One of the most unique destinations on this beautiful planet of ours, Las Vegas is most definitely made for the movies. The home of world-class entertainment is filled with attractions and serves up a dose of glitz and glamour which is required for a number of memorable movie productions from over the years.
Vegas has been featured in a wealth of iconic releases in particular, with some of the best box-office hits being filmed along the Strip and in some of the city’s most well established and world-famous casino resorts, with many of them including classic table game scenes and shining a spotlight on casino life which, in turn, enables people to peer into the world of a high roller before jumping into popular online casino sites such as CasinoDays, which has been reviewed by Playorbet. Alongside the famous gambling venues and the bright lights of the city, Las Vegas has also featured love affairs, bachelor parties, and gang-related shootouts. Some productions have certainly been more memorable than others, though. Let’s take a look at three of the best below.
Casino (1995)
Casino, an iconic movie from 1985, is the ultimate tale of greed, deception and power, as the movie shines a light on the dangers of living the life of a gangster. Two best friends, a mafia enforcer and a casino executive, eventually turn against each other as they aim to take charge of a gambling empire. The movie, which was directed by Martin Scorsese, is shot in famous Vegas venues and features everything from intimidating enforcers, such as Nicky Santoro, who is played by Joe Pesci, and con artists like Lester Diamond, played by James Woods. Other world-famous actors feature in the movie also, namely the brilliant Robert De Niro and the faultless Sharon Stone.
The Hangover (2009)
If you’re in need of a laugh, then Todd Phillips’ The Hangover is a sure-fire way of getting you there. Regarded by many as one of the best comedies of all-time, the movie follows four bachelors who are aiming to have the most epic of celebrations. What unfolds, though, is pure mayhem accompanied by a dose of comical value which is hard to find elsewhere. The movie features a tiger in a hotel room, a dangerous but also hilarious Korean gangster, some missing Holocaust rings, and a vanishing groom which sends the group into meltdown. Las Vegas is obviously known for featuring bachelor parties in real life, but not many of them will be able to replicate the chaotic scenes which feature in this funny classic.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
A savage and toxic take on Las Vegas life, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is perhaps Hunter S Thompson’s greatest masterpiece. As Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) and his attorney Dr. Gonzo (Benicio Del Toro) venture across the Mojave desert with a suitcase full of drugs, the movie takes an unusual twist when the drug-fueled mission leads them down a path of destruction. The two men’s search for the American Dream takes them on a dark journey of violence and drug taking in this surreal yet powerful movie.
Other memorable productions which are set in Las Vegas include Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Ocean’s Eleven (2001) and Showgirls (1995).