Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

Don't Believe the Hype

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

decent movie if you know nothing about cards. if you are a card player, which now a days everyone plays Texas holdem, you will notice that this movie wasn't written well according to how cards are actually played. i haven't seen this movie for like 5 years so i don't remember everything that was wrong but someone should have pulled out a poker rulebook when making this movie. for example 1. they announce they are going to play a game of no limit Texas holdem, but instead are playing some variation of 5 card draw instead.2. throughout the movie when the guy with the bigger chip stack moves all in and says "o im all in now too and you cant cover my bet so i win", NO. in real life poker if the other player cant cover the larger chip stack the pot will only go up as far as what the small chip stack can cover, in this movie Stallone has a more money than the other guy and is like "you need to come up with more money or i win the pot...doesn't happen like this in poker like i said its been a few years since i saw this movie but next time someone decides to make a movie about poker, please read a rule book and try to make the movie follow the rules of the game (like in rounders) because this movie is so full of goofs when it comes to how poker is played

Following the wake of the ultimate poker movie 'Rounders' in 1998 and everyman Chris Moneymaker's World Series of Poker Main Event Win in 2003, the poker community was faced what is now known as "the poker boom." Utilizing the technology and ease of online poker, the game blew up to dizzying popularity. Casinos (both virtual and real world) were packed as every average Joe thought they could successfully transfer the skills from their nickel-and-dime, kitchen-table poker games. This was both a blessing and a curse on the poker world. It brought in plenty of easy money, but also forever changed the way the game was played into something that is now unrecognizable.Another change arising from this "boom" was in the media. Poker was everywhere: movies, television, books, and magazines. Apart from 'Rounders,' very few poker movies ever reached any kind of success, with films like 'Lucky You' (a mediocre love story starring Eric Bana and Drew Barrymore) only taking in moderate numbers and receiving mixed reviews from critics and players alike.'Shade' attempted to re-capitalize on the 'Rounders'-style poker film. Like its predecessor, it focused on the characters taking down the "big games" outside of the casinos and, like 'Rounders,' utilized a big-name cast. 'Shade,' however, film just had something missing. One of the most obvious missing elements was the character setup. In 'Rounders,' virtually everyone was likable (or, at least, entertaining), even the scumbags and bad guys. With 'Shade,' however, some of the main characters were barely tolerable. Larry (Jamie Foxx) was probably the worst of them all. He had terrible table etiquette, he showed massive tells on every hand, and he disrespected his backers. As a poker player, I found him despicable. On the counter, I enjoyed Gabriel Byrne's role of Charlie, who played a hustler very well. Also, in some of the later roles, Sly Stallone and the great Hal Holbrook really gave the film the extra spark it needed as it entered the final act (which, to be honest, was really the only great act of the film).The poker in the movie was mediocre. The players were mostly terrible and completely over-the-top; and, some of the hands were so unbelievably ridiculous that it's mind-blowing that no one realized they were being conned. This was a fault of the writing. These are all supposed to be professional con men & hustlers, so they should have been constantly be on the lookout for setups. Unfortunately, they were all either extremely delusional or completely naïve because no one saw the hits they were taking. This movie was clearly not made to be a "poker movie" like 'Rounders,' where poker was at the forefront and center of every storyline. This is more about the con than the cards.Overall, if you're a poker fan looking for a movie like that, stick with the classics. However, if you want a plot-driven hustler movie with many twists & turns (regardless of how predictable many of them may be), give a look to 'Shade.' Final Verdict: 6.5/10 -AP3-

So you want to be a grifter? This movie will make you think twice. You might even want to avoid Las Vegas altogether for a year or two.I saw "The Sting" as a young man. That is still the standard for this genre as far as I'm concerned. This movie, while not matching up, does a pretty good job at keeping you entertained. It has a very good cast. Hal Holbrook even makes a cameo appearance.All in all, nicely acted and scripted. Too many scenarios are totally unbelievable, however. Why would anyone sit down at a table with these guys? Is there anyone on earth you can trust? Is there an honest cop in town? Will I still have my kidneys tomorrow? Other reviewers have commented on the card tricks. Yes, they're fascinating. But with video editing what it is these days, they don't add much.If you like roller coasters, this movie has enough twists to make your head spin. For those looking for realism and believability, you may be disappointed.

How did so many talented or at least charismatic actors wind up in this baloney? Nothing is very good about this movie but the worst things probably are the screenplay and the directing.Apparently this is director Damian Niemans heart-piece as he's both written and directed it (and acted in as well). He's a card magician himself and seems to have named characters in homage of other famous magicians. This was his first feature film as far as I know, and chances are it's his last.It's hard to point to exactly what makes it so poor – but I'd say the story and character's are not believable (the screenplay) and the directing doesn't give it any boost (the director). Plus – the poker scenes are bad in the worst Hollywood manner (super-hands, Hollywood rules)! The supposed twists in the movie are either totally predictable or totally unbelievable. They just end up tying a knot to a story that at best can be described as "a few decent scenes"!