21 - movie review

Drawing a blank: Basic intelligence missing from '21'

By Jeff Bayer | Contributing Film Critic

"21" is a film about six MIT students learning how to count cards and then take down Vegas for millions at blackjack. The one thing you need for that is massive intelligence, yet that is the characteristic most absent from this film.

It's based on the true story and book "Bringing Down the House" and goes beyond the old standby that says the book is always better than the film. Changes were made, the least of which was making the main character white instead of Asian. Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) is an MIT student struggling for money. He needs $300,000 for medical school, yet never once considers a student loan. He's also never heard of blackjack, which almost makes less sense.

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Sean Faris - Never Back Down - interview

CELEBTV.COM CHATS WITH SEAN FARIS

March 17, 2008

Sean Faris, star of the new mixed martial arts (MMA) flick Never Back Down might be a new face in Hollywood, but the 25-year-old got a jump on acting when he was just a kid.

The Cleveland native, who bears a striking resemblance to Tom Cruise, used to tell people the Top Gun star was his dad.

But these days, Faris is making a name for himself.

CelebTV.com talked with Faris about the Hollywood scene, Karate Kid and whipping himself into shape for his new film.

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Never Back Down - movie review

'Never Back Down' fights for a little respect

By Jeff Bayer | Daily Herald Correspondent

You don't sit down to a Britney Spears' concert to hear great opera. That has to be the mind-set when you walk into the theater for "Never Back Down," a story of an angry kid finding mixed martial arts and trying to turn his life around.

First of all, I'm a fan of "Karate Kid," all of the "Rocky" flicks (except No. 5), "Diggstown" and even "Gladiator" (not the Oscar winner). That said, I still wasn't expecting much of "Never Back Down."

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Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day - movie review

Comic timing everything for McDormand, Adams in funny 'Miss Pettigrew'

By Jeff Bayer | Contributing Film Critic

Disheveled and worn down, Miss Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) goes from bad to worse.

Before the opening credits of "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" are finished, she gets fired from her job as a nanny, loses all of her possessions and can't find a bite to eat.

Set in 1939 London, just as World War II is about to break out, Miss Pettigrew must try and make a go of it. What follows is an infectious comedy that becomes a wonderful drama.

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The Bank Job - movie review

'Bank Job' can't balance tense action with fun caper

By Jeff Bayer | Contributing Film Critic

Inspired by the true story of a 1971 London bank heist that goes terribly wrong, "The Bank Job" has it all: corruption, sex scandals, political intrigue, murder.

Despite all of those wonderfully evil things, the film never takes off.

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The 6th Annual Scorecard Movie Awards - THE WINNERS

CLICK HERE to view the complete results of
The 6th Annual Scorecard Movie Awards

And here is the list of winners...

Funniest - Juno 7.80
Scariest - No Country for Old Men 8
Saddest - Away From Her 7.78
Best Blockbuster - The Bourne Ultimatum 8.2
Best Music - Once 8.87
Most Disappointing - Spider-Man 3 6.2
Best Action Hero/Villian/Superhuman - Anton Chigurh - No Country for Old Men 9.31
Best Ending - Michael Clayton 8.13
Best Documentary - No End in Sight 7.8
Best Animated - Persepolis 8.71
Best Visuals: Special Effects - 300 8.36
Best Visuals: Non-Special Effects - There Will Be Blood 8.84
Best Screenplay: Adapted - No Country for Old Men 8.73
Best Screenplay: Original - Juno 8.72
Best Supporting Actress - Cate Blanchett - I'm Not There 8.69
Best Supporting Actor - Javier Bardem (-) No Country for Old Men 9.39
Best Actress - Marion Cotillard (-) La Vie en Rose 9
Best Actor - Daniel Day-Lewis (-) There Will Be Blood 9.27
Best Acting - Entire Cast - No Country for Old Men 9.14
Best Film of 2007 - No Country for Old Men 9

Best Cameo - (Tie) Keith Richards - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End & Ryan Seacrest - Knocked Up

Quote of the Year - What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss? - Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men

Actress of the Year - Jennifer Garner (-) The Kingdom, Juno
Actor of the Year - Michael Cera (-) Superbad, Juno

Hall of Fame Actresses - Cate Blanchett & Susan Sarandon
Hall of Fame Actors - Daniel Day Lewis & Denzel Washington
Hall of Fame Films - Casablanca & Silence of the Lambs & Braveheart (Silence and Braveheart tie)

Charlie Bartlett - movie review

"Charlie Bartlett" not deep enough

By Jeff Bayer | Contributing Film Critic

In the first few minutes of the film, I want to pull Charlie aside and have a heart to heart. I want to explain to him he doesn't have to try so hard, and being popular really shouldn't be that important. But then we wouldn't have a movie now would we?

"Charlie Bartlett" is an earnest attempt to tackle the glaring problem of over-medicating today's kids. Unfortunately, a genuine debate is never created, and our lead character isn't really that charming.

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The 6th Annual Scorecard Movie Awards

It's that time again...

It's the 6th Annual Scorecard Movie Awards
(formerly The j Awards)
From Jeff Bayer, film critic with the Daily Herald

The Academy Awards just don't cut it. Every year I watch, and every year I think they get something wrong.
Not only that, why can't there be more than five nominations, categories that fans care about (no offense "Best Achievement in Sound Editing), and who got second place?

Instead of sitting still -- I created the Scorecard Movie Awards.

Categories range from the typical (Best Overall Cast, Best Actor, Best Film) to the atypical (Best Ending, Best Quote, Funniest).

If you have seen two movies or 200, it doesn't matter. You only vote for the films you have seen.

There are 27 questions including the Hall of Fame.

Most categories, you will vote from 1-10, with 10 being the highest. You are scoring each individual nomination, not ranking them. So you can have multiple 7s, 8s, 10s, it doesn't matter. And your favorite nomination doesn't have to receive a 10.

Enjoy.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!