Can you tell that we're psyched for "Ocean's Thirteen"? I've spent mucho time inside casinos in both Atlantic City and Vegas. In fact, I used to write for two major gambling magazines. So, in anticipation for Danny and the gang, The Lounge has whipped up some of the best movies that capture the ambiance (or lack therof) of the buzzing action of a casino town.
“Atlantic City” (1980) Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon star in this dark Louis Malle film set in the Queen of Resorts just after gambling was approved. European in its ambiance, and substantially dark in tone, Lancaster stars as a has-been hood who crosses paths with Sarandon, a croupier in search of a better life. After a brief visit to Atlantic City by Sarandon’s estranged gangster husband, the course of the lives of her and Lancaster are changed.
“Casino” (1995) While it’s no “Goodfellas,” you have to give director Martin Scorsese credit for shooting entirely all of his casino scenes inside of a real gaming hall — The Riviera in Las Vegas. Chronicling the final days of mobbed-run casinos, this film is blatantly bloody, brutal and even a bit overzealous at times. But for sheer authenticity, “Casino” is definitely one to watch on the couch over a couple nights. Stars Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci and an Oscar-nominated Sharon Stone.
“Ocean’s 11” (1960) The original. 11 friends who know each other from World War II plan to rob five casinos in one night. If you want to capture the feeling of what it was like to swing on the Vegas strip in the ‘60s, then rent this low-scale caper flick starring Frank Sinatra and the rest of the Rat Pack. You can almost smell the booze. All women and glitz. The Clooney remake is also a keeper, but this is the grandpappy of them all.
“Hard Eight” (1997) One of 1997's most underrated films, it stars Philip Baker Hall as an aging pro gambler who takes a young drifter under his wing, eventually becoming his mentor. Throw in a cocktail waitress-prostitute (Gwyneth Paltrow), and a two-timing security manager (Samuel Jackson), and you have a slam-bang character study that oozes with complexity.
“The Gambler” (1974) Another dark gambling film so often found in ‘70s, James Caan stars as Alex Freed, a literature professor who is struck with the gambling vice. When he loses all of his money, he borrows from his girlfriend, his father and finally some bad guys. Despite it all, he can’t stop.
“California Split” (1974) Another yarn of doomed compulsive gambling, director Robert Altman’s film stars George Segal and Elliot Gould as over-the-edge gamblers and explores the emptiness of winning. Shot in Reno, Nevada.
“Fever Pitch” (1985) Considered more than a bomb when it was released, Ryan O’Neal stars as a newspaperman caught with “the gambling fever” in this perfect example of what happens when shoot a script straight out Intro to Screenwriting. Co-stars Catherine Hicks and John Saxon.
“Honeymoon in Vegas” (1992) The first of Nicholas Cage’s “Vegas” trilogy is a light-hearted romantic comedy with stereotypical elements of organized crime thrown in for laughs. James Caan co-stars as a mafioso who falls in love with Cage’s fiancée, Sarah Jessica Parker. Don’t miss the Flying Elvises.
“Leaving Las Vegas” (1995) This modern-day tragedy captures the seediness of the casino life better than any other. In an Oscar-winning performance, Nicholas Cage (in his second Vegas film, “Con Air” would be his third), stars as an alcoholic who arrives in Sin City to drink himself to death. Unfortunately, he didn’t count on falling in love. Elizabeth Shue (who received an Oscar nomination) stars as the “hooker with a heart of gold” who falls for him.
“Lookin’ To Get Out” (1982) Jon Voight and Burt Young star as two gamblers who leave New York after losing a lot of money. Doing what all gamblers in trouble would do, they hurry to the gambling capital of the world — Las Vegas — to turn their luck around. Co-stars Ann Marget.
“Bugsy” (1991) What’s the sense of watching movies about casinos without checking out the flick that immortalizes their modern-day architect — Benjamin “Bugsy” Seigel. Warren Beatty, starring as Seigel, is often too cutesy in his portrayal of the ruthless gangster but the film is complemented with an outstanding cast and great direction by Barry Levinson.
“Swingers” (1996) A guilty, guilty pleasure. While there are only a couple of scenes inside a casino, be rest assured, — they’re hilarious. If anything, this indie cult favorite, perfectly captures the essence of Sinatra’s Rat Pack not seen since “Ocean’s 11.”
“Indecent Proposal” (1993) Although not a film about gambling per se, most of the interesting scenes take place inside a casino and most of the elements within are straight out of “Wagering 101.” Robert Redford stars as a business tycoon who offers Woody Harrelson $1 million to sleep with his wife (Demi Moore).
“Atlantic City” (1980) Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon star in this dark Louis Malle film set in the Queen of Resorts just after gambling was approved. European in its ambiance, and substantially dark in tone, Lancaster stars as a has-been hood who crosses paths with Sarandon, a croupier in search of a better life. After a brief visit to Atlantic City by Sarandon’s estranged gangster husband, the course of the lives of her and Lancaster are changed.
“Casino” (1995) While it’s no “Goodfellas,” you have to give director Martin Scorsese credit for shooting entirely all of his casino scenes inside of a real gaming hall — The Riviera in Las Vegas. Chronicling the final days of mobbed-run casinos, this film is blatantly bloody, brutal and even a bit overzealous at times. But for sheer authenticity, “Casino” is definitely one to watch on the couch over a couple nights. Stars Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci and an Oscar-nominated Sharon Stone.
“Ocean’s 11” (1960) The original. 11 friends who know each other from World War II plan to rob five casinos in one night. If you want to capture the feeling of what it was like to swing on the Vegas strip in the ‘60s, then rent this low-scale caper flick starring Frank Sinatra and the rest of the Rat Pack. You can almost smell the booze. All women and glitz. The Clooney remake is also a keeper, but this is the grandpappy of them all.
“Hard Eight” (1997) One of 1997's most underrated films, it stars Philip Baker Hall as an aging pro gambler who takes a young drifter under his wing, eventually becoming his mentor. Throw in a cocktail waitress-prostitute (Gwyneth Paltrow), and a two-timing security manager (Samuel Jackson), and you have a slam-bang character study that oozes with complexity.
“The Gambler” (1974) Another dark gambling film so often found in ‘70s, James Caan stars as Alex Freed, a literature professor who is struck with the gambling vice. When he loses all of his money, he borrows from his girlfriend, his father and finally some bad guys. Despite it all, he can’t stop.
“California Split” (1974) Another yarn of doomed compulsive gambling, director Robert Altman’s film stars George Segal and Elliot Gould as over-the-edge gamblers and explores the emptiness of winning. Shot in Reno, Nevada.
“Fever Pitch” (1985) Considered more than a bomb when it was released, Ryan O’Neal stars as a newspaperman caught with “the gambling fever” in this perfect example of what happens when shoot a script straight out Intro to Screenwriting. Co-stars Catherine Hicks and John Saxon.
“Honeymoon in Vegas” (1992) The first of Nicholas Cage’s “Vegas” trilogy is a light-hearted romantic comedy with stereotypical elements of organized crime thrown in for laughs. James Caan co-stars as a mafioso who falls in love with Cage’s fiancée, Sarah Jessica Parker. Don’t miss the Flying Elvises.
“Leaving Las Vegas” (1995) This modern-day tragedy captures the seediness of the casino life better than any other. In an Oscar-winning performance, Nicholas Cage (in his second Vegas film, “Con Air” would be his third), stars as an alcoholic who arrives in Sin City to drink himself to death. Unfortunately, he didn’t count on falling in love. Elizabeth Shue (who received an Oscar nomination) stars as the “hooker with a heart of gold” who falls for him.
“Lookin’ To Get Out” (1982) Jon Voight and Burt Young star as two gamblers who leave New York after losing a lot of money. Doing what all gamblers in trouble would do, they hurry to the gambling capital of the world — Las Vegas — to turn their luck around. Co-stars Ann Marget.
“Bugsy” (1991) What’s the sense of watching movies about casinos without checking out the flick that immortalizes their modern-day architect — Benjamin “Bugsy” Seigel. Warren Beatty, starring as Seigel, is often too cutesy in his portrayal of the ruthless gangster but the film is complemented with an outstanding cast and great direction by Barry Levinson.
“Swingers” (1996) A guilty, guilty pleasure. While there are only a couple of scenes inside a casino, be rest assured, — they’re hilarious. If anything, this indie cult favorite, perfectly captures the essence of Sinatra’s Rat Pack not seen since “Ocean’s 11.”
“Indecent Proposal” (1993) Although not a film about gambling per se, most of the interesting scenes take place inside a casino and most of the elements within are straight out of “Wagering 101.” Robert Redford stars as a business tycoon who offers Woody Harrelson $1 million to sleep with his wife (Demi Moore).
