Hollywood Loves Vegas

Is it just me or are there a lot of movies set in Las Vegas being released this year? It could be I’m just noticing this because of my recent move here. Kind of like when you buy a new car, then all of a sudden it seems like everywhere you turn everyone has the same car.

I realize, over the years, that there are scores of movies that have been shot here. Some really great movies in fact: “Casino” with Sharon Stone, “Independence Day” starring Will Smith, “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” from creator Mike Myers and, of course, “Leaving Las Vegas” featuring Nicholas Cage and Elizabeth Shue. There have also been some not-so-great movies filmed here as well. The film “My Giant” with Billy Crystal seems to come to mind.

Anyhoo, this year’s batch of Vegas made films seem to be pretty hit or miss. “21″ starring Kevin Spacey and Jim Sturgess is based on a group of kids from MIT who try to “beat the house.” It’s based on a true story, but the author of the book “Bring Down the House” Ben Mezrich says that he has seen the movie and it’s very loosely based on his story. The characters are all kind of meshed together; in other words, no one is who they are in real life. Then again, the same has been said of his book. The critics have given it (the movie) mixed reviews.

Coming soon, “What Happens in Vegas” starring Camron Diaz and the uber sexy Ashton Kutcher seems to be your average chick-flick comedy. Two strangers get drunk, get married then regret it the morning after. Then, as luck would have it, they win a big jackpot at one of the casinos and have to try to share it amicably. Of course, they can’t, so there lays the major conflict. From the previews, I can’t tell if it’s worth my time; it looks funnier on the trailer from the official Web site then the one that’s aired on TV. Then again, those could be all the funny scenes. Ashton is a Hottie McHotkins, so I guess it really won’t matter; I will see it for that reason alone. However, not being big on actually going to the movie theater, I will most likely wait until it comes out on DVD. If you do go, I would love to hear your opinion. It might change mine–on going to see the film, not on Ashton’s sexiness.

See you on Thursday.

Erika Washington is a freelance writer/blogger currently residing in fabulous Las Vegas with her husband and three children.

(photo credit: pbo31)

April 8th, 2009 by admin | Posted in Entertainment News | (0)