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If you’re reading this review of Gore Verbinski’s maniacal farce “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die” in newsprint, congratulations on being a Luddite.

But if you’re reading it on a smartphone, then you’re one of the suckers that Sam Rockwell is hoping to reach when his unnamed time traveler barges into a late-night Los Angeles diner screaming, “I am from the future and all of this goes horribly wrong!” The patrons pause scrolling to glance at this unhinged, unwashed man wearing a crown of computer wires wrapped around his head like an IT messiah. Then they get a good look at his shoes when he stomps on their tables, kicking cheeseburgers as he tries to make these regular folks engage with the tech-pocalypse he swears is coming.

It’s a sermon we’ve heard plenty of times before and possibly even delivered ourselves. Coming from the ever-charismatic Rockwell, a lecture to stop wasting our lives online sounds no more insurmountable, only more immediate.

Half of the world will die, he foretells. The other half will be too distracted to notice. That is, unless a handful of strangers join him right now, right this moment, to fight for humanity’s cerebral freedom. Unsurprisingly, volunteers don’t raise their hands. (The one eager guy who does has failed him too often in other scenarios.) But Rockwell’s time traveler — he really is one — is used to a firewall of resistance. He’s given this speech at this diner 117 times. Some combination of the 47 people in it is fated to succeed.

That opening scene sounds as if an AI merged “The Terminator” with “Groundhog Day.” True, Matthew Robinson’s funny, savage and surprising script doesn’t downplay its inspirations. (He even lets Rockwell rip off Indiana Jones’ line about snakes.) But the screenplay gets so intricate and angry — and so shamelessly ambitious — you can’t believe someone in today’s Hollywood was willing to put up the money to get it made. Even helmed by proven hitmaker Verbinski of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, it’s a feat akin to convincing someone to fund a skyscraper-sized cuckoo clock that has a bird that pops out and heckles the crowd.

Eventually, a dubious crew enlists: public school teachers Mark and Janet (Michael Peña and Zazie Beetz), grouchy ride-share driver Scott (Asim Chaudhry), assistant Boy Scout leader Bob (Daniel Barnett), jittery mom Susan (Juno Temple) and forlorn Maria (Georgia Goodman), who keeps sighing that all she wanted was a slice of pie. Rockwell also impulsively yokes in Ingrid (Haley Lu Richardson), a grungy girl in a princess dress, who seems to be on her own suicide mission. The actors are mostly just pegs in a complicated plot, but they snap into place well.

The man from the future doesn’t have a plan — and worse, he considers himself the only person who isn’t expendable. The others can die (and do). As the group shuffles toward catastrophe, Verbinski intercuts their mission with flashbacks to their civilian lives. Their ordinary days, the digital indignities they’ve borne, that’s where Verbinski really gets mean.

The film’s feints and twists are fabulous as they explore how the internet’s promise has soured. One plotline involves a corporate brainstorm to make people love and nurture their own talking adbot, essentially a human-sized Tamagotchi. In another, school shootings have become such an epidemic that when Temple’s Susan gets summoned to identify her ninth-grader’s corpse, the other grieving mothers at the station calmly chitchat about traffic until one glances over at her nonchalantly and says, “First time?”

At first, the not-so-original idea that phones have turned children into zombies is a Romero-style parody of brain rot. (The young actor Cassiel Eatock-Winnik has a great scene as a vicious teen who stares down one of her elders and says, “You’re 35? That’s, like, older than most trees.”) But Verbinski reveals an unexpected angle of attack: Here, society has groomed the next generation to behave like machines. We don’t know why, exactly, but we can imagine a few reasons.

Even coping mechanisms take fire. Susan meets more parents who’ve snapped under the strain and become nihilistic trolls raising their daughter to be toxic so it won’t matter as much if she dies. Another character is quick to insist that everything he’s looking at — the walls, the people — is a facade. A 20-something gig worker named Tim (Tom Taylor) wants to permanently live in a VR simulation. His story is a little rushed but we get the idea that Tim’s not a jerk, just an idealist who can’t handle the tawdriness of the 21st century. As he puts it, “Why would I choose this world over that one?”

Verbinski doesn’t say much outright about the creeping concern that we’re living in a highly surveilled, aggressive and unpredictable police state. He’s able to make that point without words when cops arrive and our heroes-slash-hostages, none of whom have yet done anything worse than skip out on their bill, all assume the itchy trigger finger of the law will shoot them on sight. (And they’re right.) He also makes an ominous refrain of “Thank you for your service.”

It’s easier to howl at a classic like “Dr. Strangelove,” which mocked the leaders giddyuping the planet’s destruction, than at a present-day satire where we ourselves are the joke. As with “Idiocracy” (and eventually “Eddington”), our ability to fully appreciate this merciless, furious comedy might take a decade of remove. Even then, though, I won’t like James Whitaker’s cinematography, which goes for a deliberate ugliness but just looks dishwater drab.

“Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die” anticipates the audience’s resistance. We do think for ourselves and so we scour the movie for flaws that will justify the urge to roll our eyes. For example: Why does Rockwell let some characters die and not others? Is the movie just as shallow as its j’accuse of us? Some quibbles get answered. Larger questions are left coyly unresolved so that we leave the theater uneasy.

There are so many overwhelming ideas in “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die” that, at over two hours, it does have the sense of a dissociative doomscroll. There’s even a plot point involving an algorithmic overlord that creates randomly generated armies: “Ghostbusters” with AI slop. The normie survivors try to convince themselves it might send something good, like they’re thumbing TikTok hoping for a treasure worth the time. Rockwell assures them it won’t. Nothing good will ever come. And what does arrive is so hellacious that it makes the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man look sweet.

The film is too cynical to take itself that seriously; Verbinski would roll his eyes at any thoughts and prayers it could do much good. Yet, anyone born with “19” at the start of their birthyear still remembers how it felt to leave the house without a black rectangle in their hands. That makes us all time travelers of a sort, too, beacons of an increasingly distant era in which it was possible to be unplugged.

But it’s OK if you’re on your screen right now. Just sit before a bigger one to see this film.

Adventure Leisure, operator of Mulligans indoor crazy golf and Ninja Warrior UK venues, is introducing a mobile phone ban during February half term week to give families more time to connect without smartphone distractions

We’re all aware that excessive screen time can negatively impact our mental wellbeing, yet stepping away from our devices entirely remains a challenge. Even during family outings, many of us can’t resist a quick peek at emails or a scroll through social media.

That’s why the company behind two popular UK attractions has revealed plans to ban mobile phones across its venues this half term, allowing families to spend quality time together free from smartphone distractions. Adventure Leisure, behind the move, describes the initiative as the first of its kind in Britain, with a ‘phone patrol’ ensuring guests keep their devices tucked away.

Adventure Leisure operates Mulligans, a chain of indoor crazy golf centres that also features activities ranging from pool to virtual reality experiences, alongside five Ninja Warrior UK venues. Throughout February half term week – running from February 16 to 22 – its locations will transform into ‘no phone zones’, with families requested to switch their mobiles to airplane mode upon entry.

According to a company statement, the initiative will enable “uninterrupted time to create lasting memories” for parents and children alike. Instead, families can immerse themselves in Mulligans’ entertainment offerings, including themed crazy golf, electro-darts, rebound shuffleboard, and karaoke.

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Meanwhile, at Ninja Warrior UK, families can tackle numerous challenges at adventure parks boasting climbing frames, inflatables, and various physical activities inspired by the hit television programme. Families visiting Mulligans this February half-term will receive a 50% discount voucher valid for a return trip in March.

The mobile phone ban for the forthcoming February school holidays follows concerns raised by Catherine, Princess of Wales, who warned that excessive screen time is fuelling an “epidemic of disconnection”.

Writing alongside Professor Robert Waldinger from Harvard Medical School, she highlighted the damaging impact of smartphone overuse, cautioning: “We’re physically present but mentally absent, unable to fully engage with the people right in front of us.”

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Recent research revealed that British adults now spend more time glued to their mobiles than watching television, clocking up an average of seven and a half hours of daily screen time. The findings also exposed the relentless nature of phone usage compared to TV viewing.

Whilst television consumption peaks outside working hours, mobile phone activity remains constant throughout the day, making it a persistent distraction during both professional and personal time.

Stephen Brown, Chief Operating Officer at Adventure Leisure, commented, “We know how important spending quality time with your family is, so we wanted to create the best environment where our guests can make their memories. We’re really proud to be the first leisure operator to introduce an official ‘No Phone Zone’, and we hope to see others following suit in the future.”

Captain Steve Scheibner, an American Airlines pilot popularly known as Captain Steeeve, noted that he turns his device off, stating that he can “live without” it until the plane reaches 10,000 feet

An airline pilot has shared the real reason why we have to switch our phones to airplane mode when we take to the skies. A common query among passengers, activating airplane mode on our phones is considered a crucial safety precaution, and one pilot appears to have confirmed that it remains important when we travel in 2026.

Captain Steve Scheibner, an American Airlines pilot popularly known as Captain Steeeve to his YouTube audience, was asked this very question in a recent Q and A session for his channel.

In the video, titled “The TRUTH About Airplane Mode!”, when asked why we need to enable airplane mode during taxi, take-off, and landing, he addressed the initial “uncertainty” among authorities concerning the use of mobile phones.

He explained that, at the time, it was questioned whether these devices could “impact the navigation equipment” on the plane, and Steve wants to ensure that it’s not being “interfered with”.

Indeed, the airline pilot also described how the US‘ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed a “whole bunch of tests” and made a decision based on an “abundance of caution”.

Captain Steve said: “Okay, so years and years ago, when we first started getting all these devices that we carried with us, there was a lot of uncertainty about if it would impact the navigation equipment of an airplane.

“So the FAA did a whole bunch of tests, and they came up with some stuff. They thought, you know, out of an abundance of caution, let’s get everybody to turn off their devices, or that’s what they came up with, airplane mode, and they just put them in airplane mode so they don’t transmit.

“And if you think about it, you’re in a long metal tube and at one end is all my electronic and navigation gear. So I want to make sure that that’s operating properly and it’s not being interfered with by anything.”

Steve claimed that you could, if you so desired, find “thousands” of YouTube videos and websites covering “what a bunch of bunk it is”, but he stressed that he simply wants to be “cautious and safe”.

He noted that he indeed turns his device off and pointed out that he can “live without” it until the plane reaches 10,000 ft, and “so can you”.

However, Steve also went on to highlight an occasion when they can be a “concern”.

He added: “On rare occasions, all those devices can cause some interference for the navigation gear, and that’s really a concern if I’m in bad weather.

“If it’s really clear outside, is it a big deal? Not really, but you know, you didn’t hear that here. Okay, there you go.”

A Reddit user was baffled as to how American TV characters never seem to say ‘goodbye’ when ending a phone call

If you’ve ever watched an American film or TV programme, you may have clocked that characters rarely utter ‘goodbye’ before ending a phone conversation.

Instead, they simply cut the call short without a second’s hesitation, seemingly unbothered by what might elsewhere be deemed discourteous.

Yet there’s actually a proper filmmaking explanation behind why characters skip the pleasantries when ringing off – and it boils down to pure practicality.

Baffled by this phenomenon, one Reddit user asked: “Why do most characters just hang up the phone without saying goodbye? Over the past few years, I have seen people just hanging up.

“Sometimes mid-conversation, but mostly not. It’s like saying bye on the phone isn’t the norm anymore. Is this just to save time during the show or is it a cultural thing in the US?”.

Addressing the mystery head-on, screenwriter and producer Michael Jamin clarified matters in a TikTok clip that’s since racked up over 206,000 likes.

On his account @michaeljaminwriter, Michael – whose credits include King of the Hill, Wilfred and Maron – revealed how the television business labels phrases like ‘goodbye’ as ‘shoe leather’.

He explained: “Shoe leather might make a scene feel more realistic – but it doesn’t necessarily make the scene more entertaining.

“In TV, we also have running times. We have to turn in a cut to the network for like 22 minutes. They won’t accept 22 minutes and 30 seconds. Knowing this, we always shoot long maybe 25 minutes knowing that not every scene is going to be great.

“We want to have a liberty to trim and pace up a bit – but we don’t know where.”

Michael explains that whilst trimming the opening couple of minutes proves straightforward, deciding what to axe beyond that becomes increasingly difficult.

He added: “You’re like, if I cut the guy saying goodbye then maybe I get to keep my favourite joke. Eventually, you get to the point where you’re not even writing the bye into the script knowing you’ll just cut it later.”

The admission sparked plenty of reaction online, with one viewer admitting: “Oh I thought it was for dramatic effect like they are too cool to say goodbye.”

Another added: “From now on, I will quit saying goodbye and use that time to maybe go on vacation when I’m old.”

A third wrote: “I’m from Europe and when I was younger I thought that’s the way people in the US end their phone calls…” Whilst another said: “So glad you weighed in on this. I’m a firm believer that it’s more distracting to say goodbye in a film or tv show. Big fan Michael!”

Feb. 5 (UPI) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump had a lengthy, far-reaching telephone conversation on Wednesday, in which the Asian leader warned his American counterpart that “the Taiwan question” was the most pressing issue in their countries’ relationship.

The self-governing, democratic island has increasingly become a focal point in U.S.-China relations amid growing concerns about an eventual Beijing invasion that have only been amplified since the Trump administration’s military operation last month in Venezuela that removed its authoritarian leader, Nicolas Madura.

Both Xi and Trump confirmed the Wednesday call, with the U.S. leader describing the conversation in a statement on his Truth Social platform as “excellent” and his relations with the Chinese head as “an extremely good one.”

He said they discussed the military, trade, the situation in Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war as well as Beijing considering buying U.S. agricultural products, including soybeans, which have been a sticking point for American farms. According to Trump, Beijing is considering increasing its U.S. soybean imports to 20 million metric tons.

A readout of the call from China’s foreign ministry made no mention of soybeans, but emphasized its claim to Taiwan in direct terms.

According to the ministry, Xi told Trump “the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations.”

“Taiwan is China’s territory. China must safeguard its own sovereignty and territorial integrity and will never allow Taiwan to be separated,” Xi said, according to the ministry.

Despite Taiwan never having been part of the People’s Republic of China, which was founded in 1949, Beijing claims sovereignty over the island of some 23 million people under its One China policy. China views Taiwan as a rogue province that it has vowed to take by force if necessary.

The United States formally recognizes China’s claim to Taiwan, but maintains informal relations with Taipei, which has grown deeper over the last few years amid the Chinese threat of invasion.

Washington sells weapons to Taiwan. In December, the U.S. Congress approved a massive $11.1 billion arms deal with Taiwan, the largest ever between their two governments.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson sternly rebuked the arms deal in a statement that announced sanctions against 20 American military-related companies and 10 senior executives who have participated in arming Taiwan while warning that “anyone who attempts to cross the line and make provocations on the Taiwan question will be met with China’s firm response.”

The readout of the Xi-Trump call on Wednesday warned that “the U.S. must handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence.”

According to Beijing, Trump told Xi that he understands how China feels about Taiwan.

Taiwan was only mentioned by Trump in a list of the “many important subjects” he discussed with Xi.

Trump is to visit Xi in Beijing in April.

Worries about a potential Chinese move against Taiwan have increased in recent weeks following the U.S. military abduction of Maduro, which some have suggested could be used by Beijing to support its claims to Taiwan.

In an interview with The New York Times last month, Trump, pressed on the issue, disregarded the comparison, stating China isn’t experiencing the same threat from Taiwan that the United States faced from Venezuela.

“It’s a source of pride for him. He considers it to be a part of China, and that’s up to him, what he’s going to be doing. But, you know, I’ve expressed to him that I would be very unhappy if he did that, and I don’t think he’ll do that. I hope he doesn’t,” he said.

Asked if he set a precedent with the military action in Venezuela, Trump replied: “He may do it after we have a different president, but I don’t think he’s going to do it with me as president.”