Casino Has to Rate a 10 if you like the genre -- no other way

Rating: 10/10 (17 May 2005)

A more realistic gangster film, more subdued than other greats, but this is also what makes it a great film. And excellent use of voice-over narration by the different characters. When you add in the fact that, in addition to being great film-making / storytelling, that this film also serves as an engaging reference to the historical and contemporary phenomenon that is Las Vegas, the ultimate metaphorical caricature of the United States, how can this film not be a 10? And the performances? How about the killer soundtrack?? As unintelligent as it may sound, the only knock I can imagine on this film from the aficionados would have to be the lack of violence when compared to say, Pulp Fiction, but I definitely think that there is ample blood and guts, but the gratuitous violence is actually (and this is rare) overshadowed by the depth of the art going on here, and this is the mark of greatness within this genre. Also, the editorial-stype commentary in the last 3 minutes was a bit heavy-handed, but nothing that would detract from a deserved 10/10 rating. Thoughts??