You may not know this but the entire FTS crew and a bunch of our LAMB friends will be enjoying the Oscars from the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, Nevada. Ah, Vegas. Home of Penn & Teller, the Rat Pack, Rick from Pawn Stars, and these 6 great Vegas movies.
Casino (1995)
This is a classic. Casino shows us the rise of the mafia in Vegas and the life of the rich and powerful, demonstrating that even at the very tippy top of the ladder, things aren’t always that glamorous. The film features some really strong performances from Robert Deniro and Joe Pesci and there are a lot of stunning visuals of classic downtown Vegas.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
This is one of those films that truly makes me envy the actors. Featuring an ensemble cast headed up by George Clooney, the movie shows us the brilliant heist of Las Vegas’s biggest casinos. This film really does showcase the flashy, ritzy side of Vegas. The film has a good helping of comedy spread throughout and the dialogue is simply dynamite. The layout of the plot is great with a little “how-done-it “ mixed in for good measure.
Swingers (1996)
This is an early Jon Favreau classic with none other than Vince Vaughn at the helm. This shows us what it’s like to be a single guy in the heart of Vegas. The slick talking men are on the prowl for whatever women they can get. Vince Vaughn is the old pro and he teaches Favreau the error of his ways as the two go on a quest for lust and maybe, love.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
Directed by Terry Gilliam, starring Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro, this film was a recipe for success right from the beginning. The film shows us what Vegas looks like through the lens of heavy drug use. The duo of Depp and Del Toro travel to Vegas to write a story about a motorcycle race and also take drugs, lots of drugs. And boy do they! Check this one out if you haven’t seen it. If nothing else, it shows Vegas in a way most of us have never seen.
The Hangover (2009)
This film shows us new Vegas. The huge hotels surrounded by limitless desert and small Asian men in trunks of cars. Three guys wake up after a ridiculous bachelor party with no memory and no bachelor. The film shows what Vegas looks like when the sun comes up and the neon goes dark. It displays everything Vegas can be, both the good and the bad. This has sort of become the blue-print for the ultimate guy’s trip.
Vegas Vacation (1997)
Probably the funniest film on this list. Yes, funnier than the Hangover. The final installment in the Griswold’s vacation series, this one follows the family to sin city. The movie shows the sheer power that Vegas has, containing the ability to force everyone to lower their inhibitions. Clark turns to gambling, Rusty takes on a new life, Audrey becomes a stripper, and Ellen lusts after Wayne Newton. Vegas Vacation shows us that above all else, being in Vegas trumps everything, especially family.
Did I missed something? Tell me what you think in the comments!