There are so many great casino based films out there that it seems like its almost impossible to narrow it down to a list. But, that doesnt mean that we cant give you some of the best casino films. So, in no particular order, here are only three of the best casino films:

 

Casino

Although somewhat stuck in the shadows of his other highly recognized creations, Martin Scorseses Casino is just as brilliant and as cool as the best of his other films. Some critics have even gone so far as to say its actually better than Goodfellas. Set amongst the glitz and grime of Las Vegas, two mobsters, the Italian Mafia and a successful casino. The Italian Mafia have a scheme to run a successful casino on the Las Vegas strip and skim millions of the winnings. In order to do that, they hire Ace (Robert De Niro) to run the operation and make the money for them. The problem is, Ace doesnt know about their plan. All he wants is a quiet life, until his old friend Nicky (Joe Pesci) decides to show up.

Its dark and destructive. The soundtrack is smooth jazz and broken finger bones. Its gorgeous and ugly and, without a doubt, one of Scorseses greatest masterpieces. It was the gangster film of the decade and still holds strong today.

 

The Cooler

Las Vegas has always been synonymous with anti-heroes and slick, suave characters that can do no wrong and have the world figured out. Thats why The Cooler is such a great film: because its main character is none of these things. Cooler is a slang term in casinos. When the players are on a winning streak theyre hot and when theyre losing theyre cool. A cooler is someone that gives people bad luck and constantly loses, and thats the perfect description for the films main character. Bernie (William H. Macy) works at the Shangri-La casino and he has had nothing but bad luck and every time he approaches one of the customers they immediately start losing. Eventually, however, things start looking up when he falls in love with the waitress Natalie (Maria Bello). What happens next is a roller coaster of wins and losses. And Bernies boss Shelly (Alec Baldwin) is seeing his own plans being changed as well.

Its a great film with fully realized characters, a strong emotional current and devastating story telling.

 

Rounders

An incredible film that works to blur the line between what we consider to be bad and good. This film shows the different side to gambling. Its nothing like the fun Speed Poker games we see advertised to us, but instead shows this twisted, obsessive side that takes over your life, destroys you and still makes you happy. Mike (Matt Damon), a talented poker play, loses it big in a game and decides that enough is enough. He decides to get away from gambling, spend time with his girlfriend and get his life in order. His old friend Worm (Edward Norton) drags him back. Worm has an outstanding gambling debt and only five days to pay it back. The two of them decide to get the money from playing poker and the game begins.

This is the sort of film that leaves you frustrated and uncertain. You cant tell if whats happening is good or bad, but youre enjoying every minute of watching it. Its morally dubious, tense and a thrill to watch.