Nowadays everyone is on social media — individuals and brands, teens and moms. Everyone seems to have an Instagram account or a Vine presence or a YouTube series. 

One of the interesting outcomes of this trend is that instead of maintaining the idea that these models must always look perfect, they become more likable and relatable to their fans when they post less than flattering photos of themselves.

Twitter lets us listen to what these celebs really think, and Facebook mainly just shows us a more curated profile of their public appearances, but Instagram gives us a unique window into the private lives of those who live in the public spotlight. 

Thanks to Instagram, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the seemingly perfect lives of models like Chrissy Teigen and Cara Delevingne who have graced the covers of Sports Illustrated and Vogue.

Lots of their photos let us see a more down-to-earth, stars-are-just-like-us side of their otherwise very primped and tailored lives.

It's refreshing, and completely different than the often very retouched images we see gracing the magazines we buy each month.

"On set with @kellyrohr being super models!" -Chrissy Teigen (@chrissyteigen), a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue frequenter who has also been featured in Vogue, Esquire, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan

"An airplane bathroom- nowhere else I'd rather be... ha!" -Hillary Rhoda (@hillaryhrhoda), one of the faces of Estée Lauder and a frequenter of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

"Happy bday @kristianlaliberte" -Hillary Rhoda

We're sending one lucky winner and a friend to Silicon Valley for an insider's look at the upper echelons of the tech world.

Meet CEOs and execs from Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter, Chegg, andYCombinator, tour their campuses, and enjoy the best of the Bay Area with a$1,000 Uber credit and a stay at the luxury Hotel Zetta.

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"Destiny," the next game from the creators of "Halo," is in stores Tuesday.

The game, which has been in production since "Halo: Reach" was released in 2010, has a lot riding on it. It's not only one of the most expensive video games ever made (Activision CEO Bobby Kotick pinned the cost at as much as $500 million, a number which developer Bungie has since backtracked and denied), but is also expected to be a revolutionary one after the success of "Halo" on Microsoft's Xbox consoles.

"Destiny," which takes place 700 years into the future in the last city on Earth, brings together a first-person shooter with a massively multiplayer online game. While available on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, it's the first big game release for the next-generation consoles. Naturally, everyone wants to know one thing: Is it worth it? Since reviewers are just being allowed to play it Monday, one day before release, this has some worried that the supposed most-anticipated game of the year may not live up to the hype.

Ahead of the game's release, we asked "Destiny" Design Lead Luke Smith what makes the game so revolutionary. Here is his answer via email.

"'Halo' brought players together. Whether it was about lugging an Xbox to your Friends house for a LAN (a LAN [local area network party] is when a group of people connect together with computers or multiple game consoles to play a game) for some matches of Combat Evolved or battling on Xbox Live in 'Halo 2,' bringing players together in the name of play is something we're deeply passionate about. 

'Destiny' is our next step forward in bringing players together. We've built a persistent online universe that we can't wait to expand. We've taken our action-game roots and built a suite of activities for every mood. And now we're all waiting, hoping that people will want to come join us and be a part of this world."

Smith wasn't very specific, which may have some gamers worried about what exactly he means when he says "a suite of activities for every mood," but it sounds like "Destiny" is riding on the hopes that its online multiverse, which will allow gamers from all over the world to connect and team up, will be satisfying enough.

Developer Bungie released a statement Monday warning players to take day-one reviews with a grain-of-salt reflecting a similar attitude. 

"Typically, games receive their report cards before they become available to the public. We don’t believe Destiny is a typical shooter. You could experience the storyline, jump into a few rounds of competitive multiplayer, and form a Fireteam of friends and take on all the Strikes and you would just be getting started."

"For us, this is a first – a new experience. It’s a bit of a risk, too. We fully anticipate seeing day one reviews from folks who decide to kick the tires, but don’t have the time or patience to take our ride for a nice, long road trip. Some of you might wait to pick up a copy until you read the final verdict from your most trusted review house. We’re okay with that. We’ve created something we’re proud of."

Bungie also warned gamers to be on patrol for reviewers, referred to as "pageant judges," as they play.

"On day one, you’ll be rubbing elbows with the pageant judges, so look sharp. Who knows, you may end up on one of their live streams. They may end up on one of yours, too!" 

We've been playing the game since the morning and so far there's not much to report on. If you've played the Alpha and Beta, it's a lot of  déjà vu. You need to get through those similar levels before you can get any farther in the game. But that's expected.

We do get to play on the moon soon, so we're looking forward to that since we've only played on Earth so far.

As the game goes public at midnight, we look forward to experiencing it with the masses.

SEE ALSO: What's inside the $100 limited-edition "Destiny" box set"

AND: We've already found Easter Eggs in "Destiny," and one lets you play with a soccer ball

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Model, designers, socialites, and celebrities all gathered at the Plaza Hotel Friday night for the Harper's BAZAAR Fashion Week party celebrating ICONS — a portfolio spotlighting unforgettable women who are always in fashion — by Carine Roitfeld.

Roitfeld, the former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, is now the Global Fashion Director for Harper’s BAZAAR and editor-in-chief of CR Fashion Book. She arrived to the event with Harper's Bazaar Creative Director Stephen Gan and Lady Gaga.Gaga brought her actor-boyfriend, Taylor Kinney, as her date.

Guests were immediately greeted by giant bottles of custom-made Moët & Chandon.There was also a Belvedere Vodka bar offering four specialty cocktails. 

Soon, the party was in full swing.

The highlight of the evening was a performance by Lady Gaga, who took the stage with her band for a live jazz performance in support of her upcoming collaborative album with Tony Bennett, "Cheek to Cheek."

Tons of famous faces were in the audience, including Nicki Minaj.

Designer Donatella Versace and her daughter, Allegra.

Model/reality star Kendall Jenner.

Model Gigi Hadid.Model Karlie Kloss.Model Hilary Rhoda.

Model Alessandra Ambrosio.

Model Karolina Kurkova. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition covergirl Candice Swanepoel.Model Lily Aldridge.

Model Jessica Hart showcased an Edie Parker bag with her name on it.Leonardo DiCaprio's Sport's Illustrated swimsuit model girlfriend, Tori Garrn.

Model Liu Wen.

Carine Roitfeld's model-daughter, Julia Restoin Roitfeld.

And actress Brooke Shields.

SEE ALSO: Tons Of Celebrities Showed Up For Joan Rivers' NYC Funeral On Sunday

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U2 will perform at Apple's big event Tuesday, Ben Sisario of The New York Times reports.

The band is said to have some sort of role in the new products Apple plans to announce. Rumors of U2's involvement in the iPhone 6 launch began a little over a week ago on Twitter and some Apple blogs, but this is the most credible report we've seen yet. The rumors had previously been denied by the band— so this new development is confusing.

Some have speculated that U2 will launch a new album Tuesday. Others have said it will come pre-loaded on the iPhone 6. The New York Times report only says U2's new album is "connected" to the new iPhone.

U2 has a long history with Apple. In 2004, U2 and Apple collaborated on a special edition of the iPod for charity. Here's a photo of the band with Steve Jobs from that time:

SEE ALSO: Everything Apple is expected to announce on Sept. 9

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Hours after Bungie’s latest sci-fi adventure “Destiny” released to the public Tuesday at midnight on the West Coast, users experienced connection issues and server errors, most likely a result of the millions of people trying to download and access the new game at once.

This is the message “Destiny” owners will see when their game can’t connect to the servers.  

Occasionally, as the game tries to reconnect to Bungie's servers, you may see features like chat and messaging become temporarily deactivated:

The previous major video game — Rockstar’s “Grand Theft Auto V” — also experienced similar issues when the company rolled out its massive multiplayer online experience, “Grand Theft Auto Online,” last October. But while the vast single-player campaign of “GTA” could be played offline, “Destiny” is only and always an online game, meaning these server issues — or any kind of connectivity problems — can cause these sorts of errors.

We’ve reached out to Bungie and Sony USA for a statement, and we’ll update this story as soon as we learn more.

“Destiny,” which is easily one of the most anticipated games from over the past several years, is now available for PlayStation 3 and 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. Check out the game's fun live cinematic trailer below.

SEE ALSO: 14 Breathtaking Skylines From 'Destiny' Gameplay

SEE ALSO: Here's What's Inside The $100 Limited Edition 'Destiny' Box Set

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We've been trying out "Destiny," the next big game from "Halo" creators Bungie, since Monday, and we've already found two Easter Eggs, hidden features, gamers should have a ball with ... literally.

The main objective of the online game is to save the world from alien races that have overtaken Earth and other planets 700 years in the future. 

When you're not doing that, players can head to the Tower, a social hub for gamers. Tucked away in the space is a soccer ball and a larger, giant purple ball just waiting for players to find.

The soccer ball is hanging out on the left hand side of the map under some stairs. 

The larger, purple ball is found in the center of the Tower hub on some crates to the right of Bounty tracker.

You can launch the ball into the air and watch it float downward in a slow descent.

Others came over to play, too.

If you leave it alone for a bit, it vanishes back to its original place. 

Don't get frustrated if you don't spot them right away. They're not present every time I visit the tower, but they seem to be there pretty often.

Apparently, both of these were available in the Alpha and Beta previews of the game, too. I just never happened to notice them. 

During the summer, a group of players actually got together to play a game of soccer.

So, why are these in "Destiny"? Better question, why not?

Bungie loves throwing these kinds of little fun add-ins to its games.

Fans of "Halo" may recall the ball has popped up in various titles starting with "Halo 2" where a giant soccer ball was hidden as an Easter Egg.

I can't wait to see what other players start doing with this. 

Have you found any cool Easter Eggs in "Destiny"? We want to hear about them! Send an email to kacuna[@]businessinsider with cool gems you find while playing the game. Want to play along? Add my PSN ID: ApologyGirl.

SEE ALSO: Here's why the makers of "Destiny" think it's a revolutionary game

AND: Here's what's inside the $100 limited-edition "Destiny" box set

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Customizing your own character is a pretty common feature in video games, from “The Sims” to “Skyrim.” But once you check out the character creation tools in “Destiny,” the latest sci-fi action shooter from "Halo" maker Bungie, indecisive gamers are going to have major issues choosing their playable characters.

Before the game even starts, you must choose your character "type" —  Titan, Hunter, or Warlock. Titans can slam the ground to disintegrate surrounding enemies, Hunters can throw knives and shoot with extreme precision, and Warlocks can toss bombs of energy and use magic to manipulate their environments and boost their abilities temporarily.

Once you've chosen your character type, you'll be taken to the character customization menu, which offers a range of options to choose one's race, gender, and distinguishing characteristics like hair, lips, scars, and tribal markings.

While Humans and Awoken look somewhat similar to each other (they're both humanoids), gamers can choose the Exo race, which is a "self-aware war machine built for a long-forgotten struggle." You can choose between male and female Exo, but we'd dare you to know the difference between different-gendered robots.

This is a male Awoken. They look like deified humans with way better hair. 

Picking the right hair color isn't easy.

Speaking of hair — while both genders look terrific in character creation mode, female characters offer particularly awesome hairstyles.

Different races also come with different options for markings and scars.

There are so many combinations of lip colors and shapes, hair styles and hair colors... the options can a bit mind boggling, especially since all options look so good.

Of course, this is just a taste of "Destiny." Once you've selected your ideal character, you'll soon be transported to other worlds within our solar system to fight alongside other players to defend humanity. No pressure.

"Destiny" is now available for PlayStation 3 and 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

SEE ALSO: The Most Anticipated Video Game Of The Year Is Out, But You Can't Play It Because The Servers Are Down

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Dilbert, the well-known comic strip by cartoonist Scott Adams about the office everyman and his crew of incompetent colleagues, was the first syndicated comic that focused primarily on the workplace when it launched in 1989. Five years later, it had become so successful that Adams quit his corporate career to work on it full-time.  

It wasn't a straight line to success. Early versions of the comic were rejected by several publications, including The New Yorker and Playboy. It wasn't until an editor at United Media saw it and recognized her own husband in the character that it finally got its start, says Adams in his upcoming book “How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big.” 

Ever since, the comic has explored topics like the inefficiency of meetings, the uselessness of management, and the absurdity of office politics. 

Exclusively for Business Insider, Adams looked through the archives and shared his 10 favorite Dilbert comics. Below, he explains why he chose each and counts them down to his absolute favorite of all-time.

10) Oct. 10, 2009: “Dream job” 

"This comic causes the reader to imagine a funny future in which Wally will only pretend to do the assignment. Humor sometimes works best when one suggests what is coming without showing it. People laugh harder when they need to use their imaginations to complete the joke. 

"I also like comics in which characters are unusually happy about something trivial, evil, or selfish. That juxtaposition is always funny to me.

"Another technique I often use involves characters saying things that should only be thought. That creates the inappropriateness that gives it an edge."

9) Sept. 24, 2009: “Opportunities”

"Management-by-slogan usually comes across to employees as ridiculous and condescending. That, in part, is what makes the staff in this comic so uncaring about the boss’s house burning down. The ordinary evil of regular people is always funny to me. It’s easy to relate to it."

8) Nov. 12, 2009: “Roll a donut in front of the cave”

"A common humor technique involves juxtaposing something of immense importance with something trivial. The pairing of things that don’t belong together makes your brain “sneeze” in the form of a laugh. In this comic, Wally is comparing his digestive system to Jesus rising from the dead. A dash of spiritual inappropriateness gives it some seasoning."

7) Dec. 3, 2009: “Reusable presentation”

"As I mentioned, I enjoy humor that highlights the selfish nature of people. We all relate to it. If you have a job, you probably spend some part of each day trying to disguise your selfish motives as win-win scenarios. And your attempts are probably as transparent as Wally’s. 

"I also like jokes that involve inappropriate solutions to problems. This one has both. When you can layer two humor triggers in the same comic it almost always works."

6) Dec. 9, 2009: “Catching up to competition”

"This one works because you never see the pointy-haired boss’s reaction, but you can imagine it vividly. 

"Keeping true to the major theme of Dilbert, this comic highlights the uselessness of management. If you’ve ever had a boss, this one probably hits home for you."

5) Jan. 7, 2010: “Synchronizing excuses”

"I very much enjoy mocking common sayings. Often those little nuggets of wisdom make no sense whatsoever, but we’ve heard them so often they feel as if they do. Good things might come to those who wait, but so does starvation.

"This comic is also an example of what I call an 'engineered solution.' Wally has cleverly synchronized his excuses to the thunderstorm. I find cleverness to be funny when it is in the service of selfishness."

4) April 13, 2010: “Asok’s snout”

"Here I’m juxtaposing an ordinary workplace lunch with the ridiculousness of Asok having a dog snout. Dilbert and Wally take it in stride. That’s the first humor level, but it wouldn’t be enough to make it work. 

"The second level is that we all know people who value form over function while being oblivious to how others view them. When you shine a light on irrational human behavior it usually triggers a laugh reflex."

3) Sept. 27, 2010: “Brain golfing”

"If you attend meetings, you probably spend a lot of time thinking your own thoughts while your coworkers drone on. This comic is funny to me because the boss is revealing his selfish thoughts, and also because 'brain golfing' is a funny combination of words. I figured most golfers could relate. I doubt I’m the only person who brain golfs."

2) Dec. 2, 2010: “Old Johannsen”

"Wally is the worst employee of all time, but he’s likeable in his own way, so we enjoy seeing him get a win at the expense of the pointy-haired boss. And I think everyone who has a boss also dreams of becoming indispensable. It’s easy to relate to Wally’s glee in the third panel."

1) Nov. 9, 1993: “Unix programmers” 

"This might be my all-time favorite Dilbert comic. When I was on the speaking circuit I always used it to end my talks to thunderous laughter. It’s naughty, clever, and it has a point of view. And it makes the reader imagine what happened before that moment shown in the comic and what might happen after. It’s rare to pack so many elements in one comic."

SEE ALSO: ‘Passion Is BS’ And Other Life Advice From Dilbert Creator Scott Adams

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Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick just re-listed their Greenwich Village brownstone for a whopping $22 million, according to Zillow.

The 6,800-square-foot townhouse, which is located on East 10th Street, has five bedrooms, seven fireplaces, a landscaped garden, and a hand-carved stone tub (score!). 

The historic house was originally put on the market in 2012 for $25 million, but they took it off this April. The celebrity couple bought the place in 2011 for $19 million.

The listing is exclusive with John Gomes and Fredrik Eklund of Douglas Elliman.

Welcome to Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick's 25-foot-wide Greenwich Village townhouse.

The bottom floor, or 'Garden Floor' includes the stainless steel and walnut eat-in kitchen.

The dining room contains direct access to the split-level garden.

Fox has one break-out hit this fall, but it's not Batman prequel "Gotham."

It's a show about a group of teens living in a swanky hospital called "Red Band Society" ("RBS") from executive producer Steven Spielberg and starring Oscar winner Octavia Spencer ("The Help").

Over the weekend, we watched the season premiere episodes of Fox's new fall lineup and the dramedy had the audience at our screening laughing, and, I'd be surprised if it didn't leave everyone crying (or at least tearing up) near its end.

A series about sick children is a tough sell. Audiences could be deterred from what may sound like sensitive subject matter.

But from the moment Spencer enters on screen walking to her job at Los Angeles’ Ocean Park Hospital with a coffee cup labeled with the name "Scary Bitch," you know you're in for a ride.

Spencer plays Nurse Jackson who keeps the kids and her co-workers in line and doesn't take bull from anyone. Someone wants her to hold an elevator because they're running late? Take the stairs. A co-worker tries to hand her some friendship muffins as a bribe to leave work early? Not happening. Muffins, meet the trash. However, underneath her hard exterior, you see glimpses of a maternal mama hen. 

The actress is not in the pilot episode much, but every time she's on screen she's a scene stealer you want to see more.

It's not just her performance that's great. What happens in the first few minutes of the show solidifies that it's a game changer.

[Minor spoilers ahead]

The show opens with narration from a young boy as he introduces each character one by one from a young girl with an eating disorder and an unpopular cheerleader with an enlarged heart to a boy with one leg who has been fighting cancer.

It's a typical story layout until several minutes into the pilot you learn the boy narrating is actually in a coma! When you first hear that you may be quick to do an eyeroll, but it's not done cheesily and it's not done for shock value — something that has probably been in Fox's vocabulary since the network began in 1986 ("Married with Children," "Family Guy").

This is one of those sensitive items that could go over well or poorly, but the dramedy does it right, suggesting the character can hear everything going on in the show. Again, if you're ready to do an eyeroll, suspend all disbelief for a moment.

[End of spoilers]

Never do you feel like any of these characters' illnesses is exploited for TV ratings. Instead, the main focus of the show is these kids and the bond they form — a "red band society" dictated by the red hospital bands given out during their surgeries.

Aside from Charlie Rowe ("The Golden Compass"), Griffin Gluck ("Private Practice"), and Nickelodeon star Ciara Bravo, you may not recognize any of the young talent, but the chemistry between the actors is great. Leo (Rowe) and Dash (Brian Bradley) are a two man band of mischief while the more reserved Emma (Bravo) is a whose quick tongue can hold her own among the boys. Then there's fiery cheerleader Kara (Zoe Levin) who you can tell may be an instigator among the group.

The show itself balances jokes and light, silly moments with heavy ones like when two boys discuss what it's like to lose a leg to cancer.

"Red Band Society" also appears to borrow a few pages from ABC's hit medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" which is going into its 11th season this fall. Spencer's Jackson character reminds us of feisty general surgeon Miranda Bailey. There's also a doctor named McAndrew. We're still debating whether or not this is a direct nod (jab?) at McSteamy and McDreamy — nicknames for two "Grey's Anatomy" doctors. 

From the premiere episode, you can already imagine where the show will go for the rest of the season and beyond. You're introduced to potential love interests, personal issues that may complicate friendships, and drugs and alcohol come into play.

Of course, there's also each character's health to consider.

The only complaint so far is that the hospital setting doesn't appear realistic at all as the kids seem to have no real supervision. Nurse Jackson just shows up when needed. The kids are able to wander around through the halls, smoke weed (and get caught with no real repercussions), find time to make graffiti in between classes taught in the hospital, and even manage to escape the confines of their swanky solitary (Where's the security in this place?) to take a joyride to a liquor store and persuade a man to sell alcohol to minors (You can't say no to a teen with one leg).

We also wondered where the majority of the children's parents were in the opening episode. These kids all live in this hospital that feels more like a hotel than a medical facility with life-threatening illnesses and their parents are no where to be found.

Unlike other shows we watched so far, it wasn't nagging aboutone person's imperfections or trying to be the next "True Detective" miniseries. Nor was it aiming for cheap laughs with a laugh soundtrack.

"Red Band Society" came across as a real, personal genuine drama that can be enjoyed together by a family.

Fox was in need of a hit to take over after "Glee" ends its six-season run next year. It has definitely found it.

The series premieres on Fox September 17 at 9 p.m. Watch a trailer for the show below.

SEE ALSO: The 24 new shows coming to TV this fall

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Anna Wintour can currently be found sitting front row at New York Fashion Week, but the Vogue editor-in-chief isn't just scoping out new looks for the magazine — she may be doing some personal shopping as well.

According to a recent numbers breakdown by The New York Times, Wintour receives a whopping $200,000-per-year allowance devoted solely to her work wear.

Compared to other employees at Condé Nast — the publishing company responsible for titles such as Vogue, W, Glamour, GQ, Architectural Digest, and many more — Wintour's wardrobe budget is staggering.

According to annual salaries on GlassDoor.com as reported by WhoWhatWear, a Condé Nast creative director — the next highest position — makes just $163,333.

The numbers get bleaker as you go down the totem pole:

Senior Editor: $98,733
Online Senior Editor: $87,840
Online Editor: $73,932
Associate Editor: $53,833
Fashion Assistant: $38,000
Assistant Editor: $34,781
Editorial Assistant: $30, 625

Wintour reportedly makes $2 million annually and is worth around $35 million.

In her defense, the 64-year-old editrix was also named the artistic director for Condé Nast last year and has held her editor-in-chief position at Vogue since 1988.

SEE ALSO: Inside The Most Glamorous New York Fashion Week Party At The Plaza

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There are quite a few benefits to catching new releases on video on demand as opposed to the theater.

The average cost of a HD rental for a new film is $9.99, which certainly bests movie theater prices. When you factor in that multiple people can view the rental for the same cost, the savings truly add up. There's also no need to "shush" any obnoxious patrons sitting near you, as you are watching from the comfort of your own home.

With more and more independent films popping up on video on demand services prior to or in accordance with a proper theatrical release, choosing which one deserves your hard-earned money can be difficult. 

Here are some great new September releases now available on video on demand:

1. "Frank"

This quirky comedy about real life pop-star Frank Sidebottom is anything but your standard biopic. Michael Fassbender stars as the titular Frank, although you'd never know it by just watching the film as he remains under that silly mask the entire time. The film, which explores what it means to be an artist and all the psychological treachery that the lifestyle inspires, has receieved rave reviews. 

Watch the trailer here.

2. "Ida"

This gorgeous, critically acclaimed film revolves around the spiritual education of a Polish nun who finds out she's actually Jewish the very week she is to take her vows. While its stunning black-and-white cinematography certainly shines on the big-screen, the film packs just as much of an emotional punch at home. Ida's journey through Poland functions is rendered unforgettable by the sheer beauty of its locations and the photography.

Watch the trailer here.

3. "Night Moves"

The latest from indie darling Kelly Reichardt ("Old Joy," "Wendy and Lucy") stars Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning and Peter Sarsgaard as radical environmentalists who wish to blow up a dam as their ultimate form of protest. When things don't go as planned, they must deal with the repercussions of their actions and learn what i truly means to stand for something in the process. The character-driven film features stellar performances from its leads and is a great example of how a realistic approach and a compelling story can succesfully fuel a narrative.

Watch the trailer here.

4. "The Rover"

Australian director David Michod's follow-up to his debut "Animal Kingdom" pays tribute to "Mad Max" and other post-apocalyptic road movies while weaving a tale of his very own. The film follows Guy Pearce as he searches the vast, empty landscape that the world has become for the men who stole his car. Robert Pattinson turns in a particular excellent performance in this dark, moody and violent film.

Watch the trailer here.

5. "Life of Crime"

This adaptation of Elmore Leonard's "The Switch" acts as somewhat of a prequel to "Jackie Browne," and while it may be nowhere near as memorable as the Tarantino film, it's still a fun and star-studded affair. John Hawkes and Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) star in the roles made famous by Robert DeNiro and Samuel L. Jackson as two bumbling criminals whose plan to kidnap the wife of a wealthy businessman backfires when the husband has no interest in paying the ransom.  It may be a minor film in the Elmore Leonard catalogue, but with such great talent involved, it's still worth a watch.

Watch the trailer here.

There are plenty of other recent releases worth checking out on VOD, including:

• "Locke"
• "The One I Love"
• "The Zero Theorem"
• "Only Lovers Left Alive"
• "Palo Alto"
• "Fading Gigolo"
• "Breathe In"
• "Life Itself"
• "The Congress"
• "Belle"

SEE ALSO: 5 Foreign Film Gems To Check Out On Netflix

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How does Kelly Ripa's salary compare to Matt Lauer on "Today" and Jimmy Fallon on "The Tonight Show"?

TV Guide recently released its annual salary report, a list which rounds up the paychecks of some of television's highest-paid actors and TV personalities.

Jon Stewart may be the highest-paid late-night host; however, there's one woman who has been keeping him at bay from being the highest-paid on television.

[TIE] 17. Chelsea Handler: $10 million

Handler reportedly signed a $10 million deal with Netflix recently consisting of several comedy specials and a talk show for the streaming service. Handler previously made between $8 million and $12 million for her E! show over the past two years.

[TIE] 17. Jimmy Kimmel: $10 million

Kimmel's "Lie Witness News" and "Celebrities Read Mean Tweets" sketches have been big hits on the ABC late-night show.

[TIE] 17. Shepard Smith: $10 million

The FOX News anchor's contract was renewed last year. Smith was also named both the host of "Shepard Smith Reporting" and the managing editor of the network's new breaking news division.

Britney Spears unveiled her sleepwear apparel line, The Intimate Britney Spears to coincide with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York on Tuesday, September 09.

Models donned feminine lingerie with satin ribbons, lace trim and crochet edges, vintage inspired bustiers and kimonos. The collection offers A-J cup sizing.

"This is something I've been working on for two and a half years," said Spears, on stage after the show. "I'm really, really passionate about this."

The busy pop star has various product placement and endorsement deals, ranging from successful perfume lines to toys and games. The 32-year-old performer has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and currently has a two-year residency called "Britney: Piece of Me" at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

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The sale numbers for "Destiny" are in and it's already looking like a hit. 

Publisher Activision said in a statement this morning the shooter game from developer Bungie the company "sold more than $500 million" of the game into retail stores worldwide. That doesn't equate with actual retail figures for day one, but it could lead to a healthy number for Activision, the largest video game maker in the U.S., who reportedly spent up to $500 million to make and market the new game.

The publisher isn't breaking any records for day one sales yet.

Here's a look at how that number compares to recent title releases and previous Bungie games.

Set 700 years into the future, "Destiny" let's gamers play in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by aliens. Gamers play as "Guardians" who set out to save what's left of our world.

A regular version of the game retails at $59.99 while a limited-edition box set sells for $99.99. Another collector's edition retails at $149.99. Sony is also selling the game in a bundle with a white PlayStation 4 console.

Activision anticipates the game to be its next billion dollar franchise. The publisher's last big title, "Call of Duty: Ghosts" debuted to less than $500 million on day one.

Bloomberg reports "Destiny" was the most pre-ordered game in history that wasn't a sequel.

One huge draw to "Destiny" is developer Bungie's previous success with its "Halo" titles on Microsoft's Xbox consoles. The "Halo" series in total has sold more than 50 million copies.

*This story has been edited to reflect the point that "Destiny" has not made $500 million in first day sales.

SEE ALSO: "Destiny" didn't actually make $500 million in one day

AND: An Easter egg in "Destiny" let's gamers play with a soccer ball

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Wednesday morning, Activision, the publisher behind new video game "Destiny" released an announcement regarding its first day sales.

The announcement has led to several reports suggesting that "Destiny," an apocalyptic shooter set in the future, has made $500 million in its first 24 hours.

However, a close read of the announcement released, shows this isn't the case. 

Here's a portion of the release which was sent our way Wednesday morning:

ACTIVISION SELLS IN MORE THAN $500 MILLION OF DESTINY

WORLDWIDE AS OF DAY ONE 

Destiny is the Most Successful New Video Game Franchise Launch of All Time 

Destiny is the Highest-Selling Day One Digital Console Release in History 

On Track to Become Activision’s Next Billion Dollar Franchise 

Santa Monica, CA – September 10, 2014 -- Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), announced today that the company sold more than $500 million of Destiny into retail stores and first parties worldwide as of day one, making the game the biggest new video game franchise launch in history.  

“Based on extraordinary audience demand, retail and first party orders worldwide have exceeded $500 million for Destiny,” said Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. “This industry milestone marks another blockbuster success for our company and demonstrates our unique ability to create some of the most successful entertainment franchises in the world.  The success of Destiny, along with the recent introduction of Blizzard Entertainment’s Hearthstone, is further validation of our unique capabilities to create great entertainment franchises from the ground up.”    

Destiny launched at over 11,000 midnight openings around the world, as fans in over 178 countries (Source: Radian6) shared their fervor on YouTube and in social media.

There are two important parts to note here.

"Sell-in" does not mean the same as sales generated.

Activision is merely reporting the value of the total games it has shipped into stores across the world. This number does not reflect the "sell-through" rate. Currently, we do not know the first day sales or units sold for "Destiny." What we do know is that Activision has more than $500 million worth of the game on the market.

The release this morning is very similar to another one last November from the company when it announced a sale of $1 billion worth of its latest "Call of Duty" title, "Call of Duty: Ghosts."

The initial release sent media into a swirl mis-reporting that "Call of Duty: Ghosts" made $1 billion in 24 hours, a figure that would have made it the fastest-selling game title in one day.

A few days later, Activision CFO Dennis Durkin clarified during a conference call that the $1 billion number was a "sell-in" number, according to Forbes. The actual sales figures for "COD: Ghosts" within the first 24 hours was less than its previous "Call of Duty" title, "Black Ops 2." Activision reported a $500 million "sell-through" number for "Call of Duty: Black Ops 2."

Here's how Activision's stock (ATVI) has moved since the announcement this morning.

We've reached out to Activision for comment.

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On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Microsoft was close to acquiring Mojang AB, the Swedish indie game company that makes the popular game "Minecraft." 

In fact, Microsoft could be willing to shell out $2 billion for the company, which would make it the first multi-billion-dollar acquisition since CEO Satya Nadella took the reins. 

But what exactly is "Minecraft"? And why would Microsoft pay $2 billion to own it?

Let's take a look.

The Game

"Minecraft" is a huge, open-world sandbox game, which was released for the PC in 2009. Since then, it's been released on other platforms. And it was just released last week on the current-gen Xbox One and PlayStation 4. It's also available for Android and iOS. 

Players are charged a one-time fee to download the game: Around $27 for computer versions, $20 for the console versions, and $7 for the phone versions.

The game looks like a huge gridded landscape, with various blocks representing trees, dirt, rocks, etc. The landscape is "procedurally generated," which means that content is generated via an algorithm, and can basically be infinite. And there's an in-game time system, which cycles through day and night. 

In fact one person has an entire site dedicated to trying to reach the end of "Minecraft." It's just him walking. 

There are various activities you perform in the game: combat, exploration, crafting, gathering items, and building things. There are no specific goals, but there are different modes.

There's Survival mode, which is the most "game"-like mode, with objectives and different difficulty levels. There are baddies that come out at night, and there's a health bar that players need to check up on. 

In this mode, players can die if they're not careful. But in order not to die, they can craft weapons, armor, and food, using materials that they find. This mode also features a bartering system, so players can get better resources to make better items. 

There's an Adventure mode, which is similar to Survival mode, but players follow maps that other players have created. There's also a Multiplayer mode, where people can interact. 

Probably the most well-known mode when you think of "Minecraft," though, is Creative mode. That's where players have no objectives and can do anything they want, like walk around, gather items, or build amazing things. 

Players have the freedom to use their imaginations and build things, without worrying about health meters and bad guys. 

Building in "Minecraft" is easy. You get tools, like shovels and axes, to chop down trees and cut through stone. And without a time limit or a place to go, some players have taken their creative freedom to the next level. 

People can also download different "mods" and "skins," which makes the gameplay even more personalized. And the console versions offer players downloadable content and expansion packs, sometimes versions that are specific to that particular console. 

Who's Playing

In February, the creator of "Minecraft," Markus "Notch" Persson, announced that the original version of the game had reached 100 million users.

That's not to mention the other versions of the game, which have also sold millions of copies. 

"Minecraft" was the best-selling game on the PS3 again last month, a spot it's occupied since it was released last December. It was in the Top 5 on the Xbox 360. It's also currently No. 1 in the Google Play and iOS app stores for paid games. 

And millions of people are watching other people play on the video-streaming site Twitch, which Amazon recently bought for $970 million.

The Future Of 'Minecraft'

And it just keeps getting bigger. Last year, Mojang generated $326 million revenue, with $128 million in profits. More than 90% of the revenue came directly from sales of "Minecraft."

Then there are the licensing deals. It's generated sales from licensing deals with Lego, as well as other companies that make "Minecraft"-branded clothes. And in February, Persson announced that his company is in talks with Warner Bros. Pictures to make a "Minecraft" film.  

There are also guide books, and even a series of children's books. 

It seems like a marketer's dream: The foundation has been laid for the money to keep pouring in, both with sequels and more licensing deals. 

Some players, however, are afraid of what a Microsoft buyout would mean for them and for the game. 

“A lot of them have seen Minecraft and Mojang by extension as the forerunner to the indie game development scene,” Tommy Carpenter, lead editor of Minecraft Forum, told The Wall Street Journal. “To them the idea of an independent company getting acquired by a larger corporation is just foreign. They don’t understand what would cause that to happen.”

But owning the game, and the company behind the game, would be a huge boost to the Xbox One, which has consistently lagged behind the PlayStation 4 in sales. The game also hasn't yet been adapted to be played on Windows phones and tablets, yet another place Microsoft is lagging behind competitors. And it isn't available for download via the Windows Store.

For a huge company such as Microsoft, $2 billion might be a drop in the bucket for a sense of security in the highly competitive world of video games. Consider that Amazon just paid nearly $1 billion for a company that streams videos of people playing video games. 

This wouldn't be the first time that Mojang was in talks for a potential acquisition. In March, Persson tweeted that he'd turned down $2 billion before. But perhaps Microsoft is the partnership the indie company has been waiting for. 

SEE ALSO: Here's why Amazon paid nearly $1 billion for a site where you watch people play video games

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In 1987, Joan Rivers' manager and husband of 22 years, Edgar Rosenberg, committed suicide after Fox fired them both following drama on "The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers."

The years that followed were a dark time for Rivers, both personally and professionally.

Before her death last week, Rivers spoke to Esquire magazine in 2007 about the financial state she was left in after her husband's unexpected death:

Yeah, it's true. I was $37 million in debt. I'm not a businesswoman. My husband was a businessman. I never had to worry about business. Afterward, some son of a bitch took me public and absconded with the funds. And all these horrible bottom-feeders came in and bought up my name and my likeness.

What it does to you? When you're in debt for the rest of your life? When you cannot work? When you're sitting there at fifty-eight years old, and they're telling you you cannot use your name or your likeness? You cannot sell a piece of jewelry, you cannot go on television? Try that one on for size...

The guy who absconded with the money, by the way, the SEC got him. He went to jail. A couple of butt-f---s later and he's out. Meanwhile, I'm still paying off my company. I will until the day I die.

Since her husband's death, Rivers worked non-stop trying to remain in the public eye and earn money to support her lavish lifestyle.

The comedian hosted E!'s "Live from the Red Carpet" from 1996 to 2004 and later became a co-host on E!'s "Fashion Police," which premiered in 2002 and was supposed to shoot the week Rivers died. 

In 2009, at the age of 76, Rivers won NBC's "The Celebrity Apprentice." She later starred alongside daughter Melissa in WE TV's "Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?" and constantly made TV cameos on shows like "Louie." 

She has written 13 best-selling books.

Pointing to a calendar full of gigs, Rivers admitted "This is happiness," in the 2010 documentary about her life, "Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work."

"I'll show you fear — that's fear. If my book ever looked like this, that would mean nobody wants me and everything I tried to do in life failed," Rivers said of an open schedule.

But one of Rivers' biggest money-makers of all was the line of jewelry and other products she designed and sold on QVC. 

Between her various hosting duties and QVC royalties, it's reported Joan was earning as much as $50 million per year. When she died last week at age 81, Rivers was worth a reported $150 million.

"I'm a small industry," Rivers said of her career in the documentary. "I have an agent, manager, business manager, PR lady, two assistants, and a lawyer. There are certain relatives that I am still supporting, certain friends, most people who work for me — if they have children I send the children to private school. It goes on and on and on. I'm dancing as fast as I can."

Among providing for her loved ones and a penchant for fur coats and the finer things in life, Rivers lived in a $35 million Manhattan apartment where, she joked, "Marie Antoinette would have lived if she had the money."

"I live very, very well, I enjoy my creature comforts and I know I have to work for it," Rivers said in the 2010 doc. "I can stop and live carefully but that's ridiculous, I don't want to live carefully. So I would rather work and live the way I live and have a wonderful time."

In late July, in what would be her final big interview, Rivers talked to The Daily Beast about her current financial state, 27 years after she was forced to completely rebuild her brand.

"I have no riches," Rivers told interviewer Tim Teeman, who countered, "Come on, Joan, you are quite well off."

"No, I’ve always been salaried, I’ve never owned anything," Rivers argued. "I’ve done very well, lived very well. But sweetheart, I’m still working at Indian casinos in Omaha."

The rest of the conversation went like this:

TT: You seem terrified of not working.

JR: With comedians, you’re as good as your last joke.

TT: Where does the fear come from?

JR: It being over, and I can’t get a job in Macy’s selling hats.

TT: You could live off your money?

JR: I don’t have money to do that. I could pull my living in and live OK, but I don’t want to live OK. I’m very happy to live in my penthouse, very happy I can pick up a check, very happy to have a great life, and be able to spread my wealth a little bit.

NOW WATCH: Barbara Corcoran Explains The Difference Between Salespeople Making $40,000 And Those Making $8 Million

SEE ALSO: 9 Career Lessons From Joan Rivers On How To Be Successful

MORE: Joan Rivers Once Considered Suicide But Here's What Stopped Her

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Producer Harvey Weinstein was criticized for trying to recut Korean sci-fi masterpiece "Snowpiercer," and he was accused of burying the film in retribution when director Boon Jong-ho refused to make changes.

Although the film was a blockbuster in Korea and other international markets, Weinstein's Radius-TWC spent very little on marketing and gave it a limited domestic theatrical release before dumping the movie to video on demand (VOD) two weeks later. Shifting too quickly to VOD risks undermining box office sales and can antagonize theater owners, which is why distributors have traditionally waited as long as several months.

Despite the controversy, "Snowpiercer" could be turning into a slow-burning domestic hit the likes of which we've never seen — and you have to wonder if Weinstein knew what he was doing.

Ten weekends after its release, the independent film has grossed $11 million in the U.S. and Canada, including $6.5 million from VOD, according to the production company. Though VOD sales have declined over time, they remain significant, amounting to around $0.5 million in the last two weeks.

The film has an exceptional 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is already getting Oscar buzz. This strong word of mouth has kept interest in the movie high and it could conceivably lead to a rebound in sales, especially if Oscar talk picks up.

Based on a 1982 French graphic novel, "Snowpiercer" tells the story of a near future in which a failed attempt to stop global warming triggered an apocalyptic ice age and the only surviving humans live on a self-sustaining train that is rigidly divided by class. Starring Chris Evans, who is known for his less compelling work as Captain America, it has more than enough thrilling action to satisfy young men. Evans and the rest of the cast can act, too, though Oscar-winner Tilda Swinton steals the show as the train's gleeful enforcer of order.

The film is intellectually provocative, putting forth arguments for a classist technocracy under the guidance of a great engineer — the kind of stuff that seems like a logical extension of Silicon Valley dreams — and offering a powerful counter-argument, too. The end of the movie features twists that are compelling at both plot and philosophical levels.

Despite dodgy CGI during some exterior shots, the film is visually stunning, with claustrophobic camerawork moving from the bleak tail section to the tech utopian front.

How much revenue does Radius-TWC need to make a profit? The company declined a request for comment, but Co-President Tom Quinn has noted how much more distributors can earn by cutting theaters out of the equation.

"The rough equation is that every dollar is worth double because of the net return," Quinn told The Wrap. "No disrespect to theaters, it's expensive to show a movie, I understand that, but you can't discount that as a distributor. You also can't discount how we're able to push our marketing dollars a lot farther in that kind of a model than in a traditional model."

Quinn has said repeatedly that the "Snowpiercer" strategy would not work for all movies. Still, its apparent success has triggered wide discussion about a new distribution model for independent movies, and even theater owners are catching on.

“We got push back from theater owners on this one,” Quinn told Forbes. “But I think that will change. The country is too big to access audiences in the first window economically and efficiently.”

Radius-TWC has also incorporated early VOD release into other movies along with other experimental distribution methods like showing last year's comedy "One Chance" on Yahoo for free for ten days prior to theatrical release.

As noted by BTIG analyst Richard Greenfield, other studios and distributors are also likely to warm to VOD expansion as a necessary and valuable form of competition with content providers like Netflix.

Viewers should cheer this trend as it would provide access to a wider range of movies beyond the superhero and toy fare that dominates the U.S. box office. "Snowpiercer" really is that good, and you can watch it at home tonight on iTunes, Amazon, and other VOD platforms at $6.99 for rental and $14.99 for purchase.

SEE ALSO: Netflix knows what we really want, and it's an alcoholic horse

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