Gambling always inspired cinema and creators, as well as every great passion. Whether because the casino world is glamorous and suited to illuminate dark rooms or because many creators wanted to record their social extensions. Countless bouquets, croupiers, but above all players have gone through the story of the celebrity with their cinematic feats to have a protagonist the gambling and the veil of the self-destructive charm that surrounds him.
The gambling movies, or perhaps the most remarkable of the genre, have provided us with powerful frames of winners and unrepentant losers, anthology scenes, lots of stories and stunts with a prominent position on the pantheon surrounding the movie universe.
We have recalled some of the best of its kind for the last decade and we present them to you, hoping for more than just to remind you. If you are organizing your own DVD "theme nights", this text will give you ideas for marathons dedicated to movie gambling.
Without a specific series ... Lights, Camera, Action!
Croupier - The Croupier (1998)
Director: Mike Hogzes
Duration: 94 '
Rating 7,2
Tagline: "Hang On Tightly ... Let Go Lightly" (Hold tight ... Let loose)
It took several years for Hodges's "Get Carter" to receive the recognition it deserved and a total of 13 until the director gave us his next film, Croupier, but the wait was well worth it. A British neo-noir that perfectly captures the atmosphere of casinos on the island, has strong tendencies of cynicism and suspense and has an ace up its sleeve an excellent Clive Owen who gives a recital of cool interpretation. After all, she was the one who opened all the doors to the actor, giving him many opportunities for establishment.
He plays Jack Manfred, a writer looking for inspiration for the one and only book that will give him recognition, he gets a job at a casino. From here and in a hypnotic atmosphere, the film rolls up with a lot of upsets, the protagonist touring several times between the boundaries of the gambler and the distant croupier, with the enigmatic end leaving some gaps for some, closing the eye on the others.
Atakes
"Gambling has nothing to do with money ... Gambling has to do with not facing reality and ignoring the odds."
"A wave of tension seized him. He was addicted again to seeing people lose ..."
"You have to make a choice in life: To be a gambler or a croupier ..."
The Cooler - Ganttem (2003)
Directed by Wayne Kramer
Duration: 101 '
Rating 7,0
Tagline: "When your life depends on losing ... the last thing you need is lady luck" (When your life depends on losing ... the last thing you need is Lady luck)
And this film has as its trump card the interpretations that together with the very original script make it unique in its kind. Las Vegas as the setting for such a film may seem obvious, but the film breaks down quite a few clichés and essentially talks about human relationships, through the microcosm of the gambling city. William Macy plays a professional "Gandalf" who works in a casino and has the ability with a simple glance or touch to cut the players' rent with a knife and lead them to the last chip.
This changes when love enters a life and a woman who manages to transform him from the ultimate Gandalf to the "charm man", something that certainly does not like Alec Baldwin, his casino boss. Excellent performance by the rolist in many films of the Cohen brothers, but also the other two protagonists, original as an idea with a skeleton that refers to psychological theories "the way we see things, changes their quality" and his only weakness may be the somewhat uninteresting for several finals.
Atakes
"That guy is kryptonite on a stick" (This guy is kryptonite on a stick)
"Gantemis" after causing so much misfortune to a player who remains on the mat: "Better luck, next time"
Rounders - Players (1998)
Directed by: John Dalt
Duration: 121 '
Rating 7,3
Tagline: "In the game of life ... Play the cards you're dealt" (In the game of life ... play with the cards you are dealt "
Another related recent film with a jealous cast and John Malkovich stealing the show as usual - even when his participation minutes are short. Here Matt Damon plays perhaps the most babyface successful celluloid gambler, with one of the strong points of the film being the avoidance of acquitting the addict that overwhelms the gambler. As much as the protagonist looks like a tug of war, being a successful student with a "hot chick" at his side and a commitment to the masters, one occasion is enough to penetrate deep into the passion of poker.
The debts of the stickler (Edward Norton on the rise), the charm of the game but also his need to win from a point and after survival, along with the eccentric KGB (Malkovich's nickname) force him to reach the end. Despite the abundant "politically correct" attitude, the "Rounders" survive with the above. This is because despite the fact that this attitude of life characterizes Matt Damon - anything but convincing to the face with a gambler, but in the end his choice is successful for this very reason -, he gives up everything for the passion of gambling. The touches of Malkovich's performance add something more and the main thing ... When the film was shown in Greece ... Hold'em looked exotic and now there are thousands of players in our country.
Atakes
"If you can not find the sucker of the table in the first half hour of the game, then YOU are the sucker"
"It is immoral to let a sucker keep his money"
"The game is No Limit Hold'em. The Cadillac of Poker"
- "I equalize the bet. Because otherwise I will not respect myself tomorrow morning"
- "Respect will be the only thing left for you tomorrow morning"
Mahoney Owning - Danny Mahoney's Blind Roll (2003)
Directed by: Richard Kvitovski
Duration: 104 '
Rating 7,1
Tagline: "To some it's a game. To others it's a habit. But to Dan Mahowny beating the odds is everything" (For some it's a game, for others a habit but for Dan Mahoney winning the odds is everything)
In my opinion the best movie of the last decade in what has to do with the psychology of the gambler. Those of you who have seen "Once Upon a Time" will suspect that Philip Seymour Hoffman is really giving the rest of the interpretation and you are right as his presence takes the film to the next level. In realistic writing, since the story is based on real events, the film describes the path of a young bank executive to the sanctuaries of gambling. Dan Mahoney approves huge loans to himself and then gambles until the final drop in the casinos.
No new credit he manages to secure - in the absence of a bank - of course, no intervention by his girlfriend, which seems to be helpless even to grasp his passion, does not stand to stop him. Dan Mahonay lives in a parallel universe and only sees the green felt in front of him. He stabs instinctively and as any addicted gambler can never - even when he wins a lot - stop. The lynx at the end of the film is typical:
Atakes
- "What grade would you put with an excellent 100 in the emotions that gambling offered you?"
- "100"
- "What grade would you put in the most excitement you enjoyed outside of gambling?"
- "20"
Intacto - Intact (2001)
Directed by: Richard Kvitovski
Duration: 104 '
Rating 6,9
Tagline: "All bets are on"
From the relatively lesser-known films of the genre, which, although maintaining a different perspective, have a predominant and inseparable relationship with gambling. A very clever idea with the luck to be considered a "product" that can change hands, either by selling or by being a betting prize. Its world is immoral and cruel, with the viewer having every opportunity to identify with the protagonist, since the plot brings one upheaval after another and the revelations keep many secrets until the end. A closed caste organizes dangerous games of chance, with the luckiest man in the world (Max von Sindoff) taking part in the climax of the latter.
Road racing has been preceded by blindfolded highways, fortune-telling between air and car accident survivors, and a universe that seems as absurd as it is fascinating. Here the big trump card is the "dance" direction, the wick of the original idea of the script and the right escalation in plot and action.
Atakes
"Some people are born lucky ... Others gamble to become"
"Everyone has a gift. It is your job to steal the fate of others."
The above are five of the best gambling movies of the last decade. The relevant all time list is much longer and there are definitely many movies that would win with their sword a better "grade" than the ones we mentioned. Because everyone who deals with cinema, more or less hides a little Danish inside them and mainly because we do not want to leave masterpieces out of this tribute, here is a shorter quote with older films.
The Sting - The Centri (1973)
Rating 8,3
One of the most famous and best films to touch on the subject, with Paul Newman and Robert Redford capturing and performing an incredibly inspiring trick called "Stingray" to extort money from a mobster gambler. This anthology scene with Newman doing the drunk winning all the chips on the table. (Seven Oscars)
California Split - Craps, poker and something else "(1974)
Rating 7,3
Robert Altman greatly portrays the gambler's addiction to a movie that is so relevant to what he is dealing with, which sounds like scientific research. This is a typical scene with the bet between the two desperate protagonists, for the names of the dwarves of Snow White!
The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
Rating 7,3
The young man is handsome ... Steve McQueen plays a charming and very capable poker player who tries to take the scepter from the best of New Orleans who has the nickname "The Man". Even on the mat, Steve never loses his dignity and charm in an old-fashioned but excellent film.
La Baie des Anges (1963) - The port of the angels
Rating 7,4
Another one of the top personal favorites, because if you have a Jean Mora in your hand, you have nothing to worry about ... The love kitten has a roulette background and Jacques Demi despite the that he did not have the recognition of modern French filmmakers, he puts an extraordinary love story on the background of gambling.
Casino (1995)
Rating 8,2
Scorsese, after dealing with the wise guys and the mafia underworld in detail, placed them in a movie in Vegas and the casinos ... Famous and well-played, with Joe Pesci shooting bursts, Sharon Stone looking better acting than ever Robert De Niro to be as always "Ace" (his nickname in the movie).
"Casino" is undoubtedly one of the most epic films ever released. Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone, the truth is that success was sure from scratch. The film is based on Nicholas Pileggi's book "Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas", which chronicles real events while he wrote the script. It's a story of greed, deception, power and money between two hanging friends: a mafioso and a casino owner. The film is truly masterpiece, and Sharon Stone's performance has earned her a Golden Globe Award as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Interpretation. The success of "Casino" is also seen in the box office after it has earned over 115 million dollars.
It is worth mentioning here that Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro collaborated and 1990 in the film "Goodfellas", which was based on Nicholas Pileggi Wiseguy's book. This is another favorite film between gamblers and casino lovers, and chronicles the life of Henry Hill and his years as a mafioso. The film had been critically acclaimed and nominated for an Academy Award, while Joe Pesci won a Best Oscar for his role in the film.
Game of Games - The House of Fraud (1987)
Rating 7,3
David Mimett, in addition to an excellent scriptwriter, is established after this film and as a competent director. And here's the front-end poker club with history telling the story of the microbubble that drives 24 / 7 trying to make it clean by gambling up to their last breath.
Casino Royale (2006)
Rating 8,0
Without a doubt, the first movie that comes to mind when thinking about the word casino is "Casino Royale". This is the well-known agent to all of us, James Bond, played by Daniel Craig. The film was directed by Martin Campbell in a script by Neal Purvis and Paul Haggis, based on the book by Ian Fleming published in 1953. "Casino Royale" is the first James Bond movie and marks the beginning of 007's career. Casino Royale broke the movie theaters and managed to collect almost 600 million dollars in the box office, with the budget of the film amounting to 150 million dollars. Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Giancarlo Giannini, Jeffrey Wright, Judi Dench, etc. are also starring in the film. If you have not seen it then you have to prepare for one of the most epic poker games in the history of cinema with bets 115 million dollars and James Bond to be (literally) turning his turn to the table!
21 (2008)
Rating 6,8
Another famous and beloved gambling movie is 21, directed by Robert Luketic. In our film we present the story behind the legendary MIT team that with the help of Edward Thorpe's book Beat the Dealer managed to win millions of dollars in casinos around the world. We have been mentioned in the past for this group, since they undoubtedly belong among the best Blackjack players of all time. The film, inspired by this group and based on Ben Mezrich's best-selling Bringing Down the House, brings us one step closer to this unbelievable story. Starring Kevin Spacey, Jim Sturgess, Laurence Fishburne, and Kate Bosworth and Liza Lapira. With a budget of only 35 million dollars, the film managed to bring 160 million dollars to the box office and become one of the most popular films of the audience despite the intense criticisms it took before its official screening in the halls.
Ocean's Eleven / The Gang of Eleven (2001)
Rating 7,8
The movie "Ocean's 11" or as the Greek audience knows "The gang of the eleven" is directed by 2001 directed by Steven Soderbergh. This is the remake of 1960's homonymous film, starring leading actors such as George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Andy Garcia and Julia Roberts. The film got excellent reviews and swept at the box office with profits over 450 million dollars. Indeed, after its success, there were two more spin films off 2004 and 2007: 12 gang and 13 gang. For 2018 it has been announced that a fourth film with a female cast will be released. In the film, we see the story of Danny Ocean, who together with his 11 collaborators are planning the simultaneous robbery of three casinos in Las Vegas. If you have time, we would suggest you see the whole trilogy, since the interpretations and the story will fascinate you.
Rain Man / The Rain Man (1988)
Rating 8,0
Another classic casino and gambling movie is "Rain Man". Directed by Barry Levinson and Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass, "The Rain Man" is a dramatic comedy starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. The film presents the story of Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) who learns about his father's death and discovers that his estate is inherited by his brother Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) whom he did not even know he had. So, Charlie convinces Raymond to follow him on a trip to the other end of the country in order to play Blackjack in Las Vegas and exploit his brother's "charisma" with numbers.
The Gambler (1974)
Rating 7,3
Surprisingly, Axel Freed (James Caan) is an inspiring professor of English literature, but deep inside is a troubled man with a serious addiction to play and a lot of debt. After losing all his money he is borrowed from his girlfriend, then steals from his mother, then headed to Vegas in the hope of winning it all back. Our player describes a strong story about an addiction, isolation and how far you can go when his bets are high.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
Rating 7,7
Based on the homonymous novel, the popular movie Fear and Paranoia in Las Vegas describes the psychedelic road trip of Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) to the US with Dr Gonzo (Benicio del Toro) attorney in the US. In an attempt to catch up with a motorcycle race, they head to Las Vegas, spending all their money on a huge amount of drugs looking for the American dream. Johnny Depp's Guarantee
Two For The Money - All About Money (2005)
Rating 6,2
Directed by DJ Carouso, this film tells the story of a young man (Matthew Maconachi) who, after a series of successful betting predictions, gets promoted to a betting company in New York. The young man may be beautiful, but as the song says, the old one is otherwise (in the role of the only Al Pacino). So success succeeds the fall with all its consequence in a film that may seem like a common one, but it does not cease to be enjoyable.
Even Money - At the Edge of Gambling (2006)
Directed by: Mark Rydell
Rating 5,9
Very powerful cast in a modular film with 3 stories. Their theme is gambling addiction and its devastating consequences. Forest Whitaker owes money, and in order to pay off he asks his little brother playing college basketball to make a match. Kim Bassing is out of seemingly perfect family and professional life and turns into frequent casino casualties, endangering the relationship with her husband (Ray Liotta). Danny De Vito, a failed former "magician," becomes her mentor. Two young boys co-operate and distribute money in every way from their customers. Among them is the "big hook" Tim Roeth. Their stories will be crossed and we will have a nice time on our way.
High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story (2003)
Direction: AW Vidmer
Rating 6,1
We are following the course of one of the biggest poker players of all time, Stu "kid" Ungar. Big talent in poker three times world champion, but addicted to any form of gambling loses everything and even more on horse racing. At the end of his career he is delivered to drugs and women, definitively defeated by his passions. A real story that "crashes" the legend and "snores" the idols starring Michael Imperoli.
+ 1 Greek
Eternal Student (2002)
Direction: Vangelis Sethanidis
Rating 5,8
And a Greek by Vangelis Seitanidis, who had received a good reception from the audience when he was screened at the Thessaloniki Festival and traveled to the world of Greek casinos. Emilios Xilakis, instead of medical writings, reads probabilities and numbers by dropping his balls to roulette until he becomes involved with Maria Solomou ... and her father's cult figure for the big bay. Emilios Xilakis is what the title says. He makes a living at the casino. Spyros Stavrinidis is an addicted gambler with debts everywhere. His daughter (Maria Solomou) gets a job as a grumpier that according to the rules of the casino operation her father is not allowed to enter. But he finds the solution: he finances the eternal student playing on his behalf and sharing profits. A different Greek production that can not escape cliché, but it is pleasant.
The gambling movies, or perhaps the most remarkable of the genre, have provided us with powerful frames of winners and unrepentant losers, anthology scenes, lots of stories and stunts with a prominent position on the pantheon surrounding the movie universe.
We have recalled some of the best of its kind for the last decade and we present them to you, hoping for more than just to remind you. If you are organizing your own DVD "theme nights", this text will give you ideas for marathons dedicated to movie gambling.
Without a specific series ... Lights, Camera, Action!
Croupier - The Croupier (1998)
Director: Mike Hogzes
Duration: 94 '
Rating 7,2
Tagline: "Hang On Tightly ... Let Go Lightly" (Hold tight ... Let loose)
It took several years for Hodges's "Get Carter" to receive the recognition it deserved and a total of 13 until the director gave us his next film, Croupier, but the wait was well worth it. A British neo-noir that perfectly captures the atmosphere of casinos on the island, has strong tendencies of cynicism and suspense and has an ace up its sleeve an excellent Clive Owen who gives a recital of cool interpretation. After all, she was the one who opened all the doors to the actor, giving him many opportunities for establishment.
He plays Jack Manfred, a writer looking for inspiration for the one and only book that will give him recognition, he gets a job at a casino. From here and in a hypnotic atmosphere, the film rolls up with a lot of upsets, the protagonist touring several times between the boundaries of the gambler and the distant croupier, with the enigmatic end leaving some gaps for some, closing the eye on the others.
Atakes
"Gambling has nothing to do with money ... Gambling has to do with not facing reality and ignoring the odds."
"A wave of tension seized him. He was addicted again to seeing people lose ..."
"You have to make a choice in life: To be a gambler or a croupier ..."
The Cooler - Ganttem (2003)
Directed by Wayne Kramer
Duration: 101 '
Rating 7,0
Tagline: "When your life depends on losing ... the last thing you need is lady luck" (When your life depends on losing ... the last thing you need is Lady luck)
And this film has as its trump card the interpretations that together with the very original script make it unique in its kind. Las Vegas as the setting for such a film may seem obvious, but the film breaks down quite a few clichés and essentially talks about human relationships, through the microcosm of the gambling city. William Macy plays a professional "Gandalf" who works in a casino and has the ability with a simple glance or touch to cut the players' rent with a knife and lead them to the last chip.
This changes when love enters a life and a woman who manages to transform him from the ultimate Gandalf to the "charm man", something that certainly does not like Alec Baldwin, his casino boss. Excellent performance by the rolist in many films of the Cohen brothers, but also the other two protagonists, original as an idea with a skeleton that refers to psychological theories "the way we see things, changes their quality" and his only weakness may be the somewhat uninteresting for several finals.
Atakes
"That guy is kryptonite on a stick" (This guy is kryptonite on a stick)
"Gantemis" after causing so much misfortune to a player who remains on the mat: "Better luck, next time"
Rounders - Players (1998)
Directed by: John Dalt
Duration: 121 '
Rating 7,3
Tagline: "In the game of life ... Play the cards you're dealt" (In the game of life ... play with the cards you are dealt "
Another related recent film with a jealous cast and John Malkovich stealing the show as usual - even when his participation minutes are short. Here Matt Damon plays perhaps the most babyface successful celluloid gambler, with one of the strong points of the film being the avoidance of acquitting the addict that overwhelms the gambler. As much as the protagonist looks like a tug of war, being a successful student with a "hot chick" at his side and a commitment to the masters, one occasion is enough to penetrate deep into the passion of poker.
The debts of the stickler (Edward Norton on the rise), the charm of the game but also his need to win from a point and after survival, along with the eccentric KGB (Malkovich's nickname) force him to reach the end. Despite the abundant "politically correct" attitude, the "Rounders" survive with the above. This is because despite the fact that this attitude of life characterizes Matt Damon - anything but convincing to the face with a gambler, but in the end his choice is successful for this very reason -, he gives up everything for the passion of gambling. The touches of Malkovich's performance add something more and the main thing ... When the film was shown in Greece ... Hold'em looked exotic and now there are thousands of players in our country.
Atakes
"If you can not find the sucker of the table in the first half hour of the game, then YOU are the sucker"
"It is immoral to let a sucker keep his money"
"The game is No Limit Hold'em. The Cadillac of Poker"
- "I equalize the bet. Because otherwise I will not respect myself tomorrow morning"
- "Respect will be the only thing left for you tomorrow morning"
Mahoney Owning - Danny Mahoney's Blind Roll (2003)
Directed by: Richard Kvitovski
Duration: 104 '
Rating 7,1
Tagline: "To some it's a game. To others it's a habit. But to Dan Mahowny beating the odds is everything" (For some it's a game, for others a habit but for Dan Mahoney winning the odds is everything)
In my opinion the best movie of the last decade in what has to do with the psychology of the gambler. Those of you who have seen "Once Upon a Time" will suspect that Philip Seymour Hoffman is really giving the rest of the interpretation and you are right as his presence takes the film to the next level. In realistic writing, since the story is based on real events, the film describes the path of a young bank executive to the sanctuaries of gambling. Dan Mahoney approves huge loans to himself and then gambles until the final drop in the casinos.
No new credit he manages to secure - in the absence of a bank - of course, no intervention by his girlfriend, which seems to be helpless even to grasp his passion, does not stand to stop him. Dan Mahonay lives in a parallel universe and only sees the green felt in front of him. He stabs instinctively and as any addicted gambler can never - even when he wins a lot - stop. The lynx at the end of the film is typical:
Atakes
- "What grade would you put with an excellent 100 in the emotions that gambling offered you?"
- "100"
- "What grade would you put in the most excitement you enjoyed outside of gambling?"
- "20"
Intacto - Intact (2001)
Directed by: Richard Kvitovski
Duration: 104 '
Rating 6,9
Tagline: "All bets are on"
From the relatively lesser-known films of the genre, which, although maintaining a different perspective, have a predominant and inseparable relationship with gambling. A very clever idea with the luck to be considered a "product" that can change hands, either by selling or by being a betting prize. Its world is immoral and cruel, with the viewer having every opportunity to identify with the protagonist, since the plot brings one upheaval after another and the revelations keep many secrets until the end. A closed caste organizes dangerous games of chance, with the luckiest man in the world (Max von Sindoff) taking part in the climax of the latter.
Road racing has been preceded by blindfolded highways, fortune-telling between air and car accident survivors, and a universe that seems as absurd as it is fascinating. Here the big trump card is the "dance" direction, the wick of the original idea of the script and the right escalation in plot and action.
Atakes
"Some people are born lucky ... Others gamble to become"
"Everyone has a gift. It is your job to steal the fate of others."
The above are five of the best gambling movies of the last decade. The relevant all time list is much longer and there are definitely many movies that would win with their sword a better "grade" than the ones we mentioned. Because everyone who deals with cinema, more or less hides a little Danish inside them and mainly because we do not want to leave masterpieces out of this tribute, here is a shorter quote with older films.
The Sting - The Centri (1973)
Rating 8,3
One of the most famous and best films to touch on the subject, with Paul Newman and Robert Redford capturing and performing an incredibly inspiring trick called "Stingray" to extort money from a mobster gambler. This anthology scene with Newman doing the drunk winning all the chips on the table. (Seven Oscars)
California Split - Craps, poker and something else "(1974)
Rating 7,3
Robert Altman greatly portrays the gambler's addiction to a movie that is so relevant to what he is dealing with, which sounds like scientific research. This is a typical scene with the bet between the two desperate protagonists, for the names of the dwarves of Snow White!
The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
Rating 7,3
The young man is handsome ... Steve McQueen plays a charming and very capable poker player who tries to take the scepter from the best of New Orleans who has the nickname "The Man". Even on the mat, Steve never loses his dignity and charm in an old-fashioned but excellent film.
La Baie des Anges (1963) - The port of the angels
Rating 7,4
Another one of the top personal favorites, because if you have a Jean Mora in your hand, you have nothing to worry about ... The love kitten has a roulette background and Jacques Demi despite the that he did not have the recognition of modern French filmmakers, he puts an extraordinary love story on the background of gambling.
Casino (1995)
Rating 8,2
Scorsese, after dealing with the wise guys and the mafia underworld in detail, placed them in a movie in Vegas and the casinos ... Famous and well-played, with Joe Pesci shooting bursts, Sharon Stone looking better acting than ever Robert De Niro to be as always "Ace" (his nickname in the movie).
"Casino" is undoubtedly one of the most epic films ever released. Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone, the truth is that success was sure from scratch. The film is based on Nicholas Pileggi's book "Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas", which chronicles real events while he wrote the script. It's a story of greed, deception, power and money between two hanging friends: a mafioso and a casino owner. The film is truly masterpiece, and Sharon Stone's performance has earned her a Golden Globe Award as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Interpretation. The success of "Casino" is also seen in the box office after it has earned over 115 million dollars.
It is worth mentioning here that Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro collaborated and 1990 in the film "Goodfellas", which was based on Nicholas Pileggi Wiseguy's book. This is another favorite film between gamblers and casino lovers, and chronicles the life of Henry Hill and his years as a mafioso. The film had been critically acclaimed and nominated for an Academy Award, while Joe Pesci won a Best Oscar for his role in the film.
Game of Games - The House of Fraud (1987)
Rating 7,3
David Mimett, in addition to an excellent scriptwriter, is established after this film and as a competent director. And here's the front-end poker club with history telling the story of the microbubble that drives 24 / 7 trying to make it clean by gambling up to their last breath.
Casino Royale (2006)
Rating 8,0
Without a doubt, the first movie that comes to mind when thinking about the word casino is "Casino Royale". This is the well-known agent to all of us, James Bond, played by Daniel Craig. The film was directed by Martin Campbell in a script by Neal Purvis and Paul Haggis, based on the book by Ian Fleming published in 1953. "Casino Royale" is the first James Bond movie and marks the beginning of 007's career. Casino Royale broke the movie theaters and managed to collect almost 600 million dollars in the box office, with the budget of the film amounting to 150 million dollars. Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Giancarlo Giannini, Jeffrey Wright, Judi Dench, etc. are also starring in the film. If you have not seen it then you have to prepare for one of the most epic poker games in the history of cinema with bets 115 million dollars and James Bond to be (literally) turning his turn to the table!
21 (2008)
Rating 6,8
Another famous and beloved gambling movie is 21, directed by Robert Luketic. In our film we present the story behind the legendary MIT team that with the help of Edward Thorpe's book Beat the Dealer managed to win millions of dollars in casinos around the world. We have been mentioned in the past for this group, since they undoubtedly belong among the best Blackjack players of all time. The film, inspired by this group and based on Ben Mezrich's best-selling Bringing Down the House, brings us one step closer to this unbelievable story. Starring Kevin Spacey, Jim Sturgess, Laurence Fishburne, and Kate Bosworth and Liza Lapira. With a budget of only 35 million dollars, the film managed to bring 160 million dollars to the box office and become one of the most popular films of the audience despite the intense criticisms it took before its official screening in the halls.
Ocean's Eleven / The Gang of Eleven (2001)
Rating 7,8
The movie "Ocean's 11" or as the Greek audience knows "The gang of the eleven" is directed by 2001 directed by Steven Soderbergh. This is the remake of 1960's homonymous film, starring leading actors such as George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Andy Garcia and Julia Roberts. The film got excellent reviews and swept at the box office with profits over 450 million dollars. Indeed, after its success, there were two more spin films off 2004 and 2007: 12 gang and 13 gang. For 2018 it has been announced that a fourth film with a female cast will be released. In the film, we see the story of Danny Ocean, who together with his 11 collaborators are planning the simultaneous robbery of three casinos in Las Vegas. If you have time, we would suggest you see the whole trilogy, since the interpretations and the story will fascinate you.
Rain Man / The Rain Man (1988)
Rating 8,0
Another classic casino and gambling movie is "Rain Man". Directed by Barry Levinson and Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass, "The Rain Man" is a dramatic comedy starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. The film presents the story of Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) who learns about his father's death and discovers that his estate is inherited by his brother Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) whom he did not even know he had. So, Charlie convinces Raymond to follow him on a trip to the other end of the country in order to play Blackjack in Las Vegas and exploit his brother's "charisma" with numbers.
The Gambler (1974)
Rating 7,3
Surprisingly, Axel Freed (James Caan) is an inspiring professor of English literature, but deep inside is a troubled man with a serious addiction to play and a lot of debt. After losing all his money he is borrowed from his girlfriend, then steals from his mother, then headed to Vegas in the hope of winning it all back. Our player describes a strong story about an addiction, isolation and how far you can go when his bets are high.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
Rating 7,7
Based on the homonymous novel, the popular movie Fear and Paranoia in Las Vegas describes the psychedelic road trip of Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) to the US with Dr Gonzo (Benicio del Toro) attorney in the US. In an attempt to catch up with a motorcycle race, they head to Las Vegas, spending all their money on a huge amount of drugs looking for the American dream. Johnny Depp's Guarantee
Two For The Money - All About Money (2005)
Rating 6,2
Directed by DJ Carouso, this film tells the story of a young man (Matthew Maconachi) who, after a series of successful betting predictions, gets promoted to a betting company in New York. The young man may be beautiful, but as the song says, the old one is otherwise (in the role of the only Al Pacino). So success succeeds the fall with all its consequence in a film that may seem like a common one, but it does not cease to be enjoyable.
Even Money - At the Edge of Gambling (2006)
Directed by: Mark Rydell
Rating 5,9
Very powerful cast in a modular film with 3 stories. Their theme is gambling addiction and its devastating consequences. Forest Whitaker owes money, and in order to pay off he asks his little brother playing college basketball to make a match. Kim Bassing is out of seemingly perfect family and professional life and turns into frequent casino casualties, endangering the relationship with her husband (Ray Liotta). Danny De Vito, a failed former "magician," becomes her mentor. Two young boys co-operate and distribute money in every way from their customers. Among them is the "big hook" Tim Roeth. Their stories will be crossed and we will have a nice time on our way.
High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story (2003)
Direction: AW Vidmer
Rating 6,1
We are following the course of one of the biggest poker players of all time, Stu "kid" Ungar. Big talent in poker three times world champion, but addicted to any form of gambling loses everything and even more on horse racing. At the end of his career he is delivered to drugs and women, definitively defeated by his passions. A real story that "crashes" the legend and "snores" the idols starring Michael Imperoli.
+ 1 Greek
Eternal Student (2002)
Direction: Vangelis Sethanidis
Rating 5,8
And a Greek by Vangelis Seitanidis, who had received a good reception from the audience when he was screened at the Thessaloniki Festival and traveled to the world of Greek casinos. Emilios Xilakis, instead of medical writings, reads probabilities and numbers by dropping his balls to roulette until he becomes involved with Maria Solomou ... and her father's cult figure for the big bay. Emilios Xilakis is what the title says. He makes a living at the casino. Spyros Stavrinidis is an addicted gambler with debts everywhere. His daughter (Maria Solomou) gets a job as a grumpier that according to the rules of the casino operation her father is not allowed to enter. But he finds the solution: he finances the eternal student playing on his behalf and sharing profits. A different Greek production that can not escape cliché, but it is pleasant.
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