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Gravitational wave detectors reveal truckload of black holes that smashed into each other in deep space.

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Did you know that the Guinness World Records considers Sherlock Holmes as the most portrayed literary human character in film and TV? Since 1887, Sir Arthur Doyle’s most iconic creation has had over 250 on-screen appearances. Moreover, there have been over 100 different actors playing the titular role, including Sir Christopher Lee, Charles Heston, Christopher Plummer, Robert Downey Jr., and Benedict Cumberbatch. I guess this is a testament to how timeless and compelling the character is. Read on as we rank some of the best Sherlock Holmes adaptations ever!

Holmes and Watson (2018)

Getting a high-profile comedian like Will Ferrell to play Sherlock Holmes is enough to question this film’s take on the famous character. Watching the film is enough to show that it probably belongs to the bottom of this list. The unjustly, quirky and rather offensive take on the iconic Sherlock Holmes is mostly the director’s fault.

Miss Sherlock (2018)

This out-of-the-box adaptation is the most interesting and unique take of Sherlock Holmes in a long time. Though the difference may seem super big on the outside, Yūko Takeuchi who plays Sara “Sherlock” Shelly Futaba is actually a perfect choice for the role. Her portrayal of the puzzle-obsessed legend makes this adaptation faithful to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s works. Who knew Sherlock would be perfect as a modern day Japanese woman with a knack for high heels?

Elementary (2012-2019)

Elementary was a pretty great procedural TV series adaptation of Sherlock Holmes if it didn’t have to live up to its more popular BBC rival. It shows an eccentric Sherlock as he recovers from substance abuse, and is assisted by Dr. Joan Watson. What’s interesting about this adaptation is that it went deep into Sherlock’s background – from his mother’s own issues with opium to his field experience with M-16.

Sherlock Holmes (1916)

This is the oldest known surviving Sherlock Holmes film. It was once thought to be a lost film, but a copy was miraculously found in Paris. William Gillette, who played the iconic character 1,300 times on stage, plays the lead character on this 1916 silent film.

Without A Clue (1988)

Without A Clue is a hilarious take on Sherlock Holmes. Its twist is that its lead character is actually NOT a genius detective. Rather, he is really a *clueless* actor being propped up by the ACTUAL genius, Dr. Watson. Though this Sherlock deviates from the original works, it gives a pretty entertaining and one-of-a-kind twist to the Sherlock we know all too well.

Enola Holmes (2020)

This one’s another interesting take on the Sherlock Holmes series because it focuses on his little sister, Enola, rather than him. Here, Sherlock plays a minor role as the already famous detective, while his sister embarks on adventure to find their long lost mother.

Mr. Holmes (2015)

Mr. Holmes shows us a glimpse into a 93-year old Sherlock Holmes as his brilliant mind starts to deteriorate. With an unsolved mystery haunting him, Sherlock must come to terms with the things from his past. This adaptation is another compelling take on the character, as we experience a more personal and emotional journey.

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Here’s one of the craziest and most recent Sherlock film adaptations. Robert Downey Jr. brings a whole new level of insanity to the character by infusing some of his own persona into Sherlock’s. Some may love it, while some may hate it, but one thing rings true. This Sherlock Holmes is not one to back down from a fight!

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes (1968)

This one stars Peter Cushing who took on the role of Sherlock multiple times. By staying true to the source material, he was able to portray the character with every bit of arrogance and cleverness it so justly deserves.

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)

Between 1939 and 1946, Basil Rathbone starred in 14 Sherlock Holmes films. He was responsible for inspiring the classic Sherlock look that we are all familiar with to this day. It’s safe to say that his appearance in the film was a game changer and influenced many succeeding portrayals of the character.

Sherlock (2010-2017)

BBC’s Sherlock makes it to one of the top spots of this list because, well, we all know why. In spite of its modern setting and much more arrogant and annoying lead, Sherlock still feels so authentic. This can be very much attributed to Benedict Cumberbatch and Mark Gatiss’ chemistry as Sherlock and Watson.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984-1994)

Taking the top spot is The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes which ran for over a decade. It was so apparent on the show that Jeremy Brett breathed and lived as Sherlock Holmes. In fact, he was so obsessed with the character that he reportedly even played the character off-screen. From this, audiences will know just how his dedication to the role resonated with the series.

Sherlock Holmes Spin Offs To Watch For the Fans

Fandom Friday: Sherlock Holmes Quotes That Will Make You Think – Or Laugh

Astronomers have detected a record number of gravitational waves, in a discovery they say will shed light on the evolution of the universe, and the life and death of stars. From a report: An international team of scientists have made 35 new observations of gravitational waves, which brings the total number of detections since 2015 to 90. Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of spacetime, created by massive cosmic events -- such as pairs of black holes smashing together -- up to billions of light years away. Waves from these cataclysmic collisions were detected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (Ligo) observatory in the US and the Virgo instrument in Italy between November 2019 and March 2020. The first detection of gravitational waves, announced in 2016, confirmed a prediction Albert Einstein made a century earlier based on his general theory of relativity. Monash University researcher Shanika Galaudage, a collaborator in the Australian branch of the project known as OzGrav, described gravitational waves as a game-changing "new window into the universe."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Maribel family bought a cute new puppy from a shop in Lima, Peru. They named the little guy Run Run. But as Run Run grew, all was not well. Neighbors were incensed that Run Run loved chasing their chickens ducks, sometimes killing and eating them. — Read the rest

Well, here’s a bit of a bum note in the otherwise upbeat tune of Intel’s 12th Gen Alder Lake CPUs: the new chips are apparently tripping up games that use Denuvo DRM. Not all of them, fortunately, but Intel has listed over 50 games that might suffer compatibility issues across Windows 10 and Windows 11 when using an Alder Lake processor. These include big names like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Total War: Three Kingdoms. (Update - Fallen Order has now removed Denuvo completely, so should be fine.)

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"The Last Duel" was a big box office disappointment, and I will forever be salty about that. I get it: there's still a pandemic going on, and the film's subject matter might have immediately turned off some potential viewers. But Ridley Scott's "The Last Duel" is one of the year's best films, and one of the best things Scott has done in years (and I say that as a fan of "Alien: Covenant"). While "The Last Duel" underperformed in theaters, perhaps it'll finally find a bigger audience on home video. The historical epic, which stars Matt Damon, Adam Driver, and Jodie Comer, has a home release in sight: it'll hit digital this month before arriving on 4K Blu-ray and DVD in December. I hope so, at least, because I was mightily impressed with the film when I saw it. I was particularly impressed with the clever screenplay, which presents its main story from three distinct perspectives. And I was even more impressed with a scene-stealing turn from Ben Affleck, who plays a count who just wants to get drunk and have orgies all day. 

The Last Duel Blu-Ray Release

Inspired by true events, "The Last Duel" follows three characters – Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon), Marguerite de Carrouges (Jodie Comer), and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) – all living in France in the 1300s. Jean and Jacques start out as friends, but that friendship sours over the years. Things come to a head when Marguerite, Jean's wife, accuses Jacques of rape. In the wake of the accusations, Jean challenges Jacques to a duel to the death. This premise could've been turned into a rather straightforward medieval epic, but the script, by Nicole Holofcener, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon, adopts a "Rashomon" approach, telling the same story from each of the three main characters' perspectives. Here's the full synopsis: 

From 20th Century Studios comes "The Last Duel," visionary filmmaker Ridley Scott's gripping tale of betrayal and vengeance set against the brutality of 14th century France. The historical epic is a cinematic and thought-provoking drama that explores the ubiquitous power of men, the frailty of justice and the strength and courage of one woman willing to stand alone in the service of truth. Based on actual events, the film unravels long-held assumptions about France's last sanctioned duel between Jean de Carrouges and Jacques Le Gris, two friends turned bitter rivals. When Carrouges' wife, Marguerite, is viciously assaulted by Le Gris, a charge he denies, she refuses to stay silent, stepping forward to accuse her attacker, an act of bravery and defiance that puts her life in jeopardy. The ensuing trial by combat, a grueling duel to the death, places the fate of all three in God's hands.

"The Last Duel" was a box office bomb, and boy does that make me bitter. People say they want original, non-superhero movies for adults – and then when one comes along, they don't bother to see it. It's frustrating. But now "The Last Duel" has its home media release on the horizon. The film arrives on digital on November 30, 2021, before heading to 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on December 14, 2021. 

Special Features

So what special features are included with this home release? Sadly, not many! This is all that's listed:

• The Making of The Last Duel – With the documentary "The Making of The Last Duel," get unprecedented access to renowned director Ridley Scott as he collaborates with the cast and crew to make critical decisions about location, cinematography and performances.

Again: I know this movie flopped, but I was hoping the Blu-ray release would have more to offer. Especially since this is a Ridley Scott film. Scott's films often come with extended director's cuts on home media, sometimes with great results. Hell, the director's cut of "Kingdom of Heaven" is practically a different movie. That's not to say that there won't eventually be a double-dip special edition release with more footage. For now, though, we're not getting much. But the movie itself is definitely worth checking out, and if you missed it in theaters – and there's a good chance you did – I urge you to seek out "The Last Duel" on home video. 

Read this next: The Best Movies Of 2021 So Far

The post Ridley Scott's Great, Underseen The Last Duel Heads to Digital This Month, 4K Blu-ray In December appeared first on /Film.

It's easy enough to snip a cable tie with cutters, but in some cases, you might want to remove It without cutting it. If you need to re-use the cable tie or want to avoid the risk of cutting a cable by mistake, you need to resort to a non-destructive removal method. — Read the rest

Microsoft has announced that both Visual Studio 2022 and .NET 6 have reached general availability today. These updated tools brings new capabilities for developers meant to speed up the development process, as well as create better apps.

For starters, Visual Studio 2022 is the first major update to Visual Studio in over two years, following Visual Studio 2019. The latest release comes with one very significant change: Visual Studio itself is now a 64-bit application. This is big news for developers, as VIsual Studio can now access all of the computer’s memory, making it much faster to compile and work with large and complex projects. Indeed, Visual Studio is dropping support for 32-bit machines, but presumably not many developers are using 32-bit PCs anymore.

Aside from that, Visual Studio comes with a huge list of news, including new versions of C++, .NET 6, and C#10. There are also improvements to the editor such as a new multi-caret copy-and-pasting experience, new IntelliCode features such as whole line completions in C# projects, and much, much more. One thing that’s worth noting is that the extensions platform in Visual Studio 2022 has some breaking changes, so existing extensions for VS2019 won’t work with the new version unless they’re updated. On the visual side, Microsoft has changed the icons across the app and a new Cascadia Code font is now used in the app. You can read the release notes for a more thorough description of everything that’s new.

As for .NET 6, the list of news is also extensive. Performance has been significantly improved across the board, with particularly big improvements in file I/O. APIs have been update or introduced, including improved performance with JSON APIs and new minimal APIs in ASP.NET Core, making it easier to get started and improving performance with HTTP services. This release also adds support for HTTP/3 in ASP.NET core, as well as OpenSSL 3 for enhanced security.

One .NET 6 feature that isn’t available at launch is the Multi-platform App UI (MAUI), which allows developers to write code for a single app that looks modern on both desktop and mobile platforms. Microsoft didn’t say when this capability will be available, however.

.NET 6 is the latest long-term support release of the platform, meaning it will be supported for the next three years, and it’s a unified platform for all types of apps, whether it’s mobile, desktop, cloud, web, and more. It replaces both .NET 5 and .NET Core 3.1, and Microsoft is urging developers to migrate their apps from those older platforms. However, .NET 6 is only supported in Visual Studio 2022 for Windows and Mac, so if you’re using an older version, you won’t be able to use the new platform.

You can download Visual Studio 2022 from the official website, and head here to download .NET 6.

The post Visual Studio 2022 is now generally available, and it’s the first 64-bit version appeared first on xda-developers.

The Anniversary Edition of Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is scheduled to go live on November 11, 2021. Which means now's a good time to check out the official FAQ that helps us understand what the Anniversary Edition is, its pricing specifics, and more. Here it is:

November 11 marks 10 years since the release of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and we’re celebrating with the Skyrim Anniversary Edition – the most comprehensive edition of the game released yet! Curious to learn more about the Anniversary Edition? Check out our FAQ below:

What is the Skyrim Anniversary Edition?

The Skyrim Anniversary Edition bundles together Skyrim Special Edition with every piece of Creation Club content released at the time of the Anniversary Edition’s launch, including additional quests, armor and gameplay modes. Get a first look at some of the content included in our article here.

Players who already own Skyrim Special Edition may choose to purchase just the Anniversary Upgrade, which includes all the Creation Club creation content mentioned above in one convenient, high-value bundle.

What is the price of the Skyrim Anniversary Edition and the Anniversary Upgrade?

• The MSRP for the Skyrim Anniversary Edition on digital storefronts will be USD $49.99/EUR €54.99/GBP £47.99/AUD $79.95/RUB 3399 at launch.
• If you already own Skyrim Special Edition, the MSRP for the Anniversary Upgrade on digital storefronts will be USD $19.99/EUR €19.99/GBP £15.99/AUD $29.95/RUB 1429 at launch.

Prices and availability may differ by region or platform. Check your local retailer for your local price.

Will there be a physical version of the Anniversary Edition?

Yes, there will be physical copies of the Anniversary Edition available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One systems. Please note that while the physical edition contains a game disc, internet access is required to redeem and download the Creation Club content included in the Anniversary Edition.

Prices and availability for physical copies may vary, check your local retailer for details.

Is Skyrim getting a next-gen upgrade?

Yes! Owners of Skyrim Special Edition or the Anniversary Edition on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S will receive a next-generation upgrade for the game. The upgrade will be free and optimize the game with enhanced graphics, faster loading times and more.

Will my achievements/trophies carry over?

Any achievement/trophy progress earned playing on Skyrim Special Edition will carry over to the Anniversary Edition, EXCEPT when upgrading the PlayStation 4 version of the game to the PlayStation 5 version.

The ME3Tweaks group of modders has managed what BioWare couldn't, successfully porting the Pinnacle Station DLC of the first Mass Effect to the Legendary Edition. How did they do that? Well, the lengthy technical explanation is available here, but the short version of it is that BioWare had lost the original source code. The modders, on the other hand, were able to use the Legendary Explorer toolkit which does not need the source code, so it was easier for them than for the game's developers.

The Pinnacle Station DLC mod, only available on PC, needs to be installed through the ME3Tweaks Mod Manager. It does come with quite a few caveats, such as currently only supporting English audio and requiring stronger graphics cards than the base game (because the lighting is calculated in runtime, not prebaked), with the NVIDIA RTX 1070/AMD RADEON RX 580 recommended for 1080p@60FPS.

In related Mass Effect news, N7 Day just passed and BioWare tweeted that Mass Effect will continue, though it'll surely be a few years before we get the next game.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition: Pinnacle Station is an enhanced port of the original Pinnacle Station DLC, which was not included in the Legendary Edition due to lost and corrupted source code. The ME3Tweaks group has ported this DLC across from the original game, while remastering it in the same vein as the Legendary Edition and fixing numerous issues. This is the complete DLC: Pinnacle Station including all simulator maps. No content was cut for this port.

The DLC features a new space station built into an asteroid which houses a combat training facility jointly run by the Alliance Navy and the Turian Hierarchy. Practice and build your combat team using 4 different simulator maps and 4 different combat modes. Beat the other competitors on all 12 simulations to unlock the chance to win a unique prize.

To start the DLC go to the galaxy map on the Normandy and head to the Argos Rho cluster, Phoenix system.

Changes from the Original DLC
We have remastered many areas of this DLC to improve it's experience, including (but not limited to):

• Volcano Insanity Hunt has had it's difficulty slightly reduced.
• All maps now have music. All levels but Warehouse also have a second piece of music that kicks in as the intensity of the scenario increases.
• Fixed geth flashlights floating above their heads.
• Fix bugged spawns.
• Fixed many collision problems.
• Fixed inability to win Survival mode on casual with certain powers.
• Removed a lot of jank, including modal LOADING screens, texture popin, and cutscene timings.
• Survival has been tweaked to increase engagement

Lighting will look significantly different, because we could not use the original lighting, as well as keeping more in-tone with Legendary Edition's lighting.

The post Pinnacle Station DLC Comes to Mass Effect Legendary Edition with a Mod by Alessio Palumbo appeared first on Wccftech.

"[Y]ou must show up," Diesel said in an Instagram post.

The impressive Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 fan expansion 'Mental Omega' is finally complete - after over 15 years in development. The project for one of the best RTSs on PC adds over 100 missions and a new faction in a campaign that "retells, expands and continues" Red Alert 2's story.

Red Alert 2: Mental Omega first popped up as one of ModDB's top mods of 2006 and the team has been working on it ever since, with sporadic updates being released over the last 15 years. Version 3.3 was the last significant release and that came out back in 2016, adding the new faction called the Foehn Revolt - a more technology-focused side where the player's character is actually an AI.

Now the expansion's final update, version 3.3.6, is available to download - adding the last few missions to the four campaigns - Soviet, Allied, Yuri, and Foehn Revolt. The expansion boasts 97 single-player missions, 36 co-op maps, and 22 challenge maps. There are updated visuals, new units, multiplayer support through CnCNet, and a new soundtrack - although it'll be tough to beat the original's.

RELATED LINKS: Best strategy games on PC, Best classic games on PC

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Perfect Power Strip
This power strip from Powlight was just what I needed for my workbench. It has 12 AC outlets with surge protection arranged in two rows and 4 USB charging ports. The cord is 8-feet long. — MF

Excellent movie
5 stars for the new movie DUNE. It’s the most exquisite world building (worlding) I’ve seen since Star Wars. Crisp, inventive, plausible and coherent. The soundtrack and cinematic style are appropriate to the world. The story is forceful and mythical. I want more. After you watched it once, but before you watch it again, this long Max Read annotation will fill you in on the Dune book/movie references. I watched it streamed on HBO, but it would be worth seeing it in a theater. — KK

Free online drawing mannequin
Set Pose is an online drawing mannequin that you can adjust and use as a 3D model reference. There are presets like running, sitting, playing sports and combat poses that you can select, and even some props like a sword, bike, and chair. This is perfect for me because I always have trouble drawing dynamic poses. — CD

Artsy postage stamps
Sending a hand-written letter by post is a sure way to stand out. Part of that signal is the postal stamps, and in recognition of this role, the US Postal Service issues trendy artsy stamps for a stylish accent. Right now you can get Espresso stamps (weird), Droids stamps (collectibles), Hip Hop DJ stamps (edgy), Western wear stamps (vintage!), and Otters in Snow stamps (soooo cute), all ordered online, sent to you by mail, of course. These are Forever stamps that dont need extra postage when the rates change. — KK

Spend money consciously
Here is a 6 minute read of Japanese philosophies that’ll help you spend money consciously. These were all new to me. Currently practicing Chisoku — being content with what I already have. All of them are perspective-shifting. — CD

What is Bitcoin and why does it matter?
Andreas Antonopoulos’ full-time job is explaining Bitcoin to people who don’t know anything about it. If you watch his two-hour video, “Bitcoin Explained in the Bitcoin Basics Workshop,” you’ll know more about how Bitcoin works than 99.9% of the rest of the people on the planet. — MF

-- Kevin Kelly, Mark Frauenfelder, Claudia Dawson

Kordanor checked out Geneforge 1 - Mutagen in his Gaming Lair: Geneforge 1 Mutagen - Review / Conclusion [EN] by Kordanor loading... Review and Conclusion for the classical old school RPG Geneforge 1: Mutagen, a Remake/Remaster of Geneforge 1 from 2001....

Apple recently launched its most powerful chips in its Mac lineup - the M1 Pro and M1 Max. While the new 2021 MacBook Pro models have taken the internet by storm, Apple does not seem to rest when it comes to enhancing and improving its products. A new report has been shared today that sheds light on Apple's plans for its silicon chips. The forthcoming chips will succeed the current M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Mac chips. The current chips are manufactured by Apple's partner TSMC and are based on the 5nm process. It is now being stated that future Apple chips will use a 3nm process with up to 40 cores. Scroll down to read more details on the subject.

2023 Macs Will Feature 3nm Chips With Four Dies to Support Up to 40 Cores

The Information's Wayne Ma allegedly shared details on Apple's 3nm chips which will feature up to 40 cores. The report claims that Apple and its chipmaking partner TSMC will manufacture the next generation of chips using an enhanced version of the 5nm process. In addition, the new chips will contain two dies which will allow the manufacturer to add more cores. Reportedly, these chips will be housed in Apple's next MacBook Pro models and Mac desktops.

However, a much bigger step forward is coming with the third generation of Apple silicon as the processors will be based on TSMC's 3nm process. In addition, the 3nm chips will have up to four dies. What this means is that the chips would have the capacity to add up to 40 computing cores. In comparison, the M1 chip features 8 cores, M1 Pro features 10 cores, and the M1 Max chip houses 1- CPU cores. In addition, Apple's high-end Mac Pro can be configured with a Xeon W processor with up to 28 cores.

According to the report, Apple and TSMC will be able to manufacture their 3nm chips by 2023 and the process will be used in Macs as well as iPhones. According to the report, the third-gen chips are codenamed Palma, Ibiza, and Lobos. Moreover, another chip is also said to be in the works which will power the MacBook Air. The high-end chips will be part of the MacBook Pro models. As for the Mac Pro, the report says that it will use a version of the M1 Max with two dies for more cores. In comparison, Intel's Alder Lake chips have also appeared in benchmarks which you can check out.

This is all there is to it, folks. What are your views on the subject? Let us know in the comments section below.

The post Apple Will Use 3nm Chips in 2023 Macs With Four Dies to Bolster Up to 40 Cores by Ali Salman appeared first on Wccftech.

Netflix has an extensive lineup of movies and TV shows, but head to the site for some creepy content and you'll find the offerings slim. Those looking for a wide variety of spooky classics will be dismayed to go to the horror section, sort by year released, and only find the catalogue to go back as far as 1990's "The Exorcist III" (which is nonetheless outstanding, go watch it). 

Where the streaming service shines is in its original content, bringing fresh films from a variety of storytellers around the world to Netflix's 209 million subscribers. On the TV side, Mike Flanagan has wowed audiences once again with "Midnight Mass," his third series for the streaming giant after "The Haunting of Hill House" and its follow-up "The Haunting of Bly Manor." Netflix was impressed enough with the viewing numbers to order another series from the "Hush" director, "The Fall of the House of Usher."

This year, Netflix has put forth a modest assortment of original feature films in the horror section, including Leigh Janiak's teen slasher trilogy "Fear Street," and Kim Tae-hyoung's Korean Buddhist horror-fable "The 8th Night." We rounded up the cream of the crop for your viewing pleasure, and hopefully Netflix will beef up the rest of the horror section soon. Would it kill them to showcase "Don't Look Now" every once in a while?

Without further ado, here are ten of the best Netflix original horror films of the year (so far).

The Swarm

Here's the thing about "The Swarm" ... you're not going to get all that scared. Maybe a little creeped out by all the bugs, but this brand of French eco-horror does what so many effective horror movies do: it uses gnarly elements (in this case, blood-drinking locusts) as a shell for what the filmmaker really wants to talk about. 

The story centers on recently widowed single mom Virginie, a farmer who raises locusts to grind into a high-protein flour. Struggling to keep the lights on, getting abysmally compensated by vendors, and borrowing money from her neighbor to make ends meet, her locusts just aren't reproducing -- until they inadvertently get a taste for fresh blood. 

The film is a slow-burn that relies on its lead performances, a task dutifully handled by Suliane Brahim and Laura Hébrard in the respective mother-daughter roles. "The Swarm" is a particularly sweet treat for those who got a chance to catch director Just Philippot's short film "Acid," in 2018 -- the film also stars Sofian Khammes from the same short. /Film's own Danielle Ryan speculated from the trailer that the movie has "an A24 feel," and that's not far off base. Provoking socio-economic thought rather than shocks, "The Swarm" creeps more than it thrills and leaves you ready to be more supportive of your local farmer's market once the credits roll.

A Classic Horror Story

Don't let the fair eyes fool you; Matilda Lutz is up to the challenges of exploitation horror. After blowing away festival audiences in Coralie Fargeat's 2017 rape-revenge thriller "Revenge," it's wonderful to see her finger on the trigger once again in Italian bloodbath "A Classic Horror Story," directed by Roberto De Feo and Paolo Strippoli. 

Released on Netflix mid-July, the story tags along with Lutz as Elisa, who is traveling to Calabria. She boards Fabrizio's (Francesco Russo) trailer along with Dr. Riccardo (Peppino Mazzotta) and couple Sofia (Yuliia Sobol) and Mark (Will Merrick), and a vehicle accident along the way strands the travelers in the deep woods. They find ritualistic offerings, a creepy cabin, and eventually, its inhabitants as they try to survive the night. 

Lutz shines brightest in the lead role, clenching her jaw and marching right up to the edge of that adrenaline-soaked delirium that would put her right at home in any upcoming "Texas Chain Saw Massacre" entry. The film delivers buckets of blood and torture sequences with fun practical effects, so old school fans of stay-out-of-the-woods cinema have their next watch taken care of with "A Classic Horror Story" (at least, until Shyamalan's new thriller drops)

Homunculus

"Homunculi show you everything you want to see; everything else is just imagination."

Takashi Shimizu's "Homunculus" unpacks the ways that we connect with each other, wrapped in the genre safety of sci-fi and horror. Nakoshi (Gô Ayano) is a homeless amnesiac, struggling to relate to anyone. His apathy is such that he consents to an experimental medical procedure, telling the student Ito (Ryô Narita) that he doesn't care if it makes him "a vegetable." 

The procedure, called trepanation, bores a nickel-sized hole in the patient's skull with "Driller Killer" levels of intensity and results in the emergence of the homunculus, a part of the brain that can reveal people's innermost pain when Nakoshi covers his right eye and peers at them through his left (this results in poor Ayano spending half the movie acting out of one half of his face, but his expressiveness more than compensates). Similar stories have been executed before -- The Pang Brothers' 2002 "The Eye" has a blind musician given a corneal transplant with the nasty side effect of seeing dead people -- but this live-action adaptation of Hideo Yamamoto's manga of the same title is a stellar execution of an ambitious concept. 

Bonus: Yamamoto also wrote the "Ichi the Killer" seinen manga that Takashi Miike would later adapt into the infamous cult hit, so with "Homunculus" you'll see similar recurring themes on the human mind, deviant behavior, and criminal subcultures. Straddling genres but leaning hard into science fiction, "Homunculus" is writer-director Takashi Shimizu's surreal and soulful meditation on what it means to reach out to someone.

There's Someone Inside Your House

Teen slashers are the hot ticket these days, so much so that critic and slice-n-dice expert BJ Colangelo has noticed a pattern. This one boasts a YA story at its core, and the director of "Creep" as the cherry on top. 

Patrick Brice helms "There's Someone Inside Your House," the big-screen adaptation of Stephanie Perkins' 2017 novel of the same name. In both, Makani Young (played in the film by Sydney Park) has just moved to Nebraska following a vaguely-referenced incident that she regrets. Now, someone has been killing the students of Osborne High School and putting their secrets on display for the whole town to see. 

Working with an expanded cadre of high school character tropes, "There's Someone Inside Your House" updates the "I Know What You Did Last Summer" template for today's youth and includes more tangible iterations of the cynical slasher teens of yesteryear. While the killer's premise gets muddled (one victim's only crime is addiction), the ride is nonetheless effective and thrilling, with biting dialogue and a solid lead performance from Park that does right by the source material and brings a beating, guilty heart to the film's center.

Fear Street Part One: 1994

It's probably cheating to list each film of a trilogy as its own entry, but I don't want folks sleeping on these hip, fun slashers. The "Fear Street" films enjoy an expanded stable of archetypes in the same way that "There's Someone Inside Your House" does; rather than settle for mere visibility for its queer and gender-challenging characters, writer-director Leigh Janiak infuses them with depth and flaws (and not in the damaging crossdresser Norman Bates sense). 

First up is the '94 feature, which has teenager Deena Johnson (Kiana Madeira) joining with her friends to take on an evil force that's been pissed at their notorious town of Shadyside (a fictional town as used to cyclical violence as Derry, Maine in Stephen King's books) ever since 1666. With director Leigh Janiak ("Honeymoon") at the helm of openly gay screenwriter Phil Graziadei's interpretation of R.L. Stine's "Fear Street" books for young readers, a queer couple at the forefront of the narrative, and some notably shocking kills, "Fear Street Part One: 1994" is a lively update to the '90s slasher cycle that we're all used to.

Fear Street Part Two: 1978

The saga continues in Janiak's follow-up to "Fear Street Part One: 1994." The previous film ends with Deena Johnson and her brother Josh struggling to restrain Deena's possessed girlfriend, Sam. The trio trek to the house of C. Berman, who survived an encounter with the witch that preys upon Shadyside. Berman recounts the Camp Nightwing massacre of 1978, with the same possession-fueled slayings and attributed to the same witch's curse. 

The power in this story lies less in its slicing and dicing and more in its array of impressive performances, particularly from Ryan Simpkins as the Joan Jett-esque Alice and Emily Rudd as Cindy Berman. Sadie Sink, too, brings her A-game to the movie, proving that her phenomenal turn in "Stranger Things" was no fluke (the last we heard, she was in talks to join Darren Aronofsky's latest project) But don't worry -- amid all of the teen drama, heads still roll.

Fear Street Part Three: 1666

The terminus of the "Fear Street Trilogy" recasts its queer teen couple as ... a queer teen couple in the 17th century. It's kind of like "Back to the Future Part III," but the town is run by Biff "Mad Dog" Tannen and his entire clan. Straddling two timelines (1994 and 1666), Leigh Janiak's final entry of the Shadyside saga turns her lens to Deena and Sam from the previous two films, now living in a Puritanical festival of repression as Sarah Fier and Hannah Miller. Together, the pair try to stop a witch's curse once and for all. 

With her previous (feature debut) film "Honeymoon," Janiak focuses less on the supernatural elements of her story and more on the disintegration of a relationship. "1666" and the "Fear Street" adaptations at large signal that Janiak's concentration on players over genre trappings is a deliberate choice, one that she makes as the project necessitates. The kids and couples of the "Fear Street" collection matter -- to us and to each other -- but the buckets of blood don't hurt, either.

Side note: Janiak is set to helm an adaptation of one of Netflix's strongest true crime documentaries, "The Staircase," on the strange death of Kathleen Pearson and the ensuing scrutiny on her husband, novelist Michael Pearson.

Things Heard & Seen

"Things Heard and Seen" concerns itself more with a disintegrating marriage than with bumps in the night -- or maybe it's just more comfortable with them. As with Alfred Hitchcock's "Rebecca," a healthy infusion of good ol' Gothic horror leavens the he said she-said. Directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini and adapted by the pair from Elizabeth Brundage's novel "All Things Cease to Appear," the story follows artist Catherine (Amanda Seyfried) and art instructor George Claire (James Norton), a couple relocating to the Hudson Valley for work. 

As Catherine gets cozy in the new home, lights flicker and a shimmering presence makes itself known to her. With the help of a book and a seance conducted by a magnificent F. Murray Abraham, she suspects a supernatural source in the home, something George vehemently dismisses. What's explored over the two-hour runtime is what sort of vibe that spirit is bringing with them. Running parallel with that is George's ghastly mediocrity and his increasingly pathetic attempts to cosplay as a successful man. Norton turns in a taut performance as a walking red flag. His ability to evade accountability simply by flipping a persona switch echoes Dylan McDermott's career-peak turn in "The Clovehitch Killer." 

While George is an awful husband and all-around bad egg, Catherine spends a good chunk of the story at ease with the ghost in her home, comforted by it ("Evil only interacts with evil-doers," says a seance attendee). Outright frights are sparse, replaced instead with the slow dread of anticipating an explosive "Amityville Horror" climax from George Claire. As such, it can't quite be deemed the scariest Netflix original of the year, but it's certainly one of the strongest.

Blood Red Sky

Bram Stoker's classic novel "Dracula" sees its bloodthirsty villain making his way to England aboard the doomed Russian vessel, the Demeter. What Peter Thowarth's "Blood Red Sky" presupposes is: what if the Demeter was a plane? And Dracula was a single mom? And there are armed white terrorists aboard? It sounds just bonkers enough to make for an action-horror feature as fun as "Con Air" and as well-contained as "Air Force One," and it is. 

While the sunlight-phobic Nadja (Peri Baumeister) faces off against her own bloodlust (she, like so many vampires, was not bitten consensually), Alexander Scheer carries the frame with zeal as psychotic terrorist Eightball (what a name), chewing on every bit of scenery that the fuselage allows. Thowarth doesn't consider a movie about a sky battle between vampires and terrorists to be a true horror movie (to be fair, the relationship between mother and son is strong and dramatically centered in the narrative), but we'll pull the "art doesn't belong to the artist once it's unleashed" card here. "Blood Red Sky" is high-concept, low-drag fun horror with plenty of fangs to go around.

O2 (Oxygen)

The most efficient film to grace Netflix's original lineup this year is, hands down, Alexandre Aja's sci-fi thriller "Oxygen." Seemingly unsatisfied with the tight corners and low ceilings of his 2019 thriller "Crawl," the French director has ditched the Florida floodwaters for a cryogenic pod, though the level of mercy he extends to his protagonists is just as intentionally thin. Mélanie Laurent stars as an unnamed woman who wakes up in said pod with no clue as to where she is or who she is, and her air is running out with every passing minute. 

Over a 101 minute runtime, Aja keeps things taut alongside writer Christie LeBlanc (who wrote the screenplay back in pre-COVID year of 2016 so let's be forgiving of the global pandemic angle, shall we?) Aja and cinematographer Maxime Alexandre exhaust the tiny space to find every good angle in existence, and the star has a memorable frenemy in the frustratingly advanced A.I. program M.I.L.O. (Medical Interface Liaison Officer), voiced by Mathieu Amalric. Laurent is game to carry the weight of the film on her shoulders, and duly squirms her way to the story's conclusion as she fights her own self-contained prison cell.

Read this next: The 20 Best 2000s Horror Movies Ranked

The post The Best Netflix Original Horror Movies Of 2021 (So Far) appeared first on /Film.

The Twitter poll by Tesla chief Elon Musk which asked followers whether he should liquidate 10% of his Tesla holdings in light of criticism regarding unrealized stock gains being untaxable, received a little over two million votes in favor of him selling roughly 24 million shares. Mr. Musk is known for making big announcements on Twitter, especially about Tesla, some of which have landed him in hot waters with regulators.

Elon Musk Gains Twitter Approval For Selling 10% Of His Tesla Shares

Tesla's stock has skyrocketed during the second half of this year, even after it made hefty gains last year as the company streamlined production in its Shanghai Gigafactory. Musk owns 23.1% of Tesla shares, which translates into $278 billion of the company's market capitalization as of Friday. Based on this, should the executive stand true to his words, he will liquidate close to $30 billion worth of stock.

Coincidentally, this liquidation will follow Cathie Wood's Ark Invest, also selling close to 100 million dollars of shares of a company that has been nothing but a darling of investors all around. Aiming to make electric vehicles a mass market phenomenon, Tesla is the first American carmaker to have successfully made deliveries in large number, after years of struggle which saw the company's employees working in tents.

The poll to determine whether he could sell millions of shares came after Musk responded to criticism often aimed at billionaires accusing them of avoiding taxes on their wealth despite being worth hundreds of billions in dollars.

Soon after the poll ended, Musk refused to divulge which option was his preferred outcome. The two choices were a simple yes and no to ask whether he should sell 10% of his $278 billion Tesla holdings.

In response to a question asking about this, he replied:

I was prepared to accept either outcome

2:26 PM · Nov 8, 2021·Twitter for iPhone

Additionally, Musk did not hold back at those floating opinions suggesting that he wants to find a suitable excuse to sell Tesla shares due to them being overvalued. Joined by the Whole Mars Catalogue, his reply was:

Doing the opposite of whatever that insufferable numbskull says would be a great way to invest!

2:23 PM · Nov 8, 2021·Twitter for iPhone

This recent response to public opinion comes after Musk also offered to sell $6 billion of shares if the World Health Program would publicly lay down its plans for using it to help with world hunger.

Mr. David Beasley of the World Food Program (WFP) replied to Musk, and after asking him to meet in person, he laid down a brief summary of how $6 billion could help feed 43 million people in 42 countries for one year.

This summary outlined that:

.@elonmusk, tweet plan to avert crisis for 42 million people on famine’s edge in 43 countries:

$.43 x 42,000,000 x 365 days = $6.6 billion.

Systems in place in all 43 countries. 115 million people assisted last year. Just a matter of scaling up.

6:30 PM · Nov 4, 2021·Twitter Web App

He then shared a link explaining the summary, which shared that nearly a quarter of the 42 million people are located in Northern Africa, with the continent as a whole accounting for nearly 21 million who stand at risk for a famine.

The WFP also outlined that out of the $6.6 billion, $4.2 billion would be used to provide food, and the rest would be transferred in the form of cash. One-sixth or more than a billion of the $6.6 billion will be spent in Yemen, after which South Sudan, Ethiopia and Syria would collectively see $1.8 billion in aid.

The post Elon Musk Should Sell More Than $20 Billion Of Stock Rules Tax Avoidance Poll by Ramish Zafar appeared first on Wccftech.

It's been 14 years since HBO's hit series "The Sopranos" ended, and people are still arguing about the last moments of the series finale. Danger surrounds antihero Tony Soprano on all sides; he's a wanted man by both the FBI and the family and crew of his recently departed nemesis, Phil Leotardo. One by one his family members join him for dinner at a local diner, but before daughter Meadow can walk in, the scene cuts dramatically to black. 

People have argued for years over whether or not that meant Tony died, and just recently The Hollywood Reporter declared they finally had the answer. (Spoiler: They didn't, it's the same kind of non-answer showrunner David Chase has been giving for over a decade.)

While the prequel film "The Many Saints of Newark" gave us more insight into the history of the crime family, it didn't give us any answers on what happens down the line. Let's dig into the final episode of "The Sopranos" to dissect one of television's most powerful and divisive endings.  

What's With Paulie And The Cat?

Animals are hugely symbolic in "The Sopranos." Tony's ducks represent his loving side, while the bear that stalks outside their home represents the ever-present dangers that surround the family because of their unique lifestyle. The orange cat, however, is of special significance, because high-ranking mob family member Paulie (Tony Sirico) believes the cat is a jinx. The cat sits and stares at a photo of Christopher (Michael Imperioli) after his death, and even after Paulie moves the photo, the cat continues to stare at it. 

Paulie explains his fears to Tony and the other wise guys: "These are snakes with fur. The old Italians'll tell ya, you can't even put 'em around a baby. They suck the breath right out." 

Both Paulie and Tony view the cat as a connection to Christopher, and they both have guilt over how their treatment of him led to his downward spiral and eventual demise. (Tony feels more guilt, obviously, as the one who actually snuffed him out.) While Tony views the cat as a way to show kindness in spite of it all, Paulie sees the feline as a symbol of death. When he sees the cat, he thinks of all of his many sins, and knows the time is coming when he'll have to pay the piper. 

Did Tony Die?

This is the big question, isn't it? While Chase said in that THR interview that he imagined Tony dying when he first came up with the scene, he left it open-ended for a reason. Whether or not Tony kicks the bucket in the diner isn't really the important thing to focus on, because the ambiguity is what's terrifying. That ambiguity is what made fans across the country furious when the finale first debuted, and it's why people are still talking about the finale today. 

Tony's death is kind of a Schrödinger's cat situation. It doesn't matter whether he's dead or alive at the end of it, because the pondering is the important part. Like Paulie's many superstitions, the specter of death will always be looming over Tony. People in his line of work don't get to retire and die of old age, they tend to get a bullet in the back or wear a pair of cement shoes and go swimming. Even if he walked out of the diner that night, he would always be looking over his shoulder. Death will always be watching, waiting, and none of Tony's feeble attempts to better himself will prevent that outcome. At some point, Tony has to die, and the diner scene establishes that it could be at almost any time. After all, not seeing your death coming and getting blindsided is a repeat theme in both "The Sopranos" and "The Many Saints of Newark." Tony's chances of death might be higher now that he's basically started a war with another crime family by killing Leotardo, but the chance was always there. 

There are a handful of wilder theories out there that claim Tony actually died at other points in the series and the events thereafter are his way of processing his death, but that starts to get a little too "whole universe in a snowglobe" for me. 

The Lingering Threat Of The Law

Tony doesn't only have to worry about the other mob families coming for him, because the Feds are on his tail, too. After giving up some basic information on a couple of Muslim locals in exchange for the whereabouts of Leotardo, Tony knows there's a good chance there's an indictment coming his way. He's only barely played ball with the FBI, giving them tiny tidbits of information without playing his hand or snitching on any of his own guys. 

Tony's family hated living on the lam while they were hiding from Leotardo's crew, so how are they going to feel if Tony goes to prison? Or worse, if they have to go into witness protection? Could you see Carmela (Edie Falco) living in suburban Ohio with a minivan and a mousy brown bob haircut? No, me either. The Soprano family has gotten used to a life of luxury, and Tony knows that he could lose that at any minute the same way he could lose his life. No amount of therapy could ever help Tony deal with the anxiety of knowing he's pretty doomed, one way or the other. 

Don't Stop Believin'?

The ambiguity around whether or not Tony dies in the diner may never be solved (and it honestly probably shouldn't.) There is one burning question left about the "Sopranos" finale, however: why "Don't Stop Believin'"? Clearly Tony wasn't going to get things "Any Way You Want It," but does the Journey song have a hidden meaning for the series?

As it turns out, the "Sopranos" crew just really hated the song, and Chase thought it would be funny to use it. He had a couple of different songs in mind for the final scene, but whenever he told crew members about his Journey pick, their annoyed reactions amused him. Beyond that, it's an ironic song choice given Tony's position; the song is about surviving against the odds, and the odds are not in Tony's favor. When the scene cuts to black and ends immediately after the word "stop," it's a harsh goodbye. After all, in the world of "The Sopranos," you rarely see the end coming. 

Read this next: Shows Like Breaking Bad That You Can Binge Watch Today

The post The Sopranos Ending Explained: A Diner, Death, and Don't Stop Believin' appeared first on /Film.

Phoenix Point has been reviewed by GideonsGaming. loading... Phoenix Point: Year One Edition is the definitive version of the acclaimed strategy game from the creator of X-COM, collecting all previously released DLC, updates, and additional content....

Netflix's dystopian drama "Squid Game" is horrifying enough, but when you discover that its plot is rooted in history, it makes it considerably scarier. The South Korean language series follows 456 cash-strapped individuals who are selected to participate in a series of deadly games in a bid to escape severe debts. These games (adapted from real-life games played by South Korean citizens during their childhood) appear to be easy enough at first glance, but their true nature is revealed to the contestants when they realize that there is no elimination. There is only death.

The nine-part series that was originally conceived as a feature film has become the streamer's most significant release to date, drawing 111 million views since its premiere in September. Created by director-screenwriter Hwang Dong-hyuk, "Squid Game" has become a global phenomenon. It has dominated pop culture in mere weeks, prompting an avalanche of memes, elaborate Halloween costumes, and a candy craze likened to the Dalgona coffee trend as witnessed in 2019.

The survival drama series has earned praise for its stellar critique of capitalism and how it affects the world today. But very few know that many elements in the show borrow inspiration from real, tragic events in South Korean history.

The Truth Behind The Flashback In Episode 5

A flashback scene in "Squid Game" episode 5, "A Fair World," ironically depicts the sheer injustice faced by labor workers in the aftermath of South Korea's 2008 global economic collapse. In the scene, Seong Gi-Hun (played by the impeccable Lee Jung-jae), who witnesses his competitors engage in a killing spree, ties the violence to his past as an autoworker.

Before Gi-Hun became the debt-ridden man we know him to be, he had a steady job at the fictional Dragon Motors as an autoworker. He was laid-off when the company went bust, and he remembers watching the violence that ensued when his co-workers attempted to protest.

There is a real-life event in Korean history that served as inspiration for the scene. In 2009, SsangYong Motors laid off hundreds of autoworkers after the company went bankrupt. The employees charged into the factory and occupied it entirely, demanding that SsangYong Motors return their jobs. The strike ended in defeat after police officers took control of the factory and brutally attacked the workers. They were physically assaulted with batons and water cannons, and helicopters dropped tear gas on them.

The 77-day strike occurred after SsangYong Motors laid off 43 percent of its entire workforce. The layoffs transpired after the company decided to transfer its assets to global investors.

Gi-Hun's Reason To Compete

As a striker himself, Gi-Hun watched his co-workers get beaten by the police. His unemployment and the events that followed led him to depend on loan sharks, and hide from them when he couldn't afford to pay back their money, resulting in his divorce and losing custody of his young daughter. When he was approached by a man who asked for his participation in a series of games in exchange for economic redemption, Seong (who had been made to sign off his organs as collateral against his will) saw it as his only way out.

"Squid Game" details the horrors of capitalism in modern society and carefully weaves them into its narrative. It is effortlessly binge-worthy while providing the necessary twists and thrills to keep you on the edge of your seat. But its raw, devastating depiction of class structures within our society is worth understanding.

Read this next: The Best Movies Of 2021 So Far

The post The Labor Strike Flashback in Squid Game is Based on a Real Tragic Event in Korean History appeared first on /Film.

The Eternals have been around since before Thanos was born, and at least one of them thinks he could wipe the floor with the Mad Titan. Barry Keoghan plays Druig in "Eternals," the 26th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in theaters now. Druig is 7,000 years old and he has mind control powers, but he wouldn't need them to defeat Thanos, as far as Keoghan is concerned.

In an interview with ComicBook.com during the press junket for "Eternals," Keoghan all but issued a challenge to Josh Brolin himself. He said of Thanos, "[Druig] could beat him with his hands. He doesn't need mind control. Druig is a pretty good boxer as well."

Thanos is dead and dusted after the events of "Avengers: Endgame," but his purple prune face popped up again in animated form in Marvel's recent Disney+ series, "What If...?." There, Brolin reprised his role as Thanos (in voice alone), bringing to life a multiversal version of the character who was actually a good guy this time.

Showrunner A.C. Bradley has said that season 2 of "What If...?" could include characters from Phase 4 of the MCU, including the Eternals and Shang-Chi. So it's possible that we may see a match-up between Thanos and Druig. If it ever happens in live-action or animation, don't be so sure that Thanos would win, either, just because he took on all those other heroes at the same time in "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame."

Keoghan Already Has Boxing Experience

As the heroes were dog-piling on Thanos in "Infinity War," Mantis (Pom Klementieff) was able to exert some measure of mind control over him. So if all else fails, Druig could maybe take control of his mind and have him punch himself in the face like he does with some humans in "Eternals." But again, Keoghan seems pretty convinced that Druig could beat Thanos with his bare hands, and maybe it has something to do with Keoghan's own boxing background.

In an interview with Vice back in 2017 — the year that Keoghan appeared in Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk" and Yorgos Lanthimos' "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" — Keoghan did reveal that he is an amateur boxer. He grew up "ten minutes down the road" from MMA fighter Conor McGregor in Ireland and was rooting for McGregor when he had his historic match against boxer Floyd Mayweather in 2017. At the time, it was called "The Biggest Fight in Combat Sports History."

McGregor ultimately lost that fight to the undefeated Mayweather, who achieved a TKO against him in the 10th round. I'll leave it to you to decide who is Mayweather and who is McGregor in the Thanos vs. Druig fight. The Biggest Fight in Comic Book Movie History?

Josh Brolin could not be reached for comment. 

"Eternals" is in theaters now.

Read this next: Every MCU Post-Credits Sequence Ranked From Worst To Best

The post Eternals Star Barry Keoghan Says Druig Could Beat Thanos, and Those Are Fighting Words appeared first on /Film.

One cybersecurity expert says the cyberattack on the Newfoundland and Labrador health-care system may be the worst in Canadian history, and has implications for national security. CBC News reports: David Shipley, the CEO of a cybersecurity firm in Fredericton, said he's seen similar breaches before, but usually on a smaller scale. "We've never seen a health-network takedown this large, ever," Shipley said in an interview with CBC News. "The severity of this is what really sets it apart." Discovered on Saturday morning, the cyberattack has delayed thousands of appointments and procedures this week, including almost all non-emergency appointments in the Eastern Health region. After refusing to confirm the cause of the disruption for days, Health Minister John Haggie said Wednesday the system has been victim of a cyberattack. Sources have told CBC News the security breach is a ransomware attack, a type of crime in which hackers gain control of a system and hand back the reins only when a ransom has been paid. [...] Shipley said he normally argues against giving in to ransom demands but the provincial government might have to pay up in this instance since lives are at stake. The government has not confirmed there has been a ransom demand. On Thursday morning, staff at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John's were told the system used to manage patient health and financial information at the hospital is back online. The system -- called Meditech -- only has information from before last weekend, and will need to be updated. It isn't yet clear what the restoration of the system will mean for services at the hospital, or if the system is back online in other parts of the province.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

A modified consumer drone was used in an attack on an electrical substation in the US last year, according to a report from the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and National Counterterrorism Center. New Scientist reports: The report, which is being circulated to law enforcement agencies in the US, highlights the incident at a substation in Pennsylvania last year as the first known use of a drone to target energy infrastructure in the US. The location isn't specifically identified, but the drone crashed without causing damage. The drone was modified with a trailing tether supporting a length of copper wire. If the wire had come into contact with high-voltage equipment it could have caused a short circuit, equipment failures and possibly fires. Electrical substations are normally protected by fences and other barriers, but Zak Kallenborn at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism in Maryland says these may not be sufficient against drones. [...] Counter-drone jammers are deployed at some locations but cannot defend every electrical substation, due to both cost and limitations on where they can be used. Kallenborn notes that while such drones only carry a tiny payload compared to a car bomb, they can cause a disproportionate amount of damage by targeting vulnerable spots. "Critical infrastructure owners and operators need to identify critical, sensitive components where small charges can cause significant harm to the facility's operation," says Kallenborn.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

John Hughes passed away in 2009 at 59 years of age, but his legacy as a filmmaker continues. Sequels to some of his biggest hits are still being produced (including 2015's "Vacation" and this year's "Home Sweet Home Alone"), and the affection so many of us feel towards his earlier movies is unlikely to fade anytime soon. He only directed eight feature films during his career, but he wrote more than three times that number. The odds are good that you love one or more of his movies, and you're not alone in that feeling -- unless the one you love is "Drillbit Taylor," in which case you're absolutely on your own.

In highlighting his best films, we decided to consider his work both as a director and writer as it both broadens the pool of possibilities and lets us cover more than just his eight directorial efforts. We've ranked 14 of his movies below, ostensibly from worst to best, but I'd argue they're all good to great examples of the man's talents. Did your own favorite make the cut on our list of John Hughes movies? Probably -- unless your favorite is "Curly Sue," in which case: What is your deal, anyway?

Miracle On 34th Street (1994, Writer)

A young girl who doesn't believe in Santa Claus. A single mom struggling to balance work at a department store and time with her daughter. A man who loves them both. What do they all have in common this Christmas? A hobo who claims he's actually the Kris Kringle.

Here's the thing. While this John Hughes-scripted remake can't touch the magical atmosphere of the 1947 original, there's still something a bit irresistible about its spirited premise and naively optimistic views on life, love, and the legal system. The real world would chew up and spit out every one of these simpletons in a bloody heartbeat, but as a modern-day fantasy, Les Mayfield's film works well enough to tweak the holiday feels and put viewers in a charitable mood. 

Mara Wilson is a delight, and '90s stalwarts Elizabeth Perkins and Dylan McDermott are perfectly solid as the adults in the room. Richard Attenborough, meanwhile, makes for a fun Santa suggesting that Christmas spirit, like life itself, always finds a way.

Dutch (1991, Writer)

An average Joe tries to impress his girlfriend by volunteering to spend the upcoming holiday with her son, but the two mix like oil and sparkling water. The man is a grump, the boy is a snob, but this might just be their best Thanksgiving ever.

The '80s showed that John Hughes knows both comedy and teens, but his skills wavered a bit with this early '90s entry from director Peter Faiman. The physical violence of the previous year's "Home Alone" doesn't quite translate with an older child trading hits with an adult, and a bit too much of the comedy relies on antagonism. 

That said, "Dutch" recovers by the end thanks to the warmth of the writing and the two lead performances. Ed O'Neill plays Dutch, Ethan Embry plays the boy, Doyle, and both walk a fine line between the obnoxious and the heartwarming. Thanksgiving films are about family, and this one shows that it doesn't always refer to the ones you're born into.

Pretty In Pink (1986, Writer)

Andie is the daughter of a blue-collar single dad, and she can't help but dream about life on the right side of the tracks. The odds are against her when she falls for a dreamy teen who comes from wealth and privilege, but she trudges forward with a sewing machine in one hand and her best male friend in the other.

The '80s were a wild time for numerous reasons, but one historical moment that stands out is when test audiences literally booed the original ending to "Pretty in Pink," which saw Andie choose Duckie. They instead wanted her to end up with a guy named Blane. Blane! The ending was reshot, the film was a success, and the rest is history, but even watching through today's eyes it's clear that Blane (Blane!) is not the boy for her. Okay fine, I'll move on. 

That terrible, misguided ending aside, there's plenty to enjoy in Howard Deutch's film, including memorable performances by Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy (Blane!), Jon Cryer, James Spader, and the late, great Harry Dean Stanton.

Mr. Mom (1983, Writer)

Jack is a happily married father of three, but his life gets shaken up when he loses his job as the family's breadwinner. His wife Caroline goes back to work and finds success, while Jack struggles to carry the workload of a stay-at-home parent.

Like "Pretty in Pink," this is another John Hughes script that delivers laughs and warmth only to drop the ball somewhat at the ending -- sexism ultimately drives Caroline to quit despite her success, while Jack finds redemption and secures his old job again. Hooray for the status quo of the woman belonging at home! Getting there, though, is a good, silly time as Michael Keaton shines under the circumstances with some stellar physical comedy and line delivery. 

The eternally fantastic Teri Garr and Martin Mull join in on the fun, and while much of the comedy (outside of Keaton's performance) is built on gender stereotypes, the combined talents work to elevate the material into the realm of the legitimately funny and memorable.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989, Writer)

The Griswold family knows that family vacations can be a hellscape, what with car troubles and kids who look mysteriously different from one trip to the next, so this Christmas they've decided to stay home to celebrate the holiday. This being the Griswolds, though, it's still going to be a chaotic vacation to remember.

It's probably evident, given where it lands in this ranking, but "Christmas Vacation" is not a holiday comedy I hold close to my heart. I know, you all love it, and I'm happy for you, but the film ramps up the stupidity and inconsistently funny slapstick so far that the eventual pivot to emotional beats lands like fish guts on the pavement. Director Jeremiah Chechik seems uninterested in corralling the chaos, making a film that feels more like a series of bits and pieces and competing personalities. 

Of course, it's to the credit of those personalities that they still deliver numerous one-offs that bring enough of the funny to make this an entertaining watch despite itself. Chevy Chase headlines in full-on idiot mode, and finds support from Beverly D'Angelo, Doris Roberts, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Randy Quaid. It's a romp!

Reach The Rock (1998, Writer)

Robin is a troubled young man who left town for good reason, and when he returns it's with a chaotic and unsettled energy. He quickly lands in jail where he comes face to face with a local cop hanging on to his own simmering anger.

The most atypical movie in John Hughes' filmography, this mildly comedic drama has been seen by few and is liked by even fewer. I get it, I do, but it's a film where even the wobbly parts of Hughes' script come alive thanks to the performances. That's not to imply it's a fast-moving or necessarily energetic movie, but dialogue and interactions work to craft a story about frustration, regret, and the all-too-human habit of needing to blame someone for life's miseries. 

Alessandro Nivola plays Robin with a mix of brooding intensity and self-doubt, and the great William Sadler plays the cop whose grudge against the young man speaks volumes about his own inability to move on. Two minor threads involving thwarted romances are harmless filler, but the meat of the film is the two men in mental and emotional combat over a war neither needs to be fighting.

Sixteen Candles (1984, Writer/director)

Sam is excited for her 16th birthday, but the anticipation fades when she realizes her preoccupied family has completely forgotten about it. Now, the only thing helping power her through the day is an unrequited crush on the most popular boy in school -- and it might not be unrequited for long.

First things first, there are absolutely some abhorrent elements to this script. From iffy sexual politics only just skirting the line of date rape to an Asian character whose entire existence is built on racial humor, "Sixteen Candles" is a quintessential '80s comedy. The latter is arguably debatable -- Roger Ebert felt Gedde Watanabe succeeded at turning the character of Long Duk Dong into "high comedy" -- but it's difficult to see the former as anything but poorly thought-out writing. 

Both elements are minor players here, though, leaving the bulk of the film to play around with laughs stemming from inappropriate older relatives, nerds with a dream, and an increasingly embarrassed Molly Ringwald. Add in Anthony Michael Hall, Paul Dooley, and brief appearances by John Cusack, Joan Cusack, and Jami Gertz, and you have a silly, sweet film about the consistent inconsistencies of family.

Home Alone (1990, Writer)

A selfish, inconsiderate family forgets one of their own at home when they jet off to Europe, but the boy's worry quickly turns to delight. Like Burgess Meredith in a "Twilight Zone" episode, he's thrilled to be all alone ... until a pair of dim-witted thieves come knocking at his door.

"Home Alone" famously made a star of Macaulay Culkin, but it arguably offered an even bigger boon to director Chris Columbus. He was originally set to direct "Christmas Vacation," but despite being in real need of the work he quit because Chevy Chase was too much of a jerk. Hughes gave him this script as a way of apology, and everyone walked away happy. Audiences, too, were thrilled as the movie riffs smartly on home invasion themes with all the sensibilities of an eight-year-old kid. 

Yes, the violence is to the level of live-action Looney Tunes, but it's the little boy's adventure -- it may not be his literal POV, but it's as close as it can be to seeing the family, the bad guys, and the circumstances through his eyes. It speaks to the discordant wants and desires of children, a reminder to be careful what you wish for, and the importance of family. And it's a far better holiday comedy than "Christmas Vacation," too...

Uncle Buck (1989, Writer/director)

Buck Russell isn't a man who craves stability, but his quest for the next best thing is sidelined when he's tasked with watching his sister's children while her father recuperates from an illness. Taking care of children might just be the kick that helps Buck finally grow up.

A year before Macaulay Culkin would become a household name, the expressive little towhead co-starred as just one of the many delights in "Uncle Buck." Gaby Hoffman and Jean Louisa Kelly round out the three kids who amuse, frustrate, and ultimately help redeem John Candy's Buck, and their journey is filled with big laughs, bigger pancakes, and heapings of heart for everyone involved (Well, everyone but the teenage daughter's sketchy boyfriend, Bug, who gets a serving of justice instead). Buck also sets an assistant principal straight, and it's these kinds of moments in defense of the children that bring on cheers. John Hughes and John Candy are just as successful at bringing the heart, with the comedic actor channeling an engaging blend of anger, hope, and love.

Some Kind Of Wonderful (1987, Writer)

Keith is the son of blue-collar parents, and he can't help but dream about life on the right side of the tracks. The odds are against him when he falls for a dreamy teen who comes from wealth and privilege, but he trudges forward with mechanic overalls in one hand and his best female friend in the other.

Does that synopsis sound familiar? It should, seeing as I basically copied the "Pretty in Pink" synopsis from above just as John Hughes copied his own "Pretty in Pink" script. That's not a complaint, by the way, as "Some Kind of Wonderful" fixes what's wrong with the earlier film in the form of a far more satisfying ending. Eric Stoltz takes the lead here as a teen pining for Lea Thompson when a tomboyish Mary Stuart Masterson is right there in front of him. 

We still get humor, heart, and some class commentary along the way, but the film's core strength -- in addition to its ending -- is that both relationship possibilities are convincing. We can see and understand Keith's attraction to both girls, and theirs to him, and the ending's more affecting for it.

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983, Writer)

Before the Griswold family visited Europe, Las Vegas, or Christmas Day, they went on a cross-country road trip to Walley World. The vacation didn't quite go as planned.

This ridiculously funny tale sees a family discovering America while on the most ill-planned cross-country journey since the Donner Party. While later sequels dumbed him down immensely, Chevy Chase's Clark Griswold is a far more believable and therefore empathetic character here. His blind optimism and desire for a good time quite often supersede his common sense, and the result is a great time for everyone but the Griswolds. 

Beverly D'Angelo, Anthony Michael Hall, and Dana Barron make up the immediate family, and their interactions are humorously exaggerated reminders of time spent with our own families. John Hughes' script, based on his own short story, finds a comedically-minded director in Harold Ramis who does great work crafting set pieces and delivering a pitch-perfect pace. It's an endlessly silly movie, albeit one grounded somewhat in reality, but even here Hughes' affection for family shines through.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987, Writer/director)

A businessman struggling to get home to his family for Thanksgiving hits every speed bump and obstacle along the way. His bad luck continues when he finds himself needing the help of an overly-friendly salesman whose own luck seems even worse.

If you've read through this whole list (or have simply seen the bulk of John Hughes' films) you know that while comedy is typically the primary focus of his movies, the core themes typically revolve around family -- both by blood and by choice. They often deliver emotional beats, but few if any pack the punch of "Planes, Trains & Automobiles". Steve Martin and John Candy star as the uptight businessman and the goofball, respectively, and their comedic pairing is as beautifully balanced as any you're likely to find as they banter, bicker, and share pillows (whether Will Smith and Kevin Hart can reach those same dizzying heights remains to be seen). 

The film absolutely nails both the frustrations of human interaction and the need for it, and it drives home the importance of being with loved ones when you need them most (and helping others do the same). If you're not crying by the end of this one, my friend, you are a heartless knob. Sorry, I don't make the rules.

The Breakfast Club (1985, Writer/director)

A brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal are brought together for a full day of detention on a Saturday. They arrive as strangers, but by the time they leave it will be as people who know each other -- and themselves -- far better than anyone else in their lives.

Some of you undoubtedly think "The Breakfast Club" deserves the top spot on a list of the best John Hughes films, and I can't argue with that. Hit me on a different day, and I might agree. It's a brilliantly constructed look at stock characters, the stereotypes we all knew from high school, and how those empty labels do far more harm than good. It's human nature to put ourselves and others in boxes, but while it makes things simpler on the surface, it has a tendency to obfuscate rather than illuminate. That's a heady way of saying this comedic drama is as insightful as it is entertaining. 

Anthony Michael Hall, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Molly Ringwald, and Judd Nelson shine as teens coming to understand themselves and their place in the world, and that awakening comes with humor, pain, and a badass vice principal whose "You mess with the bull, you get the horns" became an instantly iconic line. We were these teens -- hell, some of us are still those "teens" in our quieter, darker, or more hopeful moments.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986, Writer/director)

A teen named Ferris decides a skip day is in order mere weeks before his high school graduation, and with both his best friend and his girlfriend in tow, he heads out for a full day of fun in Chicago. It's the good time he's hoping for, but the trio also finds so much more.

Several of John Hughes' films are eminently rewatchable, but "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" is the one I can't turn off once started. Hughes' script is as zippy as it is insightful, as ridiculous as it is affecting, and Ferris' seemingly charmed life is an addictive pleasure. It takes a beat for his sister to accept that, to learn not to begrudge other people their successes, and it's just one of the film's nuggets of simple wisdom. Be sure to stop and smell the roses, never pass up the opportunity to lipsync Wayne Newton, cardio can save your bacon someday, running a car in reverse rolls back the mileage ... okay, that last one's not true, but it's a terrific moment both for the drama that follows and because it's a reminder that even someone as savvy and well put together as Ferris doesn't actually know everything. 

Matthew Broderick slays as Ferris, and the supporting cast gathered around him is pure delight including Mia Sara, Alan Ruck, Jennifer Grey, Edie McClurg, and more. There are just so many great sequences here, from the parking garage attendants joyriding through the city to the heartbreak in the museum to Ferris' desperate run through backyards to get home before his parents. "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" is a flat-out comedy masterpiece, and there's really nothing else to add.

Read this next: The 15 Best '80s Comedies Ranked

The post The 14 Best John Hughes Films Ranked appeared first on /Film.

Praise the lord and throw up a hallelujah or two, because everyone's favorite corrupt televangelical family has returned for a second season. In Danny McBride's follow up to "Eastbound and Down" and "Vice Principals," HBO's "The Righteous Gemstones" are back with religiously corrupt and capitalist worshipping vengeance. 

"The Righteous Gemstones" season 1 introduced us to the world-famous Gemstone family, lead by patriarch Eli (John Goodman), the man responsible for the monumental success of the Gemstone family megachurch. The Gemstones -- including Eli's problematic children Jesse (Danny McBride), Judy (Edi Patterson), and Kelvin (Adam Devine) -- are the head of a highly profitable televangelical empire, despite the family's history of being a bunch of sinning blasphemers.

The last we saw the Gemstone family was over two years ago, and according to an interview with Danny McBride over at Entertainment Weekly, the new season picks up an unspecified amount of time after the events of season 1, as McBride had to completely rewrite the new season after the pandemic shut down production just a few days into filming. Uncle Baby Billy Freeman is back and looking tanner and blonder than ever, and Kelvin's youth ministry has expanded to include a group of pious protein shakers, a God Squad of muscular boys err ... "muscle men, daddy!"

The Righteous Gemstones Season 2 Trailer

Last season on "The Righteous Gemstones" we saw the family reeling from matriarch Aimee-Leigh's passing, and now that Papa Eli is getting older, the Gemstone kids are all gunning to take over the family ministry and preach however they see fit. Or, you know, make an obscene amount of money in the name of "Christian goodness."

It looks like there's a new entrant to the streaming wars, and it's coming from the GODD network, aka Gemstones on Digital Demand. "It is time to stop the filth coming out of Hollywood," shouts Jesse Gemstone. "If they're going to fill the airwaves 24/7 with that garbage, we gonna do the same thing!" As McBride told EW:

I feel like the Gemstones have more to do with a massive corporation than they actually have to do with most Christians, and so like many corporations, COVID was very kind to the Gemstones. They were able to deliver to the world a streaming service that allowed people to stay at home and watch Gemstone broadcasts. So while everyone around them suffered, they're in a better position than they've ever been in before.

Season 2 welcomes some new faces to the "Gemstone" world, including Eric Andre as Lyle Lissons, a megachurch pastor from Texas, Jason Schwartzman as Thaniel, a journalist who is working on a story about the Gemstone ministries, and Eric Roberts as a guy named Junior from Dr. Eli Gemstone's past who has shown up ... for some reason.

"The Righteous Gemstones" season 2 premieres January 9, 2022, on HBO.

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The post The Righteous Gemstones Season 2 Trailer: Even The Gemstones Have a Streaming Service appeared first on /Film.

Here’s the rundown on physical copies and the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S upgrade Skyrim is coming back! (Did it...

The post Skyrim Anniversary Edition is a $20 upgrade if you own the Special Edition, otherwise it’s $50 appeared first on Destructoid.

Uneven vaccine coverage and a relaxation of preventive measures have brought Europe to a "critical point" in the pandemic, the World Health Organization has said, with cases again at near-record levels and 500,000 more deaths forecast by February. From a report: Hans Kluge, the WHO's Europe director, said all 53 countries in the region were facing "a real threat of Covid-19 resurgence or already fighting it" and urged governments to reimpose or continue with social and public health measures. "We are, once again, at the epicentre," he said. "With a widespread resurgence of the virus, I am asking every health authority to carefully reconsider easing or lifting measures at this moment." He said that even in countries with high vaccination rates, immunisation could only do so much. "The message has always been: do it all," Kluge said. "Vaccines are doing what was promised: preventing severe forms of the disease and especially mortality ... But they are our most powerful asset only if used alongside public health and social measures." Catherine Smallwood, WHO Europe's senior emergency officer, said countries that had mostly lifted preventive measures had experienced a surge in infections.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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