The best casino movies of all time

Casino gaming in all its glory – but sometimes even the most skilled blackjack Fox needs to take a break and occupy himself with something else. And is there much that goes up against a good movie on a normal autumn evening? We at 1080facts.co.nz love film, and here we have compiled a highly subjective list of our favorites with more or less clear links to casinos and casino games.

5. Win it all (2017)

Story: Eddie Garret (Jake Johnson) stars in this suspenseful story that has been given a comedic spin. He has an interest in playing casino but has made himself known among his friends by never making a profit. When Eddie promises an acquaintance to guard a bag whose contents consist of a large amount of cash, the player in him cannot resist the temptation to play only with a small part of the money...

Why we like the movie: It's hard not to like a feel-good comedy, although many times the subject and theme of the plot has a dark and more serious basis. Win it all is largely about financial responsibility and the importance of playing carefully, but is at the same time easy-going and entertaining.

4. The Croupier (1998)

Story: Jack Manfred (Clive Owen) is a writer who is unable to get published and begins to work as a croupier to make a living. Of course, it won't be long before he is engulfed in the casino world. Slowly, he finds himself in increasingly dubious company when he gets to know the crafty croupier Matt (Paul Reynolds) and begins a relationship with his colleague Bella (Kate Hardie), despite this being against the rules of the casino. Bit by bit, he becomes increasingly entangled in a$iminal tangle, while his relationship with girlfriend Marion (Gina McKee) becomes increasingly strained. The question is whether Jack will succeed in using his experiences to a successful novel, or whether he falls too deeply into his role as a morally questionable croupier.

Why we like the movie: What appeals to us about Croupier is the dense, intense atmosphere rather than the story itself (which, however, is clearly approved). It's a modern film noir where every scene gets the time needed to build up a$yping, slightly claustrophobic feeling, and when the movie is over, you can't help but exhale.

3. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Story : Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas may not be a particularly pure casino film, but it is so good that we include it on the list anyway. After all, a highly memorable scene takes place inside a casino, and just the fact that Las Vegas is included in the title is really enough as motivation. Anyway-Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) and his companion Dr. Gonzo (Benicio del Toro) travels to Las Vegas to write about a motorcycle race as a journalist. They both have a difficult penchant for psychoactive drugs, and the mission soon derails in a way that makes the Hangover seem like a Bolibompa. Under the influence of hellish doses of LSD, mescaline, ether and pills, the journey soon changes focus to an existential and gravely deranged trip straight into the American (mar)dream.

Why we like the movie: We have a feeling that Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas might be a movie you either love or hate. As director Terry Gilliam put it,”I want it to be seen as one of the great movies of all time, and one of the most hated movies of all time." It's definitely not the right choice for a cozy evening with the in-laws, but if you like screwed movies and want to experience a hopelessly tumultuous and darkly humorous modern classic, there is no safer card.

2. Casino Royale (2006)

Story: This bond reel may not really need a closer presentation, but if someone has missed it, it is high time to change it. Casino Royale is based on the very first of Ian Fleming's novels about Agent 007, and the film is generally considered a ”re-boot” of the entire series. It is undeniably a successful new start, and James Bond (Daniel Craig) once again became a name on the lips of all filmmakers with this film. The film opens with Bond receiving his status as 00 agent and being assigned the code name 007, followed by a really pork action scene with strong elements of parkour. The villain of the film is Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a banker with close ties to many of the world's terrorist organizations. To get closer to Le Chiffre, Bond participates in a famous Game of Texas Hold'em, and rarely has poker been so exciting on the silver screen. Hold poker bluffing ?

Why we like the movie: Who doesn't like a good farmer's roll? Casino Royale succeeded with (at least) two impressive pieces of art. James Bond, who until 2006 felt like a rather rejected character. Sure, the old movies have a great charm, but they didn't feel exactly modern.Moderna. In Casino Royale we had to face a shittier and more realistic Bond who suddenly didn't care whether martinin was ”shaken or stirred”. The second piece of art was that the film basically started the great poker trend of the entire 00s. Suddenly Texas Hold'em was the coolest thing there was.

1. 21 (2008)

Story: Topping our list of casino movies is undoubtedly the film 21, which is not only exciting straight through, but actually based on a real story. The Book Bringing down the house was written by Ben Mezrich and is about a group of MIT students who, with the help of their Leader Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey), learn to systematically count cards. The plan is to go to Las Vegas, cheat your way to profit, and leave Vegas a few million richer.

Why we like the movie: There are, perhaps not entirely unexpectedly, several reasons why we like this film. The action itself is probably something that most casino players have ever dreamed of, or been fascinated by. Counting cards is certainly not an easy thing, nor is it an easy thing to get away with. Therefore, it is very exciting to join such an adventure on the big screen.