Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone, Don Rickles Alan King, James Woods
Genre: Drama
Rating: 8.1/10 (IMDB.com)
I couldn't help reviewing this movie not only because it's one of my all time favorites, but because it's on almost everyday! So it feels like. The film was based on a true story and adapted from the book "Casino", written by Nicholas Pileggi, the same writer who wrote Wiseguys for which the movie "Goodfellas" was based on. Sam "Ace" Rothstein (De Niro) was a pioneer in the spots betting industry who revolutionized bookmaking by setting odds and spreads. Connected with the Chicago mob, Rothstein is sent out to run the fictional Tangiers casino (Stardust) in Las Vegas while the Chicago outfit skimmed money from the count rooms. Nicky Santoro (Pesci) is a gangster sent out to Las Vegas to make sure "no one messed with Sam" and to make sure the skimming schemes continued like clockwork.
Things soon get out of hand. Rothstein marries a former call girl and casino hustler Ginger (Stone) which soon develops into a tumultuous relationship. Nicky Santoro develops ambitions of his own and begins a string of robberies and murders which winds up attracting the attention of the FBI. As matters progress into more and more chaotic situations, Santoro begins an affair with Ace's wife Ginger while the Las Vegas gaming commission rejects Rothstein's gaming license application. As murder, betrayal, and deception run rampant, the FBI begins to clamp down on the outfits operations. As Rothstein states in the film, they were given heaven on earth, and somehow managed to mess everything up.
I mainly wanted to review this film because I hold a very strong opinion that this movie is better than "Goodfellas." Many people hold "Goodfellas" in high esteem and regard it as one of the best films to ever be made. The argument that I always contend with is that "Casino" is the same movie as "Goodfellas". In other words, the characters are not only extremely similar, but they are also played the same way by many of the same actors. I don't really believe this to be true, but if that is the best argument people can come up with than I am in good standing. Here is my argument. The story of "Casino" is better. It is more entertaining, has better dialogue, more interesting characters, more memorable scenes/quotes, and a better ending (Pesci being beaten with metal bats). "Goodfellas" was a terrific film. A classic in it's own right. I just find the second half of that film to be kind of boring and drawn out. The ending also came off as very abrupt. "Casino" keeps you interested from minute one all the way through the end. From a technical film making standpoint, Scorsese always produces great films. But this film is kind of underrated in my opinion. I find in watching the movie again and again, that I notice certain things within the story that I've never realized before. A true mark of a great story/film. If you are a fan of gangster flicks then I highly recommend this picture. Warning to all those who haven't seen this film; It is very violent and not for the squeamish.
My Rating: 8.8/10
Playing on Encore
Posted by Matt
Great movie!
ReplyDeleteAwesome movie, every time I catch it playing on tv I have to watch it
ReplyDeleteTurned the TV on and the head-in-a-vice scene was playing and I screamed and turned it off. I used to be able to handle violence but I'm too squeamish now. Goodfellas is where I draw the line, and even that movie makes me cover my eyes. Joe Pesci getting beaten with metal bats sounds too good to pass up, though...
ReplyDeleteThis movie is a real classic; the storyline cannot be beat. Whoever has dreams of hitting it big in Las Vegas can relate:
ReplyDelete"For guys like me,
Las Vegas washes away your sins.
It's like a morality car wash.
It does for us what Lourdes
does for humpbacks and cripples".
This movie is great from beginning to end. But as we all know in movies, the bad guys never win! Atleast we can say, they gave it a good try.