Rating: 
Summary: boxing at its best
Review: This may owe a bit to On The Waterfront but not really, it just happens to use the best dialogue ever, now that's clever. The film is by a mile the best sports film EVER! Some say Rocky, but that is actually very superficial and unbelievable in every way, it's also predictable, some say Ali, but Will Smith cannot act and I think they just stole ideas from Raging Bull for that anyway, I am not kidding this film is one that will always be remembered for a superb story, magnificent fight scenes, including Joe Pesci's use of the car door to smash some poor sods skull in. DeNiro made an extreme effort by putting on 60lbs for his role and won the Best Actor Oscar and deservedly so, he was unbeatable, and I thought Scorsese should've won director but that's a different matter. I think the DVD could be better, but I suppose the general content of the film is not ruined, the vivid portrayal is fantastic and DeNiro relates to the character very well, he proved in this that he is one of the best actors in the world and whether you know it or not, Jake La Motta himself said that DeNiro had done a better job at his character than he could have done himself. It gets five stars and no one can deny it this prestige.
Rating:
Summary: "Gimme a stage where this Bull here can Rage!"
Review: What can I say about 'Raging Bull'? It's my favorite movie of all time, the title character is played by my favorite actor of all time, and the director is my favorite director of all time.
Any questions? :)What a way to start out the 80s! The decade before you had the birth of such films like 'Mean Streets,' 'Taxi Driver,'(both directed by Marty Scorsese), 'The Deer Hunter,'(Cimino)'The Godfather (Parts 1 & 2)and 'Apocalypse Now.'(all by Coppola). ..Then Marty comes back with a tour de force film that examines the trials and tribulations of an ordinary man's soul. Robert De Niro, in his second Oscar-winning performance, portrays 1940s Bronx boxer, Jake La Motta. What's so interesing about this movie, as well as practically ALL of Scorsese's cinematic gems, is that here you have an ordinary man trying to live an ordinary life by his own standards but can't because the local hoods have other plans for him. He's in constant struggle of normalcy and answering to a 'higher' power.
Jake La Motta is a lot like Charles Foster Kane ("Citizen Kane"). He wins support and followers just as quickly as he loses them while losing those who loved him in the process.In essence, this film bears a lot of similarities with "Citizen Kane." La Motta is a tragic figure, a victim of his own self-disgust and complexities. He fights in two rings: the actual boxing ring and the domestic ring that includes the two people he loves most, his brother Joey (Joe Pesci)and wife, Vickie (Cathy Moriarty). Because he keeps what he feels for both so close to the surface, it eventually erupts and drives them both away. At heart, La Motta is a closet romantic. He becomes smitten with a fifteen-year-old Vickie the first time he sees her and she becomes his trophy and ideal. In the scenes where Jake is looking at her, there is no sound. It's as if this young girl's presence takes Jake completely out of reality. It's amazing to watch scenes with Moriarty and De Niro. When he pines for her, when he meets her, marries her, and even when the marriage goes sour. It's also absolutely mesmerizing to watch De Niro transform in front of the cameras. He goes from a promising boxer to a burnt-out has-been. De Niro gained over 60 pounds for the scenes later in the film. He still holds the world record for the most weight an actor has put on in preparation for a role. It's absolutely incredible. De Niro, you're the best there is and the best there ever will be! Cathy Moriarty and Joe Pesci give flawless perfomances. They deservably won best supporting actor/actress nods for this film. It started Moriarty's career and reignited Pesci's.(You're awesome, Joe! :))The cinematography and editing is top-notch. It doesn't any better than this. And Marty...dearest Marty, you're a master! In my book, that best director Oscar should've gone to you years ago! You're number one!
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