bloodyminded Posted February 18, 2010 Report Posted February 18, 2010 (edited) 5. Miller's Crossing Typical Coen brothers' fare, by which I mean excellence. A marriage of old-fashioned mannered, snappy, not-quite-realistic dialogue, and contemporary violence and gallows humour. Like most, or maybe all, of the Coens' films, this one is ultimately quite nihilistic. Note that the protaganist, the hero, betrays everybody. Every character, without exception. He is, along with John Turturro's Bernie Birnbaum, the least pirncipled character in the movie, though it takes a bit of reflection to realize this. 4. The Departed More nihilism. But here there IS a moral centre: Detective Queenan, played by Martin Sheen. But of course he gets murdered...and his murder is shortly followed by an almost funny succession of head-shots and splattered blood. A great movie: cops are gangsters, gangsters are cops. Sociopaths are everywhere. This is a masterpiece of pacing and character. 3. The Godfather Part 2 Robert de Niro and Al Pacino are geniuses. Enough said. 2. The Godfather The one that started it all, the revision of the gangster film into what we know it as today. There would be no gangster films—or at least they'd be utterly different than they are—if it weren't for this beautiful monstrous thing. 1. GoodFellas Pure genius. This is about the Business of the mob, which is why the title has a capital “G”, capital “F,” like a corporate logo. Flicks away, piece by violent piece, the tradition of family and loyalty in mob movies (and which The Godfather has been criticized for by some people). These gangsters are often likeable, but they're also cold-blooded killers, and quick to betray family and friends. Joe Pesci steals the show. The movie lampoons the ideal (or one ideal) of the "American dream," and closes with Sid Vicious's rendition of "My Way". Even aside from the genre, this is one of my favourite movies of all time. Edited February 18, 2010 by bloodyminded Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
bush_cheney2004 Posted February 18, 2010 Report Posted February 18, 2010 ....but these are all films made by America. How can they be the best? Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
bloodyminded Posted February 18, 2010 Author Report Posted February 18, 2010 ....but these are all films made by America. How can they be the best? Because Americans make a lot of good films. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
BubberMiley Posted February 18, 2010 Report Posted February 18, 2010 Actually, I think they were made by Americans. But I don't think anyone said the U.S. doesn't make good films. Somebody has an inferiority complex. The best gangster film, bar none, is The Public Enemy. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022286/ Quote "I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
bloodyminded Posted February 18, 2010 Author Report Posted February 18, 2010 It's a classic, but I haven't seen it, so can't comment. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
wyly Posted February 18, 2010 Report Posted February 18, 2010 hmmm I'll have to think about coming up with my own list...Godfather flicks, I've never been able to sit through them even once, usually I fall asleep...Key Largo I liked... Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill
bush_cheney2004 Posted February 18, 2010 Report Posted February 18, 2010 Because Americans make a lot of good films. That's not why at all....you just haven't seen many others from anyplace else, like The Long Good Friday . American media rules your world! Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
BubberMiley Posted February 19, 2010 Report Posted February 19, 2010 American media rules your world! Uh...yeah, we know. Quote "I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
DogOnPorch Posted February 19, 2010 Report Posted February 19, 2010 (edited) The Long Good Friday Excellent movie. Edited February 19, 2010 by DogOnPorch Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
Michael Hardner Posted February 19, 2010 Report Posted February 19, 2010 Someone pointed out the basic flaw with The Departed is that Jack Nicholson should have easily known who the snitch was from the start - it was the NEW guy. I liked that film, though, and this is a fun genre. I'm currently watching the HBO series The Wire, which is basically a 60 hour gangster film. Recommended. Quote Click to learn why Climate Change is caused by HUMANS Michael Hardner
DrGreenthumb Posted February 19, 2010 Report Posted February 19, 2010 Goodfellas is the best gangster movie of all time. Quote
bloodyminded Posted February 19, 2010 Author Report Posted February 19, 2010 (edited) That's not why at all....you just haven't seen many others from anyplace else, like The Long Good Friday . Yeah, I really should have included movies I haven't seen on to my list of movies I like. American media rules your world! What an odd thing to say. Only you could turn something as benign as a short list of admired movies into an opportunity to put your insecure nationalism on display. Edited February 19, 2010 by bloodyminded Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
bush_cheney2004 Posted February 19, 2010 Report Posted February 19, 2010 Yeah, I really should have included movies I haven't seen on to my list of movies I like. "5 Best Gangster Movies".....that's what you posted, and now you admit that your film domain is very limited. You are not qualified to propose best films if your horizon is so stunted. What an odd thing to say. Only you could turn something as benign as a short list of admired movies into an opportunity to put your insecure nationalism on display. .....it is the perfect opportunity to mock your sanctimonious rebukes of all things American, even as you suck down whatever dreck Hollywood sends your way. Pathetic..... Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
DogOnPorch Posted February 19, 2010 Report Posted February 19, 2010 Aye...there's many not mentioned. Like... Scar Face...both versions. Once Upon A Time In America Bugsy Donnie Brasco Mean Streets Casino White Heat Carlito's Way ...etc. Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
Michael Hardner Posted February 19, 2010 Report Posted February 19, 2010 .....it is the perfect opportunity to mock your sanctimonious rebukes of all things American, even as you suck down whatever dreck Hollywood sends your way. Pathetic..... You have to understsand, B_C, that animosity towards American things doesn't include things that we "liberals" () love about America: Dylan, The Simpsons, Rock N Roll, Jazz, Woodstock, (BurningMan for me), gay and women's lib, fad diets... the list is unlimited really. Quote Click to learn why Climate Change is caused by HUMANS Michael Hardner
bloodyminded Posted February 19, 2010 Author Report Posted February 19, 2010 "5 Best Gangster Movies".....that's what you posted, and now you admit that your film domain is very limited. You are not qualified to propose best films if your horizon is so stunted. "Not qualified." Listen to yourself, inventing an issue where none exists. Ridiculous. .....it is the perfect opportunity to mock your sanctimonious rebukes of all things American, even as you suck down whatever dreck Hollywood sends your way. Pathetic..... I don't "rebuke all things American." By definition of this very thread. You're not too quick-witted, are you? Again, you're just insecure and hyper-sensitive. Relax and grow a pair, little guy. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
bush_cheney2004 Posted February 19, 2010 Report Posted February 19, 2010 "Not qualified." Listen to yourself, inventing an issue where none exists. Ridiculous. Listen to yourself....running from an ass whupping! I don't "rebuke all things American." By definition of this very thread. ...but not other threads. Payback is a bitch You're not too quick-witted, are you? Again, you're just insecure and hyper-sensitive. Relax and grow a pair, little guy. Yup...yup....I'm just a stupid, insecure nationalist that will call out your smug crap whenever I see it. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
bloodyminded Posted February 19, 2010 Author Report Posted February 19, 2010 Aye...there's many not mentioned. Like... Scar Face...both versions. Once Upon A Time In America Bugsy Donnie Brasco Mean Streets Casino White Heat Carlito's Way ...etc. I did consider "Casino" and "Scarface," but I like the others better. I don't rate "Donny Brasco" at all. That's just a so-so movie. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
KeyStone Posted February 19, 2010 Report Posted February 19, 2010 I never liked the GodFather movies, and I despised GoodFellas. Joe Pesci as the tough guy just doesn't work for me. Generally though, I'm not that keen on movies that idolize gangsters who have no problem killing people, but they're kind to their friends and family, so we're supposed to have some respect for them. The Departed wasn't really your typical gangster movie. It was awesome. I liked Donnie Brasco a lot as well as the Untouchables. Generally, I like my gangster movies with a few good guys thrown in. Quote
DogOnPorch Posted February 19, 2010 Report Posted February 19, 2010 (edited) I did consider "Casino" and "Scarface," but I like the others better. I don't rate "Donny Brasco" at all. That's just a so-so movie. Meh...loved the 'Lefty' character in DB. Once Upon A Time In America is still my personal favorite. The old New York scenes are just great, much like in GF2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzhX2PD6Srw Edited February 19, 2010 by DogOnPorch Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
Oleg Bach Posted February 20, 2010 Report Posted February 20, 2010 LOOK AT ME NOW MAW..I am on top of the world as James Cagney fires of a round from his thirty eight Smith and Wesson..blowing up the huge sphere of volitle gas that he is standing on - best gangster scene ever - and it ended well in a Milton sort of way. Quote
DogOnPorch Posted February 20, 2010 Report Posted February 20, 2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhIZ9URHlrQ The Final Scene... Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
Oleg Bach Posted February 20, 2010 Report Posted February 20, 2010 People just love to see those machine gun killings...It might be the facination or the thought of - If I was being filled with copper coated lead rounds whould I bother to twitch about or would their be auto-reactions to the shreding of long muscle fiber that causes contractions? Just a morbid thought to go along with yours. Quote
August1991 Posted February 20, 2010 Report Posted February 20, 2010 Aye...there's many not mentioned. Like... Scar Face...both versions. Once Upon A Time In America Bugsy Donnie Brasco Mean Streets Casino White Heat Carlito's Way I thought of some of these too. I once thought Casino was a good gangster movie but its violence was simply too graphic. Scorcese is the Sam Peckinpah of the modern era and he replaces true art with fake violence.But the movie that really struck me is Sexy Beast because of the character played by Ben Kingsley. He's generally quiet and cool, sarcastic, but there's a scene where Kingsley captures the terrifying psychopathy of two-bit criminals. Quote
Oleg Bach Posted February 20, 2010 Report Posted February 20, 2010 Kingsley does a good job as a bad guy. Quote
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