The Netflix service is increasing in popularity all the time but that success means that it has to work hard in order to meet demand. One of the big plus points of the platform came when productions were produced and released exclusively. This means that they can’t be watched anywhere else and that’s a big factor in terms of take up.

Netflix also has to keep adding popular films, documentaries, comedies and more to its roster and one of the more welcome additions in recent weeks is the movie Molly’s Game.

All In

Molly's GameMolly’s Game was released in 2017 and it tells the true story of former Olympic Athlete Molly Bloom who, having been made to retire from competitive sport due to injury, was forced to turn her talents elsewhere. Bloom duly opened poker rooms in the US but her subsequent decision to take a rake from those games attracted the attention of the Feds.

Bloom had some high profile clients on her books and while the exact list of participants is open to some conjecture, it’s certain to have included big names from the worlds of sport and showbiz. The 2017 release, starring Jessica Chastain in the leading role, is sure to be a big hit with Netflix viewers but will it pave the way for other high stakes films to appear on the service?

Casino Royale (2006)

Netflix is a little patchy when it comes to coverage of James Bond films and that’s something that could change in the future. Like all movies, the schedule is subject to change but it’s common to see Pierce Brosnan and Timothy Dalton appear at the exclusion of others.

casino royaleOne classic Bond film that should be returning to the screens is the 2006 release of Casino Royale which marked the debut of current 007 Daniel Craig. In this movie, the focal point is a high stakes battle of Texas Hold’Em which sees Bond attempting to scoop the pot and bankrupt the villain of the piece – Mads Mikkelsen’s Le Chiffre – in the process.

It’s a typically thrilling ride for our new 007 and this 2006 version of Casino Royale would surely make for a welcome addition to the Netflix roster.

Oceans 13

Ocean's ThirteenIt’s not all about poker play and many great films have harnessed other casino games to produce a true classic. According to roulettesites.org, the best high stakes roulette casinos are a big draw for players and film fans alike so it’s no great surprise that related movies are in high demand.

Like a number of film series, the Oceans story tends to come and go on Netflix but the absence of Oceans 13 from the roster is threatening to be a permanent one. That would be a great shame because many suggest that this sequel is the best of them all.

oceans 13All of our leading male characters are back, including Brad Pitt, Matt Damon Andy Garcia and George Clooney. Danny Ocean takes centre stage again and this time, he is looking to avenge a friend who has gone into business with a rogue partner. In this all-action picture, Ocean and his crew are tasked with taking back a new hotel/casino on the Las Vegas strip and there is a ton of drama and fun to be found along the way.

The Cincinnati Kid

the cincinnati kidA poker film that stars Steve Mcqueen is surely a must-have for any streaming service and The Cincinnati Kid would make a fine addition to the NetFlix roster. The Edward G. Robinson film first hit the box office in 1965 and is one of the most enduring high stakes movies to have come out of the genre.

This is a classic tale of a battle against the odds and in this picture, the Kid is up against an old master. Based on the 1963 novel of the same name by Richard Jessup, Steve Mcqueen takes the part of the kid – Eric Stoner – as he takes on the established Lancey ‘The Man’ Howard, played by Robinson.

Oddly enough, the Kid doesn’t come out on top as new viewers might expect as he is dealt a valuable lesson at the hands of the master. It’s one of the more intriguing and cleverly written high stakes films and deserves more showings despite that lack of a happy ending.

Catching Up

Movie lovers may all have different tastes but fans of action films all demand certain, similar elements. Within the high stakes genre there is the need for a great heist, a rise against the odds and the climax where our heroes scoop the pot.

Molly’s Game will lead the way as far as film fans are concerned and it’s a movie that adds a strong element of mystery and intrigue along the way. Netflix isn’t exactly short of similar fare but by adding some, or preferably all, of the additional titles in this round up, they may make our viewing needs complete.