Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

Admirable film.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

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.

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.

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.

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.