Casino Movie House
| The House | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Andrew Jay Cohen |
| Produced by |
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| Written by | |
| Starring |
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| Music by | |
| Cinematography | Jas Shelton |
| Edited by |
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| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
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| 88 minutes[2] | |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $40 million[3] |
| Box office | $34.2 million[4] |
The film is based on the nonfiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi, who also co-wrote the screenplay for the film with Scorsese. It stars Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, Don Rickles, Kevin Pollak and James Woods. The film marks the eighth collaboration between director Scorsese and De Niro. This is the house that was used in the movie 'Casino' where Robert DeNiro's character lived.
The House is a 2017 American comedy film directed by Andrew J. Cohen, and co-written by Cohen and Brendan O'Brien. The film stars Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Jason Mantzoukas, Ryan Simpkins, Nick Kroll, Allison Tolman, Rob Huebel, Michaela Watkins, and Jeremy Renner, and follows a couple who open an underground casino in their friend's house in order to pay for their daughter's college tuition.
Principal photography began on September 14, 2015 in Los Angeles. The film was released on June 30, 2017, by Warner Bros. Pictures, received negative reviews from critics[3] and grossed $34 million worldwide against its $40 million budget.
Plot[edit]
During their visit to Bucknell University, husband and wife Scott (Ferrell) and Kate Johansen (Poehler) warn their daughter of the dangers of being in college. Alex (Simpkins) acknowledges her parents' warnings and expresses her interest in attending the same university her parents went to. Alex gets accepted to the university, which the Johansens expect to be funded by their community's scholarship program.
Unfortunately, during a community town hall meeting, city councilor Bob Schaeffer (Kroll) announces that they will not be doing the scholarship program, in favor of building a community pool, to which everyone agrees except the Johansens. The couple tries to find funding through asking for a loan, a salary raise for Scott, and getting Kate's job back, but everything is denied. They reluctantly agree to accompany their friend and neighbor, Frank Theodorakis (Mantzoukas), whose wife Raina (Watkins) is divorcing him over his gambling and porn addiction, to a previously-planned trip to Las Vegas. After numerous wins playing craps they lose their winnings after Scott jinxes the table by telling Frank not to roll a seven.
Back home, Frank convinces the Johansens to start an underground casino at his house to raise money for Alex's tuition and to help him get his wife back. The casino operation proves to be running smoothly as they gain more customers. In another community town-hall meeting, city councilor Bob becomes suspicious at the low attendance and suspends the meeting to launch an investigation. Back to the Johansens' casino, Frank discovers that one of the gamblers, Carl (Zissis), is counting cards. The Johansens and Frank confront him, but he brags that he works for mob boss Tommy Papouli (Renner). Scott accidentally chops off Carl's middle finger, earning him the nickname 'The Butcher', making the community afraid of him, which inadvertently increases their profits.
Several thousand dollars away from reaching their goal, they are caught by Bob and officer Chandler (Huebel), who confiscate their money and order them to close down the casino. Nonetheless, they continue their business. The house burns down after being invaded by Tommy Papouli, whom the Johansens accidentally set on fire. Having admitted their plot to Alex, they team up with officer Chandler, who had let them loose, to steal the money back from Bob. Officer Chandler convinces Bob that the three still continued the casino even after he had ordered them to stop and shows a video of the people mocking him. Bob asks Officer Chandler to go with him to arrest the Johansens at the casino, which gives the Johansens the chance to steal their money back. Dawn (Tolman) alerts Bob that the Johansens are in the town hall, which convinces Bob to go back. Bob tries to make Officer Chandler drive faster, but gets into an accident himself. Bob runs back on foot to the town hall to find the Johansens with the money. After chasing the Johansens, Bob reveals his personal interest with the casino money as well as his plot to steal money from the city budget for himself and Dawn, who leaves him and returns to her husband Joe (Scovel). Bob is arrested, while Scott and Kate use the money they took back from him to pay for their daughter's college tuition.
Cast[edit]
- Will Ferrell as Scott Johansen
- Amy Poehler as Kate Johansen, Scott's wife
- Jason Mantzoukas as Frank Theodorakis, Kate and Scott's best friend
- Ryan Simpkins as Alex Johansen, Scott and Kate's daughter
- Nick Kroll as Bob Schaeffer, a crooked City Hall councilman
- Allison Tolman as Dawn Mayweather, the City's treasurer and Bob's lover.
- Rob Huebel as Police Officer Chandler
- Michaela Watkins as Raina Theodorakis, Frank's ex-wife
- Jeremy Renner as Tommy Papouli, a local mafia boss
- Cedric Yarbrough as Reggie Henderson
- Rory Scovel as Joe Mayweather, Dawn's husband who retired at 30.
- Lennon Parham as Martha
- Andrea Savage as Laura
- Andy Buckley as Craig
- Kyle Kinane as Kevin Garvey
- Steve Zissis as Carl Shackler, a henchman of Tommy Papouli
- Sam Richardson as Marty
- Randall Park as Buckler
- Jessica St. Clair as Reba
- Alexandra Daddario as Corsica
- Jessie Ennis as Rachel
- Gillian Vigman as Becky
- Wayne Federman as Chip Dave
- Sebastian Maniscalco as Stand-Up Comic
- Linda Porter as Old Lady
- Ian Roberts as Driver at College Campus
- Bruna Rubio as Stripper
Production[edit]
On February 25, 2015, it was announced that New Line Cinema had won an auction for the comedy script The House, written by Brendan O'Brien and Andrew J. Cohen, and that Cohen would make his directorial debut with the film.[5]Will Ferrell would star as a husband who teams up with his wife and neighbors to start an illegal casino in his basement, to earn money, after their daughter's college scholarship is lost.[5] Ferrell and Adam McKay produced through Gary Sanchez Productions, along with Good Universe and O'Brien.[5][6]Amy Poehler joined the cast on June 12, 2015, to play Ferrell's character's wife.[6] On June 16, 2015, Jason Mantzoukas joined to play Ferrell's character's best friend, who is dealing with a gambling problem, and who gives the couple the idea to start a casino.[7] On August 28, 2015, Ryan Simpkins was added to the cast, to play Ferrell and Poehler's characters' daughter.[8] On September 15, 2015, Cedric Yarbrough signed on to play Reggie Henderson, a hardworking suburban resident who starts gambling in the new casino to de-stress.[9] Frank Gerrish also joined the film.[9] On September 18, 2015, Rob Huebel was added to the cast,[10] and on September 21, 2015, Allison Tolman and Michaela Watkins were added to the cast, with Tolman playing a financial advisor, and Watkins playing Mantzoukas' character's wife, who wants him to sign divorce papers. Nick Kroll also joined the cast.[11]Mariah Carey was supposed to have a cameo in the film, but had what co-star Rob Huebel called 'multiple unrealistic demands'.[12]
Principal photography on the film began on September 14, 2015, in Los Angeles.[13]
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is credited as executive producer.
Release[edit]
The House was released on June 30, 2017,[14] by Warner Bros. Pictures. The original date was June 2, 2017.[15]
Box office[edit]
The House grossed $25.6 million in the United States and Canada, and $8.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $34.2 million, against a production budget of $40 million.[4]
In North America, The House opened alongside Despicable Me 3 and Baby Driver, as well as the wide expansion of The Beguiled, and was projected to gross $10–14 million from 3,134 theaters in its opening weekend.[16] The film made $3.4 million on its first day (including $800,000 from Thursday night previews). It went on to open to $8.7 million, marking the lowest studio debut of Ferrell's career as a lead actor.[3] In its second weekend the film made $4.8 million (a drop of 45.2%), finishing 7th at the box office.[17]
Critical response[edit]
On review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 20% based on 81 reviews, and has an average rating of 3.7/10. The site's critical consensus reads, 'The House squanders a decent premise and a talented cast on thin characterizations and a shortage of comic momentum.'[18] On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating, the film has a weighted average score of 30 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating 'generally unfavorable reviews'.[19] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of 'B−' on an A+ to F scale.[3]
Accolades[edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Golden Trailer Awards | Best Comedy | The House | Won |
References[edit]
- ^ abcdDeFore, John (June 29, 2017). ''The House': Film Review'. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- ^'The House'. British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
- ^ abcd''Baby Driver' Speeds to $27M+; Ferrell & Poehler's 'House' Burns Down as 'Despicable Me 3' Dominates'. Deadline Hollywood. July 2, 2017.
- ^ ab'The House (2017)'. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
- ^ abcFleming Jr, Mike (February 25, 2015). 'New Line Wins Auction For 'The House'; Will Ferrell To Star In Script By 'Neighbors' Duo'. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 13, 2015.
- ^ abKroll, Justin (June 12, 2015). 'Amy Poehler to Co-Star With Will Ferrell in New Line's 'The House''. variety.com. Retrieved June 13, 2015.
- ^Kit, Borys (June 16, 2015). 'Jason Mantzoukas Joining Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler in 'The House''. hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
- ^A. Lincoln, Ross (August 28, 2015). 'Ryan Simpkins Joins 'The House' With Will Ferrell And Amy Poehler'. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ^ abPedersen, Erik (September 15, 2015). 'Cedric Yarbrough Gambles On Will Ferrell-Amy Poehler Home-Casino Comedy'. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
- ^A. Lincoln, Ross (September 18, 2015). 'Rob Huebel Joins Untitled Will Ferrell-Amy Poelher Casino Comedy'. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
- ^A. Lincoln, Ross (September 21, 2015). 'Allison Tolman, Michaela Watkins Join Will Ferrell-Amy Poehler Comedy; LBJ Packs Cast As Production Starts'. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
- ^'Mariah Carey called out by The House costar for set behavior: 'It did not go well''. Entertainment Weekly. May 24, 2017.
- ^'On the Set for 9/18/15: Rian Johnson Calls Action on Star Wars: Episode 8, Ghostbusters & The Magnificent Seven Wrap'. ssninsider.com. September 18, 2015. Archived from the original on February 21, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 8, 2016). 'Warner Bros. Shifts Release Dates For 'The Accountant', 'Going In Style' & 'The House''. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^McNary, Dave (November 12, 2015). 'Will Ferrell-Amy Poehler Comedy 'The House' Set for June, 2017'. Variety. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^''Despicable Me 3' To Own Crowded Independence Day Weekend Stretch – Box Office Preview'. Deadline Hollywood. June 27, 2017.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 10, 2017). ''Spider-Man: Homecoming' Still Swinging In As Sony's Second Best Domestic Opening Ever With $116M-$118M'. Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017.
- ^'The House (2017)'. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
- ^'The House reviews'. Metacritic. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
External links[edit]
| Wikiquote has quotations related to: The House (2017 film) |
- Official website
- The House on IMDb
Questioning the Story:
Did Sam Rothstein manage any other casinos besides Tangiers?
Unlike the portrayal in the movie Casino where Sam 'Ace' Rothstein (Robert De Niro) runs only one casino, the Tangiers, in real life Frank 'Lefty' Rosenthal ran four casinos simultaneously, including the Stardust, Hacienda, Fremont and Marina for the Chicago mafia. For legal reasons, the Stardust was renamed the Tangiers in the film. -Las Vegas Sun
Did teamsters really fund the Tangiers?Yes. After being pressured by the mob, the Teamsters fund loaned the Argent Corporation, solely owned by Allen Glick, the money to buy the Stardust and other casinos. Mr. Glick was portrayed in the movie Casino by character Philip Green (Kevin Pollak). -Online Nevada Encyclopedia
Did security really crush the hands of a cheater?
According to Frank Rosenthal himself, yes, this did occur but not under the circumstances portrayed in the movie Casino. The two men who were electronically signaling each other were part of a larger group that had been scamming all the casinos for an extended period of time. The actions taken were meant as a message to the group to deter any of the others from coming back to do the same. -Miami Herald
Did Sam and Ginger have a daughter like in the movie?
The Casino movie true story reveals that Sam and Ginger Rothstein's real-life counterparts, Frank and Geraldine Rosenthal, had a daughter named Stephanie and a son name Steven. Geraldine also had a daughter from a previous relationship with her high school love, Lenny Marmor (James Woods' character in the movie). Robin Marmor was born on December 27, 1957, and was eleven years old when her mother met Frank. She was not depicted in the movie. To learn more about Frank Rosenthal's wife and family, read Nicholas Pileggi's book Casino, which was the basis for the Martin Scorsese movie.
Were the lion performers Sam hired to work at the Tangiers based on Siegfried and Roy?
Indeed they were. When Siegfried and Roy's contract was about to expire with a competing casino, Mr. Rosenthal (Sam) hired them to perform at the Stardust. Part of the agreement was a significantly higher salary, custom dressing room and space for their animals. 'Lido de Paris Starring Siegfried and Roy' was born and so was a friendship that lasted a lifetime. -FrankRosenthal.com
Did Nicky really get banned from every casino in Vegas?
Casino Movie House For Sale
Yes. In December 1979, Tony Spilotro, the real-life Nicky Santoro, was blacklisted by the Nevada Gaming Commission, preventing him from entering any casino.Did the real Nicky Santoro have a son?
Yes. In 1966, Tony and Nancy Spilotro (the real Nicky and Jennifer Santoro) adopted their only son, Vincent. -The Battle for Las Vegas: The Law vs. The Mob
Did Nicky really recruit his brother and other guys from back home to commit heists?
Yes. The pack was referred to as 'The Hole in the Wall Gang' because they cut holes in walls and ceilings to enter their target locations. Included in this group were his brother, Michael Spilotro, Herbert 'Fat Herbie' Blitzstein, Wayne Metecki, Samuel Cusumano, Joseph Cusumano, Ernesto 'Ernie' Davino, 'Crazy Larry' Neumann, Salvatore 'Sonny' Romano, Leonardo 'Leo' Guardino, Joseph Blasko and their leader, Frank Cullotta. Frank Cullotta is portrayed in the movie Casino by actor Frank Vincent, as Nicky Santoro's sidekick Frankie Marino.
Did they really put a rival's head in a vise after he shot up a bar?
Yes. Anthony Spilotro, the basis for Joe Pesci's Nicky Santoro character, caught one of the two men who killed the Scalvo brothers without permission. Frank Cullotta testified in the Operation Family Secrets trial that Spilotro did torture Billy McCarthy. Spilotro told him that McCarthy was beaten and when he refused to name his accomplice, his head was put in a vise and tightened until his eyeball popped out. At that point, he gave them Jimmy Miraglia's name and they slit his throat. -Sun Times
Did Nicky Santoro sleep with Sam Rothstein's wife?
Yes, the real Nicky Santoro, Tony Spilotro, did sleep with Frank Rosenthal's wife, which ultimately played a part in his demise. Nicholas Calabrese testified in the Operation Family Secrets trial in 2007 that mob hit man John Fecarotta told him that Spilotro was targeted for his affair with Rosenthal's wife. -Chicago Tribune
Was Phillip Green's business partner, Anna Scott, murdered in her home?
Casino Movie House Location
Yes. The real-life Anna Scott, Tamara Rand, was murdered in the kitchen of her San Diego home. She was shot on November 9, 1975 soon after having loan issues with her mob-tied business partner, Allen Glick. -San Diego ReaderWas there really a Gaming Control Board investigation into Sam's attempt to get a gaming license?
Yes. The real Sam, Frank Rosenthal, did have a hearing with the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Furthermore, he argued with the chairman, the current Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and was denied a gaming license. In 1988, he was officially put in the 'Black Book' (List of Persons Excluded from Licensed Gaming Establishments in the State of Nevada). -Las Vegas Sun
Did FBI agents run out of gas and land their plane on a fairway?
According to the Casino true story, the FBI agents did land their plane on the fairway at the Las Vegas Country Club where the Rosenthals lived. However, it was due to mechanical problems rather than a lack of fuel. -Skimming the Las Vegas Casinos
Did the real Sam 'Ace' Rothstein have his own TV show?
Yes he did. The Frank Rosenthal Show was taped at the Stardust and brought in many big-name guests, including Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Wayne Newton, Liberace and O.J. Simpson. For those of you who are curious, he claims to have never juggled on the show. -FrankRosenthal.com
Was Sam the best handicapper in America?According to Sports Illustrated, Frank Rosenthal is 'one of the greatest living experts on sports gambling'. -Sports Illustrated article 'The Biggest Game in Town'
Is Sam responsible for putting sports betting into casinos?
Frank 'Lefty' Rosenthal, the real Sam, is credited with putting sports betting in Las Vegas casinos. In 1976, he set up the first sports book in the Stardust, which featured six large televisions. -USA Today
Did Sam and Ginger really get divorced?
Yes. According to Frank, the real story is that he filed for the divorce and for full custody of their children. Geri did not contest it. Their divorce was finalized on January 16, 1981. -FrankRosenthal.com
Did Ginger really try to run off with their daughter and Lester?
According to Frank Rosenthal (the real Sam Rothstein), his wife and her ex-boyfriend, Lenny Marmor, ran off with his daughter, his son and his money. In the movie, Lenny Marmor is the Lester Diamond character portrayed by James Woods. -FrankRosenthal.com
Did Artie Piscano die of a heart attack when the FBI found mob records in his home?
No. The Casino movie character Artie Piscano was based on Carl 'Tuffy' DeLuna. The raid on his home happened on February 14, 1979. Unlike what is depicted in the movie, Tuffy did not die of a heart attack during the raid. He was sentenced to prison for his participation in skimming Las Vegas casinos and was released in 1998. He died ten years later on July 21, 2008 in Kansas City, Missouri. -The Chicago Syndicate
Did Sam survive a car bomb assassination attempt?Yes. On October 4, 1982, Frank Rosenthal left Tony Roma's restaurant on East Sahara Avenue and got into his Cadillac which then exploded. Amazingly, he survived with minor burns and injuries. A variety of factors have been attributed to his survival, including a metal plate under the driver's seat, the driver's side door being open at the time of the explosion, and pure luck. -NY Times
Why did Sam's car have a metal plate under the driver's seat?
The 1981 Cadillac Eldorado had a balancing problem that was affecting the car's handling. GM installed the metal plate under the driver's seat to correct the problem. -UniqueCarsandParts.com/au
Did Ginger end up with low lives and drug dealers in Los Angeles?
Yes. The true story behind Geri Rosenthal (Ginger in the movie) reveals that her interaction with these people ultimately led to her untimely death. On November 9, 1982, at the age of 46, she died in an LA motel from a drug overdose of valium, cocaine and whiskey. She is buried in Mount Sinai Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Were Nicky Santoro and his brother, Dominick, really killed?Yes, the real-life Spilotro brothers were beaten to death, but not in a cornfield as portrayed in the movie. According to Nicholas Calabrese, a former mob hitman who testified in the Operation Family Secrets trial, the brothers were told they were being promoted in the mob. Anthony Spilotro was to become a 'capo' and his brother, Michael, was to become a 'made member'. They were driven to a mob home in Bensenville, Illinois and were beaten to death in the basement. They were later transported to the cornfield in Enos, Indiana. -Chicago Tribune
Is the real Sam still alive?
Mr. Rosenthal died at the age of 79 after suffering a heart attack at his Miami Beach home on October 13, 2008. -NY Times
Did Sam insist on having an equal number of blueberries in each muffin?
According to Nicholas Pileggi, author of the book Casino, Frank Rosenthal was extremely meticulous. He did regulate the number of blueberries per muffin, with each muffin containing at least ten blueberries. -NY Times
Casino: Behind the Movie Interviews & Video
Watch video featuring interviews with Frank Rosenthal, the real Sam Rothstein, portrayed by Robert De Niro in the movie. Also, see footage of Tony Spilotro, the real Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci).
Frank Rosenthal Interview Watch Frank Rosenthal interviews andhistoric video featuring mobster AnthonySpilotro, portrayed by Joe Pesci in themovie Casino. |
Casino Trailer Watch the Casino movie trailerfor the film starring Robert De Niro, JoePesci and Sharon Stone. Directed by MartinScorcese, Casino tells the storyof sports handicapper Frank 'Lefty'Rosenthal in mob-run Las Vegas during the1970's. |