High rollers in Indian casinos, hookers in Saipan, a murdered Greek tycoon, Cold War spy novels, plush trips to paradise . . . and the United States Congress. These are among the intriguing clues that add up to the epic mystery behind one of the greatest attempted heists in American history.
It’s a twisting tale in which a small group of charming con men use the power of the purse, the zealotry of religion and bare-knuckled political brawling to loot the American government for fun, ideals and profit. It’s about ambitious young men who wanted to change the world, the politicians who needed their money, the corporations and gambling-rich tribes who desired their influence — and how millions were extorted and the foundations of our democracy imperiled in the toxic mix of power and cash.
From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney (Taxi to The Dark Side, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room) comes the outrageous inside story of CASINO JACK And The United States Of Money. Revealing our broken system of lobbying and campaign finance, the film is a true American comedy . . . but the joke is alarmingly on us. Gibney exposes the inner workings of an out-of-control system by following the incredible trail of megalobbyist Jack Abramoff, a.k.a. Casino Jack, as he rises to Washington’s most sought-after power merchant and falls as a disgraced convict. Featuring insider accounts from those closest to the now-jailed Abramoff – including former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (resigned), former Congressman Bob Ney (served 17 months), Ney’s former Chief of Staff Neil Volz (sentenced to probation and community service) and Abramoff associate Adam Kidan (served 26 months) – the film is the most disturbing and audaciously entertaining look at rapacious greed, corruption and thirst for power since, well, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room.
A once successful Manhattan mogul who owned a chain of car dealerships finds himself on the brink of a fantastic comeback. His marriage and businesses were lost to him through a series of indiscretions of romantic and financial natures. His new girlfriend has a father that is offering him a second lease on life, but the one catch is he has to take his girlfriend’s daughter on a weekend college visit where he absolutely must behave himself or lose everything.
Exit Through the Gift Shop, the first film by renowned graffiti artist Banksy, became the hottest ticket at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival where it made its world debut. Banksy is a graffiti artist with a global reputation whose work can be seen on walls from post-hurricane New Orleans to the separation barrier on the Palestinian West Bank. Fiercely guarding his anonymity to avoid prosecution, Banksy has so far resisted all attempts to be captured on film. Exit Through the Gift Shop tells the incredible true story of how an eccentric French shop keeper turned documentary maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner – with spectacular results. The film contains exclusive footage of Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Invader and many of the world’s most infamous graffiti artists at work, on walls and in interview. As Banksy describes it, “It’s basically the story of how one man set out to film the un-filmable. And failed.”
Angelina Jolie stars as Evelyn Salt, a CIA officer who swore an oath to duty, honor, and country. When she is accused by a defector of being a Russian sleeper spy, Salt goes on the run to clear her name and ultimately prove she is a patriot. Using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative, she must elude capture and protect her husband or the world’s most powerful forces will erase any trace of her existence.
Liev Schreiber stars as Winter, Salt’s boss and friend on the Russian desk at the CIA, and Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Peabody, a CIA counter-intelligence officer.
