We briefly review six movies here which are all in some way connected by gambling, casinos and criminality in general. Mostly the movies have extremely fine acting by a host of big-name stars. Many big heists are portrayed, with a lot of gambling in casinos amidst some romantic storylines and the usual violence that we would expect. Pick your choice or better still watch all six and judge them yourself. We think you will be impressed with the quality of acting along with excellent scripts across a number of generations from 1965 through to 2009. Another film you may want to watch by Martin Scorsese is Casino, which delves into the mob’s early days of casino establishments in Vegas.
Goodfellas – 1990
Set in New York Goodfellas is based around three main characters played by Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta. Henry grows up in the mafia and plans to rise through the ranks. He wants to live the life of luxury with all the trappings that go with the wealth that a life of crime brings. Several heists at the cargo terminals at JFK airport bring in the wealth big time. During his selfish journey to the top he makes some mistakes and suffers drug addiction. Can he reach his aim or are his dreams shattered?
Oceans 11 – 2001
George Clooney plays Danny Ocean alongside an array of big names including Matt Damon and Brad Pitt. While on parole, Danny is planning his next heist. He insists on three rules during his life of crime, not to steal from anyone unless it’ deserved, not to hurt anyone and to put everything he can in to each crime with no care for himself. The crime he is planning is a very big one, to steal $160 million from Terry Benedict, a casino owner and lover of Ocean’s ex-wife. Will he succeed or will he return to jail?
Oceans 13 – 2007
Once again George Clooney as Danny Ocean teams up with Matt Damon and Al Pacino. Casino owner Willy Bank, played by Al Pacino, double-crosses a friend of Danny’s. The gang prepare to get revenge by committing their biggest heist yet at Bank’s casino on opening night. Danny sticks solidly to his three strict rules so no-one will be harmed except that is for Bank who deserves to be roughed up. This time the general casino rule that the house always wins will be reversed, at least that’s the plan. Will they succeed in breaking the Bank?
21 MIT Team – 2008
This movie is the true story of six students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ben Campbell’s dream is to be a doctor and has to find $300,000 to pay for the course at Harvard School of Medicine to achieve his goal. Ben’s mathematics professor played by Kevin Spacey is highly impressed with Ben and invites him to join his skilled card-counting group who plan to hit Las Vegas and win big time at Blackjack. Ben’s skills assist the group to win big time but will it help Ben or will it ruin his life?
Cincinnati Kid – 1965
Steve McQueen stars as Eric Stoner, a young ambitious poker player or the Cincinnati Kid as he is known. He wants to make his mark and beat the number one player Lancey Howard, played by Edward G. Robinson. Stoner’s friend Shooter, played by Karl Malden, sets up a game but Stoner discovers that the game has been rigged by Shooter so that he will win for certain in revenge for a big loss suffered by Shooter previously. This upsets Stoner as he believes he has the skills to win without the assistance of Shooter. Can he?
Casino Royale – 2006
Daniel Craig stars as Bond on his first mission as an agent with MI6. Le Chiffre, a banker who works for some of the worlds’ biggest criminal gangs. He is in debt big-time and must win a major poker game in Montenegro to ensure his safety by paying back the cash. Bond’s boss, M, played by Dame Judi Dench, sends him and Vesper Lynn, played by Eva Green, on a mission to join Le Chiffre in the game and ensure that Le Chiffre doesn’t win. Bond and his team are successful but will they stay safe?
Rolling the Dice on a A Cinematic Casino Journey
The obvious connection between five of the movies is the over-riding gambling and casino plots. From the true story of 21 MIT Team through to the great Daniel Craig as 007 and George Clooney with their great acting ability and tense casino scenes which keep the audience guessing throughout. We even go right back to the iconic Cincinnati Kid with McQueen and Edward G. Robinson. Even though Goodfellas doesn’t have the same gambling theme as the others, Scorcsese’s sequel aptly named Casino of course does. We hope these reviews will give you an overview and please enjoy your choice.