Movie "Casino"

I really like this movie. And having seen it and knowing it was only about a decade since Lefty Rosenthal ran the place when I would visit in the 1990's, it was sort of creepy.

So, I'm reading the online trivia about the movie (imdb.com). It says, the corrupt state politician played by Dick Smothers was based on Harry Reid. I wonder whatever became of that guy.

I'm guessing that this was meant to be a political observation, but on a side note, we just had out of town guests and brought them to Freemont St where there was a guy who was a dead ringer for Robert De Niro in Casino complete with the pink shirt, tie, and sports jacket. He was incredible, very funny, personable and our guest was elated to have her picture taken with him. I think if you do a search on Robert De Niro impersonators Las Vegas, his web site comes up. I'm not sure if he is on Freemont St every night.

Larry from Las Vegas, NV

Hey TB,

Since you're reporting for the LVA Book Club, if you haven't read the book Casino by Nicholas Pileggi, I highly recommend it! I found it better than the movie. Another good source of information about that whole incident is to see the episode "Vegas And The Mob" from the show American Justice which aired on the Arts & Entertainment channel.

It wouldn't surprise me if that show was for sale on DVD.

RecVPPlayer

Believe it or not--I just saw the movie for the first time a couple of years ago. We took the Vegas mob tour and they took us past the house where the movie was shot and also to the parking lot where Lefty's car was blown up. Came home and hubby bought me the movie. I love watching it a trying to pick out places that are still there.

The Mob Tour is a great companion to the "Casino" movie.

I've been a Scorsese fan since Mean Streets, but I can't watch Casino without comparing it to Goodfellas, and it always comes up short.

The film is historically intriguing and visually appealing and full of great music and inspired casting, including Don Rickles, Alan King, Joe Bob Briggs, L.Q. Jones and the aforementioned Dick Smothers. Plus, Oscar Goodman as himself. And, I quote the blueberry muffin scene to this day.

But, I ultimately arrive at a place where I don't give a damn about Ace Rothstein or his idiot wife. At that point, it becomes a soap opera with a flawed third act. (Although, that cornfield scene is hard to ignore.)

My expectations were quite high, and I was disappointed. Not Godfather III disappointed ... more like The Two Jakes disappointed.

I sorta agree. Casino's biggest flaw was it came out shortly after Goodfellas and used many of the same cast members. Its very difficult not to couple the two movies together and I think most critics and fans would give the edge to Goodfellas as being the better film.

But at the same time I cant imagine anyone else playing Ace/Nicky's roles better than Deniro and Pesci.

Both good movies, and both with great soundtracks, however I like the music in Goodfellas just a little bit better.

Tons of great songs continuously weave in and out of the Goodfellas scenes.


Rick

I misspelled "Scorsese."

It was 3:16 AM and I was sober.

Fremont Street. Named afer John C. Fremont, very significant American.