Low-end legacy chips not subject to restrictions but vital to industry have given strength to Chinese manufacturers.

The billionaire is blowing up plans and taking names as he and the GOP-controlled House start to learn about working with each other.

Sea of ash Exploring an undersea terrain sculpted by glaciers and volcanoes Researchers found a fossilized seascape while studying the impact of a volcanic eruption. Ashley Balzer Vigil Dec 21, 2024 6:09 am | 0 This May 26, 2008 photo shows the Chaitn lava dome with lava spilling out the left side and agiant plume of ash blasting into the sky. The eruption lasted several months and blanketedsurrounding farmland in ash. Credit: United States Geological Survey This May 26, 2008 photo shows the Chaitn lava dome with lava spilling out the left side and agiant plume of ash blasting into the sky. The eruption lasted several months and blanketedsurrounding farmland in ash. Credit: United States Geological Survey Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreOn May 2, 2008, the Chaitn volcano in Chile awoke with unexpected fury after more than 9,000 years of dormancy. The eruption blasted rocks and ash a dozen miles into the air, and then heavy rainfall swept the fallen debris up in immense mudflows. A river of rubble carved a destructive path through the nearby town of Chaitn before surging into the sea. The town, practically split in two by the torrent that cut through its middle, was evacuated as ash blanketed over 200,000 square kilometers of surrounding land.While the terrestrial aftermath was plain to see, captured by both the local media and satellites, the impact on the sea was unknown. Mists shroud the hillsides at the entrance to Chaitn Bay, as seen from aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institutes Falkor (too) research vessel. Credit: Alex Ingle / Schmidt Ocean Institute The eruption released over 750 billion liters of lavaenough to fill more than 300,000 Olympic-sized swimming poolsmainly in the form of rock fragments. The debris flowed through rivers into the Northern Patagonian Sea, just six miles away.An international team of scientists set sail on the Schmidt Ocean Institutes Falkor (too) research vessel in September to trace the volcanic ashs flow and assess its effects. Along the way, they found an underwater valley carved out by ancient glaciers. Its hardly been altered in the 17,000 years or so since those glaciers retreated. Heavy rain following the eruption swept fallen ash into the sea, as seen in this satellite image. Credit: NASA Earth Observatory They wanted to explore how volcanoes impact the sea, its inhabitants, and underwater infrastructure.Our observations will allow us to explore how active volcanoes affect marine environments and infrastructure, ranging from fisheries to communication cables, the expeditions chief scientist, Sebastian Watt, an associate professor in Earth sciences at the University of Birmingham, said in a press release. The town of Chaitn is very rural, and the area itself lacks submarine cables, but the teams work could help assess whether volcanic activity might damage those cables at other locations across the globe.Because of how they form, volcanoes are nearly always found in or near the ocean, yet scientists have hardly studied how eruptions affect marine ecosystems. A range of hazards can impact communities in the aftermath of volcanic eruptions, Watt said, and the information we gather from studying the 2008 Chaitn eruption is relevant for coastal and island volcanoes globally. The remotely operated vehicle SuBastian is recovered onto the research vessel after an exploratory dive. Credit: Alex Ingle / Schmidt Ocean Institute A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) called SuBastian served as the teams underwater eyes. Fitted with a suite of lights, cameras, and sensors, the ROV explored the areas where volcanic debris had washed into the ocean.We used the ROV SuBastian to gather samples that would otherwise be impossible to obtain, said Rodrigo Fernndez, an assistant professor at the Universidad de Chile, who co-led the expedition. And the ability to see the sampling sites with our own eyes and select the very best targets is a game changer. We usually sample the seafloor blind, selecting targets based on geophysics data acquired from the vessel and then deploying equipment hundreds or thousands of meters down.The team collected samples that contain both sediment and shells, which theyll analyze to help determine the samples ages and to study microbial and geochemical changes. Comparing lower layers (from before the eruption) with higher ones will let them see how the eruption affected the marine ecosystem. Silhouetted against screens, remotely operated vehicle pilots take sediment samples using ROV SuBastian. Credit: Alex Ingle / Schmidt Ocean Institute The ROVs lights in the ocean shine like a candle in the night, casting an eerie glow on its immediate surroundings but unable to provide a big-picture view. For that, the team used sonar instruments on the ship to make a high-resolution 3D map of the seafloor. Underwater dunes offshore the Rayas River delta, mapped in 3D by the Schmidt Ocean Institute-funded CODEX project, extend for well over 10 kilometers. They indicate the presence of strong currents through the area, which transported the volcanic material carried into the ocean by rivers following the eruption. Credit: Rodrigo Fernndez / CODEX Project That map revealed underwater giantstowering mega-dunes made of volcanic ash. The dunes are an imprint that hints at the forces that sculpt the seafloor, allowing scientists to trace the transport of volcanic material after it was swept into the sea. The team mapped over 1,000 square miles, collected data on what lies more than six stories beneath the seafloor, and found ash more than 15 miles from the volcano. Macarena Prez (a PhD student at the University of Playa Ancha) and Sion Moraga (a student at the University of Chile) inspect a core sample. Credit: Alex Ingle / Schmidt Ocean Institute The ROV was equipped with a vibrating coring device, a straw-like instrument that gathered sediment samples by plunging into the seafloor. The layers of sediment collected in the core samples preserve evidence of the areas past geological and biological activity.Perhaps counterintuitively, sediment layers are more likely to remain intact on the seafloor than on land, so they can provide a better record of the regions history. The seafloor is a more stable, oxygen-poor environment, reducing erosion and decomposition (two reasons scientists find far more fossils of marine creatures than land dwellers) and preserving finer details. A close-up view of a core sample taken by a vibracorer. Scientists mark places they plan to inspect more closely with little flags. Credit: Alex Ingle / Schmidt Ocean Institute Samples from different areas vary dramatically in time coverage, going back only to 2008 for some and back potentially more than 15,000 years for others due to wildly different sedimentation rates. Scientists will use techniques like radiocarbon dating to determine the ages of sediment layers in the core samples. ROV SuBastian spotted a helmet jellyfish during the expedition. These photophobic (light avoidant) creatures glow via bioluminescence. Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute Microscopic analysis of the sediment cores will also help the team analyze the way the eruption affected marine creatures and the chemistry of the seafloor.Theres a wide variety of life and sediment types found at the different sites we surveyed, said Alastair Hodgetts, a physical volcanologist and geologist at the University of Edinburgh, who participated in the expedition. The oldest place we visitedan area scarred by ancient glacier movementis a fossilized seascape that was completely unexpected. In a region beyond the dunes, ocean currents have kept the seafloor clear of sediment. That preserves seabed features left by the retreat of ice sheets at the end of the last glaciation. Credit: Rodrigo Fernndez / CODEX Project This feature, too, tells scientists about the way the water moves. Currents flowing over an area that was eroded long ago by a glacier sweep sediment away, keeping the ancient terrain visible.Im very interested in analyzing seismic data and correlating it with the layers of sediment in the core samples to create a timeline of geological events in the area, said Giulia Matilde Ferrante, a geophysicist at Italys National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, who co-led the expedition. Reconstructing the past in this way will help us better understand the sediment history and landscape changes in the region. In this post-apocalyptic scene, captured June 20, 2008, a thick layer of ash covers the town of Chaitn as the volcano continues to erupt in the background. Around 5,000 people evacuated, and resettlement efforts didnt begin until the following year. Credit: Javier Rubilar The team has already gathered measurements of the amount of sediment the eruption delivered to the sea. Now theyll work to determine whether older layers of sediment record earlier, unknown events similar to the 2008 eruption.Better understanding past volcanic events, revealing things like how far away an eruption reached, and how common, severe, and predictable eruptions are, will help to plan for future events and reduce the impacts they have on local communities, Watt said.Ashley writes about space for a contractor for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center by day and freelances as an environmental writer. She holds master's degrees in space studies from The University of North Dakota and science writing from The Johns Hopkins University. She writes most of her articles with a baby on her lap. 0 Comments

"A Complete Unknown"Timothe Chalamet as Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown." Macall Polay Almost twenty years after director James Mangold gave us the Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line," he's returned to the space with a look at Bob Dylan's transition from acoustic to electric.As much as the music will dazzle Dylan fans, it's the acting that's the highlight. Timothe Chalamet delivers one of the best performances burgeoning career, getting Dylan's voice and mannerisms down perfectly. Jason Guerrasio "A Different Man"Sebastian Stan in "A Different Man." A24 Sebastian Stan gives one of two standout performances this year in "A Different Man." The surreal, twisty psychological thriller follows Stan as Edward, an introverted, struggling actor with neurofibromatosis (a disorder causing facial differences) who is cured through an experimental procedure. Reinventing himself as "Guy" doesn't quite give him the dream life he'd hoped for, though.The darkly comic film from writer-director Aaron Schimberg also features great supporting performances from Renate Reinsve (who had her breakthrough in 2021's "The Worst Person in the World") and Adam Pearson as Oswald, a confident and charismatic man who also has neurofibromatosis. Caralynn Matassa "Alien: Romulus"Cailee Spaeny in "Alien: Romulus." 20th Century Studios For this latest trek back into the sci-fi world of "Alien," director Fede lvarez takes full advantage of the IP by weaving a story that touches on the original movie and the world of "Prometheus." The result is a thrill ride that will satisfy fans of the franchise and scare the hell out of the newbies who have never seen an "Alien" movie. JG "Anora"Mikey Madison in "Anora." Cannes Film Festival Sean Baker made a name for himself as one of the most acclaimed independent filmmakers, and for good reason. He excels at slice-of-life movies (2017's "The Florida Project" and 2021's criminally underrated "Red Rocket") that spotlight marginalized communities.His latest, "Anora," centers on the titular sex worker played by "Scream 5" standout Mikey Madison. The film landed the Palme d'Or, the Cannes Film Festival's highest honor, thanks to Madison's subtly powerful performance and Baker's propulsive script. CM "The Apprentice"Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn and Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump in "The Apprentice." Pief Weyman It shouldn't come as a shock that the most polarizing movie of the year was one about Donald Trump's rise to power as a New York City real estate tycoon.But take away your political views and opinions on Trump (which, I know, is hard), and this movie from director Ali Abbasi is a fascinating exploration of how those with power and influence move through the world.And then there are the performances by Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as Trump's fixer and mentor Roy Cohn, both of which should be recognized during award season. JG"Babygirl"Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson have a steamy affair in "Babygirl." Niko Tavernise/A24 Nicole Kidman gives one of the best and boldest performances of her decadeslong career in "Babygirl." The erotic thriller, written and directed by "Bodies Bodies Bodies" filmmaker Halina Reijn, puts the female gaze on a distinctly male, often-problematic genre, tackling female sexuality, gender, and power dynamics as Kidman's Romy Mathis, a high-powered CEO, pursues a secret affair with her intern (Harris Dickinson). CM "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F"Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F." Melinda Sue Gordon / Netflix I wasn't expecting a "Beverly Hills Cop" sequel made on Netflix to give me some of the biggest laugh-out-loud moments this year, but that's exactly what happened.Director Mark Molloy certainly understood the assignment: lean in to what made the first two movies so beloved (let's not talk about the third one).Focusing on Eddie Murphy's jokes, big action sequences, and that memorable soundtrack, the fourth movie in the franchise became one of the surprise delights at the movies this year. JG "The Brutalist"Adrien Brody in "The Brutalist." A24 One of the boldest epics made in some time, this three-and-a-half-hour drama shot on VistaVision is an exquisite exploration of one immigrant's drive for the American Dream in post-World War II America.Directed and co-written by Brady Corbet ("Vox Lux"), "The Brutalist" follows fictional character Lszl Tth (Adrien Brody), a Hungarian-born Jew who survives the Holocaust and emigrates to the US in the late 1940s. Over three decades, Tth, a talented architect, struggles to make a living and get his wife (Felicity Jones) to the States. Then a wealthy man (Guy Pearce) changes his life.With masterful production design, photography, score, and performances, this is a movie that will stay with you long after you've seen it. JG ChallengersZendaya in "Challengers." Niko Tavernise/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. Zendaya dazzles in Luca Guadagnino's sporty, steamy drama.As a former tennis great thrust into a love triangle with two other players, her now-husband Art (Mike Faist) and her ex-boyfriend Patrick (Josh O'Connor), Zendaya delivers one of the most layered performances of her career as she navigates love, lust, and mind games. JG Civil WarKirsten Dunst in "Civil War." A24 Alex Garland's latest showcases a United States that has been ravaged by civil unrest.Kirsten Dunst is magnificent as a hardened war journalist in an existential crisis who travels from New York City to Washington, D.C. to cover the story. The war scenes are brutal and devastating, but that's the point. JG "Conclave"Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci in "Conclave." Focus Features Ralph Fiennes leads a drama filled with Shakespearian-level mystery, backstabbing, and intrigue as the Cardinal-Dean in charge of the papal conclave. In the process, he finds himself investigating scandals and secrets as the choices narrow for who will become the next pope.Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini are also outstanding in supporting roles. JG "Deadpool & Wolverine"(L-R) Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool/Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in "Deadpool & Wolverine." Jay Maidment/Marvel Studios After a bevy of delays that included Fox being bought by Disney, COVID, and the strikes by the writers and actors in Hollywood, we finally got the third "Deadpool" movie. And it was worth the wait.From the brawls with Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), the endless Disney IP jokes, and a fight with countless Deadpools, the movie is the rare payoff for fans of superhero movies in the post-"Endgame" era of the MCU. JG Dune: Part TwoTimothe Chalamet and Austin Butler in "Dune: Part Two." Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros. Denis Villeneuve's continuation of his adaptation of Frank Herbert's beloved sci-fi novel takes us back to Arrakis, where Paul (Timothe Chalamet) goes from the hunted to the hunter as he teams with the Fremen to fight his enemies and becomes a Messiah in the process.Like the first movie, the visuals are stunning, but the sequel also features more Zendaya as Paul's love interest, heightening the stakes by the end. JG "The Fall Guy"Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt in "The Fall Guy." Universal Though "The Fall Guy" underperformed at the box office, David Leitch's love letter to stunt performers is one of the most enjoyable movie-watching experiences of the year.A big reason for that is the performances from Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, whose chemistry as they navigate an on-and-off relationship while coping with movie-making madness is off the charts. JG "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga"Anya Taylor-Joy in "Furiosa." Warner Bros. George Miller's latest trek into the Wasteland may not be as jaw-dropping as his magnum opus "Mad Max: Fury Road," but the auteur of action still dazzles with breathtaking shots of desolate sandy vistas and ultra-violent car chases.The major highlight is Anya Taylor-Joy as Imperator Furiosa (originally played by Charlize Theron in "Fury Road"). With very little dialogue, Taylor-Joy must use facial expressions and a multitude of stunts to convey her character's origin story and complex emotional arc. It's well worth the ride. JG "Gladiator II"Paul Mescal as Lucius in "Gladiator II." Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures Twenty-four years after the Oscar-winning original, Ridley Scott returns to the Coliseum with a new star (Paul Mescal) and bigger fights. The result is an enjoyable mix of blockbuster thrills and nostalgic callbacks to the first movie.But what sets "Gladiator II" apart is Denzel Washington, whose devilish, scenery-chewing performance as a gladiator owner with plans of getting his hooks into the Roman Senate elevates the movie whenever he's on the screen. JG The Greatest Night in PopThe legendary musicians involved in "We Are The World." Netflix The song "We Are The World" brought together the greatest musicians in pop and rock, but the story of how it came together makes the song even more remarkable.This Netflix documentary from Bao Nguyen features never-before-seen footage and candid interviews recounting a single evening in Los Angeles that would become a defining moment for pop culture in the 1980s.The documentary is replete with fascinating details about how the song and its ensuing celebrity spectacle came to be. From seeing how Michael Jackson created the hook to watching musicians like Cyndi Lauper and Huey Lewis give it their all recording long into the night, "The Greatest Night in Pop" is a must-see for anyone who lived through or loved the '80s music scene. JG "Hard Truths"Marianne Jean-Baptiste in "Hard Truths." Thin Man Films Ltd On a surface level, Pansy Deacon, the lead character of "Hard Truths," isn't someone you'd root for. She's a deeply depressed, angry middle-aged British woman who takes her fury out on anyone and everyone around her, from fellow shoppers at the supermarket to her own browbeaten husband and adult son.The film starts out almost comically, as Pansy finds every imaginable reason to rant and rave at everything from babies with pockets (what do babies need pockets for anyway?) to the salesperson attempting to help her buy a couch. Marianne Jean-Baptiste infuses Pansy with so much heart and deep-seated pain that you can't help but feel for her, even as you're horrified by her behavior.Writer-director Mike Leigh's unique filmmaking process (he and his cast start off without a script and collaboratively develop the characters) results in one of the most stunning performances of the year. CM "Incoming"Raphael Alejandro, Mason Thames, and Ramon Reed in "Incoming." Netflix Hollywood is still trying to perfect this generation's high school movie. "Incoming" gets pretty close.Following a group of friends who are the only freshmen invited to a party thrown by a senior, this raunchy comedy uses staples from the high school genre and mixes them with today's culture to concoct a hilarious movie. JG "Inside Out 2""Inside Out 2." Disney/Pixar After a lot of confusion and frustration within the walls of Pixar over its COVID-era release strategy, the beloved animation house is having a much-deserved big-screen resurgence thanks to "Inside Out 2."In the sequel to the Oscar-winning 2015 original, we catch up with Riley's key emotions like Joy (Amy Poehler) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith) right when Riley hits puberty. And just like that, new emotions like Anxiety (Maya Hawke) and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser) show up wanting to be in control of Riley's feelings.The movie is a funny and emotionally charged journey that highlights those impressionable years when we can no longer lean on our parents to make the right choices; it's now on us. JG "Longlegs"Maika Monroe in "Longlegs." NEON Beyond having the most brilliant marketing campaign of the year, "Longlegs" is also genuinely freaky.Osgood Perkins channels "Silence of the Lambs," mixed with devil worship and possessed dolls for good measure, for a crazy genre mashup: a police procedural horror movie. Maika Monroe gives an understated performance as traumatized FBI agent Lee Harker, who's investigating a series of murder-suicides that all point back to one mysterious figure: Longlegs.The eventual reveal of what's going on and the physical reveal of Nicolas Cage's Longlegs, a noteworthy entry in the actor's list of batshit roles is disturbing and memorable. CM "The Last Showgirl"Pamela Anderson in 'The Last Showgirl." Roadside Attractions Pamela Anderson gives a career best performance as an aging Las Vegas showgirl who must come to terms with losing her job when her revue abruptly closes.Anderson holds nothing back as she plays a character who still is intoxicated by the glitz and glamour of the strip of yesteryear but comes to the harsh realization that show business has nothing left for a woman her age.Ironically, after decades in the limelight, this is the role that is finally getting Anderson the recognition for her acting that she deserves. JG "Moana 2""Moana 2." Disney Originally planned as a TV series, Disney made the right move by turning this instead into a feature-length sequel to the beloved 2016 original.This time, Moana (Auli'i Cravalho) must defeat an evil God who controls an island so that all islands across the sea can be reconnected.The higher stakes, new characters, and catchy songs make the movie a worthwhile continuation of a story audiences couldn't wait to return to. JG "Nickel Boys"Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson in RaMell Ross' "Nickel Boys." Orion Pictures Some viewers criticized RaMell Ross's bold decision to shoot "Nickel Boys," an adaptation of Colson Whitehead's 2019 novel, in a first-person point-of-view, where we see through the eyes of the character speaking. To that, I politely say: You're wrong, sorry.The immersive filming style works perfectly to put the audience right in the mix as Elwood and Turner, two Black boys sent to a reform school called the Nickel Academy (based on an actual school in Florida), struggle to survive amid the racist institution's many often deadly abuses.Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson give a pair of breakout performances as Elwood and Turner, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is devastating as Hattie, Elwood's devoted grandmother. It's a tough watch, but a worthy one. CM "Nosferatu"Lily-Rose Depp in "Nosferatu." Focus Features Looking back on the work of Robert Eggers, his obsession with telling stories set long ago has led up to this: an adaptation of the iconic gothic vampire tale.With exquisite production design, makeup, and effects to transform Bill Skarsgrd into the creature of the night, and a tour-de-force performance by Lily-Rose Depp as a woman overcome by a spell that fills her with desire and fear, this is Eggers' masterwork. JG "Queer""Queer" stars Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey as two lovers. Yannis Drakoulidis / Yannis Drakoulidis Yep, both of Luca Guadagnino's 2024 releases made this list. "Queer" is a very different film from "Challengers" in many ways, but both cement Guadagnino as a filmmaker with an innate understanding of desire and a master at evoking it onscreen.Based on William S. Burroughs' 1985 novella, the movie follows William Lee, a gay American expat living in 1950s Mexico City, who becomes obsessively infatuated with the much younger Eugene Allerton. Daniel Craig's no-holds-barred performance as Lee, a stand-in for Burroughs himself, establishes him as one of the most talented and versatile working actors today. It's also gorgeously shot, courtesy of Guadagnino's go-to cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom. CM "Rebel Ridge"Aaron Pierre in "Rebel Ridge." Netflix There's always one Netflix movie that comes out of the blue every year and grabs attention. This year, it was "Rebel Ridge."Written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier ("Blue Ruin"), this impressive action movie gives a jolt to the genre with its gritty take. It's also a showcase for Aaron Pierre, who is on his way to big-screen stardom (he also voiced the title character in Disney's end-of-year release, "Mufasa.") JG "Strange Darling"Willa Fitzgerald in "Strange Darling." Magenta Light Studios JT Mollner's thriller "Strange Darling" flew under the radar this year, but boy, is it a trip.The story is told in a destabilizing nonlinear format; it's a clever narrative trick to make you think the movie is something it's not. Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner are knockouts as the two leads, keeping viewers transfixed and with our hearts in our throats. It's also beautifully shot by Giovanni Ribisi (yes, the actor) in his feature debut as a cinematographer. CM "The Substance""The Substance" is an instant body horror classic. Christine Tamalet/MUBI "The Substance" is not for the faint of heart. French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat established herself as a genius of phantasmagoria with her debut feature, 2017's "Revenge," but she takes things up several notches in her follow-up.The satirical feminist body-horror movie is completely insane, in the best way. It's a disgusting, disturbing, and extremely real fable of female self-hatred that goes off the rails (complimentary) like few movies I've seen before.Demi Moore grounds it all as Elisabeth Sparkle, a washed-up middle-aged celebrity who's driven to try the mysterious drug dubbed The Substance after being fired from her aerobics show on her 50th birthday. Margaret Qualley is positively demonic as Elisabeth's younger and more perfect self Sue, the product of that black market serum fated to be Elisabeth's downfall. CM "Twisters"Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell in "Twisters." Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Amblin Entertainment This summer, we learned that if you mix Glen Powell and tornadoes, you've got yourself a hit.This sequel to the 1996 hit "Twister" features more GGI-fueled storms and chemistry so hot between Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones that audiences were bummed they didn't kiss at the end everything you need from a hit summer blockbuster. JG "Wicked"Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in "Wicked." Universal Pictures I was prepared to be a hater heading into "Wicked." After all, how could someone successfully adapt one of the most successful Broadway musicals of all time? After being blown away by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's performances, I'll gladly admit I was wrong.As the movie's seemingly endless press tour has demonstrated, Erivo and Grande have incredible chemistry as Elphaba and Glinda, two witches who were once best friends before their paths diverged. Erivo is devastating as the lost, deeply lonely but resolute Elphaba, while Grande imbues so many layers into her performance as Glinda. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable movie experience with a showstopping finale, even if it's not the most technically impressive film on this list. CM "The Wild Robot"Lupita Nyong'o voices Roz in "The Wild Robot." DreamWorks Animation Based on Peter Brown's popular books, "The Wild Robot" weaves one of the most emotional yarns of the year. The movie tells the story of Roz (Lupita Nyong'o), a robot who washes up on a deserted island and learns the ways of the wildlife that inhabits it, leading to her becoming the guardian of an orphaned gosling.Beautiful to look at, with animation that has a watercolor quality, it's the uplifting story that elevates this movie from an impressive fantasy tale to a work that will be cherished by audiences for years to come. JG Jason's top five of 2024"The Wild Robot." DreamWorks Animation "The Wild Robot""The Apprentice""The Brutalist""The Substance""Conclave"Caralynn's top 5 of 2024Demi Moore in "The Substance." MUBI "The Substance""Hard Truths""Queer""Anora""Nickel Boys"

My kids are teenagers now, but they believed in Elf on the Shelf for more than a decade.When I was deep in my elf years, I complained about the work, and now I miss it.These days, my elves are literally sitting on a shelf, and the holidays aren't quite the same.My kids are 14 and 16 now, but they held onto their belief in Elf on the Shelf for over a decade. When they were preschoolers, I'd set up elaborate displays showing Jingle and Garland (each kid had their own elf, naturally) pulling all sorts of pranks. Over the years, the elves toilet-papered the bathroom, hung everyone's underwear on the Christmas tree, and made snow angels in flour on my kitchen counter.I have always been, if nothing else, organized. Each year I'd make a spreadsheet with the elves' activities for the entire month of December. December 3? Fishing in the kitchen sink with Goldfish crackers. December 18? Stealing Baby Jesus from the nativity set. The ideas varied from maximum mom effort to simple. Like Christmas gifts, I'd buy the supplies in advance and store them away so I had what I needed for a month of elfin shenanigans.Now that my kids have outgrown Elf on the Shelf, I miss it The author would set up the Elf on the Shelf while her kids were sleeping. Courtesy of Terri Peters I'll never forget times when, as we sat at dinner, my 6-year-old daughter would dreamily say, "I wonder what the elves will do tomorrow?" or the moments I'd hear my 8-year-old son exchanging stories with his friends at school about what everyone's elves did the night before.We were an all-in elf family: We watched the "Elf on the Shelf" holiday cartoon special, we owned EOTS pajamas, we added Elf Pets like a reindeer and a St. Bernard to the fold, and I well, I was exhausted keeping up with it all."I forgot to move the elves," I'd sometimes groan, warm under the covers and ready for bed. More times than I care to admit, I was up at midnight sneaking around the house, setting up scenes to make my kids think the elves drew mustaches on our family photos or were taken hostage by their Lego minifigures. Later, on bleary-eyed coffee dates with mom friends, we'd commiserate over our hatred of the elf, which always seemed strange to me, considering it was an evil we willingly brought on ourselves.I don't regret telling my kids the elves weren't real, but it's still bittersweet The author's kids loved when the Elf on the Shelf would play pranks on them. Courtesy of Terri Peters My kids' disbelief in Santa Claus and all the magic that comes with him came later than other kids. In fact, after a particular Christmas of wearing myself out with the magic-making, I told my husband, "I am so sick of an imaginary man getting credit for all the hard work I do as their mom." Tired of the Santa-run patriarchy, I decided if they were still living in the world of make-believe by Easter, I'd spill the beans. Courtesy of Terri Peters When Easter rolled around, I had to sit my 11 and 13-year-old kids down and tell them the truth. They admitted they'd suspected it for a while and, of their own accord, asked my husband if they could make me an Easter basket that year. Inside were all my favorites: lottery scratch-offs, lip gloss, Hot Tamales, and a copy of "The Velveteen Rabbit," my favorite children's book. Inside, they'd written, "Mom, thank you for all of the magical holidays."These days, the elves are, quite literally, on the shelf Today, the elves sit on a bookshelf in the author's home. Courtesy of Terri Peters For the first few elf-free Christmases, we jokingly moved Jingle and Garland from room to room. I'd slide the elves behind the mirror of my daughter's dresser then, the next day, find the creepy little felt creatures staring up at me from my office desk. These days, however, the elves are stationary. They are quite literally on the shelf, sitting on a bookshelf with some other holiday decorations as a relic of Christmases past. And, hear me out: I miss them.Raising two teenagers is wildly fun and I'm not the mom who often laments how "fast it all goes" and pine for the toddler years. Still, there's a bit of magic missing from my home during the holidays magic that left with my kids' belief that Jingle and Garland, two scout elves from the North Pole, returned to Santa nightly to report on their behavior and came back to pull silly pranks each morning while they slept.Making holiday magic is a lot of work, but it's worth itI'll never be the parent who tells younger moms and dads to "enjoy every moment," because parenting is stressful and hard. But I will tell you this: Enjoy those late nights waiting for your kids to fall asleep so you can move your Elf on the Shelf to its next destination. Relish in those little voices shrieking in delight about elves found having sack races with stuffed animals or tea parties with Barbie dolls. Memorize the faces and the giggles and the joy that Elf on the Shelf brings because, believe it or not, you will miss it one day.And pro tip? Set a reminder on your phone to move that darn elf before you get snuggled into bed for the night.

The International Space Station (ISS) has served as home to astronauts for nearly 30 years but the aging spacecraft is set to retire by the end of the decade, leaving behind a major gap in low Earth orbit. NASA is hoping to fill that gap with a commercial version of the ISS. Until that happens, however, the space agency is adamant on maintaining a human presence in the microgravity environment to stay on track for landing astronauts on Mars. NASA released the final version of its Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy, which highlights the need to send long-term human missions to space following the retirement of the ISS. The space agency dubbed its strategy continuous heartbeat, a seemingly odd choice of words to convey the need for long-duration flights of six months to a year to mitigate risks for future trips to Mars, NASA wrote. Flights of 30 days to six months will have limited value, as well, the space agency added. Key to these missions is the humans part. While transitioning from the [ISS] to future commercial space stations, NASA will maintain a consistent and continuous presence in low Earth orbit, the report read. This unbroken rhythm of human activity will allow NASA to reduce risk for sending humans to Mars, preserve critical operational skills, maintain a steady transportation cadence, continue advancing science, and sustain engagement with commercial and international partners. NASA and its partners plan to retire the ISS by 2030;the space station is destined for a fiery reentry through Earths atmosphere where most of it will burn up. In 2021, the space agency created its Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations program to build a replacement in the coveted spot left behind by the ISS. NASA, however, is no longer in the business of building space stations. Instead, it simply wants to be a customer, helping its commercial partners build and operate a space station that its astronauts can use. Companies like Axiom Space, Blue Origin, and Northrop Grumman are hoping to replace the ISS with their own versions, but those likely will not be ready in five years time. Instead, NASAs strategy for those gap years is to maintain a continuous human presence in space through long-duration missions to low Earth orbit destinations using commercially owned spacecraft. The main purpose of the missions will be to continue carrying out scientific research in the microgravity environment, as well as research that pertains to human health in space to prepare for future missions to the Moon and Mars.Through the [ISS], NASA has demonstrated that microgravity research is critical to advancing both knowledge of ourselves and our planet, the report read. As we approach the transition from the space station to commercial platforms in low Earth orbit, NASA must enable the governments use of these platforms for further research and development across a spectrum of national objectives that strengthens economies and enhances the quality of life here on Earth for all people. The new strategy also highlights the need for a diversity of providers, suggesting that NASA wants to rely on more than just SpaceX to transport its crew and cargo to low Earth orbit. The space agency is still in the process of certifying Boeings Starliner program following its botched test flight this year.The retirement of the ISS, and the subsequent transitional phase, reflects NASAs own transition to relying on its commercial partners to maintain its presence in space.

Castle High / Hyde + Hyde ArchitectsSave this picture! Martin GardnerResidential ArchitectureBroad Haven, United KingdomArchitects: Hyde + Hyde ArchitectsAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:490 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2021 PhotographsPhotographs:Martin GardnerMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Castle High is a contemporary farmhouse in the Pembrokeshire National Park. This extraordinary coastal home - built by the owner for his family over a decade - is a testament to hard work, persistence and dedication. The owners approached Hyde + Hyde in 2010 to develop a master plan for their smallholding, which occupies an exposed site close to the Pembrokeshire coast. As the current generation of an old farming family, they were determined to remain on the site but found the existing 1950s farmhouse in poor condition, thermally inefficient and no longer fit for purpose. This had replaced the site's original working farmhouse, which would have framed a functional, sheltered courtyard alongside the traditional stone outbuildings. However, the replacement house lacked the integrity of the older buildings, and its seemingly random position left the courtyard open to harsh prevailing winds and violent storms, slowly falling into disrepair.Save this picture!The new farmhouse is simple and minimal, combining robustness and resilience with openness and transparency. Central to the design is the project's ability to reframe the courtyard again, completing the horseshoe shape of the existing outbuildings with a contemporary new wing. Its position within the National Park demanded a high quality and contextual response: the new home is sensitive in form and scale, bringing together old and new in an arrangement that respects and responds to the site's location, climate and character. This was a real labor of love for the clients, executed as a self-build project over ten years as their time and budgetary constraints allowed.Save this picture!Save this picture!The ground floor contains a generous open-plan living space, with curtain wall glazing providing views of the courtyard and the sea. This transparency from the inner courtyard to the landscape beyond was critical and created an intimate feeling of flow. At the first-floor level, a corridor looks into the courtyard, while the children's bedrooms occupy the faceted outer facade, with windows angled towards the view. The master bedroom, hidden to the west, has commanding views towards the Irish Sea. Alongside the contemporary wing, an adjacent, repurposed outbuilding retains a more traditional, cellular arrangement to house guest accommodation, a games room and a study.Save this picture!Responding to the exposed nature of the site, the project required a robust, low-maintenance material palette. Inspired by the weathering of pebbles on the nearby shoreline, the new wing is built from white, fair-faced concrete. This provides a sculptural sense of solidity when paired with generous glazing and tonal and textural contrast with the farmstead's traditional buildings. Other materials, such as black recyclable titanium-coated Anthrazinc roofing and a Corten rain-screen, were chosen for their long-wearing qualities - each a nod to the materiality of surrounding agricultural typologies.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Broad Haven, United KingdomLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeMaterialsSteelConcreteMaterials and TagsPublished on December 21, 2024Cite: "Castle High / Hyde + Hyde Architects" 21 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024934/castle-high-hyde-plus-hyde-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

The best role-playing games are the ones that effortlessly transport you to faraway lands, and in 2024, there was no shortage of fantasy adventures in this genre. This is a category of video games that feature a lot of legacy titles and franchises, and 2024's best-reviewed RPGs pulled from several franchises like Dragon Age, Final Fantasy, and Trails.In addition to those established heavyweights, we also got a new entry in the Like a Dragon series, Atlus releasing not one but three critically acclaimed games, and World of Warcraft kicking off a new golden age with its The War Within expansion. Thanks to our sister site Metacritic, we've rounded up the RPGs that received the highest Metascores in 2024 (as of December 5), and you can see them all for yourself in the list below.For a look back at the year that was, you can also check out GameSpot's Best of 2024 hub for a detailed breakdown on why one RPG in particular was our best game of the year. We also have a running list of the best RPGs to play right now.More Best Of 2024:Our Favorite Games That Didn't Make The Top 10Best PS5-Exclusive Games Of 2024Best Switch-Exclusive Games Of 2024Best PC-Exclusive Games Of 2024Best Xbox Games Of 2024Best-Reviewed Games Of 2024Best Of 2024 hub Elden Ring: Shadow of the ErdtreeShadow of the Erdtree raises the bar for what a video game expansion can be, as developer From Software crams an entire game's worth of content into this package. Improving on almost everything that made Elden Ring so brilliant when it was first released in 2022, Shadow of the Erdtree is a challenging and rewarding DLC that's a must-play for any FromSoft fan.Metascore: 94 | Read our Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review See at Amazon Metaphor: ReFantazioMetaphor: ReFantazio is more than just Persona with a high-fantasy setting, as this Atlus game takes that familiar formula of time-management and turn-based combat, refining it into a thrilling tale of succession. A surprisingly flexible fantasy game with a well-realized cast of comrades, Metaphor: ReFantazio is also a reminder of how powerful and inspiring fiction can be in the real world with its poignant tale.Metascore: 94 | Read our Metaphor ReFantazio review See at Amazon Final Fantasy VII RebirthThe middle chapter of the Final Fantasy VII Remake saga continued this year with a new game that busted free from the confines of Midgar. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth admittedly does have a bad habit of throwing filler content at players just when the story heats up, but beyond that gripe, it's a beautiful and ambitious sequel that you can sink dozens of hours into while you learn more about its iconic cast of heroes and villains.Metascore: 92 | Read our Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth review See at Amazon Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth2020's Yakuza: Like a Dragon saw a seismic shift in the franchise's gameplay as it pivoted away from beat-'em-up action to turn-based combat. Infinite Wealth continues to strengthen its JRPG design while reveling in its absurdity and throwing an obscene amount of extra modes at players to try out. Combined with its engrossing story, it's another fun chapter in the saga of Ichiban Kasuga as he cements himself as the new face of the Like a Dragon series.Metascore: 89 | Read our Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth review See at Amazon Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year DoorNintendo has a knack for developing games that can stand the test of time, and thanks to some minor tweaks, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door feels just as good to play today as it did 20 years ago. The original game was ahead of its time with its delightful papercraft visuals, and this high-definition remake is a stunning return to Mario's turn-based glory years.Metascore: 88 | Read our Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door review See at Amazon Persona 3 ReloadAtlus delivered a one-two combo of games this year, and alongside the critically acclaimed Metaphor: ReFantazio, Persona 3 Reload introduced a brand-new audience to one of the best Persona games of all time. A remake that retains the soul of the original game while also modernizing it, Persona 3 Reload is the kind of game that asks you to dedicate many hours of your life to it. But in return? You're getting an exceptional story, decadent visuals, gripping gameplay, and a cool soundtrack to enhance the experience.Metascore: 87 | Read our Persona 3 Reload review See at Amazon Shin Megami Tensei V: VengeanceCan you have too much of a good thing? Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance can easily consume dozens of your hours, leaving the rest of your life jealous of all the attention you're showering on this game. The third game in the hat trick pulled off by Atlus this year, SMTV: Vengeance is the original game but better. It has a ton of new content to play, the quality-of-life changes remove a lot of the game's grind, and on non-Nintendo platforms, it's a stylish riff on Pokemon with its demon-collecting focus.Metascore: 87 | Read our Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance review See at Amazon Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader - Void ShadowsWarhammer 40k's space marines hogged the spotlight this year, but for anyone looking to explore a different side of this grimdark galaxy, Rogue Trader stands out as an alternative that you don't want to miss out on. A strategy-RPG boasting well over 100 hours of content, Rogue Trader gives players a deep story to explore, engrossing combat that'll keep you on your toes, and a new perspective on the merchants looking to eke out a living in a hostile universe. The Void Shadows expansion is even more of that good stuff, adding even more hours onto an already impressively lengthy game.Metascore: 86 Unicorn OverlordThe best way to describe Unicorn Overlord is to call it a beautifully intricate tactical RPG. The complexity of its gameplay isn't for the faint of heart, but the sheer depth of it combined with its elegant high-fantasy art direction makes it hard to put down as each new discovery results in new options to use on the battlefield. That's the key takeaway from Unicorn Overlord, because if you're prepared to commit to it, you'll find a staggering amount of potential in this grand tale of magic and tactics.Metascore: 86 | Read our Unicorn Overlord review See at Amazon ArcoArco has a cinematic flair to its pixel-art design, but if you need a more substantial reason to pick this gem up, then look no further than its innovative gameplay. A combination of real-time combat and turn-based, tactical planning, Arco brings together two genres into a fantastical world filled with hundreds of levels, enemies, skills, and llamas across its intertwined stories. On paper, this bullet-hellish game shouldn't work, but clever design choices by its developers help create brisk battles to savor in this RPG gem.Metascore: 86 Dragon's Dogma 2Dragon's Dogma 2 checks all the boxes for a grand RPG adventure, from powerful swords and sorcery skills to use to titanic clashes against powerful bosses, but the real charm of this game is revealed when you go off the beaten path. Like the best fantasy epics, Dragon's Dogma 2 gives players a world full of possibility to explore and forge their own legend in, creating some of the best escapist entertainment of the year.Metascore: 86 | Read our Dragon's Dogma 2 review See at Amazon World of Warcraft: The War WithinThe 10th expansion in World of Warcraft's decades-long history, War Within is also one of the MMORPG's best. Not only does it lay the foundation for a new saga that'll play out over the next couple of years, it also introduces major progression changes, new modes to draw in solo players, and new zones that you'll want to explore for hours on end.Metascore: 85 | Read our World of Warcraft: The War Within review Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil IslandThe latest Shiren game doesn't rock the boat, as it sticks to the core gameplay loop of grid-based dungeons, taking on armies of enemies, and turn-based combat. There's a sense of comfortable familiarity with this new Shiren game, and alongside its roguelike direction and stylish design, it's surprisingly hard to put down as you plumb the depths of its challenging locations.Metascore: 84 See at Amazon Dragon Quest III HD-2D RemakeSeveral of the best RPGs of the year have introduced innovative new ideas to the genre, but if you're looking for something more classical, look no further than Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. A remake of the original 1988 game, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake benefits from Square-Enix's gorgeous HD-2D visuals, quality-of-life upgrades, and several other welcome modernization elements. It also makes this game a great entry-point for newcomers, as it's an uncomplicated and approachable session of old-fashioned JRPG goodness.Metascore: 84 | Read our Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake review See at Amazon The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through DaybreakTrails Through Daybreak continues to build Falcom's fantasy world, setting the stage for a new story arc while also serving as a decent point for newcomers to jump into. This entry in the series has rock-solid gameplay and well-written characters, with the combat benefitting from a substantial overhaul that makes it feel fresh and exciting for veterans to master.Metascore: 84 See at Amazon Diablo IV: Vessel of HatredDiablo has a long history of superb expansions, and considering just how good Diablo 4 was on launch day, Vessel of Hatred had a high benchmark to clear when it arrived earlier this year. Fortunately, the expansion lives up to expectations, delivering the exciting new Spiritborn class, a dungeon that'll push you to your limits, and several raid-like elements that shake up the Diablo formula. Alongside several major patches and updates introduced before Vessel of Hatred arrived, Diablo 4 is in a pretty great place right now thanks to content like this.Metascore: 84 | Read our Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred review Dragon Age: The VeilguardAfter a rough couple of years, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a welcome reminder of just how good BioWare is at crafting single-player adventures. While it has its fair share of rough edges, The Veilguard sticks the landing with its satisfying combat mechanics, beautifully realized fantasy world, and a cast of legends to join you on your quest.Metascore: 82 | Read our Dragon Age: The Veilguard review See at Amazon Alaloth: Champions of The Four KingdomsTo call Alaloth: Champions of The Four Kingdoms a Diablo-like with souls-like combat and Lord of the Rings-inspired storytelling would be an insultingly brief description of the game. While it wears its inspirations on its chainmail sleeves, Alaloth manages to successfully blend them into a captivating experience that mixes old-school designs with modern ideas.Metascore: 81 Arranger: A Role-Puzzling AdventureArranger is the kind of game that takes a single idea and manages to squeeze out an impressive amount of content from it. In this case, it's the idea of shifting rows and columns to get around maps in this role-playing puzzle game, a gameplay system that's ingeniously crafted and fun to master. Not just a joy to play, Arranger's cheerful visuals and charming tale of self-discovery make it one of 2024's highlights.Metascore: 81 Black Myth: WukongOne of this year's biggest commercial hits, Black Myth: Wukong is an action-RPG rooted in Chinese mythology. Visually gorgeous and thrilling to play thanks to its well-balanced gameplay mechanics, GameScience makes an incredible first impression with its debut game.Metascore: 81 | Read our Black Myth: Wukong review See at Amazon InkboundA turn-based roguelike game isn't exactly a new idea, but Inkbound manages to take that fusion of genres and puts its own creative stamp on it with its complex gameplay systems. While that might be a turn-off for some, it's that complexity that makes Inkbound stand out from the pack, as it organically introduces new ideas so that you don't feel overwhelmed. With its colorful graphics and well-designed combat loop, it's the kind of RPG that'll keep you entertained if you're prepared to invest some time in it.Metascore: 80 Cat Quest 3Some of the best role-playing games provide escapist fantasy that you can't find in any other genre, and Cat Quest 3 does a brilliant job in making you feel like a high-seas pirate who also happens to be a cat. It's cute, it frequently throws puns at you, and it looks like a high-budget Saturday morning cartoon come to life. What more could you ask for from a cat-themed game brimming with nautical themes?Metascore: 80 Granblue Fantasy: RelinkEasily one of the best-looking RPGs of the year, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is an adventure with a surprisingly tight and focused approach to storytelling. That streamlined narrative approach is a breath of fresh air compared to all the filler you'd typically find in other RPGs looking to pad out their runtime, and when combined with its slick combat, colorful cast, and deep gameplay, it's a fun RPG to pick up when you're looking for something that won't outstay its welcome.Metascore: 80 See at Amazon Last EpochOn the other armored hand, Last Epoch is the kind of game you pick up if you feel like spending hundreds of hours inside of a trippy fantasy land full of time-bending storylines and the lure of shiny loot. Its gameplay packs a punch, and you can spend days fine-tuning your character thanks to the dozens of skills you can learn, as The Last Epoch community regularly uncovers new game-breaking builds. It also looks like a Hollywood fantasy movie in action, thanks to its beautifully designed worlds.Metascore: 80 Ys X: NordicsThe latest entry in the longest-running Ys series is an RPG that's an action-packed blast of fun that mixes Viking-inspired combat with over-the-top combat. Ys X: Nordics encourages push-forward action, but in co-op, the game stands out thanks to its satisfying combo-attacks against a menagerie of monsters.Metascore: 80 See at Amazon

In LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, there are many different collectibles that players can obtain, including Datacards. There are 19 in total throughout all 9 episodes, and they can be used to unlock a multitude of different cosmetic items, as well as stud multipliers, and even cheats. They can be incredibly useful, and also provide you with some fun outfit options as well.

Valve has released the final issue of Team Fortress 2's long-running webcomic, with this also being the first update to the comic in seven years. Fans of Team Fortress 2 are used to waiting long periods of time for Valve to update its game. Updates to TF2 can sometimes take anywhere between months to even years, especially in the 2020s. However, one thing that fans waited for and were certain was never going to reach a conclusion was its long-running webcomic.