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The glamourous and exhilarating environment of casinos makes for a fantastic back drop to any film and creates an inevitably exciting plot.

Film directors have often made the most of this and here, we run through the top three films set in casinos for when you’re looking for a fast-paced, visually extravagant watch. Play Store Casino Apps first if you’re inspired to visit a casino after viewing any of these films, to make sure you are familiar with the games you’d be playing.

21

21 was released in 2008 and follows the tale of the famous group of Massachusetts Institute of Technology students who managed to outsmart the house with their Black Jack winning strategy, going on to win millions from a number of casinos. 21 was the most popular film in the United States and Canada during its first and second weeks. The plot begins with a talented mathematics student being invited by his professor to join a secret team, who are devising a plan to win the game Black Jack. The strategy they design involves card counting and working as a team using signals, in order to distract the dealer. The success of the team soon takes its toll on the players; causing them to fall into disarray as a result of their heightened self-confidence. They soon begin to trick one another and eventually lose their winnings in a typical tale of temptation vs morality.

Ocean’s Eleven

Ocean’s Eleven is part of a trilogy which also includes Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen, which came afterwards. Ocean’s Eleven was released in 2001 and involves a number of famous actors, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts. The film was the fifth highest-earning film of 2001. The plot centres around a heist involving the three top Las Vegas casinos, designed by a character called Danny Ocean who has just been released from prison where he was sent for a similar crime, but who also wants to get his own back on the casinos’ owner. Danny employs a group of old colleagues each with a specific skill to contribute and who will each receive a percentage of the 160-million-dollar reward if they are all successful. A twist to the tale is the fact that Danny’s wife is the casino owner’s new girlfriend; giving an emotional motive to Danny’s approach. The strategy revolves around creating a video of a false vault in order to distract the owner from the real vault which they then rob.

Bugsy

Bugsy is based on the life of famous mobster Bugsy Siegel and was released to rave reviews in 1991. Bugsy is supposed to be trying to gain control of casinos to lessen the power of a rival gangster however, when the casinos are robbed Bugsy decides to team up with the perpetrator. Bugsy then decides to build his own casino in Nevada where gambling is legal, and places love interest Virginia in control of accounting. Virginia later steals two million dollars from him, Bugsy faces intense financial strain and is forced to kill a friend who tries to extort him.

21, Ocean’s Eleven and Bugsy are all fast-paced, exciting films to watch, with some brilliant sets. For more film recommendations take a look at icenimagazine.co.uk.

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