I recently invested in a top of the range Blu-ray player to go with my 52-inch HD TV, thereby almost completing my dream entertainment room at the palace – now all I need is to get the new surround sound system and blackout shutter blinds installed and we are away. Fantastic.
My love of movies is something I’ve indulged only briefly before on this blog and so I thought I’d bring in a new feature: the Blackjack Film Club (on the subject of film – what are we thinking about Claudia Winkleman’s appointment on Film 2010? I’m not entirely convinced).
One of the first Blu-rays I got was The Hangover, which is one of my favourite films from 2009. It’s got a fantastic blackjack scene, in which the main characters, led by oddball Alan, attempt to win $80,000 by card-counting.
As is correctly pointed out in the film, the process of card-counting is not illegal – but it is frowned upon. Sure enough, the blaggers are rumbled and they have to make quick their exit (aided by some great comic prat falling by Heather Graham) from the casino.
Of course, on the occasions when I’ve followed the deck more closely than a Scud missile follows its target, I’ve always been very careful not to make it obvious. Card-counting is a delicate art, requiring nerves of steel, the memory of an elephant and a face of granite. I’ve racked up some big wins over the years, although I don’t count anymore – I much prefer the thrill of playing a game of chance.
Me being me, I win more often than not anyway – guess I’m just a lucky guy. Let’s sit back and enjoy the blackjack scene from The Hangover.
Very Rain Man-esque. Incidentally, the music playing is The Joker & The Thief by Australian band Wolfmother. Great track to get the blood pumping before hitting the tables.
I’ll be back soon with more posts and film club recommendations. Until next time movie fans!
