Fortune always favours the brave. There are days when players have huge wins or there are days where there are no wins at all. Gambling is a game of fortunes. The gambling players have discovered something called as Gambling superstitious where they believe that certain superstitious beliefs will help them have great wins.

Hence, keeping in mind that there are players who are superstitious, in this article, we have listed down five most popular beliefs and superstitions that the casinos including the players at Online Casino follow all around the world. These mainly include:

1. Lucky Number

The number seven and thirteen and likewise there are many numbers which are luckier and unluckier according to different players. Nevertheless, in some countries like Italy number, thirteen is a good number and this number brings great fortune. Many players believe that the money that they wager must not equal the unlucky number, as that would bring down their wins.

2. Dress Colour Matters at the Table

Many players dress up in different colours thinking that it will make a difference on the casino table. While some believe wearing a specific colour such as White bring great wins or is luckier. However, some might have a different opinion about the same colour, White. They might consider it as opposite and perhaps, some feel it is unluckier for them.

3. Never Stop Playing Once You Get a Big Win

Another big superstition belief is that once you get a big win at the table you must not stop playing. Many of the players of the world practise this religiously. They ensure that they do not get up from their chair or suddenly quit the game. They will continue with the big wins and try to aim at getting more wins.

4. Crossing Your Fingers

You can practice the habit of crossing your fingers before any result comes out, a common thing among many of us in the world. Many casino players have been cultivating such practices from the recent past. Many players who have wagered big money and waiting for their turn to reveal the cards often keep their fingers crossed. Keeping your fingers crossed reduces the nervousness and creates a positive vibe that might help the player to some extent to the casino players.

5. C$50 Bills

There is a major belief that any player who gets a bill of C$50 is bad luck. The belief turned out to be a strong superstition when the American gangster Bugsy Siegel found dead in the 1940s was carrying C$50 in his pocket when he was dead. The superstition belief enforces many casinos of the world to write off the C$50 if a customer’s bill equals that amount.

Summary

As many as players believe that gambling is purely based on fortune and luck but some believe that wearing a specific colour of dress before you get on the casino table makes a huge difference. While some believe that getting, a particular number is luckier and unluckier.

VR online gaming development in 2016 managed to at least bring the industry closer to what a lot of people have been wanting for years. Many people have been dreaming about games that are so realistic that they are going to swear that they are happening all around them. There are games now that are at least getting closer and closer to that conclusion in terms of their graphics and their overall mechanics. However, the important thing is that in 2016, the technology surrounding all of this improved.

The year 2016 is going to be known for augmented reality in particular. The Pokemon Go game is already the sort of game that can go on to define an era, at least in the beginning of that point in time. A lot of people love this game. Many developers were worried that Pokemon Go was not really ready at the level that it was. However, since this is a game that was so incredibly popular, it seems that it was ready empirically. The game still managed to make a lot of money and to make history, and there aren’t a lot of other games like that anywhere and at any point.

It is possible that in the online casino gaming world, augmented reality is going to be right around the corner. People might be able to just look through their wearable devices in order to see something that is imposed on reality. The Pokemon characters that are present on the screen in the Pokemon Go games are already enough to convince a lot of people that they are seeing things. These tiny characters can truly alter the entire look of a room. Almost anything related to online casino gaming would be much more dramatic than that. Many people might be able to feel as if they are in a land based casino as a result of an augmented reality online casino game of that nature, and that is only going to bring people further to a fantasy of a lot of online casino gaming fans.

People might have a lot of different expectations when they play games at the All Slots casino online. All slots Online Casino games are going to be fun for a lot of people. Many of these people are going to hope that the games have a certain familiarity to them. People who are used to land based casinos are going to want games that manage to recall those land based casinos. Lots of other people want to be able to really lose themselves in these games, and that means feeling as if the games are really part of the world. When it comes to augmented reality, this is going to be even easier for a lot of people. They will really feel as if the games that they like are all around them and that they are part of the world. When they look through the view screen, that is what they are going to see, and that is enough to make it real.

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Article by Adam Walter

There is a long history of athletes turning to acting after their playing days are over. In fact, many of them get a jump start by acting while they’re still in the midst of their careers. Most of them have been forgettable, but some athletes have gone on to become serious actors or at least leave a lasting impression upon the landscape of popular culture. This is the list of the best athletes turned actors.

10. Bob Uecker

Okay, so maybe calling Uecker an athlete is a stretch when you look at his career .200 batting average, but the man did last six seasons in Major League Baseball. He will always most famously be remembered for his hilarious announcing in the Major League movies.

9. Carl Weathers

Weathers is most widely known for portraying Apollo Creed in the Rocky Franchise. Before he became famous for fighting and training Rocky Balboa, Weathers played linebacker for two seasons at San Diego State, 7 games for the Oakland Raiders and a couple years in the CFL.

8. Jim Brown

Brown’s name is often thrown around in the lists of best athletes in history. He is the only man to average over 100 yards per game for his entire NFL career. After his playing days were over, Brown turned to acting. His most famous role was in The Dirty Dozen.

7. Merlin Olsen

Although kids from the 80’s will undoubtedly remember Olsen most from his role as Ingalls’ family friend Jonathan Garvey on “Little House on the Prairie,” he was one of the best defensive tackles in the history of football. He made the Pro Bowl the first 14 years of his 15-year NFL career, which is a Pro Bowl selection streak that is only matched by Bruce Matthews, Tony Gonzalez and Peyton Manning.

6. Johnny Weissmuller

Weissmuller won five gold medals and a bronze for swimming in the 1924 and 1928 Summer Olympics. He then went on to portray Tarzan in 11 films, starting in 1932. Following that, Weissmuller starred in 13 movies as a famous Asian hunter called Jungle Jim.

5. Alex Karras

Karras was a star offensive lineman for the Detroit Lions over 12 seasons in the NFL. He went on to star in many TV shows and movies, most famously as Mongo in Blazing Saddles and George Papadopoulos on “Webster”.

4. Chuck Norris

Most recognizable by Millennials for the Internet memes referencing his legendary feats, Norris was an action star who is most famously known onscreen for fighting Bruce Lee in Way of the Dragon and portraying the title character in “Walker, Texas Ranger.”

3. Burt Reynolds

Reynolds was a star fullback coming out of high school, but he hurt his knee at Florida State in his sophomore year and never fully recovered. He turned to acting and became one of the biggest movie stars of the 1980s in films like Deliverance, Smokey and the Bandit and The Longest Yard.

2. Bruce Lee

The most famous kung fu movie star ever is also considered by many to be the best martial artist of all time. His most famous films were The Big Boss, Way of the Dragon and Enter the Dragon.

1. Arnold Schwarzenegger

A star so big he is instantly recognizable from his first name alone, Arnold is one of the biggest box-office stars in Hollywood history. In films such as Predator, Kindergarten Cop and The Terminator franchise, Schwarzenegger delighted audiences. Before he became an action hero, Schwarzenegger initially gained fame as one of the most successful bodybuilders ever. He won the title of Mr. Olympia seven times.

Media Mikes is proud to welcome Adam Walter. Adam is recently out of college and makes his home in New York City. His love of sports led to he and some friends starting an Internet blog. You can read more of his work at www.usssportsmachine.com. Welcome aboard!

It’s been quite awhile since I took the time to write something profound and for that I apologize. But when the Academy Award nominations were released, one word was repeatedly bandied about concerning one nomination. The nomination was for Best Achievement in Directing and the nominee was Mel Gibson, who helmed Best Picture nominee “Hacksaw Ridge.” The word in question: FORGIVEN.

Whether on the local news, “Entertainment Tonight” or even in the local paper, talking heads couldn’t help but point out that “Hollywood has finally forgiven Mel Gibson” and given him an Oscar nomination. Every time I heard this I scratched my head, wondering what the meaning of that statement was. We are all familiar in one way or another with some unpleasant reminders of Mel Gibson’s past. Yes, he allegedly is anti-Semitic. And yes, he may have some anger issues and leave some not-very-nice voice mails. In the 20 years since he took home Oscars for directing and co-producing “Braveheart” had he possibly lost out on more Oscar gold as a form of punishment?

Hollywood’s history was built on scandal. From Fatty Arbuckle to Charlie Sheen, the public has eaten up every tasty bit of dirt that Tinseltown can kick up. Charlie Chaplin LOVED blow jobs – especially from younger women. Errol Flynn had such a way with young ladies that they coined an expression – “In Like Flynn” – in his honor. Marilyn Monroe and JFK. Marilyn Monroe and RFK. Rob Lowe’s sex tape with a 16-year-old girl. Woody Allen and Soon-Yi. And these are just off the top of my head.

What they all have in common, besides their sordid back stories, is that none of them were “punished.” Sure, they all had to endure some bad press, but their careers went on quite nicely, thank you. Chaplin is regarded as one of the true genius’ of Hollywood. And rightly so. Flynn was a star until the day he died at the young age of 50. So was Monroe, who died even younger at 36. Rob Lowe continues to work and even endured a comedy roast where his under-age hijinx were frequently commented on. And Woody Allen has received 9 Academy Award nominations since it was learned that he was dating (and later married) the 21-year old adopted daughter of his then girlfriend, Mia Farrow. Where was their punishment? Why weren’t they shunned from the community and cast aside like so many Steven Seagal DVDs?

All of the above has led me to the main point of this diatribe. A few weeks ago, when our various film critics here at the web site listed their choices for the Best Film of 2016 my pick for #1 was “The Birth of a Nation.” I loved the film and when I left the theatre I was certain that the film and it’s break-out star/director/co-writer were destined for a date with Oscar. That seemed to be the consensus of other critics as well. At least until mid-August. It was then that the public learned that in 1999, while a student at Penn State, Parker and his roommate (and co-writer of “The Birth of a Nation”) Jean Celestin were accused of sexually assaulting a fellow student. Parker was tried and acquitted. Jump ahead to 2016. Parker is now married and the father of five daughters and his career is heading upward like a rocket. Until August. Since then, almost every article written that attempted to predict the possible Best Picture candidates dismissed “The Birth of a Nation.” Not because it was an inferior film but because of events 17 years ago. Later news – the woman who accused the two men had taken her life in 2012 – made things even worse. It was like Hollywood was saying, “Thanks for putting your life’s blood into your work, Nate, but like Paul Sorvino in “Goodfellas,” now we gotta turn our back on you. Hypocrites!

NEWS FLASH: As I was finishing up this piece, I see on-line an article from “USA Today” noting that Casey Affleck has aroused the ire of some in Hollywood with his recent Best Actor nomination. It seems that in 2010 two female crew members of a film he was directing filed a lawsuit against him for sexual harassment. Affleck threatened to counter-sue but the case was later settled out of court. Angry Tweets followed the news of Affleck’s nomination. To me he’s the front runner. I would hope that the members of the Academy do what they’re supposed to do, and cast their votes based on the performances of the actors or the merits of the filmmakers. To do otherwise would be a disgrace.

Are you someone who gets excited about new games that are introduced for a gaming console or for a mobile device? Many types of games are introduced each year in hopes of being the next big hit. Most games are often based on a theme or genre depending on what is is. This is the reason there are games based on movies, comic characters, and many others. In fact, video games development for 2017 could offer a few titles that may be unexpected.

Red Flush Online Casino is a great place to go to find many types of fun and exciting video slots. Why not try new online slots machines here today?

One thing to keep in mind about the development of new video games is that the process is typically a marathon and not a sprint. This is the reason for delays that often occur or why a proposed title will be changed more than once before the final product is released. However, this does not mean fans are not looking forward to new games being released this year.

Resident Evil 7 – Biohazard

The Resident Evil franchise has been popular for many years and every new game offers the chance to see something new. Horror games are becoming more popular and means games that were not a top hit can be reinvented for a new audience. Games that are updated for changing times often have a surge in popularity when updated with new foes and tough puzzles to solve.

Mass Effect – Andromeda

This is the a new game in this series that takes place after the third game in a trilogy. The popularity of the original three games led to the decision to release an updated game in 2017. Decision making is the major part of this game and newest game will have all new choices to make. Will you be ready for the challenges you may face?

Prey

This game may appear like a sequel to a game released back in 2006, but this is not the case. The game has players stranded on a space station that is being overrun by aliens. If you are into first shooter style games, then this one should be an exciting one to play. The only problem is finding a weapon available to use to defend yourself.

Tacoma

Fans of spooky games will enjoy this new game slated for release in 2017. Players will be exploring a space station where a crew has seemingly disappeared. This game is a sequel to a 2013 release that was about a young woman in a home where everyone was away for the night. Finding out what happened is likely to be a terrific and maybe a worrying experience.

Red Dead Redemption 2

This is the newest release from the same developers who made Grand Theft Auto. The game offers you a western feel as there are beautiful landscapes with a story of a criminal who is trying to atone for his past deeds. Keep in eye out as this game could end up being the most anticipated game of 2017.

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One of the fun things to discuss, debate, argue, or silently complain about on social media is Oscar snubs. Luckily this year, the ship has been righted and I think we can put the #Oscarssowhite controversy to rest because of how diverse the nominees were this year. Although to be fair, the Academy set the bar pretty low the past two years in terms of cultural variety. But there’s one thing the Academy can never escape and that’s snubs. While I certainly don’t believe some of my snubs ever had a chance, they are deserving of some gold.

Best Picture Snub
Swiss Army Man

I knew this was a longshot. I know the Academy isn’t about to publicly acknowledge a farting boner corpse movie. But a little part of me had hoped that its indie cred, combined with its existential storytelling, would have made it a respectable dark horse in a field of 10. It’s unique, fascinating, moving, well-acted and wonderfully shot. Its only flaw is that it’s too off putting for general audiences and slightly juvenile for the snobby voters in Hollywood. I swear this is the last time you’ll hear or see me cheerleading for this movie.

Honorably Snubbed as Well: 20th Century Women

Best Director Snub
Robert Eggers, The Witch

Eggers immersed himself in 1630’s New England to deliver a historically accurate portrayal of terror in the unknown wilderness of early America. Everything from the film’s dialogue to the farmstead were meticulously groomed and crafted by the director. He managed to wrangle four (including one teenager) child actors, keeping them from being annoying, as they traditionally are in horror movies. This production designer turned director crafted an atmospheric horror masterpiece. Eggers is one to watch out for.

Honorably Snubbed as Well: Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, Swiss Army Man

Best Actor Snub
Tom Hanks, Sully

Let’s clear up this presumed notion I’ve seen on social media. Tom Hanks doesn’t get nominated every year. He hasn’t been nominated for an Oscar since 2001 and hasn’t won a golden statute since 1995. I’m not asking the Academy to throw him a bone, he doesn’t need one. But don’t overlook the fact that “Sully” is a sub par movie-going experience without Hanks’ hefty talents in the pilot seat. Hanks’ navigates Clint Eastwood’s so-so work into a memorable tale of average Joe heroism and the bureaucratic blame game.

Honorably Snubbed as Well: Jake Gyllenhaal, Nocturnal Animals

Best Actress Snub
Sasha Lane, American Honey

I wouldn’t blame you for not watching “American Honey.” Three hours of wanderlust is too much for the average audience. But first time actress, Sasha Lane, is a treasure to watch. She was up for every challenge of portraying an impoverished young adult. Lane portrays an innocent, if not naive, teenager looking for her purpose and a slice of the American dream. Her character, without speaking usually, represents youthful aspirations and good intentions, despite the thieving people around her. Lane keeps the flame of hope in her character lit throughout the movie, making her character one to root for her and admire.

Honorably Snubbed as Well: Amy Adams, Arrival

Best Supporting Actor Snub
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nocturnal Animals

The story within a story is the strongest part about “Nocturnal Animals,” mainly due to its wonderful performances. Leading the way is Jake Gyllenhaal, but his emotionally distressed character would be nothing without the terrifying Texas psychopath played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. While visually disgusting, Taylor-Johnson’s grimy character radiates off the screen. He’s calculating, but relaxed. He’s vicious, but calm. The dynamic extremes of his character are balanced by Taylor-Johnson who’s “ablicious” and repugnant.

Honorably Snubbed as Well: Ben Foster, Hell or High Water

Best Supporting Actress Snub
Haley Bennett, Girl on the Train

I know. I know. This is a bad movie. But the Academy has not been above nominating a bad movie or rewarding the components of a bad movie. Let’s not forget that “50 Shades of Grey” is an Oscar nominated movie with five Razzie wins under its belt. While Emily Blunt should certainly be commended for her performance, it’s Haley Bennett’s performance as the tragically flawed suburban floozy that becomes the center of the movie’s suffering. Her character lives life emotionally empty, only to be killed when finding new life. In the rear view mirror of 2016, Bennett’s performance is brave and engaging, but trapped in a lifeless cliché movie.

Honorably Snubbed as Well: Greta Gerwig, 20th Century Women

Best Animated Feature
Finding Dory

Is “Finding Dory” that average? I thoroughly enjoyed the Pixar movie and was surprised it didn’t, at the very least, get a nod. It’s not the best of the year, but it can certainly be mentioned in the same breath as the other candidates. I haven’t seen “The Red Turtle” or “My Life as a Zucchini” so I can’t comment on their quality since they certainly secured the final two spots. I’m sure they’re good. Maybe this is a sign that Pixar should just avoid sequels for a while. At least “Sausage Party” didn’t steal one of the nomination seats or else there’d be hell to pay.

Honorably Snubbed as Well: None. This was a year that saw Angry Birds, so we need to do better in 2017.

Best Original Screenplay
Zootopia

It’s been mentioned before, and not just by me, that “Zootopia” benefited from coming out at the right time. The script, while being generously relatable to kids and adults alike, has a wonderful message about acceptance. A city populated with cute, furry animals taught everyone that sexism, racism, classism and xenophobia are still very real and can divide us in a heartbeat. Disney could have easily settled for a buddy cop movies with animals, but instead allowed the script to naturally evolve and survive the rewriting process. Despite nine credited writers, “Zootopia” never became diluted or a jumbled mess. Instead it ran smoothly with a clear message of tolerance.

Honorably Snubbed as Well: The Invitation

Best Adapted Screenplay
Silence

Martin Scorsese’s decades long passion project is based on a work of historical fiction. While having never read the novel myself, the folks who have read the book have left nothing, but glowing reviews of it online. If the purpose of the 20th century novel is to make us reflect and question spirituality and our religious beliefs as a whole, Scorsese captured that wonderfully in a movie that, while drawn out, is beautifully retold on the silver screen. Scorsese painted a beautiful picture just like the book certainly transported readers back to post-Feudal Japan.

Honorably Snubbed as Well: High-Rise

Best Music
Cliff Martinez, Neon Demon

While I’m not completely sold on “Neon Demon” being a good movie, I found myself listening to the soundtrack of “Neon Demon” multiple times. While adding another layer to the movie, the soundtrack on its own accord is a wonderful synth album inducing feelings of hope and despair. “Neon Demon” is a visual experience, complimented by a wonderful score that spurs dread and bouncy optimism, sometimes within a single song. “Neon Demon” is the only movie this year where the music feels like an unseen narrator for how we’re supposed to feel.

Honorably Snubbed as Well: Johann Johannson, Arrival

Best Music, Original Song
Drive it Like You Stole It, Sing Street

The coming-of-age love letter to the 80’s, “Sing Street,” should have been more popular. Not only did the Clash, A-Ha, and the Cure get some much deserved love on the screen, but the movie featured some dynamic original music. Most of the original content, like “Riddle of the Model,” was short nods to music by Duran Duran or other iconic bands. However, the movie reaches its crescendo with its most poppy rock hit, “Drive It Like You Stole It.” The song is a big metaphor for the final act and growing up in general. Just listen to it and tell me that’s not the best original song of the year.

Honorably Snubbed as Well: Montage, Swiss Army Man

Best Foreign Language
Elle

I’m finding it difficult, once again, to put into words why I like this movie so much. Just read my review.

Honorably Snubbed as Well: I’m not sure. I should be more cultured.

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Surely, all gamblers around the globe are familiar with casino games played for money. But, as the matter of fact, some still get surprised when told of the sites offering free spins to everyone who’s registered. The practice shows that lots of people view it with some scepticism at first. However, those who’ve come across UK casino bonus with no deposit find it then to be a much easier way to win some cash compared to all other places. And naturally, after having tried that people express no special desire to get back to a fully pre-paid form of gambling.

Reason 1: Opportunity to practice

A great number of players finds no deposit online casinos a perfect way to make extra money. But a chance to try something new without the need to invest anything is usually a weightier factor making people attracted. Potential gamblers see a unique opportunity to raise their skills as there are no strict requirements to make deposits. One may spend as much time at practising as needed to work out a strategy and learn to predict a possible outcome. After all, doing some wrong decisions doesn’t seem that risky when no bets are involved. And this is exactly what helps people relax when playing in no deposit online casinos. If you also look for a place to try some of the popular slots for free, choose more at this site; hundreds of users call it the best for beginners.

Reason 2: Higher profitability

By giving players the opportunity to practice for free casinos expect them to strive for higher bets when it comes to real playing. And indeed, with the bonus rounds acquired during a game one may hit some impressive jackpots and win big. The idea of withdrawing a large sum for, practically, investing nothing forces people to hit a spin button again and again. Considering the fact a progressive jackpot is currently a distinct feature of the majority of slots, one of those hits may grant you with a truly unimaginable gift!

Reason 3: Free cash

The main principle of no-deposit casino bonuses is basically cut down to ‘getting a lot’ for ‘giving a little’ (or nothing at all). Who wouldn’t enjoy a perspective like that? In some cases people receive a sum of money for just signing up with a site; it’s become a norm among casinos to provide registration bonuses. In others, one may withdraw a winning after making only a couple of spins, when luck is on his/her side.

There are also programs allowing you to get paid for referring friends to a website or being a returning customer. Other words, one may get a bonus for making no deposits at all. The reward may arrive in either cash or playing time equivalent. But nonetheless, it’s going to be a pure profit offered by no one else but a no-deposit casino.

Writer/Director Kenneth Lonergan’s “Manchester by the Sea” led all films in the 4th Annual Media Mikes Awards, which are voted on by both readers and staff of the web site.

Besides being named the Best Film of 2016, “Manchester by the Sea” took home the awards for Best Actor, Casey Affleck, as well as Best Original Screenplay for Lonergan. It was also the only film to win multiple awards.

Best Actress went to Natalie Portman for her performance as former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in “Jackie.” Best Supporting Actor was Dev Patel for “Lion” while Viola Davis was selected as the year’s Best Supporting Actress for “Fences.”

Damien Chazelle was named the year’s Best Director for “La La Land” while “Zootopia” was chosen as the Best Animated Feature.

As in past years, over 3,000 entries were submitted by readers in seven categories, with the staff of Media Mikes choosing the winners in the Original and Adapted Screenplay, Original Musical Score and Documentary categories.

Below is a complete list of winners:

BEST FILM: Manchester by the Sea

BEST ACTOR: Casey Affleck – Manchester by the Sea

BEST ACTRESS: Natalie Portman – Jackie

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Dev Patel – Lion

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Viola Davis – Fences

BEST DIRECTOR: Damien Chazelle – La La Land

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: Zootopia

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Kenneth Lonergan – Manchester by the Sea

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Jay Cocks and Martin Scorcese – Silence

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: OJ: Made in America

BEST ORIGINAL MUSICAL SCORE: Mark Mancina – Moana

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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.