Catherin Spencer, the former women’s Rugby team captain has published an article in The Guardian on the subject of the inequality between men’s and women’s sport in general, and in particular about the huge investment gap.

She said that if she had been given a pound for the times she had been asked about the hurdles women in sport face, she would be a rich lady. As it is, she mourned, her bank balance is only that of a retired England Rugby captain – and a women’s rugby captain at that.

Women rugby players had to play for the love of the game

When Spencer held the captaincy, from 2007 to 2011, the players were expected to play for the love of the game. Her team included doctors, teachers, policewomen and veterinary surgeons who spent all of their free time training and playing without any financial reward – unlike today’s lady players who at least are given match fees on a match-by-match basis.

The ex-women’s captain mentioned browsing the BBC Sport website homepage recently. She searched out the women who were featured and came across Serena Williams, and the silver medallists from the British Winter Paralympian team, Jen Kehoe and Menna Fitzpatrick. These three sportswomen were amongst 33 photos of male sports athletes, which highlights the problem nicely.

Lack of media coverage for women’s sports events

Women’s sport doesn’t get anywhere near the same amount of coverage in the media that men’s sport does. The same problem occurs with sponsorships too. It creates a never-ending circle. To attract sponsorships, the sponsors want to know those they sponsor will get plenty of TV publicity. However, the TV companies don’t show much women’s sport because they maintain it doesn’t attract the same size of audience that men’s sporting events do.

Breaking the circle

Of course, from the audience’s side of the coin, they say that they can’t watch women’s sport because it isn’t broadcast enough. And so it goes – round and round in perpetuity. The chain somehow needs to be broken, but how?

Anything is possible given enough application. As Catherine herself reminded us, she captained her team in winning four Six Nations championships, plus getting to the World Cup final, all the while holding down a full-time job.

To break the underinvestment circle, all that is needed is the courage and some dedication. The recent spectacle in women’s international rugby was when France beat England. Not only was the game was seen by over 17,000 spectators (the most ever to witness a women’s test match) but more people than ever also got involved with placing bets on the outcome.

That same day 5,000 spectators watched Twickenham beat Richmond at the Harlequins’ ground. A British record.

Getting the message across

Catherine Spencer is determined to further the cause of equality for women’s sport, even though she has retired from international rugby. She is writing her own book, rather aptly titled, “Mud, Maul, Mascara.” She has also started her own agency and is getting in there amongst the almost men-only-world of after-dinner speaking.

She is doing her bit in an effort to show that women’s sport should be taken seriously and that it has much to offer; a sentiment more and more people are beginning to agree with.

 

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Starring: Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney, Jim Broadbent
Directed by: Tom Hooper
Rated: 15 (uncut)
Running time: 97 mins

With a ‘93% Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Damned United was almost universally praised critics upon release in 2009, but panned by most of the characters it portrays.

Having read David Peace’s novel of the same name (on which the film is based), this writer enjoyed the movie, but understands and agrees with some complaints that it plays liberties with the truth…

What’s the film about?

The Damned United chronicles Brian Clough’s 44 days in charge of Leeds United in 1974. The backstory portrays his rise as co-manager of Derby County and his rivalry with Leeds’ legendary boss, Don Revie (Colm Meaney).

What I don’t like about the film

Liberties with the truth

Much of the appeal of the film lies in the fact that its main character is a real person – the highly-successful and colourful Brian Clough.

After Clough achieved promotion to the second flight and won the league within just two seasons, he was the natural choice to take over from Revie at Leeds, after the latter took on the England job in 1974. The story of Clough’s ensuing 44 days at Leeds is a compelling one and much of the interest in the film stems from the truth in the story.

The problem with the film is that it ignores facts and adds elements for its own ends. By using a real person as its main protagonist, The Damed United capitalises on the fame of the real man, while offering no genuine insight into Clough’s thoughts or actions behind the scenes– and that is where the danger lies when fact meets fiction.

Several of the characters’ real-life counterparts, including Leeds’ midfielders Johnny Giles and Peter Lorimer, complained that the film (and novel) portrays events and dialogue didn’t actually occur.

Former Derby player Dave MacKay even sued the film’s production company for suggesting he broke a 1973 players’ revolt to take the latter’s place as manager at Derby. In fact, MacKay left Derby in 1971 to become manager of Swindon Town.

It’s small details like this which distort the truth unnecessarily, while also spreading potentially harmful lies about real people.

What I liked about The Damned United

Performances and story

The Damned United is a great film. Michael Sheen is uncanny as Clough and has the accent and mannerisms down pat. He really inhabits the character.

Meanwhile, Clough’s relationship with co-manager and friend Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall) is full of warmth; their story (both real and fictional) is one of success and triumph over adversity. While there are other great football films, the true story which underpins The Damned United arguably makes it one of the best about the sport.

Less offensive to Clough than the novel

While the novel is narrated by Clough’s inner voice and portrays him as a vengeful and bitter alcoholic, the film softens these nastier edges. This is a good thing, because when writing the novel, there’s no way Peace could’ve known what Clough was thinking. While Clough’s family still hated the film, the on-screen character is much more likeable than the one in the novel.

 

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I am a true believer in ad placement. I used to work ad placement for my previous company and it is a very important part of a businesses’ success. I recently came across a ad on Facebook for Shady Rays sunglasses. I clicked on the ad to take a look and was very impressed with the product. I reached out to request product to review and feature on the site and let me tell you I am very glad that I did! I am always (and I know I am not alone here) on the hunt for new sunglasses that look good but don’t cost me a mortgage payment. I think I have found them!!!

The Shady Rays X Series – Blackout Polarized Sunglasses are easily one of the most comfortable sunglasses that I have ever worn. They have a real nice sporting looking frame with strong grip made to withstand high speed activity like running, hiking and climbing, water-sports, and more. I am not doing much of that BUT I do have a near 6 year old and I need to be quick when playing outside! These shades are slick looking and get great wrap around coverage so I am not seeing the glasses and then above and below outside the glasses. They fit your face just right and allow you to see without squinting from any angle.

I should also point out that my wife gets not bad but terrible migraines. She got one while we were driving and during this time she needs to block out all sunlight, even closing her eyes don’t help. She threw on these shades while we were driving and she couldn’t get over the relief that she was receiving from the usual pain and discomfort she gets during a typical migraine. She then preceded to wear them and ride out the rest of the migraine and it easily made it much more manageable. This might not be for everyone but I feel like it is worth noting for sure!

These shades comes with HD Polarized black lenses including 100% UV protection, are shatter-resistant and also salt water proof! The last one will be very useful in the pool and ocean! There is also a really kick ass Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty & Free Replacements if Lost or Broken – just pay S+H fee for lost/broken replacements. I mean that is solid. I mean the pricing alone for these are only $45 dollars and they are worth every penny! The X Series are a big hit for sure and I see myself using Shady Rays my new go to for my sunglasses needs!!

I’ve been going to conventions since the late 1970s. I’ve gone to small, one room gatherings, to the World Science Fiction Convention and every size Con in between. And every year, the one that consistently gets my nod as the Midwest’s best is Kansas City’s Planet Comicon. This year’s event was no different.

What makes Planet Comicon so special, and it was true again this year, was the variety of guests the show attracts. Besides perennial fan favorites from film, television and comics, they always bring out big guns with guests not only making their Kansas City convention debut but, on occasion, their very first convention appearance ever. This year, Planet Comicon treated it’s attendees with the chance to meet film stars John Cusack, Jason Mamoa and musical legend Alice Cooper. Not a bad trifecta of guests, especially when you pair them with other fan favorites in attendance, including Danny Trejo, Michael Rooker and Alan Tudyk. They were among the nearly 40 celebrity guests on hand this year.

Also popular, as has been the case in recent years, was the amazing cosplay participants who once again spared no expense in honoring their favorite characters. For the newly initiated to cosplay, there were several tables in the dealers area that were more then equipped to get you started on your way. The days of poorly made costumes and rubber-band held masks are long gone as cosplay continues to dominate the convention floor.

We at MediaMikes would like to send out a special “thank you” to Chris Jackson, Tracy Jackson and their incredible staff for their constant kindness over the years. I’ve attended every Planet Comicon since it began and it has amazingly not only gotten bigger every year but better. Next year will mark the 20th Anniversary of Planet Comicon and I can only imagine what kind of a celebration they have planned for 2019!

Photos by Dan Lybarger

The Godfather of Shock Rock gets Geeky We found Waldo Clever “Moana” cosplay John Cusack talks about the 1980’s classics he’s starred in The biggest John Carpenter fans at the convention We want to see this crossover Danny Trejo radiates cool Wet on wet Hands down, the best “IT” cosplay at the convention

 

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If the Prohibited 5th Degree looks familiar to you that is because you might have seen it before. VMR Products recently re-branded its V2 Pro Series 7 with a concentrates cartridge instead of a liquid cartridge. The product comes in a ton of new very snazzy colors such as bone (white), jade (teal), struck (purple) and singed (black). I have used the Series 7 in the past and it was always my favorite vaporizer on the market…and trust me I tried them all.

The Prohibited 5th Degree Vaporizer does it all! Out of the box, you can used this multi-function device to either vaporize dry herb or concentrates by simply swampping out the magnetic drop-in cartridges. I honestly love these magnetic connectors cartridges. It makes it so easy to swap out cartridges. The 5th Degree Kit comes stocked with one cartridge for dry herb and one for concentrates and a recessed chamber for cartridges that eliminates the risk of leaks or breaks.

The Dry Herb Cartridge boasts the fact that it features “the fastest heat up time of any vaporizer”. It is fairly quick for sure. The multiple clicking every time to get into the modes is a little annoying I have to admit but I have been using it for a while and it almost feels natural after awhile. The Concentrates Cartridge can used for shatter, wax, oil, and other similar concentrates. The heater featured has a Dual-Quartz and Titanium heater to produce the thickest and smoothest vapor.

Even though I mention that the multiple clicks get annoying but what doesn’t get annoying is the smart technology this devices uses that recognizes each type of cartridge automatically and then heats to optimal vaporizing temperature without guessing. You get three different temperature settings that allow you adjust for yourself.

Dry Herb and Consentrates not enough? You can easily uprade your Prohibited 5th Degree Vaporizer with an optional Dabber and E-Rig Concentrates cartridges. There is no literally no contest with this product. You can compare it to other devices like PAX 3, Firefly 2, DaVinci IQ, Dr. Dabber Boost and Dipper and it comes out on top every time! So the rebranding from the Series 7 may not be drastic besides its cartridge inclusion but it is still no question my go-to vaporizer.

 

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What’s the difference between the American and English roulette games?

Well, go on, how much do you think you know about the devil’s game? Did you even know it’s sometimes referred to as the “devil’s game”? Are you wondering how this nickname came about?

If you add up all the numbers on the roulette wheel, they sum up to 666. That’s why it’s sometimes referred to as the devils game. See, you’ve just learnt something new today – and that’s usually my happiness; seeing my readers getting informed on something new.

Still on the happiness topic, I’ve prepared a brief guide that will help the novice players get to grips on all the differences between American and English roulette; hopefully enabling you to enjoy playing the game.

But before we get to the finer details, let’s have a look define the American and English roulettes using their subtle features.

English Roulette

It’s commonly referred to as the European roulette online and it’s the variant that most players are more accustomed to. English Roulette features 18 black numbers, and 18 red numbers on the wheel, with a single zero which appears as a green. In total, the English roulette wheel has a total of 37 slots.

American Roulette

The American roulette variant is the second most played version of roulette online after the English roulette. The game has all the features similar to the English roulette; in terms of the black and red numbers, with the only main difference coming in the zeroes. Unlike the European roulette, it has both the single green zero as well as an extra double zero, which is marked in green too. This makes the total number of slots on the American roulette wheel to 38.

The difference between the two versions and the best option for you!

Let’s take a look at how the main differences between these two popular versions of roulette influence game play and which version of the two you should start playing.

The Extra Number

As already mentioned, American roulette has an extra 00 numbers, which gives it an extra number on the wheel. Novice players might think this is a good thing, given that players will have more betting options to choose from, but on the contrary, it’s a bad thing. How?

The extra 00 increases the house edge on the American version. The English version has a house edge of 2.7%, while the American version has a house edge of 5.26%. When playing any casino game, including roulette, the house edge simply refers to advantage the online casino has over on each bet you place and when applied on a large scale, it means that you’ll be losing £2.70 for every £100 you stake on English Roulette and £5.26 on the American version.

A higher house edge on the game means less chances of winning. However, for those who love taking large risks, it could mean better odds because the American version usually has better payouts as compared to the English version.

The En Prison Bet

This bet can only be placed on the English roulette and it offers you with an opportunity of recovering your stake after you spin a zero as the outcome. However, there’s a condition attached to it; you have to place an even money bet i.e., odd-even, red-black, etc. This bet will be placed ‘en prison’ and then carried over to the next spin. Should your bet win on the next spin, your initial stake will be refunded but if you lose, the bet shall be forfeited.

As mentioned, this bet is only offered on the English Roulette games and it’s not available on the American Roulette variants.

This article provides some additional key differences between the two.

So which is the best game for you?

It has been said from time to time that the best option as you play mobile or online roulette is to avoid the American version! If you are a novice player, then playing European roulette absolutely makes sense, but even the savvy players shun the American version because it remains harder to win.

All in all, the English Roulette version is the clear winner for all and luckily, you can play different versions of the game online.

DC Super Friends RC Mobile Command Center
Imaginext

Our Score: 4 out of 5 Stars

With the Imaginext DC Super Friends RC Mobile Command Center, young Super Heroes can steer the action from the palms of their hands with the remote control, sending the command center forward and in a backward turn. At the press of the transform button, the Batwing platform rises, revealing the full command center with projectile launcher, jail, and cockpit for Batman. This transforming, crime-fighting machine is the perfect home base for your young Super Hero to create all sorts of action-packed, crime-fighting adventures with their favorite Caped Crusader!

Imaginext continues to really impress me with their DC Super Friends line. One of their newer releases the RC Mobile Command Center is packed with features that will surely enhance your child’s play experience. From the Centers remote control action to its impressive lights and sound and to top it all of a launching Batwing! Imaginext pulled out all the stops on this one. The toy is controlled by a four button remote which has good sized buttons making easy for even younger children to use and when not in use the remote hooks nicely to the back of the center for easy storage. Some other nice details were the fold down sides which house a jail cell and an additional projectile shooter. The cockpit of the vehicle also folds down where there is a seat for the included Batman figure.

Toy Tester Ian w/ the Command Center

Our toy tester Ian really gave the Command Center a good workout as he patrolled up and down the hallway of our house for what seemed like hours pausing only to see who he could land the launching Batwing on. (That thing really launches a good distance) From a parents point of view the toy offers quite a bit. Like all Imaginext toys the Center features a rugged build design that will survive even the roughest play. The only real drawback we could find was that once the toy is off the wheels lock which does not allow users to push the toy around freely. With the toy being a touch on the heavier side this may make moving the center a touch difficult for smaller children. That aside the DC Super Friends Mobile Command Center is a rolling, talking, lighted, launching good time that will certainly put a smile on your young ones face this holiday season.

 

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Teen Titans Tower
Imaginext

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 Stars

Fans of Cartoon Networks “Teen Titans Go” can now bring the fun of the show into their playrooms with Imaginext’s new “Teen Titans Go” line of figures and play sets. At the center of the series is the Teen Titans Tower a, multi tiered play set which features transforming couch launchers, a movable elevator and a gym area complete with sparring dummy. The Tower is a great addition any growing Imaginext collection or as your first introduction to the Imaginext toy line.

Toy Tester Ian w/ the Teen Titan Tower

Included with the set are three figures (Robin, Mammoth & Silkie) which allow you to jump right in and start playing without the need for additional purchases. This was something our 5 year older tester Ian really liked as the figures are just as much fun as the play sets they accompany. Another cool feature was the couch launchers which are nicely hidden within the third level of the tower. With a turn of the Power pad the couches transform in to projectile launchers complete with pizza shaped missiles ready to defend the tower from whatever Mammoth can throw at it.

Though the Teen Titan Tower might not pack as many features as some of Imaginext’s more elaborate play sets it’s still a fun toy that fans of the television series will want to get their hands on. The colors and details of the set are spot on and the included three characters is a great bonus. With only a few shopping days left until Christmas the Teen Titan Tower is a toy that you can’t go wrong picking up for that special someone on your list.

Toy Review: Imaginext DC Super Friends Batbot Xtreme

DC Super Friends Batbot Xtreme
Imaginext

Our Score 4 out of 5 stars

The Imaginext DC Super Friends Batbot Xtreme is the ultimate toy for Batman fans. Your young Super Hero will have a blast defending Gotham from all sorts of diabolical Super-Villain attacks! At over two-feet tall, the Batbot Xtreme towers over enemies and is packed with tons of features such as extendable wings, multiple projectile launchers, a hidden Batcycle, a voice changer, and real punching fists all accessible with turn of a power disk making this a great toy for any age.

Imaginext delivers the goods once again as they continue to build on their already impressive DC Super Friends lines. This time around is the Batbot Xtreme. Direct from the DC Comic series comes this towering toy that based on just size alone is pretty impressive. Coming in at just over two feet tall youngster are eye level with this immensely interactive toy. Our five year old toy tester Ian was immediately in awe of this toy even before we got it out of the box.

With all of the launching abilities this robot offers coupled with the expandable wings complete with punching power you would think that would be enough but, the creators really went the extra distance with this product as you also get a launching bat cycle, an opening chest compartment complete with elevator which can transport figures in to the cockpit of the robot and, to top it all off a voice changer which allows a users voice to be transformed into that of the robot. This feature was one that Ian really loved as not only did it add to the creative play experience it provided a good amount of giggles both for him and mom and dad.

Toy Tester Ian w/ the Batbot Xtreme

Imaginext really hit it out of the park with the Batbot Xtreme. Yes the $99 price tag might seem a bit steep at first glance but, once you really take a look at all the toys features and its rugged construction you can quickly see that this toy is one which will provide hours of fun and enjoyment for many years to come. Ian certainly put the Batbot through its paces and after a weekend of play the only negative we could find is that for smaller children it can be a bit difficult to move because of the size. This resulted in a few calls from the play room to mom and dad for a little help.

Possibly the addition of a few small wheels on the bottom would enhance the play even more and make moving a little easier however, its always nice to get that call for help as my wife and I were quickly recruited in to the play. With the holidays right around the corner Imaginext’s Batbot Xtreme is a near perfect toy to add to your loved ones list this year no matter what age.

Many types we come across people who want to harm us or create trouble for us. Not only them but we the have children at our home who needs to be supervised for they also use phones and various social media applications. Recently there was a game name; Blue Whale was being played by many children who committed suicide. Most of the times family doesn’t understand what is happening with the child and then they get the shock of their lives which costs lifetime full of regret. That is why you need applications and sources where you can keep track of what your young one is doing and also what is happening around you so that you can be ready for it if trouble arrives.

Best Spy Application

Best spy apps for android spyware helps you keep whereabouts of everything you would want to know. With the help of this application, it will be easy for you to snoop around on others phone without being caught and insulted. Also, your child won’t even know about it unless he finds you too. No matter as much as wrong it sounds, it is essential that you understand that in today’s social media world, nobody is safe and the young minds are the easiest prey to be trapped in the net by the hunters such as pedophiles, etc.

Steps To Install

Snoopza is easy to install on your phone. Here are the levels to make you understand the process of downloading it on your phone. Read ahead-

• Sign up- This is the very first step to install this app. Sign up on their website; you can go to this link and create your account and password along with it. Making of the account is free of cost, so you need not worry about it at all.

• Install- Install this application on your kid’s phone and log in with your account. You can hide this account, and they won’t be able to know that you’ve downloaded it to keep a track on them.

• Log in- after downloading it on their phone, remember to log in with the help of your account and password that you created to sign in on the website of the same application.

Services Offered By Application

Now before you install this app or after you do, it is essential to know the services it provides. Here is the list of services offered by the snoopza app to help you spy on others phone.

Call Tracking– This application saves the chats, all the conversations, the exact time of any text or call, the date and times of miss calls, incoming and outgoing calls. In short, everything you need, it keeps track of it.

Call Recording– along with tracking it all, it records the conversation you are having on calls too. And it saves to tune in later and gather all the information.

Location Tracker– one of the best features that make this app a plus is its capability of keeping track of your location. So that if you want to know where your children are, you can understand their lie easily.

Facebook– you also get access to the password of facebook that is logged on on that device so that you can see who the kids are chatting with and what are they sharing on their profile.

Tracking Of Internet History– You can also keep track of their internet browser history or data along with the cookies and caches to know if they are into activities they shouldn’t be into at all and you can bring them back on track if something wrong happens.

Sim Card Replacement– what if all you know about is one number but kid uses the second one as a secret to lay off the radar of being caught. Well, this application does that too.

Download this app now and live a tension free life.

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If you’re reading this, then Thanksgiving is mere days away (or has past, considering WHEN you’re reading this). Turkey. Stuffing. Popcorn. Raisinets.

Yes, the holidays do mean goodies on the dining room table. But they also mean goodies at the local multiplex. Here is a list of some of the films we’re looking forward to. Please note that release dates are subject to change at the whim of the studios. Some synopsis information courtesy of our friends at IMDB.

I hope this year we get more presents then lumps of coal.

November 22

“Coco”
Starring the voices of: Anthony Gonzalez and Benjamin Bratt
Directed by: Lee Unkrich

The latest from the folks at Pixar. Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family’s ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to work out the mystery.

Oscar Chances: With over 20 Academy Awards to its name, including six for Best Animated Feature, the chances are good.

“Darkest Hour”
Starring: Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas
Directed by: Joe Wright

During the early days of World War II, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who must decide whether to negotiate with Hitler, or fight on against incredible odds.

Oscar Chances: Look for Oldman to earn his 2nd nomination.

“The Man Who Invented Christmas”
Starring: Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce
Directed by: Bharat Nalluri

The backstory to how author Charles Dickens came to write “A Christmas Carol.”

Oscar Chances: Maybe Plummer but I’m thinking this film will get Scrooged.

“Chappaquiddick”
Starring: Kate Mara and Clancy Brown
Directed by: John Curran

The film recounts the tragic events of the 1969 car accident involving U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy and a young, female campaign worker who died at the scene. Kennedy left the scene of the accident and didn’t alert authorities for ten hours. I’ve actually driven across that bridge and it wasn’t easy to traverse in the middle of a bright, sunny day. Just saying.

Oscar Chances: Would love to see Clancy Brown get a nod.   PLEASE NOTE THIS FILM HAS BEEN MOVED TO APRIL 2018

November 24

“Call Me by Your Name”
Starring: Armie Hammer and Timothee Chalamet
Directed by: Luca Guadagino

In Northern Italy in 1983, 17-year-old Elio begins a relationship with visiting Oliver, his father’s research assistant, with whom he bonds over his emerging sexuality, their Jewish heritage, and the beguiling Italian landscape.

Oscar Chances: Hammer has been getting good festival buzz.

December 1

“24 Hours to Live”
Starring: Ethan Hawke and Rutger Hauer
Directed by: Brian Smrz

An assassin seeks redemption after being given a second chance at life.

Oscar Chances: No.

“The Disaster Artist”
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco and Seth Rogen
Directed by: James Franco

The behind-the-scenes story of the making of the cult film “The Room,” with James Franco playing the film’s star/writer/director/jack-of-all-trades Tommy Wiseau.

Oscar Chances: I personally find James Franco to be a fine filmmaker. If you haven’t seen “In Dubious Battle,” a film from earlier this year, I highly recommend it. It’s easily on my Top 10 List of 2017.

“Wonder Wheel”
Starring: Jim Belushi, Juno Temple and Kate Winslet
Directed by: Woody Allen

On Coney Island in the 1950s, a lifeguard tells the story of a middle-aged carousel operator and his beleaguered wife.

Oscar Chances: With 24 Academy Award nominations, and four Oscars, you can never count the Woodman out.

December 8

“Arthur Miller: Writer”
Directed by: Rebecca Miller.

A profile of the great playwright Arthur Miller, directed by his daughter.

Oscar Chances: A possible Best Documentary nod.

“Bullet Head”
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Adrien Brody and John Malkovich
Directed by: Paul Solet

The three leads play criminals holed up in a warehouse. Or at least that is what I assume from what I can find. There is no synopsis on IMDB!

Oscar Chances: Like the synopsis, non-existent.

“I, Tonya”
Starring: Margot Robbie and Sebastian Stan
Directed by: Craig Gillespie

Surely I’m not the only man in America who had a crush on Tonya Harding? When I woke up one day to find she had married a man named Michael Smith and it WASN’T me I was devastated. Apparently here Tonya wants to win the Olympics and her husband gives her a little help.

Oscar Chances: Worth one just to see Tonya Harding at the Oscars. It would be as memorable as the year Woody Harrelson brought Larry Flynt.

“Just Getting Started”
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Tommy Lee Jones and Renee Russo
Directed by: Ron Shelton

A two-hander action comedy in the vein of “Midnight Run” about an ex-FBI agent (Jones) and an ex-mob lawyer in the witness protection program (Freeman) having to put aside their petty rivalry on the golf course to fend off a mob hit.

Oscar Chances: Lots of talent here but the word “comedy” usually scares the Academy.

“The Shape of Water”
Starring: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon and Doug Jones
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro

An other-worldly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of isolation. Elisa’s life is changed forever when she and a co-worker discover a secret classified experiment.

Oscar Chances: del Toro is one of the great visionaries of our time.

December 15

“Ferdinand”
Starring the voices of: John Cena and Kate McKinnon
Directed by: Carlos Saldanha

After Ferdinand, a bull with a big heart, is mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure.

OSCAR CHANCES: Possible Best Animated Feature nod.

“Gotti”
Starring: John Travolta and Kelly Preston
Directed by: Kevin Connolly

The story of renowned mob boss John Gotti and his son.

Oscar Chances: 40 years after “Saturday Night Fever” Travolta is still a star.

“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”
Starring: Mark Hamill, John Boyega and Daisy Ridley
Directed by: Rian Johnson

Episode VIII begins where VII ended, with Rey finally tracking down the elusive Luke Skywalker. Bring your Kleenex as we say goodbye to the great Carrie Fisher and Princess Leia.

Oscar Chances: Lots of technical nods.

December 20

“The Greatest Showman”
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams and Zac Efron
Directed by: Michael Gracey

Inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum, “The Greatest Showman” is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business and tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.

Oscar Chances: Hollywood loves Jackman, who got an Oscar nod the last time he sang on screen.

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Jack Black
Directed by: Jake Kasdan

Four teenagers discover an old video game console and are literally drawn into the game’s jungle setting becoming the adult avatars they chose.

Oscar Chances: Technical maybe.

December 22

“All the Money in the World”
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Williams and Christopher Plummer
Directed by: Ridley Scott

The story of the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III and the desperate attempt by his devoted mother to convince his billionaire grandfather Jean Paul Getty to pay the ransom. This film was already completed with Kevin Spacey playing grandpa Getty. In an unprecedented move, after Spacey’s recent scandals came to light, director Scott re-cast the role with Christopher Plummer and re-shot all of Spacey’s scenes. In six weeks.

Oscar Chances: Ridley Scott should get TWO Oscars if he pulls this off.

“Bright”
Starring: Will Smith, Noomi Rapace and Joel Edgerton
Directed by: David Ayer

Set in a world where mystical creatures live side by side with humans. A human cop is forced to work with an Orc to find a weapon everyone is prepared to kill for.

Oscar Chances: Nope. Sounds too much like “Alien Nation” to me.

“Downsizing”
Starring: Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz and Kristen Wiig
Directed by: Alexander Payne

A social satire in which a guy realizes he would have a better life if he were to shrink himself.

Oscar Chances: Payne is an Academy favorite.

“Hangman”
Starring: Karl Urban and Al Pacino
Directed by: Johnny Martin

A homicide detective teams up with a criminal profiler to catch a serial killer whose crimes are inspired by the children’s game Hangman.

Oscar Chances: Don’t see it happening.

“Happy End”
Starring: Jean-Louis Trintignant and Isabelle Huppert
Directed by: Michael Haneke

A drama about a family set in Calais with the European refugee crisis as the backdrop.

Oscar Chances: Very good. Writer/director Haneke gave us “Amour”

“Hostiles”
Starring: Christian Bale, Wes Studi and Rosamund Pike
Directed by: Scott Cooper

In 1892, a legendary Army captain reluctantly agrees to escort a Cheyenne chief and his family through dangerous territory.

Oscar Chances: Some acting nods possible.

“Pitch Perfect 3”
Starring: Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson
Directed by: Trish Sie

Following their win at the world championship, the now separated Bellas reunite for one last singing competition at an overseas USO tour, but face a group who uses both instruments and voices.

Oscar Chances: Nothing I can imagine.

“The Post”
Starring: Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep
Directed by: Steven Spielberg

A cover-up that spanned four U.S. Presidents pushed the country’s first female newspaper publisher and a hard-driving editor to join an unprecedented battle between journalist and government. Inspired by true events.

Oscar Chances: Duh!!! You think? Hanks, Streep and Spielberg share over 40 nominations, with Streep leading the way with 20 of her own.

December 25

“Molly’s Game”
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Kevin Costner and Idris Elba
Directed by: Aaron Sorkin

The true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game and became an FBI target. This is the Oscar-winning writer Sorkin’s directorial debut.

Oscar Chances: Many.

“Phantom Thread”
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis
Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson

Set in 1950’s London, Reynolds Woodcock is a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman, Alma, who becomes his muse and lover.

Oscar Chances: Again, many. Day-Lewis won one of his three Oscars for Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood.”

December 27

“In the Fade”
Starring: Diane Kruger
Directed by: Faith Akin

Katja’s life collapses after the death of her husband and son in a bomb attack. After a time of mourning and injustice, Katja seeks revenge.

Oscar Chances: Kruger won the best-actress prize at Cannes.

December 29

“Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool”
Starring: Annette Bening and Jamie Bell
Directed by: Paul McGuigan

A romance sparks between a young actor and a Hollywood leading lady.

Oscar Chances: Bening is SO overdue. Wake up Academy!

 

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Every year, I look forward to attending the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions expo, which takes over a nice portion of the Orange County Convention Center. They fill the enormous show floor for sneak peaks of what we can expect from the future of theme park industry. It ranges from rides to food to even metal shop work, which we love here at Media Mikes! You literally need a few days to even properly cover this event fully. I have covered this event for the last few years with my dad. He is a Mike also, so fits with the site also 🙂 It has become a fun tradition. We split the event and conqueror. Only true way to see everything in the short week! This year a highlight year for sure!
Virtual reality definitely was the spotlight for this year, no question. It seemed like every place you turn there was a new VR experience to try. VR isn’t really my bag, so we didn’t partake too much but I am excited to see what these amusement parks have planned for the future. One that comes to mind was HALOGATE VR EXPERIENCE. This was one that I did try and I literally was blown away. I can see this be a very popular attraction. One that I have been on previously and would not recommend is definitely the MaxFlight simulator. It is old tech and a VERY ROUGH ride! Stay away from that one for sure!
If VR isn’t your bag there was tons of other great options to see including the outdoor sky-flying attraction called Aerodium Wind Tunnel. I could see myself doing this for sure and it is very easy to setup for companies. I feel like these could pop-up very easily anyway. There was also the Phoenix Pro virtual driving Formula 1 Simulator by Wave Italy. This was rad. You are sitting in a mock Formula 1 car and you are surrounded by screens in front of you as you speed through courses. Very interactive and a ton of fun!
The absolute highlight of this year for me has to be the Infinity Massage Chair station. I found my newest love with the Infinity Riage X3, the “world’s best massage chair”. This chair uses 3D Technology giving a state of the art Reflexology Massage with a Zero Gravity experience including Spinal Decompression and deep tissue massage. If that isn’t enough it even has Bluetooth for music and can be controlled by iPad application. If you are wondering YES I did buy one of these at the show, no joke! It was an amazing purchase and I honestly plan on using it daily!
Other than rides, there were also some great companies advertising costumes like full My Little Pony characters. These were really sharp and I know my daughter would have loved this when she was younger for sure! Stopped by Apple Industries booth, which was actually smaller from previous years, and had some fun with the photo booths. There was a fun “Fear the Walking Dead” zombie interactive experience, which had quite the line but was a ton of fun! I also found a super fun Willy Wonka coin game that had be glued it to it for a longer than I want to admit. I wish I would have bought one of those also but my wife would have easily divorced me for sure 😉
In previous years, I didn’t get to hit enough panels each year but this year we were able to catch the SeaWorld panel and it was definitely promising. Having worked personally for the company in the past, I am excited to see everything that it has planned for the future. Infinity Falls at Aquatica is going to be an amazing new ride! This park has always been a favorite of mine and I am glad to see that it has big plans for the future. All the theme parks had presence. I spotted plenty of high profile people over the week. So I expect to see some of this new attractions and technologies in a theme park near you!
Besides buying a massage chair, the most fun I enjoy is walking the floor and meeting the vendors and having them talk about all the excited new technology that they are working with and what we can expect even for next year. This convention is worldwide and the companies that come from all over the world to showcase what they are currently working on. I love meeting all these great people and I love getting a chance to try out these new attractions. I can’t wait for 2018, which also happens to be the 100th anniversary for IAAPA! So I can imagine that next year is going to be bigger than ever! Till next November!

 

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A super reunion and the “Comic Book Men” helped fill the halls of Bartle Hall over the weekend. Kansas City Comic Con, now in it’s third year, saw thousands upon thousands of people pass through the entrance between November 10th-12th.

Fans from all walks of life showed up for the weekend gathering. The “Superman: The Movie” 40th anniversary, which featured a two-hour panel and guests like Margot Kidder, Sarah Douglas, and local Jeff East, was the big draw. The other big draw was a visit by Filmmaker/Podcaster Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, and the men behind the AMC show “Comic Book Men.”

There was plenty to do, including lively panels, events on the main floor, and meeting celebrities, animators, creators, cosplayers and othersw. During the hustle and bustle, the MediaMikes crew met fans of the website and garnished new fans with a booth featuring “Superman” memorabilia and a few free promotional items.

In a city full of cons throughout the year, Kansas City Comic Con has sliced out it’s own piece of the year to entertain and reward those in attendance. MediaMikes looks forward to working with and joining Kansas City Comic Con in 2018.

Photos by Dan Lybarger

“Superman” display at the MediaMikes table Lee Meriwether is all-in for “Justice League” Ron Burgundy setting up for a live shot A couple of Supermen taking in the MediaMikes memorabilia display The “Comic Book Men” enjoying the latest issue of “Good Housekeeping” featuring Deadpool “It” cosplay is in this year A “Ghostbusters” and “TMNT” crossover

Whether the business is big or small, social media networks can play a huge role in helping them develop. This is thanks to them being excellent for attracting new customers, keeping existing customers entertained and informed, marketing new products and services and providing the vital link between a business and its customer base. With billions of people regularly using platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, it’s no surprise businesses such as online casino brands are taking advantage of what social media has to offer.

For a start, engaging with customers these days is huge, especially on platforms such as Facebook. People who visit online casino sites they want to feel appreciated and not only that but they want the services on offer to be kept updated with fresh content. Through social media, it’s remarkably easy to inform customers and potential customers of the latest games, services and promotions on offer. Social media also allows reactions to be gauged accurately too through the use of likes and comments; which is invaluable to any successful service. It’s the ideal link between customers, both new and existing, and the business.

So apart from social media being great for marketing purposes it’s also a great way to actually get to know the customers too. When an online casino operator knows what a large part of their fan base wants from a slot game for example, they can set about ensuring that it accurately reflects their tastes as much as possible. It reduces a lot of risk involved when bringing fresh content to the table. Knowing what somebody likes beforehand is a great advantage and social media can help make this possible.

Keeping customers happy and interested is vital in the success of any business, be it online or offline. Online casinos, Unibet being a perfect example, are renowned for having promotions on for both new and existing customers and what better way to get the message out there than through the use of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? It won’t just be members who take note either as special offers such as a triple deposit bonus will spread like wildfire on social media from person to person remarkably quickly.

Social media also allows for promotions, special offers and information to be presented to people in much more engaging ways through images and videos. Online casinos often utilize these methods well in order to communicate directly to people and as they will also attract more feedback than a generic Facebook post for example, they’re great tools to ascertain what customers like and dislike.

The role of social media has never been more important, especially for highly competitive businesses, as per seen in the online casino industry. It’s vital that customers are kept happy and are regularly engaged in the right ways and the likes of Facebook and Twitter make this a whole lot easier. With social media also being a hub for accurate feedback on the latest services and products, it’s a crucial tool when it comes to delivering the fresh content that people want and need.