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:

Getting played... it's all in the game

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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 book shown throughout the movie, "The Expert at the Card Table" by S.W. Erdnase, is known as the "Cardman's Bible". Originally published in 1902 for cheating purposes, it is still considered the best book on the subject. It is a quote of Erdnase which is shown onscreen as the film begins.

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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

Stevens: I was mucking cards since before you were born.

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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 Color of Money (1986)

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Soundtracks

Goldberg Variations, BWV.988
Music by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Chen Pi-hsien

User Reviews

Weird naming of characters.

The names assigned to the characters in this film may be an attempt to appeal to the "inside" world of magicians, but it only serves to annoy those who knew most of the people whose names were used. A perfect example of this is the strange scene where "Vernon" is hiding out at the Magic Castle and is lectured to by "The Professor" on the evils of card cheating vs performing as a magician. In real life, Vernon and the Professor were one and the same person. I should know -- he was my father.

The other thing that bugs me is the use of "Juice" to read the backs of cards by throwing your eyes out of focus. Even if there were such a thing, why would "The Dean" (Dad Stevens) resort to such a simplistic method when he was supposed to be the best card mechanic who ever lived?