It’s happened to us all. You stride into a casino, wallet filled with cash and plans for some enjoyable, sensible gaming and maybe two rounds of cocktails. Hours later, you’re not sure what time it is, how many drinks you’ve had or where your money went. That’s because casinos use sound, lights and physical design to lead you down a path that is difficult to step away from.<\/p>\n
The story of Casino revolves around Sam “Ace” Rothstein (De Niro), a Jewish American gambling expert and handicapper hired by the Chicago Outfit to run the Tangiers Hotel casino in Las Vegas. He is aided by mobster Nicky Santoro (Pesci) and streetwise chip hustler Ginger McKenna (Stone). Ultimately, the casino and its operations put strain on Sam’s relationships and standing with the syndicate, and he begins to lose control of his life and career.<\/p>\n
Casino is based on the true story of Frank Rosenthal and his Stardust Hotel casino. The film also features scenes based on the life of mafia figure and labor union leader Jimmy “Popeye” Dugan. The film’s screenplay is by Nicholas Pileggi, who wrote the book on which it was based.<\/p>\n
Casino is another brilliant entry in the Martin Scorsese filmography and, thanks to the outstanding performances of Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, is one of the best films ever made about organized crime in America. It’s a story about the inevitable fall of criminals from lofty heights, but unlike Goodfellas, it doesn’t get bogged down in unnecessary violence or over-the-top characters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"