MOLLY’S GAME:
Jessica Chastain stars as Molly Bloom- former world ranked mogul skier and hard luck Olympic hopeful who reinvented herself running what became Hollywood’s most exclusive, celebrity high roller, underground poker game.
Aaron Sorkin makes his debut in the director’s chair and received an Oscar nod for his screenplay adaptation of Bloom’s tell (almost) all memoir!
Oscar and Lucinda:
“We bet that there is a God- We bet our life on it!”
Declares OSCAR (Ralph Fiennes-) the young, horse racing obsessed Anglican minister, in this mad, fascinating tale of two oddball outsiders in 19th Century Australia who meet aboard a ship sailing from England to Australia and forge a deep bond over their shared compulsive passion for gambling. Cate Blanchett plays the cards obsessed LUCINDA- teenaged heiress who purchases a glass factory and is determined to live her life freely against the restrictive mores expected of a young woman in her society. Adapted from Peter Carey’s Booker Prize winning novel.
Croupier:
A neo-noir indie gem and sleeper hit from GET CARTER director Mike Hodges starring Clive Owen in what would prove to be his breakout role. Owen plays Jack Manfred, frustrated novelist turned croupier in a London casino. Needing a paying job, Jack also bets his new gig might give him material for a book. He isn’t wrong. He gets that- and more…No spoilers but a highly recommended watch!
The Cincinnati Kid
In Depression-era New Orleans, iconic 60’s anti- hero Steve McQueen plays Eric “The Kid” Stoner, chasing a high stakes poker showdown with top dog, Lancey “The Man” Howard played by Edward G. Robinson. The film builds to this classic showdown and features an ensemble cast loaded with stars of the era including Anne Margaret and Karl Malden. It also marked the return to recognized studio work for screenwriter Ring Lardner Jr. who had been blacklisted as one of the “Hollywood Ten” in 1947.
