Casinos are always an excellent backdrop for which to set your film. There is excitement and action aplenty, and of course lots and lots of money. So whether the characters are trying to win big, or trying to break the bank, there is always going to be a story going on. Whichcasino.com looks at two iconic casino based films that are worth a view.
Ocean’s Franchise
There have been three franchises set around the ‘Ocean’s’ theme. Back in the day, there was the original film, centred around the classic Rat Pack, Sammy Davis Jr, Frank Sinatra etc. Following the basic theme of a heist movie, the plan was to rip off a Las Vegas casino using a variety of enterprising strategies. This film was remade, and the New Ocean’s Eleven starred such big names as George Clooney and Brad Pitt and followed the same basic formula as the first movie. They planned to rip off a big casino chain in an act of revenge for the main character, Danny Ocean, being put in jail. This was such a popular movie that it spawned two sequels. Ocean’s Twelve takes the action to Europe and a fight against the night fox, as to who is the better thief. Once again the gang sees themselves trying all sorts of tricks in order to secure their goal. Ocean’s Thirteen takes it back to Las Vegas and once more revenge is on the cards, as it revisits not only the bad guy from the first movie but also the bad guy from the second movie, in yet another convoluted casino heist, that generates some great action. The final franchise was Ocean’s Eight, which was a gender switch on the original this time featuring a host of big female names such as Sandra Bullock, and Cate Blanchett. Again a heist is the main feature of the film with twists and turns along the way in a movie that some see as the best in the series.
21
This is based on the true story of a group of MIT students who used mathematics to break the bank at a Las Vegas casino. Using their intelligence and knowledge using a form of card counting, the students were able to gain a considerable edge playing blackjack in the casinos. They then put these skills to use in the distracting environment of a noisy casino, working in teams to start by first winning small sums of money, and then building up to bigger and bolder wins. This ultimately led to them being caught and universally barred from every casino ever. A fierce punishment for a group that had made millions from the casinos. This wasn’t the only film based around the same true story, and I think the major appeal of the film is that fact that it actually happened. This means that viewers of the films feel that the money the group won is within their grasp. It should also be noted that the punishments have only grown worse over time, so beware if you try and emulate.
