money

• 21 directed by Robert Luketic (2008)

  [5/10]

  "The camera and the film editor do more work than the actors. We see hundreds of close up shots of casino chips, winning blackjack hands, and brief shots of the actors' faces smiling in flushed glee. The film relies on the rush of emotions viewers will feel in response to the large sums of money and not the acting."

• American Gangster directed by Ridley Scott (2007)

  [6/10]

  "From the trailers, I expected to see scene after scene of gore and violence, but I was pleasantly surprised at the intellectual comparison of these 'real life' characters from our recent past."

  Average score: 5.50