Okay Rounders it’s time for another edition of The Ravin RoundUp: Where content and commerce meet for cocktails. I started this newsletter because there’s nothing I like more than watching a show or movie with great style and then googling all the things it inspired me to buy.

But I’m not just buying these things for myself. As my friends can attest- I love to give a gift. Even when there’s no reason. Not very fiscally responsible, I know. But in the past If I saw something that screamed for my friend Joelle to have it - I would buy it and worry about the occasion later. But new frugal Marta (she’s so boring!) now uses this newsletter as my gift to you!

When I can, I try to get discounts from the vendors or at least keep things affordable from Amazon. So please feel free to send me any niche online shops or shows/movies that you are loving.

Okay…enough of the foreplay, let’s ROUND IT UP!

Since Father’s Day is just a few weeks away, today’s edition is devoted to the MALES particularly the ALPHA MALES.

THE GENTLEMEN (Netflix)

First up “The Gentleman” on Netflix, which is like a cocktail made with equal parts “Downtown Abbey,” “Weeds” and “Harley Quinn” shaken and served over ice in a Cumbria crystal tumbler. Based on the 2019 film starring Mathew McConaughey, if you haven’t caught this Guy Ritchie gem you’re in for treat. It has all the quick dialogue, colorful characters and violence we’ve come to expect from Ritchie but the stylishness makes the bloodshed palpable for the squeamish.

It’s set in the Brittish country side at Halstead, a breathtaking old manor house. The patriarch of the family, The Duke of Halstead, has been keeping the home afloat by allowing a flourishing weed cartel to use the grounds to grow their very valuable product. After the Duke passes, he leaves everything to his SECOND son, Eddie (Theo James) an army officer, who is smart, practical and wily when necessary. The Duke’s unprecedented move of skipping the Heir for the Spare make’s Eddie’s older brother, Freddy, (Daniel Ings) fully apoplectic; making it abundantly clear why the Duke made that decision. Freddy is lovable and entertaining but also completely drug addicted and useless to the level of pernicious like a mash up of Robert Downey Jr. in “Less than Zero” and Fredo from the “Godfather.” The two brothers eventually must unite when they find themselves in deep cannabis having met the weed cartel leader; the lovely but lethal Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario) who wants to continue the profitable partnership she’s had with their father. REALLY HIGH Jinx ensue over the next 8 episodes and when you’re not caught up in the plot, the characters or the action- the fashions and furnishings are to die for.

SNEAKY PETE (Amazon Prime)

Keeping the Alpha Male theme going I also recently discovered 2015’s “Sneaky Pete” staring the elusive and incredibly under utilized, Giovanni Ribisi as Marius Josipovic. Marius is a con artist who assumes his cell mate Pete’s identity when he’s released from prison and needs to avoid the elegantly menacing Vince Lonnigan (Bryan Cranston), a former cop turned illegal gambling den owner who Marius owes $100,000! Marius, now fully ensconced in Pete’s warm wacky family, tries to figure out how he’s going raise the money for Vince since Pete’s new family is not as flush as his cell mate intimated. And for every day Marius is late in paying his debt, his little brother Taylor (Shane McRae), loses a finger. The characters and acting are superb. I finished the first 10 episodes over a rainy weekend and I’m looking forward to catching seasons 2 & 3.

“Sneaky Pete” although rich with dialogue and performances is definitely lacking in the style category. So all the products below are inspired by
“The Gentleman.”

SMOKIN HOT!

ibbq Angara Maximus Grill Table $16,999.00

Some of the best scenes in the “The Gentlemen” are when Suzy visits her dad, infamous mobster Bobby Glass, (Ray Winstone) in his luxury prison where he not only has a private chef but his own grill table for hosting guests.

If you want a more affordable ode to your grill master dad, Cuisinart makes a great kit with it’s own carrying case that gives off assassin vibes so your dad can show up to the BBQ feeling Bad Ass.

Cuisinart CGS-5020 BBQ Tool Aluminum Carrying Case, Deluxe Grill Set, 20-Piece $45.99

LIGHT MY FIRE

Hunting Season Cylinder Table Lighter in Nappa Leather $265

Let’s say your Dad is a serious cigar smoker, then he needs a serious lighter.

Or

Let’s say the leader of a drug cartel infiltrates your Dad’s thousand year old castle and your father accidentally kills him. He’s definitely going to need a substantial lighter to get rid of the evidence!

With either scenario, Hunting Season’s Large Table Lighter does the job with flare!

OFF WITH THEIR FINGERS!

Bey-Berk Customized Table top Guillotine Cigar Cutter w/Drawer for cuttings by Bey-Berk (Yellow, Black) $94.95

Now let’s say your hip Dad is a cigar aficionado and he needs a cutter that’s as cool as he is.

Or

Let’s say Bryan Cranston wants to forgo the bolt cutters for cutting off fingers for a more stylish device?

In either case I highly recommend this Bey Berk Cigar Cutter. (*I actually don’t know if it works on fingers- DO NOT TRY AT HOME!)

I JUST WANT TO FEEL THIS BALD HEAD!

Shaver Pitbull Gold PRO Men’s Electric Head and Face Shaver - Electric Razor for Head and Face (USB Charger) $109.95

Let’s say your Dad is bald and an Eagles fan. Then he definitely watched the 2023 Superbowl and saw the devastating loss of the Eagles to the Chiefs. When he wasn’t tearing out the baby follicles of his head watching the game he may have caught this hysterical add for the Pitbull Shaver. Who else would you trust to shave your Dad’s head more than Pitbull?

TAKE A HIKE DAD!

If your Dad is a hiker or a cuddly couch potato who just likes to read about hikes, this book is a beautiful leather bound collection of 100 of the most gorgeous hikes in the world.

One Kings Lane Hand-Bound in Bonded Leather 100 Hikes of a Lifetime Coffee Table Book - Travel Guide Hardcover Book with Colorful Photos 8.75"

Rapper’s Delight

And speaking of books I’m going to wrap up this week’s RoundUp with one of my favorite Renaissance Men who I’m honored to call Cuz- Esteabn Serrano, veteran Hip-Hop journalist, author and father of three.

Esteban hosts the “Rap Dads Show” a platform for your favorite rappers to talk about their most difficult challenge, fatherhood. On a recent episode Benny The Butcher talks about being a girl dad, discipline and dating rules.

And Esteban also wrote a book! In ”The Ten Dad Commandments, Fatherhood Through a Hip-Hop Lens”, he combined his love for rap with his passion for fatherhood. Inspired by Notorious B.I.G’s “10 Crack Commandments,” this book was written for fathers at all stages and phases in their journey. FREEBIE ALERT! First reader who writes back to me with RAP DADS gets a free copy of the book.

I asked Esteban what he wanted for Father’s Day, below is what he said. Josyah, Mini, Mikael take note!

ROUNDER SPOTLIGHT

Well that’s it for this weeks RoundUp. I want to thank all of my Rounders for letting me know you’ve been enjoying the newsletter and your purchases.

This note from Stavros S. about the Cozy Earth PJ’s from the “Enlightened Cures for the White Lotus Blues” edition, put the biggest smile on the face.

GOODY LINKS

And if you want to check out all the goodies in one place they’re on my Linktr.ee 

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xxoo

Marta