Card games have played a big role in countless movies over the years. From old-time casino classics, to back room gambling flicks, to biopics and other true stories, there has always been a certain dramatic pull luring filmmakers to card tables. And more often than not, the focus ends up being on poker.

For many, in fact, the idea of cards in movies is basically synonymous with poker. Just last year, Screen Rant looked back at some of the best poker films of all time and showed just how long this particular game has been dominating the screen. From The Cincinnati Kid in 1965 to Molly’s Game in 2017, there really have been a lot of excellent poker films. At the same time though, there’s an argument to be made that Hollywood’s particular focus on poker is a little bit outsized — and that if we’re going to keep seeing casinos and card games in movies, we could be seeing more blackjack instead.

There are a few reasons behind this argument.

Understanding – The most important factor is that the rules of blackjack are easy to explain and easy to grasp. According to a Gala Casino guide to the game, it can really be summed up in one sentence: “The aim of the game is to get closer to 21 than the dealer without going bust.” Of course there are some intricacies to it, and a newcomer won’t necessarily grasp the strategy. But the simplicity of the core concept makes it much more accessible game to a much broader audience, whereas poker can sometimes be somewhat niche.

Card counting – Let’s face it, card scenes in movies are all the more fun if someone’s trying to game the system. And the simple fact is, this is more feasible in blackjack. Even in the game’s relatively limited cinematic history, in fact, the most noteworthy examples involve attempts to get a leg up. Dustin Hoffman, known for films ranging from The Graduate to Straw Dogs, may ultimately be most beloved for his part in Rain Man. And the card counting blackjack scene in that film is so famous that, according to Hackaday, it is the namesake for an AI that can count cards. Beyond Rain Man, we also have a scene in The Hangover that is based on the same card-counting scheme; a whole saga in 21 revolving around manipulation of blackjack games; and even a goofy scene in Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery in which a villain uses an x-ray eyepatch to glimpse cards about to be dealt. All in all, blackjack just seems to invite more dramatic scenes because of the possibility of counting cards.

Flexibility – There is also a bit more flexibility in blackjack scenes, because there are fewer associations with the game. When it comes to poker, people typically imagine one of three atmospheres: a classic casino with dressed-up players, a tense back room, or a modern casino where millionaire amateurs play in hoodies and headphones. Poker is defined by these atmospheres. Blackjack, beyond a vague association with casinos, is not understood in such rigid confines. There isn’t really a culture around it, which leaves filmmakers free to be a little more inventive, and have a little more fun.

So why don’t we see more focus on blackjack than poker? Part of it might be due to the fact that the movies we have that explicitly involve blackjack have problematic reputations. The 1998 John Woo film Blackjack is a disaster (even if it mostly just uses the name and isn’t a card movie). And 2008’s 21 is tainted by the fact that Kevin Spacey is one of the leads. Despite having some fairly modern headline roles, such as his part in Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver or his prestige TV vehicle House Of Cards, Spacey has been so thoroughly disgraced that it already seems odd to feel attachment to his work. As a result, arguably the most prominent blackjack film in modern history has basically been sidelined.

These issues have kept blackjack-related projects from developing much of a reputation for themselves outside of Rain Man, which is by no means about blackjack. Poker, on the other hand, has developed a robust reputation as a cinematic theme, and one that has proven capable of supporting one film after another.

It make sense, but if Hollywood is going to keep making card movies it would do well to balance things out and pay more attention to blackjack. It’s simpler, more accessible, and in some ways more fun.

The condition of erectile dysfunction is something that is far from abnormal and is, in fact, very wide spread amongst men of a certain age range. Its cause can either be rooted in physical or psychological causes and results in the inability to be able to not only get an erection in the first place but to be able to sustain one. If this is something that you have started to experience, then you should talk with your doctor, who will talk to you about some of the options available for ED treatment.

Do specific positions help?

The key to having a strong erection is to ensure that you get enough blood supply to your penis. There are no actual scientific studies that show or even suggest that one sex poisition is better for erectile dysfunction than what any other one is. However, common sense would suggest that a sex position that requires the use of lots of muscles and is highly acrobatic would use up lots of blood, thus divertiong it away from your penis, meaning an erection is hard to get. 

For erectile dysfunction, doctors usually suggest having sex in a position where the woman is on top of the man. The latest scientific studies though, that measured blood flow to the penis whilst engaging in certain sex positions, failed to indetify a position where the woman is on top as being beneficial for the purpose of erectile dysfunction. 

What is actually more important than the position is your attitude towards sex. You need to get past the idea that sexual intercourse is a performance and instead focus on the intimacy and desire aspects of it. After doing that, you will find that the sex position that you choose is not of much importance after all. 

Things you can do to improve the situation 

Typically where erectile dysfunction is involved, common sense prevails. The best thing to do is to find a sex position that works for both yourself and your partner. Other things that you can do include:

• Not drinking too much alcohol – whilst a small amount of alcohol can relax you and help to get you into the mood for sex, which can be good for those men who suffer with erectile dysfunction; too much of it can actually make the issue worse. Similarly, you should try and avoid drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette before engaging in sexual intercourse, as these each contain chemicals that constrict your blood vessels. 
• Making yourself comfortable – if you are unable to get comfortable in bed, perhaps because your room is too cold, then it can be more difficult to get and keep a strong erection. To counter this, you should have a nice hot bath or shower before getting into bed, as not only will it work to make you more relaxed but it will also get the blood flowing around all of your body much better.

When it comes to erectile dysfunction and the things that you can do to work through it, there is no one best answer as to what you should do to combat the issue. Everything should always be considered on an individual basis.

Attending a film festival can be a highly entertaining, engaging, and rewarding experience. There is something about the atmosphere of a festival that cannot be matched by a regular trip to the cinema. While the most famous international film festivals, such as the Cannes Film Festival, the Sundance Film Festival in Salt Lake City, and the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, attract hundreds of thousands of attendees, there are also plenty of smaller film festivals that you can choose from.

Whether you are going to one of the big events or something a little more of a hidden gem, you may be wondering what to expect. Here we have gathered five tips for making the most of your first film festival experience!

Keep Your Pass Visible

Whether you are simply attending the festival as a film fan or as somebody in the industry, you will probably have some sort of pass that verifies you and grants you access to different parts of the festival. Make sure that you keep this close to hand at all times!

Check the Program Regularly

Any film festival will have a program detailing when and where each film is going to be screened. Don’t go in blind—check the program before the festival starts to plan your personal schedule and avoid missing anything you really wanted to see. Be aware also that schedules can change at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances, so make sure to check the festival’s website or app at least a couple of times a day so that you are aware of any changes.

Queue Early

Don’t expect to be able to just rush into the screening of your chosen film two minutes before it starts. You will need to get seats, and some screenings may fill up quickly. It is usually best to arrive around half an hour before the film is due to start to make sure that you get a seat. If you end up queuing for a while, have some activities prepared to pass the time. This could be a game installed on your phone, playing a range of games, which you can find at a reputable online casino UK, including poker, slots, and Blackjack, or even a film magazine to read.

Book a Hotel Nearby

Part of what makes a film festival so exciting is the social aspect and the buzz around the festival. Hundreds or even thousands of filmmakers, actors, and other people in the industry will have been anticipating this chance to show their work for months and are likely to hang around the festival or spill out into nearby bars when screenings have finished. Staying near to the festival instead of leaving to commute home each evening can give you the chance to soak up this buzz and maybe even meet some of your favorite stars!

Show Your Appreciation

If you really enjoyed a film, don’t just sit in silence and walk out like you might do at a regular cinema trip. It is likely that some of the filmmakers and actors are in the audience with you, so show them your appreciation with clapping and cheering! There may also be special guests at the end of screenings holding question and answer sessions.

Martial arts are popular worldwide. They become inspiration for movies, books, slots which you can play with a TonyBet bonus in Canada. Moreover, there are lots of PC games about martial arts. Here are the best of them.

Punch Club

Pixelated street fighter simulator with an interesting plot, elements of which are borrowed from the action films of the 80-90s. The main character is a guy from the bottom, who makes his way to the top of the sports Olympus through endless training, underground fights and street fights with all kinds of trash.

Kung Fu Strike

A three-dimensional Beat’em up, also dedicated to kung fu-style brawls. With spectacular special effects and almost three dozen unique fighting moves. And many of them are revealed gradually, as you move through the plot, based on traditional Chinese legends of honor about vengeance.

Absolver

Extremely addictive multiplayer action game based on very unusual and interesting mechanics, combining fighting game and MMORPG principles. Absolver’s setting also looks very appealing: the events take place in the ancient and mysterious Adal Empire, across the vast lands of which martial arts masters in masks travel. Travel and fight each other to earn the right to join an elite corps of fighters.

Rag Doll Kung Fu

Joke game in the form of an unusual fighting game, parodying many famous kung fu movies. You can play as a single player (Rag Doll Kung Fu has a lot of exciting scenarios and modes) and in multiplayer, competing with a buddy or vice versa, playing in co-op. The most unusual kung fu game in our list.

Kings of Kung Fu

Another exciting Kung Fu game that offers classic 2D fighting game gameplay. All the fighters in Kings of Kung Fu are characters from iconic martial arts movies.

Overgrowth

Action with a third-person view, the action unfolds in an unusual world inhabited by anthropomorphic beasts. These guys do not want to coexist peacefully and regularly organize bloody showdowns between each other, demonstrating spectacular acrobatic pirouettes, ability to handle traditional cold weapons and mastery of various techniques of oriental martial arts.

Karateka

Karateka is a legendary old game, released on the PC in 1984 and then ported to many home gaming systems. Of course, today it is not so interesting to play it anymore. So, in 2012, the developers from Liquid Entertainment released an excellent remake, which is now available on Steam. Anyone can download the game for a symbolic price and again experience unforgettable adventures with the karate hero.

Martial Arts Brutality

This game offers exciting and rich tactical turn-based battles, plenty of cards with fighters and an amazing atmosphere of oriental martial arts. Besides, Martial Arts Brutality is a free-to-play game that anyone can try out.

Blade & Soul

MMORPG in an unusual fantasy setting, the characters are the adepts of various martial arts, and the combat system is based on a clever combination of role-playing action and fighting game elements. Besides, it is one of the most beautiful games of all online RPGs.