I wanted to but couldn't!

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Cooler than thou movie star Steve McQueen is an engaging protagonist in this adaptation of the Richard Jessup novel, scripted by Ring Lardner, Jr. ("MASH") and Terry Southern. McQueen is the title character, an up and coming poker player who yearns to hit the big time. He gets his chance when he is allowed to play reigning champion Lancey Howard (Edward G. Robinson). Although an attempt is made to influence the outcome of the game, The Kid opts to play honestly, confident in his ability.Poker isn't really the most cinematic of professions, but director Norman Jewison ("In the Heat of the Night") does manage to make it visually interesting at times. While those not familiar with all the lingo and nuances of the profession may potentially get lost, there is still some tension to enjoy. The atmosphere, and portrayal of this milieu is vivid, and convincing. The jazzy score by Lalo Schifrin adds flavor, as does the theme song belted out by Ray Charles. On location shooting in New Orleans also adds a lot to the presentation.McQueen is extremely well supported by an eclectic bunch of players. Eddie G. is wonderful as the relaxed old pro, an intelligent and articulate man who acknowledges that this upstart kid just might have what it takes to knock him off his throne. Ann-Margret and Tuesday Weld are both incredibly sexy and appealing. Karl Malden, Joan Blondell, Rip Torn, Jack Weston, and singer Cab Calloway are all excellent, and there's a rich parade of character actor talent to boot: Jeff Corey, Milton Selzer, Karl Swenson, Ron Soble, Dub Taylor, Robert DoQui, Burt Mustin, etc.The picture was begun by Sam Peckinpah, only for him to get fired and replaced by Jewison.Seven out of 10.

Gritty and glamorous comes together in this classic Steve McQueen movie.Movie is about the cold world of gambling, where "Kid" (Steve McQueen) excels in his art. The story revolves of course around his gambling, but there're two beautiful girls Melba (Ann Margaret) and Christian (Tuesday Weld) who are interested in him. Kid hears that legendary gambler Lancey Howard (Edward G Robinson) is in town, and gambling match is on. The game starts innocently enough, until Kid discovers that his friend Shooter (Karl Malden) who's dealing the card is passing him favorable cards. Someone wants Kid to win at all cost.The movie is beautifully shot, and casts are all A list. They really catch your eyes with their star qualities. So although the movie is supposed to be happening in a seedy place, the atmosphere is gorgeous. We don't see movies like this any more as somehow the star quality has gone down in recent years with actors.Tuesday Weld who's the inspiration for Rolling Stones' song Ruby Tuesday plays Steve McQueen's fiancé. Over doing anything is detrimental to life, and maybe the point of this movie is just that. But knowing your place in life is more difficult than winning a poker game.

Made in the mid sixties this is a throwback to the forties where it was de riguer to have large casts and plentiful sub plots. In the manner of say Gable and Tracey it is the males who predominate with the females taking second place and it is salutary to note that Joan Blondell, who came to prominence in the thirties as the wise-cracking friend of the leading lady, leaves the two 'modern' leading ladies, Ann-Margret and Tuesday Weld, dead in the water. Similarly Eddie Robinson, himself a survivor from the thirties dominates even such a fine actor as Karl Malden, a product of the forties. Much has been written here about the game of poker and how it is treated (or allegedly mistreated) in the movie but the poker in The Cincinatti Kid is as metaphorical as the pool in The Hustler, both are merely pegs on which to hang morality tales. In my opinion both do pretty well.

Steve McQueen, an underrated actor in his lifetime who was actually quite subtle and gifted as his films now confirm, is an up-and-coming poker player, The Kid, cocky and sure of himself, smitten by Ann Margret's sexy purring miss, and led into the lion's den - a game against Lancey Howard (The Man - a showy and assured performance from Edward G Robinson) - by Shooter, a crooked card sharp (Karl Malden).Mainly a poker film, that's where all the scenes of tension lie. But in McQueen's scenes with Ann Margret, the bad girl, and Tuesday Weld, the good girl, we see a fleeting glimpse of what goes on behind the gambling man's straight face. And I love the ending.A good cast, including Joan Blondell, Rip Torn, and Cab Calloway, a sharp script, good direction and memorable music make The Cincinatti Kid a keeper.