In this film based on Ben Mezrich's book BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, M.I.T. student Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE) decides to pay for his pricey education by beating... more
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all, it was his band, his songs, and his voice. However, since illness and a preference for painting has forced the good Captain into retirement, the existence of a Magic Band is a moot point upon hearing 21st Century Mirror Men. A document of their breathtaking live shows, this is as close as we can hope to get to the fabled shows of yesteryear. John "Drumbo" French provides an excellent approximation of Beefheart's growl, and the band (including key Magic Band members Rockette Morton and Feelers Reedo/Walla-Walla) are tight, but with a subtle update to the sound, smoothing away some of the rough edges but still sounding as vital as a legendary band should do. Many of the songs are redone as instrumentals (presumably the Herculean effort of simultaneously drumming and singing something as seemingly arrhythmic as "Veterans Day Poppy" is beyond human endeavor), but even so, the exposure of the song's instrumental parts- as intricately locked as a Chinese puzzle- can only bring further respect for the band. Look on this not as a revival but a loving tribute, and reap the rewards. --Thom Allott
the late 90's, co-hosted by Donnie McClurkin, Vickie Winans and Israel Houghton. This years Stellar Awards CD will consist of 2006 Stellar Award performances from such Stellar Award winning artists as Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams and many more from the stage of the historic Grand Ole Opry. A Bonus "All Access" DVD will be included in the CD packaging, giving the consumer a behind the sc ... [view complete description on our website]
Advantages: Good directing and Good Acting Disadvantages: You lose if you gamble or play cards
...Pitts Jimmy Fisher 21 Film Only Gambling is the main subject surrounding the plot. 21 is a game of blackjack played at private clubs, amongst friends, and most often at casino's. Usually the hand nearest 21 wins. If your hand is 17 and my hand is 22 or over you win. Easy as that. Now in this film, the plot is about 6 MIT college students trained at winning blackjack, through a process called 'card counting'. Not gambling lol. They take to Vegas and ... ...Campbell) main aim in life is to win a scholarship at Harvard University costing $300,000. His maths professor Mickey Rosa, wants Campbell to join 5 other students in a blackjack syndicate. What I liked most about this film, was the fast moving pace included here. I was able to learn the plot within the first half an hour. As the film is based on a true story, I found that the events unfolded nicely from the airport trip from Boston to Vegas. Also ...
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Advantages: Slick, Hollywoodised Hustle type movie Disadvantages: Slow to get going
Film Only review - I watched it at the cinema.
Ben Campbell is one of the top students at MIT and is planning to move over to Harvard Medical School. Whilst he is bright and dedicated he has no life experience with which to 'dazzle' the school board who are awarding the scholarships, thus his alternative is to find $300,000 to pay his tuition. His college tutor Professor Rosa "Call Me Mickey" (Kevin Spacey) is impressed with his class performance ... ...This group is learning how to count cards in Blackjack and take sojourns to Las Vegas where they win large and party large under the tutelage of Mickey. At first Ben wants nothing to do with it, but the need for the money and the charms of team member Jill (Kate Bosworth) means he comes to the class where he learns to count cards, a coded language and various signals. Ben ends up loving the high life in Vegas and losing touch with his friends, becoming ...
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Advantages: Good cast, good plot, interesting Disadvantages: None
...also known as pontoon, or 21 where the aim of the game is to get a hand whose total is as close to 21 without going over. The 'class' is made up of 'Choi' (Aaron Yoo), Jimmy Fisher (Jacob Pitts), Kianna (Liza Lapira) and the best looking girl in MIT Jill Taylor (Kate Bosworth).
Initially Ben refuses, but after a visit from Jill who explains how much fun it can be being in Vegas and how much money she has made he reconsiders and joins the gang. He ... ...The film has a good soundtrack, made of modern day classics including "You cant always get what you want" by the Rolling Stones and 'Everybody Get Dangerous" by Weezer
So if you don't know what to do one night, then go on take a chance and gamble on 21 ...
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Actor(s): Jim Sturgess, Laurence Fishburne, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth
Director(s): Robert Luketic
Genre: Drama
Classification: 12 years and over
Production Year: 2008
Official Website: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/21/
Consumer Advice: Contains moderate violence and sex references
Video Category: Feature Film
Country Of Origin: United States of America
Plot: M.I.T. student Ben Campbell decides to pay for his pricey education by beating the odds in Vegas. Ben and his team count cards in blackjack, but soon they have to answer to the house for their huge winnings.
Release details
DVD Region: Region 2 (Europe)
Studio(s): SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Languages
Main Language: English
DVD Description
In this film based on Ben Mezrich's book BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, M.I.T. student Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE) decides to pay for his pricey education by beating the odds in Vegas. Ben and his team count cards in blackjack, but soon they have to answer to the house for their huge winnings. Oscar winner Kevin Spacey stars as the students' mentor.
Technical information
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound: Dolby Digital
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Listed on Ciao since : 07/03/2008
Professional reviews
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