Watching a movie is a gamble. Every time you buy a ticket at the theater or line up for a movie on the couch, you take a risk. Is two hours worth it? There is always a risk when choosing a movie, but there are ways to limit that risk. For example, read a list of the best films in the genre.
Movies about gambling are inherently dramatic because, by definition, they are about risk. It’s not fun to watch someone level-headed and cautious. It’s more of watching someone keep jeopardizing their well-being, desperately, irrationally hoping for a big score, and, in many ways, the gambler in a gambling movie is like this.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Often, film roles played are presented as thought-provoking cautionary tales. No one told Steven Soderbergh that he turned his jubilant remake into a jazzy, light-footed explosion. From early scenes featuring the super cool characters of George Clooney and Brad Pitt facing off at the poker table, it’s clear that this Ocean Eleven will exude the sleek, high spirits of modern Vegas. All for sophistication, pleasure, and very little actual degenerative behavior. Soderbergh’s ensemble is impeccably dressed, never ostentatious, with the style that a real player craves. The filmmaker doesn’t care about the intricacies of gambling, and he finds the game’s metaphor to be just as silly. If the movie inspires you to tip your toes in gambling, the safest way is from the comfort of your own home, try STS Bet Online Casino.
Casino (1995)
“In Vegas, everyone has to watch out for everyone else.” Robert De Niro confronts Harvey Keitel’s sane thugs on the mean streets in 1973, playing the dangerous, unpredictable rambunctious man — De Niro played the man who carried the burden decades later. Obligations that weigh on him. In “Casino,” he’s Ace, a gangster running a busy casino who tries to get things “right,” only to be swayed by his hot-headed sidekick (Joe Pesci) and an ambitious wife (Sharon S. pass). Want to understand the inner workings of Las Vegas gambling? Martin Scorsese’s intricate drama is for you, chronicling Sin City’s evolution from squalid to sanitized over a few years. Like GoodFellas before him, Scorsese understands how American corporations operate behind the curtains—and how individuals are trampled.
Casino Royale (1964)
Casino Royale is impressive as the first James Bond film starring Daniel Craig. Bond is darker and grittier than ever, and with that added edge adds a sense of realism that some of the more goofy Bond titles, like those from the Roger Moore era, lack. Casino Royale is about Bond’s 007 status, his license to kill, and his romance with Vesper Lynd. One of the best villains in the Le Chiffre series, played by Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, is also in the mix.
In a game called Casino Royale, Bond, Le Chiffre, and several other players played a game of Texas Hold ’em. At the heart of the film, the card game is played out in several scenes, interspersed with espionage and even near-death experiences after Le Chiffre’s middle card game poisons Bond. With a strong cast, great action, and a tight script, “Casino Royale” is one of the best films in the James Bond franchise and one of the best overall gambling films.
Molly’s Game (2017)
“Molly’s Game” was the first film to be directed by one of Hollywood’s most famous screenwriters, Aaron Sorkin, who created such films as “A Few Good Men,” “The Social Network,” and “Moneyball,” As well as TV shows like ‘West Wing,’ ‘Sports Night’ and ‘The Newsroom.’ Sorkin wrote an adaptation of Molly’s game based on Molly Bloom’s autobiography.
Bloom’s incredible life story saw her compete in the Olympics as a skier until she suffered a devastating injury. Not content with living an everyday life after recovering from an injury, Bloom ended up in the Hollywood underground world of poker. Eventually, she started running her own game, which attracted movie stars, gangsters, and politicians and has become “the world’s most unique high-stakes underground poker game,” as the book cover proudly proclaims.
Jessica Chastain is excellent in the lead role, and Idris Elba and Kevin Costner are plentiful in the supporting roles. Sorkin’s screenplay was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Croupier (1998)
Jack Manfred, played by teenager Clive Owen, is a writer struggling to make ends meet. His financial troubles forced him to become a croupier (dealer) at London’s High Street Casino. He soon started a sly gambling deal with a player, and his life has been a roller coaster ever since.
The movie dealer takes a very different approach from traditional gambling movies, showing another side of the industry. It’s one of tears and joy, brokenness and prosperity.
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