21 vs Leatherheads

I've seen 21 before in its former life as a made-for-TV-movie and I must say I enjoyed it more then. It's not a bad film, it just fails to be as slick as it wishes it is. Also I think I would have prefared it to be called Pontoon - for old times sake. Based on a true story MIT Prof (Kevin Spacey) teaches his brightest students the art of card counting in order to beat Vegas's casinos out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. It ticks along nicely and then goes a bit bonkers at the end - but that's Hollywood. (5.051)

Leatherheads directed and staring George Clooney (writes the theme tune, sings the theme tune) is good clean fun for all the familly. It's not going to win any awards but hey it reminds you of Sunday afternoons with Rock Hudson and Doris Day. Clooney yet again prooves he is the only Hollywood "Star" out there and his female equivalent Renee Zellweger delivers her usual entertaining performance. Leatherheads leads us through the story of how American Football became professional in a rom-com of a shmaltzy waltzy way 2-3-4. It's a by the numbers comedy that delivers, I think, what it sets out to do. It makes us smile and it reminds us of those innocent late 50s early 60s movies like Pillow Talk. It's a nostalgic trip and hit of guiltless and harmless pleasure for pleasure's sake. (5.54)

Welcome back sports fans it's Fourth and Ten and up steps .... and the winner is Leatherheads.