike, where everyone’s perpetually one botched mission away from a total meltdown. It’s basically Top Gun meets The Lion King—if Simba had claws and wanted to vaporize you.
Then there’s the gameplay, which serves up a blend of dogfighting chaos and cinematic tension. One moment, you’re blasting through Kilrathi fighters with a grin, the next you’re facing a mission briefing that sounds suspiciously like an episode recap from Battlestar Galactica. Sometimes you’re sent on reconnaissance (a.k.a. “please don’t die, we need intel”), but more often you’re thrown into the galactic version of a food fight—except the food is lasers, and the lunchroom is filled with explosions. It’s frantic, cheesy, and gloriously over-the-top, making it the perfect interstellar drama for anyone who ever wanted to fight space cats while managing their crewmates’ emotional baggage.
Here are five lesser-known horror movie “hidden gems” that have flown under the radar for many but offer unique, chilling, and thought-provoking experiences:
1. Lake Mungo (2008) – Directed by Joel Anderson
An Australian found-footage horror film that blends psychological horror with supernatural elements, Lake Mungo is presented as a mockumentary about a family grieving their daughter’s drowning. It’s eerie and unsettling, relying on atmosphere and emotional depth rather than jump scares. The film’s slow build of dread makes it a standout in the found-footage subgenre.
2. The Invitation (2015) – Directed by Karyn Kusama
This slow-burn psychological thriller follows a man invited to a dinner party at his ex-wife’s house, where the atmosphere becomes increasingly tense and bizarre. The Invitation excels in creating a claustrophobic feeling of paranoia and unease. It’s a masterclass in tension, with a shocking and satisfying climax.
3. Session 9 (2001) – Directed by Brad Anderson
Set in an abandoned mental asylum, Session 9 is an unsettling psychological horror film that follows a crew of asbestos cleaners who begin to experience strange occurrences while working in the decrepit building. The film expertly uses its location to create a haunting atmosphere, with a sense of dread that builds throughout, culminating in a chilling finale.
4. Pontypool (2008) – Directed by Bruce McDonald
A Canadian indie horror, Pontypool offers a unique twist on the zombie/infection genre. Set almost entirely in a radio station, the film follows a shock-jock DJ and his crew as they receive reports of a strange virus spreading across their town. What makes this film distinct is the idea that the virus is spread through language, making for a cerebral and tense experience.
5. The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) – Directed by André Øvredal
This chilling supernatural horror centers around a father-son team of coroners who are tasked with performing an autopsy on an unidentified woman. As they begin their work, they uncover increasingly bizarre and terrifying secrets about the body. The confined setting and excellent pacing make The Autopsy of Jane Doe a hidden gem with a terrifying atmosphere.
These films offer fresh takes on various horror subgenres and deserve a wider audience due to their innovative storytelling, atmosphere, and psychological depth.
The horror genre has evolved significantly over the years, with several films shaping its direction and leaving a lasting impact on both the industry and popular culture. Here are five of the most influential horror movies of all time:
1. Psycho (1960) – Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Often credited as a game-changer in the genre, Psycho redefined horror by bringing psychological horror into mainstream cinema. The infamous shower scene, along with its intense score, and Norman Bates’ character, left a lasting impact on how fear was depicted onscreen. It also helped to lay the groundwork for the slasher subgenre.
2. The Exorcist (1973) – Directed by William Friedkin
A landmark in horror history, The Exorcist is considered one of the scariest films ever made. Its portrayal of demonic possession and exorcism, coupled with disturbing special effects, shocked audiences and paved the way for supernatural horror films. The film was also one of the first horror films to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
3. Night of the Living Dead (1968) – Directed by George A. Romero
This independent film introduced the modern concept of the zombie to popular culture. Night of the Living Dead revolutionized horror with its raw portrayal of societal collapse and civil unrest, blending political commentary with grotesque horror. It’s the foundation for the zombie subgenre that remains hugely popular today.
4. Halloween (1978) – Directed by John Carpenter
John Carpenter’s Halloween solidified the slasher subgenre, inspiring a wave of imitators. The film’s low-budget success and its use of a masked, unstoppable killer set a formula that many slasher films followed. It also introduced Michael Myers, one of horror’s most iconic characters.
5. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) – Directed by Tobe Hooper
A gritty, terrifying experience, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre shocked audiences with its visceral brutality and realistic atmosphere. It played a pivotal role in the rise of exploitation horror and inspired countless films that pushed boundaries in terms of gore, fear, and realism.
These films have left indelible marks on the genre, influencing countless directors and subgenres, and remain essential to the history of horror cinema.
Tales of Weird Stuff takes a long road trip through Washington State to Spokane to rescue a truck load of classic Apple computers. This is wild!
Apple computers are not only known for their sleek designs and cutting-edge technology, but some models have become rare, highly collectible, and seriously expensive. Here are 5 of the rarest or most expensive Apple computers:
1. Apple I (1976)
The holy grail of vintage computing! Only about 200 of these were ever made, and even fewer exist today. Hand-built by Steve Wozniak in Steve Jobs’ garage, this computer came as a motherboard kit, no case or keyboard included (DIY vibes, right?). One of these relics sold for $905,000 in 2014, making it the equivalent of owning a tech museum in your living room.
2. Apple Lisa 1 (1983)
The Apple Lisa was like the overachieving older sibling to the Macintosh. It was the first personal computer with a graphical user interface, which is why it cost as much as a decent car back then—about $10,000. Nowadays, a working Lisa 1 can go for $50,000–$100,000 depending on condition. It’s basically the computer equivalent of saying, “I bought Bitcoin in 2009.”
3. Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh (1997)
When Apple hit the 20-year mark, they decided to throw themselves a party and released this luxury limited-edition Mac. It came with a Bose sound system and a price tag of $7,500. Now, they’re collector’s items worth $10,000–$15,000. Owning one is like saying, “I appreciated the finer things in life… even in 1997.”
4. Macintosh 128K (1984)
The OG Mac, the one that started it all. It was the first Mac with a graphical interface and mouse, making it the apple of every tech geek’s eye (pun intended). While they originally sold for $2,495, a mint-condition one in the original packaging can fetch upwards of $5,000–$10,000 today. Think of it as vintage, but make it tech chic.
5. Apple II (1977)
This one was a big deal—it basically brought personal computing to the masses. With its sleek (for the time) design, color graphics, and a whopping 4 KB of RAM, it was the height of ‘70s tech sophistication. Depending on condition and whether it’s a first-gen model, it can go for anywhere between $2,000 and $10,000 now. The computer that once ran “Oregon Trail” is now worth more than your actual trail-running shoes.
Owning one of these machines isn’t just about having a rare piece of tech history—it’s about flaunting that you’re an Apple superfan with a time-traveling wallet!
Atari and Digital Eclipse are back with a new DLC to their excellent Atari 50th the Anniversary Celebration! They are adding 19 playable games, as well as 8 video interviews into a brand new timeline to the main game. More info: https://atari.com
A second DLC entitled The First Console War will be released globally on November 8, in addition to a physical release of Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Expanded Edition on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 for $39.99. The physical release contains the original game and both DLCs.
A Steelbook version for Nintendo Switch, which will include Atari 2600 art cards, miniature arcade marquee signs, an Al Alcorn Replica Syzygy Co. business card, will retail for $49.99 USD.
Games Included in DLC #1:
Atari Video Cube (2600)
Avalanche (800)
Avalanche (arcade)
Berzerk (2600 Voice Enhanced)
Berzerk (2600)
Berzerk (5200)
Berzerk (arcade)
Desert Falcon (2600)
Destroyer (arcade)
Football (arcade)
Frenzy (arcade)
Off the Wall (2600)
Red Baron (arcade)
Sky Diver (2600)
Sky Diver (arcade)
Steeplechase (2600)
Stellar Track (2600)
Submarine Commander (2600)
Super Bug (arcade)
