Casinos-themed movies offer a uniquely enticing charm because of the mixture of its characters and the luxurious setting of its culture that serves as a perfect backdrop for an instant classic
Casinos have that undeniable charm that sucks curious people inside the establishment, without them knowing what hit them. Some take that seemingly long walk of shame to the exit feeling dejected, while others hop, skip, and jump with a boat load of cash in their wallets and pocketful of hope for another bright and rewarding casino visit. Apart from these common scenarios in casinos all over the world, is the mysteriously charming characteristic of these establishments that comes to life and adds a distinct flavour to the big screen.
Movies have always been a part of our lives throughout the years. It provides us with a momentary escape from the habits of everyday life. Some movies either open our eyes to a myriad of harsh realities or provide us with a glimpse of what it’s like living in someone else’s glamorous shoes.
Movies and casino has this unlikely relationship similar to the Hangover’s wacky trio called the Wolfpack. The mutually beneficial connection of these two industries reflects their worldwide marketability and cashes in on the revenue gained from their respective fields. So the success of a casino-themed film should not be solely measured by the number of Academy Awards it has received, rather by how it left a mark to its viewers. The diversity of moviegoers ranges from a casual dating couple to an eagle-eyed movie critic in GQ; from a laid-back Partycasino.com enthusiast to a high-rolling Las Vegas casino regular. Basically, the silver screen’s appeal transcends social classes and structures; and rises above the norms of modern-day culture.
This relatively small collection of casino-themed movies has about something for everyone. The 2003 romantic drama film entitled The Cooler, tackles the story of an ill-fated gambler who falls in love with a beautiful cocktail waitress, only to discover a huge stumbling block in between them. This Wayne Kramer and Frank Hannah collaboration highlighted superb performances from its actors Alec Baldwin, William H. Macy, and Maria Bello. Though it did not do well in the box office, the film earned a stamp of approval for its clever portrayal of gambling and life in general. When looking at the box office numbers, The Hangover franchise is arguably one of the most successful series of all time. Coming from the comedic mind of writer/director Todd Phillips, the first Hangover movie in 2009 showed the adventures – or misadventures – of the “three best friends that anyone can have” in search of their missing buddy, after a wild night of partying and over-the-top enjoyment in Sin City. And though the last two instalments of the movie did not do as well as the original in terms of numbers and critical reception, the Hangover is – and will always be – the ultimate guy movie.
Perhaps the movie that hit the most slot machine jackpots was the Martin Scorsese classic, Casino. The three-hour-long film delves deep in the underground mechanism of a Las Vegas casino, while chronicling the lives of Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone’s characters. This critically acclaimed crime-drama not only wowed its audience with its depiction of the dark and unfathomable lifestyle of the rich and the infamous, it also garnered almost $120 million in box office revenues, proving to critics that a casino movie can definitely compete with other genres.
Movies and casino has this unlikely relationship similar to the Hangover’s wacky trio called the Wolfpack. The mutually beneficial connection of these two industries reflects their worldwide marketability and cashes in on the revenue gained from their respective fields. So the success of a casino-themed film should not be solely measured by the number of Academy Awards it has received, rather by how it left a mark to its viewers. The diversity of moviegoers ranges from a casual dating couple to an eagle-eyed movie critic in GQ; from a laid-back Partycasino.com enthusiast to a high-rolling Las Vegas casino regular. Basically, the silver screen’s appeal transcends social classes and structures; and rises above the norms of modern-day culture.
This relatively small collection of casino-themed movies has about something for everyone. The 2003 romantic drama film entitled The Cooler, tackles the story of an ill-fated gambler who falls in love with a beautiful cocktail waitress, only to discover a huge stumbling block in between them. This Wayne Kramer and Frank Hannah collaboration highlighted superb performances from its actors Alec Baldwin, William H. Macy, and Maria Bello. Though it did not do well in the box office, the film earned a stamp of approval for its clever portrayal of gambling and life in general. When looking at the box office numbers, The Hangover franchise is arguably one of the most successful series of all time. Coming from the comedic mind of writer/director Todd Phillips, the first Hangover movie in 2009 showed the adventures – or misadventures – of the “three best friends that anyone can have” in search of their missing buddy, after a wild night of partying and over-the-top enjoyment in Sin City. And though the last two instalments of the movie did not do as well as the original in terms of numbers and critical reception, the Hangover is – and will always be – the ultimate guy movie.
Perhaps the movie that hit the most slot machine jackpots was the Martin Scorsese classic, Casino. The three-hour-long film delves deep in the underground mechanism of a Las Vegas casino, while chronicling the lives of Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone’s characters. This critically acclaimed crime-drama not only wowed its audience with its depiction of the dark and unfathomable lifestyle of the rich and the infamous, it also garnered almost $120 million in box office revenues, proving to critics that a casino movie can definitely compete with other genres.
