Cold Deck (2015) User Reviews

Flush beats trips

[nogodnomasters · 4/10 · 21 February 2019]

This is a film with a highly flawed protagonist that you feel is going to end like a Greek tragedy. Bobby (Stéfano Gallo) is addicted to gambling. Poker, on-line, sports, scratch-offs. He is a loser looking for the right game. He cares for an arthritic mother. He steals from her to support his habit. Stealing is also not an issue for him. He has a pretty girlfriend (Jessica Sipos) and has a punk cigarette behind his ear, even in bed. He plays poker with Chips (Paul Sorvino). He is drawn to Chips like a moth to a flame.

A short unlikely film with a bunch of underdeveloped characters. Robbing the poker game has been done before and better.

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.

why?

[runfullblastatthelion · 14 July 2017]

The writer is a dope. Think about how many people in the world have $15,000 cash just laying around. Now imagine you were a mother and had a son, not to mention an ex-husband who has a history of gambling problems. Why would you have and keep $15,000 cash, sitting in a little, unlocked box on your nightstand?

To me watching a movie like this makes me feel that all it takes to write a movie is hard work. Having a good mind is unimportant.

The characters in this movie are far from authentic.

Full of plot holes with unlikeable characters

[mike_brunton · 1/10 · 6 December 2015]

I had to edit this review at my absolute disgust at the IMDb rating of 8 out of 10 given to this lacklustre, clichéd movie. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) got 8.3/10 -a masterpiece. It is disgraceful that people are blatantly lying on this website and falsely boosting the ratings to make people think this is some poker genre masterpiece. I have changed my rating to one, to express my annoyance. First off, I was pleased and thanked God this movie only ran for 80 minutes, it was an extremely flimsy attempt at cashing in on the whole poker genre.

The story line was extremely weak with no substance. Similar to the movie The Gambler, we are introduced to a complete loser, a loser so bad, he steals his mother's life savings in order to play in a high stakes poker game. He loses of course to the owner of a gambling club where he has lost all his money. This guy (Paul Sorvino) wins $250,000 that night, is a rich man, but somehow persuades the loser to break into the game later and steal the $250,000 on offer, for which he will get $100,000. Are you getting this ? You take all the risk, break the law, risk getting killed or arrested and then after, hand over $150,000 to somebody who suggested you should do a robbery ! No sense at all. This loser has a smoking hot blonde babe girlfriend ,who loves him despite being a total loser, a mum who forgives him. A deceased dad who was a loser gambler as well. The finale was ridiculous in so many ways, somehow everyone dies, and he just escapes scot free from the situation in order to reform himself and suddenly decide to enrol in college and do a degree in electrical engineering or something. No questions about his debts, his mother's huge medical bills and nursing costs. No, just one big happy ending. Personally, I would have been happier to see the guy die. As before I give this movie 1/10 for the blatant lies of reviewers trying to boost this movies ratings.

Stylish film noir!

[paul-ayres-60784 · 7/10 · 14 February 2019]

Watching this movie kept me glued to the screen from start to finish. The characters were very well constructed and the dialog really strong. The cast were well chosen, the story interesting and I particularly like the focus into the dangers of gambling. Very well directed productions of simple tales make very easy watching. This is one of them.

Complete waste of time...

[incense_77 · 3/10 · 14 December 2015]

Honestly I was really expecting at least something decent from the initial ratings and the various comments/reviews that I read through here, but probably they were just the effort of the relatives of the actors that participated, cause I really don't understand how would someone express praise for such flat movie, with uninspiring typical plot full of naivety and such mediocre performances. There's really nothing worthwhile in it, something that would make it stand out of the countless other movies with similar theme, not even the abs of the protagonist that would had surely dazzled every female adolescent out there, thus explaining the high rating.The scenario was full of holes and everything, from the production to the directing and the dialogue, seemed poorly made, while the acting was far from adequate.

3/10 and that because I'm feeling generous.

Fold'em, pre-flop.

[rgiamaios · 3/10 · 10 December 2015]

A movie about poker which is not actually about poker. With a lead that is a brilliant poker player -- only he's not. This film wants to do everything, while succeeding at nearly nothing. The writing is mostly flaws, clichés and fraudulent ambitions. It's all there: the handsome lead, the pretty damsel, the goofy friend, the go-crazy villain with his trademark axe-musket (?), and a plot which tricks you into thinking is about cards, while it's all about plot holes, bad dialogues, scenes we've seen a thousand times before and, mainly, plot gimmicks failing at the start line.

If this movie contains even a hint of authenticity, it's because of Paul Sorvino and Robert Knepper. Given the script they had to work with, they did the best they had.

Another Solid Gambling Movie

[sportsbros808 · 8/10 · 22 April 2016]

A few yeas ago I used to play a lot of poker, online and otherwise, so I may have a different take on this movie than most. To start off, I liked the movie overall. I'm not too sure what all the negative reviews are about.

Let's start with the lead actor, Stefano Gallo. He plays Bobby, a down on his luck player who just can't seen to do anything right. He steal from his sick mother in order to play more poker. He is an unlikable character, but guess what, there are plenty of unlikable people in the gambling world. Not all movies characters have to be likable. If Paul Rudd was in the lead this would probably be a different film.

And Gallo does an admirable job; it is really hard to root for his character because he plays a bastard so well.

Next, let's talk about the plot. Yes, it is similar to many other "gambling films" that have come out in the past. Rounders, 21, Runner Runner, etc; they all have similar plots. What Cold Deck does not have is their budget. For a small budget film director, Zack Bernbaum, does a solid job.

Paul Sorvino delivers a great performance as Chips, the "kingpin" of this particular group of lowlifes. He is essentially playing the Teddy KGB role in this film.

Nearly all gambling films share many of the same plot points so aspects of this film will seem familiar. The only difference between Cold Deck and the others is the budget. So, I will recommend this film for those of us who like gambling stories and who like seeing character who are flawed but still human.

Cold Deck is a Winning Hand

[geraldyelverton · 9/10 · 6 December 2015]

I recently had the pleasure of screening a Canadian independent film called "Cold Deck". I must say that it is a definite recommend.

"Cold Deck" follows a down on his luck poker player who has time and time again come up short in his underground playing pursuits, so much so that he has wrecked his sick mother's bank account. In an effort to win back his losses, help his mother and leave the game for good, he takes the offer of a boss to completely unravel a high stakes, underground game with a can't lose plan.

Initially, one would liken this to other high stakes card game films like "21" or "Rounders", but "Cold Deck" stands on its own, mostly due to lead actor and co-writer Stefano Gallo. His portrayal as the everyman is authentic and seemingly effortless. Often, an actor playing this type of character would be persuaded to overact or play with an unrealistic degree of intensity. Gallo does not succumb to that pressure. I was unfamiliar with his previous work before viewing this film, but I am definitely planning to seek out ways to watch his other performances.

Gallo is aided by top talent Paul Sorvino, who fans will recognize from "Good Fellas", "Romeo + Juliet" and "Law & Order". Sorvino plays the character Chip, who offers Gallo's character a way to cash in with one last score.

The writing is intelligent, the acting is superb and the drama and suspense is plentiful in this high stakes thriller. I definitely recommend anyone who is a fan of good movies to seek this one out.

We'll start with 20 chips - no limit

[stephenfairweather · 10/10 · 14 November 2016]

Its ****. The story's ****. The characters are ****. The sets are ****. Its just total **** from start to finish.

But don't let that stop you from watching this blockbuster. Especially if you like poker like myself. There's a lot to learn. Ever wondered why poker tables are all pretty much the standard one size? This film will put your mind at rest in that department. No more sleepless nights. The table used in this film must have been picked up from the skip round the back of Buckingham Palace. The f***ing thing probably doubled up as a green screen.

Any then there's the story. Its the same old usual story. Man loses money. Man steals money to cover his losses. Man gets chased for said money by a guy with heavy socks. Man finds out his girlfriend once shagged his boss. Man somehow squeezes his way out of trouble by talking ****.

Then to top it off the final battle. The ultimate showdown. The big game.....20 chips no limit. I was on the edge of my f***ing seat at this point. The noose was around my neck and I was just about to jump and then BOOOOM the final hand. The only hand. With absolutely **** all on the line. The intensity. Then everyone gets shot. Standard.

In all honesty I was fully erect throughout. Worth a watch. Peace.

"We'll start with 20 chips. No limit!"

[andrew090586-230-389901 · 10/10 · 14 November 2016]

I don't know what to write. I don't know where to start.

I'll start with this. I like a gamble. But Cold Deck is my new addiction. If you love a laugh out loud comedy. Cold Deck is definitely the hand for you!!

Gather your tissues ladies and Gents. This is a ride not to be missed. It has everything. Over sized poker tables, bad guys wearing brown socks, Cheap one-liners, A bookie bedding Dame, High-octane action, a scratch card gone wrong, a good guy gone stupid, a living room turned Gambling racket and a very large Birthday cake.

Mix it all together with that Mob boss from Goodfellas and you have your perfect comedy!!

This flick is not just worth a watch, no! It's worth praying too! Enjoy responsibly.

Worth Watching - Fun Indie Flick

[Fairyangel1107 · 8/10 · 21 May 2020]

Picked up this DVD at the 99cent store surprise impulse buy; This film to me had a certain charm and maverick independent film spirit to it; I loved the nuance and use of cutaways of city materials like simple poles and banisters as we set up for the scene; nice touches that you'll know what i'm talking about when you see it. Well casted & Impressive performances overall and all around; (w one obvious known figure in Paul Sorvino) Excellent location and post sound mix.

I enjoyed it and am a little surprised to see the number of negative reviews. It's a kool indie flick definitely worth stumbling upon.

(the poker scenes felt fresh to me; it wasn't like re-watching john malkovich play matt damon in rounders; there's some fresh angles here).