It chronicles the rise and fall of Ace, his conniving pal Nicky ( Joe Pesci, naturally), and his hustler wife Ginger ( Sharon Stone) against the backdrop of a once glorious empire in the glowing lights of the Nevada desert. Inspired by the true story of mafia associate Frank Rosenthal, the film stars Robert De Niro as Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a handicapper turned casino manager. One of his most formidable in this department is the 1995 epic Casino. He’s excelled in this genre, making his mark on cinema with unforgettable gangster chronicles and world-class antiheroes.

But it’s undeniable that he’s known best for his crime dramas. The filmmaker has an oeuvre rich with everything from horror to romance. You can’t beat Martin Scorsese at his own game. This entry recommends movies to watch after Martin Scorsese’s Casino.

Learn some film history, become a more well-rounded viewer, and enjoy like-minded works of the past. Welcome to Movie DNA, a column that recognizes the direct and indirect cinematic roots of both new and classic movies.

Casino film where to watch