The Grand (2007)

Memorable, crazy movie

For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

A different way of telling a story

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

Although this movie is no "Rounders" it does give a pretty good view of poker. The characters are interesting and the poker is pretty precise. There might have been some more about poker and less silly jokes. A few scenes could have been cut out of the movie. Really, I found the poker very interesting but didn't find the characters that impressive. Anyway, it's nice to see a movie that one can learn something about poker with. I really don't have too much to say about this movie other than that the poker was pretty good in this movie. The movie is from 2006. A lot has happened since then and it sums up poker until 2006 pretty good. I didn't find it funny or anything and I watched it because of the poker, and it really is worth watching if you want to learn about poker. Pretty good movie actually.

I can see where this movie would polarize people.I think people will like this the most who - a) Have a dry sense of humor b) Like "quirky" movies c) Have played and more importantly, watched enough poker on TV to recognize some of the people being parodiedIf you have only (a) and (b) going for you, you will perhaps find some scene funny, but not as funny as you would if you meet (c)For example here's some things to look for - * Gabe Kaplan is a REAL poker player, so it's nice to see him in a poker movie * Larry is somewhat of a composite guy, but definitely seems to be parodying Phil Helmuth (one of his quotes is lifted from an infamous Helmuth quote) * Larry and Laney (sp?) are bother and sister, with the sister usually coming out on top - there's two famous players who are brother and sister, and Annie the sister beat her brother Howard in a number of big events(Just to name a few references)Anyway, at times the dialog is awkward. But if you give it a chance, and can laugh at some of the awkward moments, you may enjoy it.Props to Parnell, Kaplan, Harreson, the female who played Laney (sp?), Phil Gordon and the person who played the "amateur" from Wisconsin for some pretty funny performances.

There are so many nuggets of gold in this flick that every time I watch it I take away something new. Because I'm an avid poker player I catch a great many of the inside jokes and much of the subtext that those who don't play are bound to miss; including the fact that several well known players are not so subtly, or gently, parodied in this film. So, I'm quite sure that to really get the most from this movie requires a good bit of poker familiarity. However, even for those out of the know it's a great watch if for no other reason than its reliance on improve...what a great call that was on Zak Penn's part.As for the actors, everyone did a good job but kudos Must go out to Chris Parnell, Werner Herzog and Gabe Kaplan. Parnell is flat out brilliant in this, stealing every scene and as another reviewer mentioned you truly are left wanting more and more. And Kaplan and Herzog, so good, these men have great chops and are a pleasure to watch, as always.If you're looking for something a little different (which I always am) then this film is not to be missed.

Great cast Chris Parnell, David Cross, Jason Alexander, Werner Herzog, Cheryl Hines(of Curb Your Enthusiasm), among others all in an improv comedy about the world of poker. All actors are at the top of their game here, but by the end of the movie almost everything has gone flat. The final game in the movie was apparently a real game where the character who won, won the movie, which though novel and interesting in theory, makes the actors in their final scene all but abandon the characters they'd been developing and try to really play (with a minimum of interaction), which unless your interested in poker isn't very fun to watch. The first half of the film where we are introduced to the characters is all funny enough, but there's no follow through here. If you like Christopher Guest movies, and improv comedy, or else love poker, this is for you.