This weekโs Sunday night movie takes you not only to the skyย but to a casino in the sky, with high rollers hopingย to hit the jackpot in an airborne bout of gambling. And where thereโs a casino, thereโs likely a heist โ which is exactly whatโs going down (or should that be up) in Money Plane. With criminals, cash, and cryptocurrency thrown into the mix, thereโs sure to be plenty of action and thrills. But itโs hardly the first casino-set movie Hollywood has delivered. In anticipation of boarding Money Plane, letโs check out five more. ย
Casino (1995)
Thanks to the title, there can hardly be anyย doubt as to where this movie is set. Directed by Martin Scorsese, it stars Robert De Niro as a gambling pro heading up a casino in Las Vegas. Adding to the drama and high stakes are the Mafia, a gorgeous showgirl, and all the thrills that come with working in the gambling capital of the world. Sound over the top? Itโs all (ok, mostly) real-life, inspired by Nicholas Pileggiโs non-fiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas.
Hard Eight (1996)
Paul Thomas Anderson made his directorial feature film debut with this mid-'90s drama about a seasoned gambler who takes on a protรฉgรฉ. As much as gambling and casinos feature in the movie, itโs more of a character study, as well as the introduction of a talented director. Anderson would not only go on to deliver many masterful films, but also frequently collaborate with some of Hollywoodโs finest talents, including several featured in this film, like Philip Baker Hall, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and John C. Reilly.
Croupier (1998)
Director Mike Hodges had proven his propensity for thrills, crime, and noir with films like Get Carter, Pulp, and Prayer for the Dying. He took his talents to the gambling world with the 1998 thriller, Croupier. Clive Owen was already relatively established as an actor when he was cast, but this film really elevated his star status. As a struggling writer, Owenโs character takes us to the other side of the table as he tries to make ends meet by becoming a croupier.
Oceanโs Eleven (2001)
This movie, withย its sparkling ensemble cast (including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon), hardly needs any introduction. A remake of the โ60s movie about a bold and daring casino heist starring the Rat Pack, the remake was a resounding success followed by three sequels, the latest of which featured an all-female line-up.
Casino Royale (2006)
The casino setting is a familiar one in the James Bond franchise. Who could ever forget Sean Conneryโs introduction as the famous spy with the now well-trodden line โBond, James Bondโ in 1962โs Dr. No? There have been numerous casino-set scenes in the franchise since, but the plot hinged strongly on the setting in Daniel Craigโs first outing as 007 as he is pitted against Mads Mikkelsenโs Le Chiffre in a high-stakes game of Texas hold 'em.
Take the stakes to the skies with Money Plane on 28 February at 21:35 on M-Net channel 101. Love Island SA will premiere in the regular Sunday night movie slot, at 20:00. From next week, 7 March, the Sunday night movie will return to its regular slot.
Looking for more heist movies? Check out Heat,ย London Heist, and Entrapment on DStv using connected device.
Images: Alamy