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Whatever you think of Baz Luhrmann's "Elvis" it's hard to fault Austin Butler's performance in the lead role. The dedicated actor spent two years studying the King to the extent that even in the press run for the movie he seemed to retain much of the singer's characteristic drawl. He's even addressed this in interviews, stating that it's hard not to be forever changed by getting that close to such a uniquely iconic figure, and telling Yahoo! Australia: "It was so habitual, at the end you kinda don't remember what your natural voice is."

But it wasn't just Elvis' mannerisms and speaking voice that Butler absorbed. The actor, who's sung and played guitar since he was 13, also lent his singing voice to much of the movie. In fact, as Luhrmann confirmed in a Q&A, Butler actually performs most of Elvis' early songs in the film, simply because many of the actual early recordings "were recorded mono," and therefore unusable for lip-syncing in the movie. For Elvis' later years, Luhrmann blends Butler's and the real-life singer's voices. But even then, the star was recreating the performances.

In fact, Butler confirmed during the "Elvis" press tour that he was performing "entire concerts" as the man himself, even entertaining the crowd in character between cuts. That means there's basically a whole concert film to be made out of the actor's performances, and it seems Luhrmann might well cut something together in the near future.

An 'Out Of Body Experience'

Some of the best moments in "Elvis" are the stage performances. From when the young superstar first wows the crowd with his provocative crotch gyrations to the "'68 Comeback Special" and the final, all-out tour de force stage shows in Vegas, the film never shies away from showcasing its subject's performance prowess.

Now, as IndieWire reports, Luhrmann is considering cutting together all the footage of Butler on-stage to create a "director's assembly" of concert performances filmed specially for the movie:

"Austin did his concerts full out. He did all the numbers. Austin just did it and it was an out-of-body experience to watch him do those full concerts. So one day I will cut those full concerts together."

The "Moulin Rouge" director also revealed there are around four hours of said footage, and that he's not sure when he'll get around to putting it all together. He previously told the outlet there was a four-hour cut of the movie itself, which might see the light of day before the concert film. But editor Matt Villa previously told /Film that the "three songs that [Butler] sang at Vegas were shot in one take over and over again" and that they had "loads and loads of footage to find a good pace." So it seems when Luhrmann eventually gets around to it, there'll not only be extensive footage, but multiple takes of the same songs to sift through.

Butler Is A Great Performer In His Own Right

If you're wondering why anyone would want to see a four-hour cut of someone impersonating Elvis, you need look no further than this camera test that Luhrmann posted to his Instagram back in June 2022. It showcases a raw performance, captured during a camera test and prior to Butler's two years of studying the King. The actor performs Elvis' breakout single "That's Alright, Mama" and not only does an impressive job matching his subject's tone, but can clearly hold a tune in his own right:

[embed: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CeokrqEpudp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link]

While the film itself doesn't stick too closely to the true Elvis story, Butler's performance in the film is as close to bringing back the late superstar as we're ever likely to get. As such, a concert cut wouldn't just be a neat curio — like watching a good Elvis impersonator do his thing — it would likely provide a fascinating insight into the process of an actor who truly immersed himself in his character, especially if they include Butler as Elvis' banter with the audience.

Read this next: The Best Movies Of 2022 So Far

The post Baz Luhrmann Has Big Plans For Austin Butler's Elvis Performance in the Future appeared first on /Film.

This post contains spoilers for Netflix's "Wednesday" series.

2022 has been a banner year for Jenna Ortega. While she's been working for a decade now, it wasn't until her roles in "Jane the Virgin" and "You" that she caught the world's attention. She's since appeared in several shows, including "Big City Greens," and a slew of high-profile films, such as "Scream" (2022) and "X." Along with excellent turns in "The Fallout" and Netflix's "Wednesday," Ortega has commanded the conversation. She's more than a scream queen: Ortega is the moment.

Ortega's body of work also includes appearances in television series like "Stuck in the Middle" and roles in "Insidious: Chapter 2" and "The Babysitter: Killer Queen." Her other credits this year include "Carnage" and "Studio 666," a Dave Grohl-produced horror-comedy. Whenever Ortega appears on screen, you'll know it. She draws you into her world with performances that are grounded, authentic, and complex. She doesn't mark through her lines or play herself on screen as many actors do. She commits to her roles on deeply emotional and psychological levels.

For her spin as the titular character in "Wednesday," Ortega delivers yet another dynamic and detailed performance. She not only learned cello and fencing for the role but dove into uncovering the specifics of the physicality. If "X," "Scream," and "The Fallout" were not enough to make you a fan, "Wednesday" most certainly will. Below, /Film walks through the actor's best moments from the show. Let's get a little spooky, y'all!

Dance 'Till You Die

Nevermore Academy has a thriving social scene. There are fangs, furs, stoners, and scales -- the four main cliques. Like normie high school, there are certain social expectations, including attending the upcoming Rave'n. If you're gonna go, you have to have a date. Torn between two lovers, Wednesday attends with Tyler (Hunter Doohan) and even dresses the part. Donning a frilly black dress, Wednesday crashes the party with gawking looks and gasps from the crowd, a moment ripped out of "She's All That."

She hits the dance floor, and you won't believe her moves. This is the first time in the show Wednesday lets her hair down. Her dancing is appropriately kooky. Given Ortega's work this year, from "Scream" to "The Fallout," this moment is unlike anything else she's accomplished recently. Wednesday's choreography -- designed by Ortega -- draws influences from singers Siouxsie Sioux (from the Banshees) and Lene Lovich, actor Bob Fosse's "Rich Man's Frug," Lisa Loring (who played Wednesday in the '60s sitcom), and actor Denis Lavant. Without a doubt, this scene demonstrates how dedicated she is to her characters. One thing is for certain, Ortega is a visionary and knows exactly what she wants. Wednesday's dancing is equal parts mesmerizing and ooky in all the best ways. No wonder showrunners, executive producers, and writers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar cast her in the role and called her "the one." She is Wednesday Addams.

Paint It Black

If you need more evidence of how seriously Ortega takes her role, look no further than her cello playing. As part of her preparations, she took cello lessons twice a week to hone her craft. In episode 1, her roommate Enid (Emma Myers) discovers Wednesday outside on the ledge where she's playing The Rolling Stones' 1966 chart-topping hit "Paint it Black" from their "Aftermath" record. Gone is the rock arrangement, yet the driving beat remains, mimicked through Ortega's sharp, thumping bow. As she plays her musical soliloquy, the camera pans around Nevermore Academy to capture its essence and outcasts. There's no better song or cinematic moment to represent what is coursing through her head.

Later, in episode 3, Ortega takes to the cello once more. During a ceremony to dedicate a new fountain erected in honor of Jericho founder Joseph Crackstone (William Houston), Wednesday joins a slew of other musicians for a performance of "Don't Stop" by Fleetwood Mac, a 1977 cut from their iconic "Rumours" LP. Unbeknownst to everyone, Wednesday and Thing (Victor Dorobantu) have outfitted the fountain with dynamite. The explosion sends everyone bolting away, and Wednesday takes a musical swerve and begins playing Italian composer Vivaldi's "Winter" with a smirk across her face. It's utter chaos, and her performance makes it even more delicious.

Thing Is Stabbed

After meeting for a romantic rendezvous with Tyler, Wednesday returns to her surprisingly ransacked room. Someone was searching for Nevermore founder Nathaniel Faulkner's diary. Tragically, Thing has been stabbed directly through the palm, blood dripping down upon a golden gramophone. Wednesday yanks out the knife and quickly dashes away with Thing. Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen) will know what to do! Using his gift of electricity, he attempts numerous times to revive Thing. Initially, it appears that nothing can work and that Thing will most surely die. But one last shot of voltage does the trick, and Thing revives.

During this entire scene, Ortega displays such potent vulnerability. With each attempt at resuscitation, tears well up in her eyes. Her lip quivers, and she nearly reaches her breaking point. It's among the show's quieter moments, allowing Ortega to shine as an actor. Much like her work in "The Fallout," which depicts a school shooting and the emotional aftermath, Ortega hypnotizes the viewer and simultaneously delivers a smack across the face. There's a similar moment in "Scream" where she shares an embrace with her sister Sam (Melissa Barrera) and breaks down in tears. These moments have made 2022 such an important year for her, setting into motion a long career ahead of her.

Challenge Accepted

To the surprise of no one, Ortega took fencing lessons two days a week -- and it shows. When Wednesday introduces herself to a siren named Bianca (Joy Sunday), the "self-prescribed queen bee," as Wednesday calls her, she challenges her to a duel. She's a newbie but more than holds her own, earning the first point. Bianca snidely calls it "beginner's luck." To take things to the next level, Wednesday invokes a military challenge. They duel again, but this time without helmets and with no tips on the end of their foils. The winner draws first blood -- and this round goes to Bianca. Wednesday merely receives a scratch, and only a little blood oozes down her brow.

Ortega is exemplary here -- worlds apart from her role in "X" as Lorraine, a mousy super-religious character. And it's even more different than her turn as Camilia in "American Carnage," where she plays one of many illegal immigrants forced into a facility to care for the elderly population. Ortega fiercely prepares for her roles -- whether finding the nuances of the performance or engaging with the more physical aspects. As far as rising stars go these days, she's the most promising.

Standout Vocal Delivery

As with Lisa Loring's and Christina Ricci's performances, Wednesday Addams requires a unique line delivery to make the humor work. Now, you can count Jenna Ortega as part of the unholy trinity of Wednesday performers that get it right. (Sorry, Nicole Fugere!) Throughout the series, Ortega leans into cold readings of her lines, peppering in just enough emotion. When a scene calls for it, she allows bursts of color to break out -- like when Uncle Fester arrives, a toothy smile plasters across her face, and her eyes beam wide.

There are countless scenes where Ortega exemplifies the Wednesday Addams spirit. In an early carnivorous plants classroom scene, Wednesday eviscerates her arch nemesis, Bianca, when talking about plants and their functions and appetites, proving she's much cleverer than people notice. Elsewhere, she delivers 1-2 quippy sucker punches in scenes with therapist Dr. Kinbott (Riki Lindhome) and Sheriff Galpin (Jamie McShane).

When she meets her colorful roommate Enid, her mother Morticia claims Wednesday's allergic to color. Wednesday offers up one of the show's most iconic lines about "breaking out in hives" and her skin falling off her bones. Later, when talking about emojis, she asserts that when thinking about Enid, "the following emojis come to mind: rope, shovel, hole." Across the board, Ortega excels in her line delivery and it becomes impossible to envision anyone else in the role.

Let's Get Physical

The other essential component to nailing Wednesday is her physicality. With Ortega's performance, Wednesday almost floats into and out of scenes. But there's also a command that comes with her approach. "I would walk like Wednesday," Ortega notes in a behind-the-scenes featurette for Netflix, "I think that people might have thought I was kind of crazy because I wanted her to be specific and certain and assertive."

Director Tim Burton compares her to silent movie actresses of yesteryear. "She's able to convey things without words," Burton said. "To see the inner life and the subtleties was very exciting. I can't imagine any other Wednesday." When I think of silent movie actresses, my mind immediately goes to Lillian Gish and her performance in "Broken Blossoms," a deeply moving, nuanced, and heartbreaking performance. Even in the quiet moments, Gish had a way of peeling back her character like an onion to reveal an even more affecting layer. 

Throughout the series, Ortega mines similar territory in her commitment to embodying Wednesday Addams. You see this in how she enters her room in episode 1 and greets Enid or dashes through the woods in episode 4 to save Eugene (Moosa Mostafa) from the fang-toothed Hyde. Other moments include confronting her parents in therapy and when she has visions. These scenes are peppered throughout the series and culminate in one of the strongest television performances of 2022. Consistency is vital, and Ortega slays it all.

Defeating Crackstone

In "A Murder of Woes," the Nevermore prophecy comes true. However, Wednesday learns that destroying the school wasn't her destiny. Wednesday finds herself face-to-face with Jericho founder Joseph Crackstone (William Houston), who made it his life's mission to tear down the academy. Armed with a saber, she digs her heels into the earth and musters the courage needed to fight him. Flames consume the lone tree in the courtyard, threatening to destroy Nevermore.

Everything Ortega accomplished in the series comes in handy in this one scene. She's met her match, and each swipe of the saber faces an equally near-fatal reaction. As her sword shatters into a million pieces, it appears Wednesday might fail. Bianca gives her a window of opportunity by stabbing Crackstone in the back. Quick on her feet, Wednesday grabs a saber fragment and brandishes it into his cold, black heart, effectively killing Crackstone's resurrected form. Wednesday stands victorious as he dissipates into black smoke. Ortega grips the audience with her magnetic presence and shows off yet another aspect of her talents. Her action talents standout from her roles in previous films. That's why she's a bonafide star. She has incredible range.

Goody Addams

In "Wednesday," Ortega plays the lead and the role of Wednesday's ancestor, Goody Addams. Goody, one of Nevermore's original outcasts, also possesses the power of visions. Jericho founder Joseph Crackstone rounds up all the outcasts, packs them inside a barn, and lights it on fire. All but Goody are burned alive. Goody manages to escape, and then she exacts her revenge. In the present, Goody returns to help Wednesday figure out who is planning to resurrect Crackstone's body and destroy Nevermore.

Appearing in various scenes with Wednesday, in addition to flashbacks, Goody gives Ortega a chance to strip away the goth girl aesthetic for something softer -- almost angelic. Like Wednesday, Goody has pigtails, but her hair is silver. Her features are gentler, as are her vocal intonation and speech patterns. Goody stands in stark contrast to Wednesday. In both instances, Ortega brings weight to these characters. "You are the key," whispers Goody in an early scene to Wednesday, suggesting that the solution to all her problems lies inside herself. Since she is an apparition, Ortega's approach feels ghost-like, as if the viewer is stumbling through a waking dream.

Read this next: The 27 Best Christmas Horror Movies Ranked

The post Jenna Ortega's Best Moments As Wednesday Addams appeared first on /Film.

In the category of reliable sandwiches, the grilled cheese reigns supreme. Simple in method, and an easy crowd pleaser, their only real drawback is they’re tough to make for an actual crowd. So I sought to develop a grilled cheese manufacturing method with all the benefits of the stove top variety, and the ability to…

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Oh, James Cameron. What will he think of next?

Not only will "Avatar: The Way of Water" debut well over a decade after the original box office-smashing hit first arrived, but a number of familiar faces who we thought had kicked the bucket in the previous movie are set to join in on the action once more. First, there's the villain Miles Quaritch played by Stephen Lang, who will pull off his best Emperor Palpatine impression by "somehow" returning from the dead despite meeting his satisfying end near the end of the 2009 original. But even more improbably, the sequel is set to bring back Sigourney Weaver (who, you may or may not remember, portrayed the human scientist Dr. Grace Augustine in "Avatar") ... but as a completely different character altogether, and a young Na'vi at that. And that's not even the wildest part: She's playing the daughter of Jake Sully and Neytiri. No, I still don't quite get it, either!

In any case, Cameron has more than earned the right to do whatever he wants to do with his sequel to the highest-grossing movie of all time. For Weaver, that meant having to brush up on the finer points of playing a mo-cap teenaged character as a 73-year-old. As you can imagine, this proved to be quite the acting challenge.

In an interview with Empire, Weaver opened up about the process of portraying young Kiri, whom she described as "...a very typical adolescent. She's very self-conscious, filled with all these emotions that come from being thrown into this new reality and missing home. So, I had a lot to think about as Kiri, and I had to work in a completely different way than I've ever worked. That was very exciting for me."

Read on for more details!

'I Didn't Want To Become Any Adolescent. I Wanted To Become Her.'

How does one possibly follow-up one of the most successful blockbusters of all time? Well, throwing a couple curveballs by bringing back an original actor to portray a wildly different character sure couldn't hurt! When asked by Empire how she prepared to play Kiri and whether it felt like going back to drama school, Sigourney Weaver responded with a very thoughtful answer:

"It's funny that you would say that because I think the way I started with Kiri was just standing, feeling my body bit by bit, as if I was fourteen. Just trying to get that feeling back in my body and always coming from there whenever I had a scene. So, it took some kind of rerouting of the way I work. But I had done this exercise in drama school where if you say your character has blue eyes, you wait until you feel as if you are looking through blue eyes. Every time you described something, you would add that on to your physical being and you weren't expected to do anything or show anything. You just felt it and it kind of blossomed inside you. I found that exercise was extremely important getting into Kiri because I didn't want to play an adolescent, I wanted to become an adolescent. And I didn't want to become any adolescent. I wanted to become her."

Though the legendary actor admitted that she was "quite thrown by Kiri a lot of the time," Weaver clearly relished the chance to flex her acting (and breath-holding) muscles while bringing this unique, youthful, and oftentimes "self-conscious" (as she put it) character to life.

"Avatar: The Way of Water" dives into theaters on December 16, 2022.

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The post Sigourney Weaver Explains How She Prepared to Play a Teenager in Avatar: The Way of Water appeared first on /Film.

This may come as a culture shock but December isn't typically known as the best month for releasing science fiction media. People tend to expect magic and music and the strengthening of familial bonds, apparently. 'Tis the season and all that. Still, no amount of holiday spirit could halt the unyielding juggle which keeps streaming sites like Netflix and HBO Max above water. Most of the movies that will be released — or otherwise rereleased — during the upcoming December fall squarely into the fantasy genre but a small chunk is pure, undiluted science fiction. 

That means mysteriously vague government-ordained doomsday weaponry, that means loosely connected techno babble that justifies corpse reanimation, and that means old white men in old white coats accidentally causing a global plague that can only be cured by torturing the survivors, for some reason. In other words, typical science fiction stuff! 

Again, there's not a wide selection to sift through, here, not with Santa on the prowl, but we've rounded up some of the most interesting science fiction movies that are just a few days away from a December streaming release. Some of these will be familiar, some ... less so, unless you're a sci-fi savant, in which case, welcome! We've got matching Trekkie shirts. Sorry, reds all that's left. What's your preferred size? 

The Maze Runner (2014)

Remember that hyper-specific reference from two paragraphs ago when we mentioned how science fiction tends to have scientists brutally experiment upon pandemic survivors? Yeah, that was a jab at "The Maze Runner," a 2014 film based on James Dashner's novel of the same name. For those that missed out on Dylan O'Brien's first leading role in a blockbuster film, "The Maze Runner" sees a group of kids dropped into a murder maze where the walls keep shifting to obscure the exit. They're not alone, either -- the maze is home to a swarm of creatures known as Grievers. In the books, they're evil Jello with cybernetic tentacles but, in the movie, they're fuzzy robo-kraken ... things. Either way, they are not friendly, and the trapped children must find a way out while avoiding their many-limbed embraces. 

Why are there a bunch of children imprisoned in a Jigsaw adjacent maze that's armed to its stony teeth with lethal traps and murderous cryptids, you ask? The short answer is, "Because of science!" The slightly longer answer is that Earth was struck by a massive solar flare which caused global devastation, including (but not limited to) a worldwide viral pandemic that transformed most of the human population into rabid zombies and the few survivors who are lucky enough to be immune to the aforementioned plague are treated like lab rats in literal mazes. See? The narrative circled back to the kids eventually. 

Look, there's no logic behind the movie, and the book makes even less sense, but it's a solid popcorn flick that features the immortal Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Marvel's next himbo, Will Poulter. "The Maze Runner" will be available to stream via HBO Max starting December 1.

I, Frankenstein (2014)

Some movies use their source material like a rigid framework, dutifully respecting and recreating what made the original inspiration shine. "I, Frankenstein" is not one of those movies. It's not even a distant relation to one of those movies. Based on Kevin Grievoux's digital graphic novel of the same name which is, in turn, very, very loosely based on Mary Shelley's classic novel, "Frankenstein," the 2014 film sees a sexily scarred Aaron Eckhart portray Frankenstein's monster as a moody Van Helsing-type figure who slays demons as part of the Gargoyle Order's mission to defend humanity from Satan's dastardly clutches. That's right, this movie about humanity's only sentient kitbash has gargoyles and church stuff in it. 

There's no denying that to frame "I, Frankenstein" as a true work of science fiction would be a stretch, as Adam Frankenstein -- yes, the gargoyles gave him a name -- spends most of the movie stabbing people with his magic fist swords. Anyone with an ounce of pop-culture knowledge knows that swords are strictly fantasy unless Jedi are involved. That being said, they kind of look like the Klingon's bat'leth, and the main antagonist poses as a scientist named Charles Wessex (Bill Nighy) who works at an institute that has an entire room dedicated to a big glowing machine that reanimates the dead. That's almost science fiction, right? Even if the bad guy's technically a demon prince of Hell? 

Now, whether "I, Frankenstein" is so bad that it's actually good is not ours to decide ... but it can be yours if you're the adventurous type. "I, Frankenstein" will be available to stream via Hulu starting December 1.

Warriors Of Future (2022)

Language can sometimes be a barrier to entry when enjoying a foreign film. Sure, subtitles bridge that gap, but that's not a universal fix as there's a vocal subset of moviegoers who despise the idea of reading their visual media. Fortunately, though, the language of militarized combat robots, invasive space plants, and bad governments is one spoken by all of humanity. 

The 2022 film "Warriors of Future" is a science fiction film that dares to ask the question, what if Audrey II could solve global warming? Ng Yeun-fai's directorial debut sees an earth ravaged by war, pollution, and space debris that no longer has to fuss with trivial inconveniences like burning up in the ozone layer. Down on the ground, the type of wars fought by man have advanced to the point that near-sentient robots infest the battlefields. This probably has something to do with a shortage of viable human bodies because the pollution is so catastrophic that almost every child is born with severe defects. Most don't make it. 

Yeah, it's grim. A meteor hits B-16 (future Hong Kong), bringing with it a fancy space plant that grows so rapidly that its bulk threatens to consume everything. On the other hand, Not-Audrey II releases a much-needed magic global warming cure from its titanic foliage. Governments, along with their scientists and BattleBots, proceed to wage another war over how to handle the situation, who to save, and what to sacrifice for the greater good. It's a sci-fi hodgepodge with incredible spectacle. "Warriors of Future" will be available to stream via Netflix starting December 2.

Inception (2010)

Can you hear that sound? That inescapable, earth-quaking, brassy sound? It's the sound of the 2010s, my friends, a sound that is often attributed to "Inception." Hey, we're all familiar with Christopher Nolan's 2010 blockbuster, right? For those who slept blissfully through the last decade, "Inception" sees a deeply traumatized Leonardo DiCaprio portray Dom Cobb, a thief who leads a team of experts who infiltrate dreams to steal information. There's only one rule to being a dream thief, and breaking it can be fatal: don't mistake dreaming for reality. The trouble is ... the deeper one goes into the dreaming, the harder that line becomes to discern. Going deeper requires creating a dream within a dream, a process known as Inception (roll credits). 

In case the damn title wasn't enough of a giveaway, Cobb's crew goes deeper, creating dreams within dreams within dreams to find the information they were paid to steal. As with all of Nolan's films, the concept is high and the cast is stacked, featuring everyone from Michael Caine, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Tom Hardy, to Elliot Page, Cillian Murphy, and Ken Watanabe. It's easy to make fun of "Inception" because it takes itself so seriously and, but there's no denying that it features some of the decade's most memorable action sequences, along with astounding visual set pieces that "Doctor Strange" totally ripped off. "Inception" will be available to stream via Hulu starting December 12.

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The post The Best Sci-Fi Movies Streaming In December 2022 And Where To Watch Them appeared first on /Film.

Tall as a 20-story building, a rocket carrying the Shenzhou 15 mission roared into the night sky of the Gobi Desert on Tuesday, carrying three astronauts toward a rendezvous with China's just-completed space station. From a report: The rocket launch was a split-screen event for China, the latest in a long series of technological achievements for the country, even as many of its citizens have been angrily lashing out in the streets against stringent pandemic controls.The air shook as the huge white rocket leaped into a starry, bitterly cold night sky shortly before the setting of a waxing crescent moon. The expedition to the new space station is a milestone for China's rapidly advancing space program. It is the first time a team of three astronauts already aboard the Tiangong outpost will be met by a crew arriving from Earth. The Chinese space station will now be continuously occupied, like the International Space Station, another marker laid down by China in its race to catch up with the United States and surpass it as the dominant power in space. With a sustained presence in low-Earth orbit aboard Tiangong, Chinese space officials are preparing to put astronauts on the moon, which NASA also intends to revisit before the end of the decade as part of its Artemis program. "It will not take a long time; we can achieve the goal of manned moon landing," Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's crewed space program, said in an interview at the launch center. China has been developing a lunar lander, he added, without giving a date when it might be used. The launch of Shenzhou 15 comes less than two weeks after NASA finally launched its Artemis I mission following many delays. That flight has put its uncrewed Orion capsule into orbit around the moon.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Ubisoft has revealed the first major Far Cry 6 expansion, Lost Between Worlds. The DLC adds a new storyline to the FPS game, tossing hero Dani into an alien multiverse version of Yara where they'll have to fight and explore in order to return to reality. Plus, some major new features have been added to Far Cry 6 today, including New Game+ mode and a chunky free trial.

RELATED LINKS: Far Cry 6 review, The best open-world games, Buy Far Cry 6

Digital Linear Voltage Regulator (DLVR), a power delivery mechanism that was created by Intel and was meant to be featured in 13th Gen CPUs. The concept is intended to improve efficiency and was to be utilized in Intel's Raptor Lake CPUs.

ASUS employee confirms Intel DLVR will not be present in Raptor Lake but will possibly be in later generations

Intel DLVR improves power efficiency by regulating voltages with the motherboard's power. This was first discovered on Reddit in a published patent called "Digital Linear Regulator Clamping Method and Apparatus." Intel DLVR was to act as an additional regulator working with the primary voltage regulator on the motherboard. The process was to be less complex while allowing for cost-efficiency in controlling power levels and better heat dissipation. The outcome would produce an increase of twenty percent in improved efficiency and management.

Intel DLVR's patent displayed a voltage reduction of 160mV and as high as a 25% drop compared to standard methods.

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It was expected that Intel's 13th Gen Raptor Lake CPUs would be the first to utilize the new DLVR design but were fused to bypass mode midway through development. ASUS left an option for this on their latest ROG Z790/Z690 motherboards only because they anticipate that future CPUs might still utilize DLVR. The BIOS feature is labeled "CPU DLVR Bypass Mode Enable" but does not seem to activate any remarkable improvements on the system.

"Shamino," an ASUS employee and the company's overclocking specialist confirms that the support was there but currently no desktop CPU can actually make use of it. Two other board makers also told us that DLVR was indeed on its way to the desktop segment before being cut down early in the development of Raptor Lake CPUs. The technology was mostly only beneficial for mobile chips and that's where we might see it launch for the first time before coming to the desktop space.

It is unknown the specific architecture that will support DLVR in the future. There has been no confirmation from Intel specifying if it will be in Meteor Lake. The 14th-Gen Meteor Lake CPUs utilize the latest LGA 1851 socket which will be compatible with the 15th-Gen Arrow Lake CPU lineup too.

Or, the inaccessible process will come sooner in the recently rumored Raptor Lake Refresh. It is unknown, and we will have to wait for further information to release to find out the future of Intel DLVR.

The post Intel Might Introduce DLVR ‘Digital Voltage Regulator’ on Future Desktop CPUs by Jason R. Wilson appeared first on Wccftech.

This post contains spoilers for "The Sopranos."

"I didn't want to do a 'Sopranos' movie at all, especially when it ended the way it did, and it ended really well," said "The Sopranos" creator and showrunner David Chase. Chase has always been precious about his crime drama series. From its therapy-couch origins to the casting of James Gandolfini in the lead role of mobster Tony Soprano to the polarizing ending of the series after six successful seasons, the American filmmaker was a staunch custodian of his characters and their stories as they navigate a life of organized crime in New Jersey.

Knowing that the series itself was a long time coming (the pilot had been ordered years before the 1999 premiere date), one might think that the show's creator has so much material that he simply explored the nooks and crannies of uncharted storyline territory for the 2021 prequel movie "The Many Saints of Newark," which sees young Tony Soprano growing up amid a volatile time for the city and would arrive fourteen years after the show's 2007 finale.

"Woke Up This Morning: The Definitive Oral History of The Sopranos" is an impressive collection of insights on the show, largely from the "Talking Sopranos" podcast run by "The Sopranos" stars Michael Imperioli (who plays Christopher Moltisanti) and Steve Schirripa (as Bobby Baccalieri) and assembled by journalist Phil Lerman into 500+ pages of interviews and spectacular behind-the-scenes stories. Inside, Chase talks beyond the show and goes into the then-upcoming prequel, which he reveals wasn't plotted out during the course of the series. Despite persistent interest from then-Warner Bros. exec Toby Emmerich, Chase didn't see the value in a prequel movie until he spoke with Tom Fontana, who knows a thing or two about prestige tv.

Back To The Good Old Days

Titled "Made In America," the final episode of "The Sopranos" aired on June 10, 2007. The show had been a boon for HBO, earning scores of steady viewers over its six seasons as it followed caporegime Tony Soprano throughout his attempts to navigate business and his family life.

"Made In America" observes Tony (a wanted man for a few reasons) waiting for daughter Meadow to meet him and the family at Holsten's Brookdale Confectionery; with Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" wafting from the jukebox, Meadow enters and the camera moves in close to Tony's face -- and that's that. /Film's Danielle Ryan writes that after years of cryptic answers, the show's creator confirmed that he indeed imagined Tony's death in the diner, but wrote the scene open-ended for storytelling reasons.

It may have launched nuclear levels of debate among fans, but it's an ending that Chase is perfectly fine with. For years, the Emmy-winning producer would veto efforts to resurrect the Soprano saga, but it would be "Oz" creator Tom Fontana who changed his mind. Chase tells Imperioli and Schirripa:

"I had an interview with Tom Fontana. We were talking, and he said, 'Do you want to do a movie of this? Because you know what would be good is if we saw Junior and Johnny when they were younger. Do Newark back in the fifties.' I thought, 'Oh, yes. That would be interesting,' because that's where my parents grew up, I was there in Newark in the fifties and sixties."

Chris Evangelista's review of "The Many Saints of Newark" classifies the location as depicted in the film as a "very small, nasty world full of low-lives who think they're hotshots" in a solid expansion of the hit show. Just as "Made In America" ended, "Newark" continues to remind us how inescapable the world of violence can be.

Read this next: The 18 Best Crime Dramas In TV History

The post How The Creator Of Oz Convinced David Chase That A Sopranos Movie Could Work appeared first on /Film.

If you're a fan of fantasy film novelizations, this news may not be for you: the new Disney+ "Willow" series is set to debut this week, and it turns out it won't be hewing too closely to the trilogy of books that continued the story of Elora Danan throughout the '90s. /Film's Bryan Young spoke with showrunner Jon Kasdan about the series continuation of Ron Howard's 1988 movie, and Kasdan explained the interesting relationship the books have to the film, and the ways in which the series will "stay faithful" to them without treating them as gospel.

Kasdan tells /Film he spoke with Lucasfilm lore advisor Pablo Hidalgo when the "Willow" series was still in early development, saying, "Listen, let's talk about the 'Shadow Wars' novels and how they figure in the canon." He says Hidalgo then explained the books' rather unorthodox history. According to Kasdan, Hidalgo says author Chris Claremont already had the trilogy that would eventually become "Shadow Moon," "Shadow Dawn," and "Shadow Star" in the works "previously to coming to Lucasfilm."

Though Kasdan doesn't say this outright, it sounds like the books from Claremont, who was already an established Marvel comic book writer at the time, may not have originally been planned as Elora Danan-centric "Willow" tie-ins at all. Once the author partnered with George Lucas, though, he says, that's what they became. "There was an opportunity at Lucasfilm to publish fantasy," Kasdan says. "It felt like, with some very minor alterations, it could fit as a continuation of the 'Willow' story, but the sort of fantasy that George and Chris were sitting in a room hashing out where Elora's story would go is exactly that -- a fantasy."

The Novels 'Expanded The Story In Meaningful Ways'

This isn't the first time Kasdan has mentioned that the tie-in novels might not have been intended as "Willow" books from the beginning. At a Q&A and screening about the series attended by /Film, he shared that Claremont "just wanted to write some fantasy novels and they were looking for a publishing entity," and that Claremont and Lucas decided changes could be made to "make them sequels to the movie." The three books feature an older Elora as well as demons, dragons, and a villain called The Deceiver. They didn't exactly take the world by storm upon their release, and it doesn't sound like they're the blueprint for the upcoming series.

"[Hidalgo] relieved me of the burden of feeling like I needed to be beholden to those novels," Kasdan tells /Film. "At that point, I felt like we weren't. But beyond that one thing, we tried to stay very faithful to everything that was written around 'Willow.'" Kasdan cites works he and his team were able to use for reference, including the novels, cut elements of the original movie, and Allen Varney and Eric Goldberg's RPG guide "The Willow Sourcebook," which he calls "a wealth of great trivia and world-building."

"We treated all that very seriously and we needed to be loyal to those elements of the story," Kasdan says, acknowledging that the novelizations "expanded the story in meaningful ways." The "Willow" novels had their fans, but if they have a loyal audience that will only enjoy the new series if it faithfully follows their storyline, I haven't come across them yet. Kasdan's plan seems like a good one: respect what came before while building something new. We'll see how it turns out when "Willow" premieres on Disney+ on November 30, 2022.

Read this next: The 14 Best Moments In Willow, Ranked

The post Lucasfilm's Willow Series Did Not Feel the 'Burden' of Staying True to the Sequel Novels [Exclusive] appeared first on /Film.

Celebrities who self-proclaim to be Trekkies are common enough, but actually hearing a famous person lose their cool over a particular episode or character from "Star Trek" creates a strange unspoken kinship with fellow fans. Trekkies are happy to find one another, even during late-stage geek culture where mutual pop culture passion is now a common part of social discourse. 

Ben Stiller famously named his production company Red Hour Films after the "Star Trek" episode "The Return of the Archons" (February 9, 1967). That episode features a planet that regularly engages in a destructive "festival" -- very similar to "The Purge" -- that they call the Red Hour. On "The Graham Norton Show," Tom Hanks declared that his family used to go wild for Trek when he was a boy. Rosario Dawson once talked to Conan O'Brien in Klingon. Even President Obama revealed his love for "Star Trek" at a memorial for Leonard Nimoy. Some celebrities were so vocal about their love that they were asked to appear on the show. Mick Fleetwood, Jason Alexander, Stephen Hawking, and Whoopi Goldberg were all eventually cast in "Star Trek" projects. 

Celebrity Trekkies, however, appear to go back to the very dawn of the show. The very first episode of "Star Trek" that aired in the United States was "The Man Trap," the episode with the mind-clouding salt vampire, or M-113 Creature to Trekkies. It aired prior to the CBS primetime line-up on September 8, 1966. In a 2016 interview with the Associated Press, longtime Trek writer D.C. Fontana remembered the very first days of broadcast and how she -- then a production secretary -- happened to be standing by the phone at 9:00 a.m. on September 9. 

Leslie Nielsen was calling.

A Grandfather Of Trek

Fontana admits to being a little starstruck. Nielsen was well-known to sci-fi fans for his appearance in Fred M. Wilcox's 1956 film "Forbidden Planet," a widely celebrated futuristic rendition of Shakespeare's "The Tempest." In the film, Nielsen plays the stern starship commander J.J. Adams, a serious and aloof captain of a crew of feisty employees. In 1966, Nielsen was not yet known as a comedian, a career shift that wouldn't begin in earnest until his appearance in 1980s' "Airplane!" So Nielsen's words, to Fontana's ear, were earnest and flattering. As she recalled the encounter: 

"I was in the office at 9 o'clock as usual, and the phone rang. [Gene] Roddenberry wasn't in yet, so I picked up and answered 'Star Trek.' This very familiar voice on the other end said, 'Hello, this is Leslie Nielsen.' [...] He said, 'I saw the show last night and I thought it was wonderful and had a great future,' [...] I'm paraphrasing him a bit, but he was very effusive about the show ... I was thrilled to death, because I loved 'Forbidden Planet.' For him to call and say he really liked the show -- what a huge compliment."

Sci-fi scholars may point to J.J. Adams as one of the many inspirations for the character of Captain Kirk, played by William Shatner. Additionally, the general military-like command structure seen on the U.S.S. Enterprise as an extension of the power dynamics seen in "Forbidden Planet." Fontana wasn't just talking to a celebrity. She was, in a sense, talking to one of the grandfathers of "Star Trek."

Nielsen Ratings Vs. Nielsen's Ratings

Fontana also pointed out that "Star Trek," from the very start, had a very passionate fan base. They literally received sacks and sacks of letters from passionate viewers. To her recollection:

"The first week, we got a bag of mail. The second week, we got three bags of mail. After that, we got tons of mail, which we couldn't handle. There was no time for us to deal with any of it. So an answering service had to take over. 

There was, however, a disconnect between the volume of letters and the volume of viewers. Not a lot of people were tuning in, but those who did wrote in letters. As Brian Eno once said of the 1967 albums "The Velvet Underground & Nico," hardly anyone bought it, but everyone who did started a band. Throughout its three-year run, "Star Trek" was rarely a ratings bonanza, attracting a tiny, enthused cult audience. 

Thanks to the gods of syndication, "Star Trek" was put regularly onto the network's rerun schedule, and for an entire decade, new fans could find old episodes of the show to appreciate afresh. It was during the 1970s that "Star Trek" conventions first began, and that series creator Gene Roddenberry began giving speaking engagements as to what "Star Trek" really meant at its core. During these backs-and-forths with fans, notions of "Star Trek" as a diplomatic utopia began to solidify in the minds of both viewers and creator. In 1987, Roddenberry created "Star Trek: The Next Generation." The rest is history. 

Read this next: 11 Reasons Why The Next Generation Is The Best Star Trek Show

The post Leslie Nielsen Might Have Been The World's Very First Star Trek Fan appeared first on /Film.

After three tumultuous outings, DC's "Titans" train continues to chug along in full force. Self-proclaimed as a new beginning for the series, the fourth season moves towards a more consistent future as a superhero show and quasi-family drama. As per usual, a new location and set of villains threaten to uproot the titular superhero team. But the supernatural reigns supreme this time around, delivering a blend of magic and horror more devious than the last three seasons combined. Throw in a few daddy issues, and you have a well-received fourth season. However, that's not all. A fan-favorite character will make their return sooner rather than later.

The fourth season of "Titans" looks to turn the page on the long-standing series, but it is still not afraid to pull from the past. The origins of Mother Mayhem (Franka Potente) and Brother Blood (Joseph Morgan) are distinctly tied to the events of the very first season. Superboy is suffering an identity crisis due to his heritage, and that got complicated fairly quickly. And now we're going to be treated to the return of a former member of the Titans, and the available options are pretty exciting, to say the least.

Don't take our word for it, of course. "Titans" showrunner Greg Walker responded to a fan's inquiry in an interview with TVLine, who asked whether we would see Donna Troy (Conor Leslie), Jason Todd (Curran Walters), or Dawn Granger (Minka Kelly) in the fourth season. Walker replied, "Yes - but not all three." It's not abundantly clear who will make it into this season, nor how many Walker is teasing are actually coming back. However, one of them appears to be the most likely candidate.

A Familiar Face

First, let's get the unlikely characters out of the way. At the midway point of last season, Dawn Granger abruptly retired as Dove after the death of Hank Hall (Alan Ritchson). Her return, barring a significant narrative development, would likely feel out of place this time around. Perhaps a small cameo is due, but a larger role is relatively unnecessary. 

Meanwhile, Jason Todd may have smoothed things over with Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites), but the rest of the team still hates his guts. The guy turned good-ish near the finale, however, his return would complicate things even further. This leads to the final option and our personal pick.

An Amazonian Return

When we last saw Donna Troy, she was recruited by A.R.G.U.S. after finding a new sense of direction in the afterlife (a long story best kept short). She no longer sports the red-gold Wonder Girl outfit, nor does she go by a superhero moniker. However, Donna is still trying to be a force for good, and her journey could lead her back to the very team she left. I'm not sure what exactly could bring her back into the fold, but perhaps the A.R.G.U.S. organization may want to investigate the supernatural occurrences in Metropolis.

Considering the withering state of DC television, I would not be that upset if all three of the characters mentioned made their return in season 4, albeit in a limited capacity. That said, narrative-wise, it just makes sense to limit the "Titans" reunion to Donna. A common criticism of the series is its lack of stakes, so bringing everyone back would feel a bit like a cheat code. All the actors are great in their respective roles, of course. But for a new season focused on developing its current roster, limiting the amount of returning ones should be prioritized this time around.

New episodes of "Titans" debut on Thursdays on HBO Max.

Read this next: Every DC Movie Made Prior To The DCEU Ranked From Worst To Best

The post Which Fan-Favorite Character Will Return For Titans Season 4? appeared first on /Film.

The British government has abandoned a plan to force tech firms to remove internet content that is harmful but legal, after the proposal drew strong criticism from lawmakers and civil liberties groups. From a report: The U.K. on Tuesday defended its decision to water down the Online Safety Bill, an ambitious but controversial attempt to crack down on online racism, sexual abuse, bullying, fraud and other harmful material. Similar efforts are underway in the European Union and the United States, but the U.K.'s was one of the most sweeping. In its original form, the bill gave regulators wide-ranging powers to sanction digital and social media companies like Google, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. Critics had expressed concern that a requirement for the biggest platforms to remove "legal but harmful" content could lead to censorship and undermine free speech. The Conservative government of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who took office last month, has now dropped that part of the bill, saying it could "over-criminalize" online content. The government hopes the change will be enough to get the bill through Parliament, where it has languished for 18 months, by mid-2023. Digital Secretary Michelle Donelan said the change removed the risk that "tech firms or future governments could use the laws as a license to censor legitimate views."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

While biologists still aren't exactly sure how it works, a new study closes in on why the insects that pester Savannah animals zig when anything zags.

Fans of GOG and adventure games will be happy, as the new Return to Monkey Island is now available on GOG.

A Fallout 4 mod that transforms the Bethesda RPG game with overhauled visuals, survival mechanics, and prequel story content, has just been updated to add new perks, fresh gameplay systems, and a whole-new mental health dynamic, taking the Fallout series all the way back to the years just after the Great War, and giving us all something to enjoy as we look towards the Starfield release date.

RELATED LINKS: Fallout 4 console commands, Fallout 4 mods, Buy Fallout 4

Happy belated thanksgiving! The holiday had us delayed a little bit, but we still pulled it together to bring you a slightly belated show, one in which we talk Glass Onion, Bones and All, Evil West, Dave the Diver, and quite a bit more as well.  This week's music:  Meg Myers (feat. Nicole Perretti) - SOPHIA

A recent scoop by Reuters revealed that mobile apps for the U.S. Army and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were integrating software that sends visitor data to a Russian company called Pushwoosh, which claims to be based in the United States. But that story omitted an important historical detail about Pushwoosh: In 2013, one of its developers admitted to authoring the Pincer Trojan, malware designed to surreptitiously intercept and forward text messages from Android mobile devices.

Pushwoosh says it is a U.S. based company that provides code for software developers to profile smartphone app users based on their online activity, allowing them to send tailor-made notifications. But a recent investigation by Reuters raised questions about the company’s real location and truthfulness.

The Army told Reuters it removed an app containing Pushwoosh in March, citing “security concerns.” The Army app was used by soldiers at one of the nation’s main combat training bases.

Reuters said the CDC likewise recently removed Pushwoosh code from its app over security concerns, after reporters informed the agency Pushwoosh was not based in the Washington D.C. area — as the company had represented — but was instead operated from Novosibirsk, Russia.

Pushwoosh’s software also was found in apps for “a wide array of international companies, influential nonprofits and government agencies from global consumer goods company Unilever and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to the politically powerful U.S. gun lobby, the National Rifle Association (NRA), and Britain’s Labour Party.”

The company’s founder Max Konev told Reuters Pushwoosh “has no connection with the Russian government of any kind” and that it stores its data in the United States and Germany.

But Reuters found that while Pushwoosh’s social media and U.S. regulatory filings present it as a U.S. company based variously in California, Maryland and Washington, D.C., the company’s employees are located in Novosibirsk, Russia.

Reuters also learned that the company’s address in California does not exist, and that two LinkedIn accounts for Pushwoosh employees in Washington, D.C. were fake.

“Pushwoosh never mentioned it was Russian-based in eight annual filings in the U.S. state of Delaware, where it is registered, an omission which could violate state law,” Reuters reported.

Pushwoosh admitted the LinkedIn profiles were fake, but said they were created by a marketing firm to drum up business for the company — not misrepresent its location.

Pushwoosh told Reuters it used addresses in the Washington, D.C. area to “receive business correspondence” during the coronavirus pandemic. A review of the Pushwoosh founder’s online presence via Constella Intelligence shows his Pushwoosh email address was tied to a phone number in Washington, D.C. that was also connected to email addresses and account profiles for over a dozen other Pushwoosh employees.

THE PINCER TROJAN CONNECTION

The dust-up over Pushwoosh came in part from data gathered by Zach Edwards, a security researcher who until recently worked for the Internet Safety Labs, a nonprofit organization that funds research into online threats.

Edwards said Pushwoosh began as Arello-Mobile, and for several years the two co-branded — appearing side by side at various technology expos. Around 2016, he said, the two companies both started using the Pushwoosh name.

A search on Pushwoosh’s code base shows that one of the company’s longtime developers is a 41-year-old from Novosibirsk named Yuri Shmakov. In 2013, KrebsOnSecurity interviewed Shmakov for the story, “Who Wrote the Pincer Android Trojan?” wherein Shmakov acknowledged writing the malware as a freelance project.

Shmakov told me that, based on the client’s specifications, he suspected it might ultimately be put to nefarious uses. Even so, he completed the job and signed his work by including his nickname in the app’s code.

“I was working on this app for some months, and I was hoping that it would be really helpful,” Shmakov wrote. “[The] idea of this app is that you can set it up as a spam filter…block some calls and SMS remotely, from a Web service. I hoped that this will be [some kind of] blacklist, with logging about blocked [messages/calls]. But of course, I understood that client [did] not really want this.”

Shmakov did not respond to requests for comment. His LinkedIn profile says he stopped working for Arello Mobile in 2016, and that he currently is employed full-time as the Android team leader at an online betting company.

In a blog post responding to the Reuters story, Pushwoosh said it is a privately held company incorporated under the state laws of Delaware, USA, and that Pushwoosh Inc. was never owned by any company registered in the Russian Federation.

“Pushwoosh Inc. used to outsource development parts of the product to the Russian company in Novosibirsk, mentioned in the article,” the company said. “However, in February 2022, Pushwoosh Inc. terminated the contract.”

However, Edwards noted that dozens of developer subdomains on Pushwoosh’s main domain still point to JSC Avantel, an Internet provider based in Novosibirsk, Russia.

WAR GAMES

Edwards said the U.S. Army’s app had a custom Pushwoosh configuration that did not appear on any other customer implementation.

“It had an extremely custom setup that existed nowhere else,” Edwards said. “Originally, it was an in-app Web browser, where it integrated a Pushwoosh javascript so that any time a user clicked on links, data went out to Pushwoosh and they could push back whatever they wanted through the in-app browser.”

An Army Times article published the day after the Reuters story ran said at least 1,000 people downloaded the app, which “delivered updates for troops at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif., a critical waypoint for deploying units to test their battlefield prowess before heading overseas.”

In April 2022, roughly 4,500 Army personnel converged on the National Training Center for a war games exercise on how to use lessons learned from Russia’s war against Ukraine to prepare for future fights against a major adversary such as Russia or China.

Edwards said despite Pushwoosh’s many prevarications, the company’s software doesn’t appear to have done anything untoward to its customers or users.

“Nothing they did has been seen to be malicious,” he said. “Other than completely lying about where they are, where their data is being hosted, and where they have infrastructure.”

GOV 311

Edwards also found Pushwoosh’s technology embedded in nearly two dozen mobile apps that were sold to cities and towns across Illinois as a way to help citizens access general information about their local communities and officials.

The Illinois apps that bundled Pushwoosh’s technology were produced by a company called Government 311, which is owned by Bill McCarty, the current director of the Springfield Office of Budget and Management. A 2014 story in The State Journal-Register said Gov 311’s pricing was based on population, and that the app would cost around $2,500 per year for a city with approximately 25,000 people.

McCarty told KrebsOnSecurity that his company stopped using Pushwoosh “years ago,” and that it now relies on its own technology to provide push notifications through its 311 apps.

But Edwards found some of the 311 apps still try to phone home to Pushwoosh, such as the 311 app for Riverton, Ill.

“Riverton ceased being a client several years ago, which [is] probably why their app was never updated to change out Pushwoosh,” McCarty explained. “We are in the process of updating all client apps and a website refresh. As part of that, old unused apps like Riverton 311 will be deleted.”

FOREIGN ADTECH THREAT?

Edwards said it’s far from clear how many other state and local government apps and Web sites rely on technology that sends user data to U.S. adversaries overseas. In July, Congress introduced an amended version of the Intelligence Authorization Act for 2023, which included a new section focusing on data drawn from online ad auctions that could be used to geolocate individuals or gain other information about them.

Business Insider reports that if this section makes it into the final version — which the Senate also has to pass — the Office for the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) will have 60 days after the Act becomes law to produce a risk assessment. The assessment will look into “the counterintelligence risks of, and the exposure of intelligence community personnel to, tracking by foreign adversaries through advertising technology data,” the Act states.

Edwards says he’s hoping those changes pass, because what he found with Pushwoosh is likely just a drop in a bucket.

“I’m hoping that Congress acts on that,” he said. “If they were to put a requirement that there’s an annual audit of risks from foreign ad tech, that would at least force people to identify and document those connections.”

More than 120 volcanic eruptions have occurred in the United States in the 42 years since Mount St. Helens erupted over Washington in 1980, killing 57 and inflicting over a billion dollars in property damage. While none have been nearly as destructive, their mere presence can impact human activities and even economies hundreds of miles away. Altogether the US Geological Survey (USGS) has identified 161 geologically active volcanoes in 14 states and territories, a third of which constitute “high” or “very high” threats to their surrounding communities, and another 58 volcanoes nationwide classified as being undermonitored. The agency operates five volcano monitoring stations along the west coast to keep an eye on all but the least dangerous as part of the Survey’s Volcano Hazards Program. On average, around 60 volcanoes erupt annually, as Hawaii’s Mauna Loa is doing right now.

Mauna Loa, which had stood dormant for the past 38 years, reawakened late Sunday night for the eighth time since 1843. “Lava flows are not threatening any downslope communities and all indications are that the eruption will remain in the Northeast Rift Zone,” reads Monday’s red alert update from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). “Volcanic gas and possibly fine ash and Pele's Hair may be carried downwind. Residents at risk from Mauna Loa lava flows should review preparedness and refer to Hawai‘i County Civil Defense information for further guidance.” This week’s eruption is decidedly mild compared to 2018’s Kīlauea Volcano event that destroyed 700 homes and launched ash 3,000 meters into the atmosphere, where it disrupted air traffic patterns.

While lava receives a majority of the public attention, volcanoes have myriad methods for ruining your week with fire and (literal) brimstone. Volcanic ash can travel miles into the stratosphere before raining back down where it exacerbates chronic lung diseases like asthma and emphysema; carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide collect in low-lying areas to suffocate the unwary and seismic shifts resulting from the initial explosion can trigger landslides, tsunamis, floods, and large-scale power outages.

“Unlike many other natural disasters … volcanic eruptions can be predicted well in advance of their occurrence if adequate in-ground instrumentation is in place that allows earliest detection of unrest, providing the time needed to mitigate the worst of their effects,” David Applegate, USGS associate director for natural hazards, told a House subcommittee in 2017.

As Eos magazine points out, nobody died as a result of the 2018 Kīlauea eruption, in large part due to the efforts of monitors at the HVO. But, a 2018 threat assessment found that, out of the 18 volcanoes listed as “very high” threat, only three — Mauna Loa, St Helens and the Long Valley Caldera — were rated as “well monitored” when that eruption was happening.

On the same day that Kīlauea blew its top, the US Senate unanimously passed S.346, establishing the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System (NVEWS). The following March, the House of Representatives passed its version, PL 116-9/S.47, dubbed the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. Not unlike California’s new ShakeAlert early earthquake warning scheme, the NVEWS works to combine and standardize the existing hodgepodge of (often outdated) volcano monitoring hardware operated by both government agencies and academic organizations into a unified system, “to ensure that the most hazardous volcanoes will be properly monitored well in advance of the onset of activity.”

USGS

“Improvements to volcano monitoring networks allow the USGS to detect volcanic unrest at the earliest possible stage,” Tom Murray, USGS Volcano Science Center director, said in a 2018 USGS release. “This provides more time to issue forecasts and warnings of hazardous volcanic activity and gives at-risk communities more time to prepare.”

The NVEWS Act, which was sponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R - AK), earmarks $55 million annually between 2019 and 2023 to provide more accurate and timely eruption forecasts by increasing partnerships with local governments and proactively sharing data with the volcano science community. It also seeks to increase staffing and systems — from broadband seismometers, infrasound arrays, and real-time continuous GPS receivers, to streaming webcams, satellite overwatch and volcanic gas sensors — for 24/7 volcano monitoring and establishes a grant system for furthering volcanology research.

USGS

The USGS ranks volcanic threats based on the risk they pose to public health and property — essentially how potentially destructive the volcano itself is in relation to how many people and things might be impacted when it does erupt. The USGS assigns numerical values to the 24 various hazard and exposure factors for each volcano, then combined to calculate the overall threat score which is divided into five levels (like DEFCONs!). High and Very High get the most detailed monitoring coverage because duh, Moderate threat volcanoes still receive real-time monitoring but don’t have Tommy Lee Jones standing by to intercede, and Low (and Very Low) get checked on as needed. As of May 2022, when the USGS submitted its second annual NVEWS report to Congress, the USGS had spent just under half of the money appropriated for FY 2021 with the funds going to activities like installing a net-gen lahar detection system on Mount Rainier, upgrading the telemetry for more than two dozen observation posts throughout Alaska, Oregon, Washington, California and Hawaii.

In the new Disney+ series "Willow," time has passed and characters from the original film, Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) and Sorsha (Joanne Whalley), have taken over the kingdom and had a pair of children. These twins, Airk (Dempsey Bryk) and Kit (Ruby Cruz), are perfect amalgamations of their parents' personalities and looks, and it is incumbent on them to save the world as their parents once did.

Through the course of the series, they face many challenges, but never once do they lose sight of whose children they are. The actors bring an impressive energy to "Willow" and help ground a truly contemporary take on the tone of '80s fantasy. They're part of the winning combination that make "Willow" so fun to watch, and /Film got to speak to Dempsey Bryk and Ruby Cruz together about playing in the shadow of what came before, the pressure of the film's legacy, and more.

'We Got To Kind Of Artistically Fall In Love With Both Of Those Actors'

You're both playing children of legacy characters. How much studying did you do of the original movies or the performances of Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley?

Cruz: Genuinely a lot.

Bryk: So much.

Cruz: Having access to such in-depth footage of our parents was really awesome. Watching their performances and learning about their characters and having the freedom to envision them as parents and envision being their child and having Madmartigan raise you was a very interesting thing to play with.

Bryk: Yeah, also the thing that I loved about your question is the other performances and the other things other than "Willow." Because that was a big part of it, just trying to get a sense of these two people's spirit and who they are. And it was really lovely, because we got to kind of artistically fall in love with both of those actors with a lot closer proximity to them than we ever had before. They just have done amazing things. And Joanne obviously we got to know and was a legitimate mom to us -- she was so calming and amazing.

Cruz: Yeah, I also read Val Kilmer's book, which was really interesting.

Bryk: I bought his poetry book.

Cruz: You did?

Bryk: Yeah. I'll show it to you. It was great.

Cruz: But his book was really interesting because he talked about filming "Willow" and he talked about playing that character and what set was like...

Bryk: And the "Val" documentary. A lot of Val stuff was going on at the same thing.

Obviously "Willow" was an important pre-established property for a lot of people. Was there any pressure stepping into the world of "Willow" for either of you, especially with that sort of familial touch to the characters you're playing?

Bryk: The beautiful thing about "Willow" fans -- I'll speak personally, but I think it's probably true for everyone -- is that it never felt like pressure. It just felt like an opportunity. I think that maybe of all fandom -- not all the fandoms, but of a lot of fandoms -- I've noticed that "Willow" seems to be just very enthusiastic and loving, but a little less strict, which kind of gave us some creative leeway to say, "Okay, well, we're going to honor the original and the original characters to the best of our ability. But also we had this opportunity to add to the world to create our own thing and carve ourselves out." And I think that's what I tried to do as an actor, but also that what we tried to do as a creative team.

Cruz: Totally. I mean, definitely we want to do them justice, because it is such an iconic, beloved film. But yeah, I'm just really excited. I hope people like it.

'I Think He's Been Talking S*** About Us Comedically In Interviews'

I want to ask, filming that intro to the cast video, it seemed like Warwick is a very hilarious presence on set. How does the tenor of shooting actually match that view that they gave audiences in that teaser? Is that as far off as it might seem?

Cruz: In the meet the cast [video], he's exactly like that.

Bryk: Warwick is the sweetest person. So not at all like his meet the cast [persona], but that humor of just making fun of each other and being comedic? That's authentic. Laughing and all.

Cruz: He's hilarious.

Bryk: Really funny. In fact, we just found out that he's been basically, I think he's been talking s*** about us comedically in interviews and...

Cruz: Oh yeah.

Bryk: And we're over here being like, "We love Warwick!" And last night we were talking, he was like, "Yeah, I've not said one nice word about you guys." That's so funny.

Cruz: I remember he said in an interview, I saw it of him being like, "Yeah, it was really hard for the younger kids to pretend like something was behind the camera when it really wasn't. Me and Joanne really good at it, but they really struggled."

Bryk: It's so funny because it's so ... that's a comedic risk. He's a comedian in a lot of ways. And I don't think people know, unless you've maybe seen "Life's Too Short" or our meet the cast video, he's just really, really funny and risky.

"Willow" airs on Disney+ on Wednesdays, beginning November 30, 2022.

Read this next: Ranking Every Ron Howard Feature Film From Worst To Best

The post Willow's Dempsey Bryk and Ruby Cruz On Playing the Children of Legends [Exclusive Interview] appeared first on /Film.

(Superhero Bits is a collection of stories, updates, and videos about anything and everything inspired by the comics of Marvel, DC, and more. For comic book movies, TV shows, merchandise, events, and whatever catches our eye, this is the place to find anything that falls through the cracks.)

In this edition of Superhero Bits:

• A new look at "Marvel's Spider-Man 2" may be coming soon.

• Clark Gregg's streak as Coulson in the MCU has come to an end.

• "Teen Titans" is returning to the airwaves.

• You can own Peter's shirt from "Spider-Man: The Animated Series."

• All that and more!

Hellcat Returns With A New Solo Series For Marvel Comics

Fresh off of a character-redefining run in the pages of "Iron Man," Marvel Comics has revealed that Hellcat is getting a new solo miniseries that will launch in early 2023. Simply titled "Hellcat," the book hails from writer Christopher Cantwell and artist Alex Lins. The publisher boasts that she is ready to "step up as one of Marvel's A-List superheroes." A bold claim! What is that going to look like? A synopsis for the book reads as follows:

Hellcat's upcoming saga will embrace the character's rich and unique comic book history, including her fascinating ties to the supernatural and her infamous relationship with Daimon Hellstrom. Framed for murder, Hellcat finds herself investigating an action-packed mystery where she'll cross paths with the fan-favorite character Sleepwalker! Patsy is back on the West Coast, living in a house haunted by the ghost of her mother. When someone close to Patsy's inner circle is murdered, Hellcat becomes the prime suspect. Now, Patsy must prove her innocence and evade both the police and the supernatural threat of the Sleepwalkers. To add to the perils she faces, her demonic ex Daimon Hellstrom shows up ... and that's never a good thing.

Look for "Hellcat" #1 on shelves on March 15, 2023.

Nico Takes The Spotlight In New Marvel's Midnight Suns Prequel Short

We are mere days away from the release of "Marvel's Midnight Suns" next week, and for those who are interested in getting to know the characters in the game, this latest prequel short may be useful. It centers on Nico, one of the younger heroes who will be part of the game, and like the other prequel shorts released thus far, works as a pretty impressive standalone bit of animation. Plus, other key heroes such as Blade show up, so it's not just Nico along for the ride here. 

Check out the short for yourself before "Midnight Suns" hits shelves on December 2, 2022.

Gladiator Batman From McFarlane Toys

The folks at McFarlane Toys have revealed a pretty unique variant DC figure coming to shelves soon in the form of the above Gladiator Batman. The figure is ripped directly from the pages of "Dark Knights: Metal," with the Caped Crusader getting a more Medieval look. No word yet on pricing or retailer availability, but that information should be coming soon. So feel free to add this one to your holiday wishlist, DC fans. 

Speaking of that, we do have a big holiday gift guide for those on the hunt for gifts now that Thanksgiving is over.

2003's Teen Titans Is Returning To Cartoon Network Next Week

In 2003, "Teen Titans" hit the airwaves and turned into a show that quite a few DC fans of a certain age sparked to. Perhaps most importantly, the show served as a springboard for the long-running spin-off, "Teen Titans Go!" where Robin, Beast Boy, and the gang have lived ever since. But the original "Teen Titans" animated series from the early 2000s is returning to Cartoon Network. 

As noted by Comic Book Resources, the show is scheduled for a three-hour block on December 4, 2022. So, why is the show getting a big block of reruns now? That is unclear but it is kind of interesting to see. The block kicks off at 12 p.m. ET, for those interested.

Are We Getting Some Spider-Man 2 Video Game News Tomorrow?

We haven't heard too much about "Marvel's Spider-Man 2" since the game was announced last year. But that may be changing! 

Tony Todd, who is voicing Venom in the game, recently took to Twitter to say, "Big creative news, dropping tomorrow. Stay Tuned!!!" Now, Todd works a lot, so that could mean literally anything. But the above reply, featuring a Venom tease, was promptly retweeted by Todd. This could be taken as a lowkey confirmation that this is related to "Spider-Man 2." We'll see! For now, nothing has been confirmed, but we would all do well to keep our eyes open.

Clark Gregg Ends His Amazing Streak Of Appearing In The MCU As Phil Coulson

Dating back to 2008 with "Iron Man," Clark Gregg's Agent Coulson has been a big, important part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So much so that the actor had an impressive run from 2010 through 2021 that saw him appear in at least one MCU project every year, in no small part thanks to "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." But with Phase 4 officially in the books and Marvel Studios not releasing anything else in 2022, Gregg's streak has come to an end. 

As noted by The Direct, 2022 marks the first year since 2009 that Gregg didn't appear as Coulson in any MCU project. But the bigger question now is, are we going to see him in the future? Time will tell, but that is one heck of an impressive streak.

You (Yes, You!) Can Own Peter Parker's Shirt From Spider-Man: The Animated Series

The '90s were a damn good time to be a "Spider-Man" fan. That was largely due to "Spider-Man: The Animated Series," which remains a touchstone for many Marvel fans to this day. Disney seems to know that as they now have Peter Parker's polo shirt from the series for sale from the official shopDisney online store. As we can see, the shirt is pretty spot-on. The catch? It runs a pretty steep $49.99. But for some people, that may well be worth it. Those interested can pick one up by clicking here.

Marvel's Avengers Reveals Trailer For The Cloning Lab Update

Lastly, "Marvel's Avengers" is about to roll out its 2.7 update on November 29, 2022, and that means more playable content! The above trailer reveals that M.O.D.O.K. is coming back to the game tied to the arrival of the Winter Soldier. The new content will be available for all players for free, so no, this is not paid DLC or like a cosmetic skin that requires some extra dough. This is included with the price of admission, as it were. 

Check out the full trailer for yourself above to get a glimpse at the action.

Read this next: MCU Jokes That Didn't Age Well

The post Superhero Bits: Agent Coulson's MCU Streak Ends, A Possible Spider-Man 2 Video Game Update & More appeared first on /Film.

The 1988 action film "Die Hard" is the movie that turned the late Alan Rickman into a household name. He played Hans Gruber, a criminal mastermind who holds an office building hostage during a company Christmas party. Gruber has a scheme to steal $600 million, and he has no qualms about killing people to get it. There's a lot of reasons the movie works so well, but the back-and-forth between Gruber and John McClane (Bruce Willis) is a core part of what makes it a beloved classic.

Although Rickman was not well-known at the time of filming, and this was his first ever major role in an action movie, that didn't stop him from giving his thoughts to the writers and directors. In a 2015 interview, Rickman recalled making a suggestion to producer Joel Silver, saying it would be far more interesting for Gruber to be wearing a suit in the scene where he's pretending to be a hostage, not the full terrorist gear the character was wearing in the script.

"I got Joel saying, 'Get the hell out of here, you'll wear what you're told,'" Rickman explained. "But when I came back, I was handed a new script."

Insisting On Doing The Stunt Himself

"It showed that it pays to have a little bit of theatre training," Rickman said of his experience making "Die Hard." He first got into acting at 26, and then mostly stuck to theater until his early 40s. The fact that he didn't get his first movie role until he began middle age is a little unusual for a renowned actor, but Rickman credits those early years for his later success on the big screen.  

"I like feeling a bit unsafe, and theatre, of course, is deadly," Rickman said. "The good thing about starting late in this career is you go, 'Well, what's the worst that could happen?'" It was this attitude that led to him wanting to do the final stunt of "Die Hard," the scene where his character fell from the top floor of Nakotomi Tower, by himself. Rickman once recalled the surprise of the producers when he offered to do the stunt himself, which involved him being dropped onto an air bag about 25 feet below. "They were very careful to make it my very last shot on the film," Rickman said. 

Rickman doing the stunt himself helped make the scene so memorable, in part because of how believably Rickman portrays a man who suddenly finds himself falling to his death. Some of this is due to the film's stunt coordinator, Charlie Picerni, who misled the actor about when he'd be dropped. Rickman was told he'd be dropped on the count of three, but as Picerni told The Hollywood Reporter, "I told the stunt guys, let him go on one." As a result, the look on Gruber's face is one of a man genuinely startled. Was this an ethical way of approaching the scene? No, but we can't argue with the final product.

Almost Not In The Movie At All

One of the things that makes Rickman's movie career so fascinating is how easily most of it might never have happened at all. When he first read the script for "Die Hard," his first instinct was to turn it down. "I read it and said, 'What the hell is this? I'm not doing an action movie,'" Rickman recalled. Luckily, his friends talked him into it. 

Rickman's later role as Severus Snape in the "Harry Potter" movies, arguably an even more iconic character than Gruber, was also one that Rickman had mixed feelings about. In the excerpts of Rickman's soon-to-be-published diary, Rickman wrote about how he kept trying to leave the role. Although he had nothing but nice things to say about Alfonso Cuarón, who directed the third movie, he was critical of the young child stars' acting, many of the other directors, and even John Williams' score, which Rickman described as "hideous." 

The thing that kept Rickman around for all eight movies was when J.K. Rowling told him about the big reveal of Snape's backstory. "She gave me one piece of information I promised to never share," Rickman once explained. "It made me know I had to drive down two roads at the same time." Sure enough, Rickman's portrayal of Snape during that pivotal reveal in "Deathly Hallows: Part 2" was a highlight of the entire series, and one of Rickman's most beloved performances. Rickman may not have always wanted to be trapped in an eight-movie commitment but, perhaps a little selfishly, we're happy he stuck to it.

Read this next: Actors Who Died In 2021

The post Alan Rickman's Notes About Die Hard's Script Lead To Some Key Changes appeared first on /Film.

We’re getting down towards the end of the year, and best of 2022 lists are beginning to be made. I got an email from Spotify that my 2022 rewind was just around the corner. I also got an email today about social media's most popular video games. While most of the list is not surprising, one or two caught my attention. Games like Elden Ring, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, or Horizon Forbidden West made the list; all three are huge titles. “Elden Ring is the most popular video game on social media in 2022. With 6,000,000,000 Tik Tok views and 356, 997 Instagram posts, Elden ring is one of the biggest game releases of 2022 so far. The game’s elements of taking gameplay from the Souls franchise and combining it with a story by George R. R. Martin has scored huge numbers across social media.” I think WWE 2K22 might be the most shocking one for me, I don’t follow wrestling at all.

You can see the whole list, or even all of the findings that Uswitch found, including Dynasty Warriors 9 being the most underrated game of 2022 and Counter-Strike having a 2,319% growth since its release in 2012.

 

All the characters in the second season of "The White Lotus" are pretty despicable in their own way, but at least one of them seems to have pure intentions. The most well-meaning character is probably Albie, an Italian-American teenager played by Adam DiMarco. Albie is visiting Sicily with his father and grandfather to reconnect with their family's heritage. His father's infidelity has alienated him from his daughter and mother, but Albie attends the trip regardless and tries to keep the peace in his troubled family. Seeing the way that his father treated his mother has made Albie determined to be different. "I refuse to have a bad relationship with women," he tells Portia in episode 2.

For the most part, Albie does treat women with respect. Since he is so repelled by his father and grandfather's attitudes towards women, he does run the risk of being blind to his own misogynistic behavior. By repressing his true feelings about his father, Portia, and women in general, he is also due for a huge emotional outburst that is bound to hurt whoever stands in his way. With that said, Albie still might be the kindest character in the bunch. He isn't totally honest with himself or others in the way that Aubrey Plaza's character Harper is, so she might ultimately be more virtuous than him. Albie seems to be the most well-intentioned character of the season so far, but in the world of "The White Lotus," it's the least suspecting character that has the most power to surprise you.

Albie Is The Nicest Character ... For Now

The cast of "The White Lotus" season 2 all agree that Albie is the nicest character. "We must protect Albie," Aubrey Plaza told Rotten Tomatoes. "We must protect his innocent, boyish smile." Albie is definitely the most naive character, but is he truly the kindest? Theo James, who plays Cameron, wasn't totally sure. "I would say Adam [DiMarco]'s character Albie is the purest, but maybe he's ... yeah," James said, trailing off before giving too much away. This quote doesn't reveal much, since James cleverly cut himself off just before a potential spoiler, but it does suggest that Albie has a darker side that might come out later in the season.

Adam DiMarco himself isn't totally convinced of Albie's purity. "[Albie] might be the least controversial," the actor conceded. "He does mean well." His intentions are definitely the most unadulterated of any character, but that doesn't make him totally innocent. Albie is a ticking time bomb that is likely to go off in one of the last few episodes of the season. He already handed his grandfather and father a piece of his mind in episode 3 and it's unlikely that he has walked out of such a toxic masculine environment completely unscathed. Will it be Portia who receives the brunt of his concealed rage? Or perhaps the sex worker Lucia, whom Albie unwittingly employed for a night?

Albie Is On The Verge Of A Breakdown

For all his attempts to avoid being like his father, Albie ends up sleeping with the exact same sex worker just one night later. Albie is bound to be made aware of this before season 2 of "The White Lotus" is over, and I highly doubt it will make him feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The only question is who he will be most angry with. Will he be angry at his father for neglecting to warn him when he saw Lucia making advances? Will he be angry with Portia for driving him into Lucia's arms? Or will he be angry with Lucia for concealing the truth from him?

Portia broke off her romance with Albie to pursue the tattooed British boy, Jack, but episode 5 reveals a massive secret that he has been hiding from her. When Portia discovers the real reason that Jack is in Sicily, will she gravitate back toward Albie? There's no telling how she will react to that information, and if it will make her regret rejecting the nice guy's advances in favor of a fling with a bad boy. Portia and Albie are likely to have some more conflict in the future since Albie has already articulated strong but suppressed feelings about the plight of the nice guy. "Girls always complain that guys aren't nice, but then if they find a nice guy, they're not always interested," he explains to Portia over dinner. After all, the Di Grasso family has represented three generations of masculine rot.

Albie might technically be the nicest character in Season 2 of "The White Lotus," but then again, that's really not saying much, is it? Either way, I think we are about to see a darker side of him very soon.

Read this next: The 15 Best Anthology TV Series Ranked

The post The White Lotus Season 2 Cast Agrees on the Nicest Character — And Here's Why They're Right ... For Now appeared first on /Film.

Since the advent of companies like Carfax and AutoCheck, automotive shoppers have relied on vehicle history reports to determine if a car has been in an accident.

Complicated cleaning hacks can be fun projects, but we love a damn simple one. And this one is really simple: You can use the lid of a pot or pan to clean your carpets and fabrics. It works like a charm, which is why it’s been all over TikTok lately.

Read more...

We announced it’s coming soon, you’ve waited for it, and now Return to Monkey Island is available on GOG with a -20% launch discount that lasts until December 5th, 2 PM UTC!



This adventure, narrative driven point and click title was one of the most anticipated games of 2022 by the players community! It’s an unexpected, but most welcome, thrilling return of series creator Ron Gilbert that continues the story of the iconic and legendary adventure games - The Secret of Monkey Island and Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge.

Many years have passed since Guybrush Threepwood was last locked in a battle of wits with his nemesis, the zombie pirate LeChuck. His true love, Elaine Marley, has turned her focus away from governing and Guybrush himself is adrift and unfulfilled, having never found the Secret of Monkey Island. Hip, young pirate leaders led by Captain Madison have shuffled the old guard from power, Melee Island has taken a turn for the worse, and famed businessman Stan has been imprisoned for ‘marketing-related crimes’.

But now you’ll be able to banter with old friends and new faces on familiar islands under dangerous new leadership. Then, take to the high seas and explore the new and unknown as you work your way out of tough predicaments. Clever puzzles, bizarre situations, and devastating ripostes are all that stand between Guybrush and glory.

You’ve waited long enough, now jump right into this incredible adventure and explore the new chapter in the Monkey Island series!

What would Stephen King and Gillian Flynn get if they wrote a story together? My bet is that it would look a lot like "Yellowjackets." The Showtime series bounces between two timelines. In 1996, the "Yellowjackets" high school soccer team is stranded in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. In 2021 New Jersey, the survivors still haven't gotten over what happened during those 19 months they spent stranded. With two widely different settings, the series mixes together folk horror and sensational domestic drama.

The series' most memorable character so far is Misty Quigley. In 1996, she's a nerd who doesn't know how to fit in, but her seeming innocence hides a manipulative sadist. By 2021, she's an elder care nurse, not out of the goodness of her heart, but because the job allows her control over vulnerable people. Misty is like if Carrie White grew up to be Annie Wilkes.

She's played by Sammi Hanratty in 1996 and Christina Ricci in the present. Fitting the '90s-set flashbacks, the "Yellowjackets" main cast is populated by young stars of that era: Juliette Lewis, Melanie Lynskey, and Ricci herself. Since she and her co-stars were acting in the more grounded side of the story, Ricci didn't anticipate just how weird "Yellowjackets" would get.

Unexpected Folk Horror

In an interview with GQ, Ricci discussed "Yellowjackets" and how even when the cameras started rolling, she wasn't sure where the show was headed. "I didn't really know that it was going to be folk horror," she said. "You have to understand, we had very little information in the beginning; people played it all very close to the chest, what was going on for the rest of the season."

Ricci says that she and the other adult cast knew something "culty" had happened to their characters, but none of the specifics. This meant they acted while in the same shoes as the viewers who watched. Ricci adds:

"I happen to be someone who is really fascinated by cults, so I was intrigued by all that, and intrigued, also by the idea of Misty in that situation, and all the potential manipulations that could occur."

When season 1 of "Yellowjackets" ends, the horror (and cult) is just beginning. The pilot offered a glimpse of the endpoint, including confirmation that the survivors partook in cannibalism. At the center of the cult is a veiled figure wearing an antler crown. It hasn't been confirmed who this figure is but as season 1 went on, evidence piled up to suggest it could be Lottie Matthews (Courtney Eaton), who begins displaying psychic powers in the woods. Misty was shown to be part of the cult in the pilot. Given what we've seen of her so far, it might not be strange for her to act as Lottie's right-hand woman.

"Yellowjackets" season 2 is likely to premiere in 2023. We'll just have to wait and see how much of the mystery is unveiled or how far the flashback storyline progresses. I'm just happy that Misty Quigley will be along for the ride.

Read this next: The 95 Best Horror Movies Ever

The post Christina Ricci Didn't Know What She Was Getting Into Going Into Yellowjackets appeared first on /Film.

AmiMoJo writes: A hundred UK companies have signed up for a permanent four-day working week for all their employees with no loss of pay, a milestone in the campaign to fundamentally change Britain's approach to work. The 100 companies employ 2,600 staff -- a tiny fraction of the UK's working population -- but the 4 Day Week Campaign group is hoping they will be the vanguard of a major shift. Proponents of the four-day week say that the five-day pattern is a hangover from an earlier economic age. They argue that a four-day week would drive companies to improve their productivity, meaning they can create the same output using fewer hours. For some early adopters the policy has also proven a useful way of attracting and retaining employees. The two biggest companies that have signed up are Atom Bank and global marketing company Awin, who each have about 450 staff in the UK. They have been accredited by the four-day week campaign, meaning they have demonstrated that they have genuinely reduced hours for workers rather than forcing them into longer days.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.