When looking to watch a new movie or TV series, it’s always a good idea to find something that suits your current interests. So, if you’re into cars, you might binge-watch the Fast and Furious franchise while Nailed It and The Great British Bake Off might be better if you enjoy baking. However, in case you’ve recently started playing casino games, you might be thinking of spending these last weeks of 2022 watching something gambling-related. Here are a few titles to consider.
Ocean’s Eleven
We have to start with one of the most iconic films of all time that include gambling – Ocean’s Eleven, and its sequels, of course. If you’ve never seen these movies before, you’ve got a long day of binging ahead of you. This heist comedy stars George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, and Julia Roberts, and you are sure to enjoy their chemistry while they’re robbing and gambling in some of the most famous casinos in the US. Although making it to the Bellagio, the Mirage, or the MGM Grand Las Vegas is not possible for everyone, most people can look for fun games online. Gambling lovers can turn to the MegaRush online casino which offers more than 2500 casino games from various suppliers.
Snatch
If you’ve seen any of the earlier Guy Ritchie films, you might have noticed that the theme of gambling is often present. Snatch from 2000 is no different. His second feature-length film stars Brad Pitt, Jason Statham, Vinnie Jones, Dennis Farina, Benicio del Toro, and Rade Šerbedžija. It follows London bookmakers, boxing promoters, robbers, gangsters, and jewellers as they search for a stolen diamond. From Statham’s character that owns a slot machine shop to betting on boxing matches, the movie is full of twists of chance, just like any casino game.
Casino Royale
Bond fans already know how vital poker is to Casino Royale. However, if you haven’t seen Daniel Craig’s debut as the titular spy from 2006 yet, it’s time to give it a go. In the 21st instalment of the series, Bond has to defeat Le Chiffre, played by Mads Mikkelsen, in a high-stakes game of poker at Montenegro’s Casino Royale. Saying that Bond manages to win is not a spoiler, but check out the movie to see how much he won and how.
Molly’s Game
Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut, Molly’s Game movie is actually based on a memoir by Molly Bloom. This 2017 title follows Bloom (played by Jessica Chastain) as she is investigated by the FBI for the underground poker empire she’s been running. Her clients include everyone from Hollywood celebs and athletes to business tycoons and mobsters. While Molly was initially unfamiliar with how poker works, she quickly learned the rules and how to run her own games.
The Card Counter
Starring Oscar Isaac, Willem Dafoe and Tiffany Haddish and executively produced by Martin Scorsese, The Card Counter is another film to consider watching before the year is over. Released in 2021, it tells the story of William Tell who taught himself to count cards while in prison. In order to avoid the attention of casino bouncers, he tends to win modestly by making small bets. Over time, he learns how gambling helped him deal with various aspects of life.
Ozark
When you’re in the mood for a good TV show, why not turn to Ozark? This 4-season, 44-episode Netflix show follows a family that’s laundering money for a Mexican drug cartel and getting involved with local criminals and mafia. In season 3, they enter the riverboat casino business and open their own. While there are some real riverboat casinos that fans can visit, this particular one isn’t a casino as all interior shots are filmed elsewhere. However, you can see the Missouri Belle Riverboat, which is used for the outside, in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
Las Vegas
In case you’re looking for something more light-hearted and upbeat, you can watch Las Vegas. This TV show aired from 2003 to 2008 and produced 106 episodes during the five seasons. In addition to Sonny Corleone himself – James Caan – you also see Josh Duhamel and Tom Selleck as well as some notable guest stars like Sylvester Stallone, Gladys Knight, and Little Richard. The series showcases how casinos are run and which problems they often encounter.
No matter if you’re in the mood for a show or a film that is casino-inspired, you should be able to find something fun to finish 2022 in style. What are you watching first?
