And by that I mean movies that are set in or feature scenes in Las Vegas, not overrated adaptations of Frank Miller's work that star Mickey Rourke.
After all, who doesn't love Vegas? Much like movies with bowling scenes, films that showcase Vegas in one way or another just add a certain zest and flavor that Sacramento just can't offer, much less Atlantic City (sorry, Rounders). With so many to choose from, it's damn near impossible to pick my favorites. So first, some honorable mentions:
The Godfather — The fact is, I haven't seen this in a long time and barely (if at all) recall any scenes that were filmed in Vegas. However, when doing research for this post, I saw The Godfather as one of the films associated with Las Vegas - as such, I knew omitting it from this list altogether would get me on some hated lists that I don't want to be on. So, here it is.
Bugsy — Another mob movie that can't be omitted, especially considering that the movie is about how Bugsy started Las Vegas. It would seem disrespectful to leave it off. Kudos, Mr. Siegel.
Rain Man — "They're gonna give daddy the Rainman suite, you dig that?"
Vegas Vacation — Four words: Wayne Newton. Nick Papagiorgio.
The Cooler — A great portrayal of old school versus new school Vegas, with Alec Baldwin in the classic role of Shelley Kaplow. However, many points are taken away as the audience must endure numerous shots of William H. Macy's ass. Boo!
And the winners...
5. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
I originally had this slotted at number two, but had to keep moving it down, as the films listed below just plain deserved it more. That said, Terry Gilliam's adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's brilliant novel definitely belongs in the conversation - hell, it even has Vegas in the title! Bonus points for featuring old school Vegas (as it's set in the mid-'70s, that couldn't really be avoided) and for Ellen Barkin's out-of-nowhere near cameo as a frazzled waitress in a run-down diner.
4. Swingers
The city fathers should probably pay out royalties to Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Doug Liman, and anyone else associated with Swingers, as the movie is probably one of the big reasons for Vegas' boom in the mid-'90s. With every hipster (and non-hipster alike) shouting out "Vegas, baby, Vegas!" the city got millions of dollars worth of PR for nothing. Hell, as legend has it, the filmmakers didn't even have authority to film their scenes while in town - they had to shoot it guerrilla-style the whole time. And don't forget - always double-down on 11. Always.
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Article comments
1 - Chris Beaumont
Con Air is a fun spectacle,not really worth the time to deride.
Very Bad Things was a fun black comedy that does not deserve the shame that it gets.
Fear and Loathing should have been at number 2.
No Leaving Las Vegas?
How about the Nick Palumbo classic Murder Set Pieces? (I kid, seriously, I kid)
2 - Fletch
Con Air and LLV both suffer due to my passionate dislike of Nic Cage. :) Very Bad Things had a good premise that went haywire - I didn't like how slapsticky it got. I like Fear and Loathing a lot, but don't feel it's had that big of an impact (the movie anyway, not the book) on Vegas and Vegas movies.
3 - El Bicho
No mention of Viva Las Vegas or derision of Showgirls?
Go worked better the first time around when it was called Pulp Fiction. Shouldn't be in the top 5.
I'll take the original Ocean's Eleven and do yourself a favor and see The Amazing Colossal Man. I believe MST3K covered it.
You obviously have never done serious drugs in Vegas if you have F&L so low on the list.
4 - Fletch
Already covered the reasoning (in my post and in the above comment) on F&L's position. It's certainly in the discussion, we agree on that.
Shocked at the hate for Go. I couldn't disagree more - great, great movie that deserves more praise. 2 Days in the Valley - that's a Pulp ripoff. Just because Go uses a non-linear does not make it a Pulp ripoff.
IMO, Showgirls got too much attention either way, most likely due to Berkeley's involvement. Giving it more pub is like feeding Paris Hilton - pointless and a drag on society in general. ;)
5 - El Bicho
I didn't say your reasoning was wrong, just that you've most likely not taken any psychedelics in Vegas.
I don't hate Go. I would watch it if I was having trouble sleeping and I had no books, music, pills or alcohol to resort to. Exactly how did Go impact Vegas and Vegas movies?
6 - Fletch
This is how Go impacts Vegas movies for me: "Go makes me want to run to Vegas just watching it. The Taye Diggs-led storyline is the most fun of the three in Go as it's got it all â€" sex, drugs, strippers, gambling, and even an MSG-laden buffet."
No sweat if it's not your bag - this list is intended to spark discussion and most of all - be fun!
And no - I've not taken psychadelics...in Vegas.