I love Casino. In fact, I actually like it better than Goodfellas–I know, I know, I’m looney. There’s just something about this movie that I really connect to. I think it’s the fact that I would love to be an awesome gambling wizard who knows the Vegas nightlife and how to play the system, whereas I have always found the mob lifestyle to be heinous and completely villainous. Casino really plays to this inner desire of mine by showing not only the inner workings of the system but also exploring the lives of those running the strip–the people I would want to be beating at the slots and tables.

Frankly, what really sells me on Casino is Scorsese’s storytelling, particularly regarding the way in which a casino and Vegas itself operates. It’s absolutely mesmerizing the way he tells it, “the dealers watch the players, the crew bosses watches the dealers, the pit bosses watch the crew bosses..” and so on. I just became enamored with Vegas, the strip, and casinos every time I watch the flic, and it’s not only entertaining but cathartic as well. The character played by Sharon Stone really reminds me of a girl I used to be infatuated with in high school, and seeing how blessed I am NOT to be with a loon like that REALLY makes me feel happy about my life choices! Plus, Joe Pesci is at his best in the flic, too.

So, I give Casino an overwhelming 7. It’s definitely one of my favorite movies, and after describing it here, I want to watch it again! I do not recommend it to those who have issues with profanity, sex, violence, gambling, adultery, greed, or mayhem–but if you’re down with those aspects of entertainment, it’s a great motion picture!