Movies About Motels

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

Casino is a 1995 crime film directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci. Set in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1970s, the story follows the lives of two mobsters, Ace Rothstein (De Niro) and Nicky Santoro (Pesci), who are hired by the Chicago Outfit to run the Tangiers Casino. Ace is a professional who runs the casino with an iron fist, while Nicky is a violent and unpredictable enforcer who quickly spirals out of control. Their partnership eventually unravels as Ace's increasingly volatile temper and Nicky's reckless lifestyle begin to take their toll on the business. The story follows their downward spiral as they attempt to maintain their positions in the city's ever-changing underworld. The film features an array of characters, including Hollywood big shots, corrupt politicians, and Vegas hustlers, as well as a multitude of subplots, including a romance between Ace and a former prostitute, Ginger (Stone). The film's soundtrack also features some of Frank Sinatra's biggest hits, including "That's Life" and "My Way."

From Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson
Rated R

No Country for Old Men is a 2007 crime thriller film directed by Joel and Ethan Coen and based on the novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy. The film follows Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) as he discovers a sizable amount of money in the desert after a drug deal gone wrong, and then must evade the relentless pursuit of a psychopathic killer, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem). As the chase continues, Moss is forced to confront the true nature of violence and justice, while an aging sheriff, Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), follows the events from the sidelines. No Country for Old Men is a masterful exploration of fate and morality, and it earned the Coen brothers four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From Terry George, starring Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Joaquin Phoenix, Xolani Mali
Rated PG-13

Hotel Rwanda is a 2004 historical drama based on the true events of the Rwandan Genocide, directed by Terry George and starring Don Cheadle. The story follows Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager in Rwanda, who risks his life to protect over a thousand Hutu and Tutsi refugees during the violence of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. After witnessing the massacre of innocent civilians, Paul uses his connections and resources at the hotel to hide them and provide food and shelter. As the situation deteriorates and the UN pulls out, Paul’s actions to save the refugees are increasingly heroic and desperate. Ultimately, Paul and his family are forced to flee and his actions help to save the lives of over 1,200 people.

From Wes Anderson, starring Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody
Rated R

The Grand Budapest Hotel is a 2014 comedy-drama film directed by Wes Anderson. The movie follows the adventures of Gustave H., a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. With the help of his staff and the assistance of a young girl, the two embark on a mission to safely recover a priceless Renaissance painting stolen from the hotel's walls. Along the way, they become embroiled in a battle for the family fortune and must evade the murderous advances of a ruthless assassin. Along the way, they discover the secrets behind the concierge's mysterious past and the true meaning of friendship and loyalty.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring John Turturro, John Goodman, Judy Davis, Michael Lerner
Rated R

Barton Fink (1991) is a dark comedy-drama directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Set in 1941 Hollywood, the film follows Barton Fink (John Turturro), an up-and-coming New York playwright, as he moves to Hollywood to write for the movies. However, he quickly finds himself out of his element as he struggles to write a wrestling picture for a mysterious producer. As he works, Barton is plagued by disturbing dreams, paranoia, and a growing sense of dread as he discovers the darker side of Hollywood and its inhabitants. As Barton works his way through the mystery of the producer, he is forced to confront his inner demons and the true nature of his existence. The film features a star-studded cast including John Goodman, John Mahoney, Judy Davis, Tony Shalhoub, Steve Buscemi, and Michael Lerner.

From Anthony Maras, starring Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, Nazanin Boniadi, Anupam Kher
Rated R

Hotel Mumbai is a 2018 drama film directed by Anthony Maras, which is based on the 2009 documentary Surviving Mumbai about the 2008 Mumbai attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai, India. The film follows the story of the guests and staff at the luxury hotel during the siege by 10 Pakistani terrorists. In the midst of the chaos, the hotel's devoted employees risk their lives to keep everyone safe, even as the attackers stalk their every move. In the midst of the siege, the guests and staff find solace and courage in each other as they try to survive the ordeal. The film stars Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, Nazanin Boniadi, Anupam Kher, and Tilda Cobham-Hervey. It is a tribute to the resilience of the people of Mumbai, who faced great tragedy with courage and dignity.

From John Hughes, starring Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Michael McKean
Rated R

Planes, Trains & Automobiles is a 1987 American road trip comedy film written, produced, and directed by John Hughes. The film stars Steve Martin as Neal Page, a high-strung marketing executive, and John Candy as Del Griffith, an eternally optimistic, excessively talkative, and clumsy shower curtain ring salesman. The two men are forced to travel together from New York City to Chicago during the Thanksgiving holiday season, encountering numerous complications along the way. Through a series of comedic misadventures, Neal and Del form a strong bond of friendship as they struggle to make their way home. Along the way, they must deal with bad weather, missed connections, car breakdowns, and a host of other disasters. Despite their odds, the two ultimately reach their destination, having gained a newfound appreciation for one another.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring John Getz, Frances McDormand, Dan Hedaya, M. Emmet Walsh
Rated R

Blood Simple is a neo-noir crime thriller directed by the Coen Brothers, Joel and Ethan Coen. It follows the story of Texas bar owner Marty (Dan Hedaya) and his wife Abby (Frances McDormand). After feeling betrayed by Abby, Marty hires a private investigator (M. Emmet Walsh) to kill her and her lover, Ray (John Getz). However, the detective has his own hidden agenda and soon his plan spirals out of control, leading to a series of murders, lies, and double-crosses. The film is known for its dark humor and intense suspense, making it one of the Coen Brothers' most acclaimed films.

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

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a dark comedy film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro. The film follows the misadventures of journalist Raoul Duke (Depp) and his attorney, Dr. Gonzo (del Toro), as they travel from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in search of the American Dream. Along the way, the two become increasingly unhinged and partake in a wild series of misadventures involving drugs, crime, and insanity. The film is a darkly comic look at the excesses of the 1960s counterculture, and serves as a scathing critique of the American Dream.

From Mike Figgis, starring Nicolas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, Julian Sands, Richard Lewis
Rated R

Leaving Las Vegas tells the story of Ben Sanderson (Nicolas Cage), an alcoholic who, after losing his job, family, and friends, decides to move to Las Vegas, hoping to drink himself to death. On the way he meets a prostitute named Sera (Elisabeth Shue), and the two of them develop a relationship which is defined by their mutual understanding of the impossibility of any kind of real connection. As Ben continues to drink, he and Sera find solace in each other's company, but it soon becomes clear that their time together is fleeting. As Ben's drinking spirals out of control and Sera's life continues to be threatened by her violent pimp, the two of them begin to realize that the only way out of their situation is for Ben to finally accept his fate and for them to accept the truth of their relationship. Leaving Las Vegas is a powerful and heartbreaking story of two people who find a way to share their love in the face of tragedy.

From James Mangold, starring John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, John Hawkes
Rated R

From Harold Ramis, starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Imogene Coca, Randy Quaid
Rated R

From David Lynch, starring Nicolas Cage, Laura Dern, Willem Dafoe, J.E. Freeman
Rated R

From Drew Goddard, starring Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, Jon Hamm
Rated R

From Adam Rifkin, starring Burt Reynolds, Ariel Winter, Clark Duke, Chevy Chase
Rated R

From Directors: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, starring Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid, Bill Murray, Vanessa Angel
Rated PG-13

From Mikael Håfström, starring John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Mary McCormack, Tony Shalhoub
Rated PG-13

From Genndy Tartakovsky, starring Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James
Rated PG

From John McNaughton, starring Kevin Bacon, Neve Campbell, Matt Dillon, Denise Richards
Rated R

From James Cox, starring Val Kilmer, Lisa Kudrow, Kate Bosworth, Christina Applegate
Rated R

From Neil Jordan, starring Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Arterton, Sam Riley, Caleb Landry Jones
Rated R

From Genndy Tartakovsky, starring Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James
Rated PG

From Barry Battles, starring Billy Bob Thornton, Eva Longoria, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Clayne Crawford
Rated R

From Nimród Antal, starring Kate Beckinsale, Luke Wilson, Frank Whaley, Ethan Embry
Rated R

From Toby Wilkins, starring Shea Whigham, Jill Wagner, Paulo Costanzo, Charles Baker
Rated R