How About This Watch!- Poker on Big Screen

Do you like watching movies? How about watching Poker excitement and the fun on big screen? According to the International Movie Database (imdb.com), no fewer than 336 motion pictures have given some treatment to the topic of “poker game” in the past century with roughly a new release every 15 weeks.
Poker had a place in Cecil B. DeMille’s 1914 blockbuster “The Virginian.” The game got Reginald Denny into trouble in the starring role of “What Happened to Jones?”—a 1926 silent film about a bachelor party that goes awry (think “The Hangover” in B&W). By 1934, poker became fair game for aspiring women, too, as Barbara Stanwyck showed in “The Gambling Lady.”
And what would cowboy classics be without their card room showdowns, from 1930’s “Billy the Kid” to 1948’s “Loaded Pistols” starring Gene Autry and 1957’s “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral” with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas. When “Silverado” was made in 1985, it had to contain every cliché in the genre, so of course Jeff Goldblum plays poker with a long knife in his boot.
Some of Hollywood’s best films have featured poker in a supporting role, like “The Sting,” which won seven Academy Awards in 1973, including Best Picture. Others have made card play the center of attention, such as 1992’s Golden Globe nominated “Honeymoon in Vegas,” where a $65,000 loss at the tables has unforeseen and hilarious consequences for Nicolas Cage.
The pace of putting poker on celluloid has only quickened in recent years, as interest in cash games and tournaments has soared, giving studios even more reason to deal the game into their productions. For example, the 2006 remake of “Casino Royale” replaced the famous baccarat scene with heads-up Texas Hold’em. The new version of “Ocean’s Eleven” played the poker card, too, with Brad Pitt giving lessons.
Not all poker movies are winners, of course. Among notable losers of late was “All In,” a $3 million catastrophe that mistakes reckless No Limit Hold’em play for strategy. Another 2008’s $5 million flop called “Deal,” was all about someone losing—the WPT Championship no less—earning Burt Reynolds a Razzie Award nomination for Worst Supporting Actor.
Here you will find movie tailors of some best poker movies for you to enjoy!!

Maverick 1994

Maverick is recreated from the character James Garner created in the 1950s TV program. Maverick is a poker player who would rather con someone than fight them. He needs an additional three thousand dollars in order to enter a Winner Take All poker game that begins in a few days. He tries to win some, tries to collect a few debts, and recover a little loot for the reward, all with a light hearted air. He joins forces with a woman gambler with a marvellous, though fake, southern accent as the two both try and enter the game.
Few Lines from Maverick (1994)
Maverick: See that hawk? You know what it means?
Annabelle: No. What does it mean?
Maverick: Nothing. But you didn’t know that did you?
Annabelle: What’s with you and Indians anyway?
Maverick: Oh nothing, I try to shoot one every day before noon, how about you, Coop? I figured it was their fault too… for being on our land before we got here.
Maverick: So, are you gonna miss me?
Annabelle: Are you gonna miss me?
Maverick: You ARE gonna miss me.
Maverick: Well, now, I bring all sorts of plusses to the table. I hardly ever bluff and I never ever cheat.
Maverick: My old pappy always used to say, “there is no more deeply satisfying religious experience… than cheatin’ on a cheater.”
Annabelle: How’d you know I was bluffing? I didn’t do any of my tells. I didn’t shuffle my cards, I didn’t pull my hair, I didn’t even flick my teeth.
Maverick: You held your breath. If you’d been excited, you would have started breathing harder.

Rounders 1998

A little drunk on its own arcane exotica as a gambling movie, Rounders is a film that takes us inside a world of high-stakes card players but falls short on such essentials as character development, relationships, that sort of thing. Still, it is a real curiosity, written by a couple of guys (David Levien and Brian Koppelman) who appear to know something about the dark underbelly of card hustling for fun and profit.
Matt Damon stars as a reluctant law student who can’t put aside his subterranean career of playing poker and blackjack for big money. After he loses his post-grad nest egg to a weird Russian kingpin (John Malkovich)–and also loses his disgusted girlfriend (Gretchen Mol) in the process–Damon’s character turns to an unreliable old buddy (Edward Norton) for a dangerous game of sharking wherever there happens to be a game underway: frat boys, cops, bad dudes, you name it.
Norton appears to be living out every young actor’s fantasy of re-creating Robert De Niro’s prototypical head case in Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets, and while his performance is burdened by obvious quotation marks, his estimable talent still shines through. Damon’s charm and intelligence bring some oomph to the curiously flat proceedings, and while his hushed, soul-bearing scenes with Martin Landau (as a law professor who takes a shine to the kid) seem gratuitous, they’re still nice to watch. Behind all this is director John Dahl (Red Rock West), who is not exactly at the top of his game here but who brings his distinctive toughness to the crime-noir tone Tom Keogh.

Oceans 11 2001

A gangster by the name of Danny Ocean (George Clooney) rounds up a gang of associates to stage heists of three major Las Vegas casino’s (Bellagio, The Mirage, and the MGM Grand) simultaneously during a popular boxing event.
Few Lines from Oceans 11
Reuben: You guys are pros. The best. I’m sure you can make it out of the casino. Of course, lest we forget, once you’re out the front door, you’re still in the middle of the fucking desert!
Basher: It will be nice working with proper villains again!
Danny: Ten oughta do it, don’t you think? You think we need one more? You think we need one more. All right, we’ll get one more.
Saul: Tess is with Benedict now? She’s too tall for him!

 

Casino Royale 2006

Whether you are young or old you likely have your favourite James Bond movie. Casino Royale brings you the new generation of Bond with Daniel Craig’s rugged looks and steel blue eyes sure to turn the head of many ladies. The latest installation finds our fearless hero as a newly promoted double O who tends to ruffle his boss M, every chance he gets. OO7 is on the money trail of an international terrorist organization and the trail stops at a high stakes poker game, with ten million of the government’s money on the line. Win and Bond cuts the money line, lose and the government inadvertently funds terrorism around the globe.
Few Lines from Casino Royale
James Bond: I’ve got a little itch, down there. Would you mind?
Vesper Lynd: There isn’t enough room for me and your ego.
James Bond: Why is it that people who can’t take advice always insist on giving it?
Le Chiffre: Wow. You’ve taken good care of your body. Such… a waste.

The Grand 2007

As poker movies go this one drops the serious aspects for some comic relief. Woody Harrelson, Cheryl Hines, Richard Kind and Burt Reynolds round out the cast in this quirky comedy that on the whole is a work of improvation. Each character has their own brand of weirdness going on including the Russian and his myriad of caged animals. This movie is pretty much a gathering of well known and little known actors having a good time playing poker.
Few Lines From The Grand
Billionaire Steve Lavisch: I myself despise nostalgia, because it’s so old.
Harold Melvin: You should have gone all in three hours ago when your stack still meant something.
Harold Melvin: I was a two-to-one underdog, and the pot paid me 11 to 1. Not a bad risk return ratio. You played poorly.
One Eyed Jack Faro: Yes, I did get thrown out of my own casino, I’m not sure how exactly that happened, but they do say that I gave the order.

A Big Hand for the Little Lady 1966

In the back room of the saloon, the richest men in Laredo set down for their annual poker tournament. Recovering gambler Meredith (Henry Fonda) happens into town needing wagon repairs, when he hears of the game. His wife Mary (Joanne Woodward) is having none of it!
He slips in when her back is turned and stakes the family fortune. When he cannot meet the final raise, Meridith falls out and begs them to let his wife play. She has no clue but once the rules are explained, asks for a moment to get a loan. The banker, known to be highly risk adverse advances her the raise which causes a round of folding from the men who know him.
Few Lines from A Big Hand For The Little Lady
Sam Rhine, Hotel Owner: I’m not in the thinking business.
Sparrow the Stagedriver: I wouldn’t play poker with Henry Drummond if his back was to a mirror! Even if I had the money!
Dennis Wilcox: Now look, mister, the first rule of the game of poker, whether you’re playing eastern or western rules, or the kind they play at the North Pole, is put up or shut up!
Benson Tropp: Any man who gets himself married is automatically stupid.

Cincinnati Kid  1965

The Cincinnati Kid (Steve McQueen) takes his chances in a Poker showdown against Lancey “The Man” Howard (Edward G. Robinson). Both The Kid and Howard are unaware that the game has been rigged in The Kid’s favor. The Dealer, Shooter (Karl Malden), has been bribed. The Kid finds out and wants to play it straight. After switching Dealers The Kid goes on a legendary run, only to see his luck dissipate during an unlikely hand.
Few Lines from Cincinnati Kid
Lancey Howard: [to Cincinnati Kid] You’re good, kid, but as long as I’m around, you’re only second best.
Lancey Howard: Women are a universal problem in our business. Of course, uh, it’s purely an academic question wuth me now, but, looking back, I think it’s best not to look for a fixed thing. Just tie into something nice when you’re away from the action and let it wear itself out.
Lancey Howard: [thinking on what he said to Lady Fingers] No, Lady; he hasn’t gotten to me. Not yet; but he might, he just might.

Honeymoon in Vegas 1992

Long before treasures were national and Sarah was launching young men out of their family home these two were crazy lovebirds on their way to be married in Vegas!
Unfortunately, for this couple Betsy (Parker) looks a lot like the dead wife of a professional gambler who cheats to put Jack (Cage) in deep debt to him, $65,000 to be exact, which he generously offers to forgive for one weekend with Betsy. Will his girl be won over by the wooing of a wealthy gambler who whisks her away to Hawaii? And will Jack ever manage to find her with Mahi Mahi (Pat Morita) driving him all over the Island?
Few Lines from Honeymoon In Vegas
Jack Singer: People get married and then they do the most hideous, unbelievable things to each other.
Tommy Korman: I don’t care if Ming the frigging Merciless is in there, gettem out, OK?
Jack Singer: Yellow then red. Yellow then red. Yellow then red. Yellow then red. Yellow then red. Yellow then red. Yellow then red. Yellow then red. Yellow then red.

High Roller 2003

The true story of one of the most gifted card players in history provides the basis for this hard-hitting drama. Stu Ungar (Michael Imperioli) was barely in his teens when he first discovered his talent for playing cards, especially poker and gin rummy. His father, a nightclub owner and small-time bookmaker connected with the mob, was impressed with his son’s abilities but worried where Stu’s reckless instincts towards gambling could take him. As it happens, Stu’s father was right to worry; the boy managed to lose all his bar mitzvah money during an afternoon at the racetrack (for all his skills at the card table, Stu had no talent for picking the ponies), and by the time he was 20, Stu was deep in debt to mob loan sharks. Vincent (Michael Nouri), a mob boss who knew Stu’s father, gives him a chance to pay off his debts by entering a gin rummy tournament in Las Vegas; Stu wins big and soon finds the Las Vegas lifestyle is to his liking. Stu becomes something of a celebrity when he wins the World Series of Poker tournament in 1980 and 1981, but his appetite for racetrack betting, drugs and prostitutes took its toll, and the great card shark hit bottom before returning from nowhere to win the WSOP a third time in 1996; however, Stu’s comeback would turn out to be tragically short lived. High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story also features appearances by Pat Morita, Renee Faia, Joe La Due, and Vincent Van Patten.

Shade 2004

Shade is set in the world of poker hustlers working the clubs and martini bars of Los Angeles. The tale unfolds as a group of hustlers encounter “The Dean” and pull off a successful sting that results in their pursuit by a vengeful gangster.

Bet Raise Fold (2013)

This is the ultimate poker documentary movie for anyone who makes a living dominating the virtual felt. The movie tracks the beginnings and the evolution of online poker during the early 2000’s and then through the Moneymaker boom years. It also touches on the eventual downfall of online poker in the USA (Black Friday).

Runner Runner (2013)

This is not a typical poker movie as this is a true crime thriller with some big name such as Ben Affleck & Justin Timberlake taking on the two main roles. Richie Furst (Justin Timberlake) was an ex wall street-er looking to pay for his tuition at Princeton. Richie for better words is an excellent poker player who ends up getting cheated out of tens of thousands. He heads on down to Costa Rica to confront Ivan Block (Ben Affleck) about the cheating going on at his site. Richie then takes a job at Ivan Block’s site and soon uncovers something way bigger than just cheating.
Few Lines from Runner Runner
Richie Furst: Everyone gambles. They may call it something else, like the stock market, or real estate. But make no mistake, if you’re risking something, you’re gambling. And if you’re gambling, then I’m the guy you want to see.
Ivan Block: This is your job. You want a clear conscience, go start a charity. But if you want your own island and your boss says you gotta go out there and take a beating, you go out there, take it and come back to work and say, ‘do you need me to do it again?
Ivan Block: That little voice in the back of your head right now, it’s not conscience, it’s fear.

All or Nothing (2013)

No matter the game some will be playing for fun, others for power but not matter its always played for ultimate stakes. In the underworld of ultimate poker there is only one winner who walks out a head. Win or lose and sometimes winning is never enough so you push and push for more.

https://youtu.be/nS8WPicwmNs

All In — The Poker Movie (2012)

Poker has seen a huge renaissance due to the moneymaker effect.  This has help fuel rapid growth in a game that was once only known to a select few within gambling circles.  Since the poker boom poker is now a hip and exciting game that draws millions of viewers for the WSOP in Las Vegas.

The Deal (2008)

A washed up ex-gambler mentors a young up and coming college poker player. The two end up going face to face in an epic WPT Championship. The mentor finds out that his toughest competition is the young college kid who has an amazing knack for poker.

The Gambler (1974)

Based on Dostoyevsky’s novel, The Gambler (1974) directed by Karl Reisz is based on Axel Freed, this New York City English professor whose addiction to gambling spirals out of control. Axel’s (played by James Caan) flamboyant and promiscuous nature along with his idiosyncratic interpretation of Dostoyevsky mesmerizes his students and one beautiful student of his Billie (Lauren Hutton) falls in love with him. But his worsening gambling habits runs him into heavy debt with his bookie Hips (Paul Sorvino) which threatens his lifestyle.
He extorts $45,000 from his mother to pay back his debt but ends up betting it,unable to refrain himself from the greed which estranges him from his family and his principles. The film thus ends depicting Axel on a perilous path of risk taking.
Few Lines From The Gambler
Axel Freed:
I’m not going to lose it. I’m going to gamble it.
Hips:
The only thing that’s standing between your skull and a baseball bat is my word.
Hips:
Forty-four thousand dollars, Axel. It ain’t just numbers.