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Buying a Home or Refinancing? Here's How to Find the Right Home Loan
Buying a Home or Refinancing? Here's How to Find the Right Home Loan
Navigating the world of home-buying could be an Olympic sport. There are so many different regulations, guidelines and fees to keep track of -- and by the time you master one part, there are new rules to learn. And, with mortgage rates predicted to continue rising, particularly as the Fed looks to increase rates as early as March, locking in a rate sooner rather than later may save you tens of thousands in interest.
When searching for the right home loan, you're bound to come across many options. But not every mortgage is right for every person -- you'll want to learn more about the different types of home loans to decide which one is right for you. This guide will help break down several of the most common home loan types, while explaining what's required for approval and who each type is best for.
Read more: Mortgages, Credit Scores and Down Payments: 5 Things to Know Before Buying a Home
1. Conventional loan
What it is: A conventional loan is a loan that isn't backed by a government agency. These are the most common type of loan. Conventional loan terms come in 10-, 15-, 20- and 30-year terms, with 30-year terms being the most popular option.
What you need: You can get a conventional loan with as little as 3% down payment and a 620 credit score. But the lower your credit score, the more money you might need for a down payment.
Who it's good for: The majority of home loans -- around 75% -- are conventional loans, so it's good for most people. You can use it for your first home, second home and even investment properties.
Who should skip it: Borrowers who don't have the minimum credit score requirements or need payment assistance.
2. FHA loan
What it is: An FHA loan is backed by the Federal Housing Administration, which provides mortgage insurance to lenders who provide FHA loans. It's the largest mortgage insurer in the world. Loans are administered by FHA-approved lenders. This can be local banks, credit unions and online lenders. Loans come in 15- and 30-year terms.
What you need: To secure a 3.5% down payment rate, your credit score will need to be 580 or above. If it's below 580, you can still qualify, but you'll need at least a 10% down payment. For down payments of less than 20%, your loan will require private mortgage insurance. PMI protects the lender just in case you default on your loan. PMI will get removed from your mortgage payments once you have at least 20% equity in your home.
Who it's good for: Borrowers who don't have strong enough credit to qualify for a conventional loan. FHA loans also offer down payment loans and grants through federal, state and local programs whereas conventional loans don't.
Who should skip it: If you have good or excellent credit that would qualify you for a conventional loan.
Check out our full guide to FHA loans.
3. VA loan
What it is: VA loans are offered through the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Military veterans, those in active duty or in the reserves qualify for VA loans.
What you need: There's no down payment or minimum credit score requirement to get a VA loan.
Who it's good for: Those who serve or have served in the military.
Who should skip it: Borrowers who aren't in the military, obviously. VA loans are only good on primary residences so if you need funding for a second home or investment property, you'll need to look at other options.
Check out our full guide to VA loans.
4. USDA loans
What it is: USDA loans are funded by the US Department of Agriculture. They're available in specific regions across the country. They're made for borrowers in mostly rural areas who might not otherwise qualify for a traditional loan. Loans are backed by USDA-approved lenders (similar to FHA-backed loans). You can check to see if you'd qualify by checking the eligibility site.
What you need: There's no down payment required for a USDA loan. Most lenders require at least a fair credit score.
Who it's good for: Families in rural areas as long as you meet income and location limits.
Who should skip it: Those who don't meet the location and income requirements. If you qualify for one and not the other, you also might want to look into alternative loan options.
Check out our full guide to USDA loans.
Other loan types to know about
As well as being based on a government (or nongovernment) program, mortgages can be categorized by interest rates and how much the home price is. Those are:
Fixed-rate loans: These are the most common type of loan within a conventional mortgage. Fixed-rate loans means you'll pay the same interest rate every month for the life of the loan. The only time your interest rate will change is if you refinance your mortgage.
Adjustable-rate mortgages: ARMs have a fixed interest rate for a set amount of time and then the interest rate fluctuates periodically. They usually start out lower than standard fixed-rate mortgages but can change over time based on a benchmark. A 5/1 ARM means the first five years have a fixed rate and then a variable interest rate that changes every year after that.
Jumbo loans: This is a mortgage that finances a property that's too expensive for a traditional loan. The qualifications for jumbo loans tend to be more strict. For most lenders, you'll need a credit score of at least 700 and usually a 20% down payment. Jumbo loans start where conforming loans end, which is different depending on where you are. Jumbo loans can have fixed or adjustable rates.
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Fire Phone one year later: Why Amazon's smartphone flamed out
Fire Phone one year later: Why Amazon's smartphone flamed out
There are times when being the first person with a new gadget will elicit cheers and envy -- like outside New York's Fifth Avenue Apple Store, surrounded by applauding salespeople, curious fans and gawking media.
Then there's buying the Amazon Fire Phone.
Marlena Solomon learned first-hand the hazards of being an early adopter when she jumped at the chance to buy Amazon's first-ever smartphone a year ago.
Her excitement quickly turned to frustration after she realized the phone didn't have many of her favorite apps -- including Google Maps and Starbucks -- and she was annoyed at how difficult it was to import her Apple iTunes library. On top of that, instead of marveling at her new gizmo, some people asked, "Why did you buy that?" Three months after she got the device, it went back in its original box and was tucked away at Solomon's home. She went right back to owning an Apple iPhone.
"It's the one time being a first adopter really kicked me in the butt," said Solomon, 45, a marketing specialist for an automotive lubricants company who lives northwest of Houston. "As soon as I put it back in the box and charged up my iPhone, I didn't think about it again."
Marlena Solomon shows off her Fire Phone, which she used for just three months. Courtesy of Marlena Solomon
Solomon's experience is just one of the many negative reactions to the online retailer's smartphone, which first hit the market a year ago this weekend. It became an uncharacteristic and high-profile failure for a top tech company known for thrilling customers and boldly expanding into new markets. The Fire Phone also serves as a warning to other would-be phone makers as proof that the smartphone market is incredibly difficult to break into, and offers lessons on what sort of pitfalls to avoid.
"I think the silver lining, if there is one," Baird analyst Colin Sebastian said, "is that Amazon learned a lot about mobile and that everything they do won't be a success."
It's a far cry from a year ago, when CEO Jeff Bezos took the stage at an event, held in Amazon's hometown of Seattle, that was electrified by the excitement of the super fans the company had invited to sit alongside industry and media folks.
"Can we build a better phone for our most engaged customers? Can we build a phone for Amazon Prime members?" Bezos asked before taking a dramatic pause. "Well, I'm excited to tell you that the answer is yes."
Amazon declined to make any executive available for this story.
It didn't take long for reality to take hold and for the Fire Phone to flame out. Within two months, AT&T dropped the price from $200 to just 99 cents with a two-year contract. (It can be had for $179 without a contract.) Three months after the launch, Amazon took a $170 million charge to wipe out the lost value of its unsold Fire Phones, adding that it still had $83 million in inventory at the end of that period.
But the Fire Phone wasn't a complete bust. For anyone looking to get into the smartphone business, the device offers a few critical lessons.
It's all about price
There are a handful of reasons the Fire Phone flopped, but its starting price proved a major snag and may have turned off many potential customers.
Consumers and analysts were expecting Amazon to follow its familiar playbook of offering a cheap, but good-enough product that could undercut other devices already on the market. That strategy proved a success for Amazon in tablets, as its inexpensive plastic-and-glass Fire devices (originally the Kindle Fire) offered a cheap alternative to Apple's iPad and helped Amazon become a major player in that market four years ago.
Instead, Amazon opted to create a top-shelf smartphone with high-end components that pushed its off-contract price to $650. If you signed a contract, the price dropped to $200.
All of a sudden, it became another flagship smartphone in a market overflowing with similarly priced flagship smartphones.
"That soured a lot of people," IDC analyst Ramon Llamas said of the initial price.
Make the features count
Two of the Fire Phone's differentiating features were 3D graphics, accomplished with the help of four front-facing cameras, and Firefly, a function that allowed people to scan and identify thousands of items, including products, songs and bar codes.
The Fire Phone employs a series of cameras to simulate a 3D screen, changing its image as a user moves the phone. CNET
Neither was a hit with customers.
The 3D effect was at best a party trick. "Nobody cared about that," said Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney.
Firefly, meanwhile, was seen by many as a cynical attempt by Amazon to get Fire Phone users to buy more goods from the e-retailer. But if that was the intent of Firefly, it didn't work, since people tend to browse for products on their phones but typically complete purchases on a laptop or personal computer.
Overall, the Fire Phone was really only effective in differentiating itself in negative ways, Dulaney said.
Don't be different (unless you're Apple)
Amazon's Fire tablets have run off a heavily customized version of the Android operating system software, which meant they didn't have access to key Google apps like Maps or Gmail. So when it came time to make a Fire Phone, Amazon pursued the same strategy.
Turns out, people like those Google apps.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
"There were too many negatives in my mind to keep the Fire Phone or give it a try," Solomon said.
By not embracing the Google-approved version of Android -- which is what Samsung, HTC and most other smartphone makers use -- it offered a third option it called Fire OS. But in this market, if you're not using Apple or Android, customers don't care. As of the first quarter, Apple's worldwide smartphone market share was 18 percent, while Android's was 78 percent, according to IDC.
That leaves the remaining 4 percent for the likes of Microsoft and BlackBerry to fight over.
Having sufficient market share is critical because it spurs developers to build apps and games directly for your platform. David Limp, Amazon's senior vice president of devices, said in an interview a year ago that he hoped to convince developers to come aboard by making its Fire OS a place where they could generate more money from their work. He touted the hundreds of millions of active and engaged Amazon shoppers as another lure.
Exclusivity deals don't work
While Amazon was marketing the Fire Phone to all of its Prime customers, the reality was it could only sell the device to anyone willing to sign up with AT&T. That's because Amazon struck a deal with the carrier in exchange for marketing and retail support -- a move commonly made by lower-profile vendors looking for assistance in building awareness.
But Amazon boasts a strong brand, particularly in the US, where the Fire Phone launched. The company had the benefit of featuring the smartphone on one of the largest online storefronts in the world. So why a deal with AT&T? The carrier got to Amazon early.
"We brought them an early prototype of the phone three years ago, and explained what we were trying to do," Limp had said. "They were unbelievably excited."
AT&T worked to optimize the Fire Phone's features to better run on its cellular network, and promised Amazon the "flagship" spot for the 2014 fall season. Ralph de la Vega, then CEO of AT&T's mobility division, came on stage with Bezos to praise the device: "This is an amazing, breakthrough innovation," he said.
It wasn't amazing enough.
Never again?
Amazon is just one of the companies smarting from its attempt to breach the smartphone business. Facebook attempted to dominate smartphones with its own user interface that wrapped around Android, but it too met with a similar cold reception.
"My view is the phone was largely doomed out of the gate," Baird's Sebastian said of the Fire Phone.
So will there be a sequel Fire Phone? Amazon has long shown a willingness to spend in search of new growth opportunities, from streaming TV shows to delivery drones to cloud-computing centers. But, the company now is signaling to Wall Street that it will work on cutting back its heavy spending. In this scenario, it's not a stretch to imagine that the Fire Phone -- one of the company's biggest flops in years -- won't return.
If there are any plans for a new Fire Phone, Amazon is mum about them. "We have a policy of not commenting on our road map, so can't give you anything there," Chief Financial Officer Brian Olsavsky said on the company's quarterly conference call on Thursday. "We obviously do learn from everything we do and value the feedback we get from customers, but nothing to share at this point."
Amazon has clearly gotten over the disappointment. The company on Thursday posted a surprise profit in the second quarter, leading to its share surging 17 percent in after-hours trading.
Back in Texas, Solomon is still unhappy with how things turned out for her. She hasn't gotten around to returning her Fire Phone, so she still has to pay for the hardware every month, with $324.91 still left on her installment plan as of last month.
Solomon said it was unlikely that she would renew the Prime service she got with the phone.
"Honestly," Solomon said, "I would probably not buy another piece of Amazon electronics because of my experience with the Fire Phone."
Antarctica reading comprehension pdf where is antarctica book books set in antarctica best books to read this week readings for the week great book to read that book is a great read top ten best reads read the great books 9 great walks new zealand
9 Great Reads From CNET This Week: Antarctica, Nvidia, Star Wars and More
9 Great Reads From CNET This Week: Antarctica, Nvidia, Star Wars and More
Antarctica: It's cold, it's got penguins and it's a long, long way from wherever you live. All true, but there's a whole lot more to it than that. Starting with: It's a lot closer to you than you think, given how the effects of climate change there will impact places around the world.
Plus, it's just plain fascinating. CNET's Jackson Ryan traveled there for more than a month over the winter (Antarctica's summer), and came back with lots of stories to tell, focused on the science being done and the scientists doing that good work. You can read about ice core drilling, traveling on an icebreaker, studying sea life, unlocking the secrets of a meteorite and keeping non-native species at bay.
Those stories are among the many in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries that appeared on CNET this week. So here you go. These are the stories you don't want to miss.
An ambitious experiment to drill into the ice sheet and travel a million years into the past.
Robert Rodriguez/CNET
Exclusive: The new chip helps cement Nvidia's lead in technology that's revolutionizing computing challenges like language and self-driving cars.
Stephen Shankland/CNET
Help us, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're our only hope.
Star Wars/Disney Plus
Traveling to the bottom of the planet inside a new, world-class icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina.
Pete Harmsen/AAD
A few laps around a rallycross course in Sardinia show me the pros and cons of Audi's gasoline-electric off-road racer.
Audi
Shopping lifts your mood, but impulse buying and even addiction can hurt your wallet.
Getty Images
As the world warms, non-native species threaten Earth's last great wilderness.
Naomi Antonino/CNET
For the athletes of SailGP, hydrofoil racing involves facing hurricane-strength winds while sitting in a "carbon fiber missile."
Ricardo Pinto for SailGP
Along For the Ride isn't just another Netflix young adult flop. I should know -- I'm in it.
Sure, a dishwasher's primary function is helping clean up after a meal, but it's also so much more than that. A dishwasher is also a live-in housekeeper, a device to help children learn about chores and a radical act of self-care or couples' therapy. (You can forget about those disagreements thanks to our helpful and definitive guide to the right way to load a dishwasher.)
Finding the best dishwasher in 2022 isn't as simple as it sounds. Dishwashers are relatively standard in size -- typically 24 inches wide and about 35 inches high -- so choosing the perfect model one for you is more a matter of your available budget and what kind of options or features you want. In terms of dishwasher functionality, many rating sites, including CNET, have previously concluded that the dish detergent you use and properly loading the dishwasher are often more important than the dishwasher itself when it comes to getting your dishes sparkling clean. What higher prices typically get you are more racks, hidden controls, smart features, numerous cycle options and peace and quiet, not appreciably cleaner dishes -- though some may get you appreciably drier dishes.
If you're wondering how much a dishwasher should cost, a typical model with a variety of options runs between $600 and $1,100, with several good choices falling below that range and higher-end models offering more than you could even imagine you might need except for the device to actually load itself.
Read more:Yes, You Need to Clean Your Dishwasher. Here's How
I evaluated a number of the most popular models with a range of features and in several price points to bring you the best built-in dishwashers for 2022.
Bosch/CNET
For features versus price where overall user rating is concerned, Bosch's 300 Series dishwasher is among the most highly rated across several major retailer sites, coming in just below average in price for the number of amenities it offers. Its large capacity holds up to 16 place settings, it includes a desirable third rack, and it offers an adjustable middle rack to accommodate larger items, as well as flexible tines in the lower rack for even more versatile loading. Five wash cycles are available: heavy, auto, normal, rinse and hold and a speedy one-hour cycle, with four additional modes such as delay start, half load, sanitize and extra dry. With a quieter-than-average decibel level of 44, this is the best overall dishwasher to buy for what it offers. Bosch also offers 100, 500 and 800 series dishwashers in different price points that also maintain consumer popularity and high ratings.
In person, this was one of the slickest-looking dishwashers of the bunch. But beware, that sleek modern stainless look may get tarnished by fingerprints if you have little ones who tend to touch and grab everything in sight. I loved the adjustable top (third) silverware rack, in addition to a removable lower silverware rack, which felt sturdy and frees up space in the lower racks for plates, pans and other larger items.
Home Depot rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 5,053 reviews
Lowe's rating: 4.3 out of 5 based on 1,610 reviews
Whirlpool/CNET
Many very good dishwasher options are available in the $500-to-$600 range, but for less than $500 for a full-size appliance, Whirlpool offers a reliable, no-frills model with over five figures of positive ratings, that still includes many of the amenities of the popular Bosch dishwasher above. An in-door silverware rack creates additional space in the basin, which can store up to 14 place settings. For your savings, you still get a stainless steel finish, as well as heavy, normal, high-temperature, and one-hour wash cycles, with sanitize and heated dry options. More expensive models tend to have soundproofing features that reduce the dishwasher noise while it's running. But at 55 decibels, this Whirlpool model is well within the range of the average noise level for dishwashers.
While this model wasn't as aesthetically pleasing in person, it had well-organized racks and was roomy inside. The front stainless steel panel also feels a hair flimsier than some of the others, so beware of dents.
Home Depot rating: 4.3 out of 5 based on 13,461 reviews
Lowe's rating: 4.3 out of 5 based on 10,599 reviews
KitchenAid/CNET
With cycles that can run several hours, perhaps noise -- or lack thereof -- is the most important consideration for you, especially if your open-plan kitchen is close to your bedroom or nursery, or if it's also your office. Most standard dishwashers run in the 50-60 decibel range, which is just below the noise level of normal, indoor conversation. Many models now include additional technology that helps bring the noise level down to a very quiet 40-50 decibels, but this Kitchenaid model achieves an almost whisper-quiet level at only 39 decibels. In addition to being able to take a nap while the dishwasher is running, this high-end model also includes a third rack, a ProWash sensor that automatically adjusts the cycle for the soil level of the dishes and an extended heat dry option that can even evaporate the most determined drops on your plasticware.
This model reminded me of the Bosch SHEM63W55N both inside and out with its slick, modern design. The top silverware rack is slim but sturdy. The adjustable middle rack was simple to operate and intuitive to move into position to accommodate items of varying sizes.
Home Depot rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 1,396 reviews
Lowe's rating: 4.5 out of 5 based on 124 reviews
LG/CNET
This smart LG dishwasher includes Wi-Fi capability that allows it to communicate with other devices, meaning you can start or lock the machine remotely from a mobile phone app or even by voice activation within the house. Additionally, LED lights allow you to see inside the dishwasher during the cycle, giving it almost babysitter-like power if your kids or pets are also fascinated by the washing machine. You pay a little extra for the smart capabilities, but otherwise, the LG offers the same variety of wash cycles as the Bosch model above, as well as a third rack and adjustable upper rack, accommodating up to 15 place settings. At 42 decibels this is also one of the more quiet options on the market.
If minimalist design appeals to you, this dishwasher hides its control panel and buttons inside the dishwasher on the top of the door, giving the front panel a nice, clean look. The LED lights that activated when I opened the door were bright to help spot fallen forks or unclean dishes. This model felt as sturdily built as any I had the pleasure of vigorously opening, closing and jostling about.
Home Depot rating: 4.3 out of 5 based on 886 reviews
Lowe's rating: 4.3 based on 606 reviews
Samsung/CNET
In the 18-inch-wide department, Samsung offers a consistently highly rated dishwasher that is also budget-friendly for the number of amenities it contains. Tines in the bottom rack fold down to allow for larger items, and it can hold up to eight place settings in its normal configuration. It runs at a very quiet rate of 46 decibels, and in addition to its five available cycles with four modes, it includes an auto-release door that opens the dishwasher and allows air to circulate in quickly, cooling your clean dishes and improving drying performance.
Despite its downsized dimensions, this model still had seemingly plenty of space inside for even a family sized load of dishes. Like the LG, this Samsung has its controls set into the top of the door so there's only a clean stainless steel panel to look at when the door is shut. The top rack is adjustable and was easy to maneuver.
Home Depot rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 60 reviews
How we evaluate dishwashers and best list methodology
I researched the dishwashers in this list by analyzing specs and user reviews from major retailer sites such as Home Depot, Lowe's and Best Buy. I also considered their best-selling and top-rated models and their available features compared to price. I focused on those models that had a rating of at least 4.5 stars with at least 500 ratings, or at least the highest rating among the highest number of ratings for the feature or size I was evaluating.
Only those dishwashers that were Energy Star Certified by the EPA were considered, for peace of mind concerning energy efficiency. I dove deep into user comments and ratings to ensure there were no persisting problems, issues or complaints among a particular brand or model. While we didn't do extensive hands-on testing for this list of best dishwashers, I was able to get my hands on several models in various appliance showrooms to evaluate the build of the unit and the intuitiveness of the buttons and controls.
Dishwasher buying guide: Things to consider
Dishwasher size
The size of your dishwasher is the first decision you'll make since not all kitchens have the space to accommodate a full-sized model. Most standard models are 24 inches wide and about 35 inches high and kitchens are generally designed to house a model of those dimensions, but there are slimmer dishwashers to accommodate smaller spaces.
A standard dishwasher is 24 x 35 inches in size but compact and custom models exist for smaller spaces.
Bosch
Choosing a style
Most dishwashers are available in stainless steel, which fits into most kitchen motifs. Many models are also available in white, black and other finishes. You won't find tons of color options but Samsung offers a bespoke line that includes unique finishes including navy steel and brownish Tuscan steel.
Samsung has a line of bespoke large kitchen appliances to add some color to your kitchen.
Samsung
The pricier models including Bosch and KitchenAid tend to have sleek, minimalist front doors and flashier internal design. More budget-friendly brands such as Whirlpool and Maytag have more traditional aesthetics, generally speaking.
Dishwasher racks and rack placement
This is an easily overlooked feature but it has a significant impact on your day-to-day dishwashing. A new trend is the small third flat rack at the top that can accommodate extra silverware, kitchen utensils and other smaller items. They are typically in addition to an upright silverware holder housed in the bottom rack. If you find yourself filling or overfilling a standard silverware holder on a regular basis, this feature will allow you to wash everything and keep things neat and tidy.
The trendy third rack provides another place to load silverware, kitchen utensils and other small items.
Whirlpool
Many dishwashers also now have adjustable racks to accommodate dishes and pans of odd or abnormally large sizes. If you've ever struggled with fitting large items into your dishwasher, you should consider a model with adjustable racks.
Read more:Best Dishwasher Features of 2022
Various dishwasher cycles and features: Do they matter?
There are dishwasher cycles that come standard on nearly every model -- normal, quick wash, heavy-duty, delicate -- but fancier units will have even more specific cycles such as mineral-assisted wash and presoak cycle. These extra cycles can be nice to have but I wouldn't weigh them too heavily when making a purchase decision. Ultimately, you'll be using the standard cycles far more than the niche ones.
Here's a quick guide to dishwasher cycles and when to use them.
Don't become consumed with the various cycles. You'll likely only ever use two or three.
Maytag
Drying cycles: Condensation versus electric drying
Most dishwashers have one of two ways to dry dishes after a wash. Many use a condensation process where the dishwasher will use very hot water to heat the dishes inside toward the end. Then, as the tub cools with the hot dishware, condensation will occur and water will drip off the dishes.
Other dishwashers, including some KitchenAid models, have an electric heating element to heat the air and dry dishes at the end. This may be a more thorough way to dry the dishes but it's also less sanitary, less energy-efficient and will melt plastic items that are on the bottom rack since they are so close to the heating element.
Dishwasher noise level
While dishwashers generally have more in common than they do differences, the noise level is one area in which they do vary and may affect your overall satisfaction with a particular unit. Most modern dishwashers are pretty quiet, reaching only 40 or 50 decibels. But some, like the Kitchenaid KDFE204KPS, have advanced technology to keep the machine as hush-hush quiet as 39 decibels when running. If you look into the specs section of each model, this information should be listed clearly.
Dishwasher FAQs
What is the average lifespan of a dishwasher?
Manufacturers will tell you a dishwasher should last about 10 years but you might expect to get a few more years out of it than that if you don't overuse the machine and take some quick steps to keep it running smoothly.
There are things you can do to extend the life of your dishwasher like scraping off solid foods from plates and pans before loading, cleaning the filter monthly and never putting vinegar inside your dishwasher, as CNET's Katie Teague explains.
What are the different styles of dishwashers?
Dishwashers are fairly standard in size -- 24 inches wide by 35 inches tall -- with some narrower, 18-inch options also available. Beyond those two customary widths, the major aesthetic decisions you are making are in the dishwasher's finish, the handle type and whether the controls are located on the front panel of the dishwasher or hidden along the top of the loading door, referred to as "front control" or "top control" in the search features.
Most available dishwashers allow you to make specific selections among those features once you've decided on a particular size and model. Then your decision becomes a matter of what additional features you desire in a dishwasher and what's available for your budget. The higher-end models are smart-enabled, offer a third rack and adjustable rack settings, numerous wash cycle selections and also have bonus features such as leak sensors and self-cleaning filters. Budget-friendly options may have fewer features, but you should still expect at least a few wash cycle selections with perfectly clean and dry dishes at the end of any given cycle.
When is the best time to buy a dishwasher?
According to a report by Consumer Reports and Gap Intelligence, dishwasher prices begin to dip at the start of summer culminating with the biggest drops in the months leading up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
What is the difference between a plastic and stainless steel dishwasher tub?
Along with soundproofing technology, the other matter which has the biggest impact on a dishwasher's price is whether the tub is made of stainless steel, heavy-duty plastic or as in only a few models, a stainless steel hybrid. Stainless steel models tend to be slightly more efficient since they conduct heat and can more easily maintain temperature during cycles, but most plastic tub models are also Energy Star Certified and should not present an energy efficiency concern. There is no major difference in durability between plastic and stainless steel tubs, with both types of dishwashers tending to last about 10 years.
Should I get a dishwasher warranty and how important is it?
Your dishwasher should last you about 10 years without requiring any major repairs but, of course, a warranty is a good thing to have if something goes wrong soon after you take it home. Most warranties from the major brands outlined here cover replacement parts and labor for one year from the date you purchased it and are designed to protect you should there be a major manufacturer flaw in your model.
It is worth noting that Maytag appliances include a generous, limited 10-year warranty that covers certain replacement parts after the first year warranty expires. Meanwhile, you can potentially extend the efficacy and lifespan of your dishwasher by taking care of it, with CNET's guide to how to clean your dishwasher.
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 Pro review: A better-than-HD hybrid for less
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 Pro review: A better-than-HD hybrid for less
The all-around best-in-class example of a first-generation Windows 8 hybrid was the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga, a clever fold-back laptop-turned-tablet that was almost universally liked in both its 13-inch and 11-inch versions (let's just not mention the 11-inch Windows RT variant). It's a tough act to follow, but the flagship for the Windows 8.1 era may well be the IdeaPad Yoga 2 Pro.
If you're not familiar with how the Yoga line works, it masquerades as an ordinary thin clamshell laptop, but the lid and display fold back a full 360 degrees to form either a thick tablet, or a stand/kiosk device when only folded partway back. That basic hook applies to both the original and updated models.
How exactly does the Yoga 2 top the original? The star of the show is an ultrahigh-res 13.3-inch display, with a native resolution of 3,200x1,800 pixels. That puts the Yoga 2 in similar territory to the Toshiba Kirabook, the MacBook Pro with Retina Display, the Chromebook Pixel, the Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus, and a handful of others. That's an especially notable improvement, as the original Yoga had a 1,600x900-pixel display, which was not what one would expect from a modern $1,000 laptop.
Sarah Tew/CNET
The price can be a bit difficult to pin down, as Lenovo is infamous of late for offering a confusing array of preconfigured systems, many with poorly explained "coupon codes," discounting some models to what feels like what the original price should have been.
As of this writing, our Intel Core i5, 4GB RAM, 128GB solid-state drive (SSD) review unit is available for $999 both from Best Buy and from Lenovo's Web site, although the latter is technically a discount from the $1,099 list price. In any event, the specs listed above are just right for $999, if you consider the higher-than-HD resolution, slim design, and flexible tablet modes.
IdeaPad is Lenovo's line of forward-thinking consumer products, in contrast to its ThinkPad line of business laptops and tablets, so adding the superfluous "Pro" to its name is an odd choice. But despite the naming confusion, this is still a strong consumer hybrid. And like the original Yoga, the Yoga 2 scores by remembering that it's a laptop first, and doing nothing to interfere with the traditional laptop form. Adding that higher-res screen for $999 is also a price breakthrough, and makes the Yoga 2 a hard-to-ignore value.
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 Pro
Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus
Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (October 2013)
Price
$999
$1,399.99
$1,499
Display size/resolution
13.3-inch, 3,200x1,800 touch screen
13.3-inch, 3,200x1,800 touch screen
13.3-inch, 2,560x1,600 screen
PC CPU
1.6GHz Intel Core i5-4200U
1.6GHz Intel Core i5-4200U
2.4GHz Intel Core i7-4850HQ
PC memory
4,096MB DDR3 SDRAM 1,600MHz
4,096MB DDR3 SDRAM 1,600MHz
8GB DDR3 SDRAM 1,600MHz
Graphics
1,792MB (shared) Intel HD Graphics 4400
1,749MB (shared) Intel HD Graphics 4400
1GB Intel Iris Graphics
Storage
128GB SSD
128GB SSD
256GB SSD
Optical drive
None
None
None
Networking
802.11b/g/n wireless, Bluetooth 4.0
802.11b/g/n wireless, Bluetooth 4.0
802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 4.0
Operating system
Windows 8.1 (64-bit)
Windows 8 (64-bit)
OS X Mavericks 10.9
Design and features If I had to go out and find a thin, light, sharp-looking ultrabook-style laptop for around $1,000, the Yoga 2 would be on my short list, along with the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, the Samsung Book 9, the Sony Vaio Pro 13, and a few others. The Yoga 2 feels like it can stand toe-to-toe with any of those as a laptop, ignoring its shape-shifting abilities. The overall look is close to the original, but the new version is a bit thinner and lighter, with a slight taper to its previously squared-off lip.
The most apt comparison is with other better-than-HD systems, such as the MacBook Pro and Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus. The Yoga 2 is not quite as slick or solidly built as those, but it also costs less for a similar Core i5, 128GB configuration, making it the least expensive way to get into higher-resolution mobile computing.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Hybrids and convertibles fall into two categories. Some are primarily tablets that can spend part of their time as laptoplike devices, while others are primarily laptops that can double as part-time tablets. For example, the recent Sony Vaio Tap 11 is maybe 75 percent tablet and 25 percent laptop. The Microsoft Surface Pro 2 is perhaps a 60-40 tablet/laptop. On the other hand, the Lenovo Yoga 2 is 75 percent laptop, and you'll use the other modes less frequently. Frankly, if you need something that's a full-time tablet, look elsewhere.
That's primarily because when the Yoga 2 is folded back as a slate, the keyboard is exposed, pointing out from the back of the system. Although the keyboard and touch pad are deactivated in this mode, it's still not ideal, and one of the few things people criticized about the original Yoga.
There's also the problem that spans all Windows 8 tablets, which is that Windows 8/8.1 is still not a 100 percent tablet-friendly OS, and rarely knows how to organize information efficiently in portrait mode, which is how the iPad has trained a generation of consumers to hold a tablet.
In laptop mode, however, the Yoga 2 is a joy to use. Lenovo is known for putting serious resources into keyboard R&D and usage testing, and the current design is found (with a few variations) across most of Lenovo's consumer and business laptops. It takes the standard flat-topped island-style keyboard and adds a slight curve to the bottom, which helps catch nearly missed keystrokes. The finish on the keys feels softer and the keys themselves less clacky than on the original Yoga. My only real complaint is that a shortened right Shift key has carried over from the first Yoga, and I still find it hard to get acclimated to. This new keyboard is also backlit, which is a big upgrade for people who use their laptops in dim coffee shops and commuter train cars.
The large clickpad-style touch pad is similar to the previous version, and works well with two-finger gestures, such as Web site scrolling. It's tuned a little too sensitively for my tastes, but you can tweak the settings a bit to find the right level for you.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Besides the laptop and tablet modes, you can fold the screen back about 180 degrees and put the system into what I call a kiosk mode, with the display pointing out at the audience, without a keyboard or touch pad in the way. That's helpful for presentations or playing photo slideshows and videos. You can also fold it a bit farther back and position the Yoga 2 so that it's standing up in a table-tent shape. It's technically one of the four shapes Lenovo promotes for the Yoga 2, but I can't see how that's preferable to the kiosk mode.
The real forward leap here is the move to a better-than-HD screen, with a native 3,200x1,800-pixel resolution. That's higher even than the MacBook Pro's, and equal to the resolution on the $1,500-and-up Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus. More importantly, offering that screen at $999 (or even $929 currently for a Core i3 configuration) is amazing.
The benefits come from crisper text and more screen real estate for editing images. In the Windows 8 tile interface, you're unlikely to notice the difference unless you look closely. Like OS X, Windows 8 autoscales its icons and layout to fit any resolution. In the traditional desktop view still accessible in Windows 8, however, the very high resolution looks and feels odd on such a small screen. Icons and links will be hard to hit, and loading up Photoshop, you had better be familiar with the menu layout, or else be prepared for some hunting and pecking amid the tiny pull-down menus. As very little online video is available at resolutions higher than 1080p, it's not a huge help for that, either, even if the 4K video era is coming quickly.
Think of the higher-res IPS display as a bit of future-proofing, especially as it's turning up in more and more systems with each passing month.
Connections, performance, and battery A few corners had to be cut somewhere for Lenovo to get this sharp design and great display in at under $1,000. There's only one USB 3.0 port (and a second USB 2.0 one), and the Wi-Fi is not of the newer 802.11ac variety. Your only built-in video output is via Micro-HDMI, and an Ethernet connection will require a sold-separately dongle.
Sarah Tew/CNET
The $999 Yoga 2 (available for this price from Best Buy, and through an artificial-feeling "coupon code" direct from Lenovo), is a decent all-around config with an Intel Core i5-4200U CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. Paying $1,399 will double the RAM to 8GB and the SSD to 256GB, and $1,499 takes it to a Core i7 CPU. Go all the way up to $1,599 and you add the final upgrade, a big 512GB SSD. Going the other way, you can trade down to a Core i3 CPU for $929, but that seems like less power than you'd want to drive the high-res display, for only a small savings.
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 Pro
Video
Micro-HDMI
Audio
Stereo speakers, combo headphone/microphone jack
Data
1 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0, SD card reader
Networking
802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Optical drive
None
Our basic Core i5 configuration performed as expected, and was closely matched with other laptops sharing this similar set of components. The real test is how it compared with other, more expensive, laptops that have similarly expansive screen resolutions. In that case, the Yoga 2 was about even to slightly slower, especially compared with the current 13-inch MacBook Pro. In our Photoshop test, the higher screen resolution may have affected performance, as the lower-res 1,600x900 original Yoga did better in that single-app test.
But a current fourth-generation Intel Core i5 CPU is more than powerful enough for everyday computing, even multitasking, and we experienced no slowdown or stuttering when using the system anecdotally. For just the base set of components, we'd expect to pay $800 or so, but keep in mind that with the Yoga 2, you also get an excellent design and build, the flexible hybrid features, and the 3,200x1,800-pixel-resolution display.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Battery life surpasses the original Yoga, partially because this system has a current-gen Intel Haswell processor, which makes great strides in battery life over the previous generation. Our other higher-res laptops have similar CPUs, so they also can be counted on to run for a long time. The 13-inch MacBook is still the undisputed champion among this group, and the excellent Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus also ran longer, but the 7 hours and 10 minutes the Yoga 2 ran in our video playback battery drain test is still a very impressive time.
Conclusion Interestingly, the Yoga line is undergoing a split of sorts, with some features being added to the consumer IdeaPad version, and completely different features showing up in the new business-oriented ThinkPad Yoga. In this case, the IdeaPad Yoga 2 gets the ultrahigh-res screen, but the ThinkPad Yoga gets a clever new keyboard mechanism that hides the keyboard when the system is folded flat in tablet mode.
The presence of the keyboard and touch pad under your fingers, even though they are deactivated, when holding the Yoga 2 as a tablet remains a design oddity, and the one thing many people disliked about the original Yoga. Perhaps if we all ask very nicely, we can get a future Yoga that combines the 3,200x1,800-pixel display and sleek design of the Yoga 2 with the brilliant hidden keyboard of the ThinkPad Yoga.
But if you think of the Yoga 2 as primarily a laptop that can be called on to flip and fold into new shapes to serve specific purposes, it's one of the best all-around ultrabook-style systems available, and one that adds new high-end features at a price that makes it almost irresistible.
Find more shopping tips in our laptop buying guide.
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 Pro Windows 8.1 (64.bit); 1.6GHZ Intel Core i5-4200U; 4GB DDR3 SDRAM 1,600MHz; 1,792MB (shared) Intel HD 4400 Graphics; 128GB Samsung SSD
Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus Windows 8 (64-bit); 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-4200U; 4GB DDR3 SDRAM 1,600MHz; 1,749MB (shared) Intel HD Graphics 4400: 128GB SSD
Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (October 2013) OSX 10.9 Mavericks; 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-4258U; 8GB DDR3 SDRAM 1,600MHz; 1GB Intel Iris Graphics; 256GB Apple SSD
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The best Halloween movies to stream on Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus and more
The best Halloween movies to stream on Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus and more
Halloween movies are a thrilling watch year-round, but there's no better time to enjoy them than when chillier temperatures settle in. Especially this year, with the COVID-19 pandemic changing the way we partake in classic Halloween activities like trick-or-treating, you might need something to transport you to fictional places where the horrifying stuff isn't actually real. (We all cope differently, right?)
Here are our top picks for the scariest, creepiest and sometimes silliest films to stream or watch on demand on platforms including Hulu, Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, HBO Max and others. We've noted which of these films require higher-tier streaming subscriptions like Hulu Plus Live TV, or a Showtime or Cinemax add-on.
Read more: 15 of the best movies to see on Amazon Prime Video
Disney
Hulu started life as a joint venture between ABC, NBC and Fox. Since Disney (ABC's parent) absorbed most of the Fox Entertainment properties, however, it's been buying out its remaining partners and converting Hulu to more of a Disney Plus for adults. As such, you can watch the movies below with their full, R-rated gore intact. The baseline subscription includes commercials, and you can also bundle this with Disney's other online properties, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus.
(Available on Hulu Plus Live TV. Also available on Peacock.) We always appreciate a well-done horror comedy! You can catch the sequel, Zombieland Double Tap, on Starz.
(Also available on Tubi.) Something about murderous children in a cornfield just feels autumnal.
It's a Swedish film about a little girl vampire. Are we selling it? It's fantastic, trust us.
(Also available on Tubi.) We don't particularly get this franchise, but Hellraiser viewing parties are a pretty common Halloween activity. You do you.
Quite frankly, this adaptation isn't the greatest, but then again neither was the first one. Still it definitely has some chilling moments.
(Available with Showtime add-on.) The first Paranormal Activity was pretty unnerving. It might be worth a revisit this Halloween.
(Available on Hulu Plus Live TV starting Oct. 7.) We refuse to fact-check this, but Get Out is possibly the only Oscar winner on this list. That's inaccurate. Ruth Gordon won an Oscar for Rosemary's Baby. And The Silence of the Lambs won like 5 Academy Awards too. Are you happy? Get Out is fantastic though.
Get Out
Universal Pictures
Our 8-year-old selves still believe deep down this is the greatest Halloween movie ever made. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, please, please return to making films.
This Korean creature feature is easily one of the best films on this list.
As far as haunted house movies go, this one is better than The Amityville Horror, but not quite as good as The Conjuring.
(Available on Hulu Plus Live TV starting Oct. 8.) Once again we learn abstinence is the only way to prevent slow-moving nightmare monsters from trying to kill you. What a helpful PSA!
(Available on Hulu Plus Live TV.) This is the part where you stop reading the article and immediately go put on Ghostbusters. Don't worry, this article isn't going anywhere. We'll wait.
(Available on Hulu Plus Live TV.) Rebecca's mom really loves the Madea movies. And who are we to deny you options?
(Available on Hulu Plus Live TV.) On the one hand, it's a pretty good remake. On the other hand, Zack Snyder directed it. Your call.
(Available with Cinemax add-on.) Don't you want to finally understand what a "Jacob's Ladder scenario" actually is?
Ever since Dead Snow came out, we are always 100% down for any movie with Nazi zombies.
(Available on Hulu plus Live TV. Also available on Spectrum.) It's possible Rebecca has seen this film more than any other film on this list. Don't judge!
Saw (2004)
(Available on Hulu with Cinemax add-on.) If you plan on watching Saw, we also recommend checking out our interview with screenwriter Leigh Whannell. He tells us about his 5-year-old's bedtime story demands and let's just say, twisted storytelling definitely runs in the family.
Netflix hardly needs an introduction, but the biggest streaming service out there remains a mixture of TV shows and movies, including content licensed from other studios and a growing stable of originals.
We probably didn't need a family-friendly version of The Omen, but we enjoyed it nevertheless.
If you've come to this list looking for the scariest horror films, watch this one. Maybe with the lights on.
Anjelica Huston is majestic in this Roald Dahl adaptation.
Even if you're not into super dark films, the storyline in this Guillermo del Toro masterpiece will be enough to win you over.
One of our favorites and Zelda Rubinstein's performance is really just the cherry on top.
This is probably the most under-the-radar film on this list, but it's absolutely worth your time.
Certain horror fans find themselves disappointed when the "big bad" turns out to be metaphorical. Don't worry, this one has a satisfying "actual monster" payoff.
This movie is carried by Mark Duplass and his amazingly sinister face. A delightfully creepy watch.
(Also available on Spectrum.) Ghost movies are great for Halloween, right?
Universal Pictures
Already subscribe to HBO? You can probably get HBO Max at no extra charge. Think of it as (wait for it) "HBO Plus" -- everything on HBO, plus a bunch of additional back catalog and exclusives from Warner's catalog, as well as some nice licensed exclusives like Doctor Who and the Studio Ghibli library.
Shark movie!!! Sorry, didn't mean to get that excited. But we did see The Meg on opening weekend. Are you a "shark movie" person? No better time to find out!
Possibly the last time we found the ending to a horror film surprising.
I (Rebecca) thought this movie was really scary when I was 13. It might still be scary. There's really no way of knowing these things.
We all know the saying, "In space, no one can hear you scream," but your neighbors will definitely be able to hear you scream while watching this on your couch.
It's pretty rare with a horror masterpiece to stumble upon a masterpiece of a sequel, especially with a different director. Thanks, James Cameron!
John Landis doesn't get enough credit for being able to blend horror and comedy.
While The Shining is probably the favorite horror film of many and may not have needed a sequel, it's one of the better Stephen King adaptations in recent years.
A very enjoyable example of a dark comedy and horror mashup.
Disney
You know ... for kids! It's probably not the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of "horror," as nothing here eclipses PG-13 scares. But it also has the full libraries for everything from Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and The Simpsons, to name just a few of the big content silos you'll find here. As with Hulu, you can subscribe to this solo, or as a Disney/Hulu/ESPN bundle.
A cult classic you can finally stream.
(Also available on Hulu Plus Live TV.) It's really a Christmas movie, but also you should be watching it year-round.
This vibrant, touching film brings Day of the Dead to life in the most beautiful way.
Maybe it's the nostalgia talking, but this is simply a Disney classic.
Feel-good and Halloween don't always go hand in hand, but this nostalgic Halloween classic always warms our witchy little hearts.
As if trusting her new beau wasn't hard enough already.
Warner Bros. Pictures
Peacock is NBCUniversal's recently launched streaming app that includes several free movies and TV shows. Paying customers can unlock the platform's full library of content, and can also pay a little more to go ad-free.
You should really watch/rewatch them all, but the third film does have the most Halloween-y vibe.
You can't get more classic than Frankenstein!
We love a good dystopian film.
Another for the classics fans.
Screenshot by Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET
This ad-supported network offers a range of free TV shows and movies. It's available on devices including Roku and Amazon Fire TV, as well as on Android and iOS. You won't need an account to watch content, but creating one enables you to save favorites and resume playback when switching between devices.
Is it really Halloween if you haven't watched a creepy Tim Burton film?
A cannibal villain is as horrifying as it gets.
Not exactly sure if a flick about a viral outbreak is something you want to watch right now, but if it is, you're in luck.
MGM
Existing Showtime cable subscribers can access all of its content on the Showtime Anytime app on most major app platforms. But you can also get it as a straight streaming app for a monthly fee. (Disclosure: Showtime and CNET are owned by the same parent company, ViacomCBS.)
(Also available on Netflix.) This is one of our favorite films to watch on Halloween. Hannibal Lecter is a magnificent villain.
If you don't barf while watching the shaking cameras, it's a pretty good creature feature.
This would pair well with The Omen for a Halloween double feature.
We're going to throw this out there: More films should be set in the 1600s. Provided they're as good as The Witch.
Focus Features
Like Showtime, this premium cable movie service is also available "over the top" as a direct streaming option on most app store platforms.
This is the quite possibly the most perfect Halloween movie on this list. Demon spawn! (If you're interested, you can also find the 2006 version on Hulu.)
Not big on horror? No worries, you can check out one of the greatest comedies ever made instead.
Is it just us or does anyone else find Edward Scissorhands incredibly soothing to watch?
Jeff Goldblum in a creature feature is all we're really looking for in a Halloween film.
Watch this after you finish watching The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET
Epix is another pay cable channel that's expanded its horizons to the digital realm. Get it with your cable or satellite subscription, or as a digital streaming option instead.
We're almost positive people have written dissertations on the influence of this film on the horror genre. So, we dunno, maybe check out?
Definitely worth it for Vincent Price.
(Also available on Hulu.) Creature features often don't get enough love in the horror genre. But this one was our jam!
Warner Bros. Pictures
Prime Video is thrown in "for free" for anyone subscribing to Amazon's membership program, which otherwise guarantees delivery of a wide array of products in two days or less at no additional charge. It's got a ton of movies and TV shows from third-party studios, and a growing list of Amazon exclusives, too. Note, however, that only the first few selections are available via Prime; the rest are available as 48-hour rentals at a pay-per-view cost.
This movie will freak me out always and forever!
Chris Sarandon as a vampire? Sold!
(Available to rent.) This Michael J. Fox classic about a teen werewolf will have you howling for more! I promise that's the last pun in this article.
(Available to rent.) It's a Halloween movie list, so I'm obligated to include Pumpkinhead.
(Available to rent.) One of the few films on this list that is also a cinematic masterpiece.
(Available to rent. It's also available on Hulu Plus Live TV.) I know the found footage gimmick is tired, but do you actually remember how scary this movie was? An entire generation couldn't go camping for like a decade after it came out.
(Available to rent.) This film was so scary that I still can't bring myself to watch any of the sequels or prequels! But if you are interested in watching The Conjuring 2, it's available on HBO Max.
(Available to rent.) I went as the Bride for Halloween one year. This isn't relevant to my recommendation, but I'm trying to sell you on a film from 1935.
(Available to rent.) Carrie is so good! Sissy Spacek just has a special place in my heart. It isn't at all related to Halloween, but you should also check out Coal Miner's Daughter.
(Available to rent.) This is the American remake of Let the Right One In. And it's pretty well done for US market cash grab.
It (2017)
(Available to rent. Also on Hulu plus Live TV.) This film is alway a thrill. The sequel is also available on HBO Max.
(Available to rent.) Frankly, I could use more sci-fi horror films. And more Vin Diesel.
(Available for rent.) For all the gore lovers.
(Available to rent, though the 1972 version is included with a Prime membership and is also on Hulu.) I'll say this about the remake: it's probably more suspenseful than the original. But the original left me feeling emotionally violated, and that's a special kind of horror that's hard to replicate. Still the remake is worth a watch.
(Available to rent.) Down with the yuppies! Honestly this is one of my all-time favorite films.
(Available to rent.) As a child I was only afraid of two things: Chucky and spiders. I am still terrified of both. But hey, now I'm also afraid of heights!
(Available with a Prime Video Channels subscription. Also available on Tubi.) It's Wes Craven so I'm not even going to bother trying to convince you. Just watch it.
Raw (2016)
(Available to rent.) Watch only if you have a strong stomach!
(Available to rent.) OK, here's our pitch: Jessica Walter and Clint Eastwood. Are you sold?
(Available to rent.) Not to be confused with the Brooke Shields film The Blue Lagoon. This one is about a lagoon monster.
(Available to rent.) You'll never want to fly again.
(Available to rent.) This is possibly one of the worst films ever made, but it stars Gerard Butler as Dracula. So you should probably watch it anyway.
(Available to rent.) Nearly half the movies in our roundup were in some way inspired by this classic slasher film. An absolute Halloween classic.
