Taylor Sheridan’s career has spanned both film and TV, most recently the latter with the Yellowstone spin-off 1883. So this makes sense: As per Deadline, Fox is looking to turn one of his first screenwriting triumphs, the 2016 movie Hell or High Water, into a TV series.

A kind of modern day Western, Hell or High Water stars Chris Pine and Ben Foster as brothers who rob a series of banks, with two Texas Ranger (Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham) in hot pursuit. It betrayed Sheridan’s gift for tough, merciless plotting and wry characterization, with plenty of room made for downtime. (The Deep South steakhouse scene is as gripping as the climactic shoot-out.)

The show, meanwhile, sounds like it will do what a lot of TV does nowadays: stretch out a story to TV length. The show, according to Deadline, “follows a ruthless oil tycoon, who attempts to plunder a West Texas ranching community, and two local brothers, who dodge a zealous Texas Ranger and fight to keep what’s theirs, one bank robbery at a time.” Sheridan, alas, will not be writing it. Those duties fall to Jessica Mecklenburg (Dopesick, Stranger Things), who will also serve as co-executive producer.

The one-two punch of Sicario, Sheridan’s first produced screenplay, and Hell or High Water paved the way for future projects, including Wind River and last year’s Angelina Jolie-starring Those Who Wish Me Dead. And then there’s Yellowstone, which is so staggeringly popular that it got its own prequel, with Sam Elliott, no less.

(Via Deadline)

On Sunday, the world was stunned to learn about the death of Bob Saget, comic, TV star, and director of one of the late ‘90s’ more out-there big screen comedies. Tributes inevitably poured in, but some noticed a memoriam Saget himself had written for someone else just a little over a week prior.

As per Insider, Saget was one of many celebrities who honored Betty White when she passed away soon before 2021 drew to a close.

“This amazing woman was exactly who you wanted her to be,” he wrote. Saget also wrote a moving passage in which he ruminated on the after life:

She always said the love of her life was her husband, Allen Ludden, who she lost in 1981. Well, if things work out by Betty’s design— in the afterlife, they are reunited. I don’t know what happens when we die, but if Betty says you get to be with the love of your life, then I happily defer to Betty on this.

If it seemed eerie that Saget was thinking about what happens when we die not long before he passed, there was also some humor. He shared a story about hob-nobbing with White while on the job:

We were on an ABC jet once for a junket and I was sitting across from her, both of us sipping Bloody Mary’s. We had been laughing for hours— I looked into her eyes and faux romantically said, “How ‘bout it, Betty, you and me in the bathroom? Mile High Club?” She answered me before I had a chance to finish the invite— “Of course, Bob, you go in there first and I’ll meet you as soon as I finish my drink.” And then of course she went right to sipping from her straw. I waited in that bathroom for over two hours. (That would be the joke on a joke part, in case you take things literally.)

Saget’s cause of death has yet to be determined, though drugs or foul play have already been ruled out. Meanwhile, it was revealed that White died after suffering a stroke six days before her death.

(Via Insider)

The story of real estate tycoon and serial killer Robert Durst has fascinated America for quite some time. Particularly after The Jinx: The Life And Deaths Of Robert Durst aired back in 2015 and it became very clear to many people that this man was a murderer. Though he was finally convicted of murder, Robert Durst died in prison a few days ago of natural causes at age 78.

However, those among us who haven’t watched the jaw-dropping documentary, The Jinx, have another Durst on their minds: Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst. And whenever a celebrity dies, plenty of people on Twitter are eager to weigh in and shared their condolences, memories, etc. But for this particularly celebrity death, plenty of people were mourning the loss of a musical talent instead of a murderous tycoon. Or, they assumed Robert was Fred’s father — neither are true!

And the mix up is pretty funny to watch. Have no fear, though, Fred Durst is alive and well and will live many more days to party rock in the USA, and Limp Bizkit even released a brand new song called “Dad Vibes” last year. Durst is not, I repeat is not dead — and is not 78. Fred is a mere 51. Not only is Fred a purveyor of nu metal and rap rock, but he’s also begun a film career in more recent years, so keep an eye out for his silver screen appearances as well. But before you do, check out all the hilarious reactions below.

Since its inception over the summer, the House select committee investigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021 have talked to hundreds of people closely affiliated with former president Donald Trump. Many of them have done so willingly, suggesting they want to avoid legal trouble. But not everyone has played ball. Some of Trump’s closest cronies, such as Steve Bannon and Mark Meadows, have defied subpoenas (and may wind up in jail). Now another die-hard ally is refusing to cooperate, even if it makes him look like a hypocrite.

As per The New York Times, Jim Jordan, the highly dunkable representative from Ohio and one of the loudest cheerleaders of 2020 voter fraud lies, published an angry letter denouncing the committee exploring the events that led to the Capitol riot.

“The American people are tired of Democrats’ nonstop investigations and partisan witch hunts,” Jordan — who was a key player in Republicans’ tireless attempts to unseat former president Barack Obama through hundreds of oversight hearings, hundreds of subpoenas — wrote. “This request is far outside the bounds of any legitimate inquiry, violates core constitutional principles and would serve to further erode legislative norms.”

It’s a sharp if predictable flip-flop from Jordan, who only two months ago claimed he had “nothing to hide” if they summoned him.

Jordan was not only one of the most prominent Republicans spreading voter fraud lies in the lead-up to Jan. 6. He also nervously admitted he spoke with Trump “multiple times” on the big day. He also almost had a spot on the very same committee he’s now blowing off, but he was booted because he might be called as a witness. And now here we are.

Jordan’s actions also reminded many on social media of Jordan’s role in another House select committee: the one investigating the 2012 Benghazi attack. Of the 10 separate investigations into that incident, the House was involved in six. Jordan was a staple of those hearings, angrily railing against former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who testified for a combined 11 hours, never defying a subpoena and always cooperating with their questions. Those investigations found no evidence of a cover-up or lying.

So if Hillary Clinton could play ball with multiple Republican-led investigations into Benghazi, surely Jordan can cooperate with one investigation into an attempted overthrowing of democracy, right? Nope, and people were quick to point out Jordan’s hypocrisy.

But Jordan clearly had bigger fish to fry, such as penning important tweets.

(Via NYT)

Miami is widely recognized for its infamous nightlife and year-round beach-ready weather. But it’s also an impressive destination for culturally diverse dining experiences. With a mix of eclectic, culturally diverse neighborhoods like Little Havana and Coral Gables all nestled within the city limits, Miami is actually a hub for avid food and drink lovers.

Traveling food expert David Hoffmann has dubbed Miami one of his favorite food-centric cities. Yes, he was born and raised in The Magic City, so maybe he’s a little biased, but that also means he knows the local food scene better than his fellow traveling food obsessives. Known as “David’s Been Here,” the travel host, producer, and social media influencer has been to 84 countries (and counting). He’s spent his time on the road searching for the most salivating dishes in every destination while sharing his best tips and travel advice along the way. It’s literally his job to find the best-tasting restaurants in every location, so his approval speaks volumes about the local food and beverage scene.

If you’re in the market for a trip to Miami and want a taste of the best cuisine it has to offer, keep reading below. From an ice cream shop to a haven for traditional Indian delicacies, Hoffmann’s guide to five must-visit eateries in Miami is a can’t-miss.

Best Burgers in Coral Gables

When you’re craving a quality burger in Miami, forget the fast-food joints. Instead, for a beautifully crafted, gourmet-style burger, stop by Clutch Burger in Coral Gables. Their enormous Swolf Burger is a monstrous tower of meat topped with seared pork belly, fried onions, and chorizo, and is a personal favorite of mine. Their sweet and savory Maui Wow-ee, which comes with a slice of pineapple on top, is another winner.

Vegans and vegetarians can also take part in the fun, as they also carry the popular Impossible burger!

Authentic Indian Flavors in Coral Gables

If you have a hankering for traditional Indian cuisine in Miami, you have to visit Bombay Darbar. If their warm and cozy interior doesn’t instantly transport you to India, their food will. Whether you’re craving succulent tandoori shrimp, rich and decadent butter chicken, or creamy saag paneer, it’s hard to go wrong with anything on their menu.

Their tandoori lamb chops are to die for, and you can’t leave without a taste of their syrupy gulab jamun!

The Tropical Ice Cream Capital of Miami

With over 80 unique ice cream flavors like coconut and platano, Miami’s tropical influences are on full display at Azucar in the Little Havana neighborhood. Get a taste of the Keys with their key lime ice cream, or maybe you’d rather have their Nutella or piña colada.

Their signature Abuela Maria flavor is a decadent mix of guava, cream cheese, and cookies that will have your mouth watering from the very first lick. It’s sweet and savory and the crunch from the cookies takes it to another level!

Books and Food

If you’re a foodie who also craves good books, you can’t miss one of Miami’s most unique establishments, Books & Books. It’s part bookstore, part restaurant, and offers a wide selection of bestsellers, new releases, and longtime classics. After you’ve browsed the shelves, you can reward yourself with delicious Miami staples like freshly made salsa and crispy yucca fries!

Fresh and Tropical

Fresh tropical juices may be super trendy now, but they’ve been Miami staples for decades. At Los Pinarenos Fruteria in Little Havana, you can buy a refreshing and nutritious freshly pressed juice that’s far tastier and healthier than anything you get in a carton or bottle. Whether you’re craving papaya, pineapple, mango, or even a sweet sugarcane juice, this spot in Miami’s most famous neighborhood is the best spot to quench your thirst and beat the Miami heat!

On Sunday night, NFL fans around the country were riveted by the absolute bananas game between the Raiders and Chargers that saw L.A. erase a 15-point deficit late in regulation thanks to five fourth down conversions of more than six yards, including a TD on 4th and 21 to force overtime.

At that point, all of the jokes about a possible gentlemen’s agreement to tie the game and send both teams to the playoffs, courtesy of the Colts’ stunning loss to the Jaguars, felt very real. After the two teams kicked field goals on their opening possession, the “tie to win” outcome felt incredibly real, and pretty much everyone outside of Pittsburgh found themselves rooting for the improbable accidental tie after so many jokes about purposefully kneeling the game out.

Ultimately, Vegas won on a last-second field goal from Daniel Carlson, possibly aided by a Chargers timeout after the Raiders seemed fairly content running the ball and risking little in the closing seconds. The Raiders weren’t the only Vegas entity to win on that play, as sportsbook managers down the street and across the country were sweating out a 10-figure loss if the Raiders and Chargers had ended in a tie.

That is because a number of enterprising gamblers realized that you could do some wild same-game parlays and get +186223 odds ($100 to win $186,223) on the ultimate “chaos parlay” of Jaguars ML (+700), Chargers +0.5 alt spread, and Raiders +0.5 alt spread at places like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and others all around the country — simply parlaying Jaguars ML and Chargers/Raiders tie only got you to +12000, but people realized they could game the same game parlay odds to get more than 10x the payout.

According to Blake Schuster of BetFTW, the combined liability for sportsbooks around the U.S. on the chaos parlay was north of $1 billion, which is a crazy amount on what would normally be a play that only a handful of degenerates would consider, but thanks to social media and the tie discussion going viral all week, there were an awful lot of people tailing the insane odds available and sportsbooks were deep in the sweats on Sunday night.

The best new hip-hop this week includes albums, videos, and songs from 2 Chainz, Gunna, and more.

Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending January 7, 2022.

Albums/EPs/Mixtapes

Gunna — DS4EVER

Otherwise recognized as Drip Season 4, Gunna’s latest release comes a little under two years since his last, Wunna. Not only is his growth as a writer evident, he also expands his collaboration pool, tapping pop singer Chloe, moody trap&B upstart Yung Bleu, and South Florida troublemaker Kodak Black to ride along with Gunna’s usual array of Atlanta trap mainstays like 21 Savage, Future, Lil Baby, and Young Thug. Worth the wait.

Singles/Videos

2 Chainz — “Million Dollars Worth Of Game” feat. 42 Dugg

When 2 Chainz raps, you listen, because he’s always giving out game.

Azizi Gibson — “Hate To See It” feat. Freddie Gibbs

Alt indie rapper Azizi Gibson teams up with one of his blog era forebears for a woozy meditation on the women who’ve held them down through the years.

Central Cee — “Retail Therapy”

A buzzing up-and-comer from West London, Central Cee advances the UK drill agenda with this standout from his upcoming mixtape, 23.

Cordae — “FABEV Freestyle”

Borrowing the beat from Kendrick Lamar’s 2017 “The Heart Part IV” freestyle, the Maryland native hypes his upcoming album, From A Bird’s Eye View.

Earl Sweatshirt — “Titanic”

All killer, no filler, Earl Sweatshirt returns with the first single from his own upcoming project, which he announced alongside its release.

Kota The Friend — “Dear Fear”

Kota The Friend is just days away from dropping his latest Lyrics To Go mixtape, and each single he’s released so far has lived up to its impressive reputation.

Young T & Bugsey — “Blessings”

The UK rap duo is likely feeling pretty blessed these days after their 2020 single “Don’t Rush” blew up on TikTok, setting the stage for the release of their new project Truth Be Told on a much higher plateau.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

If someone were to ask which member of the Beatles was first to chart a No. 1 hit on the charts after the band’s break-up, would you guess George Harrison? He was, with his song “My Sweet Lord” from his 1970 album “All Things Must Pass.” It would be his biggest hit as a solo artist.

The song is a pop hymn of sorts, with two mantras from different religious traditions—”Hallelujah” from Christianity and “Hare Krishna” from Hinduism—alternating throughout. According to songfacts.com, Harrison wanted to convey that the two phrases were essentially the same, both calling out to God.

As Harrison explained in the documentary “The Material World”: “First, it’s simple. The thing about a mantra, you see… mantras are, well, they call it a mystical sound vibration encased in a syllable. It has this power within it. It’s just hypnotic.”

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The song is simple, sweet and spiritual, hitting on some of the most fundamental elements of being human, which may explain its popularity. And now, a star-studded music video for the song is prompting reflection about the song’s meaning.

Directed by Lance Bangs and executive produced by Dhani Harrison and David Zonshine, the video stars Fred Armisen and Vanessa Bayer as agents who have been asked by their superior, played by Mark Hamill, to “search for that which can’t be seen.” Patton Oswalt, Taika Waititi, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Rosanna Arquette, Jon Hamm and others—including Ringo Starr—make cameo appearances in the video.

Harrison’s wife, Olivia, and son, Dhani, also appear in the video, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Watch:

People are loving the video, both for the reminder of what a good song it is and for the interpretation of how we can find what we’re seeking—God or truth or enlightenment—in the simple things that are right in front of us.

“The search never ends,” wrote one commenter. “Sometimes we look but we never see. Sometimes we see but we don’t understand. We hear, but do we listen? Life is up for grabs.”

“I think the spirit in which the video is made is George’s philosphy,” wrote another. “People with high tech looking for answers. But they’re constantly in the dark. The answer is not in a book. Turn on the light. Stop wandering around the world. The answers are in front of you but you’re not paying attention. You just need to tune in the message.”

“George has been gone 20 years, this song is 50 years old, and yet here we are watching a new music video for it featuring a ton of people famous actors and musicians,” wrote one person. “It just goes to show you the power of George’s music and the depth to which it is a part of us.”

Thousands of comments have poured in from people who are moved by “My Sweet Lord” and the message of the video five decades after the song was released, showing the true timelessness of Harrison’s mark on the world.

One of the most powerful commandments attributed to Jesus Christ is to “love thy neighbor as thy would thyself.” These words are a lot easier to say than put into action. But the pandemic provides a perfect opportunity for people to do so.

The best way someone can show their love for themselves and their neighbors during the current crisis is to get a coronavirus vaccination. A vaccination helps people protect themselves by making them less likely to get the virus and face hospitalization. It also makes it less likely for them to spread the virus to others.

It also helps reduce the stress on our strained healthcare system and frontline workers.

Pope Francis stressed this point on Monday in a speech his advisors accredited to the Holy See, an event that lays out the Vatican’s foreign policy goals for the year.

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Previously, the pope had called getting vaccinated an “act of love” and that it was “suicidal” to refuse a vaccine. In Catholicism, suicide is one of the worst acts a person can commit.

On Monday, he further pushed his followers to get vaccinated by referencing Christ’s call to “love thy neighbor” by saying that getting vaccinated shows “respect for the health of those around us. Health care is a moral obligation,” he asserted.

The pope also took dead aim at the politicians and opportunists who’ve spread misinformation about vaccines. “Frequently people let themselves be influenced by the ideology of the moment, often bolstered by baseless information or poorly documented facts,” he said, adding that people need a dose of “reality therapy.”

He made clear that vaccines are the most effective tools we have to combat the deadly virus.

“Vaccines are not a magical means of healing, yet surely they represent, in addition to other treatments that need to be developed, the most reasonable solution for the prevention of the disease,” he added.

The pope holds incredible sway over the 1.3 billion Catholics living around the world so it’s wonderful that he uses his pulpit to combat misinformation and to encourage people to look out for themselves and one another by getting vaccinated. That could be why Catholics have some of the highest percentages of vaccine acceptance among religious people.

A recent PRRI-IFYC survey found that 80% of U.S. Catholics support vaccination, with only 7% as “vaccine refusers.”

That number runs counter to white evangelical Christians who are among the most vaccine-hesitant of all religious groups. Recent studies show that somewhere between 30 to 40% of them refuse to get vaccinated.

The discrepancy between two different groups of Christians shows the importance that religious leaders can have over their congregants. A study published by Deseret News found that “82% of religious attenders with pro-vaccine pastors are fully vaccinated, compared to 58% of religious attenders with faith leaders who are either anti-vax or avoid the topic of vaccines.”

Hollywood has long been in the habit of remaking movies from other countries, especially if they do something they tend to do only better. But somehow no studio ever got around to remaking The Raid, the bonkers 2011 action movie from Indonesia, which is essentially one mind-blowing shoot-‘em’-up or fight scene after another. (There was an aborted attempt in the mid-aughts.) That, finally, belatedly, is about to change.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, no less than Michael Bay is producing a Netflix redo of the movie, which concerns a rookie cop (Iko Uwais) literally fighting for his life in a tenement overrun by a ruthless mob and their neverending army of tireless killers. Bay himself won’t be directing. Instead, that job will go to Patrick Hughes, whose credits include both The Hitman’s Bodyguard and its recent sequel, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, plus the forthcoming The Man from Toronto, with Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson.

Hughes specializes in action comedies, but there’s not much humor in The Raid, nor in its equally gory sequel. Once our hero enters the tenement building, every other scene that follows is a sweaty, bloody fight to death between a revolving door cast of martial arts masters. America doesn’t have a ton of those, but this remake does have an ace up its sleeve: Bay and team are moving the action to Philadelphia, the suddenly and deservedly in-vogue metropolis, whose regional charms worked like gangbusters last year with Mare of Easttown. As long as the fighters get the accents right and occasionally grab some Wawa coffee, then this should probably work out gangbusters.

(Via THR)