It was a fantastic movie, and I suspect that parts of it, are not that far off from reality. On another note, I used to watch Siskel and Ebert too, they were a fantastic duo.
“It’s the story of American ambition: early promises, the steady rise within an organization . It turns out that this organization in particular , steals things and kills people” Ebert’s delivery lol
Sometimes they didn't like good movies. I thought it was great too. I thought the 2nd half was better. Really intense performances by Dinero and Stone. Probably Sharon Stone's best performance.
I disagree (along with most) with the "thumbs down" however, I agree with what Gene was saying about no new ground being covered. The mob life movies all have a very similar arch to them. Seduction, out-of-control behavior, and eventual downfall. It's not that Casino is a bad film just the theme was saturated when this one came out.
Casino wasn’t as well regarded when it was released. It has grown in popularity over the years. If Siskel was alive today and looked at the full body of work from Scorsese I’m sure he would have reevaluted his opinion expressed here.
I can only say that, without Kristiane, Stanley couldn´t or wouldn´t have made the move to England, he needed the cover and background to do that. And that was his fulfillment, the secret wish that can only be realised with a ring. It´s not a deal, it´s a head to love somebody....
An American Film Classic is Goodfellas. My uncle went to school with the character played by Robert De Niro, Jimmy Burke. Burke was responsible for much of the pilfering at the NY Airports. My uncle recalled that Burke although a career criminal, was a gentleman, well liked and well respected in the community.
The problem with casino is that it almost feels like Scorsese made Goodfellas and then was like "GAAAH, these actors are all perfect for this OTHER story... We should make it anyways though" so people complain about them being too similar, but it's also a true story, those characters were really like that. I guess deniro is playing a totally different character at least. But the casting of pesci to play santoro (spilotro in real life) is perfect
One of my favorite parts is the unreliable narrator, like how he's explaining all the mob was was the police dept for wise guys, that's it, they protect people who can't go to the police. Then 5 minutes later there's a more or less completely clean businessman who runs a bar who kicks up protection money who goes into business with Paulie and immediately gets busted out, bankrupt, and has this business burned down for insurance money.
RIP Siskel & Ebert but goodness Gene seems like a pompous prick. He gives Casino a Thumbs Down because it's familiar territory for Scorsese? Gimme a break. The movie is a masterpiece.
It's best to view "Casino" as a companion piece to "GoodFellas" in a story about America. "GoodFellas" was essentially the Wild West. "Casino" was about the corporations moving into the Wild West after the outlaws started eating their own.
That long camera shot of Henry and Karen going into the night club is a masterwork. Scorsese should've won best director, Ray Liotta best actor, and the movie best picture.
It's easy to call Goodfellas a great film cus everyone and their mother would say so. But when it came to films like Ace Ventura these two failed to see a great comedy film!
I have seen hundreds and hundres of movies for over 50 years and yet no killing in a movie rocked me like when Tommy guns down the kids Spider during the poker game. It wasn't the killing that go to me, but the reaction of everyone else in the room. They are upset not that Tommy killed the kid, but now they have to stop the poker game to bury the kid. That incredible scene showed how very little life means for these gangsters.
I grew up when tv was just coming into existence in homes and if you saw a picture it was at a theater, it was an event, you could not watch in your pajamas unless it was a drive in . And those were exciting too, for a lot of reasons. 😅 those were the days my friend we thought they’d never end, those were the days oh yes those were the days. Going to a drive in and watch three feature films on a Saturday night. It was special to have your girlfriend or later your wife.
Can anyone imagine Picasso justifying why he painted a specific painting? The reporter that made the statement “yes, you do!” must return to school. The Cannes festival one day will disappear like the Roman Empire also disappeared but Lars von Trier movies will echoes through time like Socrates and Plato do until today.
I just watched this again - it’s kind of all over the place. I don’t compare it to “Goodfellas” - I just think it could have been much better. Way too much turmoil with Ginger - you cut about a half hour of their constant fighting along with her affair with Nicky, and it would have been much more entertaining. There are memorable scenes, and De Niro is flawless in this. In the end, it was just too long and needed a better edit.
The Outlaw Josey Wales, The Godfather, Goodfellas, Django Unchained, The USual Suspects. Annie Hall....there are certain movies that you can't avoid when you get a chance to watch them again.
