Ep. 36 - The Long Good Friday & Casino

This week, we are stepping into the halls of crumbling criminal empires with John Mackenzie’s The Long Good Friday (1980) and Martin Scorsese’s Casino (1995).

These films feature protagonists who operate as kings in their own respects, letting their massive egos blind them to the immediate threats right in front of their faces. We look at how Harold Shand’s dream of a legitimized London empire clashes with a political nightmare, and how Sam "Ace" Rothstein’s obsession with total control in Vegas ultimately creates his own downfall.

It is a double feature about the illusion of power, the volatility of the underworld, and the high cost of unchecked ambition. Whether it is the rainy streets of London or the blinding neon of the desert, both films show that a king is only as strong as the foundation he ignores. Plus, we dig into the incredible performances from Helen Mirren and Sharon Stone, who serve as the crucial anchors to these men of ambition.

🎬 Movies Discussed

The Long Good Friday (1980, Dir. John Mackenzie)

Casino (1995, Dir. Martin Scorsese)

🕰️ Chapters

0:00 Intro

0:45 Derek and Jake decide on their Top Scorsese picks

8:42 The Long Good Friday

36:08 Casino

1:05:11 Outro/Closing thoughts

📀 Physical Media Shoutouts

@criterioncollection

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💬 Join the Conversation

Do you prefer the gritty British realism of The Long Good Friday or the maximalist operatic tragedy of Casino? Let us know in the comments.

#TheLongGoodFriday #CasinoMovie #MartinScorsese #BritishCinema #NeoNoir

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