Barf.

[Spuddy]

I agree with you......

Well... we'll see at least

[Invigilator]

I am betting on a mixed review from poker players on this one. Having seen some trailers and early "reviews" for lack of a better word, and there is definitely going to be some "groaners" in terms of dialogue.

I like that the poker community was so involved in the production (Doyle and so on), but this is going to flavoured for the general public, who may or may not know anything about the game.

Given that, it should be pretty darned entertaining for a variety reasons.

I am making the wife go with me to see it.

We will definitely have to do a poll once it comes out (I can picture it being reviewed by the "Men On Film" guys from the show In Living Colour

[MAYHEM45]

As long as you dont go on opening nite. Spiderman 3 FTW!

[Invigilator]

I tend to hate opnening nights of any movie. Big ticket shows are packed and it takes away from my enjoyment a little bit. Granted, I made an exception to that rule for the last 3 Star Wars movies.

[Ando05]

lets just hope its a good movie.

[PShabi]

I haven't been to the movies in 14 months.

[Talking Poker]

And to think, I was actually starting to like you. Pffft.

[Invigilator]

lol. Yeah, I figured I was openning myself up for something with the Star Wars comment. I can't deny it, I am a product of my upbringing.

[2Tone]

Reg required. Interesting comments from director Curtis Hanson.


“Part of the reason for wanting to make the movie was that the poker world was different, interesting, and we had an affinity for it,” said Mr. Hanson, who still plays regularly in casual contests with money at stake, while Ms. Fenelon competes in tournaments.

“But the other part of it was the emotional thing. The skills at the table — and in the movie business — are different from the qualities that you want running your personal life. That single-mindedness, the aggression, the duplicity or bluffing or whatever you want to call it, the lack of sympathy — as Billy says,” a reference to Ms. Barrymore’s character, “you can’t be concerned with whether your opponent can afford to lose or not. That was the real attraction, to deal with that, and explore people whose business means being in that situation all the time. How does that impact their private life?”

[Invigilator]

Mrs. Invigilator reminded me that we were first in line on opening night of Wayne's World back in the early 90's.

We are due for a date, so I will be adding Lucky You to my short list of opening night films tomorrow night. When we get home, I will post a review.

[Invigilator]

I promise I won't give away the important bits...

The Good.

For someone who has never been to Vegas, the onsite shots were beautiful. I seem to recall reading that the Bellagio and Horshoe scenes were carefully constructed soundstages, but I have no point of reference.

There are scenes that involve other games too. I recall seeing Omaha and Stud/8.

Seeing all the pros.

The little homage to 2003 when the main character says for Farha, "You out?" and Sammy mentions that the villian in question was playing in his first live tournament.

The portrayal of the compulsive elements of Vegas gambling is good. Sometimes it was funny, sometimes it upset my stomach.

Mike the Mouth has no lines. Most of the pros did not speak. they did a great job just being themselves (Except Jennifer Harman, who plays a different character in a sattelite

The guy with the boobs

The acting: B-

The Bad

I really expected a lot more poker cliche's in the casual conversation. That being said they flow like milk and honey when the scene is set around a poker table. Eejit's recent post about chatting at the table has nothing on some of the discussion that go on in the film. There are enough dialogue "groaners" to make it a great DVD to play drinking games with at a party.

The love story is pretty weak too.

Sammy Farha wearing eyeliner.

----------------------------------------------------------
General Star Sightings. (that I can recognize)

Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Ted Forrest, Mike Matusow, Chris Ferguson, Daniel Negraneau, Barry Greenstein, Cyndi Violette, E-Dog, Eric Seidel, Minh Ly
----------------------------------------------------------

Overall opinion: I enjoyed it for what it was, a little romantic melodrama that was set against the backdrop of a game I enjoy. If you just want to go see it for the poker, then my advice is this. Take that money, use it for a tournament buy-in and when it comes out on DVD rent it as side activity for a poker party with your buddies.

If you think Drew Barrymore is hot, go see it.
If your wife think Eric Bana is hot, take her to go see it.
If you think Doyle Brunson is hot, get help.

[Ando05]

i was expecting it to be some kind of an average movie like you described anyway