Gambling has existed in the world for very a long time, but it has been gaining prevalence in the last century thanks to the growth of technology. Even though the United Kingdom only has just over 60 million residents, it does not take long to look here and find that this region witnesses a lot of betting activity.

History

Betting has played a major role in the lifestyle of the British for more than five decades. Even though betting has been around for a long time, it has especially grown in popularity since bingo was promoted during the World War periods.

The tradition of placing bets in the United Kingdom usually involves visiting a shop around the corner of the street and collecting a slip. This traditional form has since been replaced by the huge growth in online betting. While visiting a betting shop and placing bets has a traditional feel, it is far from being an easy way to predict events. Even with the continued rise of other betting options, the traditional betting shop still exists in the UK.

Types of Betting

Sports occupies a major part of the British lifestyle. Sports like football and horse racing are seen as the most popular, while rugby and motorsports like F1 not too far behind. In recent years, however, there has been a tremendous growth in the opportunity to bet on non-sporting events as well. The emergence of online betting has been a major contributing factor towards this trend. It is now possible for the British to bet on television shows, e-sports, and politics.

For instance, if you look at the best betting odds at OddsDigger, you’ll also find some of the less popular categories aside from football and horse racing – which include the likes of dog racing, cricket, and financials. This is why the British gamble AND bet a lot.

Betting interest tends to peak during sporting events like the Grand National or Cheltenham Festival in terms of the horse racing. When it comes to football, competitions like the Premier League and the Champions League hold greater interest amongst the punters.

The Rise of Online Betting

Apart from being a convenient option to place bets, online betting allows even lazy personalities to come up with predictions ahead of an event. A large section of the online punters are not those who professionally live out of betting, but they are those who bet during their free time. Online betting options have also fuelled a lot of growth in the industry, as punters can now choose their bets 24 x 7.

There is also a wider availability of markets thanks to the ability to incorporate live or in-play betting.  Online betting has also introduced new markets like the ability to predict goal times. The range of markets is comprehensive compared to the Asian market.

Statistics show that online betting is now occupying a far greater percentage of the total betting revenue, and this percentage continues to grow with every year. UK Gambling Commission revealed that the entire gambling turnover across the country was just over £12 billion in September 2015.

Online gambling came in with her 30% contribution of this figure. On a sad note, the traditional betting shops have been slowly declining in their numbers and it may not be long before online betting completely takes over. It has been making more than 7-10% growth every year.

Other Forms of Gambling in the UK

While betting enjoys a lot of popularity, it is also possible to gamble through other means like bingos and casinos. Even though the United Kingdom does provide licenses for casinos, it has been rather sceptical about the arrival of super casinos like in Las Vegas. Manchester was expected to receive the first super casino in the United Kingdom, but plans were recently dropped due to several issues. If the plans are revived, London may be one of the destinations to get a super casino.

Legality of Betting in the UK

Betting has been part of the United Kingdom tradition for a long time and it is not surprising that it is legal throughout the region. Anyone above the age of 18 can freely take part in the betting industry. There are some restrictions for those about the age of 16 but yet to reach 18. They are only allowed to legally bet on the National Lottery, football pool, and scratch cards.

The United Kingdom is a superpower alongside the likes of United States. It is also one of the regions where betting is incredibly popular. It is not a surprise that online betting has helped fuel the amazing growth in popularity of betting in the United Kingdom.

People have always regarded gambling as one of the favourite activities, and it is not surprising that this interest also translates into the world of movies. A number of gambling and casino themed movies come out on a regular basis, but there are movies that capture the hearts and minds of viewers more than others. Here are some of the top 10 casino and gambling themed movies:

1. Rounders (1998)

The movie features a young Matt Damon, in one of his best roles ever, and Edward Norton as two friends who are addicted to gambling. Damon plays a youngster who excels at poker and uses this skill in order to pay off the loan sharks and help his friend in the process. It may not be a big budget film, but it has all the essentials for a slick poker inspiration.

2. Casino (1995)

A classic casino-themed movie, it features Robert De Niro as a Las Vegas mobster who is involved in the world of casinos. Yet, he tries to go about his business in a respectable way while his mobster friend is overtaken by greed. The movie was directed by Martin Scorsese, widely regarded as one of the best directors. The film goes into several details of owning and running a casino in its 178-minute runtime.

3. 21 (2008)

A recent entrant in the world of casino themed movies, 21 is a story of MIT students being coached by their professor – played by Kevin Spacey – in order to win big at Las Vegas casinos. The students set off to Las Vegas and use card counting technique to amass huge sums of money before being eventually caught. The 123-minute runtime will reveal if there is a happy ending or not.

4. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

A star cast featuring Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, and many others, decide to rob Las Vegas casinos. The film gives an incredible insight into the behind-the-scenes action at a super casino, like those found in Australia and featured at https://pokiestar.com/online-casino-in-australia/. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the movie is not about robbing just one, but three Las Vegas casinos.

5. Casino Royale (2006)

One of the first James Bond movies to heavily feature casino games, Casino Royale sees the debut of Daniel Craig as James Bond. His mission is to beat a top weapons dealer in a high-stakes game. The movie is set in Monaco, which has some of the oldest and most popular casinos in the world. Eva Green plays the love interest for Bond in the movie, which takes focus away from technology and moves it to Bond himself.

6. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

A British crime movie, the plot follows a youngster who is indebted to the powerful crime lord to the tune of £500,000. The huge debt is created as a result of a fixed card game. In order to pay off this debt, the youngster goes on about every possible option and there is a huge amount of killing along the way. Directed by Guy Ritchie, the movie also features young Jason Statham.

7. Owning Mahowny (2003)

A movie about gambling addiction, this Canadian film features Phillips Seymour Hoffman and John Hurt. A bank employee and gambling addiction certainly do not go along well. Large number of bank money being skimmed to fuel the gambling addiction results in everything falling apart. Just like a stack of cards, the movie shows gambling addiction destroying a life. The movie was directed by Richard Kwietniowski.

8. Maverick (1994)

Starring Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster, Maverick is a movie about a young poker player trying to come up with a huge amount of money in order to enter a major poker tournament. Numerous challenges and comic mishaps happen along the way. The movie was directed by Richard Donner with Jodie Foster playing the love interest of Gibson, and someone who is also a gambler.

9. The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

This movie depicts the equivalent of a David versus Goliath contest, but in the world of poker. A young and upcoming poker player is pitted against one of the best in the business. Directed by Norman Jewison, the movie features some of the best-known stars of the time like Steve McQueen and Edward G. Robinson. A high-stakes poker game forms the fulcrum of the movie.

10. The Gambler (1974)

Depicting the life of a literature professor who has become addicted to gambling, this movie shows some of the pitfalls of becoming addicted to gambling. Even after going through various stages of losing money, the lead character – played by James Caan – cannot stop gambling.

Vampires are one of the most iconic figures in the horror realm and whether they’re showing off their bloodsucking prowess on film, on TV or in literature they’ve always been the popular subject matter for many writers and filmmakers who are keen to show audiences their softer sides.

There has always been a certain alluring amorousness surrounding these vampiric figures and when fiction author Stephanie Meyer unleashed her ‘Twilight’ franchise onto the world we were introduced to a whole new level of undead loving.

But whilst fans of the series still mourn the absence of Edward and Bella in their lives you may be surprised to discover that there are still plenty of other romance-filled vampire experiences out there to have.

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES

This popular TV series has been the perfect alternative for lovelorn teenagers ever since the demise of the ‘Twilight’ saga.

The show is now in the middle of its 8^th season and still going strong. There’s plenty of action and twists and turns throughout the series which has helped keep its characters interesting and flip-flopping each and every season. At the heart of the series is a trio of characters all mixed up in an enviable love triangle which includes two brothers who just happen to be vampires. The show itself is based on the popular series of books of the same name penned by L.J. Smith.

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN

This unique entry deals with love in a very different way and is an expertly crafted horror film where the characters and interactions are the key to the whole experience more so than the premise.

This beautiful and memorable romantic horror movie exported from Sweden has already had the US remake treatment however it’s the original that managed to expertly provide a special story of childhood romance blossoming between a young boy named Oskar and his strange nocturnal neighbour who turns out to be a bloodsucker.

THIRST

This South Korean offering revolves around a Catholic priest who ends up turning into a vampire following a failed medical experiment when a potential procedure to help eradicate a known virus results in the priest receiving a transfusion of vampire blood.

There’s plenty of passion and lust on show here and it’s cleverly weaved in around the themes of vampirism. It features a love triangle between the main characters and sticks with you long after the credits roll.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER

Whilst fictional vampires were the perfect fodder years back in order to scare audiences they have very much become a once classic Hollywood type monster that has gone through a number of significant changes over the years.

Now even games such as Immortal Romance are being influenced by these monsters newly found romantic side. But even back in 1997 there were even complicated romantic entanglements occurring around vampires on the small screen.

In Joss Whedon’s highly influential supernatural drama series ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ there was plenty of loving, especially with so much teenage angst and hormones thrown into the mix.

So when a vampire slayer falls in love with a vampire there’s bound to be plenty of moral issues raised. With such a mixed relationship things obviously don’t run as smoothly as they would hope but we won’t spoil it for you. Buffy however is a great choice for those looking to tackle a weekend of box sets.

Canadians love to gamble. In fact, they love it so much that’s it’s one of the hottest forms of entertainment across the country right now. According to Statista, Canadian casinos raked in more than $6 billion over a 12-month period in 2016, which is up more than $500 million compared to 2006, according to statcan.gc.ca. Much of the recent rise in gaming activity has been down to growth of online casinos.

With virtual platforms offering easy access to traditional games such as roulette and blackjack, more Canadians have had the opportunity to dip their toes in the gaming waters. In fact, to increase participation further, many of the major operators actually offer free-play games. Identical to the real thing but without the cost, these games have served as a great introductory tool which has then given more people the impetus to play some casino classics.

As more Canadians take to the Internet or their local casinos to play the odds, we thought we’d take a look at some of their favoured games and features.

A Little Extra Something

“6/365 I’m All in !!!!” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by RTD Photography

Everyone loves something for nothing and that becomes clear when you look through the roster of Canadian casinos out there. For example, at https://top-canadiancasinos.com/, a casino review site, you’ll notice that the top ranked sites have more than $4,000 in free (or bonus as it’s called) cash available.

In contrast to live casinos, online sites actively reward new players with a bonus and this review site’s top six is a prime example of that. Indeed, if you look at the top of the shop, 888casino, the site’s reviewers have found that you can claim as much as $2,388 in bonus cash. Deals like this not only show how Canadians want something more when they ante up, but they want variety and depth so they can find a deal that suits their needs.

Slots Are a Money Spinner

“Winning Slot” (CC BY 2.0) by cletch

When it comes to games, Canadians appear to have an affinity for slots. Look through the lobby of any leading operators, from All Slots and Spin Palace to 888 and beyond, slots are the most numerous games. Although each site will have a different line-up, it’s not uncommon to see in excess of 100 games inside a single lobby. One of the reasons these games are appealing is their themes. Much like pinball machines like Stern’s Spiderman offering, slots take stories and icons from popular culture, from movies to video games, as we’ve discussed on mediamikes.com before, and turn them into a high-octane game.

In terms of specifics, progressive jackpot slots are the most popular variant. From Mega Moolah to Leprechaun’s Luck, these games take a small percentage from each player’s bet, put it into a communal pot and then pay out a prize when someone hits the magic combination. The result of this system is jackpots that often top $1 million. Unsurprisingly, being able to stake a few dollars and win a life-changing sum is hugely appealing and that’s why these games are now popular with Canadian players.

Cross-Channel Entertainment

“Sport bets” (CC BY 2.0) by tjschloss

As much as casino games are great, too much of anything can become tedious. To counter this, many of the top Canadian online casinos offer something on top of their table games. For example, online-casinogames.ca notes that its top ranked sites offer a wide variety of betting options. From classic casino games like blackjack and roulette to live dealer tables (games with real people on the screen), dice games and “number based games” are all available in the online arena.

Having some sort of diversity is crucial because every player is different. Indeed, to ensure the casino industry remains a mainstream endeavour, operators have to cover as many bases as possible. Much like social gaming developer Zynga.com has everything from Words with Friends to poker to cover a broad spectrum, the top Canadian online casinos will offer the widest variety of betting options as possible.

Casino gaming isn’t a niche activity anymore. Thanks to the online world’s bonuses, variety and accessibility, everyone of legal age is now finding some fun in the casino arena.

As the year 2016 finally comes to an end it’s time for the film guys (and gals) here at Media Mikes to share our thoughts on the best and worse films that the year had to offer. Since I’ve got the by-line, I’ll go first:

Mike Smith’s Best Films of 2016

1. “Birth of a Nation”
I can’t understand how fickle Hollywood is. It was just a little under a year ago, when the Academy Award nominations were announced, that everyone was up in arms due to the lack of minority representation among the major nominees. When “Birth of a Nation” first opened, it drew raves – including from me – and seemed to be on a collision course with Oscar. Then it was reported that the films co-writer, director and star, Nate Parker, had been accused of rape 20 years ago while in college. I will admit right here that when I did my “Fall Movie Preview” I mentioned the alleged event, even questioning if it will have any effect on the film’s popularity. Obviously the answer is a resounding yes. Sometime ago I read a magazine article about possible Best Picture nominees and the very first line stated that the alleged incident pretty much knocked the film out of the race. Too bad. “Birth of a Nation” is one of the most original and powerful films of this or any year.

2. “Hacksaw Ridge”
Apparently Hollywood found a film that is bulletproof from negative publicity. Directed by everyone’s favorite crazy uncle – you know who he is, the one that really shouldn’t drink and then make phone calls – Mel Gibson, this is the true story of how a soldier can refuse to pick up a weapon but still become a hero.

3. “Weiner”
My father used to tell this joke: A man and his wife have a baby but it’s only a head. Ashamed, the father puts it in a coffee can and puts it on the back porch. 21 years later he picks up the can and takes it with him to the local bar. He orders two beers, drinks one and pours the other into the head’s mouth. Suddenly the head spins around, drops to the floor and begins to grow – arms, legs, body. After a few minutes where once sat a head now stands a beautiful specimen of a man. “Holy shit,” the father exclaims and orders two more beers. He and his son clink glasses and drink. Suddenly the boy falls over, dead. The bartender looks over the bar at the body on the ground and says, “Poor kid. He should have quit while he was ahead!” That is the same advice Anthony Weiner should have taken. Once a growing force in politics, Weiner had to resign his seat in congress after it was discovered that he had texted nude photos of himself to women not his wife. Years later he decides to run for Mayor of New York City. He’s doing well in the polls when – you guessed it – he took that second glass of beer! Caught once again sharing shots of his penis, he withdraws from the race. I just realized that I used the words “growing” and “withdraws” in a story about a guy named Weiner. See what I did there?

4. “Manchester by the Sea”
Normally when I see Casey Affleck on screen I immediately see him in the back of Chuckie’s car in “Goodwill Hunting,” waiting for his lunch and singing out, “I wish I had a double-burger!” He’s always been good in pretty much everything I’ve seen him in since but he NAILS IT with his performance here. With a constant level of sadness just peeking out no matter the situation, he may not be the only Affleck with an Oscar come this February.

5. “Moana”
Dwayne Johnson sings! That is one of the great surprises in this sure-to-be next animated Disney classic. Great songs, fun performances and a strong female character add up to an amazing night at the movies.

Mike Smith’s Worst Film of 2016

No contest here. Say hello to “The 5th Wave.” Allow me to share some of my review:

“A film only in the sense that it’s being shown in theatres, “The 5th Wave” tells the story about what can happen when you reveal the BIG ending 20 minutes into the film and apparently forget what the words “continuity” and “believable” mean.”

Need I say more? But don’t just take my word for it. Here are some more suggestions from the rest of the gang:

Mike Gencarelli’s Best and Worst of 2016

Best:
“A Monster Calls”
“Deadpool”
“Doctor Strange”
“Finding Dory”
“Kubo and the Two Strings”
“Moana”
“The Neon Demon”
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
“The Secret Life of Pets”
“Trolls”

Worst:
“The BFG”
“The Legend of Tarzan”
“Nocturnal Animals”
“Snowden”
“Zoolander 2”

Lauren Damon’s Best Films of 2016

1. “Hunt for the Wilderpeople”
Taika Waititi on my list again! This movie managed to be funny, sweet, original and not to mention shot gorgeously. The main boy (Julian Dennison) was so well cast opposite Sam Neill. Also fell in love with Rachel House who then also turned out to be my favorite crazy grandma in Disney’s Moana (not on my list here, but did enjoy.)

2. “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
Ho. Lee. Shit. This movie has Death-Star sized balls in the darkness territory and I felt so proud of Disney for actually letting it be that way. I enjoyed it way more than The Force Awakens because it felt so fresh for the franchise. The third act battle was astounding and their usage of Darth Vader put the biggest grin on my face.

3. “Don’t Think Twice”
Mike Birbiglia’s film about a tight-knit improv troupe that’s split when one of its members ascends to an SNL-type show was full of top comedians (Birbiglia, Chris Gethard, Tammy Sagher, Keegan Michael Key, Kate Micucci and Gillian Jacobs make up the group) doing hysterical improv, but more impressively bringing so much heart and smart observation to this very specific scene and age group. It was equal parts hilarious and heart-breaking.

4. “Deadpool”
I’m so glad this movie exists. Knowing that Ryan Reynolds fought for years to get a Deadpool movie made that gets the character right and to have it turn out this funny and bad-ass just made my nerd heart happy.

5. “Captain America: Civil War”
The Russo brothers here continue to make me excited for their upcoming work on Avengers: Infinity War because Civil War proved that these guys know how to handle a massive cast. This film arguably had the most baggage (i.e. number of movies in the MCU you should be up to speed with going in) but it never felt that way and they managed to seamlessly introduce both Black Panther and a new Spider-man (who I loved! Great job by Tom Holland). The heroic showdown in the German airport is one of my favorite sequences of the year.

Lauren Damon’s Worst Film of 2016

“Jason Bourne”
Most disappointing. I was so incredibly bored, I couldn’t believe it. Muddled action sequences, may-as-well be stock footage of nefarious control rooms, and a backstory that added exactly one sentence of history to the Bourne mythos. Tommy Lee Jones could have been asleep in his role while title character reportedly had only 25 lines of dialogue, just a lazy effort in a franchise I’ve previously loved.

Jeremy Werner’s Best Films of 2016

1. “Swiss Army Man”
Very few movies have the honor or distinction of being wholly unique, but “Swiss Army Man” grabs that honor within minutes of beginning. Surely, it’ll also be the only movie ever that’ll ever explore existentialism through a farting boner corpse.

2. “Zootopia”
After a rough 2016, where some of the ugliest sides of people were brought to the forefront, it’s refreshing to see a sharply written animated movie film highlight tolerance and acceptance. This movie will resonate for years and decades.

3. “Arrival”
A poignant sci-fi flick that simply teaches communication is the main ingredient to understanding one another. But on a deeper level, “Arrival” reveals that we’re not alone in the universe, on a galactic and emotional level.

4. “Manchester by the Sea”
Despite all the emotional gut punches that this movie delivers, it’s final moments offer hope, forgiveness, and that well-deserved light at the end of the tunnel for those who’ve had tragedy and depression consume them.

5. “Hell or High Water”
The neo-western feels trapped in an economic hangover, saying more about it’s themes than any of it’s characters. It’s a bank heist movie with realistic grit and a sour message.

6. “O.J.: Made in America”
Despite being nearly eight hours, this documentary never gets boring in it’s unflinching look at racism in America. The trial of the 20th century has never felt more prevalent as police involved shootings and racial tensions are on the rise in America.

Jeremy Werner’s Worst Films of 2016

1. “Nine Lives”
I’d rather eat an uncleaned box of kitty litter than watch this movie again. Actually, no. I wouldn’t. That’s dangerously unhealthy and potentially life-ending. But I think you get the point. This movie is awful, beyond human words can comprehend.

2. “The Divergent Series: Allegiant”
Back in 2014, I made a journalistic plea to moviegoers to not see “Divergent” so I could be spared anymore suffering. Those cries went unheard and two years later I endured another two-hour cinematic abortion.

3. “Passengers”
Many have noted “Passengers” is Stockholm syndrome in space, but I’d like to point out that “Passengers” is also a sign that victim blaming and rampant sexism is still a concern in the future.

4. “Warcraft”
Somehow “Warcraft” has a 7/10 on IMDB. Somehow this made back twice it’s budget. Somehow the “Ghostbusters” remake was a box office bomb and has a lower IMDB rating. This world sucks. Let’s go to Mars.

5. “Mother’s Day”
“Mother’s Day” is the film equivalent of a hard slap to the face for hard working moms in the world. Moms deserve a movie that loves and supports them, and doesn’t belittle them, like “Mother’s Day” did.

Loey Lockerby’s Best Films of 2016

1. “Hell or High Water”
A near-perfect blend of family drama, heist movie, absurdist comedy & neo-Western.

2. “Moonlight”
Thoughtful, sensitive & beautiful. It tells a long story without dragging it out or pacing it badly. No small feat.

3. “Manchester by the Sea”
I loved every flawed, struggling character. How many tragedies can actually make you feel better by the end?

4. “Arrival”
Tackles serious emotional issues while offering an intelligent sci-fi story & relatable characters. Exactly what this genre does best.

5. “The Witch”
It’s not horror-movie scary, but it’s terrifying in the realistic way it portrays madness & early American religious fanaticism.

Loey says they were spared having to watch anything horrible this past year. You can read Loey’s full reviews here.

I’m not going to claim to have watched as many TV shows as I have movies. But I watch enough TV, good and bad, to develop an understanding of some of the best content out there. And I’ll admit I haven’t seen some of the programs other people are raving about, such as “Westworld,” “Atlanta,” or “Black Mirror.” But that shouldn’t take away from these TV shows that have graced us in 2016.

Honorable Mentions: “Ash vs. Evil Dead,” “Venture Brothers,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Better Call Saul” and “Silicon Valley”

5. “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”

30 30-minute episodes just doesn’t seem like enough for comedian John Oliver to completely digest the absolute heartache and misery that this previous year was. But while Oliver and his team generally avoided contemporary topics and the early goings of the American political primary season, it found more to talk about with untouched topics and investigative journalism. Everything from the FBI-Apple encryption dispute and car financing to school segregation and the debt buying industry provided “Last Week Tonight” with enough content to inform the proactive political citizen and enlighten the casual observer. Here’s to hoping Oliver and gang continues to dig and shine a light on the weasels and rats that populate this world in 2017.

4. “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”

Despite a delightful first season (and so far successful second season), a lot of people still have not watched this show or won’t give it a chance because it’s a musical. It doesn’t help that the CW has shuffled it to a less than desirable time slot, while continuing to advertise the hell out of their superhero TV shows. “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” is a wonderfully bizarre comedy-drama that feels like a more toned down, but wittier, version of other TV shows. Despite the network restraints, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” has found a lot of unique and realistic ways to be daring and heartwarming. Led by the bubbly Rachel Bloom, the characters are all grounded in reality and offer their own genial practicality. It’d be a damn shame if the CW canned this show.

3. “Stranger Things”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWxyRG_tckY
The children of the 80’s are here and they’ve brought their childhood with them. The Duffer Brothers (Matt and Ross) are clearly fans of playing Dungeons and Dragons in their parent’s basement, Stephen King novels, and late night sci-fi and gore-filled horror movies. Outside of being a heavy slice of synth-laced nostalgia, it’s a competent tale about forgiveness and growing pains. Underneath the jump scares, shadow government and the mysterious psychokinetic girl named Eleven (or El) is a wonderful homage, not only to the 80’s, but to what made our childhood unforgettable and how we can become stronger people for it. To say that I’m excited for season two is an understatement.

2. “The Eric Andre Show”

This isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Each low-budget, 10-minute episode, begins with the host, Eric Andre, tearing apart his set only for a new set to be brought in before his awkward opening monologue. The surreal show is filmed like a late night talk show with guests who are put through more pain and suffering than prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. This previous season saw rapper T.I., the iconic Flavor Flav, and actor Howie Mandel look on in disgust and contemplate what previous sins they’ve committed to wind up in Andre’s nightmare set. In between the intentionally uncomfortable interviews are real-life pranks and sketches that surely make New York City an ordeal to traverse through every day. You’ll either think it’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever watched or the most comically sublime thing you’ve watched in years.

1. “BoJack Horseman”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VESKjoxAmZg
For a lot of fans, BoJack Horseman speaks to them. That’s a good thing or a terrifying thing. For three seasons now, we’ve watched the titular character slowly unwind and delve farther into his own narcissism, and harmful self-destruction. This latest season is no different, but it feels more personal and heart wrenching. While the laughs, puns, and sight gags are all still here, the TV show itself finds new ways to mirror its viewer’s discontent and potentially growing sense of self-doubt. The reason I say it’s good or bad that it speaks to people is because it’s therapeutic to know you’re not alone or it’s an eye-opening shock that leads you to a nervous breakdown and an existential crisis. The writers clearly have found their footing as the show gets better with every passing year, peeling back BoJack’s depression, drug abuse and addiction to harming himself and others.

There’s a line in the Queen song “Bicycle Race” where Freddie Mercury sings, “Hey man, JAWS was never my scene and I don’t like STAR WARS!” As a teenager in the 1970s, “JAWS” was certainly my scene. And I loved “Star Wars.”

On Sunday evening, February 10, 2008, I was watching the evening news when a photo of Roy Scheider appeared on-screen. “Oh Jesus, no” I whispered to my wife. The JAWS star had died that day at the age of 75. I had known for some time that Roy was ill and battling cancer so even though I mourned his loss, it wasn’t unexpected. On December 27, 2016, I was hit over the head with a large mallet when I heard the news that Carrie Fisher had died from the heart attack she had suffered a few days earlier. She was 60, only four years older then me. Taken way too young.

I first saw Carrie Fisher on film as the sexually precocious teenager Lorna in 1975’s “Shampoo.” Casually asking Warren Beatty “you wanna f**k?”, she made for quite an auspicious film debut. But it was her next film, “Star Wars,” for which she was, and forever will be, best remembered for. As the strong but beautiful Princess Leia Organa, she more than held her own with a blaster. I’m pretty sure that if there had been no Princess Leia there never would have been an Ellen Ripley (“Alien”) or Sarah Connor (“Terminator 2: Judgement Day”).

In between reprising her role as Leia in both “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” Fisher popped up in several film comedies. In “The Blues Brothers” she appears as the Mystery Woman that Jake (John Belushi) obviously left standing at the altar. In “Hannah and Her Sisters” she was Diane Weist’s catering partner and romantic rival. And in “When Harry Met Sally” she co-starred as Meg Ryan’s best friend, Marie. In the almost four decades since the release of “Star Wars” she appeared in countless films and television shows, sometimes spoofing her “Star Wars” roots. She even returned to the role that made her famous last year when “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” opened.

But to another generation of fans she was an outstanding writer. Her first novel, “Postcards From the Edge,” was made into a very successful film starring Meryl Streep. Fisher wrote the screenplay. She was also one of the most sought after “script doctors” in Hollywood. Films in which she had a behind-the-scenes hand in include “Hook,” “Milk Money,” “The River Wild,” “Outbreak” and, at George Lucas’ request, she worked on the three “Star Wars” prequels.

As for her personal life, she battled many demons. She was married for less than a year to musician Paul Simon and dealt with addictions to prescription drugs. She also dealt with depression and her bi-polar disorder. She was a very vocal advocate for mental health and addiction support.

Ms. Fisher is survived by her daughter, Billie Lourd, whose father is talent agent Bryan Lourd.

Ms. Fisher’s last appearance will be next year when “Star Wars: Episode VIII” opens. She recently finished filming her scenes for the film.

During this holiday season, many people get what’s called the holiday blues. If you don’t get to share your holidays with a family or love ones, they can get a little down. I usually like to loose myself online and just browse around and play games. There are tons are great online games to pass the time and even in cases make you some of that holiday money back.

Whether you are a MMORPG video game players or someone that likes to hit the slots virtually. Here is one of the must visit sites, 888 casino bonus, which features everything from online casinos to roulette to automatic games. There are more than 200 games to choose from with HUGE jackpots and instant bonuses, in addition.

If you prefer MMORPG games, then you can check out another must play, Legend of Heroes, which is an online MMORPG and MMO game. This game has been out for a few years now and still drawing in a huge audience. So whether it be online gaming or guilding these are a few good ones to battle to holiday blues!

Quitting your highly paid Silicon Valley job as a software developer for Apple might seem like insanity. But that’s just what Matt Williams did. Along with his partner, Sasha Robinson, who also packed in a highly-paid Silicon Valley tech job, Williams set out to change the vaping industry.

A High-End Sleek Design

They resolved to build a better vaporizer. Some would even call it the “Q” of vaporizers, after the James Bond tech geek who supplied the British super spy with all his gadgets. They wanted to do for smoking what MP3 players did for music.

They wanted to create a sleek, aesthetically sensual device that would fit in the palm of someone’s hand. There were all sorts of problems to solve: most importantly how to create an oven that would heat to 400 degrees without exploding in the user’s face.

By tinkering in Robinson’s basement with different materials for coils and power sources, the concept of the Firefly was born. And it was wildly successful. Released in 2014, it was soon on back order for 5,000 units.

Williams and Robinson, like many entrepreneurial inventors, didn’t rest on the laurels of the Firefly 1. They aimed to create a lighter, sleeker, and faster model than its predecessor. They also wanted this upgrade to handle cartridges of concentrates.

Their efforts gave birth to the Firefly 2.

Is Firefly 2 Worth the Price?

Many would balk at the $329.95 price tag, but that would be a mistake. The Firefly 2 is wholly worth the price. Once you delve into the features that the Firefly 2 packs, the price is oh-so-worth-it.

The Firefly 2 just might be the future of portable dry herb and concentrate vaporizers. The features that come with this handy little gadget are nothing to be sniffed at, even if you are a novice to vaporizing your herb.

Less than half the weight and 1/3 smaller than its predecessor this vape fits easily into a back pocket. Better yet, it heats in seconds, all while delivering consistent vapor quality. More importantly, it works via convection heating, which some argue is better than conductive heating. Proponents of convection heating say it results in a purer, better tasting inhale.

Explore The Firefly 2 Smart Features

The model charges in as little as 45 minutes. It also comes with 2 batteries, so you never have to worry about running out of power as long as you keep at least one charged. If you do need a recharge, a handy 3.0 USB cable that comes with the charging cradle can connect to any cell phone or tablet charger. Battery life is phenomenal as well.

Available for both iOS and Android phones, the optional (and free) Firefly app puts you in charge of the temperature. It allows you to choose from 6 preset heating profiles, depending on your preference and what you’re vaping. Several temperature settings are available. All are easily configured via your phone and the app and by pressing the side buttons. The app also provides a convenient way to get tech support when needed.

Need that hit and need it now for pain relief, frazzled nerves, or just to relax? No need to worry with the Firefly 2. It can heat up to 400 degrees in 5 seconds. Your preferred herb or concentrate only heats when you inhale, so there is no waste.

Even considering the $330 price tag, the Firefly 2 is well worth the price. Sleek, efficient, and providing quality vapor, it is sure to be on many a vaper’s wish list.

Author

Michael is a marketing and creative content specialist at GotVape.com with primary focus on customer satisfaction. Technology and fitness combined healthy lifestyle obsession are his main talking points

The holiday season is here and everyone is full swing into shopping mode. During this time of the year everyone spends way too much money. Money that most people don’t even have to spend. It is also during this time that everyone is looking for ways to save money while still getting family and friends gives to celebrate the holidays and show your love and appreciation. Finding the right deal is key to smart shopping.

If you are looking for the best deals online. You can spend hours searching the web looking for ways to save some pennies. You can find great coupon codes & discounts for 2017 with great deals on sites like Amazon, Beachbody, Target and so many more. These are easily some of my favorite deals. You don’t realize every penny counts and with great savings you can either buy a little extra for yourself or for your loved ones.

Are you a sports fan? If you are a fan of NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR and many other sports, then you need to also check out Fansedge. This site is packed with the best online sports apparel and fan apparel. So if you are sports fan and looking for that right gift, then look no further. The power of coupon shopping is a very important tool if you are a smart shopper. So be smart and shop smart!

It seems that these days we are meant to be shocked about gaming all the time. There are plenty of controversies around the community, with people asking for change, or complaining about the latest big release. Some shocking facts can be good though, as a sign of change, or at least positive movements in a community that isn’t really as controversial as it seems.

Online Gaming Has Trebled Since 2005

It should be no real shock that online gaming has been doing well, but the fact that the market hit $41.4 billion by the end of 2015 is very impressive. There’s now a huge array of games available to play from live poker to online roulette. Looking back at 2005 the fact that it was $13.8 billion shows how fast the industry is changing. With no signs of this increase slowing down anytime soon the future looks golden for the online gaming market.

Online Sales Continue to Grow

Looking at the amount of money that people are putting into their game buying, it is impressive just how much is going into the digital market. In 2012 it was around $24 billion which is impressive, but by the end of 2017 it is expected to rise to $40 billion. The growth has come from the rise of “free-to-play” games and micro-transactions which are included in “online sales”. With this amount of money being spent on them, no wonder games companies have confidence in this type of game.

Over 50% of Gamers are Female

The stereotype of the typical gamer being a teenage boy playing games in a darkened room is starting to lose credibility. With around 52% of gamers being female this shows that gaming is more diverse than people realize. It seems that everybody is a gamer at heart these days.

Online Gaming Pushed Social Gaming to Success

In the UK the online gambling sector is worth over $2 billion. It seems these days that people are loving online bingo games. With the growth in these types of games it is pushing social gaming to new heights making it more popular than ever.

Should we find these facts shocking? Maybe some people will. The fact is the game industry is changing, and for the better. Now for us to celebrate its successes rather than look for the controversial nature of it.

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Today it is the majority that own a smartphone rather than a minority, and because of this many companies have optimized their businesses to work well with mobile devices whilst some have changed their focus directly to the mobile market.

This makes perfect sense as the percentage of those that use their mobile devices to access the internet now out-weighs those that use their PC or laptops.

Take online casinos for instance.  Millions of people log on to a casino or poker websites like Jackpot City Casino to spend some time either playing for the fun of it or for real cash, many just spend a little time there whilst other make playing at these sites their hobby.  No matter what the reason is for playing there is no doubt that the popularity of such sites is not diminishing in any way, whereas many land based venues are reporting regular losses in revenue.

Probably the biggest pull of the mobile online casino is the convenience it offers whether you fancy having a bet whilst at home, whether you are watching television or as a stand-alone activity it’s the choice.  Widely reported was the story of the man who could not sleep and had a game on the slots winning himself millions of dollars, you can log on for minutes or longer as well as being able to log off is something else more important comes up, this is impossible if you are at a land-based venue.

Choice is also all about the games and there is no question that online casinos offer a far wider range of games including those classics but also many variations on the classic games making you time spent online even more exciting.  The top sites offer people free games to play and are a perfect way to get the ‘feel’ of a new game, plus new players are often offered an excellent welcome bonus or package which are usually a percentage of what you deposit into your own account and can be 200% or higher.

Online casinos also reward their loyal players, they can do this as obviously their overheads are far less than their bricks and mortar counterparts.  Loyalty is usually rewarded in special cash back rewards and loyalty points.  These points can be collected then redeemed with the cashier where you can choose various prizes from tournament entries to cool electronics depending on how many points you have redeemed.

Today online casinos are also very secure and they make sure that any personal information that you supply stays safe and secure by using only the latest encryption codes making sure that none of your banking details are given to any other parties.

This, coupled with the advancement in technology and the bigger screens of the smartphones has all helped to make online gambling a continually evolving industry where innovation is at its core.

It is official Fall and even though it is not Halloween yet, the holiday shopping season has already started. As you are visiting your favorite stores, you will see how they are already transformed into Christmas themes and the shopping craze is getting geared up. Stores like Lowes, Cracker Barrel, Kohls and many others are already all decorated for the season to come with hopes to kick start the madness that occurs this time of the year.

Personally, I always find that the best way for me is to get started and be done BEFORE Thanksgiving. That was I can enjoy the holidays and not have to worry about gifts and able to actually enjoy the season itself. That was in between holiday shows and holiday cooking, there is time to relax and hit up some UK mobile casino sites online. If you are good also playing would be a good way to pay back those holiday bills also! I find that if I leave shopping to the last minute that I am missing the true feeling of the holidays and more time stressing, which I do through out the year enough.

If you are an online shopper, the who dynamic of shopping for the holidays has changed so much as well. I remember “kicking off” the holiday season on Black Friday morning at 5am waiting in those lines, but now the shopping starts anytime online with numerous deals throughout the Fall. So whether you are a smart shopper like myself or a last minute rusher, be sure to get ready because the season is here as we gear up for the most wonderful time of the year! Happy Holidays (in advance) and stay safe!

Gene Wilder, who went from comic actor to acclaimed writer/director, passed away on August 29th due to complications with Alzheimer’s Disease. His death was announced by his family. The star of such films as “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” “The Producers,” and “Young Frankenstein” was 83.

Born Jerome Silberman in June 1933 in Milwaukee, Wilder began having success on Broadway in the early 1960s. In 1963 he appeared opposite Anne Bancroft in the play “Mother Courage and Her Children.” Bancroft introduced Wilder to her boyfriend at the time, Mel Brooks, and the two began a long association.

After appearing in a small role in the film “Bonnie and Clyde,” Brooks cast Wilder as fussy accountant Leo Bloom in his Oscar-winning 1967 film “The Producers.” Holding his own against the great Zero Mostel, Wilder earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. In 1971 he played the title character in the film he would most be associated with, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” Ironically, his co-star was Jack Albertson, who had won the Oscar Wilder had been nominated for.

In 1974, with 48 hours notice, Brooks asked Wilder to take over the role of the Waco Kid in the film “Blazing Saddles.” The actor originally cast, Oscar-winner Gig Young, had long battled with alcoholism and had arrived to the set in bad shape. While shooting the film, Wilder showed Brooks a script he had been writing titled “Young Frankenstein.” The two men collaborated on the script and Brooks agreed to direct it. Wilder had one condition – Brooks could not appear on-screen, as he felt that would ruin the illusion of the film. Brooks consented, though he does “appear” a few times as various sounds, including the cat that screams during the dart game. The film earned Wilder his second Oscar nomination, sharing it with Brooks for Best Screenplay Based on Another Medium.

In 1975, Wilder became a triple threat, writing, directing and starring in “The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother.” Surrounding himself with familiar faces like Madeline Kahn and Marty Feldman, the film began a successful string of films written and directed by Wilder, including “The World’s Greatest Lover,” “Haunted Honeymoon,” and “The Women in Red.”

Having worked with Richard Pryor on “Blazing Saddles” (Pryor co-wrote the script), Wilder was happy to appear with him on screen. The two co-starred in “Silver Streak” in 1976 and “Stir Crazy” in 1980, the latter film being directed by Sidney Poitier. Poitier also cast Wilder in his next film, “Hanky Panky.” It was on the set of this film that Wilder first met Gilda Radner. The two became quick friends and eventually married in September 1984. They remained together until her death on May 20, 1989. Following her death he co-founded Gilda’s Club, an organization that works to fight ovarian cancer. Each year the families on the block I live in hold a “Marathon” run, selling t-shirts to raise money, which is donated to Gilda’s Club.

Following Radner’s death Wilder began to curtail his work load, making only two feature films and starring in a short-lived television series called “Something Wilder.” He appeared in three made-for-television films in 1999 and a couple episodes of “Will and Grace.” His last acting credit was a voice-over last year in the animated series “Yo Gabba!”

Wilder turned his attention to writing in the late 1990s, beginning with a book highlighting his experiences dealing with ovarian cancer entitled “Gilda’s Disease: Sharing Personal Experiences and a Medical Perspective on Ovarian Cancer,” which he co wrote with M. Steven Piver. In 2006 he released his autobiography, “Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art.” He also wrote four novels: “My French Whores,” “The Woman Who Wouldn’t,” “What is This Thing Called Love?,” and “Something to Remember You.”

Mr. Wilder is survived by his fourth wife, Karen.

Here are my top 10 Gene Wilder performances:

1. Dr. Victor Frankenstein in “Young Frankenstein.” Whether he’s angrily denying his family heritage or fighting for his life while playing charades, this is a performance that deserved an Oscar nomination.

2. Leo Bloom in “The Producers.” From his first appearance, where he tells Zero Mostel, “I’m sorry I caught you with the old lady” to the final scene in prison, his blue blanket clutching accountant is one of the most brilliant characters in film history.

3. The Waco Kid in “Blazing Saddles.” “Little bastard shot me in the ass!”

4. Willy Wonka in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” 45 years later children still love him.

5. George Caldwell in “Silver Streak.” Just an every-man who must rise to the occasion to save the woman he loves. He and Richard Pryor together are comedy gold.

6. Rudy Valentine in “The World’s Greatest Lover.” Though the film is primarily a comedy, there are some tender scenes with Wilder revealing how much he loves his wife.

7. Skip Donahue in “Stir Crazy.” Once again, he and Pryor form one of the greatest comedy teams ever assembled on film.

8. Sigerson Holmes in “The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother.” As the younger brother who refuses to accept his sibling is a great detective (he calls him “Shear-Luck”), Wilder pulls off the triple threat of writer/director/star with ease. In honor of this film, when I finish writing I’m going to do the Kangaroo Hop!

9. Teddy Pierce in “The Woman in Red.” As a man facing middle-age, Wilder never seems to be able to catch a break.

10. Avram in “The Frisco Kid.” As the rabbi from Poland who is heading to San Francisco, Wilder and Harrison Ford have a fun time in the Wild West.

Movies theme online casino games continue to be some of the most popular of all of the online casino games, even when compared with all of the online casino games and not just the fun mobile games. People love the games that give them a certain degree of familiarity, which is certainly the case with movies theme online casino games. People like to be able to revisit the movie scenarios and images that helped to make them happy at different points, and movies theme online casino games can do the trick in a way that simply watching the movies again never will.

When people go the casinopokiesonline.com.au, they are going to find so many online casino slot games that it is going to be difficult for them to keep track. The Australian public seems to have a special affinity for online pokies in particular. Around eighty percent of Australians today play some sort of online casino games, and the online casino slot games are usually at the top of the list for them. While many of the movies featured in the movie themed online casino slot games are specifically American films, Hollywood movies have managed to achieve a level of international recognition that people all around the world are still going to be able to identify with them. The people who go to the casinopokiesonline.com.au website from Australia are going to love the Terminator games as much as the majority of Americans who play this famous online casino slot game series.

The Dark Knight series is one of the most popular of the movies theme online casino games. The Dark Knight series was and still is one of the most popular film series ever released, and it makes perfect sense that a gaming series based on this film series would be just as popular. Naturally, this is also a recent movie series from the late 2000’s and early 2010’s, which makes it that much more understandable that people today are still huge fans of it. The Terminator series has a great deal of enduring popularity, even though it has been some time since a film in that series has been released and people seem to have changed some of their opinions on some of the lead actors since this time period.

The Jurassic Park series of online slot games is also one of the most famous of the online movie themed slot games that people will find today. One of the advantages of this series is the simple fact that Jurassic Park is still an ongoing series as opposed to an old one. However, older series are getting resurrected all the time, so it is possible that this is going to happen again with some other movie series in order to create new online casino slot games. This is the era of cinematic television, and people are now playing slot games based on television series like Game of Thrones. Movies theme online casino games and similar games will only get more popular.