21 [gambling movie]

[Megaton]

Anyone else interested in this movie?

It stars Jim Sturgess (from 'Across the Universe') with Kevin Spacey, Laurence Fishburne, and the lovely Kate Bosworth; it's about a group of MIT students who, led by one of their professors, learn to card count and go to Las Vegas to play blackjack and earn some huge winnings.

I'm pretty much a sucker for most Vegas and gambling films, and this ones looks pretty intense with a great cast. I want to card count too.

 

[Rystil Arden]

I saw a preview for this movie that upset me. The main character was supposed to be a genius, and so in a voice-over, he mentioned having a 4.0 at MIT. A 4.0? That's a straight 'B' average. Some genius he is! It's the next big annoyance since Fantastic 4 when MIT grads Mr. Fantastic and Dr. Doom rattle on about some course called "Chemistry 101".

I'd probably just stick with the book. But then, I'm probably more bothered than most by this (actually, I can forgive Fantastic 4 because it was a superhero movie, but this 21 is supposed to be based on the true story of the MIT Blackjack game--they should get their facts straight).

 

[Megaton]

That's an interesting point. The thing is that Ben Mezrich, the author of Bringing Down the House which I imagine is the book you're referencing, is involved in this movie. Maybe they used 4.0 because that was familiar to the average movie-goer, and anything else would have made them go 'whaa?' I don't really think it's a big deal, and I'm glad Mezrich is involved because I loved the book.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

I saw a preview for this movie that upset me. The main character was supposed to be a genius, and so in a voice-over, he mentioned having a 4.0 at MIT. A 4.0? That's a straight 'B' average.

...is the grading system at MIT different?

Back in my day (in high school and college), a 4.0 was an A average. 3.0 was B, and so on.

I am wondering how his education was going to cost $300k in the mid-late 80s...

Brad

 

[Rystil Arden]

...is the grading system at MIT different?

Back in my day (in high school and college), a 4.0 was an A average. 3.0 was B, and so on.

I am wondering how his education was going to cost $300k in the mid-late 80s...

Brad

MIT is on a 5 point scale. Yes, that's different than usual, but if you want to set something 'based on a true story' at MIT, you should make the details right (IMO).

 

[shilsen]

MIT is on a 5 point scale. Yes, that's different than usual, but if you want to set something 'based on a true story' at MIT, you should make the details right (IMO).

Bah, humbug! Factual accuracy is overrated and unnecessary unless you're making a documentary. If it was good enough for Shakespeare to make someone sail to Bohemia (a landlocked country), it's good enough for me.

 

[Relique du Madde]

I am wondering how his education was going to cost $300k in the mid-late 80s...

Brad

Easy: He spent $250k on Blow, the rest on school and misc. expenses (including food, beer, whores, automotive expenses, pr0n, music, nintendo, and housing).

 

[ssampier]

Could be interesting. I rather enjoyed the short-lived series "Breaking Vegas" on History Channel. I have doubts "21" will be a blockbuster, but could be worth a rental.

Most Hollywood movies don't get Blackjack. I'm hardly an expert, but the goal is not to get to close as 21 as possible. The goal is to beat the dealer, either by count or the dealer busting.

MIT is on a 5 point scale. Yes, that's different than usual, but if you want to set something 'based on a true story' at MIT, you should make the details right (IMO).

I understand some high schools do this as well. The AP classes are on a weighted average with 5.0 being an A and so on.

 

[Agamon]

That's an interesting point. The thing is that Ben Mezrich, the author of Bringing Down the House which I imagine is the book you're referencing, is involved in this movie. Maybe they used 4.0 because that was familiar to the average movie-goer, and anything else would have made them go 'whaa?' I don't really think it's a big deal, and I'm glad Mezrich is involved because I loved the book.

Me, too. That book was great, looking forward to the movie!

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

MIT is on a 5 point scale. Yes, that's different than usual, but if you want to set something 'based on a true story' at MIT, you should make the details right (IMO).

Well, 4.0 conveys to the average pleb that it's all As. An alternative would be to say "All As", though that's not as good. I suppose he could've put in an aside about "Hey, at MIT, we're so smart we go up to 5", and there would likely be a decent way of putting that in without backhandedly insulting the audience.

Brad