тιтle: A Hilarious and Heartfelt Journey – “Waking Up in Vegas” (2023) is a Must-See!

Rating: ★★★★☆

Waking Up in Vegas (2023) is the kind of movie that takes you on a wild ride through the glitz and glamour of Sin City, while also offering an unexpectedly deep look into personal growth, friendship, and the choices that define our lives. Directed by Samantha Hayes, this film balances humor and heart with a perfect mix of chaos, charm, and emotional depth.

The story follows a group of friends—played by an all-star cast including Chris Pratt, Emma Stone, and Riz Ahmed—who wake up in a Vegas H๏τel room with no memory of the previous night’s events. As they piece together what happened, they realize that their wild night in the city may have completely altered the course of their lives forever. From mistaken idenтιтies to high-stakes wagers, the film’s premise sets the stage for a hilarious exploration of friendship, love, and the consequences of living in the moment.

Chris Pratt shines in the role of Jake, a lovable but slightly lost soul who never takes life too seriously, until he’s forced to confront the unexpected fallout of his actions. Pratt’s comedic timing is on full display, but it’s his nuanced performance in the quieter moments that truly stands out. Emma Stone, playing Jake’s long-time friend Mia, brings depth to the character, giving her a perfect mix of sarcasm, wit, and vulnerability. The chemistry between Pratt and Stone is undeniable, with their banter offering both comedic relief and emotional resonance. Riz Ahmed’s portrayal of Tariq, a sharp-witted and more grounded friend, provides a much-needed contrast to the chaotic energy of the other two, making the trio’s dynamic feel real and authentic.

The film’s script is filled with witty one-liners and moments of genuine emotion. The Vegas setting is not just a backdrop for the wild antics, but an integral part of the story. The neon lights, late-night casinos, and outlandish adventures all represent a world of excess, but also a place where people can reinvent themselves and discover who they truly are. Waking Up in Vegas delves into themes of personal responsibility, the importance of honest connections, and the moments of clarity that can come from the most unexpected situations.

Director Samantha Hayes does a fantastic job of blending comedy with drama, crafting a film that’s both entertaining and meaningful. While there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, especially in the aftermath of the gang’s ridiculous escapades, there’s also a lot of heart. Hayes understands that beneath the flashy Vegas exterior, people are searching for something real, and she masterfully brings that emotional undercurrent to life.

The pacing of the film is spot on, with each act building on the chaos of the last, but never losing sight of the personal journeys of the characters. The film’s conclusion is satisfying, wrapping up the story with a sense of closure while leaving enough room for reflection. It’s a reminder that while we may not always remember every wild night, it’s the connections we make and the choices we make afterward that truly shape who we become.

If you’re looking for a film that combines humor, heart, and a bit of adventure, Waking Up in Vegas is the perfect pick. It’s the kind of movie that will leave you laughing one moment, and thinking about your own life choices the next. With strong performances from Pratt, Stone, and Ahmed, a sharp script, and a visually stunning setting, this movie is a hilarious and heartfelt journey through one of the world’s most famous cities.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.