Monday, October 28, 2013

The Disconnect Between Gambling Films & Modern Gambling

Guest PostImage result for rounders movie

      In the parlance of strange and passionate people and their strange and passionate affairs, gambling films always seem to gather "cult followings" - which generally means their success in the box office is mediocre, but they're still seen as popular films with niche audiences. Indeed, the basic themes presented in these films - risk, reward, getting into and sometimes out of trouble, and hedonistic atmospheres - are certainly appealing windows into a more gratifying form of entertainment. The attraction, an instinctual desire to test the limits of your personal success, is not too hard to understand after all. 
      But have you ever noticed that nearly every popular gambling film portrays gambling as not only risky, but flat out dangerous? Consider the following examples:

  1.         Rounders - A pantheon gambling film and many people's favorite, "Rounders" is essentially about the dangers of high stakes, underground poker. Ed Norton's character, Worm, is portrayed as a self-destructive, troublemaking addict who can't help but ruin himself through gambling, and Matt Damon's Mike can clearly only succeed in life when he distances himself from the tables. It's entertaining, but really pretty bleak.
  2.         21 - Blackjack, baby! It's a sexy and actually fairly intelligent thriller based on the true story of a group of M.I.T. students who organized a card-counting operation in Vegas on weekends. Yet the film's main character, Ben (Jim Sturgess), nearly loses his money, education, shot at a future, and life in one fell swoop. Yikes!
  3.         Heat - The 1986 film - not the 90's action thriller - depicts Burt Reynolds as a skilled and enjoyable bodyguard/gun for hire who yearns to leave Vegas and start a new life abroad. But, alas, an unwieldy gambling addiction keeps him from achieving this dream. Incidentally, Screenrant tells us a remake with Jason Statham is on the way.
      Just a few examples, but you get the idea. "Casino Royale," noted for a particularly memorable sequence, is a prominent exception, as it makes gambling - at least in Daniel Craig's capable hands - look sexy, thrilling, and fruitful. But generally speaking, I'm always struck by how thoroughly the film industry's portrayal of gambling and the actual modern hobby of casino activity seem to clash. 
      Of course, there is always risk in gambling, and addiction is a very real problem. But for the most part today, we view gambling as entertainment more than as a harmful vice. For example, playing poker at Betfair online, an Internet casino user might simply be honing his game, gambling relatively small amounts of cash in live tournaments or video poker rooms simply for entertainment value. At the same site, a user can enjoy cartoonish arcade games and slot machine options, to the point that it almost seems more like an arcade gaming site than a casino! 
      Again, gambling and risk can never be separated. But options like Internet casinos, in addition to basic entertainment - watching the World Series of Poker on ESPN, downloading silly poker and blackjack apps, etc. - have led to a lighter, simpler perception of gambling for the average person. And, ultimately, this may have something to do with why those old school gambling films teeming with trouble just don't seem relatable anymore.

18 comments:

  1. Rounders was a good film. Remaking the Burt Reynolds flick, huh?
    I've never been a gambler. I like my money too much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alex,

      The remake is an interesting project, though not one that I've been waiting with bated breath to see materialize. I suppose the mustachio man could always benefit from drumming up interest in his earlier, more compelling work.

      Thanks for stopping by :)

      Delete
    2. Agree with Alex. "Rounders" is good in this theme.I saw this film on a first place here https://casinority.com/10-best-casino-movies/
      So many people can't be wrong) Also I recommend The Cincinnati Kid. It is is pretty good

      Delete
  2. Fun post - I am a confirmed fan of the Burt Reynolds Heat! The picture identifying the guest poster is X'ed out on my computer - so I'm not sure who this was by - but it's always nice to drop by Filmmattic for a new post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Craig!

      It was a post done in collaboration with a website looking to widen its scope in the film blogosphere, and since my site is such a prominent space (wink, wink), my services were politely requested.

      Thanks for the love, buddy :)

      Delete
  3. Great to see your name! Rounders...so long ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Susan!

      So long ago but never too long, right?!

      Delete
  4. I found of games, and gambling is no exception https://www.nativecasinos.com/online-casino/the-best There is some tips for different games, and they're works.

    ReplyDelete
  5. When deciding on a debt consolidation company play bazaar, see if there is a counselor who you could meet in person to go over your financial situation. During this consultation, describe your situation and what you are looking for. You might even want to talk with a few counselors before choosing a company.sata king

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the nice blog. It was very useful for me. I'm happy I found this blog. Thank you for sharing with us. Playing games can help people to live stress-free life. People should secure times from working restlessly and play Casino. Online casinos are making their way right into the living-room of thousands of worldwide players. 188loto

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful blog & good post. Its really helpful for me, awaiting for more new post. Keep Blogging! Thank you for this excellently put together blog. Thanks for sharing information with us. With the right winning lottery system that actually works, you can bring the odds in your favor and increase your chances of winning the lottery. 188loto

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I will share it with my other friends as the information is really very useful. Read more info about best online live wm casino in singapore. Keep sharing your excellent work.

    ReplyDelete