Gambling movie does well at box office

**jetset** · 2nd April 2008, 11:19 AM

GAMBLING MOVIE TOPS THE POPS

"21" dominates North American box office returns in its opening weekend

The fascination and excitement of gambling was reflected this week in the outstanding North American box office returns from the newly released movie "21," which recorded $23.7 million in ticket sales in its opening weekend.

The movie tells the true story of a group of MIT math geniuses played by Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth and Jim Sturgess who develop a card counting system for blackjack and then take their game to the tables in Las Vegas.

Sony says the initial audience demographics for the film was split almost evenly between men and women and those older and younger than 25.

"One of the coolest things is it really did play to everyone. It got male, female, young, old," Rory Bruer, Sony's head of distribution, told CNBC.

"21" dethroned Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who, which had held the top spot at the box office for two weeks.

**RobWin** · 2nd April 2008, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by jetset

GAMBLING MOVIE TOPS THE POPS

"21" dominates North American box office returns in its opening weekend

The fascination and excitement of gambling was reflected this week in the outstanding North American box office returns from the newly released movie "21," which recorded $23.7 million in ticket sales in its opening weekend.

The movie tells the true story of a group of MIT math geniuses played by Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth and Jim Sturgess who develop a card counting system for blackjack and then take their game to the tables in Las Vegas.

Sony says the initial audience demographics for the film was split almost evenly between men and women and those older and younger than 25.

"One of the coolest things is it really did play to everyone. It got male, female, young, old," Rory Bruer, Sony's head of distribution, told CNBC.

"21" dethroned Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who, which had held the top spot at the box office for two weeks.

That right there just really goes to show just how bad Hollywood has been failing the movie goers over the last couple of years by not really having the big box office hits as they have in the past and a "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who" is the type of movie that is maintaining box office draws...

**Simmo!** · 2nd April 2008, 12:06 PM

Can't wait to see this. I read the book "Bringing Down The House" last year and it was a class read. Hope the film does it justice.

**Zoozie** · 2nd April 2008, 12:09 PM

I am also looking forward to this one. However my two favorite movie critics was not impressed.

James Berardinelli's
Wizard of Odds

**RobWin** · 2nd April 2008, 12:13 PM

HERE is a cool article about "THE INSIDE STORY OF THE MIT BLACKJACK TEAM'S CONQUEST OF THE CASINOS".

**AudiManinBoro** · 2nd April 2008, 07:52 PM

Interesting. ll keep an eye out for that movie when its released on rental

**Jufo** · 2nd April 2008, 08:05 PM

I have heard that this new movie is very similar to a movie "Last Casino", a film that was made in 2004. I watched Last Casino a couple of days ago and it was a rather good movie. There is also 1 hrs 30 min documentary about this MIT blackjack team with the persons involved being actually interviewed. I recommend watching both titles.

Both titles are on Youtube:

Breaking Vegas Documentary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2XjtyGEB2w

Last Casino (2004)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtgWUbcf_0E

**winbig** · 2nd April 2008, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by Jufo

I have heard that this new movie is very similar to a movie "Last Casino", a film that was made in 2004. I watched Last Casino a couple of days ago and it was a rather good movie. There is also 1 hrs 30 min documentary about this MIT blackjack team with the persons involved being actually interviewed. I recommend watching both titles.

Both titles are on Youtube:

Breaking Vegas Documentary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2XjtyGEB2w

Last Casino (2004)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtgWUbcf_0E

If "Last Casino" was similar, then they definitely took the idea from the MIT team

**Richtree7** · 2nd April 2008, 10:22 PM

Listened to it (the book) in my car as I was at work last year. I thought it was good.

**joeypbg** · 2nd April 2008, 10:55 PM

Read the book too. Can't wait to check out the movie. Shows that the house can be beat. However once the house finds out the system really works then as the book shows the house goes after you. I have been using a betting strategy at baccarat . it takes a lot of discipline but it can consistently beat the casino.

By the way one of the students from MIT is still teaching the system. For the right price of course.