The Umbrella Academy’s most recent season ended in late July of 2020, and later that year something big happened to one of its main stars: Elliot Page came out as transgender. At the time, it wasn’t clear what would happen to his character, superheroic violinist Vanya Hargreeves. But with a few months before the new season begins, we now have an answer: Vanya will become Viktor.
On Tuesday, Page revealed that, like him, his character on Netflix’s take on the Dark Horse comic, will come out as trans. “Meet Viktor Hargreeves,” he posted, alongside a photo of his character sitting at a bar, looking a bit different than before.
Entertainment Weeklyconfirmed the news, while Netflix welcomed Viktor to the fold.
Since bowing in 2019, The Umbrella Academy has been singled out as one of the genre’s more fun and weirder offerings. When last we saw the team, they had traveled back to the 1960s to save the world from the apocalyptic mishegoss they’d unleashed in Season 1.
Page has been busy the last year-and-a-half, spending a lot of his time battling the growing number of disturbing anti-trans legislation, including the draconian one in Texas that claims trans health care is child abuse. At least there will soon be another strong trans character on one of Netflix’s most popular shows to give trans viewers someone to look up to.
The Umbrella Academy‘s third season hits Netflix on June 22.
Ever since going live almost two years ago, HBO Max has been on a spinoff craze. Any movie that gets attention winds up getting plundered for more content. There are endless DC shows, including multiple ones about the recent The Batman, including one about Colin Farrell’s the Penguin. Even Dune is getting a show about the Bene Gesserit. Now the streamer is going back to a series that concluded in 2019.
As per Variety, It, the two-film take on one of Stephen King’s most beloved doorstops to the big screen, is getting a prequel series that will air on HBO Max. Entitled Welcome to Derry, it will dive into the backstory of both the Maine town that wound up haunted by Pennywise, a murderous, shape-shifting creature that most often appears as a clown, as well as the origin of Pennywise himself.
Published in 1986, It was King’s 22nd book (and 17th under his own name), as well as one of his longest, running over 1,100 pages. Like many King works, it was adapted for the screen. It was first adapted into a 1990 TV miniseries, and later into an Indian TV show. The film version split the book into two movies. The first, tackling the characters’ younger days, arrived in 2017, and the second, starring the likes of James McAvoy, Bill Hader, and future Oscar-winner Jessica Chastain, in 2019. Both films were very long — Chapter Two ran nearly three hours — but now the franchise will be longer still.
We live in a time when the oldest among us grew up without most of the things today’s youth utilize in their daily lives. No computers, no televisions, no internet, no mobile phones (much less smartphones). It’s a completely different world, and that generation gap has only gotten wider the more quickly technology has advanced.
But a generation gap doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, there’s a great deal that people from different generations can learn from one another. And one gentleman from the grandparent generation is using TikTok to celebrate those differences with the most wholesome—and oddly soothing—videos.
Brian Smith was born in the 1940s and the world has changed incredibly since then. Smith acknowledges and marvels at what’s changed, while also asking questions of younger people, while also lulling everyone onto a Zen state with his David Attenborough-like voice.
In one video, he shared how strange it was that he made a phone call on his watch, which used to be used to tell time, while making a video on his phone, which used to be used to make phone calls.
Making a telephone call #phone #watch #time #tiktok
Then he followed up that video with a full-circle commentary on posting that video on TikTok, which is the sound that clocks and watches used to make. Delightful.
Smith shares snippets of history and also weighs in on current events. He has a special interest in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine because he made a Russian friend online a while back and learned to speak Russian as a result.
He shared his concerns many times in the months leading up to the invasion.
Reply to @green4x Peace in Ukraine #мир #peace #ukraine #украина #україна
But the generational commentary Smith shares is the best. It’s great to see someone of the older generation embracing technology, remaining curious and keeping an open mind. He loves to learn and it’s so fun to see him with one foot in his own generation and one in, as he says, “Generation Zed.”
The price of insulin has skyrocketed over the past decade. In fact, per-person spending on insulin, for those with employer-paid health insurance, doubled between 2012 and 2016. Today, the average list price for a vial of insulin for people without health insurance is $300 and some people need six per month. For those with insurance, the cost of the copay can vary from $30 to $50 per vial (though that could be much higher for people on a high-deductible health plan).
More than 8 million Americans with diabetes depend on insulin to survive. The high cost of the drug has forced one in every four people with diabetes to ration or skip doses.
The factors involved in drug pricing can be complicated but it’s pretty clear that the cost of insulin is on the rise because pharmaceutical companies are able to charge what they like. America has very relaxed policies on drug pricing, compared to the rest of the world, so companies take full advantage. “They are doing it because they can,” Jing Luo, a researcher at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, told Vox, “and it’s scary because it happens in all kinds of different drugs and drug classes.”
The cost of insulin has put such a strain on American families that the Biden administration placed a $35 cap on the drug in its Build Back Better bill. However, that bill is currently on hold in the Senate.
The inventors of insulin sold the patent for just $1 so it would be available to all.nn97 years later, Americans are dying because drugmakers like Eli Lilly charge $300 for a vial of insulin. Tomorrow I will be joining diabetics to buy insulin in Canada for one-tenth the price.pic.twitter.com/QbvLnr91Wt
The good news is that for some Americans with diabetes, relief from high insulin prices may soon be in sight.
Earlier this month, Civica Rx, a nonprofit generic drug maker backed by hospitals, insurers and philanthropies, announced that it plans to manufacture and sell insulin for a maximum of $30 a vial. The company hopes the drug will be available at pharmacies as early as 2024. Before it makes it to market it must be approved by the FDA and Civica Rx has to finish constructing its 140,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Virginia.
The company predicts its products could make up around 30% of the U.S. insulin market.
“That’s actually a fairly fast development time for a product like this,” said Civica’s Allan Coukell. “For Civica as a nonprofit, we’re going to manufacture these insulins and sell them for close for what it costs us to make them – without any huge markup.”
The company says there’s also a plan to prevent any retail markups.
“We’ll actually have a transparent pricing policy where we say nobody should pay more than—for example, for a vial, $30—at the pharmacy counter. And we’re going to say that right on the vial: ‘this is the maximum price anybody should pay’ so that there’s no downstream markups that unfairly target the consumer,” Coukell said.
It’s obscene that in the richest country in the world people are getting gouged for a product they need to stay alive. The price of insulin is a life-or-death issue and Civica Rx should be commended for stepping up and doing the work to help people struggling with diabetes while we wait for the government to act.
When I was a kid growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, on school picture day you posed in front of a backdrop that resembled something you’d see in a Sears portrait studio. But these days a lot of school photographers pose children in front of green screens so their parents can choose a background later.
The process is called “chroma keying” and it’s used for dropping digital effects into movies. The problem is that if you wear green in front of the screen, part of you will disappear when the new background is added.
Sugar Grove Elementary in Indianapolis, Indiana ran into some serious problems earlier this month after it decided to have picture day on St. Patrick’s Day. The school had scheduled its spring photos twice but the dates were changed due to inclement weather.
A few days after the photo shoot, parents got a real shock when the photo proofs arrived and their kids were partially invisable in the photos. They had floating, disembodied heads, and their clothing seemed to blend into the background of the shots.
Amanda Snow, the mother of a kindergartner at the school, thought the proofs of her son were hilarious so she posted them in a local mothers’ group asking if anyone else had the same issue.
“Honestly, I just couldn’t wait to see other parents’ pictures, and it ended up being a hilarious fiasco. Just because it’s so funny,” Snow said. After Snow’s post, the photos began pouring in.
A girl became one with a flower bed. One young boy blended into the fence near a pasture. Another boy was cut in half by a dirt road. After the photos were sent to parents, the school’s principal sent a message home saying, “Don’t worry, the photography studio can fix this in post-production.”
Snow’s son was understandably confused by the photos.
“It was kind of hard to explain to him what was happening because he’s 6, but as soon as he saw all the different options, he was just laughing because it looks like he’s a fence or looks like he’s a field,” Snow said. “So he thought it was really funny.”
The photos came with a warning from Inter-State Studio, the company that took the photos.
“The image is not the final product because it gets fixed in post-production,” the company said. “We appreciate the opportunity to respond to this specific instance. Everyone has had such a good sense of humor about this!”
The photos have been so memorable that Snow wants to keep the original proofs. “I might reach out to the company and see if I can get the unedited ones because honestly they’ve brought me so much joy and laughter over the last days,” Snow told WKYC.
The botched photo shoot goes to show that sometimes doing things the old-fashioned way is the right way to go. Let’s hope that the next time the school has a photo shoot on St. Patrick’s Day they remind families to send their kids with an extra set of clothes.
If you’re looking for a destination that combines historical significance, a heaping of adventure, and one-of-a-kind experiences, you should book a trip to Jordan stat. Not only is it an underrated vacation spot for those who love a classic seaside resort getaway, but it’s also home to vast desert landscapes, unique cultural traditions, and ancient monuments, like the site where some dude name Jesus was baptized.
Humans have been roaming the streets of Jordan since the Paleolithic era and it’s still a bucket-list-worthy location today. That said, many Western world travelers aren’t exactly sure what to expect when visiting Jordan. That was the case for Tonia Olabisi, a 27-year-old British-Nigerian traveler based in London, England who frequently ventures to places far and wide while sharing her experiences through Instagram and TikTok. And yet, Jordan turned out to be one of her all-time favorite trips so far.
“The excitement of exploring other countries, experiencing other cultures, meeting a diverse range of people, and being able to visit places I have only seen in videos and pictures inspires me to travel,” Olabisi tells UPROXX. “When I travel, I feel as though my soul really comes alive. It is definitely what I am passionate about.”
Of all the incredible places she’s gone, Jordan stands out as one of Olabisi’s most memorable travel experiences. “Jordan is a country that every single person should have on their travel bucket list, you will not regret it. The entire country is a hidden gem.”
Check out Olabisi’s travel guide below. She’s sharing where to stay, eat, adventure, and explore in Jordan.
Jordan had initially been on my bucket list for years, as I have a desire to visit all seven wonders of the world. However, I was astonished by just how many unique experiences I was able to have during my visit. The country has an incredibly diverse landscape which meant I was able to go from the busy city of Amman to the isolated desert of Wadi Rum within one trip and create so many lifelong memories.
I mostly loved how rich Jordanian history is, every site I visited had such unique stories attached. I believe Jordan is a must-visit destination because it really does have something to offer every single kind of traveler.
Tonia Olabisi
What’s one thing that every first-time visitor should see or do in Jordan?
Every person that steps foot in Jordan absolutely has to visit the ancient city of Petra! The ancient city of Petra dates back to 300 B.C. and it is one of the seven wonders of the world. Its highlights include the Treasury Building and the Monastery. The site is massive and I would recommend exploring the site over two to three days if you’d like the explore everything in depth.
On selected nights, there is also a night show where the site is lit up with hundreds of candles and a ceremony takes place in front of the treasury. This experience is not to be missed and usually attracts 600-plus guests each evening it is on.
What are the top historic and cultural sites to visit in Jordan?
My top historic site would have to be the Baptismal site of Jesus, an archaeological World Heritage site in Jordan. The bible is the most read book in the world and guests are able to see the exact site where Jesus Christ was baptized. Regardless of religious beliefs, being able to visit a site with such significance to so many people around the world was a very heart-warming and reflective moment for me.
Also, the Ancient City of Petra was an important cultural site. I was able to learn about the historical importance the city used to have as well as immerse myself into the Bedouin culture.
I would have to say the best food scene I came across was in Amman because there was such a range of delicious options to choose from for very reasonable prices. My favorite eatery would have to be Habibah Sweets. When I visited there was a long queue around the corner consisting mainly of locals, and anyone who travels knows anywhere locals eat usually tends to have the most authentic delicious foods. This dessert store has been around for over 70 years and I can confirm it was some of the best desserts I have ever tasted whilst traveling. It’s famous for its Knafeh, which is a Middle Eastern dessert made with unripened baked cheese soaked in rose syrup.
Where to find adventure and outdoor excursions in Jordan?
Jordan is an adventure lover’s dream. My first recommendation for an outdoor excursion would be taking a jeep tour of the Wadi Rum desert. Most tours usually include a range of six to nine stops, which involve exploring some significant sites, which even include some rock climbing. My other recommendation if you prefer outdoor water excursions would be a visit to the Wadi Mujib River. Wadi Mujib is a trail that leads visits through a canyon in between beautiful rock formations and through a river.
Tonia Olabisi
What surprised you most about Jordan?
If I am honest, pretty much everything surprised me in Jordan. I decided to visit with a very open mind and literally had no idea what to expect, but the country was so much more than I could have imagined or predicted. I found myself constantly learning about the history of the country and its significant contributions to the world. However, if I have to choose one thing I would say learning that Jordan had famous ‘healing’ hot springs near the Dead Sea in Northern Jordan was a surprise. It just isn’t something that is usually associated with Jordan and being able to swim in the same pool as Herod the Great was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The coolest hotel I stayed in whilst visiting Jordan is definitely Aicha Luxury Camp in Wadi Rum. I stayed in one of the panoramic rooms which meant I was able to watch the sunset from the comfort of my bed and then I was able to fall asleep under the stars. The staff were incredibly friendly, the food was delicious, and the facilities were great. In addition, the camp also offered a free astrology experience, whereby guests were led into the desert to stargaze and learn about some of the histories of the stars.
I have never experienced anything like it before and I would highly recommend it as a must-stay accommodation for anyone visiting Wadi Rum.
The best times to visit Jordan are either in the Spring (March to May) or Autumn (September to November). During these times the country is fairly dry, but the weather isn’t too hot for exploring. I visited Jordan in early October and the weather was perfect, but there weren’t too many crowds at any of the major sites.
As per The Hollywood Reporter, in its first three days, the show’s second season Hoovered up 193 million hours of viewing time worldwide, the highest of any English-language Netflix series ever. It was only the second highest opening weekend overall, coming behind only Money Heist (aka La Casa de Papel), the Spanish crime drama that began in 2017 and whose most recent season nabbed 201.9 million hours last fall.
Here’s where we remind you that Netflix is the only one making these claims. They refuse to make their stats public, not allowing other, independent groups to verify their data. The same day they claimed Bridgerton had record-breaking numbers, they also asserted that Ryan Reynolds was effectively their biggest movie star, appearing in three of the 10 most-watched original films in the streamer’s history.
If you’ve ever dreamed of trading places with a famous pop star for a day, well, you’re in luck. Mega-star Bad Bunny, who also happens to be an actor and occasional professional wrestler, is now adding Airbnb Host to his eclectic resume. To celebrate the finale of his sold-out El Último Tour Del Mundo 2022 tour in Miami, he’s inviting select fans to spend a night in his decked-out matte black big rig, a one-of-a-kind truck with a 53-foot trailer (as seen on his latest album cover). It’s a go big and go home situation.
Eric Rojas
“Being on tour has reconnected me with my fans and the energy they give me during each show in every city we visit is incredible,” said Bad Bunny. “I’m hoping that by hosting guests in my truck I can give them a chance to feel like they’re on tour with me. This truck has played such a big role in the concept of my tour and my last album that I want to share this unique experience with them.”
The rig was designed by West Coast Customs — remember Pimp My Ride on MTV? With chrome flames, a customized grill and lights, and all leather interiors, the automobile turned Airbnb draws inspiration from Bunny’s bold style choices, vibrant persona, as well as scenes in some of his most popular music videos.
Eric Rojas
Bad Bunny’s big rig is only available for three individual one-night stays on April 6, April 7, and April 8 for two guests each at $91 a night — in honor of his 9.1 billion Spotify streams in 2021. Not only do guests get a unique pop culture-inspired lodging experience, but they also get:
VIP tickets to his sold-out tour in Miami ahead of the stay
A photoshoot with the big rig to live out guests’ inner superstar fantasies
A sound system so you can play Bad Bunny’s hottest tracks
A tour of Bad Bunny’s favorite Miami stops
A recorded virtual greeting from Bad Bunny upon arrival
Are you ready to live like a celeb? Avid Bad Bunny fans can now request to book their stay at airbnb.com/badbunny.
While early 2022 was the time for true-crime series about scammers, spring 2022 will unofficially be known as the season of true crime mini-series focused on small-town murders.
The trailer for FX’s latest mini-series Under The Banner Of Heaven just dropped, featuring Andrew Garfield in what will surely be one of his best roles of the year.
The series will tell the heartbreaking real-life story behind the murder of Brenda Wright Lafferty (played by Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her baby daughter in Utah in 1984. Garfield portrays Detective Jeb Pryne as he uncovers the truth behind the gruesome murder. The series is based on the true-crime bestseller by Jon Krakauer. The official synopsis, from FX:
Under the Banner of Heaven is an original limited series inspired by the true crime bestseller by Jon Krakauer, which follows the events that led to the 1984 murder of Brenda Wright Lafferty and her baby daughter in a suburb in the Salt Lake Valley, Utah. As Detective Jeb Pyre investigates events that transpired within the Lafferty family, he uncovers buried truths about the origins of the LDS religion and the violent consequences of unyielding faith. What Pyre, a devout Mormon, unearths leads him to question his own faith.
The seven-episode series will air on FX on Hulu beginning April 28th. The show also stars Sam Worthington, Denise Gough, Wyatt Russell, Billy Howle, Gil Birmingham, Adelaide Clemens, Rory Culkin, Seth Numrich, Chloe Pirrie and Sandra Seacat. Check out the trailer above.
Netflix has only been making original movies since 2015, and while they’ve attracted the likes of Adam Sandler, Sandra Bullock, and Mark Wahlberg, one star has reigned above them all: Ryan Reynolds. As per The Hollywood Reporter, the streamer recently updated their list of 10 most popular Netflix films, and Reynolds is in three of them — more than any other performer.
Netflix recently dropped The Adam Project, the sci-fi adventure starring Reynolds as a time-traveling pilot who teams up with his younger self to save the future. It was a big hit, quickly cracking the top 10, which is based on how many hours each film has been viewed in their first 28 days. Worth noting: The film was released only two-and-a-half weeks ago, meaning it cracked the list but quick. (Also worth nothing: Netflix doesn’t release actual data and their claims can’t be verified by others, so take all this with a quarry of salt.)
The other two Reynolds movies that Netflix subscribers watched in droves: 6 Underground, their Michael Bay action movie, and Red Notice, in which the star was joined by Dwayne Johnson and Gal Gadot. The latter is (allegedly!) the most-watched Netflix original film ever, with Don’t Look Up not far behind. Bullock, meanwhile, appears to be Netflix’s number two star, with Bird Box and The Unforgivable wrangling in the streams. Meanwhile, Marvel villain Martin Scorsese has the sixth-most watched Netflix film, The Irishman, which has the benefit of being over an hour longer than most of the streamer’s films.
You can see the Netflix Top 10 (and the hours each has been watched) below. Meanwhile, all hail Ryan Reynolds, king of Netflix.
1. Red Notice, 364 million hours
2. Don’t Look Up, 359.8 million
3. Bird Box, 282 million
4. Extraction, 231.3 million
5. The Unforgivable, 214.7 million
6. The Irishman, 214.6 million
7. The Adam Project, 209.7 million
8. The Kissing Booth 2, 209.3 million
9. 6 Underground, 205.5 million
10. Spencer Confidential, 197.3 million
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