Casino - 20th Anniversary Edition [Blu-ray] [1995] [Region Free]

Third best crime film

10/10 every time

I loathe the inevitable comparisons made between "Casino" and "Goodfellas". The films do share a director, Martin Scorsese, a source writer, Nicholas Pileggi, and two stars, Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci. That's where the similarities end. Both films tackle stories in the criminal milieu and succeed in gripping the audience. Scorsese manages to make this film a fast-paced experience despite a nearly three hour running time. He's ably abetted by some snappy editing by Thelma Schoonmaker, gorgeous cinematography by Robert Richardson, and good sense of the era(love the cars and clothes). Impeccable song choices on Scorsese's part on the soundtrack. The film is fascinating in how it portrays Las Vegas as a shimmering city which under it's surface is motivated by greed and avarice, which in turn breeds paranoia. Just ask the eye in the sky. The first half of the film concerns itself with how some Midwest mobsters infiltrate a Vegas casino. The second half shows how overreaching causes their downfall. DeNiro is superb as the oddsmaker who goes on to manage a casino only to be brought down by his own vanity. Pesci is equally fine as the thug who wants to make Vegas his personal playground. Probably the best performance in the film belongs to Sharon Stone as DeNiro's wife who is at heart a hustler. This is a difficult part to pull off because her's is essentially a character motivated by pure greed but Stone manages to convey the pathos to make her sympathetic. I think Scorsese is a victim of his own success because this film was initially given lukewarm response from the critics and public alike. Fortunately, time has been kind to "Casino".

Love this movie!

Who doesn't like this movie!?

Martin Scorsese's "Casino" is a brilliant film that is based upon real events concerning casino owner Frank Rosenthal. It's an all-star cast that includes gangster, punk and stupid con Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and the great Don Rickles. Incidentally, in 1977, both Sinatra and Rickles appeared on the Frank Rosenthal Show at the Sahara hotel in Las Vegas. Very interesting movie, although some events and names were changed.

Love this movie!

The movie, CASINO, is a cinematic-ally disturbing and a visually haunting look at the Las Vegas gaming industry's development, evolution, temporary implosion, and lucrative expansion....through the eyes of the hardened gangsters and shady wise guys who were there and who rode an incredible multimillion dollar empire right down into the dry and light tan Nevada ground.Plus, the cast for this movie was chosen very well. Joe Pesci's persona just kidnaps the screen and holds your movie-going heart captive every time the camera's on him and Robert Deniro just gives another absolutely brilliant performance once again.CASINO, as a whole though, pulls no punches. It is not for the weak of heart or for those who still hold onto a DISNEY-fied love affair or who have bought into the advertised marketing perception of Las Vegas' wonderful gaming and vacationing attractions. No. CASINO, the movie, brutally highlights how Las Vegas is not some glitzy resort and calming get away adventure, in the middle of the the hot desert, for the average tourist's pleasure. No. CASINO really and truthfully shines a white hot spotlight on all of the greed, corruption, murder,lust, betrayal,dishonesty, ruthlessness and vice that went into the very lucrative gaming industry.CASINO entraps you, teases you, educates you, exhilarates you, seduces you, excites you, shocks you, and eventually drains you just like the exotic and never-ending Las Vegas nightlife.This is truly an epic tale that is absolutely worth your time to see.