My top 5 fave Scorsese flicks:
5. Casino
Goodfellas, Las Vegas style.
Well, not really, but close enough.
What Martin Scorcese reveals of the inner-workings of the mafia lifestyle in Goodfellas, he now sheds light onto in this film about the relationship between the casino & the Cosa Nostra. And just as we saw in "Fellas" the manner in which a mobster's greed & violence will cause him to jump into a situation without much regard to the consequences, we now see in this movie how that same greed & violence can affect a good hand in what should've been the only safe bet in of all of Vegas.
In short, a story of how the mob had a good thing, but ruined it with same characteristics that helped them to get it in the first place.
Because, in the City of Sin, even "La Familia" has got to know when to hold 'em,
& know when to fold 'em.
4. Last Temptation Of Christ
Best.
Jesus.
Movie.
Ever.
3. Raging Bull
Best.
Boxing.
Movie.
Ever.
Seriously, though.....
do I really need to explain this one?
2. Taxi Driver
In my opinion, this was the first film to establish Robert Deniro's persona-stereotyped method of acting that he's known for even up until to this day.
And that's probably more because the film's director, Martin Scorcese really seemed to allow Deniro's mannerisms to freight this portrayal of a cab diver whose loniless in the vast sea of grime that was '70's era New York City to consume him to the point of razor-edged madness.
It was an acting freedom that Scorces used to maximum effect also allowed also with the suporting characters, including Jodie Foster, Cybil Sheperd, Harvey Keitel, Albert Brooks & Danny Boyle.
While Martin Scorcese is more famous for his mafia-themed films, I feel that his talent for depicting the grit of the streets, particularly of the time-period cannot be understated & is what really carries the feel & weight of this film.
A true staple in the decade of 70's films, that I just enjoy watching over & over again.
And yeah.....
I'm talking to you.
1. Goodfellas
"You know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like you said to, uh, somebody, 'You're gonna like this guy. He's all right. He's a goodfella. He's one of us. You understand?' We were goodfellas. Wiseguys."
When it comes to gangster movies, you just can't beat this one for charismatic energy. Goodfellas is my favorite Martin Scorcese film, for several reasons, but one of the main ones being the manner in which he pays close attention to the minute details that the members of a 60's-70's mafia family engage in for the sake of maintaining the lifestyle that they have so become accustomed to. Also, the way that the accomplished director progresses the story as to show how that type of self-contained lifestyle can only eventually crumble as the "normal" world outside of the Cosa Nostra continually changes & evolves.
And in the end, no matter how much of a goodfella you may be, you will either end up in prison, getting whacked, or the worst of 'em all, living the rest of your life like a schnook.