Casino in movies
The general public has always had a healthy fascination with the inner-workings of casinos. Casinos are virtual microcosms of society where entertainment nirvana is the ultimate goal. Hollywood directors latched onto this concept a long time ago and they have been producing a slew of stellar casino-themed movies. The big-screen action is always amped up a notch when casinos are involved.
Casinos truly are the domain of a dazzling assortment of glittering lights, hypnotic ambience and an inimitable jackpot mania. The sprawling Craps tables are often 6 or 7 people deep and the anticipation is palpable, like an electric current pulsing through the crowds. The croupiers are dressed to the nines, their professionalism matched by their efficiency. Stylish blackjack dealers remove shuffled cards from shoes, waiting on the players’ next call. It’s a literal hive of activity; the drinks are flowing, chips are being stacked and lots of money is changing hands. This is the world where dreams become realities. Enter the kingdom of video slots, Texas Hold’em, progressive games, arcade, Punto Banco and much more.
Lights, camera, action!
Our fascination with casinos is nothing new. Indeed casinos are a vibrant and dynamic component of modern day culture. These are the thriving metropolises of entertainment nirvana. Food courts, bars, restaurants, cinemas, stores, hotels and luxury entertainment galore await players. And it is to this element of sheer gaming pleasure that even the biggest and brightest stars, producers, directors and film studios pay homage. Everyone loves a slice of magic in the movies, and casinos provide it aplenty. Three top modern-day casino movies include the following: Casino, Casino Royale and Oceans Eleven.
Movies under the spotlight
Casino is arguably the greatest casino-themed movie of all time. It was directed by the critically-acclaimed Martin Scorsese and written by Nicholas Pileggi. It stars the Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro in a compelling role as the gangster Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein. The cast includes Sharon Stone, James Woods, Frank Vincent and a villainous performance from Joe Pesci that is his best ever. The movie remains one of cinema’s most-treasured casino movies of all time. It’s fast and furious, the characters are real and the gambling action is stupefying.
Casino Royale showcases James Bond at his very best. This hard-hitting 007 action-thriller has everything that Bond fans have come to expect. Ian Fleming’s legendary character gets a makeover and audiences the world over are chomping at the bit. Daniel Craig weighs in with a rough, but stylish performance. This all-new rugged James Bond enjoys some big poker tournament action against the iniquitous Le Chiffre (played by Mads Mikkelsen). The casino action is riveting and there is perfect harmony between the unbridled action scenes and the mystique of a multi-million dollar tournament.
Ocean’s Eleven stars an ensemble cast of Hollywood’s A-list celebrities. The highly talented George Clooney stars as Danny Ocean – an ex-con who is ready for one more job. Other big-name stars include Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle and Andy Garcia. The plan is to raid the vaults of the Bellagio, MGM Grand Casino and the Mirage in Las Vegas. And the estimated prize on offer is some $150 million. Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) plays the victim in this high-stakes struggle over a lot of money. Ocean’s Eleven is without doubt one of the very best casino heist movies of all time.