Casino

I think I have shared previously that I love movies that are based in fact...hence why I enjoyed this movie so much. Casino was based on a book of the same name that described the crime underworld that ran the gambling world in the 1970s. I was fascinated by the different layers of corruption that helped to keep the casinos running, and how greed caused the characters to fall from the height of power. This film was beautifully directed by Martin Scorsese...and who better to star in a Scorsese film than his favorite leading man Robert De Niro. De Niro always plays an incredible gangster, and is usually just terrifying...he is known for being one of the best actors of his time, but his more recent work also portrays his versatility as an actor. Sharon Stone plays De Niro's wife, and she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role, and won a Golden Globe for the same performance. It is also interesting to note that this film is famous for using the "F" word more times than any other movie up to that point (422 times...wow). Due to my Italian "roots", I love anything relating to the mob, and this film is destined for mob greatness...I have not heard much about the movie, but I would place it on the same level as Goodfellas and The Godfather in terms of intriguing plot, perfect casting, and impeccable writing. 4 1/2 pigs (it's not perfect, but it is great).