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21 - 5/4/2008 9:08:22 PM

Empire Admin

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Post #: 1

- 5/4/2008 9:08:22 PM

nc_jj

Posts: 662
Joined: 20/2/2008
From: Manchester.

Amazing film.

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Post #: 2

. - 6/4/2008 7:11:45 PM

jpdisco

Posts: 41
Joined: 10/11/2005

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Post #: 3

. - 6/4/2008 7:11:48 PM

jpdisco

Posts: 41
Joined: 10/11/2005

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Post #: 4

RE: . - 7/4/2008 1:35:44 PM

duncanbell

Posts: 69
Joined: 5/1/2006
From: Shawshank State Prison, Ohio

I enjoyed this film, it wasn�t particularly clever, it didn�t really have any twists and was fairly straightforward. Jim Sturgess puts in a solid turn.
It just so happens that using maths to fix gambling is something that interests me (it has maths in it, I�m there!), and this film gets it right. It�s got tension, inevitable romance, and a (slightly poor) chase scene. Gold.
Would�ve been 3/5, but it�s got maths in, and Laurence Fishburne kicks ass, so scrapes a 4.

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Post #: 5

RE: . - 11/4/2008 11:46:25 PM

paulyboy

Posts: 2151
Joined: 30/9/2005

Solid if unspectacular stuff. Not an original bone in it's body obviously, but it's well performed, decently paced and directed well enough. Thoroughly enjoyable entertainment.

3.5/5

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Post #: 6

21 - 12/4/2008 12:18:03 AM

matthewforan

Posts: 21036
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: My Hometown

A good film nothing great, nothing new but it does have some good performances. Not really sure how Kate Bosworth got the gig as I feel not only could they have got a better actress but even someone who the audience member (or at least the males ones) fall for as she is rather wooden IMO.

If it weren't for the Glasgow schools being off again I'd probably would have enjoyed my experience more. (no wonder Glasgow's full of NEDs as they're always on breaks from school) nothing to do with the film just a point I want to get out there.

Anyways 3/5 from me.

< Message edited by matthewforan -- 12/4/2008 12:19:33 AM >

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Post #: 7

RE: 21 - 12/4/2008 10:46:30 AM

Diggler

Posts: 1257
Joined: 30/9/2005

Minor Spoilers follow:

Having read the book 'Bringing Down the House' I was looking forward to seeing this film.

The story follows Ben an MIT genius who has been accepted to Harvard Medical School. The only problem he requires $300,000 in order to fund his tuition. After speaking up in one of his classes he brings himself to the attention of his tutor, Micky Rosa, who also happens to run an after hours card counting class. When Ben is offered the opportunity to solve his financial crisis he accepts (after a little wrestle with his conscience) and the team, armed with fake I.D and a bag full of money, head to Vegas.

For me, '21' had all the ingredients for a great night out. It's bright, well scored and the story keeps it ticking along. With a run time of over 2 hours I never once felt the movie dragging. The only minor criticism I would have is I never felt as though the team were in much danger should they get caught. As much as I like Morpheus, I feel a Security team such as Ace and Nicky from Robert De Niro's Casino would have added to the excitement by giving a real sense of danger to the team should they be caught.

4/5

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Post #: 8

What a Bore - 12/4/2008 6:25:17 PM

Silly Lilly

Posts: 2
Joined: 12/4/2008

This is something that I would expect to see on TV. But at a theater?!! Outside of the lead actor, the acting was poor. Everyone told me this movie was good, now I'm concerned about them. I did like some of the shots though. But will not recommend this to anyone.

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Post #: 9

RE: What a Bore - 13/4/2008 3:07:14 PM

DJ Rob C: Mark II!

Posts: 34808
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Christmas town

Nothing too amazing, but good 'Oceans 11-lite' fun... Sturgess is a superb leading man and Spacey and Fishburne steal the scenes they have.... good fun if nothing special

3/5

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Post #: 10

RE: What a Bore - 13/4/2008 7:28:29 PM

Starscream

Posts: 5222
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Cats Lair

It was ok but that had to be expected from a film about card counting. The cast does a good job including the apparently "wooden" Bosworth (she wasn't). The main thing that didnt sit right with the movie was Jim Strugess who while a good actor is not convincing as a MIT nerd or a card player.

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Post #: 11

Lazy - 13/4/2008 7:53:32 PM

nathanhodge

Posts: 1
Joined: 26/1/2008

This movie is dull lazy film-making at it's worst. Cheesy story, wooden acting, blatantly obvious "twist" (used lightly). . . only good thing was the shots of Vegas. Don't bother!

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Post #: 12

RE: Lazy - 14/4/2008 9:08:55 AM

captain jack harknes

Posts: 1259
Joined: 21/2/2007
From: South Wales

Wasn't expecting a lot but ended up really enjoying this film, it was a bit of fun and at no point did it drag. At no point did I think that the lead wouldn't get into harvard med - it was obvious from the start that he'd use Vegas as his dazzling life experience. I really didn't see the twist at the end coming though - overall a good, enjoyable film.

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Post #: 13

21 - Good Will Counting - 14/4/2008 9:59:06 AM

moviemaniac2

Posts: 525
Joined: 17/9/2006

When the movie opens, Ben is the perfect student. He might be a bit wet, naive and needs to grow up, but that's okay - this is a movie and we know that he will turn into something else entirely over the next two hours. He will reach heady heights , then hit the lowly-lows before coming good in the end. That's all fine and well because this is a Hollywood movie; but it's the obvious way that 21 hits all those notes that's the most frustrating aspect of a film that could have been decent enough. Everything is signposted to such an extent that you'll think you're Nostradamus by predicting what happens next. Sturgess is fine in his first lead role, doing what's asked of him without going that extra mile. Spacey is the biggest disappointment, trying his level best to be the Spacey we all know and love. Fishburne suffers the same fate, waiting around until the plot comes his way - and if your two biggest stars are not firing on all cylinders, your film is in trouble.

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Post #: 14

RE: What a Bore - 18/4/2008 12:02:14 AM

ukacidman

Posts: 581
Joined: 4/10/2005
From: From beyond the the 7TH WAVE

I enjoyed it.. its good solid entertaiment. and visualy pleasing to the eye. It'sa movie which shows everything it is staight away, and dos'nt try to be anything differnt to what it is, the movie looks great and is fasted paced however the plot was a little thin if its a lacking in deth, and plot lacking, I give it a good 3 1/2 stars. The musical score if worth a star on it own,

go a see it, it wont win any awards, but its good viewing.

< Message edited by ukacidman -- 18/4/2008 12:05:56 AM >

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Post #: 15

RE: What a Bore - 19/4/2008 12:58:03 PM

Paul2j

Posts: 107
Joined: 30/9/2005

Really surprised at how much I enjoyed this, really good film as far as I'm concerned. Good story arc, good twists, and I thought Spacey was brilliant. The journey of the main character (Ben) throughout the film is logical, makes sense and does have you thinking about what you want to happen to him. Great stuff.

8/10

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Post #: 16

not awful, not great - 20/4/2008 3:01:50 AM

Stewie

Posts: 26
Joined: 20/12/2005

To be honest, i didnt like much about this at all. overly cliched, poorly acted (by everyone) but it passed an evening. I will probably never remember this movie again.

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Post #: 17

- 27/4/2008 12:27:15 PM

soulfood

Posts: 54
Joined: 6/10/2005

A CRACKING GOOD MOVIE.

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Post #: 18

21 - 10/5/2008 7:29:01 PM

IRON MAN

Posts: 53
Joined: 6/4/2008

it was alright but not fantastic.

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Post #: 19

- 6/6/2008 7:53:08 PM

TheGodfather

Posts: 5100
Joined: 21/10/2005
From: Sin City

Saw it in the sneak preview last night. My mini-review:

A student (Jim Sturgess), a maths genius, can`t start the study of his dreams at Harvard Med. because it`s too expensive. The invitation from his professor to join a club with his colleague students is very welcome. The club is specialised in counting cards during Blackjack games in Las Vegas. The best way to earn a lot of cast real fast so he can start his medical study...

Even though that the story is pretty predictable, the film is pretty decent, wich can be credited for the biggest part to the excellent performance from Kevin Spacey.
The camera work and the soundtrack are really slick, wich makes the film easily watchable.
The other roles are good as well. It doesn`t go too deep but that doesn`t matter here.
An enjoyable ride for as long as it lasts but you probably won`t remember it long after the credits are over.

7,0/10

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Post #: 20

Blackjack: It just isn't sexy. - 28/8/2008 1:05:28 PM

????

Posts: 7
Joined: 7/11/2007

Acting was average, Spacey was good.
Plot was predicdable and boring.

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Post #: 21

DULL!!! - 30/10/2008 9:54:53 AM

timbailey60

Posts: 33
Joined: 30/1/2006

Possibly the slowest, dullest film I have managed to sit through.

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Post #: 22

21 - 29/11/2008 3:39:48 PM

lynnshep

Posts: 428
Joined: 17/1/2007
From: USA

okay but not great. Spacey makes a great villian and it's nice to see him paired with Fishburne. Too long and with too many twists.

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Post #: 23

21 - 29/11/2008 3:39:49 PM

lynnshep

Posts: 428
Joined: 17/1/2007
From: USA

okay but not great. Spacey makes a great villian and it's nice to see him paired with Fishburne. Too long and with too many twists.

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Post #: 24

- 10/4/2009 2:45:24 AM

PureAinmhi

Posts: 94
Joined: 16/11/2008
From: Ireland

Wasn't too bad a film but it felt too dragged out in places. There was no need for the long and boring scenes in which the camera dwells too long on Sturgess and Co playing Blackjack.

Decent enough kind of twist in the end. Decent in parts but painfully long at times. Think Ocean's Eleven meets Rain Man..... except that both of those films are a lot better than this.

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Post #: 25

Entertaining But Overlong. - 30/6/2009 2:11:12 PM

joanna likes films

Posts: 987
Joined: 27/10/2007
From: Bexhill

I wanted to see this when it came out so I rented it out and watched it last night. The story is about a young collage man joins a group of others to become good blackjack players in Vegas, he enjoys the highs but feels the lows. Vegas has never looked so beautiful to go to, bright neon lights and the temptation is everywhere the camera goes. The cast are intresting, Kate Bosworth was okay as the love intrest, Laurance Fishburne was also good as the bad guy while I thought Jim Sturgess was the weakest one out of the cast and the scene stealer was Kevin Spacey. It's a entertaining film but it's far too overlong and there are scenes that drag on. It's not great or rubbish, just a film to see only the once.

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Post #: 26

Just gets the job done - 7/4/2010 12:27:07 PM

djphilips

Posts: 104
Joined: 26/12/2008
From: Malta

While not at all artistically significant, 21 does deliver in the entertainment department. Casual movie-goers will have great fun with the plot, while the inevitable romanve doesn't feel too forced.Those looking for a good night in will be satisfied, but definitely nothing to write home about.

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Post #: 27

- 6/3/2011 1:46:07 PM

lukejt02

Posts: 25
Joined: 4/3/2011

Good story, decent actors, well shot and enjoyable. What more do you want or need in a movie!!??
The guy who plays the lead is good and extremely likeable. Kevin Spacey is goof but slightly underused.
Not sure if I'd watch it again, maybe if it was on TV and nothing else on.

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Post #: 28