Casino (1995) ★★★★½ Quote:
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In early-1970s Las Vegas, low-level mobster Sam “Ace” Rothstein gets tapped by his bosses to head the Tangiers Casino. At first, he’s a great success in the job, but over the years, problems with his loose-cannon enforcer Nicky Santoro, his ex-hustler wife Ginger, her con-artist ex Lester Diamond and a handful of corrupt politicians put Sam in ever-increasing danger.
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Like Martin Scorsese's much celebrated Goodfellas, this is based on a factual book about organised crime by Nicholas Pileggi, with Pileggi and Scorsese writing the screenplay, Scorsese directing, and Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in lead roles. It also has an epic feel, covering a lengthy period of time and with great attention paid to the costumes, production design, and the 'jukebox' music soundtrack.
It's a film which I enjoy the more I watch it, and each viewing also brings a greater appreciation of the skill of everyone involved in its production, from Scorsese to all the actors, and every member of the crew.
With the 4K Ultra HD disc bringing superfluous picture quality and immersive sound into the home, it's abundantly clear to me that this is no Goodfellas-lite, but a truly great film which belongs in any list of Scorsese's best films. It's a brilliant film by a masterful director, and a film which has been given one of the most impressive 4K transfers I've had the pleasure to enjoy.