Casino (Movie Review)
Casino is Martin Scorsese dialing Goodfellas up to 11. In a city where many movies show the superficial side of Las Vegas (opulence, neon signs, people gambling at cards and slots), Casino dives deep and exposes its history of mob connections.
The film centers on Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro), a mobster in a fictional Tangiers hotel who funnels money out the back door to mob elders back east. It’s all based on true events, and the movie makes us feel like we are eavesdropping on conversations in a secret world. From the opening car bomb to the end of Ace’s life, there isn’t a dull moment in the entire film.
Gambling in all its forms has been part of human culture for millennia. There is archaeological evidence that people have used wooden blocks to play games of chance as early as 2300 BC, dice showed up in Rome in 500 AD, and card games came along in the 1400s. Today, casinos are still a place where people can test their luck and find out if they have what it takes to beat the odds.
Despite the fact that many people gamble in order to win cash, it is also a social activity that brings individuals together. It’s a great way to relieve stress and relax. However, it is important to remember that gambling is not a hobby, and you should never bet more than you can afford to lose.