Waking Up in Vegas (Top Five Vegas Movies)

Posted on Author Ryan McNeil

Hatter here.

…Yes I’m actually writing this one, I didn’t schedule it to post a week or two ago. I know it might seem weird that a guy takes a moment out from a week of post-nuptual bliss to blog, but this is the one post I couldn’t do ahead of time.

See, I wanted my Tuesday Top Five for this week to reflect our honeymoon plans (ie, we’re going to Cuba? Let’s do a Top Five Caribbean Movies post). However, there was one small hurdle:

Missus Hatter and I didn’t plan our trip ahead.

That’s right gang, we decided to see what we felt like in the days immediately after our big to-do, and book something last minute then. So yesterday, surrounded by shards of wrapping paper, and with the taste of wedding cake still on our lips, we finally sat down and decided where we were going…

Vegas Baby!!!

Yes yes – we’re off to Sin City, which makes this post even more fun since there have been so many awesome movies made about it.

So please, take a moment away from tying tin cans to our rear bumper, and writing words on our windshield in shaving cream, and take a look at…

Hatter’s Top Five Vegas Movies

#5. HONEYMOON IN VEGAS (1992)… Seems like an appropriate place to start, donchathink? This one could have made the list for The Flying Elvises alone, which reminds me – while we’re away Missus Hatter and I are looking to get hitched again, but by Elvis in a cheesy chapel this time! Of course, having learned my lesson from this movie, I know not to offer up my newlywed to cover a bet. It’ll be hard though, since those games are just so damned fun…and I’m not much good at them.

#4. THE HANGOVER (2009)… Yeah, it’s a really new one, but there’s no way I couldn’t include it. As the tagline says “Some guys just can’t handle Vegas”. Part of me wonders how hard we’ll have to party to destroy our suite like that. Maybe I should try to track down Alan and score some of his drugs. I also can’t wait to ask the desk clerk at our hotel if the place is beeper friendly.

#3. CASINO (1995)… Vegas isn’t all about the laughs. Indeed I’d be remiss to complete this list without a nod to how a city like this was built. Part of me wishes I was able to see Vegas back in the day, since as a wise man once said “You don’t need all that Pirates of the Caribbean bullshit, or the rock & roll grunge tip…you and me gotta kick it here. Old school.” Scorsese’s opus to Vegas’ heyday is one of my all time faves, and a stern reminder not to get caught cheating at black jack.

#2. FEAR & LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS (1998)… If my honeymoon gets anywhere near this absurd, I know I’ve done something wrong. Course, it’d never hurt to have Doctor Gonzo following me around noting “As your attorney, I advise you…”. One of the very, very, best…and such a truly twisted movie. R.I.P. Hunter.

#1. OCEAN’S ELEVEN (2001)… Stephen, George, Brad, et al just make Vegas look so. damned. cool. in this flick. Honestly I wanted to stay in The Belaggio just because they used it here! I won’t be planning any three-casino-heists while I’m there, but someone should hide my dvd of this flick before I get any bright ideas. This movie (and the third one in the series) are perhaps the best movies ever filmed in Veas, some of the coolest, and certainly most fun. Thus, it takes the spot as the my top Vegas movie.

Did I miss one? Feel free to leave comments naming your favorite Las Vegas movies, along with suggestions for the next top five.

11 Replies to “Waking Up in Vegas (Top Five Vegas Movies)”

  1. The Cooler with William H. Macy is a way overlooked film gem (though it did get Alec Baldwin his oscar nom). Swingers, which made the careers of Vaughn and Favreau (for better or worse) would probably sneak into a top 10.

    Bugsy with Beatty and Bening, the beginning of Vegas is a good one. I haven't seen Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas… have yet to be convinced it's something I want to see.

    Great list though, and be sure to have lots of fun :P… oh and also don't put up your computer to cover a bet either!

  2. If there was a bottom five Vegas movies, last year's 21 would surely make the list.

    I've been there many many times in recent year – my fiance calls it home (Henderson, actually).

    Have fun!

  3. I completely agree with Number 1. The Oceans series are great. But might there be room for National Lampoons Vegas Vacation? Chevy Chase is a hoot.

  4. @ Univarn… THE COOLER was on my shortlist, as was BUGSY – good calls.

    THE COOLER is kind of underrated now that I think about it. Maybe you should write about it on your site while I'm away.

    Don't worry – I won't be cashing in my PC for chips anytime soon.

    @ Daniel… Never seen 21, but now I'll steer clear.

    @ That Show… Crap! I forgot about Chevy!! That probably coulda found a one on this list. Oh well, guess I'll have to take a tour so I can ask "Where I can get some Dam bait??!!"

  5. Traveling to the Hoover dam on a family trip provided a thrilling experience of getting to say "dam" in front of my strict religious parent. Want to keep a secret? I was saying "damn." Thank you, Chevy.

    El Gringo
    He-Shot-Cyrus.blogspot.com

  6. Firstly congratulations on the recent nuptials, hope married life is treating you well.

    I went to Vegas as part of a three week roadtrip last year, I loved it for a day but it got a bit tedious after a while but I did win at the tables. (about $100, not being much of a gambler I was betting minimum bets on the cheapest table!)

    The list, #4-1 spot-on, can’t get excited about Honeymoon in Vegas and would also have gone for Bugsy or The Cooler with the ever brilliant William H. Macy.
    A couple of other suggestions, Leaving Las Vegas was good. I also liked My Blueberry Nights, although the few people I know who have seen all hated it.

    By the way, Ocean's Eleven, one of the few remakes better than the original!

    Finally as you will be flying home how about continue the theme and do a top five films set on a plane.

  7. Holy awesome. Enjoy Vegas! I just watched Leaving Las Vegas, which isn't really tone appropriate, but still…

  8. How did GO not make this list?!? I demand that it be placed in here somewhere.

    Other than that, I love the movies you picked. I did my own top five Vegas movies some time ago (pre-Hangover, which would likely make it), and you have 3/5 of them (I had Swingers and Go).

    Either way, enjoy your trip (it looks like you're still on it) and honeymoon. Many congrats to the both of you.

  9. @ elgringo… You rebel you!

    @ Fandango… Thanks for the well-wishes! The movies you suggested did indeed make my shortlist, so "great minds" I suppose, eh?

    And I'll file away your suggestion for a later date. After spending much of today in airports and airplanes, I really don't want to think about them anymore 🙁

    @ Blake… Hah…yeah, LLV is brilliant, and I sorta had it in mind all week as a signpost that I'd gone to a bad place.

    @ Fletch… Thanks! And how could I have forgotten GO??!! Fail!!! Though I did keep it in mind while I was gone since I was sure to steer clear of the shrimp at any buffet I went to.

  10. Good list. I'd also give "Swingers" an honourable mention, since it's practically synonymous with Vegas. To me, it feels like "Swingers" has gotten a reputation as a "bro" movie (in a bad way) when it's actually a "bro" movie in a good way (in that it doesn't forget that bros have feelings).

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