• Harvey CEO Winston Weinberg said that the company conducts interviews asynchronously via Google Docs.
• "In my experience, this is the best way to separate good interviewers from good operators," he told Business Insider.
• All recent executive hires have passed the Google Doc test, per the company.

Job interviews have transitioned from in-person to Zoom — and now, at least at one AI company, to Google Docs.

Interviewers are finding new and inventive ways to safeguard their candidate tests from online cheating, AI, or some plain old sweet-talking. Winston Weinberg, cofounder and CEO of the AI legal tech startup Harvey, told the "Access" podcast that he uses a shared document.

"Very quick writing samples, doing a written project back and forth, is very, very helpful," Weinberg said.

Weinberg said that he has interviewed candidates who are good at "presenting things," but that they "break down" when writing out responses to direct questions.

Going back-and-forth on a problem set in Google Docs is a "very good indicator of how well we'd work together," he said.

Since its founding in 2022, Harvey has raised over $500 million. Lawyers at eight of the 10 highest-grossing US law firms use the platform, and the company was last valued at $5 billion.

The company has also grown to about 350 employees — many of whom have passed the Google Doc test. Harvey used the interview style for all recent executive hires, the company said.

"In my experience, this is the best way to separate good interviewers from good operators," Weinberg wrote in a statement to Business Insider.

"Talent density" is one of the tech industry's go-to phrases this year, as CEOs seek to make their teams smaller and more efficient. Identifying top talent may require employing some unconventional interview techniques. Stripe abandoned the whiteboard interview for a computer-based test and open-sourced interview questions from its staff, according to the company's former CTO.

AI cheating tools have also disrupted the tech interview process, leading some tech companies to revert to in-person interviews to verify candidates' truthfulness.

On the podcast, Weinberg said that a hiring problem for non-engineering roles was "folks that are really good at talking and terrible at doing.

"To me, what that's going to turn into is that they ask for a billion one-on-one strategy questions," he said.

Weinberg proposed starting the interview process asynchronously, because that's what most of the company's work looks like.

"With the reports that I work best with, it's async," he said. "Otherwise, we're going to have 17 strategy meetings to do anything."

• We sold our house with plans to put a mortgage-free manufactured home on my in-laws' property.
• We'd planned to live in our trailer until the house was done, but we've faced many setbacks.
• After many months, we're finally seeing progress on our new home.

In April 2024, my wife and I sold our 4,000-square-foot home in the small town of Concrete, Washington.

Then, we moved into the 23-foot trailer on my in-laws' property with our teenage son, three English bulldogs, and a territorial iguana named Rawr.

This wasn't some dreamy escape into the minimalist #vanlife trend. In reality, we were desperate to be free from a mortgage, and we wanted to live closer to my in-laws so we could assist them as they age.

Though our Concrete house once felt full of character and potential for endless renovations, it had become a burden, with ever-rising property taxes and insurance costs.

So, we made a plan: Use the funds from selling our house to build a modest detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU) on my in-laws' 5-acre property in Arlington, Washington.

This way, we'd finally be able to live in a home mortgage-free.

During construction, we'd simply stay in the Forest River Evo trailer we'd bought a few years ago to use for camping trips. It seemed like a perfectly fine setup for just a few months, maybe four maximum, we thought.

However, this project began over 16 months ago, and we're still not in our house.

The delays started piling up almost immediately

We purchased a manufactured home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms that falls within our county's 1,200-square-foot DADU limit.

It turns out that buying the house was the easy part.

From there, we still had a lot of work to do — applying for a permit, scheduling a wetland survey of where we planned to build, testing the nearby well for contaminants, designing a septic system, and more.

Though we had some help from a contractor and other subcontractors, we felt like we got a lot of mixed messages about what needed to be done and in what order.

Ultimately, we had a lot to figure out on our own. Throughout the process, we became very familiar with local rules and the approval process for building in our county.

Still, progress seemed to move at a glacial pace, from dealing with delays from our septic designer to waiting for inspections for electrical, water, and the septic system.

However, the biggest hold-up to installing our manufactured home was the discovery of a new wetland on the property that became subject to regulation.

We needed to make corrections and changes before re-filing our permit, which alone delayed our project by five months.

Meanwhile, living in our trailer has been tougher than anticipated

While all of this was happening, we've been living in a tin can.

The small trailer has a slide-out for extra breathing room, but the space is still tight. Adding an extra-tall baby gate to keep our dogs from fighting only made it worse.

We have to basically pole vault back and forth over the things to move around the trailer.

Our son's "room" is the casket-sized bottom bunk, while Rawr enjoys the upper tier with a view. The dining nook doubles as my writing workspace, but is now mostly taken up by our son's gaming computer.

My poor wife has been relegated to the bed for everything from dinner to downtime.

Cooking gets interesting. We choose between microwaving, air-frying, or using the crockpot.

Precariously balancing plates on tiny counter edges or on top of the coffee pot makes for fun little wagers. Will our dinner hit the ground? How long will it take for the dogs to gobble it up? Many times it's easier to just go out.

Regardless, we've adapted to never-ending trailer chores, glitchy WiFi, mentally defeated dogs, and all the rest.

We're finally starting to see progress on the house — and we've learned so much

Our house was delivered in late June. Its two halves are now married together and stabilized with concrete blocks.

Septic, electrical, and interior work are underway, and the water line will soon be run to the existing well.

There's still a lot of work to be done before it's completely move-in-ready. However, over $275,000 later, we can finally see the shape of what's ahead.

And what's a few more months in the trailer? This extended camping experience has tested our marriage more than anything else in our 12 years together.

We've screamed at the Gods. We've shouted at each other. We've nearly become the Torrance family in "The Shining."

If we had to do it again (never in a million years), we'd give ourselves a timeline of a year or two. We'd also be prepared to cover additional, unknown costs, like county recording fees and septic-system monitoring, beyond the general estimate provided by our contractor.

Still, we're holding on to the dream of simplifying our lives and owning our home outright.

Staring across the property at our unfinished house is torture. But, we're hopeful that when it's complete, this nightmare we've been through will have been worth it.

Time will tell if we'll ever be able to go camping again, though.

• A new Google update enabled AirDrop and Quick Share interoperability between iPhone and Android devices.
• Apple and Pixel 10 users can now transfer files directly.
• Google plans to expand this secure, peer-to-peer sharing feature to more Android devices.

Another wall between iPhones and Androids just went down.

Starting this week, sharing files and photos between devices is getting a lot easier for iPhone and Android owners.

AirDrop and Quick Share are wireless file-sharing features that have been available on iPhones and Androids, respectively. Thanks to an update from Google, the two features can now talk to each other for the first time.

As part of a Thursday update, iPhone and Pixel 10 owners can now transfer files using Quick Share and AirDrop. It works with iPad, macOS devices, and the entire Google Pixel 10 series of devices.

The change is the latest example of increased feature compatibility between the two major smartphone operating systems. After a yearslong marketing campaign from Google aimed at Apple, the iPhone maker in 2024 adopted the RCS communication standard, which improved the messaging experience between iPhones and Androids — even if the much-maligned green text bubbles didn't go anywhere.

To take advantage of the interoperability between AirDrop and Quick Share, Apple device owners must set their device to be discoverable by everyone, which will allow their device to show up on the Pixel 10 owner's Quick Share options. On an iPhone, the request should be received like any other AirDrop interaction that can be accepted or denied. It works the same way the other way around.

Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment by Business Insider.

Google said the compatibility feature was designed with security in mind, and there are plans to expand it to more Android devices.

"This feature does not use a workaround; the connection is direct and peer-to-peer, meaning your data is never routed through a server, shared content is never logged, and no extra data is shared," the tech giant said in a blog post.

• We made a transatlantic move from San Francisco to Bristol, a port city in the UK.
• Missing familiar faces and a network of fellow parents, we've worked hard to build community here.
• An LGBTQ+ family coffee morning, improv classes, and fitness groups helped us meet people fast.

As former San Franciscans, my husband, toddler, and I quickly felt at home in Bristol.

The progressive UK port city boasts an iconic suspension bridge, heaps of counterculture, and — not least because it's the birthplace of Banksy — a vibrant creative scene.

We've found comfort in these parallels, but we've faced challenges, too. One of the hardest parts was leaving behind my loving in-laws and the robust community of friends I'd met during my decade living in America.

What's more, I grew up on the opposite side of England, which means Bristol is a new place for all of us.

Since arriving in the South West last year, we've worked tirelessly to find a new circle of friendly faces and allies who embrace and understand us as a queer family. Sadly, it's not something we can ever assume will automatically be the case.

Bristolians welcomed us with open arms and open minds — once we bribed them with tea and biscuits

Upon arrival, we moved into a cozy Victorian terraced house on a densely populated street. We'd heard again and again that in big cities, people don't really know their neighbors, but we wanted to challenge that stereotype.

A few weeks after moving in, we sent notes — and cookies — to people in the neighborhood, inviting folks to share a Saturday morning cuppa on our front doorstep.

The response was overwhelmingly positive. People were eager to meet and chat, and we found that sometimes all it takes is a little boldness (or shamelessness) to make the first move.

We also found a monthly coffee morning for LGBTQ+ families in our area, which became an instant support network for us, and joined a citywide WhatsApp group for queer parents.

As a queer family, sometimes it can feel disheartening when we feel like the odd ones out in the playground, at parenting groups, or during drop-off, but discovering other families that look like ours is always affirming.

By taking turns as 'babysitter,' we salvaged our social lives and explored our new city

It can be challenging to maintain a social life as young parents, and even harder to meet new people.

Because building community was so important to us, we came up with a game plan. By taking turns staying at home with our sleeping toddler, we've both been able to regularly spend social time with other adults multiple times a week.

From board-game nights and volunteering to trying out improv classes, we've pushed ourselves to leave our comfort zones and meet new people. Improv, in particular, has given me a lot of newfound confidence, along with friends.

It's time away from my spouse, but I ultimately find that it nourishes our marriage and family life because I come home recharged and energized.

We learned that recurring outdoor activities help us build friendships

As we've settled in, our family's mental and physical well-being has been boosted by time together outdoors. Beyond the health benefits, the best part has been the continuity of meeting the same people and parents in the same place, week after week.

Every weekend, we attend a kid-friendly, 2-kilometer "race" in a nearby park. Dozens of families gather to complete the leafy circuit and cheer each other on. You can't beat fresh air and the splash of muddy puddles in the rain.

Meanwhile, I've joined an outdoor fitness boot camp. My husband heads to a running club at dusk once a week. Both groups provide plenty of opportunity for conversation and camaraderie, which have helped us get to know others over time.

Seasonal festivities create opportunities for us to bond with other families

As the seasons change, it's clear that Bristol has so much going on year-round. We're especially looking forward to Pride and the city's famous hot-air-balloon festival each summer, when around 100 colorful balloons ascend over the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Festive occasions, such as our recent Halloween party, have been the perfect excuse to invite new friends to gather together. Surrounded by spooky decorations, I loved seeing our daughter laugh and play with her new pals.

These moments reassured me that our efforts have paid off, and we're building the kind of life we hoped for.

With each passing day in this city, I realize there's much more to Bristol than Banksy and its famous bridge. I am grateful to have found a community of warm, welcoming people where our transatlantic queer family can truly thrive.

• Boeing's delayed 777X picked up a 65-strong order from Emirates at the Dubai Airshow in November.
• The jet hosts a suite of cabin perks, such as bigger windows and turbulence reduction.
• Airlines can customize the mood lighting to show unique scenes, like the northern lights.

Boeing just got a much-needed win for its long-overdue 777X.

UAE-based Emirates placed an order for 65 additional 777X widebody planes in a deal worth $38 billion at list prices during the Dubai Airshow in November.

That brings its order total to 270 for both variants, including the 777-9 and the smaller but longer-ranged 777-8. It also ups Boeing's 777X total order book to over 600 units.

The 777X is the largest passenger jet in production, featuring revolutionary folding wingtips and improved range, capacity, and efficiency compared to its predecessors.

The order comes despite Emirates' President Tim Clark having long criticized Boeing's ability to deliver the jets after years of waiting.

Clark told Business Insider in February that Emirates has spent $4.5 billion "gutting all the old 777s and retrofitting them" while waiting for the 777Xs. He said in October 2024 that it's also expensive to continue flying old, less fuel-efficient airplanes.

Still, he said at an industry conference in June that he was happy with the new Boeing CEO, Kelly Ortberg, and was "cautiously optimistic" about the plane's updated delivery timeline.

The 777X, initially expected to enter service in 2020, has been delayed until at least 2027 due to mechanical, certification, and pandemic-related setbacks. The delays have already cost Boeing at least $4.9 billion in charges.

But the fresh vote of confidence from Emirates gives Boeing's most important jet some much-needed runway. And what will ultimately matter to passengers is what's inside.

The 777X's immense size — particularly its wider frame — is one of its most notable characteristics, providing operators with flexibility regarding the cabin layout and travelers with a lot more space.

In July 2024 at the Farnborough Airshow outside London, Boeing showed what passengers could expect on board — including mood lighting that resembles the northern lights.

The 777X can accommodate up to 10 seats per row in economy.

Airlines favor the 777-9 for its huge capacity. The aircraft can carry up to 426 people, with a majority spread across 10-abreast rows in the economy section.

This isn't new to the 777 family. Previous models offer the same feature. The A350's build was modified in late 2022 to also offer 10-abreast seats.

But the 777X's larger cabin, which is 4 inches wider than the 777-300ER, the plane it is derived from, means those seats can offer more width than its predecessors and its competition.

The customizable economy cabin mockup on display featured 18-inch seats.

The 777X's 18-inch-wide seats improve on the 17.2 inches of seat width previously achievable, Boeing's regional director of cabin marketing, Stephanie Werner, told media at the airshow near London.

The customizable seats also offer more seat width than the up to 17-inch seats Airbus can provide on its 10-abreast A350.

"Airlines have total flexibility and choice in how to configure the planes, so they can do anything in between," she said. "So if they want to get more aisle width or seat width, that's up to them."

Up front, airlines can install their unique business- and first-class seats.

Qatar Airways, for example, has said its future 777X planes will have a new first-class cabin, though details are still limited.

Emirates, for its part, plans to install its new "Game Changer" first class on its 777X fleet. The cabin, which features a floor-to-ceiling door and "virtual windows" in the center seats that replicate the view outside the plane, is already operational on Emirates' 777-300ERs.

Coach can include regular and premium economy.

The 777X launch customer, Lufthansa, will feature its new Allegris cabin on its future 777Xs.

Cathay Pacific is expected to equip its 777X fleet with the upgraded premium economy and business-class seats already featured on its 777-300ER fleet.

The airline also plans to introduce a new first-class cabin, exclusive to the 777X.

Beyond seating, Werner said the 777X's design also includes two ceiling options for operators.

These can exist on the same plane but differ in curvature, providing operators with "architectural flexibility."

The "A" option removes the overhead bins in the center section to increase the cabin's height. Werner said this would benefit premium cabins where less luggage storage is needed and seat space is highly valued.

The "B" option flips that 180 degrees to create a downward arch with overhead bins. Werner mentioned this would probably be preferred in coach, as it creates a greater sense of width.

The ceiling complements the 777X's interior lines with curves that Boeing has added to create a sense of spaciousness.

Werner pointed to the entry arch that opens into the cabin.

"We do that intentionally so that passengers, as they enter the space, can begin to mentally reset and reframe and start to relax a little bit as they get to their seats," she said.

Boeing has created bigger windows that are higher on the fuselage.

BI has toured the experimental 777X at several airshows. Boeing consistently includes a side-by-side comparison with the A350's windows to show Boeing's higher placement and 29% larger size.

"Whether you're seated at a window seat or seated in the center of economy, your line of sight will see the sky from your seat," Werner said.

The windows can be dimmable.

Boeing has added the 787 Dreamliner's staple dimmable windows as an option on the 777X. The 777X's dimmer is turned on with a switch above the window that changes how much light passes through the window.

"This is something that gives passengers more autonomy on how much light they want," Werner said.

Travelers shouldn't have an issue finding overhead bin space, even if they are last to board.

Werner said the 777X's overhead bins can hold up to four bags each, and added that Boeing has reduced the closing force by 40% to make them easier for passengers and crew.

"If anyone has ever had anxiety before, hoping you don't have to gate check your bag, this can help relieve some of that bin anxiety," she said.

Considering the 777X is set to be a long-haul workhorse, mood lighting was a point of focus.

Mood lighting serves several purposes, including calming travelers and combating jet lag. The 777X offers new customizable color hues and scenes to amplify that effect.

"Instead of having the pressure on the cabin crew to select the custom lighting scenes, we want to make it easier for them overall to select ones that are predetermined by the airline brand," she said.

We saw several different scenes, including a starry night sky, a sunset, and the northern lights.

Werner said airlines can choose lighting schemes that change over the course of the flight, from boarding to food to sleep.

"It gives a little bit more comfort for passengers as you have this dynamic lighting instead of switching from one light to another," she said. "We want them to have a gradual change of light."

Several passenger enhancements on the 777X aren't visible to the human eye.

Improvements include better cabin humidity and altitude, with the latter at 6,000 feet on the 777X. Werner said these conditions would help passengers feel refreshed upon landing.

Thanks to the plane's enhanced engines and aerodynamics, there's also less noise on board. Werner also said passengers would experience less turbulence because of the jet's "lateral and vertical gust suppression."

"When there is more turbulence, which we are seeing more of these days, and passengers are white-knuckling in their seat because they're nervous, the [system] can smooth it out," she said.

Editor's note: This article was originally published in July 2024 and has been updated.

• I made apple pie using recipes from Gordon Ramsay, Ree Drummond, and Alton Brown.
• Ramsay's was easy to make compared to Brown's, which took all day to prep, bake, and chill.
• However, Drummond's buttery caramel-filled pie was my favorite.

Apple pie is a classic fall staple, but recently, I realized I didn't have a go-to recipe.

So, I decided to test some from celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay, Ree Drummond, and Alton Brown.

Here's how it went.

Ramsay's recipe uses caramelized apples

For many pie recipes, you can throw in the raw apples — tossed with spices, lemon juice, some flour, and sugar — into the crust, and they'll soften as they bake. But Ramsay's apple pie adds depth to the filling by caramelizing the apples first.

The recipe calls for a simple, sweet-tart pastry crust, bitter apples, butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and egg wash.

This was the easiest pie to make, but the crust gave me some trouble

The entire pie is made with kitchen staples, and it came together in no time.

I started by creaming butter and sugar together in a food processor. I added an egg and all-purpose flour to form the crust.

Once the dough started to stick together, I placed it onto a floured cutting board to knead it. I rolled it out slightly and wrapped it with plastic to chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

While the pie crust chilled, I worked on caramelizing the apples for the filling. I coated them with cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar, then heated some butter in a pan.

I cooked half of the cinnamon-sugar apples at a time to avoid crowding the pan.

I let them cook for about 10 minutes per batch. They smelled amazing and made my entire apartment smell good, too.

After 30 minutes in the fridge, I removed the dough onto a floured work surface, cut it in half, and rolled one part out. 

When it was time to lift the crust into a tin, though, it fell apart.

Luckily, I was able to patch it up, and the top crust didn't seem too patchy or torn.

Finally, I brushed the top crust with egg wash, sprinkled it with sugar, and baked the pie for about 40 minutes.

Despite the crust issues, the pie turned out great and looked better than I expected

The crust was crispy and flaky, although the caramelized juices did leak out a bit along the edges, making some parts extra crispy and hard to cut into. 

The apple filling was flavorful, thick, and gooey. 

My only complaint is that I wanted more apples in the stuffing. Ramsay's recipe called for about four apples, but the others I tested had seven or eight. Next time, I'd definitely use more.

Drummond's apple pie called for a long list of ingredients

Drummond's recipe for caramel-apple pie has a long list of ingredients — 15 total — for the crust, filling, and topping.

This recipe uses Granny Smith apples for the filling, but the most notable part was the amount of butter and shortening it needs.

The dough for the crust includes 12 tablespoons of butter and nearly a cup of vegetable shortening, or lard. The topping includes another stick and a half of butter.

This pie took a couple of hours to make

Despite the intimidating list of ingredients, this pie was pretty easy and quick to make.

I made the crust first, and because I didn't have a pastry cutter, I had to work the butter and shortening into the flour and spice mix with my fingers.

I cut it into two pieces, formed two dough balls, and stored each in a plastic bag, rolling them out slightly so they'd be easier to work with later. I let them chill in the freezer for 20 minutes while I prepared the filling.

Luckily, the filling was easy to make. All I had to do was combine diced apples with sugar, flour, salt, and lemon juice.

I removed one dough ball from the freezer, which was a breeze to roll out. It didn't stick to the cutting board or rolling pin and transferred easily to the pie tin.

Then, I added the filling to the pie crust, and then started working on the crumble topping.

Again, I had to work the butter into the flour for the topping with my hands before adding brown sugar, a little salt, and oats.

I added the topping to the pie and put it in the oven for an hour.

I'm glad I put a baking sheet on the bottom rack of my oven because the pie dripped a lot while it baked. 

After an hour, I poured pecans on the top of the crust and baked it for another five minutes. When it came out of the oven, I topped it with half of a jar of premade caramel sauce.

This buttery, sugar-loaded pie was so delicious that I made a second one

Unfortunately, when I cut into the warm pie, it completely fell apart and looked more like an apple crumble. Thankfully, it still tasted amazing.

The bottom crust wasn't soggy at all, but it was so flaky it couldn't hold the weight of the apples. I stored the pie in the fridge and when I cut cold slices of it, each piece held together nicely.

The crust was incredibly buttery and flaky, and the added spices in the crust kept it flavorful.

The added caramel on top might make this pie a bit too rich, but it's still really, really good. I enjoyed it both plain and à la mode.

Brown's pie called for one spice that was hard to find 

The ingredients for Brown's apple pie are pretty standard, but I did have to order the grains of paradise for the filling online because no grocery stores near me carried it.

The crust called for butter, shortening, flour, sugar, salt, and one surprising ingredient: apple brandy.

The filling also included different types of apples, salt, sugar, apple jelly, apple cider, lime juice, and tapioca flour.

Making this pie was an all-day affair

I started by chilling the brandy, butter, and shortening for the pie crust in the fridge for an hour.

Once it was cold, I started making the crust in the food processor per the recipe's instructions.

After the dough was ready, I divided it into two pieces, wrapped them, and chilled them in the fridge for a few hours. The recipe advises chilling the dough for at least one hour — or up to all night.

I sliced the apples into wedges and combined them with sugar.

Then, I had to let them drain over a bowl for an hour and a half. I cooked the juice on the stove until it was reduced to about 2 tablespoons.

This mixture was meant to replace an egg wash, but it was too sticky and tore the top crust. I was only able to brush on a tiny amount across the top of the pie.

After they drained, I tossed the apples with the tapioca flour, sugar, apple jelly, apple cider, lime juice, and the freshly-ground grains of paradise, which were not easy to grind.

The dough was pretty manageable to roll out and held together as I transferred it into the pie tin. I placed a pie bird in the center and then layered the apples into the center.

I topped the pie with the second piece of dough and crimped the edges.

I tried brushing the reduced apple juice on top, but it kept tearing the crust, so I gave up.

I baked the pie for 30 minutes on the bottom of the oven, then 20 minutes on the lower rack.

I had to cover the edges with foil halfway through baking because they were browning too much.

The toughest part was letting the pie rest for at least four hours before enjoying a slice.

I thought both the crust and the filling were a little bland

After hours of chilling the dough, draining the apples, and cooling the pie, I was ready to eat it.

However, it wasn't as good as I had hoped. The crust was a little dry and slightly overdone.

I thought the center tasted strongly of apple but nothing else. I didn't get any hints of spiciness from the grains of paradise.

I would have loved more spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for more flavor.

Overall, this pie took the longest, and I wouldn't make it again.

Drummond's apple pie is my new go-to, but I'd also make Ramsay's recipe again

Anything loaded with butter and sugar is bound to be delicious, and that's definitely the case with Drummond's caramel-apple pie. It's rich and indulgent, and I hope to make it for many Thanksgiving dinners to come.

For a classic pie with crust instead of a crumble topping, I would make Ramsay's recipe again but with double the number of apples for the filling.

Both of these pies were pretty easy to make and turned out to be very impressive for homemade creations.

Click to check out the other celebrity-chef recipes we've put head-to-head so far.

This story was originally published on September 25, 2021, and most recently updated on November 21, 2024.

• "Wicked: For Good" is a film adaptation of the Broadway show's second act.
• The movie and its soundtrack feature two new songs that aren't from the original musical.
• Both are solos: Ariana Grande's "The Girl in the Bubble" and Cynthia Erivo's "No Place Like Home."

Note: Minor spoilers ahead for "Wicked: For Good."

Even the most loyal fans of Broadway's "Wicked" are in for surprises and unfamiliar tunes when they watch Elphaba and Glinda's latest turn on the big screen.

"Wicked: For Good," in theaters now, is the sequel to last year's blockbuster starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. It adapts the second act of the stage show, which typically runs for about an hour.

The film, however, clocks in at two hours and 17 minutes — more than double the original runtime.

When director Jon M. Chu decided to split "Wicked" into two movies, he reimagined the second half to include new scenes for its lead actors. He also enlisted "Wicked" composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz to write brand new songs for the movie — not that Schwartz needed convincing.

Schwartz told NBC affiliate KGET that he's always felt Act II of "Wicked" could have used more storytelling and character development, but the time constraints of a live production meant that many key moments had to happen offstage.

When he signed on as composer, lyricist, and executive producer for Chu's big-budget adaptation, Schwartz already had fresh material in his back pocket.

"We really had a wonderful opportunity to explore aspects of the story and the characters that we weren't able to in the show," he said.

"To be perfectly honest, if we didn't have a length issue with the show, 'Girl in the Bubble' probably would have arisen as an idea for the show because it's an important event in the story," Schwartz added.

'The Girl in the Bubble' is an emotional solo for Glinda

One of the movie's two new songs, "The Girl in the Bubble," is performed by Grande as a disillusioned Glinda.

It's the penultimate musical number, and by this point in the story, Glinda is finally coming to grips with her "beautiful life built on lies." The song title refers to both the literal bubble that Glinda uses for transportation and the privilege that's kept her popular and protected.

"In this film, Glinda reaches a point of crisis where she just cannot continue to live the way she has been. She has been insulated from what is really going on, cutting off her own morality and sense of decency in order to have the trappings of what she thinks she wants," Schwartz told Rolling Stone India. "Finally, there is a moment where she must confront this, and it felt essential that we take the time to have a song in which to do that."

Elphaba's new solo, 'No Place Like Home,' explores her complicated relationship with Oz

Erivo performs "No Place Like Home" earlier in the movie, when a still-hopeful Elphaba comes across a group of animals fleeing Oz. They tell her they have no choice but to leave since their species has been demonized by the Wizard, and some have even been kidnapped by his military forces.

The lyrics illustrate Elphaba's determination to fight for a better future in Oz, even as hate is taking hold.

"When you want to leave, discouraged and resigned / That's what they want you to do," she sings. "But think how you'll grieve for all you'll leave behind / Oz belongs to you, too."

"Without giving spoilers about the ending, I will say that the character of Elphaba makes a great sacrifice, and it has to do with giving up something she dearly loves, which is her land Oz," Schwartz told KGET of the new song. "It was clear that from a storytelling point of view, that was the emotion we wanted to express."

Schwartz also consulted Erivo during the song's writing process to make sure the lyrics resonated with her character.

"Before, it was sort of like a grand platitude to everyone, but it needed to really connect with her and her experience as well," Erivo told USA Today. "So there were some lyric shifts and changes just to make it feel really human, because I think in the specificity, it then connects with everybody else as well."

"No Place Like Home" is a deliberate callback to "The Wizard of Oz." In the classic 1939 film, Dorothy (Judy Garland) returns home to Kansas by clicking the heels of her magic slippers and chanting, "There's no place like home."

Older songs have also been tweaked and lengthened for the movie

The "Wicked: For Good" soundtrack album, released concurrently with the film, primarily features familiar tunes from the Broadway show, including "As Long As You're Mine," "No Good Deed," and the titular duet.

But even these have been updated with fresh compositions and, in some cases, extra lyrics. The opening number, "Every Day More Wicked," features new material to reacquaint audiences with key characters. (It's a little more disorienting to wait a full year to watch Act II, versus a 15-minute intermission.)

The Wizard's signature song "Wonderful," performed primarily in the film by Jeff Goldblum, has also been partially rewritten to include a part for Grande.

Notably, "The Wicked Witch of the East," performed by Marissa Bode as Nessarose, Ethan Slater as Boq, and Erivo as Elphaba, is featured on the "Wicked: For Good" soundtrack album at track four. Although a version of the song is performed in the stage production, it was never released as an official recording by the Broadway cast.

"I'm especially happy that the soundtrack album for 'Wicked: For Good' has so much new music on it," Schwartz said in a press release. "So not only listeners coming to the score for the first time, but longtime fans of the original Broadway cast album, will have a great deal to discover."

"Wicked: For Good" is in theaters now.

• Jeff Goldblum has been a movie star for 50 years.
• Most recently, he played the Wizard of Oz in "Wicked: For Good."
• Some of his other best-known films are "Jurassic Park," "Thor: Ragnarok," and "The Fly."

Across Jeff Goldblum's 50-year career, he's appeared in some huge franchises, such as "Independence Day" and its sequel, multiple "Jurassic Park" films, and even made a couple of appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

But while his movies have made over $5 billion at the box office, not all of them have been enduring classics.

We used Rotten Tomatoes to determine what critics have deemed his career's best and worst films.

First: the worst films in Jeff Goldblum's career.

Goldblum, 73, has been in dozens of films since making his film debut in 1974's "Death Wish" as Freak #1. Not all of them can be instant classics.

10. "Nine Months" (1995)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 26%

"Nine Months" is a rom-com starring Julianne Moore and Hugh Grant as a couple who are surprised by an unplanned pregnancy. Goldblum plays Sean, the free-spirited oddball friend of Grant's character.

"'Nine Months' is one of those movies where the outcome is abundantly clear to everyone but the hero, who remains in the hapless position of playing dumb because, if he didn't, there wouldn't be a plot," wrote Roger Ebert.

9. "Hideaway" (1995)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 23%

Goldblum stars as Hatch, a husband and father who almost dies in a car crash. At the same time as his near-death, a serial killer attempts to kill himself and the two become connected, with each gaining the ability to see through the other one's eyes.

"It helps, in a movie like this, if the actors are first-rate. Goldblum and [Christine Lahti] transform scenes that in other hands might have simply been laughable," wrote Roger Ebert.

8. "Man of the Year" (2006)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 22%

"Man of the Year" is a comedy starring Robin Williams. He plays the host of a satirical news show, à la "The Daily Show," who decides to run for president after a petition gains traction online. Goldblum plays a sinister executive at the computer company that runs the voting machines.

"Cynicism or stupidity? It's hard to say which has the run of this idiotic satire in which Robin Williams plays a talk-show host who runs for president on a ticket of cleaning up politics," wrote The Guardian's Cath Clarke.

6 (tie). "Transylvania 6-5000" (1985)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 20%

Goldblum and Ed Begley Jr. star in this horror-comedy, which follows two tabloid reporters who travel to Transylvania to prove that Frankenstein's monster exists. Hijinks ensue.

"The anti-'Young Frankenstein,' 'Transylvania 6-5000' might be the worst horror-comedy ever made," wrote Film Frenzy's Matt Brunson.

6 (tie). "Mad Dog Time" (1996)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 20%

Goldblum plays a mob enforcer who's simultaneously dating two sisters, Rita (Ellen Barkin) and Grace (Diane Lane). To make matters worse, Grace is also the ex-girlfriend of his boss, Vic (Richard Dreyfuss), who's currently in jail. When Vic gets out, all hell breaks loose.

Roger Ebert called this "the first movie I have seen that does not improve on the sight of a blank screen viewed for the same length of time."

5. "Beyond Therapy" (1987)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 17%

"Beyond Therapy" is a film based on the 1981 play of the same name. It stars Jeff Goldblum and Julie Hagerty as two single New Yorkers who, at the behest of their respective therapists, put personal ads in the paper to find significant others. They meet and sparks fly.

"There's no special logic at work. The performances are good, but the film has been assembled without an overriding sense of humor and style," wrote The New York Times' Vincent Canby.

4. "Vibes" (1988)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 13%

Goldblum and Cyndi Lauper star as two psychics who are hired by a treasure hunter to help him find El Dorado, the lost city of gold, in Ecuador.

"'Vibes' stumbles and fumbles and misfires sure-fire one-liners and zany situations; it ends up being both a confused and confusing jumble of half-witted comedy and ridiculous drama," wrote Cathy Burke for UPI.

2 (tie). "Holy Man" (1998)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 12%

"Holy Man" is a comedy starring Eddie Murphy as a messiah-like figure only known as G, who is hired to host a show on a home-shopping channel and becomes hugely successful, much to the delight of network employees Ricky (Goldblum) and Kate (Kelly Preston).

"It's a miracle, really: 'Holy Man' diminishes the strengths of everyone and everything it has going for it. Goldblum's manically funny aggression? Sedated. Preston's interestingly hard-edged sexuality? Blunted," wrote Lisa Schwarzbaum for Entertainment Weekly.

2 (tie). "Mortdecai" (2015)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 12%

"Mortdecai" is a comedy starring Johnny Depp as the titular character, an art thief, swindler, and all-around general conman. When he's hired to help the police track down a stolen painting, he meets Milton Krampf (Goldblum), a potential buyer.

"Every time Depp gave a phlegmy little stammer and jauntily uttered lines like, 'I say, old bean,' I wanted to bop him on the same with a rotten tangerine," wrote David Edelstein for Vulture.

1. "Perfume" (2001)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 11%

What makes "Perfume," a film about the fashion industry, interesting is that the dialogue was 100% improvised by the stars. It's split into three storylines; Goldblum's part stars Leslie Mann as a designer who is leaving a small fashion house for a huge brand — one that, it just so happens, her latest hook-up Jamie (Goldblum) works at as a talent scout.

"Another attempt to nail the fashion industry, 'Perfume' is more coherent and serious-minded than Robert Altman's mess 'Ready to Wear,' but remains a less alluring creation," wrote Variety's Todd McCarthy.

Now, for the highs of Goldblum's career.

Goldblum has appeared in some of the highest-grossing franchises in history, including "Jurassic Park," "Independence Day," and the MCU. He's also been nominated for Independent Spirit and Emmy Awards, and he's appeared in multiple best picture nominees.

Here's what critics have ruled his best films.

11. "Wicked" (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

We've been living in a state of "Wicked" mania for two years, but if you've somehow missed it, here's what "Wicked" is about: It's an alternate take on "The Wizard of Oz," one in which our hero is actually the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba), our villain is the Wizard, and Dorothy's irrelevant.

Goldblum plays the Wizard.

"'Wicked' is expansive, indulgent, and a few minutes too long. It's also extraordinarily, immersively good," wrote Palmer Haasch for Business Insider.

9 (tie). "Nashville" (1975)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

"Nashville" is director Robert Altman's sprawling magnum opus. It follows multiple characters across Nashville in the five-day period leading up to a campaign fundraiser for a long shot presidential candidate.

Goldblum has a completely silent role; he's credited as "Tricycle Man" and is the connector of the disparate plots in the film.

Writing for The Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington called it "Altman's great kaleidoscopic ensemble comedy-drama about a frenzied few days in country music's capital, with an unlikely, quirky, explosive crowd of musicians, hangers-on and politicos all converging on a fateful concert crossroads."

9 (tie). "Le Week-End" (2013)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan star as a married couple, Nick and Meg, on vacation in Paris. Both are dissatisfied with their marriage, careers, and financial status. Goldblum plays Morgan, an old friend of Nick's who has become a successful writer.

"By its ambiguous yet hopeful end, we're at one with Nick and Meg: Sometimes, you just have to dance. Somehow, you go on," wrote Moira Macdonald for The Seattle Times.

8. "Isle of Dogs" (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%

"Isle of Dogs" is Goldblum's first collaboration with director Wes Anderson on this list (but not the last). In this stop-motion film, the mayor of the Japanese city Megasaki has ordered the deportation of all dogs in the city to the nearby Trash Island to quarantine them after an outbreak of canine flu. Goldblum voices one of the dogs, Duke, a Siberian husky.

"It's gorgeous — filled with so many bits of visual whimsy and imaginative detail that it would take several viewings to fully catch them all. And it's idiosyncratic and witty and dark," wrote Max Weiss for Baltimore Magazine.

7. "Jurassic Park" (1993)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%

Goldblum's performance as the mathematician and chaos theory expert Ian Malcolm in "Jurassic Park" is one of his most beloved, most quoted, and most memed.

As we all know, the scientists behind Jurassic Park, a theme park filled with dangerous dinosaurs, were so preoccupied with whether they could bring dinos back to life, that they didn't stop to think if they should.

"The effects have barely aged and the joy is timeless. Take a child who's never seen it and watch their imagination expand before your eyes," wrote Olly Richards for Empire.

6. "The Grand Budapest Hotel" (2014)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

The second of Goldblum's collaborations with Wes Anderson, "The Grand Budapest Hotel," is a story within a story.

Most of the action takes place at the hotel in the mid-1900s, where a lobby boy, Zero (Tony Revolori), and a hotel concierge, Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), team up to keep a priceless painting in the proper hands after its owner, Madame D. (Tilda Swinton), dies.

Goldblum plays Vilmos Kovacs, the Grand Budapest's lawyer and the executor of Madame D.'s estate.

Jason Bailey of Flavorwire wrote, "Just plain fun, full of the filmmaker's signature flourishes and curlicues, worked out with skill and finesse."

4 (tie). "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

A remake of the 1956 film (and the second adaptation of the 1955 novel), "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" is a sci-fi and horror classic. It focuses on two health inspectors, Matthew (Donald Sutherland) and Elizabeth (Brooke Adams), who discover that an alien race has come to Earth and is secretly replacing humans with emotionless doubles.

Goldblum plays Matthew and Elizabeth's friend, Jack, who believes them.

"'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' is more sheer fun than any movie I've seen since 'Carrie' and 'Jaws' and maybe parts of 'The Spy Who Loved Me,'" wrote Pauline Kael for The New Yorker.

4 (tie). "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

Goldblum steals the show as The Grandmaster, the ruler of a trash planet called Sakaar, in "Thor: Ragnarok." Thor (Chris Hemsworth) encounters The Grandmaster after he accidentally crash-lands on Sakaar. He is then forced to participate in a gladiator-esque battle against the Hulk to amuse The Grandmaster and Sakaar's inhabitants.

"Perfectly acceptable as an action movie but inspired as a comedy — which is probably where the 'Thor' franchise should have been aiming from the start," wrote The Atlantic's Christopher Orr.

2 (tie). "The Fly" (1986)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%

David Cronenberg's horror classic stars Goldblum as Seth Brundle, a scientist who accidentally becomes entangled with a fly and slowly transforms into a human-fly hybrid.

Time's Richard Corliss called "The Fly" "a gross-your-eyes-out horror movie that is also the year's most poignant romance."

2 (tie). "Between the Lines" (1977)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%

"Between the Lines" follows the various staff writers at The Back Bay Mainline, an alternative newspaper in Boston, as they prepare to potentially be taken over by a huge parent company. Goldblum plays Max, the Mainline's music critic.

"'Between the Lines' is barely about a newspaper at all, more about a bunch of youngish people whose energies are running out, as American counterculture itself had run their course, with the '80s and its hard-nosed principles about to kick in," wrote Jonathan Romney for Film Comment.

1. "Annie Hall" (1977)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%

Goldblum's best film is Woody Allen's 1977 rom-com classic "Annie Hall," which every romantic comedy that came after it owes a significant debt. Goldblum has a tiny part in this film as an attendee of a Christmas party who "forgets his mantra."

"'Annie Hall' is bracingly adventuresome and unexpectedly successful, with laughs as satisfying as those in any of Allen's other movies and a whole new staying power," wrote Janet Maslin for Newsweek.

• I think Boerne, Texas, is one of the state's hidden gems.
• I love visiting restaurants and coffee shops, like Darkside Brick Oven Pizza Co and Richter Bakhaus.
• There are also plenty of shops and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

The first time I visited Boerne, Texas, was to see my boyfriend's parents. It was Christmastime, and the picturesque Main Street was aglow with lights — even Santa Claus made an appearance.

Now, I visit the charming city just 30 minutes north of San Antonio several times a year to visit my now-husband's family, and it never loses its charm.

In fact, I've grown to love it even more — not just for all the good coffee shops, restaurants, and fun city events, but also for the people who live there.

Here's everything I love about Boerne, and why I think you should consider a visit the next time you find yourself in the "Lone Star State."

Main Street, known as the "Hill Country Mile," is lined with cafés, galleries, restaurants, and more.

In my opinion, one of Boerne's best features is its Main Street. Known as the "Hill Country Mile," Boerne's charming downtown is lined with boutiques, restaurants, bakeries, galleries, and specialty stores.

On most days, I've found plenty of community events taking place on Main Street.

Last month, I attended the city's annual "Hill Country Mile Rod Run," where downtown is packed with beautiful classic cars and a vendor market offers local handmade goodies.

From bookstores to antiques, the shopping opportunities are endless.

I think the shopping scene in Boerne is unmatched in unique finds, from clothing and jewelry to home decor and antiques.

As an avid reader, The Boerne Bookshop is one of my favorite places to visit, as the small store features a surprisingly large selection.

For antiques, you can't go wrong with visiting the Johns Road Antique Mall, which is a warehouse-sized shop with thousands of treasures.

And after enjoying brunch at The Dienger Trading Co. on Main Street, I like to walk inside the connected boutique for an assortment of clothing, accessories, and gifts for people of all ages.

On Saturdays, I also recommend stopping by the Cibolo Farmers Market at Herff Farms for a selection of handcrafted goods and plants. In my experience, the locals are always friendly and happy to share samples and stories about their products.

There are so many good places to eat.

As I alluded to earlier, I think Boerne is full of amazing food and drinks.

For a great brunch, I suggest ordering a stack of pancakes at Sunny's, a new all-day brunch spot downtown.

Fans of Star Wars and science fiction must stop by Darkside Brick Oven Pizza Co.: Part delicious pizza restaurant, part pop culture museum. Just make sure to order the garlic knots, which were out of this world (pun fully intended).

I also recommend stopping by The Dodging Duck, a local favorite craft brewery and restaurant with a patio overlooking the duck pond across the street.

And the coffee is great, too.

There are lots of excellent places in Boerne to grab a coffee and a pastry, including Bear Moon Bakery, The Daily Grind, and Bakery Lorraine.

But my favorite is Richter Bakhaus, a bakery known for its Texas-sized cinnamon rolls (literally the size of my face).

There are plenty of opportunities to get outdoors, from spotting ducks at River Road Park to hiking at Cibolo Nature Center.

I also love Boerne's natural beauty. Located in the Texas Hill Country, the city is situated among breathtaking landscapes and features miles of scenic trails.

Cibolo Nature Center has more than six miles of trails and is one of my family's favorite spots, thanks to its peaceful, slow-moving creek lined with tall cypress trees.

I think River Road Park is another great spot for watching ducks, taking a walk, or enjoying lunch at one of its many picnic tables.

And finally, I think visiting Boerne at Christmastime feels like stepping into a Hallmark movie.

Complete with a gazebo, bakeries, and novelty shops, I think visiting Boerne feels like walking onto the set of a Hallmark movie — and during Christmastime, that feeling is at its peak.

The festivities kick off on Thanksgiving weekend with "Dickens on Main," an annual community celebration featuring live performances, shopping, food, and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

In addition to other holiday-themed events and a pop-up ice rink in the city's center, you can also find The Christmas Shoppe on Main Street, which sells seasonal decor all year round, but is admittedly extra magical during this time of year.

After years of visiting, Boerne has become one of my favorite places in Texas. Between its thriving Main Street, friendly locals, and Hill Country scenery, I think it's one of the best weekend getaways in the state.