When people think of casinos, they might imagine glitzy gambling halls full of flashing lights and booming music. However, Casino is a movie that exposes the dark side of Vegas, its violent underbelly that once supported mob families. It is a film of greed, betrayal and avarice. In fact, there are no good guys in this story – every character is mired in violence and treachery.
This is perhaps Martin Scorsese’s most intense and raw movie, featuring scenes involving the torture of a man with a vice, the murder of De Niro’s character and Sharon Stone’s character being buried alive in a cornfield. It is a harrowing watch that is believable because it depicts the reality of Las Vegas life at the time. It also reveals how mob influence over the city faded as huge gambling corporations took control of it.
Casino is a movie that is filled with many little details that make it feel authentic, from the tacky 1970s decor to the way Ace orders the casino cooks to put “exactly the same amount of blueberries in each muffin.” It is also a movie that showcases the power of loyalty programs and explains how they can help players control their gambling habits.
Creating a budget before you hit the slots can help you stay in control of your spending. It is easy to get mesmerized by the bright lights and sound of a slot machine, so setting a budget will prevent you from losing track of your money. Keeping up with your finances will also help you know when to walk away, win or lose.