Movie #1366 ........................."Starter for 10"

Movie #1366 "Starter for 10" has a title which refers to a university academic challenge quiz that is televised in the U.K., and it's the goal of James McAvoy's character since he was a little kid watching the show with his dad to be on it.  And since his dad's death, he's wanted to be on it to still make his dad proud.  So he goes to school with a huge passion for knowledge, leaving his nonacademic home friends (James Cordon and Dominic Cooper) behind.  Once at college, he meets a lot of what you'd expect to find at a university (drinkers, nerds, oddballs, jocks, etc.)  but thinks he finds his niche when he shows up for academic challenge quiz kids, led by merciless Benedict Cumberbatch who is out for blood since he himself lost the title for the team last year but is now the self-imposed leader (there are only 5 people that show up. They only need 4, so McAvoy is the sub --- he still shows up because he has fallen in lust for the blonde bombshell (who happens to be a whizkid at drama (she's a to-be actress).  As the story progresses, McAvoy is torn between two smart women; the other is  very passionate for tons of causes and also very smart (Rebecca Hall).  He also struggles to get through his first year of college trying to find where he fits in,  dealing with matters of the heart, and trying to decide how much of his life he wants to dedicate to academics.  This was a lot of fun to watch these up and coming actors (who all seem to be hooked up with Xmen, star wars, star trek kind of films now).  I highly recommend it, and esp. to students on the way to college.  It shows more the academic option of college, rather than just the party life....... I give it 5 out of 5.

"STARTER FOR 10"      2006        1 hour and 36 minutes     PG-13

As student Brian Jackson navigates through his freshman year at England's prestigious Bristol University, he develops a crush on a winsome coed and tries to win her heart by scoring a victory on the "University Challenge" quiz show.

Cast: James McAvoy, Alice Eve, Rebecca Hall , James Cordon, Dominic Cooper.  Benedict Cumberbatch

Director:  Tim Vaughan (director of some of the episodes of "Victoria" and "The Royals")