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Quick Links Matt Damon Expertly Plays the Different Shades of Tom Ripley Matt Damon Knows How to Play the Characters, and the Audience

Even though Matt Damon's acting career pre-dates 1997, he made his presence known that year in a film that would change his life forever. With Good Will Hunting, a film he co-wrote with his best friend and fellow co-star Ben Affleck, Damon became the toast of the town. The title role of Will Hunting tapped into a series of emotions that couldn't be ignored, and it was a role that earned the actor an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and eventually an Oscar win for Best Original Screenplay. The actor was effectively a star at that point and began appearing in a series of films that further established his talent.

From the small title role in Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan in 1998 to the poker drama Rounders that same year,...

“A Complete Unknown” is a departure for Edward Norton, even though he’s quick to point out he’s played kind-hearted souls before — including, surprisingly, referencing Smoochy the Rhino from “Death to Smoochy,” an early, unexpected, comedic zag in this interview from Norton while discussing his buzzed-about performance as folk legend Pete Seeger.

And he’s right. He has played, as he puts it, “decent people” — he’s most definitely not always in that wiseacre vibe of Worm in “Rounders” or flirting with the emotional rage and misery of Monty in Spike Lee’s “25th Hour.” But his interpretation of Pete Seeger is unique in that he plays him with this true north earnestness … but with an undercut of passive aggressiveness that comes biting through when Timotheé Chalamet’s Bob Dylan does something Pete doesn’t see eye to eye with. This happens quite often during the events of “A Complete Unknown.

Matt Damon may now be considered something of an action star, but his work in the genre is somewhat limited in the grand scheme of his career. Damon's big break was Good Will Hunting in 1997, a movie that won him and co-writer Ben Affleck a Best Original Screenplay Oscar. From there, Damon went on to appear in Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan in 1998 and Rounders that same year.

Throughout the 2000s, Damon appeared in a number of high-profile movies, with Ocean's Eleven and its two sequels being among the most notable. More recently, he's had strong roles in Christopher Nolan's acclaimed Oppenheimer, but he's also delved into sci-fi with The Martian (2015) and Interstellar (2014), as well as docudrama with Air (2023). Some of Damon's most well-known acting work, however, is in the action genre, with his role as a highly-skilled assassin helping to make him a household name.

The Bourne...

Filmmakers have searched for fresh ideas since cinema began. In early Hollywood, casinos gained attention as a growing theme. These two industries became connected fast. The first gambling movies appeared in the 1930s. They focused on the risky lives of gamblers. Such themes still appear in modern films, reflecting cultural and economic shifts.

In cinema, casino movies shifted from simple dramas to complex stories. Filmmakers explore the moral conflicts of gambling. They show it as both tempting and dangerous. Crime syndicates appear regularly in these films. This highlights the darker aspects of gambling. However, modern businesses operate under strict licenses. They follow laws and offer gambling in a controlled setting. This change shows how it has become a structured activity. Strict gambling regulations in today’s world have also influenced the themes and narratives of modern casino movies. So, let’s take a look at the top 10 gambling movies, spanning...

When it comes to Hollywood’s top names, Matt Damon definitely fits the bill. He’s been in the game for a long time, having kicked off his career at a young age. By the 1990s, he was already considered one of the rising stars, right up there with Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Leonardo DiCaprio. As the years went by, he gained even more recognition, starring in films that are still iconic today.

Matt Damon in Jason Bourne (Credits: Universal Pictures)

Damon dives into a range of genres, though he’s best known for his action films. Over his career, he’s been nominated for numerous awards and even won an Oscar and a Golden Globe. Despite this, there are still a few of his films that haven’t gotten the attention they deserve and could definitely use more spotlight and reviews.

1. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) Still from The Talented Mr.

The movie and the casino industry are closely knitted together all around the world, including Asia. There are many great movies where the hero goes to the casino and takes them for everything they have. We all root for the main character and always want him to win. In most cases in Asian casino movies, you can see suitcases of money get poured on the tables and incredibly high wagers placed per hand.

This is not too far from the truth. Gambling has been deeply embedded into Asian culture since ancient times. They consider gambling to be a way for wealth to move and circulate, so the money you lose will be received by someone else along the way. But how much of an influence do casino movies actually have over gambling trends?

Gamblers and gambling movies

Coincidently gamblers are the ones who actually love gambling movies the most. If...

Image Source: Miramax Back in 1998, when Matt Damon was still on his ascent to Hollywood’s A-list, he made a movie about poker that was initially viewed as a box office disappointment. But time has been kind to Rounders which has benefited from a burgeoning interest in high-stakes poker over the years and become a cult hit. Damon has recently expressed a renewed interest in revisiting the film with a sequel, stating on The Rich Eisen Show that he’s talked to many of the people involved with Rounders, and they’d be “all in” on making another, so to speak. Whether that sequel happens or not remains to be seen, but in the meantime, Damon might just head back to the casinos to keep his chops up. After all, when he made the original film, he told us that he and co-star Edward Norton prepared for their roles by...

David Zayas' son replaced him in Dexter season 8 as Angel Batista for scenes without dialogue. Zayas's son doubled for him, resembling his father, in scenes that didn't require the real actor. Zayas Jr. has since had one acting role and directed various episodes of a TV series post Dexter.

Detective Angel Batista was a prominent figure at Miami Metro, and Dexter season 8 secretly replaced David Zayas without the audience noticing, but does Batista die in Dexter? Actor David Zayas is best known for his appearances in crime dramas, particularly as Osbourne, the cop in Rounders, inmate Enrique Morales on Oz, and Detective Angel Batista in all eight seasons of Showtime's Dexter.

Dexter's flirtatious homicide detective even made a triumphant return in the Dexter: New Blood reboot. By Dexter season 8, only a select few characters survived the slew of serial killers and Dexter Morgan's hobby to make it to the show's final installment.

Matt Damon and Jesse Plemons have been tagged for decades as one of Hollywood's closest doppelgngers. They finally addressed the comments saying they're well aware of the comparison.

It's easy to mistake Jesse Plemons for Matt Damon (and vice versa); they possess one of the most interchangeable faces in Hollywood. Aside from their close resemblance, both have impressive filmographies demonstrating their range. Fans may recall Plemons' breakout performance in Varsity Blues, and Damon's earliest hits include Rounders, Field of Dreams, Good Will Hunting, and The Rainmaker. Damon was recently asked to comment on the comparison in an interview with Access Hollywood; he was first shown a video of Plemons saying he was "definitely flattered by the comparison." The Kinds of Kindness actor added that he was also "curious to hear [Damon's] thoughts, if he's annoyed."

Related Best Matt Damon Movies, Ranked

From the spy action thriller, The Bourne Identity, to the sci-fi masterpiece,...

Matt Damon has revealed that he really wants to make a sequel to his 1998 movie, Rounders. Even when a film isn't a huge success upon release, there is still a chance that it can find an audience several years later - especially now thanks to streaming. There are many examples of box office under-performers that have gone on to become cult classics and 1998's Rounders is a shining example of this. Despite modest financial returns, the film gradually caught on with moviegoers thanks primarily to the rise in poker playing, which is at the forefront of the film's story. Rounders isn't a movie that was screaming for a follow-up, but star Matt Damon, says he has been trying to get a sequel made.

During an interview on the Rich Eisen Show to promote his Apple TV+ film, The Instigators, Damon revealed that he has been angling to get a sequel made to Rounders for years.

Hollywood icon Matt Damon discusses a potential sequel to one of his greatest cult classics - Rounders.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Damon opened up about the idea during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. When asked whether any of his past projects would be receiving sequels through his Actors Equity production company, Damon responded, "The one that we've been talking about for years and I just saw Edward Norton a few weeks ago, [and] all of us want to do it is a second Rounders movie."

Related Richard Simmons' Staff Responds to Pauly Shore's Unofficial Biopic

The staff of the late pop culture icon and fitness guru Richard Simmons respond to the upcoming biopic starring Pauly Shore.

1998's Rounders starred Matt Damon as Mike McDermott, a law student with aspirations of winning a World Series of Poker bracelet. After suffering a major loss to John Makovich's Russian crime boss Teddy,...

There exist certain film projects which, upon release, fail to impress audiences as they suffer at the box office. However, as the years roll on by, these seemingly maligned projects begin to garner an impressive following. Matt Damon's 1998 poker focused feature, Rounders, falls squarely into that bracket. While the film had suffered at the box office early on, it seems to have picked up more fans in recent times. A project from director John Dahl, Rounders was focused on underground, high-stakes poker tournaments. While promoting his latest role in Apples The Instigators, Damon has revealed a desire to return to Dahl's work in a potential sequel.

Matt Damon wants to make a sequel to Rounders, revealing that co-star Edward Norton is also on board. The world of poker has evolved a lot since the release of the first film, and Damon would like to work with the original writers to put a sequel script together that explores this. Rounders wasn't a big success at the time of its release, but it's since become a more widely seen cult classic.

Matt Damon shares his hopes for Rounders 2, a sequel to his 1998 poker movie. Directed by John Dahl, Rounders stars Damon as Mike McDermott, a gambling whiz who returns to the world of high-stakes poker to help his friend, Worm (Edward Norton), pay off dangerous loan sharks. The film, which also stars John Malkovich and Gretchen Mol, wasn't a big hit at the box office, but has since become a cult classic.

During a recent appearance on the...

It’s not about how much you win, it’s about how much you can walk away from. And right now, Matt Damon may not want to be walking away at all, as he has expressed interest in doing a sequel to Rounders, even talking to Worm himself, Edward Norton, about the idea.

As he revealed on The Rich Eisen Show, Matt Damon said that a Rounders sequel is one that has been in the cards off and on since its release in 1998. “The one we’ve been talking about for years, and we’re trying to, and I just saw Edward Norton a few weeks ago, like all of us want to do it is a second Rounders movie. So much has happened in the poker world in the last 25 years, it would be fun to catch up with those guys.”

As for a plot to the sequel, Damon...

Star Matt Damon, who appeared in the 1998 poker drama Rounders with Edward Norton, is keen on making a sequel.

It’s not uncommon for an actor to be out on the press circuit and be questioned about a film they’d love to do a sequel for. However, when that actor has their own production company, any answer they give has a much greater chance of actually happening. Recently on The Rich Eisen Show, Matt Damon was asked that very question and he didn’t have to think too hard about his response.

“The one that we’ve been talking about for years – and I just saw Edward Norton a few weeks ago, [and] all of us want to do it – is a second Rounders movie,” Damon said, as picked up by The Hollywood Reporter. “Because so much has happened in that poker world in the last 25 years, it would be...

Matt Damon wants to make a 'Rounders' sequel.The 53-year-old actor starred in the 1998 cult classic with Edward Norton as two friends who need to win at high-stakes poker in order to quickly pay off a large debt, and he revealed both he and his co-star are keen to make a follow-up film to explore how the world surrounding the game has changed in recent years.Speaking on 'The Rich Eisen Show' about the projects he wants to make via his and Ben Affleck's production company Actors Equity, he said: “The one we’ve been talking about for years, and we’re trying to, and I just saw Edward Norton a few weeks ago, like all of us want to do it is a second 'Rounders' movie.“So much has happened in the poker world in the last 25 years, it would be fun to catch up with those guys.

In an interview today on the Rich Eisen Show, Matt Damon admitted he still has strong interest in making a second Rounders movie.

The 1998 cult classic drama starring Damon and Ed Norton explored the underground world of high-stakes poker. The story is about two friends who need to win at high-stakes poker to quickly pay off a large debt. A rounder is a person seeking high-stakes card games.

The film opened in September 1998 and did $22.9 million against a $12 million budget, but remained popular thanks to the growth of poker.

“The one we’ve been talking about for years, and we’re trying to, and I just saw Edward Norton a few weeks ago, like all of us want to do it is a second Rounders movie,” Damon said. “So much has happened in the poker world in the last 25 years, it would be fun to catch up with those guys.

Matt Damon is all in on wanting to make a sequel to his 1998 poker-focused drama feature Rounders.

The actor was a guest on Roku Channel’s The Rich Eisen Show on Wednesday, where the host asked Damon if there are any movies of his own that could get sequels. Damon noted that Artists Equity, the production company that he founded with Ben Affleck, is behind the forthcoming The Accountant 2, which stars Affleck. But regarding his own projects, Damon said he would love to revisit director John Dahl’s Rounders, which focused on underground, high-stakes poker tournaments and co-starred Edward Norton, John Turturro, John Malkovich and Gretchen Mol.

“The one that we’ve been talking about for years — and I just saw Edward Norton a few weeks ago, [and] all of us want to do it — is a second Rounders movie,” Damon said. “Because so much has happened in that poker world in the last 25 years,...

Movies and series about strategy games have always intrigued audiences with their intense intellectual challenges and the fascinating lives of their players. From the intricate manoeuvres of chess to the high-stakes world of poker and the nostalgic charm of arcade games, these films offer a detailed look into the minds of strategic geniuses. Let’s take a glimpse of some of the best movies and series that highlight the art of game mastery.

Chess Mastery on Screen

Chess has long been celebrated not only as a game of skill but also as a profound mental challenge that tests a player’s strategic thinking and foresight. Movies and series about chess offer viewers a window into this world of intense competition and intellectual rigour.

Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)

“Searching for Bobby Fischer” is a heartfelt portrayal of a young chess prodigy’s life. The film centres on Josh Waitzkin, a boy...

Martin Landau is the Oscar-winning thespian who enjoyed one of the greatest late career renaissances in cinema history, hitting his stride in his 60’s and remaining active until his death in 2017. Let’s take a look back at 12 of his greatest films, ranked worst to best.

Born in 1928 in Brooklyn, New York, Landau first came to the attention of movie audiences with a villainous role in Alfred Hitchcock‘s “North by Northwest” (1959). He became a television star playing Rollin Hand on “Mission: Impossible,” for which he received three consecutive Emmy nominations as Best Drama Actor (1967-1968) and a Golden Globe victory in 1968.

After decades of bit roles in B-movies and guest spots on TV (including playing a bad guy on “Columbo”), Landau enjoyed a major career comeback thanks to Francis Ford Coppola‘s “Tucker: The Man and His Dream” (1988), for which he won the Golden Globe and earned his first...

Matt Damon’s Hollywood career has been defined by diverse films and roles across genres that have earned the actor the title of being one of the most bankable stars in the industry. From action to drama to comedy, The Martian star has covered the whole gamut of characters without being typecast in any particular genre.

Hollywood star Matt Damon (image credit: Elena Ternovaja/Wikimedia Commons)

In 2002, Damon portrayed one of his most successful roles as an action star when he took on The Bourne Identity which was followed by 3 more films in the series of successful novels by Robert Ludlum. Not only did these films cement the Oscar winner’s place as a bonafide star in the genre, they also gave him the opportunity to tap into a very different side of an action hero that made him more human and relatable.

Here’s Why Matt Damon Was Grateful...

The episode of Revisited covering Joy Ride was Written, Edited, and Narrated by Kier Gomes, Produced by Tyler Nichols and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.

Prank calls are like a right of passage for children of the 80s and 90s. The ritual of hanging out at a friend’s house on a Saturday night when you’re a kid usually included at least one or two calls to unsuspecting households with immature and entertaining interactions. Harmless enough? Well… Mostly. What if the person you prank called turned out to be a sadistic serial killer with limited patience for practical jokes, and even less patience for unruly young people who waste his time and give him the dreaded… blue balls. That is the premise for 2001’s Joy Ride (watch it Here) – a horror thriller about a pair of brothers and their childhood friend who are making their way...

From the heart-pounding moments of suspense in “21” to the dazzling grandeur of “Casino Royale,” there’s no denying the allure of iconic casino scenes in movies. They draw us in with their glitzy atmosphere and keep us on the edge of our seats. These films showcase both the highs and lows of Vegas life, from the exhilaration of big wins (and even bigger losses) to the sophisticated cocktails and dazzling ambiance that define the casino experience. In this blog post, get ready to dive into five unforgettable casino movie scenes that perfectly capture the electrifying thrill of gambling, infused with a dash of glamor. Are you ready to roll the dice and embark on this cinematic journey with us? Let’s go!

Highlighting the Most Iconic Casino Scenes in Movies

In the world of casinos, there’s a saying that goes, “The house always wins.” But in these awesome casino scenes,...

Movies can be much more than a two-hour, action-packed break from reality. From the importance of strategic thinking and skill to determination and experience, these movies are as educating as they are entertaining.  Rounders: Strategic Thinking and Risk Assessment Rounders is a drama directed by John Dahl which was released in 1998. It takes us into a story that revolves around poker. Matt Damon plays Mike McDermott who is a reformed gambler who returns to poker to help a friend.  Where Rounders distinguishes itself from other casino-centered movies, is in its grabbing depiction of intense poker action. Although the story ... Read more...

Edward Norton is among the best actors of his generation, and has proven time and time again that he can continue to reinvent himself. Norton emerged in the 1990s and delivered an all-time great performance in American History X, and continued to appear in classics like 25th Hour and Rounders throughout that decade. Norton may have tempted fate by trying to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe in The Incredible Hulk, but his career has benefited from not joining a franchise for a role that would have taken up the valuable time he has spent making other great films like The Grand Budapest Hotel, Fight Club, and Moonrise Kingdom, as well as his directorial work on Keeping The Faith and Everyone Says I Love You.

Ironically, Norton’s career became dominated by some of the stories about how notoriously difficult to work with he had become. This is likely what caused...

Netflix Australia caters to fans of gambling movies and series with a selection of titles that keep audiences engaged. Whether you’re an experienced gambler or merely enjoy watching movies about the topic, you’ll find something worth watching on this streaming platform. One notable advantage of these productions is that they offer valuable insights into the world of gambling, such as clever tactics or useful strategies that players can use in their own games. Then, gamblers can learn about gambling sites where they can practise these strategies by checking out a list from experts with reliable operators. By reading gambling reviews, punters can find out more about the operator’s features, gaming collection, payment methods, and more.

From classic casino films to modern-day betting shows, Australian viewers have plenty to choose from on Netflix. In this article, we will take a look at which are the best casino movie...

As an avid moviegoer, I have always been fascinated with the life and career of John Malkovich. His versatility as an actor is truly remarkable, having portrayed various characters in both theatre and Hollywood. In this blog post, I will take a closer look at Malkovich’s early years in theatre, his big break in Hollywood, his notable performances in theatre, his contributions to the fashion industry, and the future of his career. Let’s begin.

Malkovich’s Early Years in Theatre

John Malkovich was born in Illinois in 1953 and grew up in a family of conservationists. He attended Eastern Illinois University, where he initially studied environmental science, but later changed his major to theatre. Malkovich moved to Chicago after college and became a founding member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He established himself as a talented stage actor in the 1970s and 1980s, earning critical acclaim for his roles...

"Beautiful lawn you got going there." "Check out this new grill!" "You a Ford or Chevy man?" Have you overheard your dad say these things? Or if you are a proud father, maybe even uttered them yourself. There's no such thing as a bad joke or a corny pun anymore. Any witticism that misses the mark these days is now known as a "Dad Joke." We're here for it, and it's okay because along with the dad joke, we have also established a new film subgenre over the last few decades called "The Dad Movie." And Matt Damon, the young man that we grew up watching in superb films like Good Will Hunting, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Rounders, and School Ties is no more. The now 52-year-old star of the new movie Air has comfortably moved into his new niche as the unquestioned King of Dad Movies.

Screenwriter, filmmaker, and podcaster Brian Koppelman is a very open guy, and on his The Moment With Brian Koppelman podcast, he does AMAs (ask me anything), where he answers mailbag questions. But, for a while there, the writer/director/showrunner used to add something to the effect of, just don’t ask me questions about “Rounders 2.”

Read More: Harvey Weinstein Says Matt Damon To Return For ‘Rounders 2,’ Robert De Niro Eyed For Villain

The context here is “Rounders” is Koppelman’s 1998 poker movie he co-wrote with creative partner David Levien and directed by John Dahl.

Continue reading Matt Damon & Ben Affleck Say They Are “Investigating” Whether ‘Rounders 2’ Is Possible at The Playlist.

Gambling and casinos have always been popular themes in movies, and there have been many great films made on this subject over the years. From tense poker games to high-stakes heists, the world of gambling has provided plenty of material for filmmakers to work with. Here are some of the greatest films with gambling and casino themes ever made.

Casino (1995)

Martin Scorsese’s epic tale of the rise and fall of a casino boss, Casino, is a classic film that is often cited as one of the greatest gambling movies ever made. The film follows the story of Sam “Ace” Rothstein, played by Robert De Niro, who is hired by the Mob to run the Tangiers casino in Las Vegas. With his best friend, Nicky Santoro, played by Joe Pesci, at his side, Ace builds an empire but finds himself struggling to maintain control as his personal and professional life spiral out of control.

Casinos have always been a glamorous and alluring backdrop in the world of cinema. The bright lights, the sound of slot machines, the spinning roulette wheel, the endless possibilities of winning big, and the danger of losing it all have been a subject of fascination for filmmakers and movie-goers alike. The portrayal of casinos in films has ranged from the extravagant and glamorous to the gritty and dangerous. In this article, we take a look at some of the most iconic casino scenes in film.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

The remake of the 1960s classic, Ocean’s Eleven, featured some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts. The movie revolves around a group of con artists who plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously. The most memorable scene in the film is the one in which the team is playing poker against the owner of the Bellagio casino.

Edward Norton has built an almost 30-year filmography full of great and creative films, and his best movies are his signature intense dramas. The actor's first movie was Primal Fear, in which he had a supporting role, and it immediately showcased him as a major awards contender. Since the thrilling legal drama, Norton has starred in one hard-hitting movie after another, best known for classics such as Fight Club, American History X, and the record-breaking Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. The actor is known to play intelligent but troubled characters, and his roles oddly tend to have dual personalities.

Once actors have reached the status and fame where they're leads, they rarely take any other role, but that isn't the case with Norton, who has seemingly actively taken supporting roles because they were interesting characters. And he throws himself into movies with ensemble casts too, such as the Wes Anderson-directed The French Dispatch,...

Edward Norton has returned to the big screen with a surprisingly comedic role in Knives Out 2, but the actor has a spectacular and varied film resume.

Norton generally plays sadistic criminals who are capable of terrible things, but like his character in Glass Onion demonstrates, he doesn't always stick to the same type of role or movie. Between troubled drug dealers, grieving neo-Nazis, and leaders of terrorist organizations, nobody plays three-dimensional characters better than norton.

Update: 2022/12/10 20:19 Est By Stephen Barker

With Glass Onion recently debuting, it has now clear that Edward Norton has one of the biggest roles in the new murder mystery flick. The actor plays tech billionaire Miles Bron, and the character reminds viewers of how funny the actor can be. It's also reminiscent of other Norton characters, whether it's in other murder mystery movies or comedies full of deadpan humor. Following the success of Glass Onion,...

Edward Norton is hailed as one of the finest actors of his generation. After making his memorable debut in Primal Fear, he's become one of the most sought-after actors with several Oscar nominations to his name. He has worked with legendary filmmakers, from Spike Lee to Ridley Scott, as well as contemporary auteurs like Wes Anderson and Rian Johnson.

With such an impressive filmography, it is no surprise that the top-rated Edward Norton movies on IMDb consist of some beloved and acclaimed projects. It is a testament to his talents that Norton has been involved in some many great movies.

Updated on December 9, 2022 by Colin McCormick:

Edward Norton continues to prove how easily he can jump between leading roles and parts of large ensembles with his latest project, Glass Onion. With this reminder, it is no surprise that there are many more popular movies from the acclaimed actor that fans can enjoy.

Marking his second feature film as a director, Russell Crowe's buzzed-about new crime thriller, Poker Face, is slated for a showdown on November 16, 2022. The film traces a tech billionaire's ultra-high-stakes private poker game, where bluffs, tells, and duplicitous turns lead to a brazen heist.

Unlike some best-made poker and card-playing movies like The Sting, California Spilt, Maverick, and others that take a fun comedic approach, Poker Face joins a rich crop of intense card-playing cinematic crime thrillers where the stakes off of the table are just as high as those on it.

Bob Le Flambeur (1956) Available On Kanopy

Also known as Bob The Gambler, lauded French director Jean-Pierre Melville turned in one of the great character-driven gambling crime movies on record, tracing the seedy exploits of Bob, an aging gangster who plans to rob a casino after losing nearly his entire fortune. The French New Wave style was hugely...

Hollywood’s depiction of the gambling world is typically polarizing, showing either the glittering Las Vegas casinos or the squalor of a gambler who has lost it all.

A significant gain might be a high point, while threats from loan sharks can be low. Films in this genre typically feature high levels of tension, excitement, and, at times, hopelessness.

However, some filmmakers can see the humor in this way of life, and their films on poker and other gambling-related activities will have you grinning and eager to try your hand at it on your next visit to Texas.

For those looking to play poker, Texas Holdem is your best bet. You can also play at the best real money Texas hold’em online casinos and stand a chance to get good rewards.

Let’s look at the five greatest poker movies to watch at home.

Maverick (1994) 7.0

Maverick is a Western...

In an alternate universe, the 1999 blockbuster The Mummy would have been fronted by Tom Cruise instead of Brendan Fraser - just how different would it have been? Cruise has become so closely linked with action movies and performing outrageous stunts, it's easy to forget he once jumped around many different genres. From Oscar-winning dramas (Rain Man) to harrowing biopics (Born On The Fourth Of July) or legal thrillers (The Firm), the actor packed a lot of variety into his filmography. Arguably the film that changed the course of Tom Cruise's career was 2000's Mission: Impossible II, which marked his transformation into a full-fledged action star.

A sliding doors moment for the actor was 1999's The Mummy, where he was approached to play dashing hero Rick O'Connell. It would have been fascinating to see Cruise step into an Indiana Jones-inspired hero, but his all-consuming schedule on Eyes Wide Shut -...

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Celebrities are beginning to quit Twitter — or claim they are, at least — now that Elon Musk has taken over the popular social media platform.

“Not hanging around for whatever Elon has planned. Bye,” tweeted Grey’s Anatomy creator and producer mogul Shonda Rhimes to her 1.9 million followers on Saturday.

“I’m out of here,” declared This Is Us executive producer Ken Olin to his 300,000 followers on Friday after previously pledging, “The day @elonmusk takes ownership of Twitter, I’m out.” “No judgement,” he added. “Let’s keep the faith. Let’s protect our democracy. Let’s try to be kinder. Let’s try to save the planet. Let’s try to be more generous. Let’s look to find peace in the world.” He noted he was going to try Tribel social instead.

Billions showrunner Brian Koppelman similarly tweeted, “Y’all’s, for real,...

Famke Janssen, who played Bond girl Xenia Onatopp in 1995’s GoldenEye, has opened up about the negative effects the role has played as far as her place in the media.

“The Bond movie dictated a lot of my relationship with the press…after GoldenEye I felt like I was thrown to the wolves,” Famke Janssen told The Independent. “It was just an onslaught of attention, good and bad and everything in between. I realize every actor in the world thinks they can control the press, but ultimately the press always wins. I decided I’d rather be less famous and do things on my terms…Fame comes at a price, and it wasn’t one that I was willing to pay.”

Famke Janssen went on to feel pigeonholed as a pretty face with thighs that just won’t quit. Considering GoldenEye was her breakout role and she could go anywhere with it,...

There is something about casino movies that just captures our attention. Maybe it is the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas strip, or the suspense and excitement of watching someone risk it all on a single hand of blackjack. Maybe it is the appeal that Macau has for Asian gamblers who wish to experience some of the best and most authentic casino experiences possible.

Whatever the reason, casino movies have been a staple of cinema for decades and this does not appear to be changing anytime soon, even if things are a little different nowadays given the advent of the internet and the continued development of technology. For instance, those who live in Pa are able to access the very best Pennsylvania online casinos around if they are unable to get to a traditional establishment or wish to choose from a variety of different games where they are able...

Set in the underground world of high-stakes poker, the 1998 drama Rounders has become even more popular over the years, earning it the distinction of being a cult classic. The film’s stars, Matt Damon and Edward Norton, took their roles extremely seriously … and got seriously good at playing poker along the way. In fact, they improved their games to the point where both Damon and Norton went to Las Vegas and took their chances in the game’s premier event, the World Series of Poker. Speaking at the time of the film’s original release, Damon told us what it was like for them to go and compete against some of poker’s most serious players. (Click on the media bar below to hear Matt Damon) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Matt_Damon_Rounders_.mp3

Rounders is available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and most digital platforms.

The post Well-Rounded: When...

If you’ve been putting off watching the terrifically adventurous Brendan Fraser-led “The Mummy” again, now’s the time to prioritize it. The 1999 film is one of a bevy of movies leaving HBO Max in June, the full list of which you can read below.

Also leaving HBO and HBO Max this month is a bevy of Tyler Perry’s Madea movies, “Rounders,” “She’s All That” and “Real Steel.”

If you’re looking to prioritize some selections, “Presumed Innocent” is one of Harrison Ford’s most underrated films (featuring one of his best performances) and the Melissa McCarthy/Jason Bateman comedy “Identity Thief” is good for some solid laughs.

Check out the full list of what’s leaving HBO Max below.

Also Read:

Here’s What’s New on HBO and HBO Max in June 2022

June 9:

12 Strong, 2018

June 30:

2 Guns, 2013

20 Feet From Stardom, 2013 (HBO)

All Dogs Go To Heaven,...

Showtime has renewed its hit series Billions for Season 7.

The drama starring Paul Giamatti, Corey Stoll and Maggie Siff, is currently airing its sixth season — and its first without original co-star Damian Lewis — 9 p.m. Sundays.

In Season 6 of Billions, the dust of Season 5 clears to reveal a world that has evolved. With Axe (Lewis) gone and Michael Prince (Stoll) assuming his place, Chuck (Giamatti) must develop a new strategy that is keener and more sophisticated than before.

Winter Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming

All the players — from Wags (David Costabile) to Wendy (Siff), Taylor (Asia Kate Dillon), Sacker (Condola Rashad) and of course Senior (Jeffrey DeMunn) — must sharpen their weapons and look for new alliances in order to survive. Daniel Breaker (Girls5eva), who stars as Scooter, the brilliant and locked-down chief of staff for Prince, has been upped to series regular. The ground...

Screenwriters, directors, showrunners, and filmmakers Brian Koppelman and David Levien like to look at the world around them for inspiration. For their Showtime series, “Billions,” they looked at the cutthroat world of finance, hedge fund managers, and the real-life prosecutions of financial crime by federal authorities that have made major headlines worldwide. Before that, they famously looked at the world of poker and gambling for “Rounders,” the film that launched their career and made them go-to writers for people like Steven Soderbergh, John Dahl.

Continue reading ‘Super Pumped’: Joseph Gordon Levitt Stars In Showtime’s New ‘Battle For Uber’ Series From The Makers Of ‘Billions’ at The Playlist.

The gambling industry and TV and movies have always worked well together, from action-packed franchises to comedies like The Hangover.

They also have a positive impact on each other; casino stories of mobsters make hit movies, and those hit movies see an influx of new players. As the saying goes, it is life imitating art, imitating life.

Movies depicting casinos and gambling on TV shows aren’t just glamorous. They span across a range of different genres. Some are high-octane movies like James Bond, while others depict the highs and lows of casinos like The Gambler.

You can compare sports movies to casino movies. Some almost feel like warning stories about what can go wrong, like the film Green Street Hooligans, and the positive but often difficult such as The Blindside.

While it is certainly likely that when you see people win millions by playing poker in a movie, you...

Ben Affleck is an accomplished actor, producer, writer and director, proven by his two Academy Awards. So why does social media chatter generally refer to each of his new and effective outings worthy of Oscars consideration as a “comeback?”

In the middle of his newest film “The Last Duel,” it dawned on me. Nothing regarding his interpretation of Count Pierre d’Alençon should work with his sensibilities as an actor. Yet he completely steals the show in one of three segments designed to belong to Jacques Le Gris (played by Adam Driver). Unfortunately, the Hollywood machine, critics and consumers have taken his abilities for granted. Perhaps it was the paparazzi’s focus on Bennifer or his openness regarding his struggles with sobriety. Either way, he’s shown himself, on multiple occasions, an uncommonly invigorating actor when placed in the right hands.

My realization came three days after a BAFTA member...

Mal Z. Lawrence, whose defiantly old-school Borscht Belt stand-up comedy delighted audiences and happily surprised critics when the Catskills on Broadway revue became a hit in 1991, died Monday at a hospice facility in Delray Beach, Florida. He was 88.

His death was announced to The New York Times by his talent agent Alison Chaplin.

The comedian Marilyn Michaels, who co-starred in Catskills on Broadway, wrote in a Facebook tribute, “The passing of Mal Z Lawrence is cause for great sadness, as he was a terrific talent and a very funny guy.. A true Bon Vivant. Attention must be paid! …Rip Mal Z.. you are making the angels laugh.”

Born Manny Miller in the Bronx, Lawrence became interested in comedy during an early-1950s Army stint. Performing for other soldiers as half of a duo patterned on Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin, Lawrence soon played the Jewish resorts of New York’s...

I’m a sucker for card-sharp movies, and I’m not alone. The allure of films like “The Cincinnati Kid” or “California Split” or “Rounders” is that the poker games have the quality of athletic showdowns: the kind of hand-to-hand, eyeball-to-eyeball aggression we associate with a contest taking place in a gladiatorial arena. But in a card movie, it’s all done sitting in chairs, with mental acuity (and fate!) as the only weapon. Great poker scenes, in their slyly civilized cards-close-to-the-vest way, formalize the desire to destroy your opponent, but they’re also layered with a drive to psych him out that most combat scenes don’t have. To me, the single greatest movie card sequence is the Texas hold ’em tournament at the center of “Casino Royale.” It’s a little movie unto itself, and the currents of strategy and malevolence and sheer nimble play that pass between...

Euphoria‘s Hunter Schafer, John Malkovich, Gemma Chan and Sofia Boutella are headlining the Neon horror feature Cuckoo, which Tilman Singer will write and direct. Neon is also financing the project with an eye to shoot in April.

Cuckoo is Tilman’s second movie following his supernatural horror film Luz, which debuted at the 2018 Berlin Film Festival and won a Special Jury Prize for Best Horror Film at Fantastic Fest and Best Film at the Milan Film Festival. He’s bringing his Luz team back together for Cuckoo including Dp Paul Faltz, composer Simon Waskow and production designer Dario Mendez Acosta.

Jan Bluthardt, Zita Hanrot, and Proschat Madani round out the cast. Ken Kao and Josh Rosenbaum of Waypoint Entertainment are producing along with Markus Halberschmidt and Maria Tsigka of Fiction Park, and Thor Bradwell.

Schafer made her acting debut portraying Jules in the HBO Emmy-winning series Euphoria. She also...

“Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service,” by Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post investigative journalist Carol Leonnig, will be getting the silver screen treatment. Rights to the book, which detail the scandals and security failures of the Secret Service, have been acquired in a competitive situation to be adapted into a television series.

“Zero Fail” debuted a the top of the New York Times Bestseller List upon its debut in May 2021 from Random House. Spanning 11 presidencies, the novel follows the missteps of the Secret Service, including the drunken outing the night before the Kennedy assassination to the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. “Zero Fail” digs into the steely resolve and sacrifices of many Secret Service agents who have committed their lives to protect the nation’s security, but also uncovers senior agents’ arrogant misconduct and salacious scandals that the service sought to keep quiet. In 2015, Leonnig was...