Shade Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Card sharks get double-crossed in a series of escalating poker games, proving that in LA, everyone’s a con artist and nobody can shuffle cards without breaking a sweat.

🍿 Shade: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to the World of Poker Hustlers

The movie introduces viewers to the underground world of poker hustlers in Los Angeles. Vernon, a skilled card mechanic, works with Charlie and Tiffany, a team of seasoned con artists. They target high-stakes games, using their skills to cheat and swindle unsuspecting players.

The Plan to Take Down ‘The Dean’

The group sets their sights on ‘The Dean,’ a legendary poker player known for his unbeatable skills and rumored cheating. This becomes their ultimate score, promising a huge payout if they can successfully con him. The risks are high, as ‘The Dean’ is a formidable opponent with connections and a reputation to protect.

Unexpected Twists and Double-Crosses

As the plan unfolds, unexpected twists and betrayals complicate matters. Larry, a member of their team, makes a reckless move that puts them in debt with a dangerous gangster. This forces them to navigate a web of deceit and danger while trying to stay one step ahead of their enemies.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Vernon (Stuart Townsend): A skilled card mechanic who gets involved with a group of hustlers for a big score.
• Charlie Miller (Gabriel Byrne): A seasoned con artist who orchestrates a scheme to take down ‘The Dean’.
• Tiffany (Thandiwe Newton): A cunning member of the hustling group, known for her deceptive tactics.
• Jennings (Jamie Foxx): A confident gambler who gets in over his head with a dangerous scheme.
• Stevens (The Dean) (Sylvester Stallone): A legendary card shark known as ‘The Dean,’ who becomes the target of a high-stakes con.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Marlo: “Excuse me, I’m vibrating.” – Said by the mob enforcer Marlo, delivering a darkly humorous threat.
• Vernon: “You were good, kid, but as long as I’m around, you’ll always be second best.” – Vernon, after revealing his plan.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $25,032
• Worldwide Gross: $459,098

💥 Shade Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed ‘Shade’ for its unexpected twists and stylish vibe. The card tricks were mesmerizing, and it kept me guessing until the very end. While it might not be a perfect film, it sucked me in and didn’t let go until the final credits rolled. I felt like I had been hustled myself, and in the best way possible. The pacing, the performances, and the music were spot on. If you are looking for something fresh this could be it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of heist movies”
  • “Poker enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in card magic and manipulation”
  • “Fans of the cast (Sylvester Stallone, Gabriel Byrne, Jamie Foxx)”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Violence”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Suggestive themes”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Though ‘Shade’ is no ‘House Of Games’ or ‘Nine Queens’, it’s better than you might expect for a film that barely got a theatrical release. The poker scenes are entertaining, and there are many good performances (Townsend, Foxx, Byrne). The weak links are Stallone and Griffith, who look awful in this film.
• IMDb: “Shade is a decent enough con movie to be worth watching, and while it has a few problems, that doesn’t stop it being enjoyable. The film looks good, sounds good, and the performances are effective enough. However, the final plot twist seemed a bit unnecessary.
• IMDb: “As a professional poker dealer for over 25 years I found this movie very hard to watch. Too unreal. The card tricks are something you never would see performed in a real poker game. The cheating was amateur stuff. Palming, marked cards, etc. It seems the producers of this movie either had done little or no research or just didn’t care.

Audience Reactions

The card tricks are mesmerizing and add a layer of cool to the movie.: Many viewers praised the movie for its unexpected twists and turns.

Stallone delivers a surprisingly good performance.: Many appreciate that the film maintained an intense storyline until the end.

Overall Consensus: A stylish crime thriller with plenty of twists and great performances, though some find it unrealistic.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Writer/director Damian Nieman is a real-life card mechanic and sleight of hand expert. His hands are featured in the opening credits, along with other professional card handlers.”
• “Damian Nieman, R. Paul Wilson, Jason England, and Earl Nelson taught Sylvester Stallone and Stuart Townsend how to perform their card tricks for the film.”
• “Many of the characters are named after famous magicians as an homage to the world of card manipulation and illusion.”

🖥️ How to Watch Shade?

As of October 2024, ‘Shade’ is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these platforms for current pricing and availability in your region. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) may also be available through online retailers or local stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Shade, you might like these similar films:

• Rounders (1998): Explores the world of high-stakes poker and hustlers, focusing on skill and deception.
• The Sting (1973): Classic con movie with elaborate schemes and unexpected twists, similar to the complex plot of Shade.
• House of Games (1987): Mamet’s suspenseful thriller explores the dangerous world of confidence games and manipulation.
• Confidence (2003): Another modern con movie with multiple double-crosses and a stylish presentation, appealing to fans of intricate plots.

🛒 Shade Related Products

• World Poker Tour: Complete Series: Relive the excitement of high-stakes poker with complete seasons of the World Poker Tour. Featuring legendary players and thrilling hands, this is a must-have for any fan of the game.
• Bicycle Playing Cards – 12 Deck Case: A full case of Bicycle playing cards, the industry standard for poker games and card tricks. Perfect for practicing your own mechanics skills or hosting a high-stakes game.
• Trademark Poker 1000 Dice Style 11.5 Gram Poker Chips Set with Aluminum Case: Enhance your poker nights with this professional-grade poker chip set. Includes 1000 dice-style chips, an aluminum case, and accessories for a complete gaming experience.
• Hoyle Waterproof Playing Cards, 2 Decks: Durable and waterproof playing cards for any setting. Great for practicing card tricks or playing poker in any environment.

🎧 Soundtrack

Shade features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Violin Sonata No.25 K.301, 2nd movement” – performed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• “Shade” – performed by Chris Young

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

What the hellare you laughing at? We fight in the shade. | 300 (2006) #movie #film

Remember that epic line from ‘300’? Check out this short clip of Leonidas delivering it with pure Spartan swagger. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to fight in the shade after seeing this?

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