21

This actually was a movie I didn't think I'd enjoy and I hadn't planned to watch. Son, however, convinced me to take a look at it, saying it really was quite interesting. Well, he was right. I was fascinated from the get-go by 21. See, math is one of those things you can count on, no pun intended. I mean, math always works and that's exactly what this team of extremely bright MIT students understood, along with their professor.

Based on a true story, an MIT professor recruits a number of especially brilliant students to take on the casinos and win money through card counting. Using his method, which was tried and true, these students took Las Vegas for millions of dollars. At the same time, they risked being beaten up by casino security because it's always very suspicious when one person sits and wins thousands of dollars, night after night.

These young people could have their choice of occupations, from futures broker to surgeon to engineer. But to go to MIT is expensive and gambling was one way to pay for their education along with some very nice amenities.

This 2008 movie is rated PG-13 for some violence (re: security guards not liking big winners) and sex.