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
This review already contains more than 120 words. As a Ciao member you could earn up to £5 with this review.
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]
21 has a highly predictable but enjoyable 80's ring about it, it's the first of in an influx of movies about the increasing fascination regarding card games; The Grand, and The Deal are about to follow in its wake. While the other two add up well in their specific stories, 21 is going to be the movie remembered and I might go as far as to say, the one movie that 20 years from now is still enjoyed.
Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) is a bright kid, but ... ...see the 80's as yesterday. 21 offers strong moral issues rather like many movies of the 80's, when movies were in a strange transitional period. 21 also has the classic feel about it, allowing it to fall into the category of being a classic, a bit like 80's movies Wargames, Back To The Future, Gremlins and The Indiana Jones movies; while many movies of the noughties are successful I don't see them being held in any acclaim 20 years from now, what ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Shiny visuals. Disadvantages: A generic story, pedestrian direction and bland performances.
Ben Campbell is a gifted student at the prestigious MIT, who dreams of Harvard Medical School. Only one thing stands in his way; money. Then his lecturer Mickey Rosa approaches him with a proposition; join a group of his most talented students and take on the casinos of Las Vegas. Armed with fake identities and through a system of counting cards and signals, the team are able to win thousands of dollars at blackjack in a single weekend. Counting ... ...unwelcome attention of old school security chief Cole Williams. Can they stay one step ahead of the game so Ben can realise his dream?
"Legally Blonde" director Robert Luketic changes gear for this crime caper cum drama. His main influence appears to have been the television series "Hustle". It's a film that starts somewhere near the end with a smug voiceover and then skips back to the beginning to tell you how it all came to this. It does this ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
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
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since : 07/03/2008
Professional reviews
Review: The OCEAN'S ELEVEN: THE COLLEGE YEARS makes for a breezy good time (Empire, 28/03/2008)
