Casino VS Goodfellas

TALE OF THE TAPE

                       Title: Casino                                                  Title: Goodfellas

                       Tomato Meter: 80%                                       Tomato Meter: 97%

                       IMDB Rating: 8.2                                            IMDB Rating: 8.8

                       Starring: Robert Di Nero, Joe Pesci              Starring: Robert Di Nero, Joe Pesci

                       Director: Martin Scorsese                              Director: Martin Scorsese

                       Box Office: $42.5 million                                Box Office: $46.8 million

                       Academy: 1 nomination                                  Academy: 6 nominations, 1 win

                       Year: 1995                                                       Year: 1990

Both films match up well. Both have the same stars giving top notch performances. Director Martin Scorsese crafts both films with loving care. Both films have a high replay value. Great lines and memorable scenes are a plenty. In fact, so similar are these films I believe Casino, being the newer of the two, suffered for it. Still a hit with fans and critics, Casino is a fully original, detailed and compelling film. Unfortunately it has that "seen it" stigma, with the Di Nero/Pesci/Scorsese team up coming together too soon after Goodfellas, making it seem like a less original effort. Goodfellas is based on the true story of gangster Henry Hill, while Casino is based on realistic events of the Las Vegas casino scene of the period. Mob movie fans have plenty to savor in either film. Casino tells the story of Sam Rothstien, a mob bookie who is handed the keys to the kingdom, given full reign of the casino/hotel, the Tangiers. It also educates the viewer with insight into the running of a casino, running it the mob's way that is. Goodfellas is a straight-up story revolved around Henry Hill, his rise within the mob, and ultimately betraying them. Both use characters narrating events and scenes throughout the film. This match-up certainly goes into the late rounds as both have far more to love than hate. Casino's star studded cast, including Sharon Stone, Alan King, and Don Rickles, along with Casino's compelling story and violent mob scenes land some severe blows. But Casino is handicapped with its stigma, and Goodfellas comes out swinging with its true story, insight into mob life, and a stellar cast of its own including Ray Liota's performance and an appearance made by Samuel L. Jackson. This causes Casino to go down late in the 11th round.

Winner: Goodfellas.