Casino (1995)

Classic...

Timeless cult-classic brilliantly restored and preserved in highest quality possible today - 5.1 audio and Full HD video. What more can You want? April 26, 2008

Martys Casino

I have owned this HD disc for a while and I never grow tire of it!! In many ways, this film is superior to "Goodfellows" which I also own in HD, not the least being--Sharon Stone!! Her Oscar nominated and Golden Globe winning performance is worth the price of the movie alone!! A previous reviewer downgraded her performance but I believe this is a personal bias rather an objective one!! Next to her "Basic Instinct" breakthrough, "Casino" shows that with a great director, Sharon can deliver the goods as well as any of the great femme actors out there like Charlize & Hillary who I also like. Dig this in Hi-Def for the gaudiness and the scene where Ginger throws the chips in the air while DeNiro is entranced by her. Keep in mind though that this is a Universal release and is only available in HD, so do cop a Toshiba machine before they're gone. March 23, 2008

Scorsese, DeNiro, Pesci, gangsters. Enough said.

The abbreviated review is here: This movie is about gangsters, is directed by Scorsese and stars DeNiro and Pesci. You need to see it, especially in HD-DVD format.

The extended review continues... Casino is not as critically acclaimed or part of the movie goer's conscious like Goodfellas (which is an excellent film) but it should be. It's about gangsters and Las Vegas before the big corporations sanitized Vegas and turned it into an adult version of Disney World.

It's "based on a true story", but only loosely. But does it matter? A great story told only the way Scorsese can tell it is entertainment at its best whether it's tightly based on a true story, loosely based on a true story, or is an original fictional screenplay.

My only warning is the movie had, at the time, the record number of f-bombs ever in a movie at over 420. I'm personally not offended by it but I watched it with my older Chinese in-laws, who were a little disturbed by the language. I just told them that's the way gangsters talk and the movie is just keepin' it real. Just know this tidbit when choosing your fellow viewers.


February 15, 2008

This Movie Rocks

This film is not as well known as Scorcese's other big gangster saga- GoodFellas, but it is actually a fantastic follow-up to the former. Instead of NYC, Scorcese sets this story of mafia mayhem in Las Vegas. There are two levels on which to watch a film like this. First is to delve into the fascinating story of the different personalities that make up the criminal world and how they inevitably clash. This is particularly fascinating with Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci doing just that. The other level of enjoying this film is jumping on the fluid film ride Scorcese takes you on... constant graceful, majestic camera work that picks the viewer up in its hand and zooms you along... like being on its a Small Small World at Disneyland, but going much faster, and the message being... It's Too Small A World for both of us pal.. and moving a few clicks faster at least, accompanied by rock and classic jazz standards. This is not your grandmother's Vegas. Casino cheaters are dealt with swiftly and harshly and the endless desert landscape surrounding Vegas is not empty, but filled with people- all below ground. If you like Scorcese, you must watch this film. If you like Pesci, you will not be disappointed. If you like Vegas, this film offers a fascinating "possible" history of how your favourite casino came to be.
Sharon Stone is very disappointing in this film. Not a total disaster, but it is difficult to see what charm DeNiro's character found in her to give his life over to her. But this is a small fault in the film. This is a roller coaster ride with slow spots, but overall a great film ride for those who like a healthy quotient of violence and pathos.
February 13, 2008

Casino on HD DVD places Vegas in your living room!

I purchased this after reading a review that regards it as one of the best 8mm to hd dvd transfers. Wow, was it right! The color from the opening scene was brilliant; it captured the full Las Vegas ambience in superb detail. The architechure couldn't look more real and its well-lighted signature has never been written to film better. Oh yeah, the sound was nothing to fall asleep on, too. In short, this is a must-add to your hd dvd library. January 26, 2008

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