Scorsese.

[Seymour_Glass]

So, last night I watched Taxi Driver, and I'm re-watching GoodFellas right now, and I kinda have to say that Marty is some sorta Wizard. I can't really think of an American filmmaker who has the same kind of track record, except for maybe Spielberg. So, I'm asking you: what is your favorite Scorsese film and why?

[Seymour_Glass]

Thread fail?

[obscurejude]

Sorry Seymour, I just don't have much to say. Maybe its because there are so many clones out there, particular in regards to mafia movies, but I'm just not a huge fan. A lot of it seems remarkably unremarkable, but I don't mean that disrespectfully. Its probably homage to his influence if anything.

I'm very thankful that he did his documentary on the blues. I think its a very important project and the genre needs all the awareness it can get.

[Seymour_Glass]

It's true that most mob movies out there are watered-down Scorsese. But most of them lack his comments on the American Dream and Catholic guilt.

Also, none of his imitators has made a film as affecting as Taxi Driver, imho.

[fernandito]

Goodfellas is my favorite Scorsese movie, and his best film IMO. It's so raw and powerful, and virtually every actor in that movie gives more than solid performances. Memorable dialogue, great cinematography, the works.

[jayson]

I'm very thankful that he did his documentary on the blues. I think its a very important project and the genre needs all the awareness it can get.

The blues documentary somewhat made up for The Last Waltz. I know, I know, the movie is a classic but 99% of that comes down to how spectacular The Band was as a live band. Truth of the matter is, Scorcese did a shit job with the filming and the editing.

The editing put Robertson over as the leader (and a singer) and the cameras almost ignore Richard Manuel completely (even when he was singing) and other than his solo for "The Genetic Method" pretty much ignore Garth as well (which is a travesty). Scorcese and his camera guys missed the most touching scene of the whole night, when Muddy Waters kissed Levon Helm on the forehead after his set with The Band. How's that for Scorcese's appreciation of the blues? Thankfully Levon told the story in his book.

Of course, Scorcese was among the camp that was lobbying Robbie to break up The Band and be a big star on his own despite nobody else in the band wanting to break up so it's not surprising he didn't really get the vibe onstage either. He just focused that camera on Robbie fake singing into his unplugged microphone and that was that.

Worst of all to me though is that Scorcese used a matte to edit out the giant wad of coke stuck in Neil Young's nostril. It's supposed to be a documentary. Documentaries document. Scorcese lost a lot of credibility on that one. Maybe even more than he did allowing Robbie to overdub all of his solos.

I do love Goodfellas and Mean Streets though.

[obscurejude]

In my case, beggars aren't choosers. I'm not an expert on blues and I don't play one on t.v. It is a dying genre, and its one I appreciate and don't want to see fade into oblivion. I have no issues with stadium girls screaming for all the wrong reasons when John Mayer does an SRV cover.

[Seymour_Glass]

[quote=R_of_G;399926]

I do love Goodfellas and Mean Streets though.

Vhat, no Raging Bull or Taxi Driver? Oy!!

[jayson]

I do love Goodfellas and Mean Streets though.

Vhat, no Raging Bull or Taxi Driver? Oy!!

Oh I didn't mean to suggest I didn't like those as well because I do.

[Seymour_Glass]

Okay. That was my Jewish grandmother voice, by the way. Hard to tell, but...

[Sam]

I really don't think much of Scorsese's films myself. I'm not saying his films are bad, most of them that I've seen have been fairly good. They just haven't been good enough to garner a second viewing. Akira Kurosawa on the other hand...

GREATEST DIRECTOR EVER.

[jayson]

Okay. That was my Jewish grandmother voice, by the way. Hard to tell, but...

Not too hard for me to tell. I had two of them.

[Seymour_Glass]

Niiiice.

[Seymour_Glass]

I really don't think much of Scorsese's films myself. I'm not saying his films are bad, most of them that I've seen have been fairly good. They just haven't been good enough to garner a second viewing. Akira Kurosawa on the other hand...

GREATEST DIRECTOR EVER.

Which ones have you seen? Cause I tend to forget about his output that doesn't feature awesomeness, even though I know it exists.

[Still Servant]

I love Scorsese films. I think he's one of the greatest directors of our time.

Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and Goodfellas are classics. I also really love Casino. I don't think it gets enough attention for being a great film. Mean Streets is is another solid film that gets lost in the shuffle.

I also liked his remake of Cape Fear. His more recent work is also good with Gangs of New York and The Departed. I think if The Departed was made 20 years ago we would be talking about it like we talk about films like Goodfellas.

One of his only films I don't like is The Aviator.

Marty Scorsese and Sidney Lumet are among my favorite directors of all time.

[Sam]

Which Scorsese films have I seen? Well, here we go (along with my feelings toward the film in brief).

Casino - too long and too much of a redo of Goodfellas. Interesting to see Pesci and DeNiro together, too bad it wasn't a better movie.
Gangs of New York - too long and very slow in the middle. Could have used some editing for time.
Goodfellas - very interesting film and probably his best
Taxi Driver - boring. I couldn't have possibly cared less about the characters (and I really like DeNiro as an actor).
Cape Fear - my favorite Scorsese film. A far cry from the original, but still a fun film.
Ragin Bull - an interesting character portrayal and great acting by DeNiro. Slow and kinda boring storywise though.
The Color of Money - a shadow of the original story The Hustler.

That pretty much covers the Scorsese films I've seen. I have yet to see The Departed, which I want to see, but that is pretty much where my interest ends. Sorry.

[Seymour_Glass]

Well, if you think some of his stuff is slow paced, which I guess it kinda is, you probably would enjoy the Departed. From what I remember it's pretty fast, and feels much shorter than it is.

[Seymour_Glass]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdumGs1qoXM&feature=player_embedded"]Shutter Island Trailer[/ame]

[Mattrick]

I wouldn't say I'm a big Scorcese fan but I don't hate the guy. I haven't seen Taxi Driver or Raging Bull yet (thought I own the latter) and I still have to get around to seeing Cape Fear, but I'd say my favourite flicks from him are:

The Aviator
The Departed
Casino

His worst movie is easily Bringing Out The Dead.

[Heather19]

Shutter Island Trailer

Now that looks good!!!

[Seymour_Glass]

I wouldn't say I'm a big Scorcese fan but I don't hate the guy. I haven't seen Taxi Driver or Raging Bull yet (thought I own the latter) and I still have to get around to seeing Cape Fear, but I'd say my favourite flicks from him are:

The Aviator
The Departed
Casino

His worst movie is easily Bringing Out The Dead.

Taxi Driver is, imo, his crowning achievement.

And Nic Cage was in Bringing Out the Dead. The only movies he's been good in are Adaptation, Matchstick Men and Raising Arizona.

[fernandito]

Goodfellas is his best, IMO. It was robbed of an Oscar.

[Seymour_Glass]

It was definitely robbed. Dances with Wolves was good, but.....

[jayson]

Goodfellas is his best, IMO. It was robbed of an Oscar.

no question about that

[Seymour_Glass]

So was Taxi Driver. And Raging Bull.