Scorsese: An Overview

I've just finished my library of Martin Scorsese films which started with his first film "Who's That Knocking at my Door", and ends with his latest HBO documentary "Public Speaking". Here's an overview of his career.

The Certified Masterpieces:

"Mean Streets", "Taxi Driver", "Raging Bull", "Goodfellas"

The ones that should be considered classics

"Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore": A modern woman's picture in the spirit of the fifties films with Jane Wyman, telling the story of Alice (Ellen Burstyn)a recently widowed woman with no prospects attempting to start a new life along with her smart mouth son. It's funny, heartwarming, and quite unlike anything Scorsese has done.

"New York, New York": A musical which blends the style of two of Scorsese's idols, Vincent Minnelli's splashy artifice and John Cassavetes' blunt realism. In my opinion it meshes beautifully and is one of Scorsese's most unsung (No pun intended) masterpieces)

"The Last Waltz": Another kind of musical, this one a documentary of The Band's last concert. A film that celebrates the life of a rock star, but the performances in the film are what make it so memorable.

"Casino": Unfairly maligned because of its close relation to "Goodfellas". I think of it as more of a companion piece. The pacing is just as frantic and musical as "Goodfellas", also the use of voice over narration is just as innovative. I also found the ending far more tragic and subdued, but it remains a wondrous film experience.

Other Underrated Gems

"No Direction Home: Bob Dylan" :Scorsese's documentary in two parts about Dylan is probably the best film he's made in the new millennium. It goes from Dylan's humble beginnings to him being the voice of his generation which is something he never really wanted. We come to empathize with Dylan who just wanted to make the music he wanted to make.

"Who's That Knocking at my door": Scorsese's first film is not perfect, but what first films are? It does show an original voice and a lot of great visuals, you can see himself struggling with the same themes which would become more prominent in "Mean Streets".

"Shutter Island": In my opinion the best film Scorsese has made with Leonardo DiCaprio, a psychological thriller which is really about one man's guilt and how he comes to terms with it. It may not all hold together, but to me it's one of Scorsese's most moving finales.

"After Hours": A film I was introduced to just recently, a wonderful comedy in the same vein as The Coen Brothers' "A Serious Man". Griffin Dunne plays a man who is stuck in down town New York where he can't seem get out. Throughout the film, terrible things keep happening to him.

"Gangs of New York": Not the masterpiece Scorsese had probably wanted, but a visceral look at a history not often talked about, the roots of violence, and gang warfare, in a sense, the roots of America.

"The Aviator": Along with "Gangs of New York", it's often thought of Scorsese's prestige picture, where it looked like he was trying to win an Oscar. Look at this film again, again not perfect, but Scorsese has a way to get inside the mind of his characters unlike anyone else. Howard Hughes is no exception. It's a dark bio, plus an extravagant look at old Hollywood.

"Public Speaking": A warm look at Fran Libowitz, it's pretty much her show, Scorsese basically points the camera at her and lets her go. She's one of the great modern intellectuals and displays that mantra throughout the film, she's also full of acid wit which is nice.

Overrated

"The Departed": Although not a failure, it seems to be more of a practice in style. Unlike "Goodfellas" and "Casino" which feel alive and vibrant, this film doesn't kick into high gear, but it's well crafted with great performances. Scorsese could no longer be ignored by the Academy, and like so many of the greats they decide to honor him with one of his good but not great films.

Misfires

"Boxcar Bertha": His first Hollywood movie has some nice images particularly and a violent tragic ending, but the script lets it down. Produced by Roger Corman, it seems like a warm up for Scorsese, "Mean Streets" came right after this one which left it in the dust.

"The Color of Money": Scorsese's weakest film, a sequel to "The Hustler" which didn't need a sequel. There's no climax, but what we are left with is Paul Newman who saves this movie by knowing this character inside and out.

What I still Need to see

"The Last Temptation of Christ": Unfortunately I was unable to find a copy of this film in time. Netflix was showing it, but the aspect ratio was wrong so I gave up.

"Cape Fear": I've seen most of the film on television but not in sequence.

What I need to watch again

"King of Comedy": Saw it many years ago, I remember being very young and not getting how dark it was, or what it was trying to say.

"Kundun": Saw it when it was first released, it was rated PG so it was the only Scorsese film I could see.

"The Age of Innocence": Again saw it when I was young thanks to the PG rating, but have yet to revisit it.