Tri-Top: Martin Scorsese

[Mr. TM]

The master of Gangster movie, the guy who makes those movies where men can be men while watching them, this is a director who has created some of Hollywood's favourite gritty films. His work with Robert De Niro has created stars out of both of them, De Niro in front of the camera, Scorsese behind.

Taxi Driver- "Are you talkin' to me?" became one of America's favourite film quotes as a very young De Niro was given life by Scorsese. The film was created perfectly, with the darkness needed for such a film, with the isolation need to build the character, and the feel that the characters were all playing a real part.

Raging Bull- I hope my third pick isn't a De Niro film, but it may be. These two, like I said connect with each other so well, that one discounts any faults this movie has. A great story, a great sports story, and a great view of the director. The film's true quality is its ability to make you connect with the fighter in an almost brutal and uncomfortable way.

The Aviator- Alright, I didn't pick GoodFellas, someone else can have it. That is because I have chosen The Aviator, a fantastic film about the life of Howard Hughes. My argument that it was Scorsese that made his movies great and not De Niro, was because of how great Martin works with Leonardo DiCaprio in this film. Just like Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, our center figure is given an amazing personality that Scorsese capitalizes on to drag you into his film.

 

[X]

While Goodfellas is a simply amazing film, it's become a tad bit overrated over the years, just like Scarface. Excellent, excellent films, but not the best work by Scorsese. That says alot when freakin' Goodfella's isn't your best film, you have got to be a pretty amazing director.

Personally my favorite Scorsese film is probably Mean Streets, his real first gangster film. One of the very first films that Scrosese, Harvey Keitel, and Robert De Niro ever did, and some of their best work. De Niro's "Johnny Boy" character is one of his most underrated roles, playing the wreckless almost-punk rock kind of rebel that he'd reprise a few years later in Taxi Driver. And it's easily Keitel's best work. Alot of people think Bad Lieutenant is Keitel's best work, but personally I think his character of Charlie in Mean Streets is the quintessential Scorsese character. Tough Italian-Americans with Catholic backrounds trying to cope with the world of tough guys that surrounds him. If you've never seen it, check it out.

 

[jmt225]

Mean Streets is actually my least favorite film from Scorsese. I just thought there was no real plot and that it moved along really slowly. But I do understand and see how that film change filmmaking forever.

Anyway, Martin Scorsese is by far my favorite Director of all time, so I absolutely love a lot of his work. But it is fairly easy to narrow it down to 3.

3. Goodfellas - This was the very first Scorsese movie I've had the pleasure of ever witnessing, and it remains a favorite even after all these years. Everything about it is nearly perfect. The acting, narration, the look of the film... everything. I love it to pieces.

2. Raging Bull - I saw this for the first time just a couple of years ago, and it was truly fantastic. This film contains probably the greatest acting performance in the history of cinema with the portrait Robert De Niro puts on as Jake Lamotta. At least, in my opinion it does. I know I haven't seen anything yet that I thought was truly better. But the film includes everything you could ever want in a movie... drama, violence, and comedy. Great, great film.

1. The Departed - Other than Pulp Fiction, The Karate Kid, and The Rules of Attraction... there's not a movie I watched more times than this one. And it came out in 2006. That alone says something about my love for this movie. The acting is superb, and Scorsese just did a wonderful job with this picture. There is truly not one flaw about it in my mind.

Honorable mentions (in order, too):
Casino
Taxi Driver
Cape Fear
The Aviator
The Last Temptation of Christ
Kundun
The Color of Money
The Age of Innocence
Shine a Light

 

[Mr. Steve]

Saw this thread and I got to post here because Scorcese is the greatest!

Top three(two of them are my all time faves)
Taxi Driver-It's a classic all on its own.
Gangs of New York- I know, I know. It's a favorite of mine, and Liam neeson's short cameo is brilliant. Actually, I learned much of Scorseses's work with that film.
The Departed-He hit the big time with this one! it's probably flawless, and I've must've watched it like 20 times since it came out.