Never bet against Jamie Foxx, who plays a Las Vegas cop on a search-and-destroy mission to save his kidnapped son in new thriller Sleepless. Beware criminal crooks, or you’ll craps your pants! Yep, it’s just another day in the wild ways of Vegas, inspiring this week’s 24 Frames gallery: an all-you-can-watch buffet of best and worst movies (with at least 20 reviews) set mostly to wholly in Sin City!
Leaving Las Vegas (1995, 90%) Critics Consensus: Oscar-awarded Nicolas Cage finds humanity in his character as it bleeds away in this no frills, exhilaratingly dark portrait of destruction.
Viva Las Vegas (1964, 85%)
Ann-Margret keeps Elvis on his toes and together they elevate Viva Las Vegas into a naughty and rockin’ mild delight.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001, 82%)
As fast-paced, witty, and entertaining as it is star-studded and coolly stylish, Ocean’s Eleven offers a well-seasoned serving of popcorn entertainment.
Casino (1995, 80%)
Impressive ambition and bravura performances from an outstanding cast help Casino pay off in spite of a familiar narrative that may strike some viewers as a safe bet for director Martin Scorsese.
The Hangover (2009, 79%)
With a clever script and hilarious interplay among the cast, The Hangover nails just the right tone of raunchy humor, and the non-stop laughs overshadow any flaw.
The Cooler (2003, 77%)
A small movie elevated by superb performances.
Diamonds Are Forever (1971, 67%) Diamonds are Forever is a largely derivative affair, but it’s still pretty entertaining nonetheless, thanks to great stunts, witty dialogue, and the presence of Sean Connery.
Honeymoon in Vegas (1992, 61%) Honeymoon in Vegas is a light screwball comedy that has just about what you expect (and nothing you don’t).
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998, 49%)
Visually creative, but also aimless, repetitive, and devoid of character development.
Ocean’s Eleven (1960, 48%)
Easygoing but lazy, Ocean’s Eleven blithely coasts on the well-established rapport of the Rat Pack royalty.
Last Vegas (2013, 46%)
The cast of Last Vegas keep things amiably watchable, but the film is mostly a mellower Hangover retread for the older set.
Very Bad Things (1998, 44%)
Mean-spirited and empty.
The Grand (2008, 40%) The Grand has moments of comic ingenuity, but the jokes in this poker satire often miss.
Indecent Proposal (1993, 38%)
Lurid but acted with gusto, Indecent Proposal has difficultly keeping it up beyond its initial titillating premise.
21 (2008, 36%) 21 could have been a fascinating study had it not supplanted the true story on which it is based with mundane melodrama.
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013, 36%) The Incredible Burt Wonderstone serves up some goofy laughs, but given its outrageous conceit, it’s surprisingly safe and predictable.
Lucky You (2007, 29%) Lucky You tries to combine a romantic story with the high-stakes world of poker, but comes up with an empty hand.
What Happens In Vegas (2008, 27%) What Happens in Vegas has a few laughs, but mostly settles for derivative romantic comedy conventions and receives little help from a pair of unlikable leads.
Think Like A Man Too (2014, 23%) Think Like a Man Too reunites its predecessor’s talented cast, but fails to take their characters in new or interesting directions.
Showgirls (1995, 19%)
Vile, contemptible, garish, and misogynistic — and that might just be exactly Showgirls‘ point.
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Dangerous (2005, 15%)
Sandra Bullock is still as appealing as ever; too bad the movie is not pageant material.
3000 Miles To Graceland (2001, 14%)
While the premise sounds promising, the movie turns out to be a tedious and unnecessarily violent heist movie that’s low on laughs and leaves no cliche unturned.
Vegas Vacation (1997, 13%)
The Vacation franchise hits rock-bottom in this corny and tepid trip to sinfully laugh-free city.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015, 5%)
Bathed in flop sweat and bereft of purpose, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 strings together fat-shaming humor and Segway sight gags with uniformly unfunny results.
