Shade (2003)

A group of hustlers encounter "The Dean" and pull off a successful sting that results in their pursuit by a vengeful gangster.

Director:

Damian Nieman

Writer:

Damian Nieman

Stars:

Joe Nicolo, Carl Mazzocone Sr., George Tovar

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joe Nicolo	...	Ritchie
Carl Mazzocone Sr.	...	Older Wiseguy (as Carl M. Mazzocone Sr.)
George Tovar	...	Paulie
Frank Medrano	...	Sal
Jason Cerbone	...	Young Stevens
Mark De Alessandro	...	Hitman #1
Doc Duhame	...	Hitman #2
Shane T. Anderson	...	Hitman #3
Thandie Newton	...	Tiffany
Glenn Plummer	...	Attendant
Gabriel Byrne	...	Miller
Mick Rossi	...	Club Patron #1
Sean Stanek	...	Club Patron #2
Holly Cat	...	Girl in Hallway (as Holly Catarancuic)
Carl Mazzocone	...	Doorman

Storyline

Shade is set in the world of poker hustlers working the clubs and martini bars of Los Angeles. The tale unfolds as a group of hustlers encounter "The Dean" and pull off a successful sting that results in their pursuit by a vengeful gangster.

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Plot Keywords:

bar | thong | texas hold 'em | stripper | strip club | 

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Taglines:

When gambling your life, leave nothing to chance.

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Genres:

Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, violence and sexuality/nudity

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 May 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

A nagy trükk

Filming Locations:

902 N Broadway, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,800,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,696, 11 April 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$33,225, 16 May 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cobalt Media Group, Hammond Entertainment, Judgement Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The hands seen performing card tricks in the beginning of the film belong to writer/director Damian Nieman (who's hand wears a spade ring), R. Paul Wilson, Jason England, and Earl Nelson, all real life card mechanics. Nieman also taught (along with Earl Nelson and R. Paul Wilson) Sylvester Stallone and Stuart Townsend how to perform their card tricks for the film.

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Goofs

At the final game, when the camera looks at Vernon, we see Tiffany smoking behind him, apart from Miller. But when the camera shows Tiffany herself, we see she's right beside Miller.

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Quotes

Charlie Miller: [during a Mexican standoff, over the phone] Hello? No, I don't know anything about a fucking ring.

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Crazy Credits

"Special Thanks to: Tabitha Stevens & Tawny Roberts" These porn actresses have a short cameo as dancers in the club.

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Connections

References The Sting (1973)

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Soundtracks

Cha Cha Cha 57
Written by Roy Shakked
Performed by The Tao of Groove
Produced by Roy Shakked
Courtesy of Groove Gravy Records

User Reviews

A great flick

Don't expect to see to many believable, realistic or reliable poker moves.... but all and all this was an extremely entertaining movie. If you live in the Los Angeles area it is fun to pick out some local hot spots and catch that 90% of the movie was filmed within a few blocks of Sunset and Ivar. Gabrielle Brynne is amazing as always... and Sly Stone delivers the goods for the first time in a long time. I didn't care for the fact that there weren't more realistic poker terms and logistics used throughout the flick. Definately in a game that size you would see chem-decks, a spotter checking for cheats, a cut card, table stakes opposed to this "money in my back pocket routine", and atleast one Asian or Armenian guy from the LA area looking for a big game. A great time for two hours... but not going to teach beginners anything about a real high-stakes game.