My Top 10 Martin Scorsese Films
I do consider myself a full time Martin Scorsese fan, however, in the interest in full disclosure, I have a confession. I haven't seen Boxcar Bertha, New York, New York, After Hours, The Color of Money, Age of Innocence, Kundun, or Bringing out the Dead but every other movie didn't make the top 10 list for a reason.
As per usual, the comment section is below for you to vehemently disagree with my ranking or- and I'm not really holding out hope here- begrudgingly agree.
Film/Ranking:
#10- Taxi Driver (1976)
Highlights:
Basically anytime Robert De Niro has an encounter with another human being in this movie. It's compelling to watch him try (or sometimes not even try) and reconcile his world beliefs with how things really are.
Low points:
Of all the "did the ending really happen" movies I've seen, this one always frustrates me. I should revisit this film, however, I just kind of disengage once the final blood bath starts taking place and the idea that it was all in Travis' head just doesn't sit well with me.
Film/Ranking:
#9- The King of Comedy (1982)
Highlights:
Instead of a forceful Bobby D, we get to enjoy Rupert Pupkin kill them with kindness. That is to say that he seems harmless enough and waiting for that volcano to erupt is fun. I also appreciated being able to see Jerry Lewis not act like the way Animaniacs introduced me to him.
Low points:
There's something about a Martin Scorsese film that feels better with obscene swearing. Not every movie needs that, and in fact, I always appreciate films that don't make me think about the lack of swearing going on. But, this movie just feels a bit de-clawed due to the PG guidelines of a movie that definitely could have benefited from a lack of those constraints.
Film/Ranking:
#8- Casino (1995)
Highlights:
This goes for most Scorsese films but I see no harm in putting it down here: homeboy has great soundtracks! This movie also features my favourite Martin Scorsese dynamic duo in Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.
Low points:
I feel like you're either a Casino or Goodfellas type of person. They're such similar films that you probably have strong feelings about which one is better (or maybe that's just me). Either way I like this movie less than Goodfellas while still enjoying it on the whole.
Film/Ranking:
#7- Cape Fear (1991)
Highlights:
Believe it or not, this movie actually benefited from me seeing a lot of parodies from it in The Simpsons and even Nutty Professor II: The Klumps. I also got caught up in Max Cady's pseudo philosophies.
Low points:
As much fun as I had with Robert De Niro as the villain, he did get pretty cartoonish with the accent and some of his actions. I get that this was a thriller on the verge of horror, but I felt like it could have done without some of the more gory scenes.
Film/Ranking:
#6- Gangs of New York (2002)
Highlights:
If you think that this movie has anything else going for it other than Daniel Day-Lewis, then you're out to lunch! Coming from someone who only very recently got on board with Daniel Day Lewis, (and even said "why didn't they just cast Bobby?" the first time he saw the movie) trust me when I say Bill The Butcher emerges from an amazing opening sequence and makes sure that you never have time to think about anything else.
Low points:
The accents from Leo D and Cameron D come and go as they please and I feel like if there were different actors in some key roles this movie could have been a real mess.
Film/Ranking:
#5- Mean Streets (1973)
Highlights:
Robert De Niro, is the reason I stuck with this movie. He's the reason he's so high up on this list. He's electric (trust me I hated writing that more than you hated reading it) in this movie and that propels this movie into top 5 territory.
Low points:
As someone who has never made a feature length film but enjoys making them, I hope you're not offended when I say this movie feels like a first attempt. An amazing first attempt, but still.
Film/Ranking:
#4- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Highlights:
Leonardo DiCaprio should have had an Oscar by now! This movie is 3 hours of Leo showing you why that's true. Not only is he killing the line delivery but he's using his whole body to make this character come to life! He's so good in this movie, that people still feel bad for him when he goes to jail after he's punched his wife twice and put his toddler through a car accident.
Low points:
If I had to say something it would have to be the domestic abuse that sometimes get disguised as mad cap comedy can be a bit much, but I still get that we have to show how terrible Jordan was.
Film/Ranking:
#3- Raging Bull (1980)
Highlights:
This is probably one of Martin's most beautiful looking movies. It also boasts a performance from Joe Pesci that shows range. I haven't been impressed with Joe like this since I was watching Home Alone movies as a kid! All jokes aside though, everyone is doing a great job in this movie, but this has got to be Joe Pesci's most thoughtful and therefore best performance.
Low points:
This isn't even close to one of Mr. Scorsese's longest films but it definitely feels a bit long at a certain point. Not enough for me to not like the movie but enough for me to not rank it number one.
Film/Ranking:
#2- The Departed (2006)
Highlights:
Oh boy did I ever want every single character in this movie to win. Something must be said for how every actor got me to want to see them come out on top in this movie. I'm happy with the outcome, but man once one of them dropped, I was like "kill them all then!" Let's get one thing clear, Pauline, Matt Damon was not rude, he just got caught up with the wrong crowd at a young age.
Low points:
Nothing... it just got bested by a movie I've grown up with.
Film/Ranking:
#1- Goodfellas (1990)
Highlights:
I suppose you saw this coming. If Casino was way back there, then surely you saw Goodfellas ending up here. Not only has this movie been reinforced by Jay Z skits, pigeons on Animaniacs, and just anyone on The Sopranos, but my mom gave this movie a seal of approval ever since I could remember!
Low points:
No chance.
-YG