21

Mom and I decided to see 21 this weekend. We had seen the previews and it looked like a fun movie.

Ben Campbell is attending MIT and has been accepted to Harvard Medical School. Unless granted a scholarship he learns that it will cost him $300,000 for tuition, room, and board and sees no possible way of paying the bill.

While studying one night, he is approached by Jason Fisher who invites him into the secret world of Professor Micky Rosa's (Kevin Spacey) card-counting club. With an elaborate system of formulas, buzzwords, and signals, Rosa and his students have been hitting Las Vegas on weekends and winning big. They now want Ben to join their clandestine cabal.

Ben's goal is simple and his motives pure: study the tricks of the trade and work hard enough to generate $300,000, enough to cover tuition and living expenses on the way to becoming Dr. Campbell, then get out.

His best-laid plans begin to sour when a daily diet of vectors and formulas segues into high-roller suites, fantasy clubs and the irresistible lure of teammate Jill Taylor.

There were some unbelievable things throughout the movie, but we enjoyed it.

We were entertained!

Atonement

As you know, mom and I haven't been to the movies in two full weeks but we got back on track today and what a good day for the movies it was too - cold, rainy and wet, perfect conditions for sitting in a warm theater and forgetting about the weather outside.

We chose to see Atonement and we were not disappointed in our choice. This was a brilliant movie based on the 2001 novel by Ian McEwan. It begins on a light and airy note and descends into an abyss of tragedy and loss. The film, as the book, is divided into two principal sections with a short epilogue.

That story opens in 1935 in a vast British country estate where Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), a servant's son with a bright future ahead of him, is in love with Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley), the beautiful daughter of the lord of the manor. Cecilia returns his affections, but their love is a secret.

13-year old Briony (Saoirse Ronan, later played by Romola Garai) is watching this developing relationship and when she catches them in a compromising position, on the same night a shocking sex crime occurs on the manor, she gives wrongful evidence that forever alters three lives, including her own.

It skillfully pulls itself together in the end and packs an emotional punch that justifies the movie's title and concept. It will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.

This was an excellent movie! I would not be at all surprised if it were nominated for Best Picture.

Martian Child

Mom and I have been looking forward to seeing this weeks movie feature for a LONG TIME!!! As you know, we go to the movies almost every weekend, which means we get to see lots of previews and they have been showing the previews for Martian Child for several months now, but they always said "Coming Soon", never giving us a date. Well, it is FINALLY out in theaters and we couldn't wait to go see it!

This was a feel good movie about a widower (John Cusak) who is still grieving from the loss of his wife, two years earlier, and a troubled boy (Bobby Coleman) who thinks he's from Mars and is in desperate need of unconditional love. I thought the acting in this one was phenomenal; John Cusak gives and outstanding performance and a grieving husband, you can actually feel his pain.
Why is it when critics give a movie a poor rating we usually love it?? Most reviews I have heard/read for this movie have been mediocre, but mom and I both really enjoyed this one!