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:

Look Deeper.

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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 director (Damian Nieman) is also a professional card magician, and required the cast to perform their own magic tricks. The "making of" documentary that comes with the DVD is worth the view, just for the amazing tricks.

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Goofs

The position of Miller's hand alternates between holding the drink and crossed over to his other arm while talking to Marlo.

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Quotes

Young Stevens: The correct term for this situation is "fucked".

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Crazy Credits

The credits list an "Erdnase Grip" and a "Mechanic's Grip." S.W. Erdnase was the pseudonym of the author of the book "Expert at the Card Table," which was referenced in this movie. A "mechanic's grip" is a special way to hold the cards that facilitates many common sleights (including dealing seconds and dealing from the bottom of the deck).

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Connections

References The Sting (1973)

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Soundtracks

Violin Sonata No.25 K.301, 2nd movement
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

User Reviews

What Was Unrealistic

There is no high stakes poker game in the world, be it in a casino, poker club, or wherever that would not have a professional dealer running the game.

The players would absolutely not be permitted to handle any cards other than their own, to prevent the players from doing exactly what happened in the film: Cheating. In these types of games, the "House" makes money by keeping a percentage of each pot. Cheating is not in their interest, and no high stakes players would ever play in a game like this.

Same problem with "Rounders". Still, it was a decent "Big Con" movie, altho not in the class of "The Sting", "Confidence", "Matchstick Men" or "House of Games".