Casino showcases the dark side of Vegas, you know the one you won’t see in the colorful brochures, based on a true story about greed, corruption, drama, and violence. Stacked with award-winning performances from Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, and James Woods, Casino should make the top 10 list of movies released during the 1990’s because of the amazing writing and performances. Empires rise and fall because of the leaders in charge and the people they surround themselves with. The Vegas you go to in 2017 is far from what it used to be in the 1970’s. There is seriously no telling how bad things could be today, if the evil empires of yesterday didn’t rise and fall. Sure there is still corruption and I guarantee the mafia is deeply invested in the back door politics of the gambling world, but they don’t grab the headlines like they used to. DeNiro gives one of the finer performance of his long illustrious career as Sam Rothstein, the best bookie to ever work the industry. His stern attitude is unmatched by anyone and the way he conducts himself makes him the leader the money makers want. What makes his performance even better is the tough of nails Pesci character, Nicky Santoro. These two are the best of friends and bitter enemies at the same time. One is there to build a life and the other is there to take no prisoners. Who will come out on top is really what Casino about, because there is always something else going on in casinos besides slot machines and poker tables. 9/10
Ten Stars or Less 