There’s something about gambling that makes us want to see it on the big screen. Whether it’s a comedy, crime drama, or romance, there’s something special about watching our favourite actors and actresses play around with cards and dice. In honour of this topic being quite popular lately (and because we just love movies and casino royale film locations), we’ve compiled a list of popular casino film titles in New Zealand. If you need a recommendation for your next movie night, take a look!
Nr 1 Casino Movie: The Hangover
Playing at casinos has always been a popular form of entertainment for many, and The Hangover is a classic comedy film that captures the fun and excitement of a trip to Las Vegas. Whether you’re a fan of online casinos or prefer the real-life experience of playing at a brick-and-mortar establishment, this movie is sure to resonate with you. This American comedy film from 2009 directed by Todd Phillips is a favourite among NZ casino fans who love to play at Captain Cooks Casino site and have fun. It’s no wonder that many players who enjoy the thrill of taking risks and winning big are also fans of The Hangover.
It stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Heather Graham as four friends who travel to Las Vegas for Doug’s bachelor party. Upon waking up, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms) and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) find Doug (Justin Bartha) missing and have no memory of the previous night; they soon discover that they were involved in an incident with a tiger at Caesar’s Palace casino during their drunken antics. They try their best to piece together what happened while also dealing with their hangovers before the wedding can take place later that day.
Top Choice of Gambling Fans in NZ: Owning Mahowny
Owning Mahowny is a 2003 Canadian drama film directed by Richard Kwietniowski and written by Maurice Chauvet. It stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as Dan Mahowny, Minnie Driver as Belinda and Maury Chaykin as Frank.
The movie follows the true story, just like many movies Exploring Captain Cook and his endeavours. Instead, in this case, the story is not about an explorer but rather of a Toronto bank employee who embezzled more than $10 million in order to fuel his gambling addiction during the 1980s. As assistant branch manager, Dan Mahowny becomes able to handle bigger and bigger accounts during that time period, and he is trusted by his boss, who is unaware of Mahowny’s secret life. He skims more money for himself and makes weekly trips to Atlantic City, where he gambles away all his earnings at casinos (and loses even more than what he stole).
The Hustler
The Hustler is an American sports romantic drama film from 1961, starring Jackie Gleason and Paul Newman. The film was directed by Robert Rossen ad has been a huge hit among New Zealand gambling fans. It tells the story of Eddie Felson, who wants to challenge the legendary player Minnesota Fats in a game of chance – pool. Ultimately, The Hustler explores what it means to be human through a narrative about winning and losing. In this film, Eddie Felson loses his humanity when he tries too hard to win at any cost, while Minnesota Fats remains undamaged and uncorrupted by both his success as well as failure throughout the movie, thanks to never handling money himself and focusing only on his game.
This dark, morally complex tale is graced by iconic performances by Paul Newman, who plays Eddie Felson and Jackie Gleason, playing Minnesota Fats – two men representing opposite ends of the gambling spectrum. Eddie ends up being a victim due to his greediness which leads him astray from what’s truly important: family values.
The Card Counter
Directed by Paul Schrader and also written by Schrader, The Card Counter film casino 21 tells the story of a former soldier who finds himself in jail for eight years after being convicted for his role in the Abu Ghraib torture. While there, he learns how to count cards at blackjack tables. Upon his release from prison, he tries his hand at playing in tournaments.
When you watch The Card Counter, it’s clear that Schrader has done his homework. He knows exactly what he’s talking about when it comes to the world of blackjack tournaments and casinos. This is a film for anyone who loves playing cards but also enjoys learning more about how casinos work and the strategies behind them. It is no wonder that it has captured the attention of many New Zealand casino enthusiasts.
California Split
Robert Altman directed the 1974 comedy-drama California Split. The film stars Elliott Gould and George Segal as two gamblers who become friends over their mutual passion for gambling. After winning money from a card player and ending up being beaten, Bill Denny (George Segal) and Charlie Waters (Elliot Gould) become friends over their mutual passion for gambling, betting on anything from poker, horse racing, boxing and anything else that offers odds. Thanks to their friendship Bill becomes addicted to gambling. A bus trip to Reno costs him everything, including his car, after he ends up owing his bookie Sparkie. After a lot of playing, losing and winning, the two friends part ways as Bill quits gambling for good.
Conclusion
While there are many movies about casinos, there are some that stand out from the rest among New Zealand casino fans, as you can see from these film reviews casino royale. These movies were not only popular among viewers but also received critical acclaim for their excellent storylines and performances by actors/actresses – and they are definitely worth checking out!
