A team of sports broadcasters finds themselves caught in a life-or-death hostage situation. A quick-living British singer portrayed as a chimpanzee. An actress who’s a loyal malcontent who attacks everyone she meets.

They're a few of the fascinating characters (and a monkey) you'll meet on movie screens this week. That's why you need to get to know them.

“5. September”: At a time when it seems like meatier movies need to last more than two hours, director Tim Fehlbaum's purposeful and altogether terrific 95-minute pulse-pounder is something highly gratifying. The thriller from him and his co-screenwriters Moritz S. Binder and Alex David puts us right in the sweaty control room as ABC Sports producers and crew members scramble to cover the deadly Summer Olympics in Munich on that fateful day in 1972 to report. This ticking time- The bombshell report is (mostly) confined to the inner sanctum of this harried TV newsroom, where hot newcomer producer Geoff (John Magaro of “Past Lives”) leads the coverage and makes decisions in the face of the shocking consequences of the Israeli athletes being taken hostage both good and bad decisions.

The resulting chaos spirals completely out of control, making it difficult to determine what is truth and what is fiction. Key decisions about how to update the latest details and convey them to viewers responsibly and accurately are quickly reconsidered, resulting in an unbearably tense experience. “September 5” is seamless throughout, with precise editing from Hansjörg Weißbrich and powerful acting from Magaro, Peter Sarsgaard as TV boss Roone Arledge and Leonie Benesch as a particularly astute German interpreter. Plus, all the production details are right, from the chunky cameras to the wardrobe styles and the hectic arrangement of letter tiles used as on-screen descriptions. It is a riveting historical account from start to finish. Details: 3½ out of 4 stars; in theaters January 10th.

“Better Man”: The monkey is out of the bag, so to speak. Paramount Pictures is now fully embracing the central idea of ​​”The Greatest Showman” director Michael Gracey's biopic about British pop star/villain Robbie Williams – that he is portrayed by a CGI chimpanzee. While I'm still not convinced that this is actually the best way to go, I'm wholeheartedly in love with this high-energy, do-everything musical about Williams' life and struggles. Gracey entertains us in this stone-cold, honest overview of Williams' rapid rise to stardom (a desire instilled in him by his father, powerfully played by Steve Pemberton) in the boy band Take That, and on to his drug-fueled rants and escapades, his heavy tangible loves, his conflicts with other artists and his solo career. “Better Man” is brimming with priceless, surprisingly tender moments and plenty of insightful concert scenes (Take That's recreations are outstanding; a sequence with Williams' “Angels” will leave you in awe). Best of all is a magnificent, breathtaking number centered around “Rock DJ” that sprawls across London's Regent Street and will be remembered as one of the most effervescent and exhilarating sequences in any film of the last decade. Gracey saves the most emotional moment for last, as Williams taps into the Sinatra side he never wanted to let go of. Like the rest of the film, it is full of emotion and highlights the skill and impressiveness of the actor behind the computerized monkey suit – Jonno Davies. It's a fleet-footed feat of physical and emotional acting, and the 32-year-old English actor, much like Andy Serkis as Caesar in War for the Planet of the Apes, manages to make us cry and care for the person inside . Details: 3½ stars; in theaters January 10th.

“Last Showgirl”: In “The Last Showgirl,” Pamela Anderson's insightful but understated performance as a veteran Las Vegas performer at the end of her career never hits a wrong note. She plays Shelly, a performer who has dedicated 30 years to the old-fashioned Razzle Dazzle Show, which is now scheduled to close, putting her future in the business in doubt. Director Gia Coppola's film, based on a compelling screenplay by Kate Gersten, is a dark, character-driven drama that gives Anderson a powerful role that she relishes and commands in every scene. It is an achievement that is certainly worthy of an award.

Shelly has seen it all and sacrificed a lot; But she also did things her own way, which led to criticism from those around her, including her college-age daughter Hannah (Billie Lourd), who comes home for unpleasant visits, and stage manager Eddie (Dave Bautista, proving once again that he has dramatic range). who has a past with Shelly. The best scenes focus on the close-knit group of female cast members starting families of their own, as their “blood” families often want nothing to do with them. Shelly has become an adoptive mother to everyone, even her very tanned best cocktail waitress Annette (Jaime Lee Curtis, in another unforgettable performance), who is always struggling with finances. “The Last Showgirl” exposes the sexism and ageism these women face, but also shows the resilience and fighting spirit that help them stay true to who they are. Details: 3 stars; hits theaters on January 9th.

“Hard truths”: If you had the terrible misfortune of encountering Pansy (Marianne Jean-Baptiste in a performance of breathtaking cobra-like artistry), the venomous protagonist in another of Mike Leigh's excellent character studies, you might want to sprint like Olympian Noah Lyles to get out of it Way to go her. The married, scorching-sour Londoner spews hatred wherever she goes, insulting everyone she meets: her dentist; her cowering, bullied, bear-sized son Moses (Tuwaine Barrett); even her hard-working punching bag husband Curtley (David Webber). Everyone around her bears the germaphobe's wrath, and the only person who can occasionally penetrate her bilious anger is her optimistic hairdresser sister Chantal (Michelle Austin), mother of two lively daughters. Chantal understands the reasons why Pansy lashes out and refuses to ever give herself the chance to see the beauty that exists all around her. Built on the great performances of Jean-Baptiste and Austin, Leigh's deeply conscious human drama makes us realize how tragic a character Pansy is and how compassionate Chantal is. It's a credit to both actors that they pulled this off, as the 81-year-old Leigh allows his cast to create their characters, interactions and situations through a long round of rehearsals. The unorthodox process continues to produce real and raw character studies, and “Hard Truths” stands on the same top floor as Leigh's best works – “Naked,” “Secrets & Lies,” “Happy-Go-Lucky” and “Another Year.” ” It is certainly a brilliant triumph for Jean-Baptiste, who burns in every scene and delivers a fearless performance that is unique for the ages. Details: 3½ stars; in theaters January 10th.

“The room next door”: Director Pedro Almodovar abandons the sexy to take mortality very seriously and seriously in his wandering, strangely stilted first feature in English, an adaptation of Sigrid Nunez's acclaimed novel “What Are You Going Through?” At the center of Almodovar's version is the reunion of two writers – the war journalist Martha (Tilda Swinton) and the writer Ingrid (Julianne Moore). The former friends reunite when Martha learns that her cancer is terminal. She doesn't want to die alone, and after Martha tells some convoluted stories from the past and laughs a bit, she asks Ingrid to come with her to New York State to live in an architect's dream house. There she asks Ingrid for a big favor. While many of the Almodovar hallmarks are present – the splashes of color, the rich visuals and the strong female characters – “The Room Next Door” feels fairly hole, an odd occurrence given its preoccupation with the actual fact of what's to return death, and that he plays the leading role of two of our biggest actors. But even their performances seem distant and distant in a movie of occasional beauty that ultimately fails to attach. Details: 2 stars; in theaters January tenth.

Originally published: January 9, 2025 at 3:40 pm PST

The Miami Heat have suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games for “multiple acts detrimental to the team” and announced that they’ll “listen to offers” for the All-Star forward, eight days after team president Pat Riley publicly stated that the team has “no will make offers”. Trade” Butler.

“Through his actions and statements, he has demonstrated that he no longer wants to be a part of this team,” the Heat wrote in a team statement Friday. “Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they would like a trade, so we will listen to the offers.”

The National Basketball Players Association plans to appeal the penalty.

“The seven-game suspension imposed on Jimmy Butler by the Miami Heat tonight is excessive and inappropriate, and we intend to file a discipline grievance,” the union said in a statement.

The Heat's decision to suspend Butler marks the latest turning point in an apparently eroding relationship. After Miami's 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 2, days after he returned to the Heat after a five-game absence, Butler said he had lost his joy in playing basketball and was ready to give it up “wherever that could be.” “will” be restored. Asked if that joy could be recreated in Miami, Butler replied: “Probably not.”

Shortly thereafter, a league source confirmed an ESPN report that Butler had informed the Heat of his desire to be traded to another NBA team by the league's trade deadline on February 6.

Miami HEAT statement on Jimmy Butler:

We have suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games because he has committed behavior detrimental to the team on several occasions over the course of the season and particularly in the previous few weeks.

– Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 4, 2025

In the 2 games before Butler's suspension, he totaled 11 shot attempts and averaged nine points in only over 25 minutes per game. He didn't play a single minute within the fourth quarter of either game. The 35-year-old forward is on pace to complete behind teammates Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo in usage rate for the second straight season, marking one other shift in his place in Miami's hierarchy because the Heat give the latter two more offense have entrusted responsibility.

“That may be my role here, but that's not what I'm used to,” Butler said Thursday of his reduced usage. “I haven't been like that since, I don't know, my first, second, third year in the league where I just went out and played defense. But I'm competitive – I guarded and tried not to let my man score. That’s what I do now.”

The two teams were unable to barter a contract extension after last season, leading the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals MVP to determine to play the 2024-25 season and express a desire to get out of the last one yr of his current contract, which might pay him $52.4 million. Butler has until the summer to elect that option, which might allow him to change into an unrestricted free agent and sign with the Heat or a brand new team.

Butler appeared in 22 of the Heat's 32 games this season, meaning he has missed not less than 10 games in each of his five-plus seasons with the Heat. When Butler has played, Miami has a 12-10 record, in comparison with a 5-3 record when he sat out. According to NBA.com, the team has five-time All-NBA selections on the court this season and has a net rating of plus-4.3. When he’s either on the bench or not available to play in any respect, Miami is outscored by 0.4 points per 100 possessions.

Availability has been at the guts of tensions between Butler and Miami's front office.

There were already tensions between the six-time All-Star and Miami last season. Last May, Riley lamented Butler's claim that he could have led the Heat past the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks within the playoffs last yr if he had been healthy.

“If you're not playing on the field, you should keep your mouth shut,” Riley said at his end-of-season press conference.

Since then, Butler has change into increasingly vocal about his dissatisfaction together with his contract status and role. When reports surfaced in December that he would favor to be traded to certainly one of the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks or Phoenix Suns, Butler began changing his hair color to match that of his potential suitors – blonde for the Warriors, red for the Rockets, blue for Mavericks and orange for Suns. When Butler was asked about his hair decisions in a rare post-practice media session on Tuesday, he attributed the thought to a loved one.

“My daughter chose purple, so I chose purple,” Butler said of Tuesday’s alternative. “She will also choose the color tonight. I think I know what it’s going to be, but she’s going to pick it.”

Butler's scoring average this season (17.6) is on pace to be his lowest since 2013-14 with the Chicago Bulls (13.1), although his 55.2 percent shooting percentage is his most effective in 14 seasons as a professional were. His 10.5 shot attempts per game ranks fourth amongst Heat players, behind Herro (17.5), Adebayo (13.7) and Terry Rozier (10.9).

Despite his statistical decline, Butler has shown signs of still being able to putting up big numbers. On December 16 against the Detroit Pistons, he became the primary player in NBA history to record a 30-point triple-double without committing a foul or turnover, although Miami lost 125–124 in extra time. (The league began tracking individual turnovers within the 1977-78 season.)

Close losses have been a sore point for Butler and the Heat. Miami has six losses by a margin of three points or fewer this season, tied with the Sacramento Kings (15-19) and Toronto Raptors (8-26) for probably the most such losses within the NBA. In critical situations – defined because the rating being inside five points in the ultimate five minutes of a game – the Heat are only 7-11; They have more clutch losses than lottery-bound teams just like the Portland Trail Blazers (11-22 overall), Utah Jazz (7-25) and Washington Wizards (6-25).

“It’s not a difficult transition for me. “I’m going to fight to win whether I score nine points or 29 points,” Butler said Thursday. “I’m going to compete – that’s one thing I’m going to say. So people won't say I'm out there not playing hard. It might seem that way because my usage has gone down and I don't shoot the ball a lot, but we're not going to sit here and say I'm not playing hard.”

With Miami now open to entertaining offers for Butler, it remains to be seen what it will take to end what has become a morbid chapter in franchise history after one of its best stretches. Miami posted the NBA's seventh-best winning percentage in Butler's first five seasons in South Florida.

Miami will be without Butler on Saturday as it hosts Utah before embarking on a six-game road trip. Until then, it's possible that Butler will finally get his wish.

“I want to get my joy back in playing basketball, and wherever that may be, we'll find out here soon,” Butler said Thursday. “I’m happy here off the pitch, but I want to be somewhat dominant again.”

Required reading

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold and Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers lead the list of first-team selections for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, which the league announced Thursday .

The Baltimore Ravens lead all teams with nine Pro Bowl selections, while the Detroit Lions (seven players), Minnesota Vikings (six), Philadelphia Eagles (six), Dallas Cowboys (five) and Kansas City Chiefs (five) each have not less than five Players place players within the squad.

The 4 teams with nobody on the Pro Bowl's first roster are the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans.

Despite not appearing within the Pro Bowl since 2021 because the Chiefs have won the last two Super Bowls, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes was not chosen as a starter for the primary time in his seven years.

This yr's Pro Bowl Games might be held in Orlando, Florida, with the abilities challenges happening over two days at different locations. The first a part of the abilities competition will happen on January 30 at Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus and can air at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN. The second a part of the event, including the flag football game, will happen on February 2nd at Camping World Stadium. It airs at 3:00 pm ET on ESPN and ABC.

The NFL added a trivia element to this yr's skill competitions, which also include traditional dodgeball and tug-of-war games. To “pass the test,” each quarterback must answer five trivia questions on other Pro Bowlers from the 2024 season. Correct answers give passersby more time to attempt to hit targets.

Peyton and Eli Manning will once more coach the AFC and NFC teams. The NFC defeated the AFC for the second straight yr in Pro Bowl Games in 2024.

Here's a take a look at the initial attendee lists from each conference:

AFC

attack

quarterback

• Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills*
• Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
• Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Run back

• Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens*
• Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
• Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

Full-back

• Patrick Ricard, Baltimore Ravens*

Wide receiver

• Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals*
• Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns*
• Nico Collins, Houston Texans
• Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens

Tight end

• Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders*
• Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

Offensive tackle

• Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills*
• Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans*
• Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers

Offensive guard

• Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts*
• Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs*
• Trey Smith, Kansas City Chiefs

center

• Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs*
• Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens

defense

Defensive end

• Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns*
• Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals*
• Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders

Interior designer

• Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers*
• Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs*
• Nnamdi Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens

Outside linebacker

• Nik Bonitto, Denver Broncos*
• TJ Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers*
• Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers

Inside/middle linebacker

• Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens*
• Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts

Cornerback

• Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans*
• Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos*
• Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens
• Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns

Free security

• Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers*

Strong security

• Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens*
• Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers

Special teams

Long snapper

• Ross Matiscik, Jacksonville Jaguars*

player

• Logan Cooke, Jacksonville Jaguars*

Kicker

• Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers*

Returns specialist

• Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos*

Special team player

• Brenden Schooler, New England Patriots*

NFC

attack

quarterback

• Jared Goff, Detroit Lions*
• Jayden Daniels, commanders of Washington
• Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

Run back

• Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles*
• Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
• Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

Full-back

• Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers

Wide receiver

• Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings*
• Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions*
• CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
• Terry McLaurin, Washington commanders

Tight end

• George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers*
• Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

Offensive tackle

• Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles*
• Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions*
• Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Offensive guard

• Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia Eagles*
• Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys*
• Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons

center

• Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions*
• Cam Jurgens, Philadelphia Eagles

defense

Defensive end

• Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers*
• Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys*
• Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers

Interior designer

• Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles*
• Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants*
• Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Outside linebacker

• Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota Vikings*
• Andrew Van Ginkel, Minnesota Vikings*
• Jared Verses, Los Angeles Rams

Inside/middle linebacker

• Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers*
• Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles

Cornerback

• Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears*
• Byron Murphy, Minnesota Vikings*
• Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers
• Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks

Free security

• Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers*

Strong security

• Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals*
• Brian Branch, Detroit Lions

Special teams

Long snapper

• Andrew DePaola, Minnesota Vikings*

player

Kicker

• Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys*

Returns specialist

• KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys*

Special team player

• KhaDarel Hodge, Atlanta Falcons*

Required reading

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been banned for seven matches and fined £100,000 by the Football Association (FA) for comments he made about teammate Son Heung-min.

Bentancur said on the tv program Por La Camiseta, which aired in his native Uruguay in June, that South Korea international Son and his cousins ​​”all look the same.” The 27-year-old later apologized on social media.

Bentancur was charged by the FA in September and was accused of “acting inappropriately and/or using offensive and/or insulting words and/or bringing the game into disrepute”. The FA added in a press release that the charge also constituted a “serious breach” of FA Rule E3.2 because it allegedly included references to nationality, racial or ethnic origin.

Son asked during a press conference later in September about his response to the costs and his relationship with Bentancur.

“The process is with the FA and so I can't say much about it, but I love Rodrigo,” Son said. “I repeat: I love him, I love him.

“We had a lot of good memories, we started playing together when he joined. He apologized right after, you know, when we were on vacation.

“I was at home and I didn’t even know what was going on. He just sent me a long text message that you could tell came from his heart. When he returned to the training ground for pre-season training, he was truly sorry and almost cried as he apologized publicly and personally. It felt like he was really sorry.”

Bentancur denied the FA charge, but an independent regulatory commission found him guilty and decided on punishment after a hearing.

The Uruguay international will miss Tottenham's upcoming Premier League games against Manchester City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Southampton and Liverpool, as well as the Carabao Cup quarter-final game against Manchester United in December. He will still be available to them in the Europa League.

About 2.3 million U.S. adults over 65 — greater than 4% — have one Diagnosis of dementia. But even with out a diagnosis, some cognitive decline is normal as we age.

And whether it's due to fear of cognitive decline or because we notice cognitive deficits once we're stressed, lots of us have had moments once we thought we could use an additional cognitive boost.

The excellent news is that research has shown that individuals could make changes throughout maturity that result in this help prevent or delay cognitive decline and even reduce the chance of dementia. This includes give up smoking and control blood pressure properly.

In addition to those lifestyle changes, many persons are turning to brain training games which might be said to optimize your brain's efficiency and capability at any age. The makers of brain training apps and games claim their products can do the whole lot from ward off cognitive impairment to Improving your IQ.

But to date this one The claims have been met with mixed evidence.

We are cognitive neuroscientists WHO Focus on brain health across the whole adult lifespan. We study how the brain influences cognition and the way we will use brain imaging to know cognitive and brain training interventions. Our goal is to know how our brains naturally change over time and what we will do about it.

Ongoing research is revealing what actually happens to the brain because it engages in recent learning processes, shedding light on how people can maintain their brain health and the role brain training games can play on this. We imagine these studies offer some strategies to properly train your brain.

Brain training facts vs. fiction

Brain training is a series of tasks, often computerized, based on well-known tests to measure a form of cognition, but in a playful way.

Most brain training games are designed to assist participants learn a number of specific skills. An example is a game that shows you a letter and number combination, where sometimes you’ve gotten to quickly discover whether the letter is odd and even, while other times you’ve gotten to choose whether the letter is a consonant or a vowel. The difficulty of the sport can increase because of the undeniable fact that you’ve gotten to finish the duty inside a set closing date.

Such games require a high level of attention, fast processing speed, and a versatile mind to change between rules executive functioning.

However, it seems that the precise skills learned in these games often don't transfer to more general, real-world applications. Whether brain games achieve their ultimate goal of lasting cognitive improvement in a variety of areas continues to be unclear hotly debated amongst psychologists. To make such claims requires solid evidence that playing a selected game improves cognitive or brain performance.

In 2016, actually the Federal Trade Commission imposed a $50 million penalty to probably the most popular brain-training games of its time, Lumosity, since it led consumers to imagine that through the use of the product they might achieve greater mental performance at work or school and stop or delay cognitive decline.

If improving a brain game helps the player get well at just that game or at very similar games, game developers might have a special approach.

Present a challenge

In a study called Synapse ProjectIn which one among us, Ian McDonough, helped evaluate the ultimate results, a bunch of participants were tasked with engaging in a brand new activity with which they’d little experience. They were assigned to either digital photography or quilting. Although these activities weren’t games, they were intended to be exciting, difficult and conducted in a social environment.

Another group was assigned activities that involved little lively learning, resembling: E.g. themed activities related to travel or cooking, or more solitary activities resembling doing crossword puzzles, listening to music or watching classic movies. These groups met for 15 hours per week for 14 weeks. All participants were tested on various cognitive skills originally and end of the study.

Those assigned to the brand new, difficult activities showed significant gains of their memory, processing speed, and considering skills in comparison with those assigned to the less difficult activities. None of the participants received direct training for these cognitive tests, meaning the difficult activities improved skills that may very well be transferred to recent situations, resembling memorizing an inventory of words or solving abstract problems.

Brain scans of participants showed that over the course of the study, those that did more demanding activities increased their performance neural efficiency. In other words, your brain didn't need to work as hard to resolve problems or retrieve information.

The study also showed that the more time participants spent on their projects, the greater the brain gains and the higher their memory was at the tip of 14 weeks.

One difference between Synapse Project activities and traditional brain training is whether or not the activities are performed in a bunch or alone. Although other studies have found advantages for social interaction, the Synapse Project found no difference between social and solitary activities within the low-challenge group. So challenges, not the social components, look like the driving force behind maintaining cognitive and brain health.

What you possibly can do to keep up a healthy brain

You could also be considering that it's time to start out digital photography or quilting. But ultimately it's not about these specific tasks. Most importantly, challenge yourself, which regularly comes naturally whenever you're doing something recent.

The recent learning, which regularly comes with a sense of effort – and sometimes frustration – requires access to the resources within the Frontal lobethat controls considering and judgment, and that Parietal lobethat processes attention and combines different sensory impressions. These regions continuously communicate with one another to maintain the mind adaptable in all kinds of situations and stop the brain from entering “habit mode.”

Where does this lead us? Well, on the one hand, games touted as “brain training” will not be one of the best solution in comparison with other ways to enhance cognition.

Ironically, you might already be training your brain by playing difficult games that aren't marketed as “brain training.” For example, Games like Tetris or Real-time strategy games Games like Rise of Nations have shown improvements in player perception. Studies have even shown this Play Super Mario 64 can result in a rise in brain volume in regions resembling Hippocampusthe memory center of the brain.

While there may be little evidence that any brain training game or program improves cognition overall, some may improve certain facets of it. As with other activities, challenge is vital.

If you're a word person, try a number-based game. If you like math, consider a word game or puzzle. Choosing a task that makes you’re feeling uncomfortable gives you one of the best probability of maintaining and even improving your cognitive abilities. Once you’re feeling a way of ease and familiarity, that's an indication that it's time to change tasks, change the sport, or at the very least add a challenge by moving as much as a brand new difficulty level that seems outside of you range is.

ASHBURN, Va. – Kliff Kingsbury is embracing the virtual reality simulation that Jayden Daniels credits with developing his quarterback skills, even when the technology initially sent him within the incorrect direction.

“The first time I put it on, my back was against the wall,” said Kingsbury, offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders and former quarterback at Texas Tech. “It felt like the (pass) rush was coming.”

The former Arizona Cardinals head coach spent his year-long absence from the skilled ranks determined to hunt latest approaches should he return. When Kingsbury played with the Red Raiders in Mike Leach's “Air Raid” system from 2000 to 2002, he served as quarterback for considered one of football's newest offensive developments.

He has no plans to decelerate the most recent.

“I’m all in,” Kingsbury said of the VR platform. “I mean, it’s an incredible technology.”

Six weeks into his rookie season, Daniels is the talk of the league and a part of the emerging MVP conversation. The Commanders, led by a particularly efficient offense that ranks second in scoring at 29.7 points per game, feature a full of life 4:2 record Start of Sunday's home game against the Carolina Panthers.

Perhaps the one thing faster than Daniels' accelerated growth is the speed at which he tunes the VR simulation. That could be the very best possible setting.

“In VR, it moves faster than real people,” Daniels said before Washington opened the 2024 season. “Once you get out there, everything slows down. I know that's coming. I’ve seen this before and it moved over 20 times faster in VR.”

Jayden Daniels works virtual reality every morning like a “flight simulator for QBs”@tracywolfson has more pic.twitter.com/LmScO2SBt4

— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) October 13, 2024

The simulation from the German company Recognize arrived on the LSU campus before Daniels' final season. The dual-threat quarterback immediately became a believer within the immersive technology, originally designed for elite football players to get extra reps beyond practice without additional wear and tear. Fast forward, the quarterback became a star with mid- to late-round draft projections in 2023.

Daniels excelled with 50 touchdowns – 40 passing, 10 rushing – 3,812 passing yards and 4,946 total yards from scrimmage with just 4 interceptions en path to winning the Heisman Trophy. He had not passed for 3,000 yards or greater than 17 touchdowns in any of his previous 4 seasons at LSU or Arizona State.

When LSU staff reduced the VR's pace to game speed, “it felt like slow motion,” Daniels said.

That hasn't modified, as evidenced by his pinpoint accuracy — Daniels leads the NFL with a 75.3 completion percentage — and his Matrix-like moves around defenders. He ranks fourth amongst quarterbacks in total yards (1,726) and has scored 10 touchdowns, including six through the air.

Regardless of the outcomes, not every coach grows with their sport or accepts latest and different approaches. Some get stuck of their habits and are able to rise and fall with their methods. The Commanders team under coach Dan Quinn is open to innovations in how they will apply for multiple positions and whatever comes their way.

“That’s one of the fun parts of coaching,” Quinn said. “Nothing really stays the same and there are things that evolve and progress.”

Washington targeted Daniels early within the pre-draft cycle, meaning Kingsbury had time to begin formulating a plan for the Commanders' next quarterback hope. Initial post-draft meetings through which Washington made Daniels the No. 2 pick prompted the coordinator to make the VR simulation a “big part” of his weekly process.

“It's a unique technology and it's definitely for the quarterbacks,” Kingsbury said. “I think it's more effective than if they just watch the film. They go through their reads, they go over their progress, they see it.”

Daniels also listens to Kingsbury at the identical time. The coordinator adjusted his each day schedule in order that he spent 45 to 60 minutes recording the weekly pieces right into a recorder. Kingsbury's voice is the soundtrack for these VR sessions.

“(Pilots) are not trained on real airplanes. They make their flight simulators. … (Jayden) has that thing on all the time. He can see our readings and routes and hears my voice in them. “It’s as real as it gets to get game reps and your mind doesn’t know the difference,” Kingsbury said. “Your mind thinks you do.”

Shortly after the draft, the organization purchased the VR simulation for its quarterbacks. Marcus Mariota, the Commanders' backup and former NFL starter, finds the trendy application “amazing” since it helps quarterbacks turn into more comfortable in an offense and recognize patterns.

“I believe defensive patterns are patterns,” Mariota said. “It's important to recognize them quickly, and (VR) seems to help Jayden with that.”

Confidence in coverage and “a feel for the space” are a part of Daniels' transition from college to the NFL and one other way simulation helps improve.

“You have to throw some guys out,” Daniels said. “There are (defenders) who have been in this league for a long time who are very savvy and know what to expect, all the patterns and things like that. You have to make some tight throws. So that’s what you have to do in this league.”

The experience doesn't just occur after the snapshot. Simulations allow the quarterback to maneuver across the pocket and utilize the whole field. Street stadium details, including the situation of the sport clocks, allow the user to experience the whole scene before entering the stadium.

In the past, there have been less sophisticated versions of the VR product. Mariota got his first take a look at a Stanford-run simulator years ago. The 2014 Heisman winner recalled the method using snippets of game footage that didn't come near replicating game-like situations.

Nine-year veteran Jeff Driskel “played around” with VR technology as a newbie. A “visual learner,” Washington’s emergency third-string quarterback recognizes the huge improvements from then to now. It personalizes each play “based on what we think they’re going to do on defense and what we think we’re going to do on offense.”

Quinn, 54, focuses on the teaching aspect of his work and has structured his staff accordingly. Seeing this technological advancement enlightens the “lifelong learner.” Now backup quarterbacks like rookie Sam Hartman, who rarely gets much practice time within the team's offense, have a tool to assist them learn.

“The rep count is always low for anyone, especially at our level and tempo,” Hartman said. “The goal for quarterbacks is to get reps and see every play a million times. (VR) really helps.”

Hartman, a member of Washington's training team, has been playing video games with the Oculus headset but gets sick with all of the exercise. The soccer simulation doesn't require running around.

“If I had Jayden’s speed, I would run around a little bit more,” said Hartman, an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame.

Mariota and Driskel said there's no telling how much support Daniels will get from the simulation or how he would perform without VR in the center. They know that more repetition results in sharpening instincts. In real games, when instinct takes over, success often follows.

Daniels suffered a concussion in practice last yr, per week before LSU played SEC rival Florida. The injury kept him from the physical, but not the mental, parts of coaching. He then delivered the outstanding performance of his college profession with 372 passing yards, 234 rushing and five combined touchdowns within the 52-35 victory.

“The VR helped a lot,” said Daniels.

Currently, only Washington's quarterbacks have access to the groundbreaking technology. With simulations available for others to trick their brains, Commanders trainers won’t be afraid to have interaction in any scenario that comes their way. The one with Daniels created quite a reality.

The athletic one

Bruins

The Bruins 2024-25 season is well underway, with Boston currently holding a 3-2-0 record following Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Avalanche.

Given the turnover on the depth chart for Boston, it was expected that there could be some growing pains for the Bruins this fall.

But despite two Panthers losses, this Bruins team has already been bolstered by some unexpected contributors.

Here are eight stats and trends that stood out through the Bruins' first five games, highlighting each the expansion of a developing roster and deficiencies that should be corrected.

12 goals per 60 minutes in 5v5 play for Kastelic

How dominant has Boston's fourth line of Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic and Cole Koepke been this season?

According to Evolving Hockey, the trio is an absurdist 12 goals were scored within the 5-on-5 game, which lasted probably 60 minutes — with Boston currently outscoring its opponents 8-0 in 40 minutes of 5-on-5 reps this season.

This value of 12.0 GF/60 is by far one of the best hit rate of any forward within the NHL, followed by Jonathan Huberdeau's line in Calgary (8.67 GF/60), Jack Eichel's line in Las Vegas (8.59) and the Lineup of Anton Lundell, Sam Reinhart and Eetu Luostarinen (7.7) in Florida.

Through five games, this group of Beecher, Kastelic and Koepke has been one of the best lineup in hockey – combining for six goals and 15 points from beyond the arc while shooting just 34.6 percent of their faceoffs within the offensive zone at 5-10. On-5 game.

While the Bruins scored eight 5-on-5 goals when the Kastelic department was on hiatus, there have been 17 teams in the whole NHL that didn't even rating eight 5-on-5 goals all season.

This spike in points is probably not sustainable for Boston's fourth line. But if this trio continues to play with pace, win puck battles and operate below the goal line, this bottom-six group may very well be one of the best controlling unit within the league.

-0.4 goals saved above expectations for Jeremy Swayman

Jeremy Swayman was among the finest goaltenders within the NHL at converting top scoring opportunities last season, rating fourth within the league in goals saved above expectations with 18.4.per MoneyPuck).

But after recording zero reps with the Bruins during each training camp and preseason contract negotiations, Boston's franchise goaltender was understandably rusty from the beginning.

Aside from his .893 save percentage in three appearances, Swayman's goals saved percentage above expectations is -0.4 (essentially, he has allowed more goals than expected based on the standard of opponents' shots and scoring probabilities).

He is currently ranked thirty fifth within the NHL entering the yr with odds of -0.4, while Joonas Korpisalo is ranked fortieth overall with odds of -0.9.

The Bruins imagine they’re locking in a franchise goaltender long-term with Swayman's latest eight-year, $66 million contract. But it’d take a while for him to settle on this season.

-2.59 expected goal difference at 5v5 games

One of the few concerning developments for Boston was the flexible coverage of the defensive zone. According to MoneyPuckBoston ranks twenty eighth within the NHL with 10.72 expected goals against at 5-on-5.

That's a disheartening situation, considering that a high expected goals ratio paints an image of a defense liable to squandering prime probabilities and other dangerous scoring probabilities around their goalkeeper.

Often, expected goals don't necessarily correlate with tangible goals etched into the scoresheet – especially when you will have a powerful goalkeeper who’s able to thwarting the nice probabilities that appear in front of him.

But considering Swayman's aforementioned pedestrian start, the Bruins were exhausted within the early going on account of poor coverage at the online front and lackluster defense on the push.

Adding in Boston's uneven performance of quality 5-on-5 opportunities within the offensive zone (8.13 expected goals), the Bruins' expected goal differential of -2.59 leaves them thirty first out of 32 NHL clubs entering the season .

32 penalties

The Bruins have spent far an excessive amount of time in sin, with Boston currently tied for first within the NHL with 32 penalties in five games as of Thursday night. That was a cause for consternation for Jim Montgomery, who called out his team after it was eliminated by five penalties against Florida on Monday.

Boston's strengthened roster is anticipated to dish out some penalties this yr, however the Bruins were far too undisciplined early on. Nikita Zadorov specifically spent a whole lot of time within the penalty box – the 1.90 meter tall defender was whistled seven times in these five games, as many as within the league.

Additionally, Boston's penalty kill unit has been largely average thus far this yr (80.0 percent) and the Bruins have played with fire in terms of the team's trips to the penalty box.

18.2 percent success rate in the facility play

While the Bruins have been no strangers to lopsided 5-on-5 results during the last decade, those deficiencies have typically been offset by a powerful power play that Boston has been capable of hold in most games.

But after last postseason's lull against Florida (1:16, 14 shots on goal over 26:19 of ice time), the Bruins' man advantage once more struggled to achieve traction early within the yr. Their success rate of 18.2 percent currently ranks twentieth within the NHL.

Boston's man advantage stays lethal with David Pastrnak, but he went 27 straight games and not using a power play record from March 7 to May 8 last season.

The Bruins need greater than Pastrnak's one-timer to bolster their power play, with Elias Lindholm (five points in five games) showing encouraging results on the bumper court.

4 points for Mason Lohrei since being scratched

Mason Lohrei's unique mix of size and playmaking ability from the blue line should set him up for a breakout season within the 2024-25 season.

However, the 23-year-old defenseman may also face some growing pains, as evidenced by his lackluster play against Florida during Boston's season-opening loss at Amerant Bank Arena.

Since being scratched in Boston's home opener against Montreal on Oct. 10, Lohrei has responded. Lohrei has scored 4 points in his last three games – he lit up against Florida on Monday before adding a slick push to Charlie Coyle's power play tally on Wednesday.

The Bruins could have to beat a few of the expected ups and downs that include several younger players attempting to break into the NHL. Boston shall be watching to see how Matt Poitras responds after he logged just 8:23 of ice time in Wednesday's win.

No 5-on-5 points for Boston's second line

There are seven players on Boston's roster who’ve yet to attain some extent in 5-on-5 play this season. Three of them – Charlie Coyle, Brad Marchand and Morgan Geekie – opened the yr as Boston's supporting trio.

While Boston's fourth line did a whole lot of the heavy lifting on offense early on, the Bruins will need their second line to get some shots within the O-zone. While Marchand (two points) and Coyle (one goal) have no less than capitalized on the facility play, Geekie has remained goalless in 4 games.

31 shot attempts by Hampus Lindholm

Draw more attacks from the blue line has been a priority for Montgomery and his staff this season, especially given some turnovers on offense for Boston. So far, it looks like Boston's D-corps has heeded their head coach's message.

While Pastrnak understandably leads the Bruins with 40 shot attempts in five games, he’s followed by two defensemen in Hampus Lindholm (31) and Charlie McAvoy (23).

Lindholm's shot-first mentality is a welcome sight, because the veteran blueliner currently ranks eighth within the NHL amongst D-Men in shot attempts. (Former Bruin Dougie Hamilton leads New Jersey with a whopping 51 shot attempts.)

As shown during Game 7 against the Maple Leafs last May and even in Wednesday's game against Colorado, good things occur when Lindholm puts pucks in the online.

An assertive Lindholm should further strengthen the Bruins' dynamic D-corps, which has already scored five goals and 18 points thus far this yr.

Have you ever heard that one in regards to the daredevil plasterer who lit an Olympic flame in a four-time first-team All-Pro defensive end?

Jared Allen roars on the mention of Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards, the face of the 1988 Winter Games and Embodiment of Pierre de Coubertin's mantra. The beaming, bespectacled British ski jumper finished last within the 70m and 90m races in Calgary but won hearts and minds world wide.

After 136 sacks in 12 NFL seasons, a happily retired Allen and an old friend watched the 2016 feel-good biopic celebrating the life and times of Michael David Edwards. It had consequences.

“Yeah! Eddie the Eagle! “Great movie,” Allen says over the phone from Nashville. “It inspired me to make a bet with my buddy and take a look at to make it to the Olympics!

“Eddie the Eagle needed to work hard to qualify and change into a ski jumper, which was the inspirational side of it. But the thing that I liked about it was, 'Oh yeah, I just have to seek out a sport that's not on the books and that we're not likely good at and join it,'” Allen says, trailing off Laughter from .

And what about the bet?

“The number was meaningless. My buddy threw out a number. I thought, 'Sure, whatever'. Yes, it was over beer… It's more of a gentleman's bet. But no one wants to make a bet! I don’t want to have to tell him he was right – I want him to have to eat crow and tell me I was right!”

So Allen set to work. In 2018, he formed the All-Pro Curling Team with three former NFL players – quarterback Marc Bulger, linebacker Keith Bulluck and offensive tackle Michael Roos – and set his sights on Beijing.

“I started as a jumper, no one had ever done curling – we were four football players. Life took off and I ended up joining a few other teams. I had no ego, so I ended up playing lead and was pretty good at lead and pretty good at sweeping. So that's where I found my place. I really enjoy playing second – I think second is a fun position. But wherever they tell me they need me, I fit in.”

Although he didn't make the 2022 Games, Allen has performed some minor miracles on the ice.

“I beat (John) Shuster at the nationals in Denver two years ago, we beat a team that was in the top 30 in the world last year, we had some success in Switzerland and Canada, I have to beat some really strong teams play.”, and it was a fun deal.”

But prepare. Just because the Milan-Cortina Winter Games come into sight, the plot twist comes.

“I probably won’t play this year,” said Allen, 42. “My team form of disbanded. A person on my team retired. Another guy has moved on. And then I used to be actually invited to play this 12 months with Korey Dropkin as his alternate, but USA Curling and the USOPC blamed me and said I didn't have a superb enough curling resume.

“Your exact words. We won the national championships and all of the trials, but they replaced me as deputy.

“And then they changed our rules – we used to have a two-year point lead for Olympic Trials qualification and now they take the top three point scorers of the year based on their year to date, and then I do a one-tournament play -in.”

Does this mean the Olympic dream… is over?

“NO! NO! I still have time. I still love curling, I'll still practice, we'll get there,” says Allen. “A lot of people aren't playing this year. Unless you can get to the slams, Shuster, Dropkin and (Danny) Casper have almost already secured the first three places.

“Everyone is asking themselves, 'Why are we traveling and wasting our time for the next year and a half on these tournaments that mean nothing to us?' So everyone’s just trying to train for next year, put together a team for The Challenger and try to win the play-in.”

If Allen wins his bet, it would be another story for one of the greatest NFL personalities of the 21st century.

Allen was drafted by Kansas City in 2004 and traded to Minnesota four years later as the highest-paid defensive player at the time.

The 2009 Vikings are one of the NFL's best fast teams and were led by quarterback Brett Favre to the NFC Championship in the Superdome. There they were beaten by themselves (six fumbles, three lost, two interceptions and 12 men in the huddle in the fourth quarter to knock them out of field goal range) and the New Orleans Saints, who would later be blamed for the Bountygate scandal were punished.

“If we beat the Saints and win the Super Bowl, our 2009 season will go down as one of the best seasons in NFL history,” Allen said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to the Super Bowl because we lost that controversial game.”

Allen was traded to the Chicago Bears in 2014 and was traded to the Carolina Panthers in September 2015 for one last hurrah. The 15-1 Panthers almost made it all the way, losing Super Bowl 50 to the Denver Broncos.

“It was great fun. It's one of those surreal moments. I tell people that statistically it was my least productive year of my career – I was dealing with injuries and everything – but it was the most successful year of my career because the goal is to win the Super Bowl.”

Allen's profession is worthy of Canton (he's been a finalist the last 4 years). He led the league in sacks twice (2007 and 2011), the second time reaching 22, which made Michael Strahan sweat about losing his all-time record (22.5).

There are loads of highlight reel moments. That includes his one-handed sack on Eli Manning and the tête-à-tête with Donald Penn. And then there's his contribution to one of the crucial infamous plays in NFL history. You know that.

It was in 2008 when quarterback Dan Orlovsky left the sphere for safety reasons for the winless Detroit Lions on the Metrodome. Orlovsky — now a standout ESPN analyst — can look back and laugh. Allen still laughs about it.

“I wish he hadn't run out the back – I could have actually beaten him! It was my bag. I actually laughed because Kevin Williams had like four sacks in that game, so I tried to catch up to him. He was angry. This year we had a close sack race. I got a cheap model. I got a free gift!

“To my credit, I have to say that I have mastered the tight end. I was wide open! Could have strangled him. It was a good job, they called a safety,” Allen said.

Johnny Knoxville wasn't so lucky. As the broader public embraced Allen's signature mullet and everyman appeal, he was invited to California in 2010 to film a segment called “The Blindside” for “Jackass 3.”

“It was a fun deal. Knoxville is a great guy – I still talk to Johnny. I actually found out later that I had severed his sternum when I attacked him from behind.

“We filmed the run where he catches the ball over the middle a few times. He's like, 'Man, come on!' So if you want to see what I'm actually doing, let's drop back to make a pass and I'll hit you from behind. So we did that. There was only one version of that!”

Allen, returning to England for the primary time for the reason that Vikings beat Pittsburgh at Wembley in 2013, can be inducted into the London Ring of Honor for Sunday's game between the New York Jets and Minnesota.

He likes what he's seen from his former team to date this season.

“They are aggressive. The most impressive thing is that they get what they need out of their new acquisitions, which are already achieving great success. This is what you like to see when selecting free agents.

“Hats off to the coaching staff for selecting the players that fit their system and creating a system and environment in which they can be successful.”

And he may possibly be facing a well-recognized enemy. It's been almost 15 years to the day since Favre and the Vikings defeated the Packers on Monday Night Football. Allen recorded a career-high 4.5 sacks against Aaron Rodgers in a raucous Metrodome. “It was a great day,” he says. “Goodness. Time flies. Whenever I see Aaron, it's very warm!”

But first he wants to seek out some decent food. “My wife and children are coming, so I want to show them some sights. I want to find some good pubs, have a few pints and some sausages and mash.”

Who knows, possibly he'll meet Eddie the Eagle.