Casino

“Why mess up a good thing. And that’s that.” To me, Casino and The Wolf of Wall Street are two sides of the same coin. Both films are rise-and-fall epics with voice-over narration, a star-studded cast, timeless needle drops, and a vibrant but bloody exploration of greed and corruption. Scorsese’s direction is flawless: the kinetic swish pans, POV and overhead shots, the quick cuts of money mixed with slow-motion cigarette smoke over The Rolling Stones, and thoughts of violence. It’s all perfection. The script is witty, retrospective, and brimming with energy and anxiety. The heated exchanges between De Niro and Pesci with the vast desert backdrop, the glamorous color-coordinated wardrobe, the diamond heist, Sharon Stone’s stunning and fierce performance, and Don Rickles, I mean, what’s not to love—it’s right up my alley. Top tier Scorsese. 5/5.  Ps. I think Sam Rothstein and Saul Goodman would’ve gotten along. Best suits ever?