Month: June 2023

“Give ’em hell, Indiana Jones!,” yells Indy’s longtime compatriot, Sallah – right before our hero, Indiana Jones, steps into traffic and almost gets run over by a car outside the airport. These are just kind of the way things are now for Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford, who is legitimately great in this), who, when we first meet him in 1969, is a shell of who he once was. A man who has faced loss and hasn’t quite given up – he still teaches archeology; now at Hunter College on Manhattan’s Upper East Side – but now needs a lot of whisky to get through his days and nights. As we see, often waking up in the morning, passed out on his reclining chair with the television still on, woken up by the hippies next door blasting The Beatles’ “Magical Mystery Tour.”

Actually, let’s back up, because, when we actually first meet Indy in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, it’s 1944 in the thick of the second world war. This is the 20 plus minute opening sequence that has gotten a lot of attention for bringing the Indy we knew from the first three movies back to the big screen with the latest in de-aging technology. I have to admit, it looks pretty good. I feel comfortable saying it looks as good as this sequence could possibly look with today’s technology. The main issue is when Indy talks, Ford does his best to put a youthful spin on his voice, but it’s not always there and often sounds like the more gruff current day Ford. But regardless, it’s still pretty remarkable and is about the correct length where James Mangold and the filmmakers involved can show off what they accomplished, but also doesn’t wear out its welcome. (I suspect in five years this won’t look near as good as it does now, but, again, for now, this is the best I’ve seen.)

This whole sequence is to establish the Antikythera, the dial from the title of this movie. (There is no actual mention of a “dial of destiny” in this movie just like there is no actual mention of a “temple of doom.”) Indy and his partner, Basil Shaw (Toby Jones), infiltrate a Nazi stronghold to rescue an ancient artifact from the hands of Hitler – only to realize the piece they are after is a fake anyway. But, while there, they come across half of the Antikythera, a pet project of a Nazi engineer named Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen, chewing scenery) who believes the dial has incredible powers. As you may know, Indiana Jones does not like Nazis and fights Voller to keep that half of the dial out of his hands. Indy and Basil succeed and are rescued by the Allies.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Helena Shaw winds up being a much more interesting character than advertised. The daughter of Basil, she comes snooping around Indy’s school asking about Antikythera, which became her father’s obsession. Helena tricks Indy into showing it to her, then promptly steals it from him and heads off to Tangier to sell it to the highest bidder in a black market auction. Helena represents a version of the Indiana Jones we meet in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom if Indy hadn’t learned any life lessons and was still in it for the “fortune and glory.” I’ve always maintained that’s why I find Temple of Doom being a prequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark so interesting. Indiana Jones is an asshole. His motivation, again, is fortune and glory. Helena represents this side of Indiana Jones, with some obvious parallels: a degree in archeology, a father obsessed with one specific artifact, and she even has a young kid as a partner (Ethann Isidore) who she caught trying to steal from her. Helena saw what archeology did to her father and decided to skip all the soul searching and move onto the fortune and glory part.

Helena is a scoundrel and Indy doesn’t like her very much, but the two do realize they need each other’s expertise to find the other half of the dial: Helena knows everything about the dial from memorizing her father’s journals. Indy can read languages and codes she can’t, and more importantly has connections at every stop along the way who can get them to where they need to go – like Antonio Banderas’s Renaldo, who owns a diving boat that Indy needs. (It’s funny, Banderas seems to be having a great time, but also seems to only be in this movie because he just really wanted to be in an Indiana Jones movie. I can’t blame him.) Why does Indy want the dial? Because his old enemy Jürgen Voller (now living under a different name in Alabama, helping the United States build rockets that won the space race) wants the Dial. And Voller and his Nazi lackeys, as you might not be surprised to learn, are still sore about the whole “losing WWII” thing – Voller refuses to concede the Allies won WWII, his contention is Hitler was stupid and lost the war – and think the dial can help change all that. (Mixed in with Voller’s crew is a subplot about the CIA helping them that goes absolutely nowhere and, at least at the beginning, adds confusion and is eventually dropped and probably should have just been dropped completely.)

So here’s the thing, the third act of this movie is both audacious and outlandish. But the crazier it got, the more I liked it. I’ve re-watched the other four movies very recently. I think there’s a misconception from people who haven’t seen them in awhile that they are based on some sort of gritty reality. I re-watched Raiders of the Lost Ark with someone who hadn’t seen it before and she found the ending over the top. Basically, here’s this movie set in reality, then all of a sudden ghosts are flying out of the Ark killing people while Indy does a whole bunch of nothing. Personally, I’m just so used to Raiders I’ve never really thought of it that way before. I love the movie, but she’s not wrong. All the movies are like that. And the thing about Dial of Destiny is it doubles down, or even triples down, on that idea. Dial of Destiny is much less about nostalgia than Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull even was (a movie I also just rewatched and has some good moments, but makes little sense and not much of anything happens), instead coming at us with the attitude of just going, “all in,” and you are either in for this ride or you are not. (I very much was.)

One last thing, without getting into spoilers, this is a very fun movie (as I tried to convey in the headline), but Indy’s arc is poignant and also sad. It’s kept in the background, but it’s there. In that I found the ending of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny much more satisfying than Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, to the point I teared up a bit and that’s not something I’ve ever done during an Indiana Jones movie before. I mentioned earlier that Indiana Jones is in a bad place when we first meet him in this one. He’s the only one who doesn’t seem to realize that, often mentioning that Marion was the one who he couldn’t help. It becomes increasingly obvious as the movie goes on it’s the opposite. Indiana Jones comes pretty close to making a decision at the end that I would have hated. Luckily, his support system won’t allow it. But he’s at a point he feels he’s got nothing left. But that’s not true. In the final scene of any Indiana Jones movie starring Harrison Ford we will ever get, he’s asked, “are you back?” Not from his adventure, but from his anguish; cutting off the people in his life who love him. Yes, Indiana Jones is back.

You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter.

50 Cent recently expressed regret over recreating his “In Da Club” video by hanging upside down during the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show in February 2022.

“I think that was a mistake for the Super Bowl,” 50 Cent told USA Today last month, shortly after announcing his massive The Final Lap Tour. “Everybody else walked in regular. The songs still went over, and they got a trophy, too. They all won an Emmy. They got the same thing I got, and I had to put myself upside down.”

50 Cent is also featured in an upside-down shot toward the end of the official trailer for Expend4bles, the long-awaited fourth installment of the Expendables film franchise.

Lionsgate’s official synopsis explains where 50 fits in:

“A new generation of stars join the world’s top action stars for an adrenaline-fueled adventure in Expend4bles. Reuniting as the team of elite mercenaries, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and Sylvester Stallone are joined for the first time by Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, and Andy Garcia. Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on and the skills to use them, The Expendables are the world’s last line of defense and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table. But new team members with new styles and tactics are going to give ‘new blood’ a whole new meaning.”

50 Cent’s excitement for the film is palpable on his Instagram grid. He’s posted four times about it in the last day, including a promise that Expend4bles is “no joke” and an admission that he “kept hearing ‘If he dies, he dies’ in my head” when doing scenes with Lundgren.

The two-plus-minute trailer introduces 50 as “the new guy,” and he implores the team, “Remember this face. Don’t shoot it by accident.” He isn’t seen again until the 1:44 mark, where he’s either hanging upside inside a car with his gun or the shot is just flipped upside down for some unknown reason — maybe a subtle nod to “In Da Club.”

Watch the full trailer above.

Expend4bles hits theaters 9/22. Find more information here.

50 Cent recently expressed regret over recreating his “In Da Club” video by hanging upside down during the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show in February 2022.

“I think that was a mistake for the Super Bowl,” 50 Cent told USA Today last month, shortly after announcing his massive The Final Lap Tour. “Everybody else walked in regular. The songs still went over, and they got a trophy, too. They all won an Emmy. They got the same thing I got, and I had to put myself upside down.”

50 Cent is also featured in an upside-down shot toward the end of the official trailer for Expend4bles, the long-awaited fourth installment of the Expendables film franchise.

Lionsgate’s official synopsis explains where 50 fits in:

“A new generation of stars join the world’s top action stars for an adrenaline-fueled adventure in Expend4bles. Reuniting as the team of elite mercenaries, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and Sylvester Stallone are joined for the first time by Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, and Andy Garcia. Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on and the skills to use them, The Expendables are the world’s last line of defense and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table. But new team members with new styles and tactics are going to give ‘new blood’ a whole new meaning.”

50 Cent’s excitement for the film is palpable on his Instagram grid. He’s posted four times about it in the last day, including a promise that Expend4bles is “no joke” and an admission that he “kept hearing ‘If he dies, he dies’ in my head” when doing scenes with Lundgren.

The two-plus-minute trailer introduces 50 as “the new guy,” and he implores the team, “Remember this face. Don’t shoot it by accident.” He isn’t seen again until the 1:44 mark, where he’s either hanging upside inside a car with his gun or the shot is just flipped upside down for some unknown reason — maybe a subtle nod to “In Da Club.”

Watch the full trailer above.

Expend4bles hits theaters 9/22. Find more information here.

One of the largest, most remote, and rugged National Monuments in the United States is one you may not yet be familiar with: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. A vast protected area located in southern Utah, the monument covers an area of approximately 1.9 million acres of stunningly diverse landscape – including rugged canyons, towering cliffs, waterfalls, natural bridges, and arches.

Despite its remote location, Southern Utah – specifically Garfield County – is an adventurer’s paradise, with the world’s largest concentration of scenic attractions in one county. With two National Parks (Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef), three state parks (Kodachrome Basin, Anasazi Museum), and Escalante Petrified Forest, as well as National Recreation Areas and National Monuments (including the vast Grand Staircase-Escalante), this is one of the true outdoor epicenters of the nation.

It’s also home to the coolest “glampground” I’ve ever visited – Yonder Escalante. Here is why you should make it your base camp for your adventure to Bryce Canyon Country.

WHY IT’S AWESOME:

Yonder Escalante is perfectly situated off the gorgeous Scenic Byway 12 surrounded by the vast open spaces and geological formations of Southern Utah. It feels like a secret oasis among a rugged, desolate environment from the moment you drive into the property – with attentive staff, luxurious accommodations, a beautiful pool for a hot summer day, and – the best part, in my opinion – a drive-in movie theater playing classics each night. It’s a destination in itself in the middle of so many.

IN-HOUSE FOOD AND DRINK:

Each Airstream, cabin, RV site, and campsite has a private fire pit for cooking up meals, and if you don’t want to prep yourself Yonder has DIY meal kits available in the general store. Each meal kit includes a protein (choose from local NY strip steaks, roasted chicken, or a Beyond bratwurst), a choice of two sides, bread, and dessert. It’s a thoughtful addition that keeps the glam in glamping.

For breakfast, there is an on-site food truck serving until 11 am that also opens on weekends for dinner. Pro-tip: try the “Best in the State Breakfast Sandwich” with local Kanab meats sausage patty, fried egg, American cheese, crispy hash brown, and ketchup, on a griddled potato bun. It’s delectable and perfect before a day spent hiking or after a night with a few glasses of wine.

When dusk rolls around you can enjoy the concession stand at the Drive-In Theater. Located in its own vintage Airstream the concession stand offers traditional concession fare like hot dogs, nachos, candy, and beer – and free popcorn.

AMENITIES:

• Drive-in theater with vintage cars and nightly movies
• Private spa-like bathhouses with Dyson hairdryers
• Heated greenhouse-inspired open-air showers
• Oversized pool and hot tub
• Self-service laundry
• Indoor/outdoor clubhouse with fire pits, books, board games, and a record player
• Complimentary coffee, tea, and light breakfast snacks
• Private fire-pits at each unit
• Shop with curated provisions and merchandise

ROOM TYPES:

Yonder is unique from many “glampgrounds” in that it has several options for lodgings. From refurbished vintage Airstreams to stylish cabins to RV sites – you have your pick of interesting abodes.

AIRSTREAMS:

There are 10 vintage Airstreams on the property at Yonder – each lovingly restored and furnished with midcentury furniture, a kitchenette, and an HVAC system. The Airstreams also offer a private fire pit and table with chairs outside of each unit to roast marshmallows or grab a glass of wine while watching the sunset.

CABINS:

The cabins at Yonder were custom designed to provide the comforts of a cabin with the beauty of nature through high ceilings and large glass walls looking out onto the property. Cabins are climate controlled and each includes a mini-fridge, microwave, lounger, and private outdoor fire pit.

RV SITES:

Deluxe RV sites include full electrical, water, and sewer hook-ups, a personal fire pit, and an oversized picnic table. Max 35 feet, each site is on a leveled concrete pad and includes access to all of Yonder’s amenities.

VANLIFE/CAMPSITES:

Yonder also has sites for campervans or tents (up to 2 per site) on the property. Sites include electrical and water hookups, oversized picnic tables, charcoal grills, and personal fire pits. All sites include access to Yonder amenities.

BEST THINGS TO DO WITHIN A 15-MINUTE WALK:

The coolest thing to do within a 15-minute walk is, of course, the Drive-in theater on the property. Playing cult classics films each night at dusk, there are vintage cars parked for visitors to sit inside to watch (with radios and heaters if needed) as well as plenty of space to bring your chair and enjoy the show. I happily watched Goonies and The Princess Bride during my stay with some popcorn and hard Kombucha from the concession stand. It was as magical as it sounds.

BEST THINGS TO DO WITHIN A ONE-HOUR DRIVE:

GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT – HOLE-IN-THE-ROCK ROAD – 20 miles to start

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is huge – but luckily has many spectacular and accessible areas, like Hole-In-The-Rock Road. Located just 20 miles from Yonder, the 55.5 miles of gravel road leads to many of the most popular sites in the monument – one of the most popular being Devil’s Garden just 12 miles down the road. Further, you’ll stop at Dry Fork of Coyote Gulch trailhead where you can access the non-technical Peek-a-boo and Spooky slot canyons.

BURR TRAIL ROAD – 30 miles to start in Boulder, UT

Burr Trail Road is one of the most scenic drives in a state that is nearly exclusively made up of scenic drives. The 67.4 mil road, originally constructed as a cattle road between Boulder Utah, and Bullfrog Marina in Lake Powell takes explorers through not only Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument but also portions of Capitol Reef National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Be sure to stop at Singing Canyon – a beautiful slot canyon just off the road and be aware of the weather as the road is only paved to the boundary of Capitol Reef National Park and may become impassable during certain conditions.

HELL’S BACKBONE GRILL & FARM – 29 miles

Boulder, Utah is one of the most remote locations in Utah, with a population of just 250. Surprisingly, it is also home to the only restaurant in Utah ever named a James Beard semi-finalist for outstanding restaurant – and they’ve done it multiple times.

Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm is a farm-to-table restaurant that is unassuming and delicious with seasonal and unique dishes that make the difficulty of getting a reservation well worth it. Pro-tip: drive and hike on Burr Trail Road before dinner as the road begins nearly next door.

BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK – 46 miles

Bryce Canyon National Park is something you have to see to believe. With its striking hoodoos and dramatic vistas – this is a park not to be missed for any outdoor lover. Hike Queens Garden or around on the Rim Trail which hits elevations over 9,000 ft before descending into the canyon to hike the easy and accessible Mossy Cave Trail.

BED GAME: 8/10

The Bed in my Airstream was almost too comfortable – I slept in both mornings of my stay instead of waking up to watch the sunrise as I had planned. The linens felt very luxe with plenty of pillows (this really matters to me) and a fluffy-down comforter. With windows all around and adjustable reading lights, it was the perfect place to sleep, lounge, and read.

SEXINESS RATING: 7/10

Yonder Escalante is family-friendly and luxuriously rugged, but the style adds some sexiness to the overall feel. The elevated bathhouses and pool/spa area are sleek while the accommodations are light-filled and inviting.

VIEWS/PIC SPOTS: 9/10

Everywhere! Honestly, though, the entire place is an Instagrammers dream – but without being cheesy. The backdrop of Grand Staricase-Escalante coupled with the vintage Airstreams and Drive-In theater juxtaposed with sleek modern cabins and amenities is fresh and fun. There is an aesthetic for anyone that goes far beyond the normal glamping resort.

I especially loved taking photos of the vintage cars permanently parked at the Drive-In Theater. The colors and styles are unexpected and joyful in the middle of the desert.

BEST SEASON TO VISIT:

Open seasonally from generally mid-March to November, the glamping resort closes for the winter months. I visited in early April and while the nights were still chilly and the pool hadn’t yet opened it was warm during the day and the heater in my Airstream kept me toasty at night.

IF I HAD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE THING:

It’s hard to find anything to complain about here, honestly… The location, amenities, and staff were all top-notch. But if I was forced, I’d say that the distance between parking and my Airstream site was a bit long as well as the distance between the Airstream and clubhouse/pool area. To mitigate that, Yonder is very accommodating and with a simple text, a staff member will pick you and your luggage up in a golf cart to or from your site.

BOOK HERE:

Choose your adventure here. Airstreams start at $249/night, Cabins at $229/night, deluxe RV sites at $119/night, and van life/campsites at $69/night.

INSTAGRAM IMAGES TAKEN AT YONDER ESCALANTE:

One of the largest, most remote, and rugged National Monuments in the United States is one you may not yet be familiar with: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. A vast protected area located in southern Utah, the monument covers an area of approximately 1.9 million acres of stunningly diverse landscape – including rugged canyons, towering cliffs, waterfalls, natural bridges, and arches.

Despite its remote location, Southern Utah – specifically Garfield County – is an adventurer’s paradise, with the world’s largest concentration of scenic attractions in one county. With two National Parks (Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef), three state parks (Kodachrome Basin, Anasazi Museum), and Escalante Petrified Forest, as well as National Recreation Areas and National Monuments (including the vast Grand Staircase-Escalante), this is one of the true outdoor epicenters of the nation.

It’s also home to the coolest “glampground” I’ve ever visited – Yonder Escalante. Here is why you should make it your base camp for your adventure to Bryce Canyon Country.

WHY IT’S AWESOME:

Yonder Escalante is perfectly situated off the gorgeous Scenic Byway 12 surrounded by the vast open spaces and geological formations of Southern Utah. It feels like a secret oasis among a rugged, desolate environment from the moment you drive into the property – with attentive staff, luxurious accommodations, a beautiful pool for a hot summer day, and – the best part, in my opinion – a drive-in movie theater playing classics each night. It’s a destination in itself in the middle of so many.

IN-HOUSE FOOD AND DRINK:

Each Airstream, cabin, RV site, and campsite has a private fire pit for cooking up meals, and if you don’t want to prep yourself Yonder has DIY meal kits available in the general store. Each meal kit includes a protein (choose from local NY strip steaks, roasted chicken, or a Beyond bratwurst), a choice of two sides, bread, and dessert. It’s a thoughtful addition that keeps the glam in glamping.

For breakfast, there is an on-site food truck serving until 11 am that also opens on weekends for dinner. Pro-tip: try the “Best in the State Breakfast Sandwich” with local Kanab meats sausage patty, fried egg, American cheese, crispy hash brown, and ketchup, on a griddled potato bun. It’s delectable and perfect before a day spent hiking or after a night with a few glasses of wine.

When dusk rolls around you can enjoy the concession stand at the Drive-In Theater. Located in its own vintage Airstream the concession stand offers traditional concession fare like hot dogs, nachos, candy, and beer – and free popcorn.

AMENITIES:

• Drive-in theater with vintage cars and nightly movies
• Private spa-like bathhouses with Dyson hairdryers
• Heated greenhouse-inspired open-air showers
• Oversized pool and hot tub
• Self-service laundry
• Indoor/outdoor clubhouse with fire pits, books, board games, and a record player
• Complimentary coffee, tea, and light breakfast snacks
• Private fire-pits at each unit
• Shop with curated provisions and merchandise

ROOM TYPES:

Yonder is unique from many “glampgrounds” in that it has several options for lodgings. From refurbished vintage Airstreams to stylish cabins to RV sites – you have your pick of interesting abodes.

AIRSTREAMS:

There are 10 vintage Airstreams on the property at Yonder – each lovingly restored and furnished with midcentury furniture, a kitchenette, and an HVAC system. The Airstreams also offer a private fire pit and table with chairs outside of each unit to roast marshmallows or grab a glass of wine while watching the sunset.

CABINS:

The cabins at Yonder were custom designed to provide the comforts of a cabin with the beauty of nature through high ceilings and large glass walls looking out onto the property. Cabins are climate controlled and each includes a mini-fridge, microwave, lounger, and private outdoor fire pit.

RV SITES:

Deluxe RV sites include full electrical, water, and sewer hook-ups, a personal fire pit, and an oversized picnic table. Max 35 feet, each site is on a leveled concrete pad and includes access to all of Yonder’s amenities.

VANLIFE/CAMPSITES:

Yonder also has sites for campervans or tents (up to 2 per site) on the property. Sites include electrical and water hookups, oversized picnic tables, charcoal grills, and personal fire pits. All sites include access to Yonder amenities.

BEST THINGS TO DO WITHIN A 15-MINUTE WALK:

The coolest thing to do within a 15-minute walk is, of course, the Drive-in theater on the property. Playing cult classics films each night at dusk, there are vintage cars parked for visitors to sit inside to watch (with radios and heaters if needed) as well as plenty of space to bring your chair and enjoy the show. I happily watched Goonies and The Princess Bride during my stay with some popcorn and hard Kombucha from the concession stand. It was as magical as it sounds.

BEST THINGS TO DO WITHIN A ONE-HOUR DRIVE:

GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT – HOLE-IN-THE-ROCK ROAD – 20 miles to start

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is huge – but luckily has many spectacular and accessible areas, like Hole-In-The-Rock Road. Located just 20 miles from Yonder, the 55.5 miles of gravel road leads to many of the most popular sites in the monument – one of the most popular being Devil’s Garden just 12 miles down the road. Further, you’ll stop at Dry Fork of Coyote Gulch trailhead where you can access the non-technical Peek-a-boo and Spooky slot canyons.

BURR TRAIL ROAD – 30 miles to start in Boulder, UT

Burr Trail Road is one of the most scenic drives in a state that is nearly exclusively made up of scenic drives. The 67.4 mil road, originally constructed as a cattle road between Boulder Utah, and Bullfrog Marina in Lake Powell takes explorers through not only Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument but also portions of Capitol Reef National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Be sure to stop at Singing Canyon – a beautiful slot canyon just off the road and be aware of the weather as the road is only paved to the boundary of Capitol Reef National Park and may become impassable during certain conditions.

HELL’S BACKBONE GRILL & FARM – 29 miles

Boulder, Utah is one of the most remote locations in Utah, with a population of just 250. Surprisingly, it is also home to the only restaurant in Utah ever named a James Beard semi-finalist for outstanding restaurant – and they’ve done it multiple times.

Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm is a farm-to-table restaurant that is unassuming and delicious with seasonal and unique dishes that make the difficulty of getting a reservation well worth it. Pro-tip: drive and hike on Burr Trail Road before dinner as the road begins nearly next door.

BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK – 46 miles

Bryce Canyon National Park is something you have to see to believe. With its striking hoodoos and dramatic vistas – this is a park not to be missed for any outdoor lover. Hike Queens Garden or around on the Rim Trail which hits elevations over 9,000 ft before descending into the canyon to hike the easy and accessible Mossy Cave Trail.

BED GAME: 8/10

The Bed in my Airstream was almost too comfortable – I slept in both mornings of my stay instead of waking up to watch the sunrise as I had planned. The linens felt very luxe with plenty of pillows (this really matters to me) and a fluffy-down comforter. With windows all around and adjustable reading lights, it was the perfect place to sleep, lounge, and read.

SEXINESS RATING: 7/10

Yonder Escalante is family-friendly and luxuriously rugged, but the style adds some sexiness to the overall feel. The elevated bathhouses and pool/spa area are sleek while the accommodations are light-filled and inviting.

VIEWS/PIC SPOTS: 9/10

Everywhere! Honestly, though, the entire place is an Instagrammers dream – but without being cheesy. The backdrop of Grand Staricase-Escalante coupled with the vintage Airstreams and Drive-In theater juxtaposed with sleek modern cabins and amenities is fresh and fun. There is an aesthetic for anyone that goes far beyond the normal glamping resort.

I especially loved taking photos of the vintage cars permanently parked at the Drive-In Theater. The colors and styles are unexpected and joyful in the middle of the desert.

BEST SEASON TO VISIT:

Open seasonally from generally mid-March to November, the glamping resort closes for the winter months. I visited in early April and while the nights were still chilly and the pool hadn’t yet opened it was warm during the day and the heater in my Airstream kept me toasty at night.

IF I HAD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE THING:

It’s hard to find anything to complain about here, honestly… The location, amenities, and staff were all top-notch. But if I was forced, I’d say that the distance between parking and my Airstream site was a bit long as well as the distance between the Airstream and clubhouse/pool area. To mitigate that, Yonder is very accommodating and with a simple text, a staff member will pick you and your luggage up in a golf cart to or from your site.

BOOK HERE:

Choose your adventure here. Airstreams start at $249/night, Cabins at $229/night, deluxe RV sites at $119/night, and van life/campsites at $69/night.

INSTAGRAM IMAGES TAKEN AT YONDER ESCALANTE:

The latest Transformers movie opens this weekend, and you might be asking yourself: what makes this movie different than the original ones? And the answer is simple: Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage, and Pete Davidson all lend their voices to the iconic robot beasts, which already makes it more interesting than anything Michael Bay directed (don’t worry, he still has a production credit). But having Oscar winner Yeoh, Golden Globe winner Dinklage, and, well, Pete Davidson all in one movie will surely be the cinematic event of the season…at least before Barbie touches down next month).

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is the latest installment in the long-running franchise based on the popular toy line. Though the initial series focused on Shia LeBeouf and Bumblebee, the latest installment is a prequel, which bridges the gap between 2018’s prequel Bumblebee and 2007’s Transformers. In typical action movie fashion, the movie clocks in at 2 hours and 16 minutes of pure robot adrenaline mixed in with some hard-hitting punches.

While it’s not the longest film in the franchise, it’s still a pretty long movie that will no doubt be action-packed. While early reviews are mixed, if you go in expecting some fun robotic action sequences overlayed with 1990s New York and don’t think about the logistics of space robots too hard, you’ll probably have a decent enough time.

The latest Transformers movie opens this weekend, and you might be asking yourself: what makes this movie different than the original ones? And the answer is simple: Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage, and Pete Davidson all lend their voices to the iconic robot beasts, which already makes it more interesting than anything Michael Bay directed (don’t worry, he still has a production credit). But having Oscar winner Yeoh, Golden Globe winner Dinklage, and, well, Pete Davidson all in one movie will surely be the cinematic event of the season…at least before Barbie touches down next month).

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is the latest installment in the long-running franchise based on the popular toy line. Though the initial series focused on Shia LeBeouf and Bumblebee, the latest installment is a prequel, which bridges the gap between 2018’s prequel Bumblebee and 2007’s Transformers. In typical action movie fashion, the movie clocks in at 2 hours and 16 minutes of pure robot adrenaline mixed in with some hard-hitting punches.

While it’s not the longest film in the franchise, it’s still a pretty long movie that will no doubt be action-packed. While early reviews are mixed, if you go in expecting some fun robotic action sequences overlayed with 1990s New York and don’t think about the logistics of space robots too hard, you’ll probably have a decent enough time.

Mass Appeal isn’t the only label getting in on the celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. Sony Music Entertainment, which has been at the forefront of hip-hop’s expansive musical evolution for much of that time, has announced its own compilation project. Raised By Rap: 50 Years Of Hip Hop showcases the jaw-dropping diversity of SME’s contributions to the canon, beginning with pioneering ’80s releases like RUN DMC’s “It’s Tricky” and Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock’s “It Takes Two” and spanning all the way to 2010s hits like Future’s “Mask Off” and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road.”

Along the way, rap fans might have their minds blown by the presence of such classic artists as A Tribe Called Quest, Da Brat, Fugees, Nas, Outkast, Too Short, and UGK included, as well as contemporary stars like 21 Savage, ASAP Rocky, Doja Cat, and Travis Scott. Not only are groundbreaking records like “C.R.E.A.M.” by Wu-Tang Clan and “Hip-Hop” by Dead Prez included, but so are more recent bops like “Whole Lotta Money.” The compilation truly showcases the breadth and depth of what hip-hop has been — and could be — for the past 50 years. It comes out on July 28, with Target and Urban Outfitters offering exclusive vinyl colorways, and you can pre-order it here. Check out the impressive tracklist below.

Disc 1, Side A

“Genius Rap,” Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde
“It’s Tricky,” RUN DMC
“It Takes Two,” Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock
“Can I Kick It?” A Tribe Called Quest
“Summertime” (Single Edit), DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
“Funkdafied,” Da Brat

Disc 1, Side B

“Insane in the Brain,” Cypress Hill
“C.R.E.A.M.,” Wu-Tang Clan featuring Method Man, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Buddha Monk
“Shook Ones, Pt. II,” Mobb Deep
“Ready or Not,” Fugees, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Pras
“N.Y. State of Mind,” Nas
“Watch Out Now,” The Beatnuts featuring Yellaklaw

Disc 2, Side A

“Ms. Jackson,” Outkast
“Grindin’,” Clipse
“Hip-Hop,” dead prez
“Poppin’ My Collar,” Three 6 Mafia
“Blow the Whistle,” Too $hort
“Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You),” UGK (Underground Kingz) featuring Outkast

Disc 2, Side B

“goosebumps,” Travis Scott
“a lot,” 21 Savage
“Streets,” Doja Cat
“Mask Off,” Future
“Praise The Lord (Da Shine),” A$AP Rocky featuring Skepta
“Old Town Road” (Remix), Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
“Whole Lotta Money,” BIA

Mass Appeal isn’t the only label getting in on the celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. Sony Music Entertainment, which has been at the forefront of hip-hop’s expansive musical evolution for much of that time, has announced its own compilation project. Raised By Rap: 50 Years Of Hip Hop showcases the jaw-dropping diversity of SME’s contributions to the canon, beginning with pioneering ’80s releases like RUN DMC’s “It’s Tricky” and Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock’s “It Takes Two” and spanning all the way to 2010s hits like Future’s “Mask Off” and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road.”

Along the way, rap fans might have their minds blown by the presence of such classic artists as A Tribe Called Quest, Da Brat, Fugees, Nas, Outkast, Too Short, and UGK included, as well as contemporary stars like 21 Savage, ASAP Rocky, Doja Cat, and Travis Scott. Not only are groundbreaking records like “C.R.E.A.M.” by Wu-Tang Clan and “Hip-Hop” by Dead Prez included, but so are more recent bops like “Whole Lotta Money.” The compilation truly showcases the breadth and depth of what hip-hop has been — and could be — for the past 50 years. It comes out on July 28, with Target and Urban Outfitters offering exclusive vinyl colorways, and you can pre-order it here. Check out the impressive tracklist below.

Disc 1, Side A

“Genius Rap,” Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde
“It’s Tricky,” RUN DMC
“It Takes Two,” Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock
“Can I Kick It?” A Tribe Called Quest
“Summertime” (Single Edit), DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
“Funkdafied,” Da Brat

Disc 1, Side B

“Insane in the Brain,” Cypress Hill
“C.R.E.A.M.,” Wu-Tang Clan featuring Method Man, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Buddha Monk
“Shook Ones, Pt. II,” Mobb Deep
“Ready or Not,” Fugees, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Pras
“N.Y. State of Mind,” Nas
“Watch Out Now,” The Beatnuts featuring Yellaklaw

Disc 2, Side A

“Ms. Jackson,” Outkast
“Grindin’,” Clipse
“Hip-Hop,” dead prez
“Poppin’ My Collar,” Three 6 Mafia
“Blow the Whistle,” Too $hort
“Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You),” UGK (Underground Kingz) featuring Outkast

Disc 2, Side B

“goosebumps,” Travis Scott
“a lot,” 21 Savage
“Streets,” Doja Cat
“Mask Off,” Future
“Praise The Lord (Da Shine),” A$AP Rocky featuring Skepta
“Old Town Road” (Remix), Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
“Whole Lotta Money,” BIA

In February, Lana Del Rey‘s father Rob Grant came out as the first Nepo Daddy and announced his debut album, Lost At Sea. It’s out tomorrow (June 9), and many singles have been released so far, including “Setting Sail On A Distant Horizon” and the title track, the latter of which has a feature from his daughter.

He’s back today with one last taste, and it’s also a collaboration with Lana, called “Hollywood Bowl.” Against gentle piano, she sings, “I know I’m not Joni Mitchell / But I’ve got a dad who plays like Billy Joel.” She takes the wheel on the ballad, her voice steering it into a peaceful place as Grant plays the piano. She lulls: “And I’m young when I’m old and I’m old when I’m young when I’m old / At the whims of my heart and my soul.”

In a recent interview, Grant said he wasn’t certain about taking the album out on a tour. “This is all so new for me,” said Grant. “The idea of going out and actually going on a big stage and playing, that’s still intimidating to me. I’m willing to try it.”

Listen to “Hollywood Bowl” above.

Lost At Sea is out 6/9 via Decca Records. Pre-order it here.