Casino (1995)

Synopsis: ‘Ace’ casino manager bets on the wrong philly as little buddy generates more unwanted heat than a small intestine filled with jalapenos.

Blurb From the VHS Jacket: “In an era of over-the-top glitz, Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein (Robert De Niro) is riding high as front man for the Mob’s multi-billion dollar Las Vegas operation. To protect their ‘investment’, the bosses send in Ace’s boyhood pal, hot-headed Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci). It’s a winning hand: Ace’s brain and Nicky’s muscle – until sexy wild card Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone) turns up the heat.”

What Did I Learn?: Placing somebody’s head in a vise – and getting an eye to pop out of its socket – is a more effective means of extracting information than poking a man’s testicles with an icepick.

You Might Like This Movie If: You enjoy snappy dialogue, and feel that if a movie is well-written, any actors could speak the lines.

Really?: Ace knows that Ginger is a money-hungry call girl; she tells him she doesn’t love him, and discourages the idea of getting married. Instead of um...listening, he cajoles her into marriage anyway, and even gives her sole access to a safety deposit box filled with money and jewels. Yeah – way to play all the angles, Mr. ‘Ace’ bookmaker.

Rating: Casino is a fun look at a bygone era. De Niro, Pesci, Sharon Stone and James Woods (this blog’s favourite bad dude) offer top-notch performances, even if they’re all playing greedy, violent and manipulative characters. 8/10 stars.  

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112641/