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Posted by on Jun 5, 2024 in Blog | 2 comments

Then and Now: “The Gambler” 1974 vs. 2024 (Caesars Palace Las Vegas)

 

THEN AND NOW:
MOVIE: “THE GAMBLER” (1974)
CAESARS PALACE LAS VEGAS

On the 50th anniversary of the release of The Gambler, I walked through the iconic circular casino pit at Caesars Palace late last night, where the ecstatic crescendo of Axel Freed’s gambling “high” takes place. One of the most intense movies about gambling ever filmed, the 1974 lesser-known cult classic isn’t shown often. Not to be confused with embarrassingly dreadful 2014 remake starring Mark Wahlberg (read my review HERE), the earlier version starring James Caan in the title role contains a riveting portrayal of addiction and self-destruction, boosted by an outstanding supporting cast — including Lauren Hutton, Paul Sorvino, Burt Young, M. Emmet Walsh, and James Woods (in his first film role).

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Posted by on Jun 2, 2024 in Blog | 0 comments

A Question About Old Juries and the Classic Movie “12 Angry Men”

 

 

A QUESTION ABOUT OLD JURIES AND THE MOVIE “12 ANGRY MEN”

Each time the classic legal drama 12 Angry Men comes on television, I try to tune in and (re)watch it. The “action” takes place almost entirely inside a single small room, with jurors shoe-horned around a table deciding the fate of a Puerto Rican teenager on trial for the murder of his father. Though it fared poorly in movie theaters when first released in 1957, 12 Angry Men has since become a short course and a de facto legal education for multiple generations and is widely acknowledged as one of the best courtroom dramas ever made. To this day, it has timeless lessons for us all about evidence and preliminary judgement.

However, I still have a question about this film that (so far) has never been answered.

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Posted by on Apr 6, 2024 in Blog | 0 comments

Marlon Brando’s 10 Greatest Film Roles

 

 

 

BRANDO’S 100th BIRTHDAY
MARLON BRANDO’S TEN BEST MOVIES AND FILM ROLES

 

This week, Marlon Brando would have turned 100.

Born on April 3, 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska, Brando became one of the most influential screen actors of all time. He redefined the image and demeanor of what Hollywood “stardom” meant, and then came to despise celebrity culture and Hollywood practices.

Now, twenty years after his death, Brando remains an intriguing voice worth listening to. Alas, Brando’s most interesting role may have been — himself. For a man filled with complexity and even contradiction, that was the most challenging part to play.

Here’s my list of Brando’s very best movies (and roles).

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Posted by on Apr 6, 2024 in Blog | 0 comments

Every Picture Tells a Story: With Dennis Hopper — The Palms Las Vegas (2005)

 

 

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY:
WITH DENNIS HOPPER AT CINEVEGAS FILM FESTIVAL — THE PALMS LAS VEGAS (2005)

Circa 2003-2009, I attended CineVegas film festival several years in a row. Las Vegas has been featured as the backdrop in several movies. Given its close proximity to Hollywood and all the top entertainment performing here, it’s inevitable that our city would come to host an annual film festival.

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