The 10 best Woody Allen movies, ranked

Men have been thought leaders since the beginning of time. Aristotle’s logic and ethics, Confucius’s social harmony and duty, Machiavelli’s statecraft and political power, Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance and civil rights, Newton’s physics and mathematics- men have been at the forefront of thought at every turn. So why don’t men read more? Sometimes it feels like we have abandoned our place in society’s thought processes. When I ask men around me how much they have read or what they have read recently, I am almost always met with a sheepish look, saying they don’t read, or they mostly read sports columns. Now, there is nothing wrong with reading a sports column. Hell, I love arguing with a baseball writer year-round. But, sometimes, when you read something, you should be staring thoughtfully upward or outward while reflecting inward, wondering how to apply it to your life. That is why I started thinking about what books I would recommend to my friends. Many of them have no idea what the best improvement books are for men. Where they should start. What is worth reading and what is a bunch of bullsh*t.

So I put together a list of books that will change your life, as long as you stare outwardly or upwardly while reflecting inwardly.

There are no shortages of cigar lounges in Miami. There’s a particular cigar lounge I’ve frequented in Miami where I constantly run into NFL legend and Hall of Famer Ed Reed. But then I found Cigar Club Miami. It’s the place you want to be if you’re looking for an elevated experience. For my money, it’s also your best option in downtown Miami. Elad Smadja opened the joint in January 2023. The objective was simple: give the downtown area a modern cigar lounge offering a premium cigar selection and craft cocktails. He more than delivered.

From the onset, the moody exterior prepares you for what you’re about to walk into. You’re immediately greeted with warm lighting and modern luxury throughout, from the leather barstools and Carrara marble bar top to comfortable suede chairs. The lounge features a wall humidor stocked with some of the finest cigars. The bar is also fully stocked. If you find yourself there during happy hour, peruse the healthy selection of aged whiskeys.

I have said it forever: the 80s had the best music, the 90s had the best movies. I will die on this hill. The movie scene in the 90s was unbeatable. Action stars like Jean-Claude Van Damme, Keanu Reeves, Sylvester Stallone, and Bruce Willis brought some of the best thrill rides that are still being chased today. Comedy greats like Jim Carrey and Ben Stiller rose to stardom, and the romantic comedy reached its apex. Horror films like The Sixth Sense and Scream changed how scary movies were made. And movies like Fight Club pushed the boundaries of what audiences were ready for.

But near the end of that era, we, as a society, discovered something: the perfect movie. What made them perfect? Two and a half things. Number one: They crossed more than two genres. This wasn’t just an action comedy, a romantic adventure, or something that brought two big umbrellas together. This was something that felt like it had it all. Action. Comedy. Romance. Adventure. Maybe even a little horror. Number two: These felt like any age could watch these movies and have a good time. From twelve to twenty or fifteen to fifty, these were a good time at the theater for everyone. The half thing: Great performances by the entire cast. These weren’t led by one person at the front who brought up the median performance.