I Belong To a Museum

One of my friends told me some time ago that there's too much old time sentiment in my blog.

I guess my last post didn't help change that impression.

I can't help it.

I'm sucker for things the old-fashioned way.

Which brings us to a movie I watched recently on DVD - The Cooler.

In it, Alec Bladwin plays Shelly, who runs a casino the same way since he's taken over 16 years ago. Larry, the young upstart, wants to bring the casino into the new age, transforming it as a one-stop entertainment for the entire family.

Here's a scene:

LARRY

But, the business has changed out
here. You just have to take a
look at the Strip to see what I' m
talking about.

SHELLY
You mean, that amusement park mook
fest out there? You know what
that is? That's a fucking
violation. Of something that used
to be beautiful. That used to
have class. Like a gorgeous high
priced hooker with an exclusive
clientele. And; then that Steve
Wynn cocksucker knocks her up and
puts her in a family way.

Nicky and Larry exchange looks. Marty drops his gaze into
his lap.

SHELLY
(continuing)
Now she's nothing but a cheap, fat
whore hiding behind too much makeup.
I look at her and see all
those ugly stretch marks and I
want to cry. 'Cause I remember
her as she was.

LARRY
Yes, well... there's no denying
the bottom line. Those eyesores
are raking it in. And we can't
compete against that.

SHELLY
What? You think I'm trying to
compete with that? You think this
joint's about bringing in the
stroller crowd? Fresh off some
fucking E-ticket ride, looking to
break the house on red and black.
Fremont's never been about that
bullshit. This is where old time
and real money comes to play.

LARRY
The numbers, they don't back you
up, Shelly. Nostalgia's grand.
We all love nostalgia — but it
belongs in a museum. I think it's
time to decide whether you're
running a museum or a casino.

The movie has some great dialogue and it's extremely well-written. Not to mention some fantastic acting from Alec Baldwin.

And William H Macy.

Most important of all, it's about how some things should never change.