Casino (Full Screen 10th Anniversary Edition) Reviews



Amazon.com Customer Reviews

Good movie. Nice sound.... - Review written on October 27, 2007
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5
1 customer found this review not to be helpful.
Well, I saw this movie in VHS and kind of forgot for a long time.

Then finally I bought this DVD.

The sound was good, and the image was almost perfect.]

And most of all, I felt like re-discover a nice film.

I never liked Sharon Stone since this movie. She didn't act to look just pretty. She was not afraid to look horrible. She really tried to act nice according the her charactor.

It was a good discovery for me to watch this DVD again and own as well.
All-Time Favorite - Review written on October 05, 2007
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5

I guess it is expected that a few people may not like this movie, but I promise the majority will like this one.

It is one of my all-time favorites. The cast is amazing.

I must add that I especially liked the baseball bat beating....it sounded so real.
found it thanks. - Review written on September 23, 2007
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5

one of my dads friends told us that we had to see this movie. got it from you for much cheaper than amazon. thanks.
Another excellent "mob" movie from Scorsese - Review written on September 05, 2007
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5

"Casino" is a "mob" movie set in 1970s and 80s Las Vegas.

It's from the same team behind "Goodfellas" - Martin Scorsese (director and co-writer) and Nicholas Pileggi (co-writer and writer of the original book) and even includes the incomparable Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in the lead roles. It is very similar in style and tone to this earlier film.

This similarity detracts from its impact somewhat but "Casino" is still a very good film. It contains many memorable moments, good music, and is stylishly directed by Scorsese.
James Fontanetta - Review written on August 27, 2007
* *
Rating: 2 out of 5
4 customers found this review not to be helpful.
This movie was a disappointed. I think it was overrated. I expected a lot more. If you want to see great films in the same genre, try Goodfellas, Donnie Brasco, The Godfather
PRETTY GOOD MOVIE - Review written on June 12, 2007
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5
2 customers found this review not to be helpful.
I ENJOYED THIS FILM. IT WAS ENTERTAINING FROM START TO FINISH. GREAT CAST,GREAT STORY,AND TRULY A CLASSIC.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FILM,A MUST SEE!!!
this one is a sure bet - Review written on May 12, 2007
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful, 1 did not.

this is the movie martin scorsese SHOULDA won his oscar for. instead it was deemed upon its release an inferior copycat of "goodfellas", what with the same director, writer, and stars, and a similar set of circumstances. this though is a quite different movie, and (imho) a superior one. while "goodfellas" is set among a highly parochial little group, the gangsters are only a part of the scene in "casino": its much more widespread a saga of greed and the corruption of stupidity. whereas joe pesci is a cartoon in the earlier film, here he is a fully fleshed out character. de niro (more a glorified supporting character in "goodfellas") offers an insightful reading of an ordinary man with one phenomenal talent (the ability to set the correct odds) who parlays it into a position of power for which he knows he is unqualified, yet enjoys the ride. and sharon stone gives the performance of her career as de niros unfaithful drug-addicted wife. excellent supporting work also from james woods, don rickles, and a host of unknowns cast as aged mob bosses, &c. not to mention a great job of art & costume direction, brilliant soundtrack, the amazing opening titles sequence, and so on. it might not be scorses most underrated movie (thats still the hated but brilliant "king of comedy") -- but it might well be his very best.
LOVE IT! - Review written on April 10, 2007
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful, 1 did not.

i looooooove this movie. Bob DeNiro is SO good in it. and Joe Pesci too. and of course especially Sharon Stone. wow, didn't realize she could act until i saw this. amazing acting. even down to the extras its good acting. it feels so real. and this movie has my all time fave scene; when Sam sees Ginger for the first time, and Mickey and Sylvia's "Love is strange" song comes on, and Gin makes a scene, throwing chips, and Sam, who can obviously stop and throw her out doesn't, but just stares mesmerized at her. and she know she's got him. she leaves looking at him and laughing. that scene is SO SEXY. this movie also has some good, old time songs. Scorcese really took his time to make this. but major WARNING: seriously, it's NOT FOR KIDS. even i can't watch manyo its scenes they are so realistic and gruesome. that's the only thing that i don't like about it, that it's violence makes it unwatchable some times. but isn't that still good b/c it shows what great acting it is?! if u don't watch this u haven't watched a real movie. one of the bset movies ever made!
Gambling in the desert - Review written on April 02, 2007
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

Great performances by all-star cast. Martin Scorsese shows why he's the best action director in the business. Diniro, Sharon Stone and James Woods are the imperfect love triangle. And Pesci is Pesci. Must see mob movie.
Scorsese has done it again!!!! - Review written on March 14, 2007
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

Italian-American film director Martin Scorsese presents his audience with perhaps his most brutal and telling tale of mobster confab. What is often described as a long-awaited sequel to Goodfellas, CASINO rolls in as perhaps his greatest achievement. A story of love, lust, jealousy, luck, power and control.. all the basic elements of the tragic rise-and-fall existence of Mafia brutes. Robert De Niro gives his ultimance performance as Sam "Ace" Rothstein, a high-stakes gambler with mob connections who aspires to the throne of Las Vegas' most glamourous and respected businessman. After a long life of rackets, he finally seeks salvation in The Tangiers Hotel and Casino where he is heralded as king. He is about to achieve his life-long goal of fame, fortune and family until boyhood friend and mobster Nicky Santoro (played to stellar effect by fast-talking Joe Pesci) and beloved wife Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone) create havoc and begin making headlines. Now, Rothstein must risk his own dignity to placate his family ties and continue forward. Eventually, he finds his empire collapsing under a steady stream of drugs, violence and infidelity. After years of self-destructive behavior, Nicky and Ginger pay the ultimate price, while Rothstein is reduced to a self-loathing individual who had everything to gain only to lose it all with a throw of the dice. A tragic and unbelievably true story of fame, power and riches and the sacrifices that are inherent to it. A MUST-BUY!!!!!
GREAT 5 STAR MOVIE BUT......... THE DVD IS DEFECTIVE! 1 STAR :-( - Review written on March 07, 2007
*
Rating: 1 out of 5
6 customers found this review helpful, 3 did not.

I love this movie! The problem is I have a very expensive DVD player and this movie freezes about two hours into it! I play it in one of my cheapo players and it works fine. They need to fix this problem by letting everyone return it for a nice new 15th anniversay edition! I have read numerous complaints about this problem and it is inexcusable!
Drips With Sleaze and Brutality - Review written on February 19, 2007
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

Somehow I missed Casino when it was first released but became interested when one of the magazines I read gave this edition a very high recommendation. So I bought it, watched it, and came away with a worse opinion of the gambling industry than I had before I saw it.
Casino literally drips with sleaze and gratuitous brutality. All the lead characters are excellent in their respective roles: Robert DeNiro as smooth operator Ace Rothstein, Joe Pesci as a maniacally brutal mob enforcer Nicky Santoro, and Sharon Stone as the beautiful yet conniving and drug-addled whore who marries Rothstein for money, but also continues her relationship with a lowlife boyfriend and begins one with Santoro. The combination of the instability brought on by Stone's and Santoro's drug use, Stone's cheating, and Santoro's reign of terror on the streets that attracts the feds ends by bringing everyone down and leads to countless spectacularly brutal murders. Of course, it didn't help that the relatively clean Rothstein refused to play ball with corrupt local officials.
There is a note on-screen at the beginning which says that the movie is based on a true story. Then there is another at the end which says all events and characters are fictional. That's hard to swallow. A friend who is a long-time resident of Las Vegas says that there is so much truth in the movie that it almost could be termed a documentary.
The film itself deserves five stars, I have yet to watch the extras. BUT, I subtract one star from the rating due to the advertising for other films and TV shows that precedes the showing of the film. Tacking on advertising is a practice I despise, and Casino is the only one of many films I own where this has occurred. But once you get past the ads, you are in for a long treat. Be sure to set aside ample time for viewing.
Holes in the desert - Review written on January 20, 2007
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

Martin Scorsese paints a colorful portrait of Las Vegas in the early 1970s as the oasis of glamour and corruption that it was. Against this backdrop, the story chronicles the rise and fall of three central characters: a play-by-the-rules casino owner with mob connections (Robert De Niro), his childhood friend and Mafia underboss (Joe Pesci) and an ex-prostitute with expensive taste and a driving will to get what she wants (Sharon Stone).

Casino is the story of how the mafia lost the greatest deal they ever had: Las Vegas. Many critics view Casino as a watered down version of Goodfellas, and this comparison is not unfounded.

It possesses the same style--mafia brutality shown from the point of view of a matter-of-fact narrator--and features two of Goodfellas' leads, Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci. But Casino is still an amazing film. DeNiro carries the movie well, and Pesci has never been more psychopathic.

Sharon Stone is great as the charming but crazy Ginger, and James Woods is perfect as her sleazy ex-boyfriend. The movie is fast-paced and interesting, and the narration is great, especially from DeNiro.

You feel like you're sitting across the table from an ex-casino manager as he tells stories and random facts about how things in Vegas really were. Casino may just be "more of the same," but it's still a fascinating, interesting, and superbly entertaining movie.

Easy to like, hard to love and admire - Review written on January 14, 2007
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5
1 customer found this review not to be helpful.
In many ways, you can consider Martin Scorsese one of the most underappreciated directors working. After scoring classics with Raging Bull and Goodfellas, a lot of people still wouldn't give him recognition like an Oscar and while the basic opinion now is that he's bound to get at least one for his recent film the Departed, the essential feeling is that they should've given him one earlier. Casino, released after little seen Age of Innocence can be seen as "return to form" and while it's gritty, unrelenting and quite violent, it's also way too long and you never seem to invest in it that much.

Taking place in the 1970's, Sam "Ace" Rothstein starts becoming a bigger player in the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas, letting players win enough and recognizing foul play and cheaters. His long-time friend, Nicky Santoro, is a pretty hyperactive and, quite frequently, violent man that becomes well-known in Vegas as a mobster-like figure. While one becomes entangled in the politics of running a casino, the other gets increasingly violent and out of control, especially when it concerns Ace's wife, Ginger.

It's always weird watching a Scorsese film because at times I notice that I actually like the film better when I see it the 2nd time. Maybe it was the hype from everyone but watching Taxi Driver, Goodfellas or Raging Bull I thought "yeah I thought they were good movies but where's this 'masterpiece' everyone keeps saying?" But then in Goodfellas' case and moreso with Raging Bull, everything started to click. The problem with Casino is that even repeated viewings, it's still kind of a messy movie. It's hard to invest in emotionally with everything, the film's way too long with scenes that don't really go anywhere or just simply a lack of focus. It's certainly a more ambitious looking film than Goodfellas but it just seems a bit too scattered.

How's the acting? Very straight across the board. Before being replaced by Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert de Niro seemed to be Scorsese's go-to guy and he's of course great in the film. While he did show a more restrained menace in Heat, here he's practically vicious in certain scenes and likable. Joe Pesci of course plays the manic buddy who swears constantly and with a short fuse. Sharon Stone actually did receive a nomination for her work here and it was a welcome one too. Everyone else is fine too but primarily the work here is by the 3 leads and they all pull it off.

Is it a Scorsese classic? Not really. What it have been, had certain decisions had been made? Yep. While to me it's still Raging Bull for all-time favorite film of his, Casino is at least worth a look but there's enough to like here, it's just not quite enough.
Classic - Viva Las Vegas - Review written on January 02, 2007
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

Classic Vegas gangster movie. Scorsese, De Niro and Pesci almost guarantees that it'll be great - add an Oscar-worthy performance from Sharon Stone and you have one of the greatest mob flicks of all time. Based on the true story of Sam Rothstein, a great bookie, the story covers his rise and fall in pre-corporate Vegas. Interesting story, great acting and some classic lines - what more can you ask for?
A masterpiece that treats the audience like adults - Review written on December 27, 2006
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

This movie is one of the great masterpieces of the 1990's. The script is full of great lines, even the narration running through the first hour is a wonder of writing. The way in which 1970's Vegas is captured is unsurpassed - the look of the famous 'Strip' from those days has to be seen to be believed. And the acting is way above anything else in this genre. The fact that the movie was filmed inside an actual Vegas casino dating from the '70s just before it was demolished (the Riviera) helps take the film above the 'movie-look' and into the realm of a documentary. The believablilty is incredible. These characters are real and the world they inhabit is a real one.

This is surely one of the milestones in movie history ... a movie that treats its 'adults only' audience like adults. Sure there's gore everywhere and over-the-top swearing every 5 seconds, but this is not a pretty world we're peering into. If only more movies were made with the same realism. As my dear old Dad said after I played the DVD to him, 'I feel like I've run a marathon after watching that!'
Pure Dynamite! One Of Scorsese's Masterpieces. - Review written on December 18, 2006
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5

No director has ever done a better job than Maretin Scorsese at taking moveigoers into the life of the mafia headfirst, and his 1995 movie "Casino". Though not as purely enjoyable or fast paced as "Goodfellas", "Casino" is most certainly a brilliant piece of cinema, a masterpiece that only Scorsese can provide.

Like "Goodfellas", "Casino" is based on a true story (and also on a book based on a book by Nicholas Pileggi). Set in 1973, "Casino" tells the story of Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro), a small time hood who sets his sights on owning the Las Vegas strip. With the help of his lifelong friend Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci in a spellbinding performance on par with his unfrogettable Tommy DeVito), Ace becomes the biggest hotshot in town. He's rich, successful and married to the beautiful Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone). Him and Nicky are on top of the world.

But soon, things start to take a downfall. Nick's violent temper and mob connections get him thrown out of every casino in town, while Ace begins to lose control of his empire (and to an extent, some of his mind) in a crooked court case, and Ginger has become a drug addict and soon moves back in with her former pimp, Lester Diamond (the always fantastic James Woods). As the film reaches its shocking (and violent) climax, each of these characters heads for a swift downfall brought on by greed, betrayal and violence. It's a lurid, almost disturbing vision that only Scorsese can provide.

"Casino" is undoubtedly one of the best movies Scorsese ever did. Everything about it clicks. I do prefer "Goodfellas" because it was more enjoyable and not as grim, but "Casino" still manages to fire on all cylinders.

This special edition is a must for all fans of the movie. Overall, I highly recommend it.
Not bad, but not great - Review written on November 30, 2006
* * *
Rating: 3 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful, 4 did not.

With De Niro and Pesci together again, I was expecting this movie to folow in the footsteps on Goodfellas as far as quality and storyline, but I was disappointed. The film is much too long simply because it just doesn't stay interesting all the way through. The dialogue is bad at times. Sharon Stone's character gets very annoying quickly. This film isnt bad, but definitely nowhere near Goodfellas or many other Scorsese films has done.
VEGAS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN - Review written on October 27, 2006
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

Those are the echoing words at the beginning and end of Casino by Sam. This movie shows both the glamorous side of the mafia and its dark side. It shows no matter who you are or what you have done if you cross the line your finished in a harsh way. The movie shows how the mafia claimed there stake in the Vegas gambling scene. And then threw it all way because of greed and arragance. Sam Rothstein is put in charge of the Tangiers hotel. Sam a cash machine as Nikki called him is a no lose no fool gambler. His no nonsense approach to gambling has won millions for his mafia bosses. His laid back no nonsense personality made him a perfect choice to run things. Nikki (a wise guy enforcer) is sent in to make sure no one messes with sam and his ability to make money> The movie plays like a documentary due mostly inpart to the narration. Sam is taken by Ginger, a scheming drug adddicted only intereted in money call girl. She becomes his and the mafias down fall. Arrogance plays a key part in the down fall of all 3 main characters. Sam arrogantly thinks he can change ginger by offering her a steady lifestyle. She doesnt love him although painfull yhe does her. Sam also wants to do things his own way and not listening to anyone and not willing to comprimise. Nikki arrogantly thinks that he can do no wrong. His tough approach in the begiining leads to his arrogantly thinking he can do whatever he wants and get away with it. WHat happens is all this arrogance creates 'Noise" as the bosses call it. This they do not want. All they want is things to be quiet and money flowing in. Nikki and sam make that impossible but mostly Nikki whos tough tactics begin to wear thin. Then all goes to hell. All this noise is picked up by the FBI and so on and on. The bosses have had enough. With all this noise someone had to be quieted. Nikki even trys to have his old friend Sam Killed but blows it. The mafia has had enough of Nikki and the price he pays is lethal. Only Sam survives the wrath and downfall.You almost feel sorry for the characters. Thinking if they only kept there mouths shut and were satisfied. Its a good luck at an era gone by. Also a good look into how the mafia runs things. Well acted and visually on top>
A classic if I ever saw one! - Review written on August 10, 2006
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

I've been biting at the heels to write a review of this brilliant film but, as I was when debating my Godfather review, I was hesitant for I know I could never do the movie justice. First off, major props go to Scorsese for his brilliant direction. It still ticks me off he hasn't won an Oscar yet. Anyways, the film also sports brilliant acting on the parts of De Niro, Pesci and Stone, Stone standing out and nabbing the Oscar nom (and should have been win!)

The film (based off true-crime novel 'Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas' by Nicholas Pileggi) follows friends Sam and Nicky as they work the Las Vegas gambling scene. De Niro plays Sam 'Ace' Rothstien (based on real life gangster Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal) a man assigned by the mafia to run a casino in Las Vegas. The first hour of the film plays like a documentary, run over with voice over explaining the mafia's involvement with gambling in the casinos. Sam meets and falls for the sassy Ginger (Stone) who marries him mostly for money. Sam, kind hearted as he is, actually trusts her, and this proves to be his end in many ways. Pesci plays Nicky Santoro, Sam's backstabbing pistol of a friend, short, round and confident. Pesci always plays the short tempered "I can't believe a guy his size would pick that battle" type character...and he always pulls it off.

Over the course of the three-hour epic you watch as not only Sam's marriage and status but also the mafia's control of the gambling scene is jeopardized by events involving Sam, Nicky and Ginger. This is a brilliant film that to me rises above 'Goodfellas' for it's as serious as it is intriguing and it never once begins to bore.
A well made film that has a lot of galls. - Review written on August 09, 2006
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5
4 customers found this review helpful.

I have seen this film to many times to count and I am yet to become even remotely sick of it. The acting is flawless, story flows at a great pace from the hours it generates on the screen. Fans of Scorsese, DeNiro, and Pesci should already know what this film consist of. The leading actors mention above, are all at their usual greatness, but the pleasant surprise from this movie is the electrifying performance by Sharon Stone, (who won a Golden Globe award and got an Oscar nomination for her role) as the con-artist trophy wife. She was truly memorable in this film because she effortlessly convinces us that she was one crazy "individual" that you love to hate.

`Casino' (1995) takes a look at the upper level mafia as `Goodfellas' (1990) looked into the lives of low to mid level hoods. Robert De Niro again does a great performance, as Sam, who is at odds between being loyal to his bosses and retaining some kind of intregity.

Pesci, as Joe, is one remarkable actor. This man is only 5' 6'' but can be so intimidating. His speech in the desert with Ace and the big confrontation. "You want me to get out of my own town?! Don't *bleep* with me, Ace!" Does he swear throughout the entire film? Oh, yeah infamously. About 400+ f-words. But you get past the vulgar language and just enjoy what Joe says and does. The head vice scene and the metal bat scene with Joe is two of the most disturbing scenes in cinematic history. Joe did his thing being the [...] who thinks with his gun and not with his head. James Woods, Kevin Pollack, Alan King, Don Rickles, Frank Vincent, L.Q. Jones, and Dick Smothers all have done an excellent job with their supporting roles. The whole production of the film held up really well. The camera moves as if it has a life of its own and almost every scene is set nicely with its score plus the dialogue and narration are up to par.

Like in other Scorsese films, the violence here is sudden and comes out to you unexpectedly. Countless of other reviewers, complained about the level of violence - suggesting an NC-17 rating would have been more appropriate. Whether you will like "Casino" or not depends entirely on your tolerance for character-driven films - and, of course, heavy violence, other then that `Casino' is another great and wild piece of cinema.
Rober DeNiro's Casino - Review written on July 20, 2006
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful, 2 did not.

If you love Mob style gangster films set around the gambling culture of the LA Strip, then this is a must see for you.


Direceted by Martin Scorcese's the rocky relationship between Robert DeNiro and Sharon Stone, keep you on the edge of the seat coupled by his brother's furious temper as played by none other than Joe Pesck, the story is upbeat, sad and violent all at the same time. Although a long film, at over 3 hours, it is one you will certainly watch time and time again.

Note: There is a lot of violence in the film and children should certainly not watch this film.
Great Movie, But Too Violent! - Review written on June 29, 2006
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful, 2 did not.

I loved 'Casino' for what it was supposed to be-a movie that depicted the mob's role in the rise of Las Vegas. Historically, the movie is not 100% accurate, but I will not pick on it for historical accuracy.

I would have given the movie 5 stars had it not been for the cornfield scene at the end. It's the sole reason I cannot sit through this movie more than once in a great while. The level of violence throughout the movie is pretty high, and it's graphic, but the end is literally sickening. What happened could have been worked in many other ways, it didn't have to be as graphic. It is also historically unnecessary. In real life, Joe Pesci's character was named Tony 'The Ant' Spilotro, and Spilotro was found pistol-whipped and strangled. I don't want to ruin the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it, but I will warn you: it's really like watching someone being murdered. Most of the time you can disengage your emotions and accept that you are only watching a movie, but this scene is psychologically very damaging. If you are easily upset or have children in the house don't let them see it.

When growing up I was no stranger to violence, believe me, and I can tolerate the violence I see in most movies today, but I had to include these criticisms of that particular scene in this review because I felt so strongly about it.

Watch it, enjoy it, but if you have children in the house or are sensitive to violence be prepared.

The book, by the way, is also very good and historically it is much more accurate.
Classic Mobster movie but a different Feel. - Review written on May 27, 2006
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5
2 customers found this review not to be helpful.
Robert DeNiro plays an intelligent casino owner in Las Vegas. His leadership style and high standards leads to a very successful operation. The muscle behind his casino, played by Joe Pesci, takes care of any problems facing the casino using classic mob means- but the man eventually gets out of control which leads to a series of trouble throughout the movie.
Their lives, which start at the high life, gradually decline and the results become trajic- like most mafia movies.
Everything about the movie is great, but it does become very long and drawn out once you realize that disaster is immenent.
This film deserves 5 stars and nothing less. - Review written on May 17, 2006
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
6 customers found this review helpful, 2 did not.

You can tell that both Casino and Goodfellas look similar and make a comparison but I think that their both equaly excellent in their own ways. Scorsese has made yet another epic tale of a gangster but with a different setting this time in Las Vegas, everything from the glitz and glamour of the casinos to the greed and underlaying controll and manipulation is depicted in this film. The story is about a Jewish front man for the Las Vegas mob Sam 'Ace' Rothenstein (Deniro) who is a master bookie turned bigshot casino manager, a rich and powerful man who also manages to fall in love with an ex-hooker played by Sharon Stone who end up getting married but the only problem seems to be that Sharon's character is a lying manipulative ex-hooker junkie that causes alot of problem's with her husband Sam and gets back to her old ways by using cocaine and getting back with her sleezy pimp ex-boyfriend brilliantly played by James Woods, infact all the supporting casts were good.
You also have Joe Pesci as Nicky Sontoro who is Sam's friend and is also incharge of the operation but still manages to mess things up, his character is almost similar to the one in Goodfellas which is basicely a hot tempered tough talking and slightly psychotic person his demise was a bit shocking as the violence in this film is even more graphic than it was in Goodfellas, you get the scene where someones head gets squeezed by a vice, pen stabbings and Nicky gets beat to death by a baseball bat ouch!.
What I liked about this film was that it was quite ambitious and the interesting dynamic between Sam and Nicky as each one gets a shift in power play by either manipulating each other or getting what they want by exescive force. The film last as long as three hours but you'll feel like the time went by because this film is so good, if you loved Goodfellas then your going to love Casino it just that simple....
A multidimensional film! - Review written on May 04, 2006
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
5 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

This ambitious film has too many angles to scrutinize. The main dramatic line deals with the affective lack of both sides, the commander in chief (De Niro) of this Empire (once more the power and the love seem to be irreconcilable partners) and a trivial girl (Sharon Stone) who seeks the best of both worlds: the freedom she enjoyed and the financial security of her new status. But besides there is another aspect much more relevant to my mind: the awful fact the human being is not redeemable; this is a disturbing statement that may strike the sensibility of many beautiful souls.

Both worlds are simply divergent: De Niro falls in love with an ideal, (Pygmalion effect) and overlooks the real woman and her personal convictions, aspirations and horizon of life. She is much more convinced than him about this union; to her the marriage is a convenience act, a revalorization of her social status and a reinsertion in the new social spheres, but as you and me know, sometimes the past is a heavy chain of livings and memories.

On the other hand we have Joe Pesci, a newcomer who has been invested of pretended authority and love for power. Excess and lack of scrupulous dictate his steps and only the long arm of the fate will be able to stop him with the expected consequences.

Casino is, in last instance, a modern fable; a film that reveals nobody is either absolutely happy or free of innocence; it' s a smart metaphor of the life. Once more, the arresting narrative style is another of the golden guests of this movie; the fabulous stages are told with a beating intensity.

At the moment you consider a reduced list of the top Five films of this talented filmmaker this is securely should be included in the most of the lists.

flawed but great - Review written on April 28, 2006
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful, 3 did not.

The only problem I have with this movie is the performances of DeNiro and Pesci. They are just too similar to their work in Goodfellas. It seems almost like some kind of encore. Other than that, excellent movie in the vein of Goodfellas and Mean Streets. Not as good as those two msterpieces but on the same level. Highly recommended.

Ivan Rorick
Good but not great - Review written on April 27, 2006
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

This was a good movie not a great movie
If you are a die hard De Niro fan or Pesci then you should get this to add to your collection
Most of the movie stays great but some tends to lag on and seems like the movie has some extra scenes that where not needed
as far as dramatic scenes go there arre a few and they are the best parts of the movie
I would recomend The Goodfellas before this but if your a DE Niro fan like me get this movie
Cracking Gangster Flick - Review written on April 25, 2006
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
6 customers found this review helpful.

A compelling tale of power, money and depravity which sets the dark mood for the earthy tone in this truly riveting action-thriller.

Casino has often been compared to Goodfellas and indeed one of the few variations is that the film is set in the heart of swinging Las Vegas in the 1970's. Casino certainly holds enough merits of its own and certainly being a unique and highly origanal film within itself, deserves to be judged on such merits.

The oscar-winning actor, Robert De Niro, one of Americas finest actors, heads the superb cast list. De Niro plays Sam "Ace" Rothstein, a master bookie turned big shot casino manager, whose astute head for business, quickly deserts him when he marries ex-hooker, Ginger Mckenzie, which is played masterfully by the sultry Sharon Stone who displays a beleavably raw edge to her characterisation and plays out her scenes with conviction and gritty realism.

Sams boyhood aquaitance, Nicky Santon (another superb turn from Joe Pesci, in another darkly vengeful role) turns up with a highly ambitious agenda of his own plans and this merley proceeds to take things on an even further downward spiral.

Casino was shrewdly written by Nicholas Pileggis (who had enjoyed previous success with the cult classic, Goodfellas) and cunningly goes in for absorbing realism, expertly drawn characters that are played with instinctive conviction by the highly acclaimed array of stars and a whole host of intriguing subplots that leads to the dramatic, violent climax.

There are plenty of stomach-churning scenes of brutal violence with such graphic images of a victims head being rapidly squeezed in a vice which is defintely one of the most violent acts that takes place in the film. Also the ending is a bit of a shocker where Joe Pesci and his brother are both beaten to death by a vengeful gang, and then are carelessly buried alive. Uncomfortable viewing on those particular scenes.

On the whole though, Casinos well thought out and carefully prepared structure is accompanied by an enthralling and sizzling soundtrack that helps capture the mood and ambience of its era, effectivly. A genuine masterpiece.

sex gambling and death by various instruments! - Review written on April 08, 2006
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful.

A long drawn out film that is hot on action and short on people being nice to one another. Sharon Stone is here, she's all that and then some. Pesci is in it to, using every bad word in the book in his vocabulary. The movie is good at going behind the scenes of what is up with the gambling industry and the mob. It shows you what happens when people cross the wrong man. Sooner or later of course, camelot falls, and all the kings horses, and the men on them, fall with it. NOT suitable for children under the age of 18!
Outstanding! - Review written on March 22, 2006
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful.

When this DVD is worn out, I'll buy another and wear it out too.
Doesn't freeze or skip with me... - Review written on March 20, 2006
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

I'm giving the DVD itself 4 stars, the movie is obviously a 5 star, the picture and sound is great, a bit dissapointed with the extras though, this is labeled a "special edition", and you get like...3 extras. but the movie itself is classic Scorsese. Here we have Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci working together again (Goodfellas), also, Sharon Stone, Don Rickles and James Woods adds nice performances as well, all the actors are good in this, even if it's only a small part.

The movie is about mid-west mob bosses, having people slipped inside a casino, and scamming the casino, but after a while, the cash bags get lighter and lighter, the mob bosses get unhappy, and you know what happens when they get unhappy, all hell breaks loose.

Lots of violence, lots of language, great acting, great story, and you get this great movie. Indeed, it is long, but well worth watching, same with The Godfather 1&2, Scarface, Carlito's Way, Goodfellas and many more.

"Paradise, we reaaaally managed to f*ck it all up"
Highly disappointed... - Review written on March 01, 2006
*
Rating: 1 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful, 8 did not.

Just picked this one up only to realize Universal has appearently dropped the second side of extras yet still has the audacity to label it "Special Edition". The only extras you now get are the "Moments" commentary, "The Story" featurette and deleted scenes, all of which are in fact listed on the back, yet there still is the tag "Plus More!" Ripoff.
great filmmaking but the violence is too much for this viewer - Review written on February 12, 2006
* * *
Rating: 3 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful, 6 did not.

this has always been my struggle with scorcese. he is clearly one of the most talented filmmakers alive today. Taxi, Cape Fear, Goodfellas, his foray into edith wharton -- all classic movies. but despite the usual brilliance -- the great acting of de niro, pesce, stone & woods, the screenplay, the cinematography -- the brutality of this movie tipped it to the negative for me.

i am not saying it's less than brilliant filmmaking. i'm just saying for this viewer it is too much too watch.
Casino - Review written on February 05, 2006
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
6 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

This in as excellent movie. I bought it tonight and all the way through was perfect. Great storyline and great action. More than someone could ask for. Great directing and acting. Loved this moviee alot. Definately worth the purchase! De Niro and Joe Pesci are great actors.