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I thought it a good case study as it shows how a potentially touchy subject can be handled effectively with humour. Keep track of the movies and show you want to see + get Flicks email updates. It was not long before he was spending all his money feeding his addiction. Tovia Alefosio was a young rugby player in New Zealand when he first began laying bets on pretty much any sport he could get odds on. The film has earned the thumbs up from many of those who work with problem gamblers. “I had to understand the psychology of it more. What drove people to gamble. I spoke to a lot of specialists as well.”

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Billed as “the wildest poker game in the west,” the poker featured in A Big Hand for the Little Lady is realistic in that it portrays several common poker motifs such as degeneracy, high stakes, and the con. The “big hand” that results in a massive pot of $20,500 – remember it takes place in 1880, so that’d be equivalent to about $550,000 in today’s dollars – is a lot of fun, though today’s poker audience might take issue with the betting. With such a strong affinity to gambling in the Australian culture, it is bemusing that there aren’t tons of films on this topic. On this page, we will take a look at some of the Australian gambling–themed movies that you can watch to get an understanding of gambling and its many faces with respect to the land down under. Will producers take note and come out with some gambling themed bangers in 2020?

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With no way of getting $300k to attend Harvard Medical School, Ben decides to join the card-counting team. Unfortunately, power and greed get the best of the students, putting their plan in jeopardy.

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Regional casinos are another form of government-sanctioned gambling, as is the current lobbying campaign for online gambling. After receiving a license to kill, British Secret Service agent James Bond (Daniel Craig) heads to Madagascar, where he uncovers a link to Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a man who finances terrorist organizations. Learning that Le Chiffre plans to raise money in a high-stakes poker game, MI6 sends Bond to play against him, gambling that their newest “00” operative will topple the man’s organization.

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This portrayal taps into the fantasy of instant wealth and the excitement of risk-taking. Gambling movies have been captivating audiences for decades, providing a glimpse into the exciting world of casinos and games. From the hilarious antics of “The Hangover” to the heartwarming journey of “Rain Man,” these movies showcase the thrill of gambling, the relationships formed and tested, and the personal growth of their characters. However, Stoner finds out the game is rigged against Howard by Slade seeking revenge for his loss to Howard. Although subjective, Rounders (1998) is widely considered the quintessential poker movie due to its realistic poker action, memorable characters and influence on poker culture during the poker boom of the early 2000s.

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  • At age 5 they start school; at 9 are exercising critical thinking signalled by the shift from early to middle childhood; at 12 start secondary school and enter puberty,  at 16, can leave school, but not yet an adult.
  • After losing the botched poker game, the quartet must raise £500,000 to pay off Harry’s gambling debt or Eddy will lose his dad’s pub.
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  • After burning through his life-savings of $65,000 at the poker table, Jack who’s about to get married to Betsy (Sarah Jessica Parker) is forced to lend his fiancée to the winning opponent and con artist, Tommy Korman (James Caan).
  • In this article, we will take a look at the top 21 gambling movies exposed as research by New Casino Sites.
  • Lanh (Tuan Tran), the son of a funeral director (Hoai Linh), finds himself trapped in a downward spiral due to his gambling addiction.
  • Seen through their eyes, the movie reveals the details of mob involvement in casinos in the 1970s and ’80s.
  • This article aims to go over some of these utilizations in a rather general sense and provide a basic insight into the most popular ways the casino industry is portrayed in film and TV.

If you have a larger group, then start looking at some venues in your community. Churches, community rooms, schools, libraries and meeting rooms within your city or town hall are all great venues for a screening. The Forge tells the story of Isaiah, a 19-year-old who lives for basketball and video games. A year out of high school, he still has no job, no plans, and no idea how to be a man.

by Bordertown Films.

Regardless of the extent to which gambling features in a production, there’s a notable duality in its portrayal. On one hand, casinos are almost invariably presented as places of glamour and prestige. The cinematography often emphasizes the luxury of these establishments – the dazzling lights, the luxurious interiors, and the beautiful people in expensive attire.

  • He recalls the bookie Walter, who once offered Brandon scams promising a big payday.
  • With such a strong affinity to gambling in the Australian culture, it is bemusing that there aren’t tons of films on this topic.
  • The classic showdown between James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, and the villainous Le Chiffre, played by Mads Mikkelsen, has had poker players fantasizing about playing poker for the highest stakes—with millions of dollars on the line.
  • The next day, the three groomsmen wake up with no memory and can’t find Doug.
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  • He’s well-known poker guru famed for becoming the first-ever player to scoop 3 WSOP Main Event tournaments in the history of World Series of Poker.
  • “And it could have been avoided or handled more delicately had management at the studio bothered to understand or care that they were savaging the dreams of at least five generations of movie-goers.”

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gambling movies

Furthermore filmmaking is an incredible way to teach skills such as team work, communication and it also builds confidence in people as they discus their ideas and overcome challenges. Over the 10 week program students had the opportunity to learn about the various modes of documentary,  a brief history of the documentary  form and the opportunity to participate in filmmaking at a professional level. Charlie Babbitt, played by Tom Cruise, is a car dealer that goes back to Cincinnati after learning of his father’s death. He finds out he has an autistic older brother named Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) and that his father left $3 million at the mental institution where Raymond resides. The franchise now comprises 25 films which have grossed over $US7.04 billion in total at the box office. It ultimately brought in $US59.5 million at the box office — about $US611.4 million in today’s money.

Playing the game: the best films about cards, roulette and casinos

Excitingly in June Bus Stop Films rolled out a 10 week documentary studies program for individuals who have a lived experience of mental health issues. Funded by 3 Bridges Community through their Partners in Recovery (PIR) program, students joined the Bus Stop documentary studies workshops to engage in an accessible ‘film school experience’. This unique experience allowed these students to participate in an inclusive program without the barriers mainstream classes often present in the early stages of recovery. Gone with the Wind, starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, would go on to become one of the highest-grossing films of all time, earning more than $US4,200 billion (in today’s money, adjusted for inflation). Mike learns from Petra at the Chesterfield that Worm has racked up a $7,000 debt in Mike’s name.

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  • The cinematography often emphasizes the luxury of these establishments – the dazzling lights, the luxurious interiors, and the beautiful people in expensive attire.
  • “I thought, here’s a story that I could make on a small budget. But also something that could resonate and have a real social message about an issue that is not going away any time soon.”
  • In the final hand, Mike baits a boastful KGB into going all-in and defeats him with a nut straight.
  • This commercial I did in my previous life whilst working in Singapore a few years ago.
  • The first Hangover movie was a huge hit, so much so that Warner Bros. released Hangover II in 2011 and Hangover III in 2013.
  • It’s one of the more modern poker movies, especially since it is based on a true story.

Since then, the prospect of banning all gambling advertising from our screens, be they wall-mounted or hand-held, has become a bit of a political and sociological circus, which is what invariably happens when the Greens become involved. The problem with the M category is that it has no legal force, which means that very young children can and do attend such films, risking potential harm from violent, scary and otherwise disturbing themes and content. And perhaps might discourage marketers from aiming their M classified titles, and linked products like toys and games, at the young. Student Edge members enjoy exclusive movie ticket discounts at HOYTS every Monday – Thursday with $12.50 tickets for general session and $32 tickets for HOYTS LUX.

There’s even more to watch.

Rounders follows the story of Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) who must beat Teddy “KGB”, a Russian gambling baron in a high stakes poker game. At home, McDermott is being pressured by his girlfriend Jo to call it quits from gambling. The push-and-pull between the couple continues until Lester (a friend of McDermott’s) comes out of the slammer and is required to pay off an old debt owed to the KGB. The showdown unfolds right before your eyes, with lots of table banter and poker bluffing strategies.

The movie is based on Oscar who is a talented gambler that uses his brains and mathematical prowess to strategically gamble and make plenty of money which he even uses to pay for his tuition and even donates a lot of his winnings to charity. Cal is an adventurer and professional pool player who makes his money by beating newcomers to the local bars who have come there looking for easy money. On his way he meets a strange loner, Joe, hiding from his dark past, which may have something to do with his father. Even though Ocean and the team have laid out a highly detailed and elaborate plan, the heist faces plenty of turns and twists. Will the Ocean’s 11 make away with millions of dollars from the tycoon’s coffers? If you have 1hr 57min to spare, this is a casino heist movie that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

  • The allure of gambling has always captivated the human imagination, and nowhere is this more evident than in the world of cinema.
  • Worm drives Mike to Binghamton for a game hosted by New York state troopers, where he comes close to winning the $7,800 needed before Worm unexpectedly joins the game.
  • Based on the book of the same name, it is both an engaging poker movie and an insightful look at the real-life world of underground gambling.
  • “The festival scenario certainly engages more attendances to retro. A surprising number of people coming to one session will buy multiple tickets for other films in the season.”
  • Not only does Bond show off amazing bluffing strategies but it also manages to break down Le Chiffre organization.
  • Allegations of match fixing and revelations about the gambling problems of star players have been a blight on rugby league.
  • – but strangely, Casino doesn’t quite deliver the expected denouement a three-hour film would warrant.
  • Soon after, a trooper catches Worm base-dealing to help Mike; they are beaten up and relieved of their entire bankroll.

There seems to be something captivating about gambling, perhaps the nature of the activity and the risk-reward system that is tied to it, that gives writers promising vehicles for delivering effective storytelling ideas. Fortunately our main location, the apartment, was relatively spacious and had lots of different areas to shoot in. The client loved the reference and wanted us to follow a similar structure; a young guy sees his friend is gambling and thinks of all the worst-case scenarios that could happen. Problem gambling counsellor Rhonda Woodford added “it is one of the few movies that actually tells the truth about gambling.”

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He invites her to join him and his friends on a dream vacation on his private island. Wild nights blend into sun-soaked days and everyone’s having a great time. Nobody wants this trip to end, there is something wrong with this place. She’ll https://allspinswin.org/ have to uncover the truth if she wants to make it out of this party alive. In this gripping crime thriller, Russell Crowe stars as Roy Freeman, an ex-homicide detective with a fractured memory, forced to revisit a case he can’t remember.

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From Matt Damon’s younger days, this film is all about exploring New York City’s private bars devoted to high-stakes poker. Jo’s concerned over the recent release of Mike’s gambling buddy Worm (Edward Norton). Worm, in no time, draws Mike back toward the tables to help him pay his prison debts, forcing Jo to move out. When they are ordered to get $15,000 in five days, the two indulge in a gambling binge, which brings them back full circle to Teddy.

By the same token, roulette can be used in other films to highlight a character’s internal conflicts or transitions. For example, a character who engages in a high-stakes game of roulette might be portrayed as being at a crossroads, facing a gamble that mirrors their life decisions. The game’s outcomes can serve as metaphors for their personal stakes, whether they’re taking a major risk, making a critical decision, or confronting the consequences of their actions. Allegations of match fixing and revelations about the gambling problems of star players have been a blight on rugby league.

As you might expect, there’s a ringleader, Danny Ocean (played by George Clooney), and a team of high risk-takers who want to execute one of the most elaborate casino heists in history. Ocean’s 11 target three of Vegas largest casinos – the MGM Grand, the Mirage and Bellagio. In this film, the three casinos are owned and operated by scum-bag tycoon Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia). If you love casino heist films, the chances are very good that you have watched Steven Soderbergh’s crown jewel Ocean’s Eleven. Lootz is all ready to leave Shelly’s employ in a week when his son and pregnant daughter-in-law come into his life, looking for money for the baby and ready to go long ways to get it. In addition, Lootz starts to fall in love with Natalie Belisario (Maria Bello), who believes in stars and fate and knows that their relationship could succeed only if they stayed in Vegas.

gambling movies

He has a fondness of cheesy 90’s action and classic Hollywood, hates that physical media is disappearing, and wishes somebody would make a high-budget series of The Neverending Story. Reprising their collaboration on Goodfellas (1990), director Martin Scorsese and co-writer Nicholas Pileggi bring this true-story crime drama based on the rise and fall of ace gambler Sam Rothstein, working for the Mafia in Las Vegas. Robert De Niro plays Rothstein, Joe Pesci is his enforcer, and Sharon Stone plays his wife in a Golden Globe-winning performance. “I had the idea decades ago, growing up around rugby league circles in Western Sydney and seeing and seeing the problem of gambling addiction,” Davis says. Next time you’re considering a film night, consider putting on one of our top picks of casinos featuring horror films.

The films highlighted in this selection bring to life the high-stakes drama, the thrill of the game, and the complex characters drawn to this lifestyle. From Guy Ritchie’s intricately plotted “Snatch” to the true story drama “Money for Two” starring Matthew McConaughey and Al Pacino, each movie offers a unique perspective on the allure and dangers of gambling. On the other hand, we have the other character – Lucinda, who is born into wealth. However, once she gets a taste of casino games, Lucinda starts to enjoy gambling more than she initially planned. This movie shows what full-blown gambling addiction paired with an impulsive and reckless personality can lead to. From Guy Ritchie’s intricately plotted “Snatch” to the gripping drama of “Money for Two” starring Matthew McConaughey and Al Pacino, these films capture the essence of high-stakes gambling and the intense emotions that come with it.

  • This article aims to go over some of these utilizations in a rather general sense and provide a basic insight into the most popular ways the casino industry is portrayed in film and TV.
  • Ace (de Niro) is a Vegas casino operator with mob connection, but he lives a seemingly normal and civilized life with his family.
  • At age 5 they start school; at 9 are exercising critical thinking signalled by the shift from early to middle childhood; at 12 start secondary school and enter puberty,  at 16, can leave school, but not yet an adult.
  • “Those were the biggest films. And they won several Oscars for it. But also just made extraordinary box office out of that era.”
  • Obviously it’s a fine line to tread, you have to make sure the tone is just right and the scenarios are fun yet relevant.
  • There’s no more miserable sight than walking through an RSL club at 10am and observing scores of people hypnotically spinning their money into oblivion.

Thelma Schoonmaker’s editing is again one of the film’s stronger technical elements, cutting the copious montages and swirling camerawork with panache and narrative propulsion, abetted by the stellar cast all working at the top of their game. But not even she can turn the film’s wobbly midsection and painfully protracted third act from being a load of white gambling noise into a memorable climax for all involved. There’s explosions and brutal murders and a lot of comeuppance, but after two and a half hours of screaming, flashing lights and Sharon Stone’s gradual descent into toxic madness you can be forgiven for eyeballing the exit with regularity. In films like this there needs to be a sense of redemption, or at least catharsis for the central character – does Sam live or die by the sword of violence he carries throughout the film? – but strangely, Casino doesn’t quite deliver the expected denouement a three-hour film would warrant.

Seen through their eyes, the movie reveals the details of mob involvement in casinos in the 1970s and ’80s. Ace is the smooth operator of the Tangiers Casino, while Nicky is his friend and strongman. Not only are they seen as being a reflection — no matter how slight — of the real and dirty world, but, if the writers are feeling merciful, the cleverness with which the main character weasels his way out of trouble is very entertaining to watch. Any push by the federal government to ban or severely constrict gambling advertising is the construct of ideologues who believe they know best and who also think that they are best placed to decide what’s best for others.

Unfortunately, he lost the vast majority of his poker winnings on horse racing. One side of this Janus-like city is all glitz and glamour, beautiful and glittering, while the hidden, more notorious side is of cruelty and relentless brutality. Ace Rothstein (Robert De Niro) and Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), both mobsters, live in this paradoxical world.

  • Posted by Wild Republic Australia
  • On October 1, 2024
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