Casino

by Martin Scorsese Golden Icon Award: Sharon Stone

Las Vegas, 1973: the Mafia hires the wily Sam “Ace” Rothstein to oversee day-to-day operations at the Tangiers Casino. His bodyguard is the unscrupulous henchman Nicky Santoro. With Sam’s iron-fist leadership style and Nicky’s brute force, the two quickly build up a huge empire. Sam becomes vulnerable, however, when he falls in love with the shrewd high-class prostitute Ginger McKenna. Nicky also loses himself in an intoxicating whirlwind of excess before eventually succumbing to Ginger’s charms. Sharon Stone delivers a stunning performance alongside Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in this epic mob drama from cult director Martin Scorsese. There has never been a stronger female character in a Scorsese movie. The role earned Stone a Golden Globe and an Oscar Nomination.