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 Diceteach |
Bringing Down the House - "21" The movie |
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Posts: 914 02/04/08 07:30 website creator | ||||
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FletchChristian |
Hollywood | #1 | ||
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Posts: 609 02/04/08 02:27 |
Those have to be the most attractive math wiz's I've ever seen!
I love the "trial by fire" scene. It's very similar to Jean Claude Van Dam's scene in the ever-so-cheesey "Blood Sport". You know, it's where the "guru" puts his student(s) through all sorts of silly training to prepare them for the ultimate challenge later on. "The Karate Kid" has the most famous of these cliche'd scenes. Everyone, all together now... "Wax On/Wax Off!" See, you get my point. This scene is depicted to aid in the narrative. It prepares the audience for what is about to happen. It "hooks" the audience into rooting for the protagonist/hero as it builds towards the conflict/resolution payoff. It simply builds up our emotions and gets us to care about the story that is unfolding. It's also a load of crap. Just like real MMA fighters look at full contact/fighting movies as being corny and complete B.S., we too "should" look at casino type shows and movies the same way. Unfortunately, we do not. As this very site shows, WE, the casino employees that "should know better", are just as gullable to such fairytales as the "Fleas" that we deal to. I chalk it up to the allure of gambling. The act of gambling is such a powerful, mind altering experience that it obscures reality to those who partake in it. Why we haven't RIPPED the "Breaking Vegas" show to shreds is beyond me. (The dice control espisode should make my point for me.) I think WE have avoided that show on this site for a reason. This movie is no different, and the hundreds of casino books out there are no different either. Just like all of the mopes who keep track of the shoes in BAC, I think "deep down" they know that there is no pattern to discover. But they "trick" themselves into believing that there is a "magical formula" right around the corner and if they're persistent enough... it'll pay off. By doing so it, justifies their selfish gambling habit. I think that WE in the business also fall prey to this line of thinking. |
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Diceteach |
Re: Hollywood | #2 | ||
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Posts: 914 02/04/08 04:13 website creator |
Quote: No doubt about that. The funniest thing about this movie will be seeing so many people I know cast as extras. ....lol...including, oh never mind......lol...Hollywood! Gotta love it. Quote: The funny thing about all this is that it will bring people to Vegas. I enjoyed watching "Breaking Vegas" I suspect that the movie "21" will be a hit. The book "Bringing Down the House" was a good read even knowing it was semi fictional. It's all good for Vegas. Related links: Interview with "MIT Mike" A Strategy Up Their Sleeves" The New York Times, December 30, 2007 "From Casinos to Counterterrorism" The Washington Post The MIT Team's $500,000 Weekend" Midwest Gaming and Travel Card Counters Talk to Casino Execs at Global Gaming Expo -KLAS Channel 8 MIT's Breaking Vegas - YOU TUBE links Breaking Vegas - Wikipedia links Quote: "We were all untrained actors but we made the best of it and had fun doing it." Thats my point. It's all about fun. |
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Vegas Born |
Re: Bringing Down the House - "21" The movie | #3 | ||
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Posts: 256 02/05/08 12:17 |
Having read the book, it looks like they did a good job with the movie. Made it appealing to all, and modern. There are a few high quality stars as well. I'd be surprised if this wasn't a big success. I just hope they actually hired some casino people to consult, so there wont be horrible mistakes that make people in our business cringe(We all know the story is going to be far fetched).
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takethedonts |
Re: Bringing Down the House - "21" The movie | #4 | ||
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Posts: 26 02/05/08 06:38 |
Every profession is protrayed as much more glamorous than it is- cops, lawyers, cowboys. Doctors think the show "ER" is silly, but I'm not in medicine so I enjoy it when I watch it.
In craps, there's a saying that dealers use a lot when people cup both hands around the dice and shake them (something that you're not supposed to do), "It's not like in the movies". |
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scoobydoo90 |
Re: Bringing Down the House - "21" The movie | #5 | ||
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Posts: 71 02/05/08 12:08 |
You're so right. Remember when the show LA Law caused an increase in applications to law schools? Anyway, my personal favorite Las Vegas movie is "Casino". Love that 70's vibe!
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FletchChristian |
Hollywood Part 2 (Fletcher's Revenge) | #6 | ||
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Posts: 609 02/05/08 01:01 |
So everybody is fine with the old saying, "Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story."?
I'm not when it comes to telling biographical stories. I do not know why we (the paying public) allow Hollywood to do such a piss-poor job when it comes to telling us a story. This level of poor performance is totally UNACCEPTABLE anywhere else in life! Think about it, if YOU did your job as bad as the average Hollywood movie does while telling it's story... you'd be fire'd before your 90 days probation was up. Gaps in logic during a film slap me in the face and wake me up out of my "suspension of disbelief" sleep. (Did that make any sense?) I mean, it RUINS the film experience for me. I believe that there are far more compelling stories out there if you stay true to the "human element" and deal with real emotions that every audience member can relate to. I'm 100% positive that the MIT story would be a better movie if they stayed within the realms of reality. There are great movies made every year, so I know it CAN be done. I find it odd that we allow so many bad ones to come out and be so financially succesful. Again, I mainly feel this way when it concerns a bio-pic. All of the other genres can be left out of the conversation. I read about the author on wikipedia and it seems all 6 of his books deal with a similar theme... David versus Goliath. "David" represents the individual, and "Goliath" represents the corporation/casino. I think that we do not see ANY realism when it comes down to casino movies is because of the BAC scenario I described earlier. Gambling is a very selfish act that adds (almost) nothing in a positive manner to society. We know this, but we don't like to talk about it because it's socially awkward and uncomfortable. But hey! Wouldn't it be "cool" if David could beat Goliath?!? 
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samiamiam |
Re: Hollywood Part 2 (Fletcher's Revenge) | #7 | ||
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Posts: 939 02/06/08 10:29 Soon to be former moderator |
Quote: There are documentaries on the discovery channel that put this story in perspective. Movies on the other hand must add fiction as did the book the movie is based upon. I agree that casino movies are funny in some respect. My favorite is "Casino" based on Frank Rosenthal and the Stardust Hotel Casino in the 70's. Tons of fiction in that one too that he admits on his website. What will be funny is that if you are working the floor in any casino, get ready for some advantage play seminars...lol...We just had one and the topic of this movie was part of the conversation. Quote: Ya think so? |
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samiamiam |
Re: Hollywood Part 2 (Fletcher's Revenge) | #8 | ||
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Posts: 939 02/06/08 11:28 Soon to be former moderator |
Quote: It's all BS I agree. But do these "Discovery, Travel Channel" type casino (Vegas) shows, movies and countless books and websites for players bring us business? UCLA Professor Edward Oakley Thorp and all those who follow did (do) more for Vegas and gambling than marketing can do alone and this movie is no exception. If this movie is any good at all, regardless of distorting fact and fiction, the casino industry will explode. Especially during these hard economic times we are experiencing right now. |
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JaneDoe |
Re: Hollywood Part 2 (Fletcher's Revenge) | #9 | ||
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Posts: 11 02/29/08 04:18 |
I'll be honest with you. I haven't looked forward to seeing a movie like this since Casino. I have read the book. It was good. I hope the movie will be as good or better than Casino. I too think we will see many wannabe card counters if this movie is as good or near as advertised. It's all good. It will be good for business.
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Vegas Born |
4/10 | #10 | ||
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Posts: 256 03/28/08 01:55 |
I give it a 4/10.
I just saw the midnight showing of this. I have to say it was really boring at times. They changed the story way too much as well. Only Hollywood can take a story about back counting cards, and make it more boring. I wont discuss any more details, don't want to ruin anything. |
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