1990's Bracket; Round 2, Match 5- 5) Goodfellas vs. 12) The Usual Suspect

[Papa Shango]

The Wrestlezone Movie Tournament, 1990's Bracket;
Round 2, Match 5

Goodfellas

vs.

The Usual Suspects

 

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

GoodFellas is the type of movie that, albeit very good, is something I simply can't watch too often. I've only seen it 5 times that I can recall all the way through. Its like Casino - good enough that I knew I'd own it, but not anything that I immediately had to have the next chance I got.

The Usual Suspects, on the other hand...man. How can you not love this movie? Less boring than Goodfellas, better ending than Goodfellas, better overall acting I'd say than Goodfellas, better music....pretty much better everything. I think Goodfellas is one of those movies that have gotten a bit of an overrated aura about them. The same goes for Scarface. The more people talk about how they like it, it seems the more people like it, and Goodfellas is a movie that I've noticed a lot of people don't claim to like until they hear more than a few people say they LOVE it. Then, suddenly, its their favorite movie in the world.

The Usual Suspects.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Out of the two I'd say Goodfellas is more enjoyable. Like most Scorsese films it stars off with a really amazing couple of minutes before settling into a rhythm. The Usual Suspects is good, but it's harder to get into. And once you know the ending and you've watched it a few more times to find clues, you'll find that Goodfellas is just a better all round film.

But there's no wrong option really.

 

[Mr. TM]

Two good films that will always be considered classics, I think that I will have to wait to see what others say until I vote. I really wish more people would post in here to explain and campaign for movies. I think Goodfellas was a better story line, but I think Usual Suspects was a better film in general. I can't decide, no overall winner in my mind.

 

[Papa Shango]

A lot of people keep saying things along the lines of "movie with twist endings are only good for one viewing." I know it's been said of The Sixth Sense, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear it about The Usual Suspects. These people do not know how to enjoy film.

You can watch The Usual Suspects once, and either be blown away by the ending, or pissed off that you were tricked. But The Usual Suspects gets better every time you watch it. With each viewing you catch something you didn't notice before. And it really helps you realize the brilliance of the film, and that it truly deserved it's Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor- Kevin Spacey.

Goodfellas just doesn't have that same brilliance. I've long considered Goodfellas to be one of Martin Scorsese's more overrated films. It certainly deserved Oscars, and got screwed over by Dances with Wolves, but it's definitely not Scorsese's best, like some claim. Scorsese's best is Raging Bull, followed closely by Taxi Driver. Goodfellas is an excellent crime drama, IMO it doesn't even come close to movies like The Godfather and Pulp Fiction. There are times where the film just seems too dark, too grim, too much in a hurry to get to the climax. I prefer the first half of Goodfellas, because I actually enjoy that part of the film. But the longer the movie goes, the less I enjoy the film and the more I'm just watching. The performances are great, as is the writing and camera work. It's a great piece of filmmaking, but I just don't find myself really caring about these thoroughly irredeemable men.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

I prefer the first half of Goodfellas, because I actually enjoy that part of the film. But the longer the movie goes, the less I enjoy the film and the more I'm just watching.

Most Scorsese films are like that. That's the intention.

but I just don't find myself really caring about these thoroughly irredeemable men.

Like most films centered around bad men then? Henry Hill is an anti-hero, you can take him either way. The rest or just plain villains. You aren't supposed to like them.