A homeless teen has been given shelter and reunited with his pup after a community rallied around the pair following a heartwrenching and selfless story of surrender.
The anonymous 17-year-old arrived at the Senatobia-Tate County Animal Shelter in Mississippi with a Rottweiler/German shepherd puppy named Jada and a bag of dog food.
“He came in and he asked if he could leave his dog here and I said, ‘Buddy, we are so full,’” Interim Shelter Director Kris Robinson told WREG News. “And he said, ‘Well, I can’t take care of her anymore.’ He said, ‘I live under a bridge,’ and it broke my heart.”
The young man told Robinson he had been living in a tent with the dog, but she had broken out of the tent when he went to find work. Then he said he didn’t even have a tent anymore and couldn’t afford to feed her.
Robinson agreed to take Jada, despite the shelter not having room for her, and shared a post about the surrender on Facebook.
“This is where she layed [sic] after her owner surrendered her today with her plastic bag of dog food and a blanket,” the post reads. “She is devastated. I can’t be mad at her owner though. He is 17, says he lives under a bridge in Tate county. He WALKED her all the way to the shelter and asked us to please take her because he can’t afford to keep her. She’s about 4 mos old and she kept herself pinned to his legs while he was here. We are full but how could we not take her in.”
Support for the dog and the teen poured in, with people saying they wanted to do something to help, which moved Robinson to tears.
“For this young man to just be 17 and down on his luck, and no matter what problems he’s facing, he still took the time to walk her over her and make sure somebody was going to take care of her,” Robinson told WREG. “I think that says a lot about his character.”
The teen filled out a surrender form with a little bit of information about himself, which was enough for Robinson to pass along to people who could help him. The town doesn’t have an official homeless shelter, but with the assistance of several community members, the Senatobia police were able to locate the young man and ensure his safety. Local churches have offered assistance, and he has gotten set up with a temporary home at someone’s house while he gets his life situation figured out.
A woman identifying herself as the teen’s mom contacted the news outlet after seeing the story. She said he had run away from home and had been missing for a year, and she wanted him to come home. It’s impossible to know the circumstances of the family or the teen’s home life, but regardless of what led to him living under a bridge at 17, one thing is clear: He did what he had to do to make sure his dog was going to be taken care of, even if it meant giving her up, and that’s a responsible, selfless action worthy of praise.
Captions are a daily part of most people’s lives even if you don’t always realize it. On social media, captions are sometimes automatically generated for videos or you can simply go into your settings to turn them on. These options are designed to be more inclusive, and people that are hard of hearing or deaf need them on videos to understand what’s being said. The fact that they’re more widely available is great news.
One developer wanted to take captions a step further, into the real world. Captions on televisions or videos playing on your device’s screen are great, but wouldn’t it be helpful to have the ability to turn them on while you’re having an actual conversation? A video posted online by Paul Mealy, product design leadership at Meta, shows a new augmented reality (AR) tool that could be a game changer for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Augmented reality is something that people are accustomed to through video games like Halo, the first-person game that has a pop-up display showing information about the player’s surroundings.
Like the video game, the real-time live-captioning technology uses augmented reality to display captions on top of the person speaking via wearables. The captions can even follow the speaker around and work in crowded spaces, focusing only on the identified speaker’s voice. Mealy says the prototype uses directional microphones, where speech is recorded and converted to live text and attached to the person speaking via body tracking in AR. “One of the issues the deaf and hard of hearing have had to deal with during the pandemic is masks obscuring facial expressions, which often provide cues to what a person is saying,” he says. “By utilizing captioning, we can help facilitate communication regardless of if the user’s face is covered.” According to Mealy, the prototype runs on mobile platforms, but performs best on wearable computing devices such as Microsoft’s HaloLens and other hands-free wearable devices.
These augmented reality glasses help deaf people see live captions of people’s speech nnBy @paul_mealynn#techforgood #innovation #technology #AR #VR #augmentedrealitynn@TechAmazing @sebbourguignon @Nicochan33 @KirkDBorne @mvollmer1 @pierrecappellipic.twitter.com/B74kejGIug
The post showing Mealy testing out the prototype has been shared several times across social media, with Pascal Bornet, the chief data officer of Aera Technology, sharing it with his more than 40,000 Twitter followers. Comments on the posts are positive in nature and filled with excitement about the potential benefits. Several commenters said the technology is “amazing” while some had handy tips like allowing the user to make the text stationary instead of staying with the person. Another advised that the text be placed at the side of the screen with an arrow prompting the user to look toward the text. The excitement from the commenters can be felt through the screen.
It’s not clear from the post when this technology will be available commercially, but it’s clear that when it is available it will give deaf and hard of hearing people much more accommodations to navigate hearing spaces. If people could learn ASL throughout their school years as a standard education course as well as having access to this new technology, the world would be so much more accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people. It’s wonderful that people like Mealy are working to do their part.
Kaley Cuoco’s a workaholic. That’s something that not everyone would expect from the actress who portrayed the stereotypical ditzy blonde on The Big Bang Theory. She’s now the voice of Harley Quinn, dang it, and she’s not only starring within but also executive producing The Flight Attendant. The new season’s more overstuffed and chaotic than the first round, and from the sound of things, Kaley went to hell and back while filming. Much of this had to do with her personal life, given that she simultaneously ended her marriage to Karl Cook. And she’ll never, ever walk down the aisle again.
Yep, the HBO Max show plugged away dutifully through Covid times to make Season 2, and Kaley was feeling the strain. She revealed to Glamour that she hasn’t even taken a vacation since beginning Big Bang, mostly because she loves to work. Kaley recognizes that this has had a detrimental effect on relationships, and she swears that “I will never get married again. Absolutely not. You can literally put that on the cover.” Wise words.
Furthermore, Kaley revealed that the twin stresses (of filming a wilder season amid a divorce) gave her a stress rash that wouldn’t quit. This does not sound fun:
I’d have these emotional scenes and then I’d go home and cry over my personal life. I developed a rash that went from my lower stomach down my leg. It lasted for seven months. I discovered through therapy and through my doctors that it was completely emotional. That’s how the stress was [showing up] physically. I couldn’t even walk. The scenes were so hot and driven; there was no calmness.
In other words, there’s a damn good reason why Kaley fell to the ground upon receiving word that filming had wrapped on this season. She does need to take a vacation, though. I get it, totally. It’s hard to take a break for fear that everything will be fine, and the world will move on without you. But I hope Kaley gets outside for some dog (and horse) walks, all in order to recharge those juices and bring us more DC villainess and CIA-aviation chaos again. Bubble baths and sleep, man. That’s where it’s at, and The Flight Attendant returns on April 21.
Now that music festivals and stadium tours are back, all the pop fans are celebrating long-awaited chances to sing along to Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia tour, or plot glittery outfits to attend Lady Gaga’s Chromatica ball. But anticipation for new music is reaching a fever pitch as well. Over the last few years, the amount of excellent new music that rising and veteran pop stars are putting into the universe is staggering, and perhaps the rise of #poptimism is contributing to a new range of artists feeling freer than ever to speak, and sing, their truths. Here’s our picks for some of the best new pop albums that are coming out this spring, and considering the names on this lineup, sounds like it’s going to be a helluva a year.
Hatchie, Giving The World Away
Release Date: April 22
After breaking out with her debut album, Keepsake, in 2019, Hatchie is following that record up with a strong sophomore effort. We’ve already heard four singles off Giving The World Away, and her pivot to full-blown pop couldn’t be more welcome — so much so that it earned her an entry on this list. Given the fact that this record will be out in just a few days, it’s easy to keep things short with Hatchie. She’s one of the most talented new songwriters of the indie-pop set, and her second album will be the perfect addition to pop playlists this summer.
Kehlani, Blue Water Road
Release Date: April 29
Aside from collaborating with Justin Bieber, Syd, Jessie Reyez, and even Thundercat, Kehlani is beloved because she’s one of the driving forces who is bringing R&B sounds back into the pop mainstream. Her musical interests are diverse, as the tracklist for Blue Water Road reveals, but the core of every project from the soulful artist is a classic R&B sound that has danced in and out of the limelight for years. With Kehlani, it’s firmly back in the forefront, and when this album drops in just a few days, get ready to hear Kehlani everywhere.
Sigrid, How To Let Go
Release Date: May 6
Following up one of the cleanest, sharpest pop debuts of 2019, Sigrid seemed to all but disappear during the pandemic and 2020-2021. Then, she slowly made her way back into the spotlight, first by collaborating with rising UK pop star, Griff, then by dropping a new single of her own. Soon after “It Gets Dark” came out, Sigrid shared the news that her second album, How To Let Go would be out on May 6. If the retro-glam, bombastic vibes of “It Gets Dark” are anything to go off of, then Sigrid’s sophomore project is going to be a dramatic, cosmic follow-up to Sucker Punch.
Harry Styles, Harry’s House
Release Date: May 20
Given the success of “As It Was,” a comeback single of sorts for Harry Styles, which immediately went straight to No. 1, his third album is going to be a smash hit. Harry’s House is due out just before summer, toward the end of May, and is actually a pretty quick follow-up to Fine Line, which came out just days before 2020 began. Over the last few years and months, often boxed out by pandemic delays, Harry has been touring behind the record, amassing the kind of cult following that rivals the last British boy band to win over American hearts. Okay, well maybe One Direction wasn’t quite as big as The Beatles, but Harry’s success as a solo star is definitely on pace to eclipse his old band. And given how beloved 1D was during their tenure, that’s really saying something. Fans will likely get another preview of Harry’s House during Coachella this weekend,
Lykke Li, Eyeye
Release Date: May 20
While Lykke Li has Harry Styles to contend with as competition for the release date of her newest album, this Swedish singer-songwriter always manages to come out on top. Her forlorn, grief-stricken love songs have been winning over broken hearts and sad girls for close to two decades now, and her next album, Eyeye, is presented as something of a coda to that subject matter. Still, what a coda it will be! If her lead single, “No Hotel,” is any indication, Lykke has given us one last ocean of tears before she retires from crying. Get your tissues ready — and maybe a life raft.
Tate McRae, I Used To Think I Could Fly
Release Date: May 27
After a long string of singles, and a couple EPs under her belt, it’s finally time for Tate McRae to put out her debut album. Though McRae used to be a dance superstar, and has more recently transferred her talents to the world of pop, her affinity for a heartbreaking hit just won’t quit. The only letup fans have received as of late is the super upbeat “She’s All I Wanna Be,” more of a banger than Tate has released in a minute, even if it’s still a song about another woman having the man you want. McRae continues to grow and shift as she develops as an artist, but based on the recently-shared album title, I Used To Think I Could Fly, there’s still going to be plenty of downtempo tracks on her upcoming full-length. So all your summer bummer needs will be fulfilled, and then some.
Muna, Muna
Release Date: June 24
SILK. CHIFFON. Not all endings are necessarily a bad thing, as Muna’s split from their former label, RCA, so aptly illustrates. The queer female pop trio had a go at the major label thing, and amassed a very loyal following, but for whatever reason, they weren’t hitting the marks that a massive label like that looks for in their artists. Instead, after they got dropped by RCA the girls were scooped up by Phoebe Bridgers and almost immediately signed to her Saddest Factory imprint with Dead Oceans. The first thing they released under that umbrella is the Bridgers-featuring fever dream, “Silk Chiffon,” which racked up millions of streams and catapulted Muna back into the center of the indie-pop conversation. Endings are usually just beginnings in disguise, and my theory is their new self-titled will probably dig into that theme quite well. You’ll have to wait until the end of June to hear the whole thing, but “Anything But Me” is a second great single to tide fans over before then.
Carly Rae Jepsen, Western Wind
Release Date: TBA
Whether it’s a whole new album, or the lead single for a project that’s still to be announced, whenever Carly Rae Jepsen has new music on the way, her fans will always be there to listen. Even before “Call Me Maybe” became a global smash, CRJ proponents have been rooting for this pop underdog all along, some as far back as the Canadian Idol days. After EMOTION became a cult album a few years ago, and couple of solid follow-ups with Dedicated and its B-sides album in 2019 and 2020. Two years later, she’s clearly entering a new phase — one that might have a country twist? — and the anticipation is building.
Winona Oak, Island Of The Sun
Release Date: TBA
It’s a great year for debut albums. Winona Oak, an emerging Swedish singer/songwriter and pop star, has announced her first record and shared the title track. Island Of The Sun is a reflection on the remote island where Oak was raised, but also a reflection on the ever-present force of change in our lives. So far, Oak has released “Island Of The Sun” and “Baby Blue” preceding the album, but hasn’t given fans an official release date yet. Look out for more from Oak, and news on when the record will be out, likely in the next few months. In the meantime, check out “Island Of The Sun” above for a taste of her stunning alto vocals and beautiful lyricism.
Chloe, TBA
Release Date: TBA
With her second single officially out, Chloe is well on her way to a fantastic debut album. Both “Have Mercy” and “Treat Me” are fabulous, dance-focused songs that balance trap impulses and diva arias with the kind of artistic flourishes we’d expect from a Beyonce protege. Chloe’s music is provocative and sexual, but only on her own terms, and her rollout might just be the blueprint for what Gen Z pop stars should do while they’re building a career. Whenever Chloe drops this album, it’s going to stop the world. Preferably we get it sooner rather than later.
Sky Ferreira, Masochism
Release Date: TBA
Well, fans who had their favorite tours delayed until after the pandemic ain’t got nothing on Sky Ferreira fans. It’s been almost ten years since her last project, Night Time, My Time dropped, and though she’s been teasing a follow-up for quite some time, and occasionally collaborating with fellow left-field pop artists like Charli XCX, no new solo music has emerged. Finally, a few weeks ago, a trailer dropped on YouTube teasing a snippet of a song called “Don’t Forget.” With signature distorted synths and breathy, echoing vocals, it was a reminder of everything Sky fans love her for — and even after a decade, they haven’t forgotten her at all. If this single emerges, and an album announce soon after, then 2022 really will be a year for the books.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Each week our staff of film and TV experts surveys the entertainment landscape to select the ten best new/newish shows available for you to stream at home. We put a lot of thought into our selections, and our debates on what to include and what not to include can sometimes get a little heated and feelings may get hurt, but so be it, this is an important service for you, our readers. With that said, here are our selections for this week.
It’s a shame Amazon Prime’s latest original series hasn’t broken through on our timelines because it’s one hell of a ride. Think The Twilight Zone meets Yellowstone, and you’ll be close. With a stacked cast that includes Josh Brolin, Imogen Poots, Noah Reid, and Will Patton, plus a batch of converging storylines about rival ranches, feuding families, and time-travelling wormholes that may or may not be the work of extra-terrestrials, it’s the kind of show that could become your next appointment watch. Watch it on Amazon Prime.
With Rothaniel, Jerrod Carmichael, in what is technically his third HBO special following 8 and Home Videos, comes to the spare stage of the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City on a winter day ready to bare his soul. And while some of the truths he tells are things he may have alluded to in the past, this feels unique, naked, and gripping, elevated by the vision of director Bo Burnham, whose focus is unrelenting as Carmichael seems to be processing the experience of sharing the most intimate details and observations about his life in real-time with an audience whose feedback he welcomes. It is remarkable, human, and a special that everyone is going to be talking about. Watch it on HBO Max (after it premieres on HBO 4/1 at 9ET).
We are going back in time, again, this time to the 1970s, again, to see the dawn of an erotic magazine made specifically for women. That sounds fun. It also co-stars Jake Johnson from New Girl as a seedy pornographer who wears shirts unbuttoned halfway to his navel, which sounds… really fun. Worth a shot, at the very least. Watch it on HBO Max.
If you think about it, Winning Time (HBO’s new Adam McKay-produced series about the 1980s LA Lakers) has all the elements of a classic heist movie. Assembled by a larger than life fast talker with equally big ambitions (in this case, former Lakers owner Jerry Buss), a rag-tag group comes together, leaning on their exceptional and unique talents to paper over any personality conflicts that might arise while taking the thing (a whole mess of gold trophies) no one thought they’d ever get their hands on. This while having some wild misadventures along the way. We’re simplifying, of course, but the point is this should appeal to basketball fans and non-basketball fans alike, earning the right to be the most buzzed-about piece of basketball culture crossover content since The Last Dance helped us all stave off boredom for a few months by telling the story of another mismatched group of big personalities and champions. Watch it on HBO.
We can all relate to the strain felt when reaching for a dream only to just miss. That’s the life Craig Robinson’s character is living and trying to work his way out of in Killing It, Peacock’s newest comedy. How’s he gonna do it? That’s a bit less relatable, involving snakes, snakes, and more sn… to be honest, such is this reviewer’s phobia with even seeing slithery rope monsters on screen that I had to turn away when a snake confronted Robinson in the back of a rideshare (the nightmare!), but if you think me and Indiana Jones are babies and you can stand to see THE LITERAL REASON WHY EDEN FELL on screen, then have at it if, for nothing else, than to enjoy Craig Robinson’s hustle game. Watch it on Peacock.
Michael Mann brings the Heat once again with a side of Miami Vice on the other side of the globe. Here, Mann’s exploring how one maneuvers (as an outsider) through Japan’s underworld, yakuzas and everything. Ken Watanabe plays a detective, and Ansel Elgort joins him as an American reporter, a role for which Elgort apparently also went undercover in real life to prepare. Not only that, but he had to dive into speaking Japanese, not an easy feat by any stretch, to take on this crime thriller series. Watch it on HBO Max.
The bad news, for enthusiasts of The Duke, is that Regé-Jean Page isn’t back this season (as planned), but the good news is that the show still brings the momentum despite the odds. This season focuses upon Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) seeking his own match as outlined by Julia Quinn’s books. Lady Whistledown (already revealed as Penelope, portrayed by Nicola Coughlan) is still doing her thing and f*cking with everyone during her society letters, thank god. Watch it on Netflix.
Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke are in the MCU now, but don’t expect either of them to be the typical Marvel superhero or villain. This show is sheer chaos (and joyous to behold) with Isaac’s character plagued with dissociative identity disorder and tormented with mockery by an Egyptian god. He’s a gift-shop employee, a mercenary, and a hero? Sure. Hawke plays a David Koresh-esque cult leader. Hold on tight. Watch it on Disney Plus.
The A-list cast won’t stop here with Viola Davis playing Michelle Obama, Michelle Pfeiffer playing Betty Ford, and Gillian Anderson playing Eleanor Roosevelt. These three enigmatic ladies’ stories will be interwoven through time while the political drama simply swirls around them. Maybe you’re tired of politics these days, but it’s worth reliving some of the more iconic moments of yesteryear to forget the cable news cycle. And Kiefer Sutherland as President Franklin D. Roosevelt? C’mon. Watch it on Showtime.
Roar is a feminist manifesto written by someone on shrooms. No, really. It’s a magical mystery tour filled with ruminations on race, internalized misogyny, feminine guilt, and whose stories are worth being told – wrapped up in surrealist storylines and Wes Anderson-esque cinematography. It’s absolutely unlike anything you’re watching on TV right now, and that’s without mentioning Merritt Wever’s sex scene with a duck or the montage of Nicole Kidman chowing down on old photographs like they’re a five-course meal. Do yourself a favor and bask in its weird-as-hell vibes. Watch it on Apple TV Plus.
Literally just an entire television show full of beautiful footage of the nature found in stunning national parks, narrated by the soothing voice of Barack Obama. It’s all very peaceful and relaxing. Turn the lights down, get comfy on the couch, and let the calm wash over you like a gentle waterfall. Watch it on Netflix.
Well, guess what: Atlanta is back, four years since its second season and just as ready and willing to throw you for a loop. Earn and Paper Boi and Darius are still off in Europe on that tour they were en route to way back then, but there are detours and flights of fancy and all the other weird, stunning, inventive stuff that made (and makes) this one of our greatest shows. Donald Glover and this crew are pretty good at this stuff. It’s great to have them back. Watch it on Hulu.
Better Call Saul is back, soon, finally, after an extended layoff. It remains one of our greatest shows, ball of tension and comedy, the former of which is amped up even more as it heads into its final season. What will happen to Kim? What will happen to Nacho and Lalo? The Breaking Bad timeline is rapidly approaching and it’s time to answer these uestions once and for all. It’s okay to be nervous. Wer’re nervous, too. Take some time for a quick Season 5 rewatch on Netflix before the new season kicks off on Monday, April 18.
Each week our staff of film and TV experts surveys the entertainment landscape to select the ten best new/newish movies available for you to stream at home. We put a lot of thought into our selections, and our debates on what to include and what not to include can sometimes get a little heated and feelings may get hurt, but so be it, this is an important service for you, our readers. With that said, here are our selections for this week.
Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson star as a preposterously attractive couple who get together after her character — one half of a global sensation pop duo — discovers her lover and music partner has been stepping out. That’s right, it is rom-com time over here. Will they? Won’t they? Whose hair will look better in the pivotal scene that will probably take place in the driving rain? There’s one way to find out: Grab some popcorn and comfy pajamas and set up shop on the couch. Watch it on Peacock.
Zoe Kravitz plays a stay-at-home digital detective in this latest thriller from Steven Soderbergh who — with the help of her friendly A.I. sidekick Kimi — uncovers a string of murders she traces back to the company she works for. She then must venture out into a pandemic-ridden Seattle in search of the reason why. Honestly, we can’t relate. But, Kravitz is quickly becoming a bonafide action star and a Soderbergh script rarely disappoints. Watch it on HBO Max.
Well, guess what: It’s a remake of the 2003 classic with Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt, which was itself a remake of a film from 1950, only this time is stars Zach Braff and Gabrielle Union as the flustered parents and can be found on Disney Plus, a service that did not even almost exist when the other versions came out. Which is fine. Time marches on. And this one is written and produced by Kenya Barris from Black-ish, which is also fine. Good, even. Round up the family and grab some snacks. Watch it on Disney Plus.
Ryan Reynolds plays Mark Ruffalo’s time-traveling son, so there’s a little MCU crossover there for you before Deadpool makes his possibly sooner than expected MCU return. They’re going to save the future, of course, and this film also has Ruffalo’s 13 Going On 30 co-star, Jennifer Garner, so there’s reteaming aplenty here. Expect both family drama and romance and drama across four dimensions. Watch it on Netflix.
Is the movie good? Reader, it is not. The updated take on the Agatha Christie classic romp is littered with awkward-to-bad CGI and a cast that has been through a slew of individual public relations disasters, and you just watch Knives Out again if you’re itching for a star-studded murder mystery, but still, if we can’t all get together once in a while to enjoy a good old-fashioned trainwreck, then what are we even doing here, you know? Watch it on Hulu or HBO Max.
Steven Spielberg brings the classic musical to the big and/or small screen, to the delight of both older fans and newer ones who get to experience it all for the first time. Get in there. Really let the experience wash over you. Sing along. Dance around your living room. Get in a knife fight with your sworn enemy. Okay, maybe not that last one. But the other ones, definitely. Watch it on Disney Plus.
In Domee Shi’s Turning Red, a boy band-loving teenage girl turns into a red panda whenever she experiences strong emotions, which as every parent of a teenager knows all too well, is often. Too often. It’s all the time, really. Turning Red is being called Pixar’s best movie in years, as it should. It’s about time red pandas got the cinematic showcase they deserve. Watch it on Disney Plus.
Deep Water is an erotic thriller that stars Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas as… honestly, what more do you need? It’s a “weird, wild mess” of a movie from the director of Fatal Attraction and Unfaithful, with a murder mystery, duplicitous characters, and Affleck as an alpha cuck. Deep Water is the kind of sleazy mainstream movie that rarely gets made anymore, so it feels like a sexy treat that it even exists (from Disney, no less). Break out your Ana de Armas cardboard cutout and make it a double feature with Basic Instinct.Watch it on Hulu.
It is wild to think about how long Tony Hawk has been a figure in American pop culture. It is also wild to watch a full-length documentary about it, which is good and notable here because HBO made one. The whole thing is fascinating, the way the guy whose name is synonymous with skateboarding at this point is still doing it and does not plan to stop, and the way he’s built a career and lifestyle out of the thing he loved doing as a kid. It’s cool. And a good watch. Crank up “Superman” by Goldfinger and give it a run. Watch it on HBO Max.
3. Apollo 10 1/2: A Space-Aged Childhood (Netflix)
NETFLIX
Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood is loosely inspired by director Richard Linklater’s childhood in Texas. The coming-of-age animated film (think: Waking Life and A Scanner Darkly, but more nostalgic) is set during the summer of the Moon landing, and features performances from Glen Powell, Zachary Levi, and Jack Black. Linklater brings out the best in Black (he’s fantastic in both School of Rock and Bernie), and Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood looks to be no exception. Watch it on Netflix.
Judd Apatow’s The Bubble is a pandemic-era movie about making a movie during the pandemic. We’re through the looking glass, people. The comedy, which stars Karen Gillan, David Duchovny, Keegan-Michael Key, Pedro Pascal, and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm breakout Maria Bakalova, was produced like a “two-hour Simpsons episode,” according to Apatow, and reportedly inspired by the production of Jurassic World Dominion. If enough people watch it on Netflix, maybe we’ll get a full-length Cliff Beasts 6: The Battle For Everest movie. Watch it on Netflix.
1. Metal Lords (Netflix)
NETFLIX
Game Of Thrones HBO co-creator D.B. Weiss wrote this little ditty while teaming up with Rage Against The Machine axeman Tom Morello as a love letter to the metal genre. The story revolves around two high-schoolers who seek the ultimate glory and win contests and be gods, and so on. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find a bassist when Black Sabbath isn’t as popular with the kids as Justin Bieber is. The struggle is real.
In the insanity of a music lineup stacked with heavyweights, larger-than-life art sculptures, and breathtaking moments, it’s easy to overlook one of the most memorable parts of Coachella – the food!
A simple stroll through the Indio Central Market, Coachella’s main food court, is like falling into an international vortex of savory and sweet fragrances. From top-end juicy burgers to southern-style hot chicken sammies, these culinary delights are right on par with the headliners. Choosing what to eat is no less challenging than deciding which act to hear next. With 26 vegan options, five different pizza vendors, and stylized food from cultures far and wide, it’s a great time to try something new, too.
Just like following your ears will lead to your own personal listening adventure and a universe of new musical discoveries at Coachella, following your other senses is sure to bring similar joy. The difference is most of these handpicked morsels aren’t available to stream later. In fact, outside Coachella, it’s safe to say finding a spread like this all at once is near impossible.
So, what’s new on the menu?
Hot this year, Coachella has five incredible dining options when it comes to cuisine:
First and most intriguing for sushi-lovers, there’s Sushi by Scratch ($375 + fees), a hidden Omakase speakeasy with a 17-course sushi meal. It’s even got a secret door!
Second, the event annually hosts a full-fledged restaurant experience inside the festival grounds. This year Coachella offers a romantic pop-up with oysters courtesy of Los Angeles’ famed seafood specialists, Broad Street Oyster Co.
Third, a cavalcade of top-shelf chefs will assemble in the Polo Fields mythic rose gardens for a 275-person banquet-style meal on long tables. Known as Outstanding In The Field ($275 + fees), the world-class chef lineup is complimented by food from local farms, accompanied by some of the best cocktails, beer, and wine the festival has to offer.
Fourth, Lay’s (yes, the potato chip company) is unveiling a mysterious activation they’re calling “Fresh 4D”, which promises to be a totally multi-sensory snacking experience.
The last and most robust eating option, which is already accessible with a GA or VIP wristband, can be found in more than 50 food trucks, restaurants, and caterers who converge from around the country for the event. In the Beer Gardens, the campgrounds, the Terrace, 12 Peaks VIP, Rose Garden VIP, and in Coachella’s Indio Central Market, you’ll find these culinary maestros serving all their own specialties in signature flair.
For a taste of what those vendors bring to the table, read on! (Vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian menu options are listed — V, VEG, GF)
Succulent on the inside and crispy at the edges, Bolo’s chicken sammies explode with juicy flavor. The portions are massive too, making it perfect in all those times when you’ve been dancing your heart out and need to catch up on calories.
This option is only available in the Rose Garden during weekend 2. Probably because the punch packed by its jerk flavors and Caribbean spices can knock a set of taste buds into next week.
Nominated for an award from Veg News, Cena’s is one of those places vegans can bring their non-vegan friends to blow their minds with what’s possible. Try their burritos, nachos, and tacos. They’ll make a believer out of anyone.
Basically the mixologists of Coachella’s coffee scene, Dayglow makes cold brews with unexpectedly exceptional flavors from ingredients like citrus, berries, and Cacao.
Move over tea, maté is here and it’s got an attitude. Order lip-smacking beverages inspired by the biggest acts of 2022, like “Watermelon Sugar” a la Harry Styles, “WAP” as a nod to Megan Thee Stallion, and “Keep it Juicy”, which was inspired by the hit track from Doja Cat.
Turn up the heat with a sandwich from one of the most praised hot chicken icons in the country. Between the crunch of the pickles and the zing of the slaw, the blend of flavors is an unforgettable kick.
Hawkins monster patties, zippy pastrami, and gooey cheese are sure to quelch the hunger pangs. This Black woman-owned operation is fresh, passionate about their burgers, and always right on point.
Perhaps the country’s most historic burger stand, Irv’s has been around for more than half a century grilling ‘em up on Route 66. It’s practically a national landmark for foodies.
For conversational finger food that is as addicting as it is delicious, try the Loaded Korean BBQ Fries at the Kogi Truck. Get a second order too, as the portions are hearty but you still won’t want to share.
For a slice as big as your face, LA Pizzaria Co has your back. The foldable New York-style classic never disappoints and for a popular festival, like Coachella, the prices are surprisingly affordable.
Heavy set LA-style burgers topped with ingredients named in colorful innuendos, like hot honey and love sauce. Don’t forget the seasoned fries with garlic parmesan. They’re dreamy, cheesy, and fun to share.
Only available for Weekend 1, this Southern-style spot features a true farm to face experience produced by an award-winning executive chef, John Cleveland.
For pizza lovers who know variety is the spice of life, the Craft Beer Barn has something extra special. Get New York and Sicilian-style square-cut slices here.
Famed for their #richassbroth, Ramen Hood is a steal for what you get. When the temperature cools off at night it’s invigorating too. Plus, with vegan options available it won’t weigh you down.
Head to The Terrace to cool off in this air-conditioned. There you’ll find “daringly delicious ice cream crafted with unthinkable care” — it’s a longtime favorite of Uproxx!
This Atlanta-based crew makes truly beefy burgers, without beef. Their signature dishes, like the Fussy Hussy, the Sloppy Toppy, and the Hollywood Hooker are as delightful to order as they are to eat too.
This low-carb South American treat packs an explosion of juicy spices into a warm flaky cornmeal biscuit. Craving a taste of adventure that also feels like home? This is the one!
From poke bowls to bento boxes, Sweetfin is a chef-led crew offering dishes like Spicy Tuna, Yuzu Salmon, and Sweet Potato Ponzu with Lime. Self-care never looked so classy.
If the smell doesn’t draw you in like a black hole of flavor, the satisfied look on the faces of people who eat here probably will. Try the fresh grilled onions for extra sweetness.
If you know – you know! Umami Burger is harrowed as the ultimate Burger wherever they go. And, under the direction of Chef Alvin Cailan ‘Chella goers can experience their food on a whole new level.
The power meals from this Newport Beach-based operation will make you forget the whole menu is plant-based and gluten-free. The portions are sizable, but the flavor is even bigger.
Some might call him a wing specialist. Those who know him say he’s a wood fire BBQ legend. Don’t skip the grill-made magic of Urbyn Yates. Exclusively for VIP pass holders.
Last week saw the release of Father John Misty’s latest album, Chloë And The Next 20th Century. Now, he’s back with a video for “Kiss Me (I Loved You),” in which characters played by Annie Hamilton (of Inventing Anna and Hawkeye) and Alexander Zuccaro spend a mostly uneventful night at a bar.
Misty hasn’t given any interviews this album cycle or offered press quotes about the meanings or origins of Chloë And The Next 20th Century songs. However, after performing “Kiss Me” in Brighton, England on April 10, he told a fictitious and humorous story about getting Jack Cruz to cover the song, a recording (actually sung by David Lynch) that appears on a deluxe edition of the album. For those unfamiliar, Cruz is a monkey who stars alongside Lynch in the 2017 short film What Did Jack Do?.
In a fan-shot video, Misty tells the audience, “His music was a big inspiration on a few of these songs and by the time the record was done, I thought it would be really nice and full-circle if I could somehow get Jack to sing this song, ‘Kiss Me.’” From there, he spoke of contacting Lynch, Lynch explaining what Cruz is up to now, and other fun monkey shenanigans.
Watch the “Kiss Me (I Loved You)” video above. Chloë And The Next 20th Century is out now via Sub Pop. Get it here.
Let’s talk about expensive Scotch whisky. Is it ever worth spending $250 on? Simple answer: “yes.” The thing with Scotch whisky is that this price point is rarely about hype. These whiskies actually cost this much money without the whisky machine inflating the prices the way you see in bourbon right now. A $250 bottle of Scotch is priced fairly to reflect the craft and time put into it. That’s not to say these are average bottles but they’re not unicorns by any stretch either.
So where do these pricey whiskies fit in the ecosystem? They’re all “the good stuff” and are (mostly) all 20 years old. This is kind of where the Scotch journey hits a peak before getting into rarities you might not ever actually find. So while the ten Scotch whiskies below are expensive, they’re still all fairly accessible on the open market.
For the ranking of these, I’m keeping it simple. I actually have the top four bottles open on my shelf right now and enjoy them regularly. The rest are all bottles I respect and think offer something unique at this price point but that I don’t generally chase down and spend my own cash on (just being real!). That said, your palate is different than mine — if something strikes your fancy, grab it!
Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Scotch Whisky Posts of The Last Six Months
This whisky is the oldest aged statement from the Last Great Malts from John Dewar & Sons line. The juice is distilled slowly before it spends 21 long years maturing Olorosso sherry casks where it’s left untouched. The barrels are vatted when they’re just right, proofed with soft Speyside water, and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Light vanilla pudding with a big dollop of berry compote welcomes you on the nose as this vibrant white grape bursts forth. The taste meanders from spicy dark chocolate towards a malty Black Forest cake as stewed cherries, light cream, and a lot of dark chocolate shavings come together. The finish embraces the chocolate until that bright white grape comes back to bring about a nice end.
Bottom Line:
I randomly picked up a bottle of this at a whisky show and was pleasantly surprised. It’s light, sure, but there’s some real depth. In the end, it feels like an easy entry point to higher-end Scotch single malts that’s not challenging but just tasty.
This whisky from the far north of the Orkney Islands is all about balance. The one-off bottling only yielded 400-odd bottles from a single sherry cask that held the juice for 13 years. The whisky was bottled as-is to really highlight the beauty of cold-weather whisky maturation in every sip.
Tasting Notes:
There’s a subtle warmth that ties ginger to eggnog spices on the nose with a hint of dry, almost cedary smoke. That smoke falls back towards a dry moss as the oak kicks in, with hints of marzipan, dark dried fruits, and a cinnamon-stewed fig, leading towards another note of sharp candied ginger. The end is long but soft, with a balance of sweet and fruity smoke lingering on your warmed senses.
Bottom Line:
This is a subtle whisky from a bold distillery. I really dig this over a rock or two to calm it down a bit, which is why it ranks a little lower on this list.
This special release spent 20 years mellowing in re-fill bourbon and sherry casks. Then the prime juice was married and filled into hand-selected Sauternes sweet wine casks from France for a final year of maturation. The results hold onto the signature honeyed heart of Aberfeldy while adding more sweetened nuance to the dram.
Tasting Notes:
There’s a clear sense of honey on the nose with dried fruit, malts, and light oak. The taste leans into the honey and malts while a sweet red berry flourish arrives. There’s a hint of butter toffee next to those whisky malts that eventually end up with sweet honey tobacco married to soft dried apricots, sultanas, and a hint of cream soda. The finish feels like honey-soaked cedar planks that have been left in a fruit orchard all summer with a hint of black soil lurking underneath it all.
Bottom Line:
This is one of those bottles I have on the shelf but always sort of forget about until I stumble across it for a tasting. It’s great but then I forget about it again. I’m not sure why it doesn’t stick in my mind and that lowers its rank compared to some of the killers on this list.
Rum casks and sweet single malts are a great match. This whisky starts off by mellowing for 21 years in ex-bourbon casks before that juice is transferred to Caribbean rum barrels for a final rest. That whisky is then blended and proofed down for bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Burnt toffee and dark chocolate lead the way on the nose as rum-soaked dates and plums mingle with wintry spice, a hint of cherry tobacco, worn leather gloves, and what feels like the most expensive cream soda you’ve ever drunk. There’s a floral flourish on the palate that gives way to ground ginger, cinnamon sticks, and black peppercorns before the dried fruit kick back in on the mid-palate with a rich and buttery sweetness. That mid-palate turns into a banana bread with walnuts as the finish fades into more winter spice and the slightest hint of lime zest on the very end.
Bottom Line:
This has no business being this good at 80 proof. There’s not a watery note anywhere and that’s kind of a miracle. Still, this is mostly fruity and sweet with a spicy edge and feels somewhat one-note.
This Glenmorangie expression is a prime example of something truly special. The juice is a mix of single malts with estate-grown malts and “chocolate malts” (meaning they were roasted until dark and chocolate-y). The hot juice then went into new American oak for varying amounts of time for blending, proofing, and bottling. While there’s no age statement, there are barrels up to 40 years old in the mix.
Tasting Notes:
You’re greeted with a note of dried apricots with a hint of clove, leading towards a very light dark orange chocolate. The chocolate amps up the bitterness, reaching espresso bean levels as some eggnog spice kicks in with a silky mouthfeel and a touch of wet tobacco. The end brings about a flourish of bright citrus zest that dries everything out, leaving you with a lingering end and a final note of earthy dried mushrooms.
Bottom Line:
This is a nice, deeply flavored whisky that’s also pretty easy to drink. You won’t be challenged or overwhelmed but you will be satisfied.
Master Blender Stephanie MacLeod has taken blended scotch to the next level with this expression. Grain and single malt whiskies are aged for 25 very long years before they’re married and placed in oak vats to get to know each other. Then the whisky is filled into single malt whisky casks from Royal Brackla Distillery for a final maturation. Think of it as a special finishing that’s a single malt barrel instead of rum, port, stout, etc.
Tasting Notes:
There’s a note of that iconic Aberfeldy honey at the core of the nose, leading your senses towards dried apple chips, a touch of cedar, and what feels like an English muffin covered in clotted cream and berry jam. The taste really leans into the muffin and berries as light notes of honey syrup, dried florals, and more of those dried apples (with a pinch of salt) mix on your tongue. The end is long and fruity with a nice spice counterpoint and a final note of minty tobacco in a cedar box.
Bottom Line:
This is a great pour of blended Scotch whisky. It’s pure sweet whisky to its core and really feels special in the glass, and that makes it a good turning point in this ranking toward the undeniably great bottles below.
This is the mountaintop of Johnnie Walker’s whiskies. The blend is a marriage of ultra-rare stock from extinct Diageo distilleries around Scotland. That’s just … cool. This expression is all about barrel selection and the mastery of a great noser and blender working together to create something special.
Tasting Notes:
Prunes and dates lead to a smoked apricot vibe with hints of old leather, orange-infused marzipan, dried roses, and a honeyed sweetness on the nose. The palate is so soft and holds onto that orange/marzipan/rose vibe before turning towards a malty dark chocolate mid-palate with smoked almonds and plums lingering on the backend. The finish is full of spicy malts and smoked stone fruits with that dark chocolate adding a thin layer of bitterness.
Bottom Line:
This is a damn near perfect sipper, especially on a rock or two. It’s complex yet approachable. It’s so soft and welcoming while still having that whisper of Islay smoke lurking in the background. You cannot go wrong pouring some of this into a glass at the end of the day and letting it wash over you.
This is more than just an 18-year-old whisky. The juice in this case spent 14 years maturing in ex-bourbon casks. Then the whisky was filled into Matusalem sherry casks that held sherry for 30 (!) years for four more years of maturation. The casks, from Bodega González-Byass, are exceedingly rare and impart something truly unique into this whisky.
Tasting Notes:
Dried roses meet your nose as orange-zest bespeckled dark chocolate dances with hints of old book leather, vanilla husks, and sultanas. The taste holds onto the orange and chocolate tightly as a nutty, peppery, syrupy vibe takes over with a light touch of oakiness. The chocolate zeroes in its bitter qualities on the end, with a little bit more vanilla sweetness and a savory counterpoint that’s kind of like saline (or wet salt).
Bottom Line:
This is a highwater mark in sweet scotch. It feels like spring in a glass with such brightness and lightness. Yet it never overpowers your palate. It’s just … really nice.
This is a classic single malt that also happens to hold the title of “Best Single Malt Whisky in the World” from the World Whiskies Awards. The iconic juice is rendered in Talisker’s bespoke stills and then spends nearly two decades resting in both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry barrels, like most of the true classic single malts.
Tasting Notes:
This is subtle. The nose has a light yet clear sense of ripe plums, orange oils, buttery toffee, and an almost sour apple next to a distant whiff of briny campfire smoke from one beach over. The orange oils remain on the palate as eggnog spices peek in gently, with hints of that butter toffee driving a rich silkiness. The smoke remains in the distance as the spices warm your senses and the meaty fruit takes the edge off on the slow and satisfying fade.
Bottom Line:
This is the peated whisky that might get you addicted to peaties. This whisky is so subtle yet distinct while never slapping you in the face with its flavor notes, especially the bigger briny and smoky ones. This with a single rock is pretty much perfection, add in a freshly shucked oyster and it is.
Don’t let the name fool you. The “parliament” in this case is the collective noun for rooks — a type of European crow that nests above the distillery. That dark essence is rendered in the whisky through 21 long years of maturation in Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks exclusively.
Tasting Notes:
There’s a lot going on with this nose, starting with blackberry brambles hanging heavy with ripe fruit leading towards a well-spiced oatmeal cookie vibe and cut with hints of orange zest and vanilla. A sticky toffee pudding sweetness arrives (heavy on the dates) with flourishes of bitter dark chocolate notes and a sharp holiday spice matrix. The end is very long but very velvety with hints of dark fruits and spices warming your body as it fades away.
Bottom Line:
This is one of my favorite all-time whiskies, so there’s that. Moreover, this is just a great dram all around, especially for anyone looking for something truly special that stills feels comfortable and nostalgic. Neat or on a single rock, this whisky will stick with you for life.
As the highly anticipated sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, gets ready to fly into theaters with Tom Cruise back in the cockpit, director Joseph Kosinski and Cruise are opening up about their no CGI approach to recapturing the high altitude adrenaline rush of the ’80s classic. Part of the process involved shooting a whole lot of footage. We’re talking more than the entire length of a certain epic film trilogy.
“Out of a 12- or 14-hour day, you might get 30 seconds of good footage,” Kosinski told Empire. “But it was so hard-earned. It just took a very long time to get it all. Months and months of aerial shooting. We shot as much footage as the three Lord of the Rings movies combined. I think it was 800 hours of footage.”
According to Cruise, part of the reason for the sequel’s over-abundance of footage is that the actors were responsible for capturing their own performances during the short amount of time they got in the air:
“We had to teach the actors about lighting, about cinematography, about editing,” says star and producer Tom Cruise. “I had to teach them how to turn the cameras on and off, and about camera angles and lenses. We didn’t have unlimited time in these jets. If they were going up for 20-30 minutes, I had to make sure that we got what we needed.”
As for how much of that footage will appear in the movie remains to be seen. Obviously, the sequel won’t be 800 hours long, but as of this writing, Top Gun: Maverick hasn’t revealed its official runtime yet despite its release date coming up just on the horizon. The film maneuvers into theaters on May 27, 2022.
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