Prince Rainier III (1923-2005) Rainier’s mother, Princess Charlotte, was actually illegitimate. Her father Louis II, getting older and with no legitimate children, legitimized her and made her his heir. She never took the throne, and in fact renounced her rights to her son, Rainier, the day before his 21st birthday. Rainier became the Sovereign Prince of Monaco upon the death of his grandfather in 1949. During WW2, Rainier served in the Free French Army. During the 40s and 50s he was in a long term relationship with the French film actress Gisele Pascal. Rainier’s sister, Princess Antoinette, wanted her own son to ascend to the throne, and spread rumors that Pascal was infertile. The rumors along with her treatment by the press and public ended their relationship. After the war Monaco, a country who made its money primarily as a gambling origin, was in crisis as wealthy Europeans found their funds diminished after the war. To restore Monaco’s treasury Rainier decided to promote Monaco as a tax haven, and he personally took control of SBM (the company who owns the Monte Carlo Casino, Opera, and Hostel de Paris) in 1964. Prince Albert still retains a large share of the company and profits from it today. Marriage: Everyone knows this one. Rainier married American film star Grace Kelly in 1956. Their marriage is rumored to have been turbulent. It is said that Grace struggled with adjusting to royal life, regretted ending her film career, and that Rainier had extramarital affairs. Her children have stated that though she was a loving mother, they spent more time with nannies than with their parents. Grace's dress is iconic, but here you go if you want to revisit some photos from that day. Rainier smoked up to 60 cigarettes per day, and in the last years of his life his health steadily declined. On March 8th, 2005 he entered the hospital for a lung infection and by the end of the month he was on a ventilator suffering from renal and heart failure. On March 31st he officially announced his son Albert, as regent, and on April 6th he died. The Constitution Monaco’s constitution stated that Monaco is a constitutional monarchy ruled by the hereditary princes of the Grimaldi. If the reigning prince were to die without leaving a male heir, Monaco, according to the treaty, would be incorporated into France. In 2002, realizing he had a 43 year old bachelor son, Rainier amended the constitution to allow the crown to pass to his daughters should Albert not marry. Grace, Princess of Monaco (1929-1982) Grace was born in Philadelphia to an affluent and influential family. Her father was an Olympian and a Democratic nominee for Mayor of Philadelphia and was appointed by President Roosevelt as National Director of Physical Fitness. Her mother taught physical education at the University of Pennsylvania and coached women’s athletics at Penn. Her Uncle, George Kelly, was a Pulitzer prize winning dramatist, screenwriter, and director and used his influence to gain Grace admission to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Grace became one of the biggest movie stars of her generation. In 1955 she was sent to the Cannes Film Festival and invited to appear in photos with Prince Rainier. After a year-long courtship, they were married in 1956. Grace was not allowed to continue her acting career after her marriage. She instead devoted herself to her role as Princess, become heavily involved with the Red Cross of Monaco and the Rainbow Children Coalition. On September 13, 1982, Kelly was driving back to Monaco after spending time at her country home. During the drive she had a stroke, lost control of her vehicle, and drove off the mountainside. She died a day later. An article on their relationship Prince Albert II (b. 1958) Prince Albert is one of the wealthiest royals in the world with a net worth at more than $1B. He attended Amherst College in Massachusetts, studying political science, economics, music, and English literature, and completed his education with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He toured Europe in 1979 as part of the Amherst College Glee Club. Albert competed in the bobsleigh for five consecutive Winter Olympics on behalf of Monaco, and was their flag bearer at the 1988, 1994, and 1998 Olympics. He is also a judo black belt. He became Prince of Monaco when his father died in 2005. Marriage: Prior to his marriage his status as a bachelor was a hot topic of discussion. He was known to date well-known fashion models and actresses, however at age 53 had never married. It was rumored that Albert was gay, something he expressed great frustration with in the press. In 2006 he attended the opening ceremony of the Torino Olympics with South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock. They were engaged in 2010, and married in 2011. There are rumors that Charlene tried to flee the country the day before their wedding. It is reported that the future bride, after discovering Albert may have fathered yet another child during their relationship, attempted to flee as many as three times before their wedding, however was always intercepted at the airport. It is also said she attempted to seek refuge at the South African embassy, and that officials in Monaco ended up hiding her passport so she could not leave the country. Moreover, during their wedding, Charlene openly cried at parts, and Prince Albert was caught on camera begging her to kiss him. Honestly, she looked pretty miserable the whole time. The palace has denied all of these claims. During their honeymoon, they stayed in separate hotels Here's everything you ever needed to know about their wedding Watch it Prince Albert is passionate about the environment and an avid sportsman. Prince Albert speaks French, English, German, and Italian. He speaks English with basically no accent thanks to his American mother. Illegitimate Children In 2005, the day before Prince Rainier died, Albert publicly acknowledged he had fathered a son out of wedlock. In 2006, he confirmed he had also fathered a daughter. These children were barred from the line of inheritance because of a 2002 constitutional amendment requiring an heir’s parents to be married. Alexandre (b. 2003) Alexandre’s mother (Nicole Coste) was a flight attendant for Air France and met Prince Albert when he was a passenger on a flight. He asked for her number, the beginning of a years-long affair. The relationship ended at the insistence of Prince Rainier. Albert visited Alexandre and Nicole often, however when he refused to acknowledge Alexandre publicly, Nicole sold an interview and pictures to the media. Albert was in mourning for his father and made no public comment, but later did acknowledge paternity. Alexandre and Nicole live in France at an estate given to them by Albert. Jazmin (b. 1992) Jazmin’s mother, Tamara, met Albert while working as a waitress. Albert knew of Jazmin and visited her, however did not acknowledge her publicly until she was in high school to protect her identity. In 2006 the French magazine Voici published photographs of Jazmin and her mother on a visit to Monaco, outing her as Albert’s daughter. She has attended events with Albert and Charlene, and is listed as a sponsor for her father’s royal foundation. An interview with Jazmin Princess Charlene (b. 1978) Born in Zimbabwe, Charlene’s family relocated to South Africa in 1989. She represented South Africa at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, finished fifth in the 4x100 meter relay. Albert and Charlene met at the Mare Nostrum swimming competition in Monaco in 2000, however were not seen together until 2006. Charlene converted to Roman Catholicism for her wedding, and has learned French and Monegasque after her move to Monaco. She is an ambassador for the Special Olympics, patron of the South African Red Cross, and is passionate about sport. In recent news, she completed “the crossing” water bike challenge, a 180 kilometer water bike race for charity. An interview with Charlene and Albert on the 1st birthday of their twins Albert and Charlene have 2 children: Hereditary Prince Jacques *twin* (b. 2014) Princess Gabriella *twin* (b. 2014) Gabriella was born 2 minutes before her brother, however because of the constitution her brother will inherit the throne. They are super sweet together and you see them at events often. Princess Caroline of Hanover (b. 1957) Caroline is the eldest child of Rainier and Grace Kelly, however because of the constitution her brother, Albert, sits on the throne of Monaco. She served as de facto first lady of Monaco until the marriage of Albert and Charlene. Until the birth of her niece and nephew she was heir presumptive to the throne, although she had only held that title since 2005 after the change of the constitution to include female heirs. Caroline received her French baccalaureat in 1974, and received a degree in Philosophy from Sorbonne University. She is fluent in French, English, Spanish, German, and Italian. Her hobbies include horseback riding, swimming, and skiing. Marriages:
Marriage 1: Philippe Junot
Married Phillippe, a Parisian banker, in 1978. The couple divorced in 1980 with no children.
Marriage 2: Stefano Casiraghi
Married Stefano in 1983, the sportsman heir to an Italian industrial fortune. The two had to marry in a civil ceremony rather than a religious ceremony because Caroline, a Catholic, was divorced. Caroline was 3 months pregnant at the time of their wedding. They have three children:
Note: The Casiraghi’s are all very beautiful and very fashionable but I don’t want to go much into them here because they are so far down the line of succession. They’re fun to follow for their fashion if you have the time to check them out.
Marriage 3: Prince Ernst August of Hanover
Married Ernst August, a Prince, in 1999. They have one daughter, Princess Alexandra. Caroline is thus a Princess twice-over, through her family and through her husband. She and Ernst August have been separated since 2009 however are still legally married, thus she retains the title of Princess Caroline of Hanover. Read about all of her weddings here See her speaking in English around 12:00 here Princess Stephanie (b. 1965) Stephanie was in the vehicle with her mother when Grace died. She suffered a fracture of the neck. She has studied classical dance and piano, and competed in gymnastics and horse riding. She interned at Christian Dior and debuted as a model in 1984. She has a swimwear and perfume line, and owns cafes and stores in both Monaco and Barcelona. She also has sold more than 2 million copies of her song, Ouragan, and sold 1.5M copies of her album Besoin. She recorded “In the Closet” with Michael Jackson, however is listed as “mystery girl” in the credits. Marriages/Relationships:
Marriage 1: Daniel Ducruet
Stephanie married her former body guard, Daniel Ducruet, in 1995. When Rainier learned of their relationship Daniel was not only still his employee, but had a pregnant girlfriend too. Stephanie gave birth to their two children “out of wedlock” because Rainier refused to grant permission for them to marry, however eventually relented. The two divorced a year later after Ducruet was photographed naked with a stripper. Read more They have two children:
Stephanie and Jean never married, however have a child together. He was Rainier’s Head of Security. She did not identify him on the birth certificate and it was not confirmed that he was Camille’s father until she confirmed it herself on her Instagram. More about Jean
Marriage 3: Franco Knie
Stephanie met elephant trainer (yeah, you read that right) when she presented him with the award for “best animal tamer” at the Monaco Circus Festival in 1997. Franco, a decade older than Stephanie, was married with two children at the time. Franco left his family for Stephanie, moving her and her three children into his circus caravan in Zurich. Marrying in 2001, their relationship lasted 18 months until their divorce. An interview with Stephanie in English in 1990 Why is he a Prince and not a King? From vogue: It goes back deep into the history of Monaco. Monaco has always been a tiny nation, and, for protection, allied itself with (or, at some points, was flat-out annexed by) big powerful countries, with big powerful rulers—aka kingdoms, or, a nation ruled by a king or queen. So Monaco’s rulers styled themselves as prince and princess. That, by definition, made the nation a principality, or one ruled by prince or princess. Regardless, Albert actually plays a bigger role in the day to day operations of the country than most of his European peers. Legislative power is divided between the Prince who initiates the laws, and the National Council who votes on them. Executive power is retained by the Prince, and he has full judiciary powers. Jewels See their tiara collection I think the Ocean Tiara, gifted to Charlene for her wedding, is particularly interesting. You either love it or you hate it. The Grimaldi Curse What do you think?
Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor Viewing Guide, FAQs, and more
It was always a question of when. Every man has his price and Floyd Mayweather knew that Conor McGregor, the most popular active combat sports athlete in the world, was the only one capable of meeting his demand. What started as a rumor graduated to banter. Banter graduated to legitimate business discussions. And before we knew it we had Conor McGregor spurning whatever options he had in the UFC to enter the world of boxing.
Tale of the Tape
Floyd Mayweather
vs
Conor McGregor
49(26)-0
RECORD
21(18)-3 [MMA]
53%
KO %
75%
40
AGE
29
147 lbs
LAST 5 AVG WEIGHT
156.1 lbs
5'8"
HEIGHT
5'9"
72"
REACH
74"
Las Vegas, Nevada
HOMETOWN
Dublin, Ireland
5(0)-0
LAST 5
4(3)-1 [MMA]
-330
MONEYLINE*
+350
26(10)-0
IN LAS VEGAS
4(3)-1 [MMA]
3(2)-0
VS UNDEFEATED
2(2)-1 [MMA]
9(4)-0
VS SOUTHPAW
387
TOTAL RDS BOXED
0
1394(961)-211-43
TOTAL OPP. RECORD
249(187)-79 [MMA]
84%
TOTAL OPP. WIN %
76%
58%
OPP. KO %
57%
Accolades
Floyd Mayweather’s World Titles Won/Held
WBA super world welterweight title WBC super welterweight title x2 WBC welterweight title x2 IBF welterweight title WBO welterweight title WBC super lightweight title WBC lightweight title WBC super featherweight title
Mayweather’s Lineal Titles Held
Super featherweight champion (over Genaro Hernandez) Lightweight champion (over Jose Luis Castillo) Welterweight champion (over Carlos Baldomir) Super welterweight champion (over Canelo Alvarez) Welterweight champion (over Manny Pacquiao)
Conor McGregor's World Titles Won/Held
Cage Warriors lightweight title Cage Warriors featherweight title UFC featherweight title UFC lightweight title
How To Watch
Live
Mayweather-McGregor takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tickets are available through all the usual second hand sites.
All devices!!!! This will be produced by Showtime and you will get their commentary team.
Closed Circuit
You can purchase closed circuit tickets at the following hotels. You can purchase through Ticketmatster, at the MGM Resorts International Box Office (in-person), or call 800-745-3000. Note the price is $150 dollars.
Gervonta Davis vs Francisco Fonseca - 12 round fight for Davis's IBF super featherweight title. Davis currently sits as possibly the best fighter in the world under the age of 23. Davis is fierce, aggressive, and packs power in both hands. While Fonseca is undefeated, it's likely he will be blown out quickly given massive jump in opponent skill he's taking. Fight Rating: Can't miss.
Nathan Cleverly vs Badou Jack - 12 rounds fight for Cleverly's WBA light heavyweight title. Badou Jack's career has followed a Hollywood script. Pushed too hard early, knocked out in 1 round, and now he's risen to the top while learning from his mistakes. Jack is a gritty, blue collar fighter. There is nothing pretty about what he does, but he makes for great fights. Cleverly is a solid challenger, but a clear underdog. Fight Rating: Close to can't miss.
Andrew Tabiti vs Steve Cunningham - 10 rounds in the cruiserweight division. Tabiti is a rising cruiserweight contender with explosive power. Cunningham is older and thus we have an age vs youth matchup on our hands. Fight Rating: Don't blink.
Pre-Fight Undercard
FOX will be airing a pre-fight card before the pay-per-view starts.
Yordenis Ugas vs Thomas Dulorme - 10 rounds in the welterweight division. Ugas has 3 losses and with any luck he'd be undefeated. Ugas is tricky, he knows how to be rough, and he can be sublime with his counter-punching when he needs to be. Dulorme is still trying to pick up the pieces of a career that's never panned out and this could be a launching pad for Ugas to get into a title picture. Fight Rating: 3/5
Juan Heraldez vs Jose Miguel Borrego - 10 rounds in the super lightweight division. This one is going to open up the festivities and has potential to steal the show. Heraldez is 27 and desperately needs to win to take the next step in his career while Borrego is just getting off the ground at 19. Fight Rating: 4/5
Pay-Per-View Statistics
One small note. UFC pay-per-views statistics come from Dave Meltzer, whereas boxing numbers are generated by the cable and satellite providers. After the WME-IMG deal, it was discovered that McGregor-Diaz did 1.301 which would be the highest number a UFC fight ever did despite the reports from many journalists. But I'll stick with what was reported out of respect for Dana White and his company for risking their necks on a lawsuit by making this fight. For more information on Meltzer, I recommend listening to Something to Wrestle With Bruce Prichard. Top Pay-Per-View Purchases All Time
Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao - 4,600,000
De La Hoya vs Mayweather – 2,400,000
Mayweather vs Alvarez – 2,200,000
Holyfield vs Tyson II – 1,990,000
Lewis vs Tyson – 1,970,000
Diaz vs McGregor II - 1,650,000
Lesnar vs Mir 2 – 1,600,000
Tyson vs Holyfield – 1,590,000
Tyson vs McNeeley – 1,550,000
Mayweather vs Cotto – 1,500,000
McGregor vs Diaz - 1,500,000
Top Ten Pay-Per-View Buyrates Beteween Mayweather-McGregor
Mayweather vs Pacquiao - 4,600,000
De La Hoya vs Mayweather – 2,400,000
Mayweather vs Alvarez – 2,200,000
Diaz vs McGregor II - 1,650,000
Mayweather vs Cotto – 1,500,000
McGregor vs Diaz 1,500,000
Aldo vs McGregor 1,400,000
Mayweather vs Mosley – 1,400,000
Alvarez vs McGregor - 1,300,000
Mayweather vs Ortiz – 1,250,000
Number of Mayweather Pay-Per-View Fights: 15 Total Mayweather Buys Generated: 19,595,000 Average Mayweather Buyrate: 1,306,000 Total Revenue Generated at $60 average price: $1,175,700,000 Average Pay-Per-View Revenue Generated: $78,380,000 Number of McGregor Pay-Per-View Fights: 5 Total McGregor Buys Generated: 6,675,000 Average McGregor Buyrate: 1,335,000 Total Revenue Generated at $60 average price: $400,500,000 Average Pay-Per-View Revenue Generated: $80,100,000 Combined Total Combined Pay-Per-Views: 20Total Buys Generated: 26,270,000Average Combined Buyrate: 1,313,500Average Combined Pay-Per-View Revenue Generated: $78,810,000 Total Combined Revenue Generated at an average price of $60 = $1,576,200,000 To have all televised and title fights synced with your calendar, please subscribe to the sunday puncher calendar. There is seriously no better or easier way to stay up-to-date with boxing. You'll never need to ask what time a fight starts or what channel you can catch it on again.
Updated - 7/10/20 127 Hours 12 Monkeys 12 Years a Slave 1941 2001: A Space Odyssey 28 Days Later 28 Weeks Later 2 Fast 2 Furious 2 Guns 300 300: Rise of an Empire 30 Days of Night 42 47 Ronin About Last Night (2014) About Time Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter A Clockwork Orange A Cure for Wellness Admission A Dog's Purpose A Good Day to Die Hard (Extended Edition) Air Force One A Knight's Tale Alien Alien: Covenant Alien (Director's Cut) Alien3 Alien3 (Special Edition) Alien Resurrection Aliens Aliens (Special Edition) Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem (Uncut) Alien vs. Predator Always American Gangster (Extended Edition) American Graffiti American Made American Reunion (Unrated) American Sniper A Million Ways to Die in the West (Unrated) An American In Paris Annabelle Apollo 13 Appaloosa Aquaman Argo A River Runs Through It Armageddon Army of Darkness As Above, So Below A Scanner Darkly Assassin's Creed A Star Is Born A Streetcar Named Desire Atomic Blonde Atonement Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Austin Powers in Goldmember A Walk Among the Tombstones A Walk to Remember BACKDRAFT Back to the Future Back to the Future Part II Back to the Future Part III Bad Moms Bad Times at The El Royale Bad Words Batman Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Batman: The Killing Joke Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub Zero Batman & Robin Batman Begins Batman Forever Batman Ninja Batman Returns Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (Ultimate Edition) Battle for the Planet of the Apes Battle of the Sexes Battleship Beasts of the Southern Wild Beautiful Creatures Beetlejuice Being John Malkovich Beneath the Planet of the Apes Ben Hur Better Living Through Chemistry Big Fish Birdman Blackhat BlacKkKlansman Black Mass Black Swan Blade Blade: Trinity (Rated) Blade II Blade Runner (Final Cut) Blade Runner 2049 Blast from the Past Blazing Saddles Blockers Blow Blue Jasmine Blumhouse's Truth Or Dare (Unrated) Born on the Fourth of July Bram Stoker's Dracula Bridesmaids Bridge of Spies Brooklyn Bruce Almighty Bullitt Caddyshack Can't Hardly Wait Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie Casablanca Casino Casper Cast Away Central Intelligence Chappie Charade Chariots of Fire Children of Men CHiPs Chronicle Citizen Kane Clash of the Titans Clash of the Titans Cloud Atlas Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Colossal Con Air Conquest of the Planet of the Apes Constantine Contagion Contraband Cool Hand Luke Cowboys & Aliens Crazy, Stupid, Love Crazy Rich Asians Creepshow Crimson Peak Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Dallas Buyers Club Daredevil (Director's Cut) Dark City Darkest Hour Darkman Dark Shadows Das Boot (The Director's Cut) Date Night (Extended Edition) Dawn of the Dead - Unrated Director's Cut Dawn of The Planet of The Apes Dead Man Down Death Becomes Her Demolition Man Despicable Me Despicable Me 3 Detroit Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo Dick Tracy Die Hard Dirty Harry Disobedience District 9 Doctor Dolittle Doctor Zhivago Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (Uncut) Dog Day Afternoon Dolphin Tale Dolphin Tale 2 Dr. Seuss: The Lorax Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas Dr. Seuss' The Lorax Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb Dracula (1931) Dracula Untold Drive Driving Miss Daisy Due Date Dumb and Dumber Dumb and Dumber To Dune Dunkirk Elf Empire of the Sun End of Watch Enemy of the State Enough Said Entourage Escape from the Planet of the Apes Evan Almighty Everest Exodus: Gods and Kings Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close Eye in the Sky Fallen Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Far and Away Fast & Furious Fast & Furious 6 - Extended Edition Fast Five - Extended Edition Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Field of Dreams Fifty Shades Darker Fifty Shades Darker (Unrated) Fifty Shades Freed Fifty Shades of Grey Fifty Shades of Grey Fight Club Final Destination 5 Focus Forgetting Sarah Marshall (Unrated) Frank & Lola Frankenstein Freddy vs. Jason Free State of Jones Friday the 13th Fright Night Full Metal Jacket Game Night Gangster Squad Gattaca Geostorm Get Hard Get Out Get Smart Gifted Gigi Girls Trip Glory Godzilla Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack Gone in 60 Seconds Gone with the Wind Goodbye Christopher Robin Goodfellas Grand Hotel Grandma's Boy Grand Prix Gran Torino Gravity Green Lantern Green Lantern: Emerald Knights Green Zone Gremlins Gremlins 2: The New Batch Groundhog Day Grudge Match Grumpy Old Men Hail, Caesar! Hancock Hanna Happy Death Day Happy Feet Happy Feet Two Happy Gilmore Hardcore Henry Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Harvey Hellboy II: The Golden Army Her Hidden Hitchcock Hitman: Agent 47 Hitman (Uncut) Holiday Inn Home Hook Hop Horrible Bosses Horrible Bosses 2 Hot Fuzz How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Ultimate Edition How The West Was Won How to Train Your Dragon How to Train Your Dragon 2 I, Robot I, Tonya I Am Legend Identity In Bruges Inception Independence Day: Resurgence Inglourious Basterds Inherent Vice Insidious: Chapter 2 Insidious: Chapter 3 Interview With the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles In the Heart of the Sea In the Name of the Father Into the Storm Isle of Dogs IT It Could Happen to You J. Edgar Jack the Giant Slayer Jason Bourne Jaws Jennifer's Body (Unrated) Jerry Maguire Jersey Boys JOBS Johnny Mnemonic Jonah Hex Journey to the Center of the Earth Joy Jumanji Juno Jupiter Ascending Jurassic Park III Justice League Keeping Up with the Joneses Kick-Ass 2 King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut Roadshow Version) King Kong Kingsman: The Golden Circle Kingsman: The Secret Service Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Knight and Day Kong: Skull Island Krampus Kung Fu Panda Kung Fu Panda 2 Kung Fu Panda 3 Last Action Hero Lawrence of Arabia (Restored Version) Leave No Trace Legend Legend (2015) Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole Legends of the Fall Les Miserables (2012) Let's Be Cops Lethal Weapon Liar Liar Life of Pi Little Fockers Live Die Repeat: Edge of Tomorrow Logan London Has Fallen Lonely Hearts Lone Survivor Lost River Love Actually Lucy Machete Madagascar Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted Mad Max: Fury Road Magic Mike Magic Mike XXL Mallrats Mama Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again Mamma Mia! The Movie Man of Steel Maps to the Stars Mars Attacks! Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World Max Payne (Unrated) Maze Runner: The Death Cure Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Meet Joe Black Me, Myself and Irene Megamind Megan Leavey Memoirs of an Invisible Man Message in a Bottle Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates Million Dollar Baby MindGamers Miss Congeniality Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous Mistress America Monsters vs. Aliens Monte Carlo Moon Moonrise Kingdom MORGAN Mortal Kombat Moulin Rouge Mr. Deeds Mr. Peabody & Sherman Mrs. Miniver Murder on The Orient Express Mutiny on the Bounty My Best Friend's Wedding My Girl My Girl 2 My Summer of Love National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation National Lampoon's Vacation Natural Born Killers Neighbors Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising New Year's Eve Nightcrawler A Nightmare on Elm Street A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare Freddy vs. Jason Wes Craven's New Nightmare Nights in Rodanthe Ninja Assassin Nocturnal Animals North By Northwest Notting Hill Oblivion Ocean's 11 Ocean's 8 Ocean's Eleven Ocean's Thirteen Ocean's Twelve Office Space Once Upon a Time in America Open Season Open Season: Scared Silly Our Brand is Crisis Outbreak Pacific Rim Pacific Rim Uprising Pan Pan's Labyrinth Panic Room Paper Towns Papillon Papillon (2019) Parker Paul (Unrated) Pearl Harbor Penguins of Madagascar Phantom Thread Pillow Talk Pitch Black - Unrated Director's Cut Pitch Perfect Pitch Perfect 2 Pitch Perfect 3 Pitch Perfect Sing-Along Edition Planet of the Apes Planet of the Apes Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping Predator Predators Predestination Pretty Woman Pride & Prejudice Prince of Darkness Prisoners Project X Prometheus Psycho (1960) Public Enemies R.I.P.D. Rampage Ready Player One Real Steel Rear Window Red Sparrow Repo Man Riddick - Unrated Director's Cut Rise of the Guardians Rise of the Planet of the Apes Risky Business Robin Hood: Men in Tights Robin Hood (Unrated) Rock of Ages Run All Night Rush Rush Hour Rush Hour 2 Rush Hour 3 Safe House San Andreas Savages SCARFACE ('83) Schindler's List Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Search Party Seeking a Friend for the End of the World Serenity Seven Seventh Son Sex and the City: The Movie Sex and the City 2 Sgt. Bilko Shaun of the Dead Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Side Effects Sing Singin' in the Rain Sisters (Unrated) Sixteen Candles Skyscraper Sleepless Slither Slumdog Millionaire Smallfoot Smokey and the Bandit Smokin' Aces Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball (Unrated) Snatch Snatched Snowden Snow White & the Huntsman Son of God Space Jam Spartacus Speed Speed Racer Spider-Man (2002) Split Spotlight Spy (Unrated) Starship Troopers Stephen King's IT Steve McQueen: An American Icon Stoker Storks Street Fighter Street Kings Sucker Punch Suicide Squad Suicide Squad: Extended Cut Sully Sunshine Superman: The Movie Superman Returns Super Troopers Super Troopers 2 Surf's Up Swordfish Table 19 Tag Taken (Extended Cut) Tammy Taxi Driver Ted (Unrated) Ted 2 (Unrated) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3 Teen Titans Go! To The Movies Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines Terminator 4: Salvation Thank You For Your Service That Thing You Do! The Accountant The Adjustment Bureau The American President The Animatrix The Apparition The A-Team The Aviator The Bag Man The Beguiled (2017) The Big Lebowski The Big Red One The Birds The Birth of A Nation The Blind Side The Blues Brothers The Bodyguard The Book of Eli The Boss (Unrated) The Boss Baby The Bourne Identity The Bourne Legacy The Bourne Supremacy The Bourne Ultimatum The Breakfast Club The Bridge On the River Kwai The Butterfly Effect The Campaign The Cell The Chronicles of Riddick - Unrated Director's Cut The Color Purple The Conjuring The Counselor The Croods The Danish Girl The Darkest Minds The Dark Knight The Dark Knight Rises The Day After Tomorrow The Day the Earth Stood Still The Departed The Deep The Descendants The Devil's Advocate The Devil Wears Prada The Dirty Dozen The Exorcist The Fast and the Furious The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift The Fate of the Furious The Fate of the Furious - Extended Directorís Cut The Fifth Estate The Fisher King The Five-Year Engagement The Fountain The Frighteners The Fugitive The Girl on the Train The Good Lie The Goonies The Grand Budapest Hotel The Great Gatsby The Great Race The Great Wall The Green Mile The Grey The Gunman The Guns of Navarone The Hangover The Hangover Part II The Hangover Part III The Heat The Help The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Extended Edition) The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (Extended Edition) The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Extended Edition) The Host The Hulk The Huntsman: Winter's War - Extended Edition The Ides of March The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus The Incredible Burt Wonderstone The Incredible Hulk The Intern The International The Internship The Interview The Iron Giant (Signature Edition) The Jerk The Judge The Karate Kid (1984) The Last Samurai The Last Starfighter The Legend of Tarzan The Legend of Zorro The Lego Batman Movie The Lego Movie The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part The LEGO Ninjago Movie The Light Between Oceans The Longest Day The Longest Ride The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition) The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Extended Edition) The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Extended Edition) The Losers The Lost World: Jurassic Park The Lucky One The Maltese Falcon The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The Man with the Iron Fists The Mask The Mask of Zorro The Matrix The Matrix Reloaded The Matrix Revolutions The Maze Runner The Meg The Mountain Between Us The Mule The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor The Mummy (1999) The Mummy (2017) The Mummy Returns The Natural The Neverending Story The Nice Guys The Notebook The Nun The Nut Job The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature The Old Man & The Gun The Other Guys The Other Woman The Phantom of the Opera The Pirates! Band of Misfits The Place Beyond the Pines The Predator The Prestige The Professional The Professional (Extended Cut) The Proposal The Purge The Quick and the Dead (1995) The Revenant The Right Stuff The Rocky Horror Picture Show The Runaways (2010) The Sand Pebbles The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel The Secret Life of Walter Mitty The Shape of Water The Shawshank Redemption The Smurfs The Snowman The Sting The Texas Chainsaw Massacre The Theory of Everything The Thing (1982) The Thing (2011) The Time Traveler's Wife The Town The Train Robbers The Treasure of the Sierra Madre The Tree of Life The Watcher The Way, Way Back The Wedding Singer The Wizard of Oz (1939) The Wolfman (Unrated) The World's End The X-files: I Want To Believe (Special Edition) They Live The Young Messiah They Shall Not Grow Old This Is 40 This is Where I Leave You This Means War Thoroughbreds Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Tim Burton's Corpse Bride Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy Tiptoes TMNT To Kill A Mockingbird Tombstone Training Day Trainwreck Transcendence Trash Trolls Trouble With The Curve Troy Trumbo Turbo Twister Two Weeks Notice U-571 Unbreakable Unbroken Unforgiven Unknown Unsane Unstoppable Upgrade Vacation Van Helsing Veronica Mars Vertical Limit Vertigo V for Vendetta Videodrome Walk the Line Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps Wanted Warcraft War Dogs War for the Planet of the Apes Watchmen Water for Elephants Waterworld We're the Millers Wedding Crashers Where the Wild Things Are Wild William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory Wonder Woman Woody Woodpecker Wrath of the Titans Yes Man Yogi Bear Your Highness (Unrated) Zathura
21 Events Before and During Spring Break at Virginia Tech & the New River Valley...
With Spring Break starting on Friday, I wanted to share this week's of events early so those who are leaving Blacksburg for the week can enjoy some local fun before they leave and also help those staying behind (hand raised, that's what I did every year in college). So here's this week's 21 events:1. Women's Lacrosse: William & Mary vs. Virginia TechIndoor Practice Facility, Virginia TechWednesday, March 4, 2020, 4:00 - 6:00 PMAdmission: Free Watch the Virginia Tech Women's Lacrosse team compete against non-conference and in-state opponent William & Mary. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=540289 2. College Baseball: Marshall University vs. Virginia TechEnglish Field, Virginia TechWednesday, March 4, 2020, 4:00 - 7:00 PMAdmission: Free Watch the Virginia Tech Baseball Team compete against non-conference opponent Marshall University. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=540294 3. Men's Basketball: Clemson vs. Virginia Tech (Senior Night & Home Finale)Cassell Coliseum, Virginia TechWednesday, March 4, 2020, 7:00 - 9:00 PMIndividual Ticket: $30.00, StubHub.com starting at $6.00 The Virginia Tech Men's Basketball hosts ACC conference opponent Clemson University in their 2019/2020 regular season home finale. This game will serve as Senior Night. Halftime entertainment will be provided by the Red Panda. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=535891 4. Comedy Night with Headliner Sonya WhiteMcClain's at First & Main, BlacksburgWednesday, March 4, 2020, 8:00 - 9:30 PMAdmission: $10.00 Bonkerz Comedy Club - Blacksburg presents Comedy Night featuring headliner Sonya White with comedian and professional wrestler Tate Griffen. Sonya White is based in Chicago, IL and originally from Virginia. White’s observational comedy is enhanced by dead-on impersonations and appropriate sound effects. Both her comedy stage show and her one-woman show, “Airing Dirty Laundry,” are based on real-life experiences and her fond, but irreverent, interactions with friends, family and the world at large. Must be 18 or older to enter. She has combined southern charm with big city street smarts to create a show that won her multiple appearances on CBS’ “Star Search”, a promo spot on NBC’s "Last Comic Standing 4" and CMT'S production “Southern Fried Chicks”. Sonya has also appeared on Oxygen’s “Girls Behaving Badly", been featured on “Comcast Comedy Spotlight Roadtrip 2002” and at The U.S. Comedy Arts Festival 1999 which was aired on HBO, E, and Comedy Central. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=540878 5. The Jared Stout Band Duo in ConcertMcClain's at First & Main, BlacksburgThursday, March 5, 2020, 6:00 - 9:00 PMAdmission: Free Enjoy the music of Jared Stout and Robby Carden. Jared Stout is a musician based in Blacksburg, VA playing all the music under the sun. Enjoy him and his band performing a firm variety of country, pop, rock, R&B, folk and many others. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=540716 6. Public Lecture: The Oldest Green Seaweed: Come and Taste One Billion Years of Evolution”Museum of Geosciences, Virginia TechThursday, March 5, 2020, 7:00 - 8:00 PMAdmission: Free The Museum of Geosciences at Virginia Tech presents a public lecture titled "The Oldest Green Seaweed: Come and Taste One Billion Years of Evolution”. Virginia Tech paleontologists have discovered the oldest green seaweed yet, over 1 billion years old! This is the first presentation for the general public. Enjoy brief presentation about this important discovery followed by a hands-on, meet-the-scientists reception. There will be examples of ancient and modern seaweeds and even some seaweed you can taste! Admission is free and preregistration with [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) is appreciated, but not required. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=540797 7. FLIP Fabrique: “Blizzard”Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech, BlacksburgThursday, March 5, 2020, 7:30 - 9:00 PMAdult Tickets (based on seat location): $25.00-$55.00, Students with ID and Youth 18 and Under: $10.00 FLIP Fabrique takes you on a crazy, poetic, and gentle journey in the dead of winter and invites you to lose yourself in a moment of complete wonder. "Blizzard" is the story of a group of friends, each one different from the other, like snowflakes, exploring the awe and wonder of a winter storm. Through the lens of their very special and intimate relationship with winter. With some of the most exciting circus performers of the moment, all original music performed live, and breathtaking visual poetry, "Blizzard" is taking the stage by storm! Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=517713 8. Women's Tennis: NC State vs. Virginia TechBurrows-Burleson Tennis Center, Virginia TechFriday, March 6, 2020, 2:00 - 5:00 PMAdmission: Free The Virginia Tech Women's Tennis team hosts ACC conference opponent NC State. Virginai Tech's Shiran Arol Wiegand's home country of Israel will be highlighted. The match will include trivia and facts about Israel with a prize pack winner. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=540975 9. Leslie Brooks in ConcertIndia Garden Restaurant, BlacksburgFriday, March 6, 2020, 6:00 - 8:30 PMAdmission: Free Leslie Brooks is a singer-songwriter, performing solo with guitar, playing jazz, folk, blues, rockin' country and popular favorites. She has played the best venues in a 16-state area, as well as in Norway and Monte Carlo. Opened for Heart, James Taylor, Bob Margolin and Willie Nelson to name a few. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=540524 10. Kat Mills in ConcertEastern Divide Brewing, BlacksburgFriday, March 6, 2020, 6:00 - 9:00 PMAdmission: Free Kat Mills is a songwriter, folk singer, guitarist, community cheerleader and seeker rooted in GenX habits, nodding to 60s and 70s troubadour traditions, and openly commenting on the aches and triumphs of the moment. She was a founding member of acclaimed newgrass band, Grass. Kat is currently based in Blacksburg VA and touring as a solo singer and songwriter throughout the East and beyond. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=540971 11. Waltz Disney DanceOld Dominion Ballroom, Virginia TechFriday, March 6, 2020, 7:00 - 11:00 PMAdmission: Free Ballroom Dance at Virginia Tech presents the Waltz Disney Dance in their first dance of the semester. All of the music played will be from Disney. Dress up to show the spirit or just wear some jeans, they don't discriminate. Admission is free and no experience is necessary. There will be free snacks and drinks and a Viennese Waltz dance lesson for beginners. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=540977 12. Men's Tennis: NC State vs. Virginia TechBurrows-Burleson Tennis Center, Virginia TechSaturday, March 7, 2020, 12:00 - 4:00 PMAdmission: Free The Virginia Tech Men's Tennis team hosts ACC conference opponent NC State. There will be a raffle for Bull & Bones Gift Card. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=540974 13. Play: Oliver Twist by Charles DickensWarm Hearth Village Center, BlacksburgSaturday, March 7, 2020, 3:00 - 5:15 PMSaturday, March 7, 2020, 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM, Sunday, March 8, 2020, 8:00 PMAdults: $12.00, Seniors: $10.00, Students: $10.00 New River Stage presents the play "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens with six performances. This adaptation is a fast moving melodrama about the adventures of an orphan redeemed from a cruel life of poverty and crime. The cast is made up of 14 local actors playing over 30 roles and will include original music by Anna and David Smith. The play is recommended for ages middle school and up due to depictions of child abuse, domestic abuse and stage violence. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=538797 14. 2020 Wild Life DinnerCamp Tuk-A-Way, BlacksburgSaturday, March 7, 2020, 5:00 - 8:00 PMAdults: $10.00, Kids Ages 5-12: $5.00, Kids Age 4 & Under: Free Craig Valley Gospel Fellowship presents the 11th Annual Wild Life Dinner. Enjoy a great dinner with lots of wild game options including deer, turkey, bear, squirrel rabbits and more. In addition, non-wild game meats will also be offered including chicken and pork in addition to sides. There will also be music, raffles, door prizes, great fellowship and music. Proceeds benefit the Craig Valley Gospel Fellowship Church. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=540877 15. St. John Neumann Academy's 2020 Casino KnightGerman Club Manor, Virginia TechSaturday, March 7, 2020, 5:30 - 10:30 PMAdmission: $45.00 Picture an elegant evening at the Virginia Tech German Club, all of the energy of a Las Vegas casino, fantastic prizes, a fabulous silent auction, delicious food and great music at St. John Neumann Academy's annual Casino Knight promises to be a fabulous evening. The admission price includes: $10,000 in "play money" for casino games including Roulette, Black Jack, Craps and Texas Hold’em, five prize tickets for fabulous raffle prizes, heavy hors d’oeuvres & delicious pasta stations, a magic mirror photo booth, and more. All proceeds support student scholarships and needed curriculum materials. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=540790 16. March Jazz JamTea & Jam Cafe, BlacksburgSaturday, March 7, 2020, 7:30 - 9:30 PMAdmission: Free Tea & Jam Cafe presents the March Jazz Jam. Bring your instrument and jam with some local jazz legends in the tea shop. This month the jam will be led by Bob McGraw the front man of local jazz group Wine and Roses. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=538273 17. The Floyd Radio Show March Edition with The Deer Creek Boys, Paul Brown & Terri McMurrayFloyd Country Store, FloydSaturday, March 7, 2020, 7:30 - 10:00 PMAdvance Tickets: $12.00, Day of the Show: $15.00 This month’s guests include the Deer Creek Boys, Paul Brown and Terri McMurray and The New Macedon Rangers. The Floyd Country Store brings together a new variety show every month celebrating American roots music. A series of guest hosts will perform original radio plays, comedy bits, ads, jingles, music and more. Each show features the finest old-timey musical acts, from storytelling banjo players to flatpicking guitarists to hard-driving string bands. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=540038 18. Prime Time Wine SeriesBeliveau Farm Winery, BlacksburgSunday, March 8, 2020, 12:00 - 5:00 PMAdmission: $15.00 The Prime Time Wine Series is Beliveau's biannual "mini wine festival". Each of the participating local Virginia Farm Wineries will offer intimate tastings lead by the wine maker or owners so you are guaranteed a unique experience. The two guest wineries are Zephaniah Farm Vineyard out of Leesburg, VA and Brix & Columns Vineyards in McGaheysville, VA. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=536128 19. Women's Tennis: Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech (International Women's Day Celebration)Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center, Virginia TechSunday, March 8, 2020, 1:00 - 4:00 PMAdmission: Free The Virginia Tech Women's Tennis team hosts ACC conference opponent Georgia Tech. The match will celebrate International Women's Day with a giveaway of Virginia Tech scrunchies for the first arriving fans. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=540976 20. Sunday Blues & Brews (and Bloody's) with The WoogemenEastern Divide Brewing, BlacksburgSunday, March 8, 2020, 3:00 - 6:00 PMAdmission: Free Eastern Divide Brewing and the New River Blues Society present the first Sunday Blues & Brews (and Bloody's) with The Woogemen. The Woogemen are a New River Valley group playing a true variety of all genres of music. In addition to food and their craft beers, Eastern Divide will be offering Bloody Marys for this event. The New River Blues Society formed to help keep traditional blues alive in the New River Valley and surrounding area. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=540882 21. Elkhorn and Eight Point Star in ConcertOdd Fellows Building Lodge #20 (Wilson Avenue), BlacksburgSunday, March 8, 2020, 7:00 - 10:00 PMAdmission: Free The Rays of Joy series presents Elkhorn and Eight Point Star with the Blacksburg Drone Orchestra in concert. Elkhorn is a mesmerizing, sound-scapey guitar duo of acoustic 12-string picker Jesse Sheppard (Philadelphia) and electric player Drew Gardner (New York), touring to support their newest album of instrumental vignettes, “The Storm Sessions". Eight Point Star is a New River Valley-Roanoke collective gathered around old-time and improvisational fiddler Mike Gangloff and bluesy fingerstyle guitarist Matt Peyton that draws on traditional and international roots to create a sound all their own. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Link:http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=539369 For all those traveling, drive and travel safely, and for those staying in Blacksburg, there's still fun you can enjoy! Have a great rest of your week!
I'm the GC for quite some time already, and I started thinkin' to myself how the ranking system exactly works. At start I would like to mention, that yes, it works, and it gets you deserved rank quite well. If you think that you deserve the higher rank that you're currently at - there are two possibilities. You're wrong, and you are almost exactly at the ranking level you deserve (sometimes you rise, sometimes you fall) or... You play too little. And this is in my opinion the problem we should talk about more. The massive grind of ranking we are forced to do in order to achive rank that we truly deserve. A lot of people here are saying that after 100 games you would get to the rank you deserve - but this is massive bullshit and every one who had something to do with complex math would laugh about, cuz 100 is nowehere near the good sample size. You need thousands, yeah, thousands of games to be quite sure that the result is satisfying. And also remember that our skills are "fluid" during that time :D Yeah, if you are "a good player" there is always bigger chance for the enemy team to get "THAT GUY" or to be worse in general, but that works for "average player" - which... does not exist. There is noone who you could call "average human being". For odds to *click* you need again PLENTY of games. For some it will be hundreds, for some thousands. And always there will be players on both sides of extremes. More or less lucky in terms of matchmaking. People often tend to fall for gambler's fallacy here. Even if you have 80% chance of getting better team in matchmaking it's completly fine if you lose 10 times in a row BECAUSE OF YOUR TEAM and it doesn't go against the odds. Yeah, it's unlikely, but yet not impossiblie. People also win at the lottery, right? In 1913 in casino at Monte Carlo in the game of roulette happened to roll 26 consecutive black numbers. With 50% chance for every single throw. Does it deny the math? No, it does not, even if it seems to be unlikely. And with such many players we got in multiplayer games these days... My point is that people who complain sometimes about ranking system have some truth behind them. Who never have got a streak of loses where he felt like he can't do anything about his teammates to finally land few ranks down at the end of the day, just to get back up in next 24h? Yes, in the big picture it's absolutely irrelevant, but it's not the big picture that we get complaints about. Those players, and I agree with them to the certain degree, think that a good player should always be able to rank up (or at least not to rank down) in the INDIVIDUAL ranking despite his team's performance. In every (e)sport it's possible for some1 to be the best contender on the arena/field and still lose just cause of being the part of the weaker team. But that does not mean that his value as an individual goes down. Not win some team trophy? For sure. But not to fall down in the individual standings. The system that get only win/loss as a factor of players ranking was created for individual sports or games like tennis or chess - where the only one to blame for a fall is yourself. It is not a perfect design for teamwork games. Anyway if you feel like you are not at the rank you should be - just play more, and you'll get there ;) TL;DR The system works, obviosuly it does, but that does not mean we should not look for the ways to improve it somehow. The steam engines also worked, but we are not using them in the cars, are we? :)
A few months ago I completed a read through of all ~400 TLJ reviews on RT(now up to ~415). It was painfully boring at times, but that's salt mining for you. I wanted to get a handle on the critical reception which is commonly cited as universal praise. While it's generally true that critics loved TLJ, they also had some criticisms that would be right at home here at STC, and these come from super experienced and intellectual film critics, so they have to be valid, right? After all, these people know so much more about film than a layperson. They can fully evaluate a film on countless criteria that average fans don't comprehend. /s, but you see where I'm going here: many TLJ fans have put critics on a pedestal, as if their opinion is somehow more valuable as a baseline for TLJ's quality. So what about when critics are echoing our own criticisms of TLJ? Almost every criticism we have lobbed at this movie was shared by at least a few critics, but there were three main criticisms that stood out as the most common. I'll start this series with humor in TLJ. Peter Debruge, Variety -Fresh
Luke is funnier than we’ve ever seen him — a personality change that betrays how “Star Wars” has been influenced by industry trends. Though the series has always been self-aware enough to crack jokes, it now gives in to the same winking self-parody that is poisoning other franchises of late, from the Marvel movies to “Pirates of the Caribbean.” But it begs the question: If movies can’t take themselves seriously, why should audiences? Harrison Ford was a good enough actor, and Han Solo an aloof enough character, that he could get away with it, but here, the laughs feel forced — as does the appearance of cuddly critters on each new planet.
Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter -Fresh
General Hux, who's goofily played by Domhnall Gleeson as if he were acting in a Monty Pythonesque parody
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger -Fresh
humor is not only prevalent but often turned, mockingly, on the self-serious mythology of the whole saga. Sometimes there are too many jokes; certainly there's an overabundance of cutesy aliens.
Niall Browne, Movies in Focus -Fresh
It’s Finn’s mission which takes the film off on a diversion where it didn’t really need to go. There’s a lot of comedic hijinks involved in all of this which George Lucas would have excised from the first draft of anything he ever wrote. There’s more humour in The Last Jedi than previous Star Wars movies; some of it hits, some of it doesn’t. The much publicised Porgs work for a moment or two, but they outstay their welcome. The film drew to a halt too many times to show-odd cute creatures. I didn’t care for the crystal wolves during the climatic battle and the aforementioned space Llamas feel like they belong in a Disney movie (wait, this is a Disney movie!)
Rendy Jones, Rendy Reviews -Fresh
"The Last Jedi" is a movie that follows elements of other Star Wars movies that works on its own but feels so similar to a Marvel film because the first half of this movie is a comedy. Seriously a lot of the first half of the movie has a silly vibe amongst all the death and destruction that surrounds it. It desperately tries to be a parody of itself by making serious situations comedic.
Ruben Rosario, MiamiArtZine -Fresh
Much has also been made of “Jedi's” jarring tonal shifts. Johnson inserts broad humor, then abruptly makes things serious, then back again to goofy content.
Christopher Llewellyn Reed, Film Festival Today -Fresh
[Kylo's] partner in evil, Domnhall Gleeson, as General Hux, is less fine, though much of the problem stems not so much from the actor as from the tonally strange, abusively co-dependent relationship between the two men; their jokey rapport feels like it belongs in a very different movie.
Alex Doenau, Trespass -Fresh
However, from the beginning there’s a discordant sense of humour that’s somewhat counter to the series’ ethos to date: rather than funny situations rising organically in the script, many of the characters openly seem to be making jokes. It’s how we introduce Poe this go-round, and it feels slightly off.
Owen Richards, The Arts Desk -Fresh
There’s a surprising amount of comedy in the film, quite a bit at the expense of beloved characters or series law; it’s funny, but not respectful.
Tim Brayton , Alternate Ending -Rotten
The Last Jedi has an impressively poor batting average for its jokes: it opens with a vengefully dumb "I have a bad phone connection" bit that put me on the movie's bad side basically as soon as it had a side to be on, and it's not exactly all uphill from there.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk -Fresh
Sometimes, however, his proclivities come at the film’s expense, such as his penchant for inserting quippy humor, sarcasm, and sight gags at odd times, which often undercuts the drama or simply smacks of too much effort.
Craig Takeuchi, Georgia Straight -Fresh
Weak points come with awkward humour that lacks comedic rhythm and an unnecessary casino escapade, where a disposable underworld character DJ (Benicio del Toro) is introduced, that subsequently soft lens into what is essentially a children's adventure tale about animals.
Rob Dean, Bullz-Eye.com -Fresh
Further pushing the disconnect is that the script is far too self-aware, constantly making the sort of jokes that nerds have been making about “Star Wars” for decades, as if it’s too cool to purely accept itself on its own merits. The comedy works about half the time, but there are a ton of jokes in this film that underscore all of the overly serious talk of hope that populates the movie.
Sonny Bunch, Washington Free Beacon - Rotten
Johnson tries too hard on the humor front. Just one, brief, example: The whole opening sequences involves Poe doing conference call shtick while trolling Admiral Hux (Domhnall Gleeson). It's weirdly un-Star-Wars in the sense that it feels like something you could see on any dreadful sitcom here on planet Earth; this sequence is more fit for The Big Bang Theory than a supposedly dark entry in the Star Wars canon. The Star Wars movies have always been funny, of course, and there are moments when Johnson makes it work in a Star-Wars-sort-of-way. On the whole, though, it feels desperate and forced.
Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru - Rotten
Johnson's screenplay awkwardly blend action and drama with comedy and little bit of tacked-on romance. One particular scene involving an image that's not what it initially appears to be comes out of nowhere and feels like it belongs in a parody of Star Wars even though it does generate laughter.
Tom Glasson, Concrete Playground -Fresh
With more gags, one-liners and quirky moments than all the other Star Wars films combined, The Last Jedi introduces a levity to the staid franchise in the vein of Roger Moore's turn as post-Connery Bond. At times it works, even to the point of guffaws, but ultimately the humour feels misplaced. In a story where loss abounds and crushing defeat looms large at every turn, the repeated cutaways to doe-eyed porgs purring like extras from a Pixar film distract more than they entertain. So, too, does Domhnall Gleeson, whose character General Hux plays more like a parody of a Star Wars villain. As a result, both the New Order and the film itself are robbed of their most enduring menace: the Empire.
Brian Orndorf, Blu-ray.com -Fresh
In “The Last Jedi,” we watch Poe poke at Hux, who’s been turned into a buffoon for the new film, teasing him by faking communication issues and sharing an opinion about his mother. It’s the first of many awkward attempts at humor from Johnson, who isn’t known for funny business
Kevin McCarthy, WTTG-TV -Fresh
The first act of the film features major pacing issues combined with unnecessary comedic moments that ultimately hurt the tone of the film. Unfortunately, a lot of this comes from Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker character.
Jonathan W. Hickman, Daily Film Fix -Fresh
I found myself frustrated that the tone was comedy and sometimes almost veered into parody. Everything else is jokes and comedic references with a side of cheese. I found myself shaking my head more than laughing along.
Ray Greene, CineGods.com - Rotten
But it also doesn’t feel quite right — the language, the iconography, the weirdly campy humor at the beginning — it doesn’t feel a part of the Star Wars universe.
Josh Bell, Las Vegas Weekly -Fresh
The less said about the awkward attempts at comic relief, the better.
Matt Looker, TheShiznit.co.uk -Fresh
the comedy - and there is plenty of it - is spread out more evenly across the whole cast. In the case of Domhnall Gleeson's Hux, this becomes a good opportunity to poke fun at the horribly hammy performance he gave in The Force Awakens. But when he is playing those laughs off against his only foil - Kylo Ren - Johnson threatens to undermine their status as epic villains.
Christian Toto, HollywoodInToto.com - Rotten
Johnson drops plenty of cutesy comic moments into the mix, some of which would make even George Lucas blush. What was passable in 1977 no longer flies as easily today. And a franchise as esteemed as this one deserves richer comic relief.
Mark Hughes, Forbes -Fresh
The first act's humor is the shakiest, with some gags seeming more like something out of a Star Wars satire. The tone and irreverence of it was out of place, and a couple of bits went on one or two beats too long.
Scott Menzel, We Live Entertainment -Fresh
Speaking of laughs, the jokes and humor just fall flat. The jokes seemed out of place or were just so “on the nose” that I couldn’t help but be annoyed by them. I feel like the modern day humor didn’t feel the tone of the story and yet Johnson kept trying to lighten the mood by adding in cheesy jokes that weren’t even remotely amusing but instead were rather cringe-worthy.
Kevin Jagernauth The Playlist -Fresh
In the pursuit of providing some buoyancy to the picture, Johnson wields comedy like a sword, but it’s unfortunately the weakest element of the film. “Star Wars” has always been home to plenty of cornball one liners, and comedic passages, but there’s a delicacy to how they’re employed and delivered that allows them to land….or simply fall flat. Far too often, it’s the latter outcome in this picture, with some of the laughs feeling underwritten or simply shoehorned in. There’s a distinct lack of cleverness to the wit employed here — think something as seemingly spontaneous as BB-8’s “thumbs up” in ‘The Force Awakens’ — and while the gags don’t grind the picture to a halt, there are certainly some awkward patches where the expected laughs don’t materialize.
Rob Hunter, Film School Rejects -Fresh
The film is a series of points both high and low, and it’s nowhere more clear than in the humor. Several beats work well to bring a smile, but others fall tone deaf to the carnage and pain surrounding them. From the very beginning Hux’s scenes are made to feel like lost reels from Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs, and poor Boyega can’t catch a break as Finn is saddled with lame one-liners at every turn.
Alex Godfrey, GQ Magazine [UK] -Fresh
It’s funny, though not always when you want it to be – perhaps fearing too much gravitas, Johnson undermines it a little too often.
Robert Kojder, Flickering Myth -Fresh
Rian Johnson has crafted an installment that largely defies saga standard narrative structure and tone. There is a quick comedic dialogue exchange in the beginning between Oscar Isaac’s fighter pilot Poe Dameron and Domhnall Gleeson’s First Order General Hux that falls in line with the brand of humor Disney and Marvel inject into that particular cinematic universe.
John Serba, MLive.com -Fresh
Some stabs at comedy feel overwrought and clunky, including a stint on a ritzy planet of war profiteers, an extended sequence of skillfully directed silliness destined to be beloved fodder for apologists only.
This is the continuation of my series highlighting specific critic's criticisms of TLJ. Part I on Humor is here, which also details my reasoning for this mining operation. Here we are covering Canto Bight, and we have everything from run of the mill iodized stuff to hail-sized rock salt on display, so adjust your goggles accordingly.
Johnson overplays his hand occasionally — most notably an unnecessary sequence at the casino city of Canto Bight that goes straight from a political sermon into a plot hole
Ethan Sacks, New York Daily News - Fresh
The bad news is, this involves an unnecessary trip to a kind of casino planet that doesn’t really advance the story.
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic - Fresh
A scene in an opulent casino is easily the most painful yet in this new generation of Star Wars flicks, eliciting images of the green screen busy set pieces of the early-2000 franchise additions, enticing to the youngest members of the audience who need their stories overly padded with shiny spectacle.
Matt Oakes, Silver Screen Riot - Fresh
Boyega is a loveable hero, and his new compadre Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) is a nice addition. However, as much as it isn’t overbearing, their entire sub-plot is when the adventure loses steam. This moves the film away from where all the interest is – Luke. At this point, it becomes a little disjointed and unnecessary, never reaching a point of excitement required for a chunk of plot of this degree.
Cameron Frew, FrewFilm - Fresh
an extended digression with Finn and Rose that doesn’t end up counting for much plotwise
Bob Chipman, Moviebob Central - Fresh
Sadly, Boyega's Finn -- still an appealing character -- is saddled with a go-nowhere plot-line that has him and Resistance mechanic Rose show up at a space casino and cross paths with a rogue with a heart of a gold (or maybe just rogue?) played by Benicio Del Toro. There's the kernel of interesting idea there as we glimpse the socioeconomic underpinnings of this galaxy far, far away in a way we've never seen before, but it's a digression whose payoff doesn't warrant the build-up. And when you're already the longest Star Wars ever made (two and a half hours!), some snipping here and there might not have been a bad idea.
Zaki Hasan, Zaki's Corner - Fresh
I’m not a big fan of Finn and Rose’s side adventure, which has the air of a spinoff story being tacked onto the main narrative (probably to give Finn a purpose, since Rey is doing her own thing with Luke). Apart from showcasing the power of hope on a younger generation, it’s not as well integrated into the seams of the larger story as it could’ve been.
Tomas Trussow, The Lonely Film Critic - Fresh
It’s Finn’s mission which takes the film off on a diversion where it didn’t really need to go. There’s a lot of comedic hijinks involved in all of this which George Lucas would have excised from the first draft of anything he ever wrote.
Niall Browne, Movies in Focus - Fresh
Much of the Canto Bight sequence feels unnecessary
Molly Templeton, Eugene Weekly - Fresh
First, both prominent new characters Rose and DJ seemed shoe-horned in, and Rose especially doesn't seem to have a real place in this film nor does she add anything to be hopeful about in the future. And while both Rey and Poe fans will probably be pleased with where their characters go, Finn sort of takes a step back, as he is sent off on a side adventure that seems like second-tier Star Wars. It's a diversion that takes up a good portion of the film and really serves no purpose to the overall story...worse yet, it seems to contain some heavy-handed political messages not commonly found, at least not this blatantly, in the Star Wars universe. These are more than just quibbles too: Most fans will not be used to the slow, lumbering pace or the general unevenness of this film...especially coming on the heels of the action-packed pacing that JJ Abrams brought in Episode VII.
Tom Santilli, AXS.com - Fresh
There’s some stuff that feels extraneous (the whole Canto Bight sequence, which seems to exist to set up a new Lando-like character played by Benicio del Toro), and the cycle of attack and retreat — mostly retreat — gets a bit monotonous.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com - Fresh
Muchas de las situaciones se sienten forzadas e innecesarias (por ejemplo, la aventura de Finn y Rose, me parece innecesaria).
Ruben Peralta Rigaud, Cocalecas - Fresh
Their jaunt to the casino planet of Canto Bight serves little purpose besides introducing Del Toro, updating the cantina scene, and offering up a tired CGI chase scene that wouldn’t have looked out of place in Attack of the Clones. Kudos (maybe) to Johnson for introducing income inequality to the Star Wars universe, but the entire sequence feels rushed and shoehorned into an already long movie.
Pete Vonder Haar Houston Press - Fresh
The weakest of these is Finn's. It's briskly paced and full of action yes, but let's just say a casino is no cantina... Worse, it also sees him interacting with Prequel Trilogy levels of CGI critters.
Karl Puschmann, New Zealand Herald - Fresh
But the worst distraction “The Last Jedi” has to offer involves erstwhile Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) and a Resistance maintenance worker named Rose (Kelly Marie Tran), a subplot every bit as visually and narratively inept as Lucas’ prequels were taken as.
J. Olson, Cinemixtape - Rotten
Finn’s entire storyline could be cut and the film would be better off. As Finn was one of the driving-force leads of The Force Awakens and also a charming character, this is a disappointing development. His adventure is such a low point that it would not seem out of place in one of George Lucas’ efforts from between 1999 and 2005, and it serves little purpose to the film’s overall plot.
Alex Doenau, Trespass - Fresh
there’s too much going on in The Last Jedi, and a lot of it feels like filler. Besides the aforementioned, stalled-out space battle, there’s a clunky sequence in a casino that goes on far too long, a lot of distracting cameos, and new characters inhabited by Laura Dern and Benicio del Toro, who bring close to nothing to the proceedings.
Bob Grimm, Reno News and Review - Fresh
Finn and Rose (a new addition to the principal cast) distract the audience with an overlong and ultimately unnecessary side plot.
Richard Dove, International Business Times - Rotten
And this plotline feeds right into the absolutely unforgivably terrible subplot, which is the adventures of Finn (John Boyega) the cowardly ex-storm trooper, and Rose (Kelly Marie Tran), the class-conscious engineer, who go on a fetch quest that is every bit as pointless as the whole matter of the military nonsense, only even worse, because it hinges on terrible comedy, bad CGI, and a spectacularly horrible moment when Johnson stops the film in its tracks to provide a ruthlessly on-the-nose lesson about economic inequality and the military-industrial complex.
Tim Brayton, Alternate Ending - Rotten
Some of what happens on the casino planet — called Canto Bight, and sure to figure in the next film — is goofy on a level as cringe-inducing as things we saw in the prequel trilogy; like, Jar-Jar Binks–awful.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher - Fresh
Johnson does his best to hustle from one location to the next, but the narrative has a tendency from time to time to drag. The biggest example of this are the scenes on Canto Bight. Which is a shame, because a huge chunk of the film’s message is established on these scenes. But the very nature of the story, with its many moving parts, inadvertently makes this section of the film feel like a diversion.
Chris Evangelista, Slashfilm - Fresh
The humour is kind of sour in other places, too, such as the silly neo-cantina scene as Finn and Rose track the whereabouts of a mysterious encrypter, who might be the rebellion’s last hope, into a sort of galactic Monte Carlo. The abundance of slapstick there and in other parts of the film doesn’t click and feels forced.
Diva Velez, TheDivaReview.com - Fresh
In an unnecessary and quite frankly preposterous third subplot, Finn (John Boyega) and a new character, Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran), race against the clock to locate an underworld figure who can help them neutralise the First Order’s tracking device, thus allowing the diminished rebel fleet to escape.
Vicky Roach, Daily Telegraph (Australia) - Rotten
Weak points come with awkward humour that lacks comedic rhythm and an unnecessary casino escapade, where a disposable underworld character DJ (Benicio del Toro) is introduced, that subsequently soft lens into what is essentially a children's adventure tale about animals
Craig Takeuchi, Georgia Straight - Fresh
Unfortunately, we keep getting dragged away from the only emotionally resonant portion of the film to watch Finn and Rose engage in sub-prequel hijinks on the casino planet. Everything here is forced and awful, visually uninteresting and often dark to the point of unwatchability, lousy with mawkish little kids making bug eyes at the camera as we marvel at the horror of economic inequality, and drowned in an atrocious patina of truly terrible CGI. It calls to mind the droid factory in Attack of the Clones and the pre-podrace sequence in The Phantom Menace. Most offensively, the whole Finn/Rose diversion has absolutely no importance to the forward momentum of the plot—it's utterly irrelevant, even nonsensical.
Sonny Bunch, Washington Free Beacon - Rotten
Not everything in the film works: a few of the goofier comic moments fail to land and true to the legacy of Lucas there’s a fair amount of eye-wincing dialogue. More importantly, the second act bows under the weight of too many narrative strands; Finn’s away mission comes off as a bit superfluous, as does Laura Dern’s Vice Admiral Holdo, and both Rose and the beloved Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) are sadly underwritten. In a trade-off that brings scope and complexity, Johnson has sacrificed narrative efficiency.
Christopher Machell, CineVue - Fresh
I didn't like the sequence in a casino--a callback to the Star Wars Cantina, of course, but also a chance to discuss the evils of war profiteers and the 1%. There are creatures there, there's slapstick, there's a heist of sorts, and it all harks back to my favourite of Johnson's films, The Brothers Bloom, in the interplay between the characters, in the lightness and clarity of the scheme. But it's tonally disruptive, and it introduces a trio of children who seem like part of a different film.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central - Fresh
Finn and Rose’s trip to a gambling planet – basically a space Monaco – flits between light fun and on-the-nose political narrative.
Richard Whittaker, Austin Chronicle - Fresh
It also begs the question why the space casino sequence, arguably the least relevant to the core story, wasn’t dramatically trimmed back. Aside from a throwaway final shot, this section of the film is the weakest – designed to depict profiteering space-capitalism run rampant (ironically, also depicting a stable of space-horses also running rampant).
Patrick Kolan, Shotgun Cinema - Fresh
But as ingenious as this setup may be, it also gives rise to the film's most pointless subplot. After waking from his coma, Finn (John Boyega) contrives a means by which he can disable the New Order's tracking device, albeit one that requires him to sneak off the fleeing vessel, travel to a Monaco-styled casino planet, track down a master codebreaker and infiltrate the enemy's warship undetected. This enormous MacGuffin sees Boyega partnered with the charming Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico, a Resistance engineer low in status but high in pluck. The problem is that their side adventure does absolutely nothing to advance the actual story.
Tom Glasson, Concrete Playground - Fresh
Unfortunately, John Boyega’s Finn, Oscar Isaac’s Poe and Kelly Marie Tran—as Finn’s new partner-in-rebellion Rose—are given the equivalent of busywork while the rest of the cast moves the plot along.
Simon Miraudo, Student Edge - Fresh
A detour to a casino planet where Finn and a resistance mechanic named Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) search for a codebreaker to help them disrupt the First Order's tracking of the retreating resistance ships feels like a trip into another movie. The stakes here seem far lower than the live-or-die scenario facing Poe, General Leia Organa (the late Carrie Fisher) and the others trying to make their getaway.
Greg Maki Star-Democrat (Easton, MD) Fresh
The only characters not doing a huge amount of growing are Finn (John Boyega) and mechanic Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran), and not for nothing, their subplot opens up a momentum drain that is the only weakness in The Last Jedi. Boyega and Tran are perfectly enjoyable, and their subplot isn’t a complete waste of time, but you start to feel the length of The Last Jedi when it veers off with them, and Finn’s arc is a pale echo of Poe’s so it’s not like much is being accomplished.
Sarah Marrs Lainey Gossip Fresh
Rey’s journey toward learning the ways of the Jedi is far more entertaining than Finn’s convoluted (and ultimately pointless) storyline
Josh Bell Las Vegas Weekly Fresh
Rose’s character is front and center in the film’s weakest sequences. We’re diverted to a city where the worst of the worst frolic. No, not the usual hives of scum and villainy. It’s a casino where the very, very rich cavort. The evil One Percenters! If you’re not immediately yanked out of the story here you deserve a prize. The accompanying dialogue is equally clunky, as is the reason all these vapid souls gained their fortunes.
Christian Toto, HollywoodInToto.com - Rotten
Far less successful is the time spent with the rebels on the run from Hux and the First Order. Not only is it centered on the slowest space chase in sci-fi history, but subplots featuring Poe, Finn (John Boyega), and Rose (newcomer Kelly Marie Tran) go absolutely nowhere. Sure we get introduced to DJ (Benicio Del Toro) and Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern), but it’s with actions that fail to connect either through sheer stupidity or the simple truth that their absence wouldn’t change the story in the slightest. They’re obvious filler, and as is the Disney way (witness their Marvel films) the studio’s never met a character that couldn’t be jammed into a movie for no reason other than the misguided belief that more is better. Finn and Rose’s adventure in particular offers some additional action beats and a visit to a casino — think the Mos Eisley Cantina scene from Star Wars, but for the 1% — but it is meaningless noise.
Rob Hunter, Film School Rejects - Fresh
Meanwhile, what feels too much like the “B plot” side adventure has Finn and Rose on a mission that takes them into another film entirely, a sort of intergalactic James Bond-meets-Free Willy. It’s hard not to feel that their entire subplot could be axed in order to make The Last Jedi stronger and tighter, which is unfortunate.
Kaila Hale-Stern, The Mary Sue - Fresh
There is a whole section that feels out of kilter and harks back to the CGI naffness of the prequels — and is also virtually pointless to the plot.
Jamie East, The Sun (UK) - Fresh
The film’s epic 150-minute runtime allows plenty of room for Johnson’s inventiveness, but there’s also a tiny bit of fat in the middle of the movie, specifically in the Canto Bight scenes with Finn and Rose. The casino city itself is gorgeous and has some crazy-cool characters, plus Finn and Rose’s presence there shines a light on some new, worthwhile themes for the Star Wars franchise. However, in terms of the overall story, the whole escapade feels a little pointless and small. It doesn’t help that Benicio del Toro’s new character, DJ, who is part of the same storyline, is largely insignificant.
Germain Lussier, io9.com - Fresh
Star Wars: The Last Jedi does have a clear weak spot -- specifically the side plot that develops between Finn (John Boyega) and newly-introduced Resistance member Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran). Following a genuinely funny meet-up between the two characters, they are given their own special mission searching for a codebreaker who can assist in the battle against the First Order. But this storyline never feels particularly inspired or impactful as everything else going down in the movie. While it is constructed to fit with the larger themes of the film, features its own interesting expectation-flipping turns, and does eventually have a key impact on the macro scale, it's also the only part of the feature that ever feels expendable, and not helping anything is that it features the weakest visual effects of the blockbuster (especially during a second-act chase sequence).
Eric Eisenberg, CinemaBlend - Fresh
Finn and Rose’s mission takes them to Canto Bight, a kind of Monte Carlo peopled by extras from Babylon 5, and feels like it is just ticking the Weird Alien Bar box started by the Cantina. A ride on space horses also feels like a needless diversion, as does Benicio Del Toro’s space rogue, whose strange, laconic presence never really makes its mark.
Ian Freer, Empire Magazine - Fresh
It’s a shame, then, that the righteousness of Finn and Rose’s place in the film is undermined slightly by the limpness of their mission. Perhaps feeling there had to be some kind of Mos Eisley–esque sequence in the film, Johnson sends the pair to a casino city full of all kinds of creatures. It’s fun, sure, but the whole operation ultimately turns out to be a red herring. At least there’s some nice musing on liberation during this stretch, reminding us of the real stakes of this long story—freedom is, after all, what the Empire denies and the Rebel Alliance promises. And in a gorgeous third-act sequence—which includes the film’s true Empire Strikes Back homage—Finn and Rose finally get the emboldened moments they deserve. I just wish they fit more integrally into the central thesis of the film, that they were just as special, in their way, as Rey is, glinting with messianic power as she ascends.
Richard Lawson, Vanity Fair - Fresh
Of the three simultaneous plots, it’s Finn’s that sometimes drags down the energy, particularly with an introduction of a shady thief played by Benicio del Toro, the only new addition to the cast that doesn’t quite work; he seems to be acting in his own private movie, and it’s not as good as this one.
Will Leitch Paste Magazine - Fresh
Where the film struggles the most is on Canto Bight. Taken on her own, Rose isn’t a bad addition to the Star Wars mythos, and the movie definitely needs someone to play against Finn. Unfortunately, they lack the electric chemistry we saw between Finn and Rey in The Force Awakens, and their secret mission in a casino feels like it should be far more entertaining than it actually is.
Matt Goldberg, Collider - Fresh
Some action sequences are superfluous and unengaging. Benicio del Toro all but cameos as a sort of hobo hustler, while John Boyega’s Finn is sidelined, relegated to relatively inconsequential hi-jinx.
Alex Godfrey, GQ Magazine [UK] - Fresh
Finn (John Boyega) and newcomer Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) attempt an espionage mission that takes them to what is the Star Wars equivalent of the French Riviera. It’s a casino city named Canto Bight, and their adventures here push the Rick’s Café sensibilities from the original Star Wars’ cantina sequence to their limit. Nevertheless, this entire subplot amounts to a whole lot of padding while the real tough and revelatory decisions are made on Ahch-To.
David Crow, Den of Geek - Fresh
Plot-wise, I felt the entire side story at the casino world of Canto Bight was unnecessary. If you cut the entire sequence out of the film, it would have little impact on the core narrative.
Scott Chitwood ComingSoon.net - Fresh
Finn (John Boyega) wakes up, meets a admiring fan down in maintenance named Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) and they head off on their own adventure, a detour that somehow combines the louche slickness of Cloud City and moralizing at its most Disney.
Joe Gross, Austin American-Statesman - Fresh
But The Last Jedi’s two-and-half-hour sprawl still includes an awful lot of clunky, derivative, and largely unnecessary incidents to wade through in order to get to its maverick last act. This is especially true when it comes to the plausibility-straining mission of stormtrooper turned Rebel Alliance fighter Finn (John Boyega) and puckish series newcomer Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran).
Sam C. Mac, Slant Magazine - Rotten
There are a couple of big names that fail to deliver much aside from, perhaps, realizing their childhood dreams of being in a “Star Wars” movie. A trip to a city that might as well be called Space Macau also fails to pay many dividends.
Christopher Lawrence, Las Vegas Review-Journal - Fresh
Case in point is the plot involving Finn (John Boyega) and new hero Rose's (Kelly Marie Tran) McGuffinesque mission to Canto Bight, which is of the ashtray-on-a-speederbike variety, and takes away from the tension cranked up elsewhere.
Harry Guerin, RTÉ (Ireland) - Fresh
The remaining 20% is made up of two different locales, one of which is entirely superfluous to the story. Essentially, there is a subplot that introduces Benicio del Toro’s mysterious work of eccentricity, except it doesn’t really do much of interest with him. Admittedly, it feels as if the character could be destined for bigger things in the final chapter, but I can only go off of what I watched, and well, the middle portion of The Last Jedi is stuck in the furthest setting from lightspeed. The journey expands to a space-Vegas full of various alien life forms and inhabitants, but it’s not as visually striking as previously explored planets. Additionally, by design, there seems to be filler injected simply because the other characters need things to do while Rey accomplishes what she needs to with Luke.
Robert Kojder, Flickering Myth - Fresh
The scenes on Canto Bight seemed like an unnecessary divert for Rose (a new character I actually really like) and Finn. This “casino planet” was like a scene right out of a low-budget Sy-Fy channel movie shot in Vancouver. It felt too familiar and earthbound to be a scene in an other-worldly scene in a Star Wars movie. The Rose/Finn alien horse race through the casino that ruined the galactic one-percenters good time and did some property damage was just ridiculous and should have been cut. Rose and Finn flopping around on the alien horse just looked like a bad theme park ride.
Chris Gore, Film Threat - Fresh
There’s a lengthy diversion to the casino planet of Canto Bight that feels pointless and tacked on just for the sake of giving us a cool new corner of the galaxy to feast our eyes on.
Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly - Fresh And that's it for Part II. Happy Holidays to all my fellow fans and miners! Next week I will conclude with Part III, which will cover- well, let's just say it's the longest of this series by far. Heh.
Just got back from Vegas and wanted to share my experience for anyone coming since there always seem to be questions every week about similar stuff. Stayed at the Luxor for three nights Wed-Sat this past week on an mlife offer with Resort Credit and Freeplay. Staff was very nice at Luxor and we stayed in a Tower Premium Room with 2 queen beds. Room was very nice actually. We were on the 2nd floor and didn't have much of a view, however, this is probably the nicest room I've had in Vegas. To give some reference, I usually only stay at the lower end strip properties since I'm a low-roller and that's what I get comped. I've stayed in a Flamingo Fab Room, Excalibur Royal Room, Bally's basic room (Jubilee?), The Rio (Never again.), and the Linq. The only property that was close was the Flamingo. I will say that the Luxor's room isn't as nice as the Go rooms at Flamingo though. We were very happy with the room for a comp room though. If you do stay at Luxor just know this: You have to walk. A lot. I like MGM's Casino and the walk to there even though it's only a few properties down is about 20-25 minutes and you have to walk through Excalibur unless you take the tram. All and all though, wasn't a bad place to stay and would definitely take it over Excalibur by a mile. We hit up three buffets for brunch on our trip: The Aria, Bacchanal at Caesars, and Wicked Spoon at Cosmo. The Aria buffet was free from our myvegas points. (Facebook/Mobile game where you can earn some free stuff for your Vegas trip. Mostly buffets and free nights but there are some shows there too.) It was pretty good. Food all looked fresh and tasted good. Food is pretty standard buffet fare though which is where the other two buffets really shine. Purchased the unlimited drinks add-on for $19.99 for two people. We had margaritas and they were pretty good for 4 of them for $19.99, but beware, they are pretty slow bringing out drinks. I think brunch normal price is $28.99 which is a fair price I think for this buffet seeing as worse buffets charge that much. Friday we went to Bacchanal on a Groupon, $88 for brunch for 2 with two mimosas each. Simply put, this is the best buffet in Vegas I have been to. (I have not eaten at Wynn or Sterling Brunch though.) Worth the price. Mimosas were very good. They were not all orange juice like some places make them. The food though was all on point. Slab bacon and Chicken and Waffles were delicious. Meats from the carving station were good as well. Chilaquiles were amazing too. Decent selection of seafood, Lobster Eggs Benedict was a favorite. My wife is Vegetarian and she had a very good selection of stuff to eat here and she was very happy with her choices. Saturday we tried Wicked Spoon and we were really glad we did. We did the unlimited drinks and brunch buffet which worked out to about $115+tip. The service here was the best I've ever had any any buffet. Wife and I got through about 5 glasses of champagne each along with a 6th to go. He just kept bringing them out and was very fast to refill our water and clear our plates. Food was very inventive and delicious. Pork Pozole Sope and Gordon Ramsay style eggs were excellent which is saying a lot since buffet eggs are usually gross. The best thing I ate all trip though had to be this truffle pasta they had out. Normally when you get "truffle" dishes they're just made with truffle oil or something, however, there were decent sized chunks of actual black truffle shaved onto each dish. I love truffle and it was sooooo good. Now, where this buffet lacked was the carving station. I had some chewy beef that was the worst of the three buffets. However, I'd definitely go back here again even at the steep price since the drink service was so good and that truffle pasta was amazing. The other two places we ate were VegeNation and Primrose. Vegenation is a vegan restaurant downtown. Probably best Vegetarian/Vegan place I've eaten at. Had the meatball sub which was good and my wife says they're spaghetti and meatballs are delicious. She strayed from it this time and got the Veggiechanga which was a vegan chimichanga. She wasn't too happy with it. It was filled with a lot of meat substitute and not as much veggies as she thought it would have. She regretted the choice the whole trip since she loved the spaghetti and meatballs last trip. Primrose is a new restaurant in Monte Carlo/Park MGM. I had the Filet and frites and it was delicious. Decent size filet on top of bone marrow and mushrooms. The frites were ok, definitely not as good as Bouchon's, but good. My wife had the tomato pasta and it was very good. Kind of spicy with perfectly cooked pasta. Drinks were good and my wife ordered some lavender infused drink that was very tasty. All and all would recommend, dinner for two with drinks ended up around $120+tip. One thing to mention though is the Monte Carlo is a mess right now. So much construction going on and the entrances and exits are very inconvenient. We went and saw Brilliant at the Neon Museum downtown and it was a pretty good show. Show lasts about a half hour and they give you some time after the show to snap pictures with the signs lit up. If you like vintage Vegas stuff I'd definitely recommend it. I think tickets were $26/pp for the show and you could buy a ticket with a tour of the museum for $42/pp. Few other quick things: Go to the Cosmo's Chandelier Bar and order a Verbena ($16). It is the coolest cocktail I've ever had. You sip this cocktail after eating a flower than makes your tongue tingle and it is delicious. Even if you're not a big gambler I suggest you check out MGM and play Sigma Derby and/or Fortune Cup. They are mechanical horse racing games that are a fun way to kill time and you're money doesn't disappear instantly. Sigma Derby user quarters and Fortune Cup is a more updated version with a minimum bet of $1. The D on Fremont also has one of each machine and I saw the Fortune Cup machine at a few other casinos like the Cosmo. Hit a quinella for $150 on the Fortune Cup machine at the MGM and my wife who is not normally a gambler had a fun time picking horses to win. I also realized I don't think I like Fremont that much. Gambling is better downtown, but the whole atmosphere just isn't for me anymore. I think between the amount of non musician 'performers' and homeless beggars I saw and smelled on Thursday night I'm going to hit up the mob museum next trip then skip Fremont from now on. TL;DR Buffets: Bacchanal >= Cosmo > Aria, go see Brilliant, Luxor's Tower Premium room is an excellent choice for a budget room, Vegenation has great vegan food, Primrose is good but Monte Carlo is a mess, Play Sigma Derby and Fortune Cup, maybe skip Fremont? EDIT: Oh, almost forgot. The new Esports Arena at the Luxor looks awesome if you're into that sort of thing. $25 for unlimited play from 12PM-12AM. The setup there looked really nice. Thinking of trying to get my gaming group (Who are also really into Poker) to taking a trip for gambling and gaming.
Implemented most changes from HPM 3.8.4, except changes made to closed borders and genocide
Bug Fixes
Fixed Ems Dispatch Requirements Crash
HBC should no lonegr take British-owned provinces in NA during wartime
Province 1651 - Yokohama, now has proper Life-Rating of 35
Changes to CBs
'Acquire All Core States' can now always be used, hopefully this will reduce the number of 'X Liberation of Y' wars
Reduced base chance for Crisis'
Changes to Map
Changed Birmingham Province Picture
Changed Tunis Province Picture
PROVINCES RENAMED
PROV599 - München
PROV595 - Nürnberg
PROV575 - Köln
PROV577 - Kleve
PROV536 - Braunschweig
PROV400 - Dunkerque
PROV451 - Lyons
PROV534 - Hannover
Semi-Desert & Desert Terrain now has reduced immigrant attraction
Changes to Migration
Migration is still being tweaked, so expect these values to not be final
Base Emmigration Chance increased to 1.25 (Was 0.9)
Accepted Cultures should be able to migrate to colonial provinces
'The New World' Modifier no longer gives bonus pop growth, it now just increases immigrant attraction
Slightly increased effectiveness of Closed Borders
Slightly increased colonial migration from having the Settlement policy
'Liberal Agitation' now gives a 15% emmigration push
'Nationalist Agitation' now gives -15% emmigration push
Irish pops are more likely to choose colonies under British rule
Emmigration increases for specific cultures will no longer fire if Liberal Revolts are in progress or if the country has any war-exhaustion, does not affect provinces with 10% unemployment
Unemployment Modifiers to Migration will not apply if unemployment is at 100% -- Current Emmigration Increases/Decreases are: -- Germanic (In Prussia/NGF/GER only, provinces without any Wends/Poles): 0.7 -- English: 0.4 -- Scottish: 0.2 -- Welsh: 0.1 -- French: 0.75 -- East Slavic: -0.2 -- Austria/KuK: -0.2 -- Pops living in Ottoman Territories: -0.5 -- Muslims: -0.3 -- Pops living in Hungarian Territories: -0.1 -- East Asian Culture: -0.9 -- Debt Law: Serfdom: -0.2 -- Italian: 0.2 -- Germans living in France: 0.1
Slightly reduced the negative modifiers for Regionalism
Reduced the Adminstrative Multiplier for Colonial Settlement
Changes to Europes
Russian Army & Naval Reforms now limited to the AI only
Monaco now starts with Fruit RGO, will change to Precious Metals when the Monte Carlo Casino is opened
Crimea now starts as a Colonial Region
Increased duration of babyboom for Wilhelsmhaven
Increased L-R for Kiev, St. Petersburg and Moscow to 45
Reduced Berlin's L-R to 40
London L-R now 45
AI UK now gets a huge supply consumption buff until the end of the EIC
Most of France's Life-Ratings are now 31 or 32
'Italian War of Independence - Sardinia will not intervene if Austria is allied with France
'Irish Famine Spreads' - Halved the MTTH, reduced MTTH for Irish Famine spreading, the spreading won't occur past 1850 to prevent provinces from having the Famine spread twice
Bordeaux now starts with a Winery
'Italian War of Independence' - Any Italian state will now break their alliance with Austria, but will not join Sardinia
Changes to the Balkans/Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire now can build Irregulars
An AI Ottoman Empire should now take double amount of time to remove cores
Changes to North America
Reduced the effects of the Manufacturing Belt
Changes to South America
Reduced Life-Rating of Montevideo to 35
Changes to India
Mughals are now properly able to declare jihad against the British if the EIC has been annexed
EIC now gets 10,000 bonus rp when declaring indenpendence to make up for the increased research nerf
Rajputana will now be a Substate of the UK when it is formed, 'Form Rajputana Outside' now only can be used by the UK
Changes to Asia/China
'The Eight Banners' - Now gives -5% Naval Org, will be removed when the Xinhai Revolution occurs, or if Qing becomes China
Increased L-R of Batavia, Surabaya
Japan will be less likely to try to seize Sakhalin if Russia has more brigades than them
Ronaldo to AS Monaco rumor: the conclusion and confession
From: http://www.asm-vizu.net/showthread.php?19068-Infos-provenant-du-cousin-de-la-belle-s%9Cur-du-voisin/page123 In the name of all three of us, i want to honestly apologize to everyone who's feelings are hurt, the majority of our story is true, but of course there are certain parts that you can call "alternative truth"...we did all of this on our own, nobody from the club told us to do it and nobody else influenced our decision, from the start we were aware that sooner or later we'll have to explain ourselves, no matter what happens before the end of August...would we do this all over again, yes we absolutey would, it sounds cold-blooded but at that point we thought it was the best solution and we still think that is was the right move...i will break down the whole story to the smallests details and i will explain what was the real truth and what was the "alternative truth", hopefully some of you will understand us, and for others who are most definitely insulting us while they are reading this, it's alright, we don't mind it at all, we knew the risk and we accept the responsibility... There are so many private messages and too many replys in this topic, so i really can't answer you all, i'm writing this first without knowing what you asked or commented while i was gone, if this huge post doesn't provide answers for your questions that you might asked, feel free to ask me again, either here or through private messages...please, i know that there are plenty of questions about our family and hopefully you will understand that i won't provide you certain answers for various reasons, most things about our familly are true, especially about father, while both son's education is purposely misleading for the reasons that i won't get into...also, nobody from our family has permission to meet in person with people who aren't in their inner circles, we are heavily protected and everybody new must go through tough security check, it sounds super shady, but that's the case with most similair families who are in our position, safety is always our priority...we are best friends with Fedorychev and we have good relationship with Rybolovlev and Vasilyev, we are also very good with Prince Albert, so don't worry about us, we know what we are doing and our motivation was very clear, so please avoid questions about our family and concentrate only on the questions about our football club... Did you ever watch some movie that's based on a true story, but while you're watching you notice that certain things are added for dramatic effect, well that's exactly what we did, we needed to hype the story so that it has stronger effect...Ronaldo is not a done deal, that was the biggest "alternative truth", but there are resonable chances that we can get him this summer, i'll start from the beginning and i'll explain you his case...he indeed reached out to Rybo with desire to join Monaco in the near future, that has happened few months ago, but the chances of that actually happening were slim at best, until the whole tax fraud case in Spain, after that he became more and more unhappy in Madrid and his agent started sending signals to us that we should keep all our options on the table if the deal can be done, but still nobody really believed that it's possible to get Ronaldo this summer...then, on July 10 there was conversation between Vadim and Perez about possible Mbappe's transfer to Real, during that talk Florentino suggested that maybe we can give them €50M along with Mbappe if he receives transfer request from Ronaldo, but he didn't promise anything...after that meeting, we took number 7 from Rony Lopes just in case if something concrete happens before the transfer window ends, also Tielemans will get number 10 once Mbappe leaves, while Ghezzal will take number 17, meanwhile he will wear number 12...this is the absolute truth, but it wasn't bombastic enough, so we had to add special effects, there are 50% chances of Ronaldo coming to Monaco before the transfer deadline, it's still much better than 0%, but it's far from a done deal...we took the risk and predicted ahead that the deal will be made, we are still very optimistic that everything will be exactly how is planned, of course it's a huge gamble, it's like going to casino and putting all your chips on color red, hoping that everything will end perfectly...in either scenario we would come clean, if transfer happened or not, we planned to explain our actions and to apologize to all Monaco fans, this wasn't about creating something that doesn't exist, it was just getting ahead of everybody and putting things in proper context, sooner or later we would explain everything, no matter the outcome... Why we did this in the first place...we wanted to pressure Rybolovlev to buy Ronaldo, it sounds stupid doesn't it, but don't jump to conclusions, there is a method behind the madness, we are doing very similar stuff in the business world, so we just applied the same approach here...in most cases leaking about something while the work is still in progress behind the scenes doesn't lead to the positive outcome, but this case is much different and here we needed to give a little extra push...when i say we wanted to "pressure" Rybo, don't take the meaning of the word literally, we wanted to "use" our fans and create enough excitement and hype, so that all this negativity about everything that is happening disappears, and that our fans start spreading positive messages to our club in all forms online, both on message boards and on various social media platforms, we wanted to reverse their negative feelings into positive vibes, we wanted to redirect their attention from probable departures to possible arrivals... Now, listen to this carefully...everything that we said about Rybo and Vadim is completely true, but we left out one thing in order to present that everything was always perfect, so let's get back to the summer of 2014 and Falcao's exit, that was the only time when our President started rethinking about his future with our football club...when some of our fans started demanding that club gives them back money that they spent for season tickets, because we lost both James and Falcao, without bringing anyone of significance to replace them, when people were basically laughing at arrival of unknown Bernardo Silva who played for Benfica B, that was the moment when Rybolovev took all of that very personally and he was incredibly disappointed at out fans reaction after everything he did in order to save our club from going down to third league...everything that has happened that summer was a result of Financial Fair Play, because once Rybo saw the punishment that City and PSG received, he knew that we will be hitted even harder next year if we don't start cleaning our books...Vadim did everything humanly possible to balance our books and to still keep all other players even though Moutinho and some other guys started receiving offers, that summer totally redefined our initial project, and as i said it before, if there wasn't FFP, then Rybo would invest three times more money during the first couple of seasons, just like Abramovich did when he took over Chelsea, but rules are much different today than they were 14 years ago...also, when some of our fans wrote "Mendes Mafia" and when they started talking all over the place how our Russians only came to the club for financial reasons, without any real sports ambitions, and that they will very soon sell everything that we have, fill their pockets with cash and quickly disappear, well both Rybo and Vadim took that to their heart and they couldn't believe how all of a sudden our fans are so spoiled and how come their memory is so short...we always had PR problem, that summer was also the time when our President's name was in various tabloids with bombastic headlines, so pretty much the whole world started believing that he lost half of his fortune overnight and that he and Prince had terrible relationship, and none of that was true, but even today pretty much all of football fans who don't follow Monaco closely think that those things were true...again, the only reason why he had to dramatically changed our project was FFP and nothing else, in the end we were successful during that transition, even though there was strict monitoring of our books by UEFA, Rybo couldn't pump more of his personal money because of the rules and we were basically limited in how much money we can offer to our own players, so other rich clubs were able to offer bigger salaries to our players and we had to sell them in order to clear our books as soon as possible...that summer was the only time when Rybolovev had doubts about continuing as our President and majority owner, and the main reason were our own fans who got used too quickly on overnight succeess after Ligue 2, that they couldn't accept anything less than being on the same level as PSG... Let's fast-forward to this summer, because something very similar started happening when the transfer window opened, all of a sudden our fans forgot that we won title after 17 years and that we dethroned our rivals from Paris even though our budget seemed laughable compared to their that's backed by the whole foreign state...from the day that Silva was sold to City and until the day that we signed Ghezzal, there was so much negativity towards our club from our own fans all over the Internet, soon all of that quickly reached the highest levels and once again, Rybo started to take it personally, not as bad as three years ago, but bad enough that he started rethinking about going after Ronaldo seriously, because if our fans are acting like that, after we had the best season in the history of our club, then what's the point of breaking the bank for Ronaldo if nobody really appreciates everything that he and Vadim did for us, during good days and during less successful days, why going all-in and making big financial risk to get one of the best players in the history of football, if our fans will quickly turned their back if things become a little more challenging for whatever reason, the level of negativity was like we have fallen to Ligue 2 once again and there's no light at the end of the tunnel...instead of having more confidence in the people who saved us from misery, fans get caught in the moment and they take every single rumour so personally and literally like the world is ending tomorrow if we sell player A and buy player B, of course football is all about business and fans are all driven by their emotions, well people who run the club also have emotions and Russians have tendency to take things too personally if they feel that their work isn't appreciated enough, so every bad word that reaches Rybo and Vadim can have certain effect, and this summer there's almost nothing else than bad words about how we are handling transfer window and pretty much everybody forgot how much obstacles we had in the past and how much successful we were last season...people were bashing Silva and Lemar because they were unknown, but now they can't live without them, they were bashing Mendy because OM fans were making fun of us for signing someone who can't even walk correctly, but overnight he became fan favorite, pretty much majority of young players that came in the past were welcomed with over-the-top scepticism, but in a year or two they became untouchable in the eyes of our fans...so instead of having more faith in our scouting departement and in our coaching stuff, everybody wants only confirmed superstars and everything else is disaster in advance, so instead of giving a chance to new players to prove themselves, fans already know that Mboula has low football IQ, that Diakhaby is average at best, that Lopes isn't even for Ligue 2, that Ghezzal only played two good games in his life, both against Monaco, that Imbula should retire because he lost all his talent overnight, that Jorge is too soft for french league, that Kongolo better switch to basketball, that Carrillo should change career to became construction worker, that Sylla is more suited for 100m sprint than football pitch, and so on and on... Spreading story ahead of time about possible transfer where Ronaldo ends up in Monaco was the only way to stop negativity, of course some people are always negative no matter what, but good number of fans are driven by current events and their mood goes up and down depending on current rumours, in one hour they can go through all stages of human emotions, so it was very important to deliver really big and powerful rumour that will immediately change their mood and hopefully keep them in more positive state no matter what else is circulating in the rumour mill..saying the real truth that we have solid chances to get Ronaldo, but that many factors are in play, simply isn't powerful enough, you could say that about any given player, we needed clear and defined message that Ronaldo is a done deal and that everything else are just small details to be solved...the reality is that Ronaldo indeed has desire to come and that Monaco will do everything in their power to make that transfer, also it's true that Mendes and Perez have verbal agreement that Ronaldo's real release clause is at least five times smaller than the number in the contract that serves only for marketing purposes, so Monaco is willing to talk and Real is willing to listen, chances of getting Ronaldo are 50%...numbers concerning his transfer and his future salary are fabricated, we came up ourselves with those calculations, it's true that Perez said to Vadim how Ronaldo is worth at least Mbappe and additional €50M, so we used common sense and knowing the price of Neymar's transfer and various sums demanded by Monaco for Mbappe, we thought that €230M is the right numbers, just like we thought that Ronaldo's salary has to be bigger than what he's getting now, plus it would be logical that he wants bigger number than what Messi or Neymar are earning, so we came up with more than €30M...also, Ronaldo wasn't in the Principality few nights ago, but he had meetings with Bernard Arnault during his summer break and we heard strong whispers about LVMH thinking to invest more than €200M in CR7 luxury brand for 49% of ownership stake, so when Bernard Arnault popped up in Monaco few days ago, it was perfect to mixed up real and alternative truths, even though we were perfectly aware that everybody will be suspicious how come nobody saw Ronaldo in Hotel De Paris, we wanted that strong dramatic effect...also, of course he didn't had any dinner, but he had multiple meetings with both Falcao and Jardim in the previous months on various locations, it was more friendly oriented, but they did exchanged few words about potentially being on the same team...everything that was said about friendship between Rybolovlev and Ronaldo is also absolutely true, just like everything that was said about Rybo and Mendes and their various business and personal ties, the desire to bring Ronaldo is stronger than ever, but with such a big transfer there are much more complications than casually presented by us how it's a done deal...his 007 presentation is of course nothing but big "alternative truth" and those things can't be arranged until the contract gets signed, but we added up for dramatic effect because people can easily picture Ronaldo in elegant suit entering Monte Carlo Casino, doing few James Bond things and then changing into red-and white uniform and getting presented to all our fans gathered around Place Du Casino, we knew that this details will also raise eyebrows when people read it, but Ronaldo already had numerous marketing campaigns where he was dressed like Agent 007 while promoting various luxury brands... We knew that many people won't belive in our story, even in real truth that getting Ronaldo this summer is more achievable than people think, and that dose of scepticism was enough for us to go all-in and pump the story throught the roof, so even if they don't believe, it will raise some doubts inside them that it's so crazy it might actually be true...of course, we knew that there will be people who will believe in every single word and that they will be hurt if nothing happens or if our story gets uncovered ahead of time, so once again, in the name of all three of us, i'm deeply sorry if we caused you some harm, we were aware that stepping on people's feelings will come back to haunt us, so we fully accept any responsability for what we did, any harsh words or insults are totally understandable and hopefully in the end you will find the way to forgive us, as i said it before, we are all Monaco fans and everyone with red and white blood in their veins is part of one big Monaco family that will stand for their beloved club both during good and bad times...for others who never believed anything that we said, and who don't believe in what is written in this big post, we just want to tell you that no matter what you think about us and about our intention, and no matter what you say about us now and in the future, we won't hold it against you and we perfectly understand your animosity after everything we did, but we are offering you hand of friendship and hopefully you can also forgive us one day, because we all have one thing in common that keeps us awake during long nights and that puts us throught emotional rollercoaster every weekend, and that thing is called love for AS Monaco... Our main goal of creating enough buzz for Ronaldo to Monaco rumours wasn't intended for journalists, we couldn't care less if they will pick up something or find out on their own that there is reasonable chance of that deal coming to fruition...we wanted to get our own fans excited so that every time our club posts something on social media, they get flouded with positive comments and with Ronaldo mentions, just like how fans negativity quickly reaches to Rybo and Vadim, the same applies for positivity, if there is enough buzz from our fans, then Rybo will get even more motivated to do everything possible and bring Ronaldo now when many things are playing in our advantage, we had to stop negative comments from our fans and all Ghezzal trash talk that was talking place when he signed, so that people can concentrate on Ronaldo and his possible arrival...our little story lasted four full days and we knew that we can't last more than a week because we left enough breadcrumbs behind while creating all of this, plus ever since day one there was much bigger interest than we expected and suddenly the story started circulating all over the place, so more and more people were determined to haunt us down and i'm glad it came from our own fans, rather than from journalists who where working their sources like crazy in order to find out is there any credibility to all of this...as i said, we know how wrong it was to play with other people's feelings, but we felt that is was the right move to make and we would do it all over again, we feel that only something so dramatic can change the overall conversation that's dominating this summer among our fans, which is mostly highly negative, so by risking to hurt some people along the way, we decided to carefully craft our story, using mostly true facts, but decorating it with spicy details and other bombastic stuff so that there is enough of buzz created... This should be enough, hopefully i explained our motivation and you can see what in our story was true and what was added like special effects, everything that was said about Mbappe, Lemar, Fabinho and the reasons about selling our players was true, except that if we can't get Ronaldo, we will try our best to strengthen our team with other proven talent that becomes available on the market...everything about Mbappe's father was true and while club wanted to keep him after season ended, more and more teams where chasing him while proposing much bigger salary than what we were prepared to offer him, so very soon it became clear that he won't extend and that it's better to sell him now while his price is incredibly high, instead of risking of losing him for peanuts or some potential injury that would dramatically decrease his market value...when we created this story, we wanted to protect Mbappe and tell everyone how he's willing to stay one more year, but that club is determined to sell him, we did this knowing that otherwise our fans will start harassing him online, just like what is happening right now, his father should receive all the blame, while Kylian should get a pass...chances of going to Real are still sky high, while City and PSG are very unlikely options, our club will try everything to use him like the main tool for getting Ronaldo, but things are complicated and hopefully our fans can remain a little bit more patient in the next three weeks, please show more support to Rybo and Vadim, because they didn't came to make money, they are here only because of their true passion for Monaco and they are planning big things for the future, your positive energy and words of support on message boards and social media platforms will give them more reasons to make us all happy...there are plenty of journalists and insiders with their special "sources" that are in 90% of situations just false, either planted on purpose by some agent or by some club, or completely made up in order to sell more newspapers and to get more clicks on the Web...so don't take every word literally, wait until something really happens, wait until it becomes official, don't jump the gun and don't get caught up in the moment, re-evalute every information that you hear, things are not always black or white like they seem, this is all one big grey area and multiple sides have multiple interests to do or say something during transfer window that might be true or not... All in all, hopefully you understand better the whole story and why we did this and what was our motivation, wait until the transfer deadline and after that we can all togheter see how everything was handled and what was the final result...i don't have time to read private messages now or to read your replys before this post was made, but please feel free to post your questions if you have them, either here or throught private messages, and when i come back tomorrow morning i'll give my best to provide you more answers...we feel good that we did this and we think that it was needed at that moment, people can belive us or not, they can insult us or not, but we are the least important thing, as long as our fans are showing enough respect for our beloved club, and especially for Rybo and Vadim, we are perfectly fine with taking all the blame if something doesn't go according to the plan...AS Monaco will never be on the same level as the biggest clubs in the world, looking at all things combined, both on and off the court, but it can be the sexiest club on the planet and with everything that our President has planned for the future, from new traning center to fixing Stade Lous II, there are so many reasons for all of you to stay optimistic, and no matter what happens until the end of this transer window, we will always be one big red and white family...
Although it is the world’s second-smallest continent, Europe welcomes more than half of all the tourists worldwide. 7 of the ten most visited countries in the world are European nations . It’s easy to see why a well-preserved cultural heritage, productive history safety and efficient infrastructure makes visiting Europe a breeze. Here’s a look at the best places to visit in Europe.
Vienna
📷 As the former seat of the Hapsburg Empire Vienna is awash with impressive imperial buildings and palaces which so comprehensively convey the wealth and power of its previous monarchs. Now the capital of Austria the city is a delight to get lost in. Nicknamed “the City of Music” the names of its famous residents roll off the tongue with Mozart Beethoven and Schubert among those who once graced its streets.
Stonehenge
📷 You have to marvel at the determination of prehistoric man when you look at Stonehenge. Construction started about 3000 BC on what was initially burial grounds. Huge monoliths weighing 25 tons dragged One hundred fifty miles to the site a few hundred years later. It’s not known precisely how many humungous rocks were moved to a field near Amesbury, but there are 13 standing today. It’s also not known why Stonehenge was built, but many believe this significant English landmark is associated with ancient astrology.
Matterhorn
📷 Egypt may have its pyramids, but Italy and Switzerland have a nature-made pyramid of their own Matterhorn. At 14,692 feet high, this famous mountain is one of the highest in Europe. The mountain has four faces, each equally rugged. The legendary mountain has been popular with climbers since the first ascent in 1865 during the summer 150 people a day try to climb it. Couch potatoes may be just as happy to stay below and gaze in awe at the summit playing hide and seek with the clouds.
Plitvice Lakes
📷 The Plitvice Lakes are so pretty officials turned them into a national park. Located in central Croatia Plitvice Lakes consists of 16 lakes that attract more than a million visitors a year. Lush forests surround the lakes and connected by waterfalls cascading down from one lake to another. The lakes are dividing into two sections lower and upper because of the difference in elevation. The best way to see the lakes is walking on the route you might even see some wildlife.
Budapest
📷 Budapest was already an established city when the Hungarians took over in the ninth century. Today Budapest is the country’s capital and largest city. In between these two events, Budapest was ruled by the Mongols and Ottomans among others. Considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe Budapest is home to the Museum of Fine Arts with its collection of more than 100,000 works. Be sure to visit the centrally located Old Town with its many museum’s churches palaces and Parliament building.
Lisbon
📷 The Portuguese capital of Lisbon lies on the Tagus River along the Atlantic coast. It is this location that encouraged explorers to sail far and wide around the world in the15th 16th and 17th centuries. One of the things you’ll want to see is Belem Tower a 16th-century fortress on the Tagus’ north bank if you’re looking for excellent views of old Lisbon head to Saint George Castle that was built on a hilltop by the Moors.
Gullfoss
📷 You probably don’t know too many people who’ve been to Iceland. But it may be worth a trip there to visit the spectacular Gullfoss waterfalls. Located in southern Iceland Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s top tourist attractions. At times it almost appears glacier-like appropriate perhaps since a glacier feeds it. The waterfalls begin just after the Ölfusá River makes a perpendicular turn and then cascades down a three-step staircase into a canyon that is 115 feet deep.
Athens
📷 Athens, a city that’s been inhabited since the fifth century BC, gave the world the concept of democracy and is the birthplace of Western civilisation. Many of the city’s significant landmarks can found in the old town particularly around the Acropolis. The list includes the temple of Zeus the Theatre of Dionysus where Sophocles works were performed and the Parthenon which sits atop the Acropolis.
Bay of Kotor
📷 When you’re hungry for breathtaking scenery feast your eyes on Kotor Bay in southwestern Montenegro. This bay off the Adriatic is just downright picturesque hemmed in by mountains with quaint villages sandwiched between the cliffs and the beautiful blue water. Several well-preserved medieval towns ring the bay. People make pilgrimages here not only to take in the scenery but also to visit the many Orthodox, and Christian churches spread among the villages.
Moscow
📷 For nearly 900 years Moscow has been the capital of Russia. As such, this old city has plenty to offer visitors. Let’s start with the 15th century Red Square since many of the city’s key attractions surround it. A top landmark is the Kremlin a former fortress that houses museums and the president of the Russian federation. Lenin’s Tomb sits in the middle of the square while the iconic onion-domed St.Basil’s Cathedral now a museum is on one side.
Venice
📷 Venice is for romantics who love gliding through the Grand Canal with a gondolier singing Italian love songs. This is, after all the city that sent Marco Polo off on his journey to China. Start your exploration of Venice at San Marco Square, the city’s most famous square. Here you’ll find the Doge’s Palace the seat of Venetian government and St. Mark’s Basilica the main church in Venice with stunning views from the tower. Venice also is famous for its bridges across the canals.
Monte Carlo
📷 If you’re into glitz and glamour, look no further than Monte Carlo the major city in the tiny principality of Monaco. Monaco has always for these qualities, which reached new heights when its prince made Grace Kelly his princess. Sitting on the shores of the Mediterranean Monte Carlo is known for fast car races and its elite casino. Take a walk along the harbour to see yachts that belong to the rich and famous.
Alhambra
📷 The Alhambra is one of the great wonders of Spain. It’s a gorgeous palace-fortress complex that can found in Granada in southern Spain’s Andalusia province. This imposing complex started as a small fortress in the late ninth century though it was built on the ruins of a former Roman fort. Taken over by Christian rulers, it is the site where Columbus got the go-ahead to discover the New World. The blending of architectural styles over the centuries is stunning. You’ll find great art and grand gardens throughout.
Florence
📷 If it weren’t for Florence, the Renaissance might not have happened. Florence is generally credit with bringing Europe out of the dark ages with great artists like Michelangelo. You can see their works at the Uffizi gallery or the Academia that displays the original David. Eat a gelato while strolling the Ponte Vecchio that bridges the Arno River. Ogle the over-the-top riches of the Medici family at the Pitti Palace.Marvel at the new engineering that created the magnificent Duomo.
London
📷 English history buffs will have a field day in London. This city on the Thames is chock full of palaces from Buckingham Palace to Hampton Court Palace. More a prison than a castle the Tower of London is home to the crowns jewels. And from Knightsbridge – don’t forget to visit the magnificent food halls at Harrods to Carnaby Street the shopping is fantastic. You can get around London quickly and efficiently by riding the famous Tube.
Neuschwanstein Castle
📷 “Fairy tale castle” is a phrase that aptly describes Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps. These 19th century Romanesque Revival castles look like it just stepped out of a fairy tale some say Neuschwanstein inspired the castle in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. The castle was built as a retreat for King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Who viewed it as a romanticisation of the Middle Ages The castle was built of brick then covered in rock including the white limestone that is visible from afar.
Amsterdam
📷 Amsterdam is a pleasant city marked with meandering canals lined with tall narrow row houses. It is the city where Anne Frank kept her famous diary, so visiting the house where she wrote that. Also is a city of great art beginning with the Rijksmuseum home to great European masterpieces Rembrandt’s house and the more modern van Gogh museum. Take a break from sightseeing to tour and sample Holland’s beer at the Heineken Brewery.
Prague
📷 Prague, with a long history of war and destruction, is considered one of the best places to visit in Europe. Despite the devastation caused by World War II Prague has a charming Old Town that is worth more than a few hours of your time. Prague has many pedestrian zones which making walking a delight as you wander by Prague Castle through the Jewish Quarter and over the Charles Bridge. Wenceslas Square situated in the New Town hums with a vibrant nightlife and entertainment air.
Istanbul
📷 Istanbul may be on the outer fringes of Europe but well worth a visit when you’re travelling abroad. Turkey’s biggest city is a fascinating place filled with a rich history, colourful markets and mosques. Top attractions include the Bosporus that separates Europe and Asia. The ecumenical Hagia Sophia that’s been a Greek Orthodox Christian basilica then an imperial mosque and now a museum and the 15th century Topkapi Palace also a museum today. Get in a little shopping at the Grand Bazaar that’s been in operation since 1461.
Geirangerfjord
📷 When the summer heat of Europe gets you down head to Norway with its pretty cool scenery. Geirangerfjord is a 9.3-mile long fjord with crystal blue waters fed by picturesque cascading waterfalls. Take a sightseeing trip on a car ferry through the fjord passing villages on the shores. Look out for the Seven Sisters and Suitor waterfalls so named because legend says he’s trying to court the sisters. Also, look for Bridal Veil – when the light is right, it seems like a thin veil covering the rocks.
Barcelona
📷 Founded by the Romans Barcelona today is a bustling city on the Mediterranean Sea. As the capital of Catalonia, it is a powerhouse in the region. It is perhaps best known for the unusual buildings designed by the architect Antoni Gaudi. These landmark structures include La Sagrada Familia a church that’s been under construction since 1892. You could build your entire visit around his buildings. But then you’d miss out on other Barcelona delights such as La Rambla a famous pedestrian street in the central part of the city.
Dubrovnik
📷 As European cities go Dubrovnik isn’t huge but don’t let its size deter you. This little jewel with less than 43,000 people is one of the most visited cities in the Mediterranean. Dubrovnik transports visitors back to a time when the fortified town was a significant maritime power commanding the third-largest navy in the Mediterranean. As you wander the streets, you’ll likely come across sculptures of St. Viaho the city’s patron saint whose life is celebrating every February.
Santorini
📷 When it’s time to sit back and relax take yourself to Santorini an island in the Aegean. Top travel magazines consider this a prime destination once there you can’t help but agree. The island has picture-postcard villages an active volcano and stunning sunsets. Be sure to visit Fira, a town perched atop a cliff. You’ll also want to sample wines such as the dessert wine Vincent as well as the product that is made sweeter and tastier because of the volcanic ash soil it grows in.
Paris
📷 Songs laud Paris in the springtime but any time of year is an excellent time to visit this riveting city on the River Seine. It’s a city loaded to the brim with history culture great food and high fashion. The iconic Eiffel Tower is one landmark you won’t want to miss. The Louvre houses one of the most significant art collections in the world. Its great churches include Sacred Heart and Notre Dame. When it comes to opulence, there’s Versailles with its famed Hall of Mirrors.
Rome
📷 The ancient Romans established outposts as far away as Great Britain. They didn’t ignore their home city; however when it came to building great monuments. One must-see landmark is the Colosseum an arena that could hold up to 80,000 people for gladiator contests. One of the biggest draws is a tiny country inside the city The Vatican City, with its impressive St. Peter’s Basilica with art provided by Michelangelo. Maybe you’ll get a glimpse of the pope at his Wednesday audiences. Source
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