This is one of the most violent and visceral mob films ever made, and that is an understatement. The film is full of brutal and sometimes disgusting depictions of violence, non-stop language, some tame sexual content and drug use. The film partially gives incredibly detailed insight on how this crime operates in such a business, and partially the story of its rise and fall. It is fortunate that 'Casino' is available on Archives.Casino (1995) follows organized crime and its utilization of casinos seen from the perspective of two insiders. I enjoyed this film and thinking about Scorsese's films again. This film captures the hardness of Sin City and, as does much of Scorsese's work, has a metaphysical, religious feel below the surface.

Violence, sexuality and greed come together to the accompaniment of Scorcese's lavish and apt musical background of songs from the era. Sharon Stone gives a strong performance as his wife, Ginger, while Joe Pesci portrays Rothstein's lifelong friend, the violent and unstable Santoro. Robert De Niro stars as 'Ace' Rothstein, the gambler with Mafia connections who runs a large Vegas casino, the Tangiers. It also has well developed characters although they are all unsympathetic, even vile. The movie is full of violence and criminality.

Although lengthy, the film maintains tension and interest throughout as it shows the sordid nature of the business just below all the glitz. 'Casino' offers a close look at Las Vegas gambling during the years through the 1980s when organized crime was rampant. Both films center on money and materialism. Both films are about the greed, glitter, and violence of Las Vegas, with 'Showgirls' involved with glamour and stripping and 'Casino' involved with gambling. 'Showgirls' was a critical and commercial failure although its reputation has increased somewhat in recent years while 'Casino' is a masterpiece. I took the opportunity to watch 'Casino' here on Archives after watching another 1995 film 'Showgirls' set in Las Vegas. I have long been admirer of Martin Scorsese even though there are many of his films I haven't seen.

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