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15 Disney attractions that aren’t worth waiting in line for – and what to do instead

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Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Disneyland ride

No matter which Disney park you’re in, you’re sure to find dozens of incredible attractions at every corner.

Still, that doesn’t mean every attraction appeal to everyone — in fact, each park has at least one ride that you find to be a dud and might have you wondering why you waited in line in the first place. 

These are the 15 rides at both the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the Disneyland Resort in California that simply aren’t worth standing in line for — and what you should do instead, in my opinion.

Stitch’s Great Escape! is known as the worst ride in Disney World — check out Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor instead.

The Magic Kingdom has dozens of rides for kids and adults alike, from classic dark rides to thrilling mountain coasters. But it’s also home to what many consider to be Disney World’s worst attraction ever — Stitch’s Great Escape! in Tomorrowland.

It used to be home to the uncharacteristically frightening ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, in which guests sat in a darkened room and prepared for an alien invasion. But the ride was closed seemingly after Jim Hill Media reported that too many guests deemed it dark and frightening for children, and it was reworked in 2003 to feature the adventures of a beloved character, Stitch, from "Lilo & Stitch."

But the much-maligned attraction is so unpopular, it’s often on a seasonal schedule, with Disney fans wondering when the House of Mouse might finally get rid of it for good.

If you don’t want to enjoy the simulated smell of a chili dog burp as "Stitch" saunters around you in a dark room, go right next door to the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, a fun, interactive attraction that is equally family-friendly and not nearly as jarring.



Skip the lines for the Fantasyland Carousel in both parks; go for the Mad Tea Party instead.

Fantasyland is a staple at both the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland for a reason — it transports guests of all ages to a world of whimsy and magic, and it’s chock full of colorfully themed rides that even the littlest guests can enjoy.

Both parks feature a similar classic carousel ride with a slightly different name and theming — Prince Charming Regal Carousel in Disney World and the King Arthur Carrousel in Disneyland.

While both are intricately themed, neither is worth waiting on a line for, especially when the merry-go-round exists in the exact same format at your local amusement park.

Skip the state fair attraction and head to Mad Tea Party, which is a much more fun, in my opinion, — and just as whimsical — classic attraction, albeit not for those prone to motion sickness or averse to serious spinning.

 



Pass by TriceraTop Spin for the more thrilling Primeval Whirl.

DinoLand U.S.A. in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the kid-centric area either loved or hated by Disney fans. Meant to echo the classic American carnival or amusement park, some love its kitschy theming, while others think it’s a cheap filler in a park known for its detailed and realistic theming.

Still, it features lots of kid-friendly attractions, including TriceraTop Spin, a dino-themed aerial carousel. It’s great for little ones, but not much different than Dumbo the Flying Elephant and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin at the Magic Kingdom, so skip this one in favor of the spinning coaster, Primeval Whirl, located close by.

It’s not for those averse to spins and short drops, but the "mild but wild thrills" make it much more worth the wait than a Dumbo ripoff with dinosaurs.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Forget Mykonos and Santorini. I found a little-known island in Greece that's twice as beautiful and half the price

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Greece Best Islands Tinos Mykonos Santorini (30 of 33)

  • Traveling to Greece during the peak summer months can be an expensive, busy, and crowded vacation, particularly if you frequent the two most popular islands in the country, Mykonos and Santorini.
  • At the recommendation of a local, I visited Tinos, an island well-known to Greeks and about a 30-minute ferry ride from Mykonos. While similarly located in the Cyclades, Tinos feels like a completely different world.
  • The island has a breathtaking landscape, untouched beaches, and historic Greek villages built into the mountainsides, all at a fraction of the cost of Mykonos and Santorini, even during the peak summer season.

Most vacationers heading to the islands in Greece usually end up at one of two destinations: Mykonos and Santorini.

While both islands have their charms, they've undoubtedly become tourist traps, with overbooked hotels, overpriced restaurants, and beaches and sights packed with cruise-shippers and holiday makers all summer long.

But Greece has 6,000 islands in total, many of which are even more beautiful, a fraction of the price, and, best of all, relatively untouched by international tourists.

At the recommendation of a Greek local, I recently headed to Tinos, an island of 9,000 people about a 30-minute ferry ride from Mykonos. While Tinos is located in the Cyclades, like Mykonos and Santorini, it feels oceans away.

Rather than resorts that tend to your every desire, packed nightclubs, and hip  — some might say pretentious — restaurants and bars, Tinos is filled with breathtaking landscapes, historic Greek villages, a cuisine built on fresh, local ingredients, and beaches dotted with thatch-huts and a single van selling cheap drinks and snacks.

For those looking for a taste of classic Cycladic life, Tinos might as well be paradise. 

I had planned on only staying for two days in Tinos. I ended up staying for five.

Here's what it's like:

SEE ALSO: I visited the glittering Greek island of Mykonos, the summer destination of choice for billionaires — and it's a very different experience if you aren't swimming in money

DON'T MISS: A local in Greece gave me a tip to visiting the country, and it's the opposite of everything you've been told

After a few days in Mykonos, I was ready for a more relaxed Greek adventure. I hopped a ferry to Tinos for 20 Euros. Just about everyone on the ferry to Tinos was either Greek, Italian, or French.



Immediately upon arriving in Tinos, I realized how different the island is from Santorini or Mykonos. While its town, Chora, also has cobblestone streets and white Cycladic architecture, it's far quieter. During the day, it's practically empty. At night, it gets a bit busier when Greek vacationers and some other European tourists visit the tavernas and souvenir shops on the main street.



From a distance, Chora is spectacular. I stayed about a 10-minute walk from the main square at a small hotel called Agali Bay. While the hotel was nothing special architecturally, it was only $70 a night for a room with a view of the sea. The family that has run the hotel for 30 years was incredibly kind, helpful, and accommodating.

Source: Agali Bay Hotel



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

50 damaging habits you should break before you turn 30

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joel bengs 498744 unsplash

Everyone has goals they want to accomplish. But with busy schedules and work demands, it can sometimes feel like we let them slip away.

The approach of 30 is the perfect time to be introspective and look at all the areas of your life you might want to tweak. So we asked the Business Insider UK office, as well as some friends and family, to send over the most damaging habits they managed to break — or are on their way to breaking — before they hit the big 3-0.

Scroll on for a comprehensive sort-your-life-out checklist of 50 damaging habits you should break by the time your 30th birthday rolls around.

Rosie Fitzmaurice contributed to an earlier version of this article.

SEE ALSO: Relationship experts say these are the 9 signs the person you're dating is right for you — and some are surprisingly simple

Living for the weekends.

The best way to stop doing this is to plan constructive things into your weekday evenings, according to Harry, associate distribution editor at BI UK. 

Megan, office manager and HR coordinator at BI UK, added, "Get a proper hobby. It's good to do something outside of work and socialising with friends... especially not involving a computer."

Whether it's signing up to your local book club or taking a dip in the lido, factoring in some me time after work can be extremely satisfying. 



Supporting fast fashion.

"Before turning 30 I made a decision to stop buying items that support fast fashion," Laura, an operations officer from London, told Business Insider. "That means no Zara! I have already given up on H&M and Primark. They say that most items are worn just seven times, so my goal is to buy things you will wear many times even if it costs more."



Thinking social smoking is 'OK.'

Paul, who is in recruitment from London, said social smoking was his biggest vice to quit before he turned 30.

Most people who consider themselves social smokers cut themselves some slack because they don’t smoke every day, or they "only smoke when they drink."

But government guidelines suggest that if you smoke at all, you're at higher risk of heart disease and cancer than those who don’t, not to mention unwanted short term effects like bad breath, ageing skin, and the money you're wasting.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

McDonald's just opened a new restaurant that looks like an Apple Store — and it reveals a blueprint for the future of the fast-food giant (MCD)

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McDonald's flagship

  • McDonald's opened a new flagship store in Chicago that looks more like an Apple Store than a fast-food restaurant. 
  • The restaurant features table service, ordering kiosks, and more than 70 trees inside the building. 
  • While not every McDonald's will look like the Chicago mega-store, the flagship restaurant reveals some major clues about the future of the fast-food chain. 

 

McDonald's newest restaurant is making a bold statement about the future of the chain. 

On Thursday, McDonald's is opening a new flagship restaurant in Chicago. It's a glassy 19,000-square-foot building that looks more like an Apple store than a fast-food restaurant — and that's exactly what the company intended. 

"We are proud to open the doors to this flagship restaurant which symbolizes how we are building a better McDonald’s for our customers and the communities where they live," McDonald’s President and CEO Steve Easterbrook said in a statement. 

Here's what it looks like to take a glimpse inside. 

SEE ALSO: Edible Arrangements is sick of only being a Mother's Day gift. Now, its new CEO wants to convince shoppers it's a smoothie-and-snack chain.

While the structure may be different, the Golden Arches are still present at the restaurant, which will be open seven days a week and 24 hours a day.



The restaurant features self-order kiosks, table service, mobile order and pay, and delivery — services that are becoming increasingly mainstream at McDonald's across the US.



Table service and increased digital ordering options are part of McDonald's "Experience of the Future" revamp. Currently roughly 5,000 restaurants fit the qualifications, with plans to transform almost all restaurants by 2020.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Critics are in love with 'Crazy Rich Asians,' which has a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes

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08 crazy rich asians.w710.h473

Critics are gushing over "Crazy Rich Asians," which has a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film, which comes to theaters August 15, is funny and romantic all while telling an important story about an Asian American protagonist and her boyfriend's family in Singapore.

It captures the spirit of the greatest romantic comedies of all time from filmmakers like Nora Ephron, but has its own unique twist. There's also lots of decadent food, fashion, and real-estate in a way that captures the spirit of Kevin Kwan's 2013 novel on which the movie is based. 

Critics agree that "Crazy Rich Asians" is an excellent movie that is a turning point for the studio romantic comedy.

Here's what critics said about "Crazy Rich Asians":

SEE ALSO: 'Crazy Rich Asians' is an extravagant, hilarious, and poignant examination of Asian American and Asian cultures that revolutionizes the studio rom-com

"The film's arrival is undeniably momentous. But it's nearly as vital that Crazy Rich is a romantic comedy -- a genre that relies on charisma above all else. The film's stereotype-busting approach is multifarious."

Inkoo Kang, Slate



"The entire film heavily leans into its specificity with a zest that's infectious. 'Crazy Rich Asians' is here to celebrate in a big way."

Anne Cohen, Refinery 29



"Seeing this kind of onscreen representation is incredibly satisfying, especially via Kwan's rich page-turner, loaded with cattiness but also plenty of Asian diversity, from wholesome friends and wise confidantes to jealous mean girls and scheming parents."

Danny Yu, Time Out



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

25 cheap and easy replacements for plastic in your home and kitchen

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

bee's wrap

If we're upfront about it, our total dependency on plastic makes sense.

It’s the kind of material that sounds borderline pie-in-the-sky: durable, versatile, flexible, long-lasting, and cheap. Understandably, we have obliged by including it in nearly every facet of modern life: garbage bags, credit cards, headphones, toothbrushes... the list goes on.

But, unfortunately, this miracle material does have a fatal flaw — and it's wreaking havoc on the environment that sustains us.  Scientists estimate the ocean will be more plastic than fish in 2050, and images of sea turtles stuck in 6-pack plastic rings are so ubiquitous that we are almost entirely desensitized to the implication. The ecological damages are piling up faster than we can wean ourselves off the material itself. 

The news regarding climate change is dire. It’s no longer a question of if we will experience repercussions, but simply their severity. If want to make a difference — or take baby steps towards making a difference — you can start with actions like replacing plastics in your own home. 

The next time you run out of something, replace it with a metal or glass alternative. Knowing you’ll reuse something makes it a better value, and wood and metal alternatives tend to hit within the same price neighborhood as plastics with the secondary benefit of also looking much more high-end in a home. 

There are habits you can develop to mitigate your impact (cut 6-pack rings with scissors before they go in the trash, drink your cold brew without a straw), but your consumption is what is going to send the largest ripples without asking much of you in terms of convenience or cost.

Below are 25 home goods that are replacements for plastics you might otherwise buy. If you want to make the eco-friendly choice, opt for one of these:

Washable, mesh produce bags

BahrEco Washable Mesh Produce Bags, Set of 5, $10.97

This set of five reusable produce bags are a big life hack for sustainability. You can bring them to the grocery store to pick up veggies without each fruit having its own individual plastic bag. They're foldable, washable (and you can wash your produce in them, too), and have color-coded tags. 



Reusable silicone food bags and steamer bags

Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Bag, $11.99

Stasher bag is billed as the world's first fully functional, self-sealing, non-plastic bag, and was developed as a healthy alternative to plastic storage bags. It has an air-tight, pinch-press seal for freshness and is made from 100% pure platinum food-grade silicone safe for everything from the freezer to the microwave, dishwasher, and boiling water, which is why you can even use them for sous vide. 



Greenlight matches

Diamond Strike on Box Greenlight Matches, 300-Count, $4.77

Rather than plastic lighters, pick up box matches for the dual perks of being eco-friendly and mastering a life skill with street cred. These 300 matches are under $5 and include wood from sustainably managed forests. Plus, they're probably more reliable in an apocalypse than a lighter that needs to be refilled. What more could you want?

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

5 reasons you should already have a credit card

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credit card

Credit cards are a wondrous thing. It can grant you some more financial freedom and help you to pay for things in installments if you need to. 

More importantly, you can build up your credit profile in fast, safe, and reliable ways. While it's simple to find yourself in credit card debt spurred on by how easy it is to spend, credit cards can also be lifesavers if you use them correctly.

Here are a few things to consider while turning over in your mind whether you want to go ahead and apply for a credit card.

Your credit score will stagnate without an open line of credit, making larger purchases in the future difficult.

Having a great credit score is an integral part of maintaining a healthy financial profile. Without a credit card, it can be difficult to establish or build credit, which can make larger purchases like a car or a house, or even renting an apartment, extremely difficult, according to The Balance. In turn, you'll be forced to pay higher prices on these items without a line of credit.

Jean Chatzky, a contributing editor at Bankrate, told the New York Times, that young adults with little or no credit history have what’s known as a “thin” credit file. According to Chatzky, this can make it difficult to obtain a loan on their own for larger purchases.

“It’s hard to underwrite an applicant who has no credit history or credit score,” John Ulzheimer, a credit expert for Credit Sesame, added.  



You're more protected from fraud if you have a credit card.

If you don't have a credit card, maybe you opt to use a debit card or pay in cash instead. There are a few problems with that, however. When you use cash, it disappears. If it's stolen, there's no way to get it back. It's similar to debit card purchases, which can be much harder to recover when you need the bank to step in, according to Totally Money. 

Credit cards have widespread protection against fraud, and it's much easier to approach your card issuer to report a stolen card and see a full return of your stolen credit than it is to get your cold, hard cash back. If you've had a whole pocket of cash taken from, say, your wallet, there's really no protection against that, aside from perhaps filing a police report.



Credit cards can help you in emergency situations.

With a credit card, you've always got at least a bit of cash at your disposal. Whether you've got $1,500 or $15,000, you've got a store of money to borrow without accruing interest on it. 

The only caveat is that you have to pay your bill on time or your credit card issuer can start charging you interest for the outstanding balance.

If you don't have at least one card, you may find yourself having to pay out of pocket with any available cash in your bank account should you have to pay for a new water heater, or expensive car repairs, with no option to pay back minimum payments.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The average credit card debt in every state, ranked

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credit card purchase

  • Credit card debt is on the rise in the US, with the average American household carrying a balance of $5,700, according to a new report by ValuePenguin.
  • However, location accounts for differences in credit card debt across American households.
  • ValuePenguin broke down the average credit card debt by state and Alaska comes out on top.

More Americans are using credit cards than ever before.

And while the average percentage of Americans carrying credit card debt has been on the decline over the past ten years, the average credit card debt amount has been increasing, according to ValuePenguin, who recently explored data from the US Census Bureau and the Federal Reserve to take a closer look at credit card debt.

ValuePenguin found that more than 40% of all US households carry credit card debt, with the average American household carrying a balance of $5,700. For only indebted households, which excludes people who pay their balances in full every month, the average debt is $9,333.

However, this average varies across different regions in the US. Using data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, ValuePenguin broke down the average credit card debt by state to highlight how location plays a factor.

Below, see the average credit card debt in every state, ranked from lowest to highest.

SEE ALSO: Americans are using their credit cards more than ever — and some experts think that's a good thing

DON'T MISS: The riskiest places to swipe your debit card

51. Ohio

Average credit card debt: $5,446



50. South Carolina

Average credit card debt: $5,801



49. Maine

Average credit card debt: $5,803



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 signs you could be coming on too strong

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Mean GirlsLet’s face it — sometimes, we can all get a little too aggressive, especially when it comes to dating. What some of us may consider playful flirting, others may see as coming on a little strong. We live and learn from these moments, but sometimes it's the hard way.

If your Tinder dates end up abruptly sizzling out with a bunch of unanswered texts, then you may be a little too aggressive with your dating style. INSIDER asked experts to weigh in on some signs that you may want to back off a bit at first.

You provide too much information.

Yes, there is such a thing as too much information. You don’t have to bring up your whole life story on a first date, so keep the personal info to a minimum.

"Revealing sensitive information means that you’re not comfortable about something," said MD/PhD-trained mental health provider, Damian Sendler.

"When people like you, they won’t care anyway. "

Of course you can talk about the basics — where you grew up, where you went to college, and your career are all great topics for discussion — but your date doesn’t need to know about your childhood trauma or your morning bowel movements. Keep things light and breezy at first.



You text first — all the time.

Texting first every once in a while isn’t a bad thing at all. With that being said, if you’re texting first every time and you’re getting curt responses, it’s a pretty clear sign that your fling is starting to burn out, according to certified counselor and co-founder of Double Trust Dating, Jonathan Bennett.

"If you do most of the talking or texting with another person, it’s a sign you’re coming on too strong," he said. "For example, you write long blocks of text, but the other person gives a one or two word reply. In most cases, the other person isn’t that interested and is trying to give you a hint."

There's a chance they haven’t tried to reach out to you because they’re ready to move on, and texting them first all of the time just seems too eager. So, if they really want to talk to you, let them make the first move for once.



You make a habit of double, triple, or quadruple texting.

Of course, you can text someone whenever you want, but texting "lol" or a row of question marks two hours after your last text isn’t probably isn't going to make them respond any faster. They’re probably busy, or maybe they just don’t want to talk. It's best to let them respond to you if they want to instead of sending multiple follow-ups.

"If someone has a life and is busy at work, it’s fun to hear from them a few times a day when you first start dating, but creating a digital novel is too much, too soon," said award-winning dating coach and CEO of Cyber-Dating Expert, Julie Spira.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Inside the relationship of former 'bad boy' pro golfer Dustin Johnson and Paulina Gretzky, who used to eat breakfast and dinner with her hockey legend father every day

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Dustin Johnson Paulina Gretzky

  • Dustin Johnson and his fiance Paulina Gretzky met through Gretzky's parents in 2009.
  • The golf star and the pop singer-turned-model didn't go on their first date, however, until 2012.
  • They've been together ever since, and now have two children.


Dustin Johnson wooed the entire Gretzky clan long before he took his future fiance Paulina Gretzky on their first date.

In 2009, the pro golfer met Paulina's mother Janet — the wife of legendary hockey player Wayne Gretzky— at the Hero World Challenge golf tournament. Afterwards, the Gretzkys had Johnson over for dinner.

GOLF reported that Johnson and Gretzky had "undeniable chemistry" from the get-go, but the timing was off. Both were already in relationships with other people.

"We became good friends," Gretzky told GOLF. "Actually, my whole family became friends with Dustin — my brothers and parents saw him a lot more than I did."

But the story didn't end there.

Here's a look inside the relationship between golf's reformed "bad boy" and the hockey heiress:

SEE ALSO: A look inside the marriage of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who are worth $540 million, planned their wedding in 10 days, and have spoken every day for 11 years

DON'T MISS: Inside the marriage of LeBron and Savannah James, who met in high school, had their first date at Outback Steakhouse, and are now worth $275 million

SEE ALSO: Inside the marriage of Barack and Michelle Obama, who met at work and kissed outside an ice cream store on their first date

First, here's some background on the pair. Johnson is currently ranked number one in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Source: Official World Golf Ranking, CBS



He won the 2016 US Open and has won five World Golf Championships.

Source: Official World Golf Ranking, CBS



Forbes estimated that he had a net worth of $27.6 million in 2017. Currently, he is the frontrunner in the 2018 PGA Tournament.

Source: Official World Golf Ranking, CBS



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 6 movies that have a 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes in 2018, including 'Crazy Rich Asians'

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paddington

2018 has been a great year for quality movies in a range of genres, from superhero blockbusters to horror to documentaries. 

But a select group of movies has managed to win universal praise from critics and land a 100% critic score on review-aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. These movies also fall into a diverse assortment of genres, from a new take on the studio romantic comedy to a dramatic look at PTSD.

Some acclaimed movies this year just missed the mark, like "Won't You Be My Neighbor" and "Eighth Grade," which have a 99% and 98% critic score, respectively. Crowd-and-critic pleasing blockbusters "Black Panther" and "Mission: Impossible — Fallout" were also close, both with 97%.

Below are the six movies with a 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes in 2018 so far:

SEE ALSO: 'Crazy Rich Asians' is an extravagant, hilarious, and poignant examination of Asian American and Asian cultures that revolutionizes the studio rom-com

"Crazy Rich Asians"

How you can watch: Coming to theaters August 15

Description:"The story follows New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) as she accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. Excited about visiting Asia for the first time but nervous about meeting Nick’s family, Rachel is unprepared to learn that Nick has neglected to mention a few key details about his life. Not only is he the scion of one of the country’s wealthiest families, but also one of its most sought-after bachelors. Being on Nick’s arm puts a target on Rachel’s back, with jealous socialites and, worse, Nick’s own disapproving mother (Michelle Yeoh) taking aim. It soon becomes clear that the only thing crazier than love is family, in this funny and romantic story sure to ring true for audiences everywhere."

What critics said:"What makes it feel fresh, of course, is context: the mere fact of a major studio release completely rooted in Asian characters and settings. And in a movie generally not long on nuance, those facts still matter — both onscreen and in the much bigger sense of what kinds of stories Hollywood chooses to present to the world."— Leah Greenblatt, Entertainment Weekly



"Leave No Trace"

How you can watch: Currently in theaters

Description:"Will (Ben Foster) and his teenage daughter, Tom (Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie), have lived off the grid for years in the forests of Portland, Oregon. When their idyllic life is shattered, both are put into social services. After clashing with their new surroundings, Will and Tom set off on a harrowing journey back to their wild homeland. The film is directed by Debra Granik from a script adapted by Granik and Anne Rosellini and based on the novel 'My Abandonment' by Peter Rock."

What critics said:"The script dodges many of the clichés that viewers might expect from such a story. It refuses to descend into outright bleakness or violence. And Granik doesn’t render nature with some kind of poetic transcendence: She sees beauty in the woods as well as the harshness of life there."— David Sims, The Atlantic



"McQueen"

How you can watch: Currently playing in select theaters (visit the official website for showtimes)

Description:"A personal look at the extraordinary life, career and artistry of Alexander McQueen. Through exclusive interviews with his closest friends and family, recovered archives, exquisite visuals and music, McQueen is an authentic celebration and thrilling portrait of an inspired yet tortured fashion visionary."

What critics said:"'McQueen' makes the case that its subject was an artist whose clay was clothing. It also, despite giving short shrift to psychoanalysis, reminds us that everything you might want to know about the artist can be found in the art."— Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 actors who played real-life serial killers in TV and films

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Jeremy Renner Jeffrey Dahmer

It can be a huge challenge playing a serial killer onscreen, but several actors have risen to the task and gotten into the mind of some of the most horrifying people in history. 

Here are seven actors who played serial killers

Charlize Theron played Aileen Wuornos.

One of the biggest moments of Charlize Theron’s career was when she played serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the 2003 movie, "Monster"— a role that ended up landing her an Oscar. Wuornos was a sex worker who ended up killing at least six men on Florida’s highways between 1989 and 1990, and she was convicted after her trial in 1992. In 2002, she was executed by lethal injection.


Playing Wuornos required Theron to undergo a physical transformation, including weight gain and false teeth. According to what Theron told the Telegraph, she also visited a friend of Wuornos to read letters that she had written to her to help her get into character, and called the role "by far the most challenging work I have ever done."



Zac Efron played Ted Bundy.

The movie where Zac Efron portrays Ted Bundy, "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile," hasn’t hit theaters yet, but it’s already getting a lot of buzz. After all, Bundy may have killed 100 or more women and is known for raping his victims and was a necrophiliac.

But as Efron told Entertainment Tonight, he didn’t use much method acting to get inside Bundy’s head — in fact, he said the role was "fun."

"It simply tells a story and sort of how the world was able to be charmed over by this guy who was notoriously evil and the vexing position that so many people were put in, the world was put in," he said. "It was fun to go and experiment in that realm of reality."



Steve Railsback played Charles Manson.

Thanks to his crimes, just about everyone knows who Charles Manson is — the cult leader whose followers ended up killing around 35 people, including actress Sharon Tate. Then, in 1976, Steve Railsback ended up portraying him in the TV movie "Helter Skelter," and he took the role very seriously, even spending periods of time in dark closets alone so he could try to understand what it might feel like to be in solitary confinement.


"I did a lot of things for Manson,"he told TVStoreOnline. "I read the Helter Skelter book.  I studied his speech. I watched him speak.  I did that to look for any contradictions. I listened to his music."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

8 surprising things that are adding extra calories to your fast-food order

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fast food hamburger french fries

When you're cruising to the drive-thru, you're probably mentally prepared for a bit of a calorie hit.

These days, however, many fast-food restaurants offer ostensibly healthier options for customers who are looking for something on the lighter side. That means it should be easy to keep your calorie consumption to a minimum when stopping for a quick bite on the go, right?

Unfortunately, there are quite a few sources of hidden calories you should watch out for when you're dining on fast food. Here are some of the sneakiest ways you could be consuming more calories than you think.

The nutritional labeling on fast-food items can be inaccurate.

Though many restaurants have begun publishing the calorie counts of their food items, testing has shown that the actual number of calories in those items varies. Sometimes by a lot.

Business Insider used a bomb calorimeter, the most accurate way to count calories in food, to test four popular fast food menu items. The results were mildly terrifying.

A chicken burrito at a major chain restaurant was advertised as containing 1,315 calories but was actually found to contain 1,670 calories. Similarly, a double-patty burger with toppings at a legendary fast food jointwas found to contain 702 calories, even though it was advertised as containing just 540 calories.

 



Your salad dressing could be hiding a boatload of calories.

If you're drizzling a pouch of salad dressing over your meal, you could be adding hundreds of calories.

Just two tablespoons of Caesar salad dressing (which may be way less than you would actually use) will add159 calories to your meal, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). If you double-up on your dressing and grab an extra pack, you could be looking at over 300 additional calories. That's likeadding a small burger to your order.



That fruit and nut topping could be more caloric than you think.

If you think you're choosing a low-cal option when you opt for a trail mix topping on your salad or yogurt, think again.

A half-cup serving of trail mix containing nuts, seeds, and dried fruit might contain about 346 calories, according to the USDA. 



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6 online test prep platforms that can help you get the score you want on the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT

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grad school test prep mainFrom yearly standardized testing in elementary school to AP tests in high school to college admission exams, our lives seem to consist of a never-ending series of multiple-choice questions, essays, and asking for more scratch paper. 

Graduate school admission exams can be especially tricky to conquer because you've probably been out of school for at least a few years and are a little rusty with your test-taking skills. These tests are as much about knowing the content as they are about knowing the tricks surrounding format, timing, and scoring. 

With some practice and guidance, you can jog your memory of actual test content as well as effective test-taking skills in no time. These courses and programs offer both structure and flexibility: they can help you develop a smart study plan and motivate you during the times when you just want to give up, but because they're online, they're less restrictive than in-person classes. 

We found six great options, ranging in price and design, that will help you get the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT score you want. 

Magoosh

Prepare for your test with Magoosh

Berkeley-based startup Magoosh offers full-length practice tests, hundreds of online lessons and practice questions, study schedules, lecture notes, and other resources on its website and through its mobile app.

The price, duration, and features of each plan differ depending on the type of test, but what you can expect from Magoosh as a whole are real results. If you don't see a score increase, you'll get your money back. 

GRE$149 for six months of access to 200 video lessons, 1000+ practice questions, up to three practice tests, +5 total score guarantee, email assistance, and score predictor. 

GMAT$249 for 12 months of access to 250 video lessons, 800+ practice questions, two practice tests, +50 total score guarantee, email assistance, and score predictor; a 12-month Guided Study option with flexible Skype tutoring is also available for $799. 

LSAT$149 for 12 months of access to 500 practice questions, 300+ videos, and email assistance. 

MCAT$99 for 12 months of access to 300 video lessons, three practice tests worth of questions, +10 total score guarantee, and email assistance. 



Udemy

Prepare for your test with Udemy

Online learning platform Udemy is home to thousands of courses across different categories. You can search and take general overview courses on each test, or narrow down your scope to a specific section (e.g. math, verbal) that you need special assistance with.

Its selection is limited compared to other sites, but the courses are affordable and allow for more flexibility since you pay per course instead of a whole program. 

GREThe top-selling GRE course is offered by TutorMe and has five hours of original content, plus 500 practice problems. 

GMATUdemy users love the NeatPrep guide to solving GMAT Math questions quickly. You'll need to get the GMAT Official Guide 2018 to follow along. 

LSATNova's LSAT Prep Course says it provides the equivalent of a two-month, 50-hour course.

 



Varsity Tutors

Prepare for your test with Varsity Tutors

Investors in online individualized tutoring service Varsity Tutors include Adam Levine and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Its award-winning online platform connects students one-on-one with experienced tutors so you'll get completely personalized lesson plans and attention, whenever you need it.

If you've found that self-studying is ineffective, you should try Varsity Tutors. Since no two tutoring arrangements will be exactly the same, you'll need to request a price quote on its website. 

GRERequest more information online

GMATRequest more information online

LSATRequest more information online

MCATRequest more information online



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Photos show the Battle of Savo Island, a brutal US Navy defeat that stranded thousands of Marines on Guadalcanal

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HMAS Canberra Savo Island

The Battle of Savo Island, a crushing World War II naval defeat for the Allies, ended on August 9, 1942.

After the guns fell silent, the Japanese Navy would sink four Allied heavy cruisers, kill 1,077 sailors and damage other ships.

The battle was a pivotal one, as Allied naval forces not only suffered heavy casualties, but were also forced to withdraw their transport and cargo ships that were supplying US Marines, whom had just invaded Guadalcanal two days before. 

A US Navy strategical and tactical analysis of the battle, which was published in 1950, praised the commanding Japanese admiral, Gunichi Mikawa, for the victory. 

"Vice Admiral Mikawa was an active, quick thinking, competent commander of naval forces," the analysis said. "He thought clearly, and had considerable initiative."

The defeat stranded the Marines without supplies for about three months on Guadalcanal, which they had invaded to seize an airstrip from the Japanese that could have been used to choke off supply lines between the US and Australia.

Here's how the Battle of Savo Island went down.

SEE ALSO: 15 photos of the USS Indianapolis, whose World War II sinking started the deadliest shark attack in history

Here's a map of the location of the Allied ships and the operating lines of the attacking Japanese cruiser force charged with taking out the Allied transport and cargo ships.



Shortly after midnight on August 9th, Vice Admiral Gunichi Mikawa, who was in command of the attacking Japanese cruiser force, slipped his column between the USS Blue and Ralph Talbot destroyers and their radars, positioning his ships for an attack on the Allies' Southern Force.

Source: US Navy



Using aerial flares and spotlights to illuminate and target the Allied ships, Mikawa ordered the opening salvo at 1:38 a.m.



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Here's how much weddings cost in 14 places around the world

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couple wedding settle down

A wedding is probably the biggest party you'll ever throw. It can also be one of the most expensive days of your life.

Although you might have an idea of how much you're willing to spend on your nuptials, the cost of a wedding varies wildly depending on where you live.

Here are the cost of a wedding in 15 countries, ranked from most to least expensive. It's worth noting that all of these stats came from different sources, and during different years, so averages may vary slightly. 

1. Couples spend about $185,000 (Dhs. 680,000) to get married in the United Arab Emirates.

According to associate professor of Marketing at Zayed University Damien Arthur,"the average cost of hosting an Emirati wedding is now over 680,000 dirhams (US $185,000), of which 593,000 dirhams is [typically] paid for by the groom's family."

While many couples do choose to hold more modest affairs, Arthur states that the high average cost of a wedding in the United Arab Emirates is "driven largely by normative pressure to conform and avoid criticism that may impact family honor."



2. Saying "I do" in Australia costs roughly $67,032 ($90,196 AUD).

Getting married down under is surprisingly costly. According to Canstar data from 2017, a wedding in Australia will cost just under $70,000.



3. The average wedding in the UK comes in at $35,005 (£27,161).

That's according to a2017 Hitched survey of about 4,000 brides. Couples in the UK are also likely to spend an average of $1,558 (£1,209) on the wedding dress and about $2,685. (£2,084) on a wedding ring.



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13 game-changing deleted scenes from 'Riverdale' season 2 that we wish had been kept in the show

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toni cheryl riverdale

"Riverdale" season two was full of shocking revelations and thrilling moments, but some of the best scenes were kept from the air. 

In deleted scenes featured on the season two DVD for The CW show, fans can watch plot points kept from the show and see more of their favorite couples on-screen. Fans of Cheryl and Toni (Choni) missed out on multiple scenes of the new couple, including Cheryl's reference to Toni as her girlfriend. 

The "Riverdale" season two DVD is now available so fans can watch the scenes for themselves before tuning into season three when the series returns October 10.

But for now, here are 13 game-changing deleted scenes from the second season. 

Episode two, chapter 15, "Nighthawks"— Pop Tate turns down Betty and Veronica's help, and Betty confronts her mom.

Betty, Veronica, and friends team up to save Pop's Diner after Fred's shooting almost puts Pop out of business, but a deleted scene shows B and V getting turned down for their initial attempts.

Betty and Veronica stroll across the parking lot wearing old-school diner uniforms the girl's got from Hermione to volunteer as free waitresses for Pop. He tells them that the bank refused to give him any loan, and Betty asks how they can help.

"You help?" Pop asks. "After the article your mother wrote attacking the diner?"

Betty storms home and confronts Alice about her article. Alice rips into Pop's, saying that the Southside is to blame for all of the problems and Pop's location puts him in the center of the issues.

"This is a war, and I would rather see it closed than taken over by the Serpents," Alice says. 

Fans can see part of the clip as an exclusive from Entertainment Tonight.



Episode four, chapter 17, "The Town That Dreaded Sundown"— The moms get together for a tea at the Lodge residence.

Riverdale moms Alice, Penelope, and Hermione are not friends, but one deleted scene puts them together for a tea hosted by Hermione.

The Lodge matriarch gathers the mothers to talk about the threat of the Black Hood and the Southside. 

"We need to present a united front," Hermione says. 

When Alice asks what she really wants, Hermione responds that she wants "their voices" at the mayor's town hall.



Episode seven, chapter 20, "Tales From the Darkside"— Betty blackmails her dad.

When Betty is suspicious of Sheriff Keller as the Black Hood, she sneaks into his office and looks through his belongings. When she's caught, her dad picks her up from the station and the scene cuts to Betty on the phone with Veronica.

A deleted scene follows Hal and Betty out of the office. Hal says he has to tell Alice, but Betty blackmails him into silence.

"If you [tell Alice], I'll tell Sheriff Keller how you broke into his office and stole the files on the Jason Blossom case," she says. "I mean, like father like daughter." 

 



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Costco employees share the 24 things they wish shoppers would stop doing

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Costco shop shoppers members employee worker

Costco jobs can be rough sometimes — especially when employees find themselves dealing with difficult members and annoying habits.

• Some customers are egregiously rude, while others have habits that are just quietly aggravating.

• Blocking the front entrance, leaving out perishables around the store, and trying to start fights over warehouse policies are all sure to annoy Costco employees.


Costco jobs aren't always a cakewalk.

Sometimes, that's due to the behaviors of Costco members.

A 2018 study from the University of British Columbia found that the promise of deals can "lead consumers away from fully recognizing the human qualities of employees."

The finding doesn't exactly bode well for workers at Costco, which is known for touting bargains through buying in bulk, as well as cheap eats.

While the retail chain made Glassdoor's list of best places to work in 2017, employees have still occasionally taken to social media to complain about bad behavior from shoppers.

"There are some really pleasant regulars that come in, but the negative ones outweigh the good for sure," wrote one seven-year Costco employee in a 2013 Reddit AMA.

"It's crazy how rude the American shopper is to people they don't know — who are helping them," a Costco employee from Utah told Business Insider.

However, one California-based Costco worker told Business Insider that they haven't had too many problems with members. "We get paid incredibly well to deal with the members, so unless they're being crazy — admitting to stalking you, being racist — we'll deal with it," the employee said.

Here are 24 annoying behaviors that are sure to irk Costco employees:

SEE ALSO: 11 insider facts about shopping at Costco only employees know

DON'T MISS: Costco employees share their best food court secrets and hacks

SEE ALSO: 12 Costco food court menu items employees swear by

Treating employees poorly — then expecting them to 'bend over backwards' for you

Rude customers are a problem that most retail workers come up against. Costco employees are no exception.

In a 2013 Reddit AMA, a Reddit user who said they'd worked at Costco for seven years estimated that they hated 80% of the members that visited the store.

"Because people pay a membership fee to shop there, they feel entitled to treat us like s--- and expect us to bend over backwards for them," the employee wrote.

A Costco food court employee wrote in a 2014 Reddit AMA, "I'm not some indentured servant. I'm a person that has lived a life just as full as yours. I just so happened to end up on the other side of the counter today."

A Costco employee based in Ontario told Business Insider that members "pay a small fee for amazing deals — not a bunch of slaves."

A Costco employee in Texas, as well as a Costco optical department employee, also reached out to Business Insider to say that they wished some customers would drop their "belittling" and "entitled" attitudes.



Trying to shop at Costco without a membership

Costco employees are sometimes forced to deal with non-members trying to shop at the warehouse.

In a 2016 Reddit thread, a Reddit user who said they'd worked at Costco for eight years wrote that their go-to response to indignant non-members was, "I do apologize, but it is Costco's policy. It is a membership-based warehouse, and if you are not a member then you cannot shop here."



Causing problems at the front of the store

Costco members can easily make life difficult for employees monitoring the front entrance of the store.

A Reddit user who said they'd worked at Costco for eight years as of 2016 wrote that annoying behaviors include customers failing to show their Costco member card, blocking the front entrance, and "pulling the 'but I've shopped here for year' excuse' in lieu of a card.

A California-based Costco employee told Business Insider that they wished members would stop "giving attitude when asked to see their membership card."

An Ontario-based employee told Business Insider that they wished members wouldn't get annoyed when asked to show their membership card at the front of the store.

"We don't do that because we're judging you or because we think everyone is a criminal," the employee told Business Insider. "If we let anyone in with or without membership, we'd have incidents where people will fill their buggy to the rim, proceed to check out, and, when the cashier asks for their membership, they act like they never knew that they needed one."



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16 celebrities who have quit social media

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taylor swiftIf you’ve ever thought about deleting your social media accounts, you are not alone. There are hundreds of first-person accounts and online advice that prove how beneficial it is for your mental health to go off social media.

If you think your pedestrian Instagram habits are bad, imagining having millions of people hanging onto your every move. For this reason, celebrities are very likely to need a social media detox. Whether they took a break from posting, wiped their social media clean before announcing a new project, or have ditched it forever, these stars have made headlines for bucking social media.

Here are 16 stars who hit the "delete" button on their social media profiles, and why they did it.

Miley Cyrus removed all of her Instagram photos in 2018.

In July 2018, Miley Cyrus unexpectedly cleared out all her social media channels. Many thought it was in preparation for a new surprise album, or worse — that she and Liam Hemsworth were on the outs — but a source close to the singer told Entertainment Tonight that there was nothing nefarious or exciting behind the social media purge, she just wanted a break.

"When Miley removed all the photos from her Instagram, she knew everyone would wonder why," a source toldET. "But her decision to do it wasn't earth-shattering. Miley says she simply likes to change things up! She is taking a long needed break and she feels it's healthy."

Though the source did say that she’ll likely return to the app when she has new music and is ready to promote her new sound.



Pete Davidson deleted his Instagram after people voiced negative opinions about his whirlwind romance and engagement to Ariana Grande.

After a whirlwind romance and engagement to Ariana Grande, "Saturday Night Live" star Pete Davidson deleted his Instagram account. Many wondered if there was trouble in paradise, but Davidson clarified that he ditched Instagram because he couldn’t handle the negative comments he received from angry fans.

"No there’s nothing wrong," he wrote on Instagram before deleting it. "No nothing happened. No there’s nothing cryptic about anything. I just don’t wanna be on Instagram anymore. Or on any social media platform. The internet is an evil place and it doesn’t make me feel good."



Millie Bobby Brown left Twitter after becoming a homophobic meme.

The 14-year-old "Stranger Things" actress deleted her Twitter account after she became the subject of a bizarre and homophobic Twitter trend that paired innocuous photos of Brown with homophobic captions.

Though some people who have used the meme claim it was meant to be satirical and that the meme creators were all themselves LGBT+, Brown deleted her Twitter in June 2018. She has yet to return to the site.



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14 retro school supplies that kids today might not even recognize

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metal lunch box thermos

It's no secret that the times, they are a-changin'. While you might assume that some things, like school, would stay the same, this is not the case.

Even though your prized possession might have been your metal "Scooby Doo" lunch box, or a Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper, in this day and age kids probably don't even know what a Trapper Keeper is, and their lunch boxes are insulated cooler bags.

Do you remember these once-popular school supplies? And better yet, can your kids identify them?

A Trapper Keeper was the must-have school supply for kids of the '70s, '80s, and '90s.

Trapper Keepers were first launched by the Mead Corporation in 1978, and are essentially three ring binders that hold folders, and close with a flap.

Trapper Keepers came in many different colors, patterns, and designs — even Lisa Frank (who appears on this list) got in on the fun. They're still around today, but are definitely not as ubiquitous as they once were.



Scented markers were all the rage — even if they weren't the best quality markers.

Just a whiff of a Mr. Sketch scented marker will take most adults back to elementary school. Remember drawing a mustache with one, so you'd smell the marker all day?

Though there was an urban legend that these markers were banned because the government didn't want kids huffing markers, this wasn't true. Their first ad in nearly two decades aired in 2014.



Gel pens were the coolest way to spice up homework, even if they were barely legible.

Gel pens, which entered our lives in the '80s, came in much more fun colors than normal pens, and turned notes and homework into works of art.

Kids these days barely even use pens — they take notes and do homework on their laptops.



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