Even if it is difficult to believe, we are now well into the twenty-first century. Even though we are still some time away from having our heads preserved in glass jars, flying cars, and hoverboards, it is safe to say that technology is now an important part of most people’s lives.
A variety of industries and businesses, particularly those that operate online, are benefiting greatly from advances in modern technology. The online casino industry, for example, is currently thriving, and with an increasing number of people showing an interest in online gambling and bingo, this trend will only continue as some of the leading bingo companies invest more in their online presence.
If you are interested in casinos but need a break from gambling, why not kick back, relax, and watch a movie with a casino-related plot instead?
A look at some of the most popular casino films of the twenty-first century
Having Mahowny
The protagonist of this true-life film is Dan Mahowny, a Canadian bank manager played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. While working at the bank, Mahowny is given responsibility for a large sum of money. Dan has a gambling problem, but his bosses are completely unaware of it. He travels to Atlantic City every week, skimming ever-increasing sums of money to maintain his lavish lifestyle. Dan is already more than $10 million in debt when things start to go downhill for him in his relationship and his career.
Two for the cost of one
Brandon (Matthew McConaughey) is a college football star who suffers an injury that ends his playing career. Walter Abrams notices Brandon and becomes interested in him after he gets a job working handicapped football games (Al Pacino). Walter informs Brandon that there is an even greater opportunity for financial gain in sports booking. Brandon begins to rely on his intuition more and more instead of conducting the necessary research to determine which teams have the best chance of winning. Brandon will be able to maintain his high-stakes lifestyle while also maintaining a positive relationship with Walter if he continues to be successful.
Grind in Mississippi
Gerry is having a difficult time right now and owes money to nearly everyone he knows in town. Gerry, who is in danger of losing both his life and his limbs, meets Curtis, a younger poker player who becomes a sort of lucky charm for Gerry. Curtis and Gerry travel through the southern casinos and riverboats, hoping that Curtis will be successful in winning back all of the money he is currently owed.
Thirteenth Ocean
George Clooney will reprise his role as Danny Ocean in the next installment of the critically acclaimed Ocean’s film series. Willy Bank is a ruthless casino owner, and Danny brings back his team of highly skilled masters of the heist to help him take him down this time. The Ocean’s Team is doing everything it can to prevent Bank from receiving the coveted Five Diamond Casino Award. Their second goal is to manipulate the slot machines so that they award prizes worth more than $500 million, effectively turning the tables on Bank once and for all.
Revolver
Guy Ritchie’s Revolver is an enjoyable British crime film that is without a doubt one of the best films of its genre to have been released in recent years. So it isn’t exactly a classic. Revolver follows Jake Green, who has recently been released from prison and is hellbent on exacting vengeance on a violent casino owned by Ray Liotta, who was responsible for Green’s imprisonment in the first place. Jason Statham stars in Revolver. The brilliance of this film has been recognized and praised by a growing number of viewers over time.
The film Casino Royale
Every single list article that discusses well-known casino films will, without fail, include “Casino Royale.” James Bond, played for the first time by Daniel Craig, takes part in a high-stakes poker game against the villain Le Chiffre, played by Mads Mikkelsen. Le Chiffre is a private banker and arms dealer for terrorist organizations. Bond’s goal is to effectively bankrupt the nefarious banker to financially destabilize a large number of terrorist organizations around the world. We can see why this is one of the casino films that has made the most money over the years.
The film The Game of Molly
A modern drama based on the autobiography of businesswoman Molly Bloom, who was accused of organizing illegal high-stakes poker tournaments. Bloom’s autobiography chronicles her time in prison for the crimes. Bloom is forced to give up her career as a professional skier due to a serious injury, and she ends up working in an underground casino in Los Angeles by chance.
Molly quickly mastered all of the nuances of the gambling industry, causing a scandal with her boss and eventually opening her casino. The entrepreneur’s rapid success has resulted in her being threatened with physical violence, having all of her assets seized, and being in conflict with the mafia. At the same time, Bloom enters a guilty plea in court without naming any of his opponents.
The fact that real celebrities played the real Molly in the film makes it an especially interesting watch. Celebrities such as Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Leo DiCaprio, and Tobey Maguire frequented her tables.
You are extremely fortunate
Poker is the most important type of gambling in this film, and it’s used to tell a story about love and the difficulties of maintaining healthy family relationships. Huck Cheever, a skilled player, is determined to compete in the prestigious poker tournament, but he must raise an amount that is beyond his means.
Cheever makes it to the tournament even though he has decided to steal from his beloved and is deeply in debt. He will, however, face a difficult game against his father at the final table. The final distribution will determine the outcome of tense family dynamics, in which the main character will make a decision that will catch everyone off guard.
The frigidaire
Finally, we arrive at The Cooler. This film stars William H. Macy, whose job description simply says “cooler.” It is his job at the casino where he works to turn winners into losers. Macy’s character, Bernie Lootz, is a recovering gambler who owes money to the boss of a casino, played by Alec Baldwin. Bernie is played by Macy. When Bernie finally finds someone to love, his life begins to improve, but Baldwin’s character is unimpressed. Baldwin was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance in this film.