Card Game Movies

From George Roy Hill, starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Charles Durning
Rated PG

The Sting is a 1973 American caper film set in 1936 directed by George Roy Hill and starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as a pair of con men who seek revenge on a crime lord. The story follows small-time con man Johnny Hooker (Redford) and master grifter Henry Gondorff (Newman), as they set up an elaborate plot to swindle mob boss Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw) out of a large sum of money. With the help of a crooked gambling boss, an old partner-in-crime, and a variety of disguises and subterfuge, the duo attempt to con Lonnegan and ultimately exact revenge for the death of Hooker's mentor. Along the way, they face obstacles and double-crosses while they seek to outwit the mobster and his henchmen.

From Julian Stone, starring Michael Cudlitz, Ray Porter, Dion Luther, Melissa Sullivan
Rated R

Follow the Bitch is a dark comedy directed by Julian Stone. Set in the late 1990s, the film follows the misadventures of an unemployed writer, Jack, who is desperate to find a job. After getting fired from his last job, Jack takes a job as a driver for a mysterious woman named "The Bitch." She takes him on a wild ride through Los Angeles as they search for a mysterious package. Along the way they encounter a variety of eccentric characters and clash with each other. The film is a commentary on Los Angeles and the people who inhabit it, and ultimately a story about taking risks and learning to accept others for who they are.

From Guy Ritchie, starring Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Nick Moran, Jason Statham
Rated R

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is a 1998 British crime comedy film written and directed by Guy Ritchie. The story follows four London working-class friends who decide to gamble in a high-stakes card game, only to be conned by a gang of international criminals. In order to pay off their debt, the friends decide to perform a robbery, which soon spirals out of control. The film is notable for its fast-paced, witty dialogue and its expansive ensemble cast, featuring some of the most iconic British actors of the time. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels examines the criminal underworld of London and the effects it has on its inhabitants, leaving behind a lasting impression on audiences.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods
Rated R

Casino is a 1995 American crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone. Set in 1970s Las Vegas, the film follows Sam "Ace" Rothstein (De Niro), a Jewish American gambling expert who is hired by the Italian Mafia to oversee the operations of the Tangiers Casino. Alongside him is the volatile Nicky Santoro (Pesci), a made man sent to watch over Ace and ensure that the mob's money keeps flowing in. As Ace's success in the casino grows, so does the power struggle between him and Nicky, leading to betrayal, violence, and ultimately their downfall. The film also follows Ace's relationship with his wife Ginger (Stone), and how her greed and ambition ultimately leads to her undoing and Ace's downfall.

From Stuart Rosenberg, starring Paul Newman, George Kennedy, Strother Martin, J.D. Cannon
Rated GP

Cool Hand Luke is a 1967 American prison drama film directed by Stuart Rosenberg, starring Paul Newman as the rebellious inmate Luke Jackson. Set in a Florida prison farm in the late 1950s, the film tells the story of Lucas "Luke" Jackson, a former soldier and drifter who is sent to prison for cutting the heads off parking meters. Despite the opposition of the prison authorities, Luke refuses to conform to their rigid rules. He inspires the respect of his fellow inmates through his determination and resourcefulness, leading them in a series of minor and major rebellions against the prison system. The film earned four Academy Award nominations and was a box office success.

From Robert Rossen, starring Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie, George C. Scott
Rated Not Rated

The Hustler is a 1961 American drama film directed by Robert Rossen, starring Paul Newman as Fast Eddie Felson, a small-time pool hustler with a lot of talent but a self-destructive attitude. He embarks on a journey to try to prove himself to his long-time rival, the legendary pool player Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason). Along the way he meets Sarah Packard (Piper Laurie), a troubled but pretty alcoholic, and Bert Gordon (George C. Scott), a gambler who takes an interest in Eddie and his talent. With Sarah's help, Eddie manages to defeat Fats and make a comeback, but he soon realizes that his victories don't mean anything if he doesn't ultimately have something to show for them.

From Martin Campbell, starring Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright
Rated PG-13

Casino Royale is a 2006 spy film directed by Martin Campbell and is the twenty-first film in the James Bond series. The film stars Daniel Craig as the fictional MI6 agent, James Bond. In the film, Bond is sent to Madagascar and the Bahamas to track down a terrorist banker, Le Chiffre, who has been funding the nefarious activities of international terrorists. With the help of his ally, MI6 agent Vesper Lynd, Bond takes on Le Chiffre in a high-stakes game of poker at the Casino Royale in Montenegro. The outcome of the game will determine the future of the world's terrorist network, and Bond must use his wit, skill, and luck to defeat Le Chiffre and save the day. Along the way, Bond embarks on a romantic journey with Vesper, and the two learn to trust each other despite their initial differences. Casino Royale is an exciting and thrilling spy film that features a riveting story, incredible action sequences, and a gripping performance by Daniel Craig as James Bond.

From Todd Phillips, starring Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha, Ed Helms
Rated R

The Hangover is a 2009 American comedy film directed by Todd Phillips. It follows four friends (Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Justin Bartha) who travel to Las Vegas for a bachelor party and wake up the next morning with no memory of the night before. With no idea how they got there and no clue as to where the groom-to-be has disappeared to, they set off on an epic adventure to try to piece together the events of the night before. Along the way, they encounter a tiger, a baby, a stripper, and a police officer in a series of chaotic and outrageous events that eventually lead them to discover the truth about what happened.

From Steven Soderbergh, starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon
Rated PG-13

Ocean's Eleven is a 2001 American heist comedy film directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts. The film follows Danny Ocean (Clooney) and his eleven associates who plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously. The group, which includes a variety of talented con artists and technicians, must pull off the heist of the century and dodge the authorities in order to succeed. With a plan that involves both brains and brawn, Ocean's Eleven proves that the impossible can be made possible.

From Dave McGlone, starring Sharon Clancy, Desmond Daly, Sam Power, Declan Reynolds

All or Nothing is a 2013 British drama film directed by Dave McGlone. The film follows the story of Mike, a middle-aged taxi driver from East London. After the sudden death of his wife, Mike struggles to cope with the loss and finds himself in a downward spiral of depression. As he struggles to come to terms with his grief, Mike meets a single mother and her young son, and forms an unexpected bond with them. This relationship, along with the support of his friends and family, helps Mike to rebuild his life and find a purpose in life. All or Nothing is a moving drama about loss, grief, and finding hope in the face of adversity.

From Pupi Avati, starring Carlo Delle Piane, Diego Abatantuono, Gianni Cavina, George Eastman

Regalo di Natale (Gift of Christmas), directed by Pupi Avati, is an Italian holiday drama set in Bologna during the 1940s. The film tells the story of 11-year-old Antonio (Elio Sancimino), who is living through the harsh realities of war-torn Italy with his widowed mother (Franca Bettoja). When Christmas comes, Antonio longs for the presents that his father used to bring him in happier times. In an effort to make his mother's Christmas special, Antonio enlists the help of his friends and neighbors to bring her a special gift. Through their determination, they are able to find a way to bring Antonio's mother peace and joy during the holiday season. The film is a heartwarming celebration of the perseverance of the human spirit, and the power of friendship and generosity.

From Robert Altman, starring Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, Rene Auberjonois, William Devane
Rated R

McCabe & Mrs. Miller is a 1971 American Western film directed by Robert Altman and starring Warren Beatty and Julie Christie. Set in the early twentieth century in the Pacific Northwest, the film follows John McCabe (Beatty), a gambler and entrepreneur from Kansas, who arrives in the frontier town of Presbyterian Church in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. With the help of the shrewd saloon owner Mrs. Miller (Christie) they establish a high-class brothel and gaming hall. As the business prospers and the town's population grows, McCabe's success brings him into conflict with a powerful mining conglomerate led by a ruthless businessman, who will stop at nothing to take control of the town and its resources. In the end, McCabe and Mrs. Miller must battle for their lives and the future of their town.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Tobey Maguire, Michael Lee Gogin
Rated R

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a 1998 American comedy-drama film directed by Terry Gilliam, adapted from Hunter S. Thompson’s 1971 novel of the same name. It follows the misadventures of journalist Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) and his attorney, Dr. Gonzo (Benicio del Toro) as they journey to Las Vegas and are given a variety of hallucinogenic drugs. As they wander through the city, they encounter various bizarre characters, many of whom are portrayed by an all-star cast. The film is a surrealistic, comedic take on the drug culture of the 1960s and 1970s, exploring themes of drug use, the American Dream, and the failure of the counterculture movement.

From Louis Malle, starring Burt Lancaster, Susan Sarandon, Kate Reid, Michel Piccoli
Rated R

From John Dahl, starring Matt Damon, Edward Norton, Gretchen Mol, John Malkovich
Rated R

From John Cassavetes, starring Ben Gazzara, Timothy Carey, Seymour Cassel, Robert Phillips
Rated R

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson
Rated R

From Directors: Norman Jewison, Sam Peckinpah, starring Steve McQueen, Ann-Margret, Edward G. Robinson, Karl Malden
Rated TV-14

From David Mamet, starring Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna, Mike Nussbaum, Lilia Skala
Rated R

From Robert Altman, starring George Segal, Elliott Gould, Ann Prentiss, Gwen Welles
Rated R

From John Sayles, starring John Cusack, Clifton James, Jace Alexander, Gordon Clapp
Rated PG

From Jing Wong, starring Chow Yun-Fat, Andy Lau, Joey Wang, Charles Heung
Rated R

From Karel Reisz, starring James Caan, Paul Sorvino, Lauren Hutton, Morris Carnovsky
Rated R

From Richard Kwietniowski, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Minnie Driver, John Hurt, Maury Chaykin
Rated R

From Martin Scorsese, starring Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Helen Shaver
Rated R