GoodFellas

Rating:
Summary: Am I Here To Amuse You?
Review: GOODFELLAS is fantastic, kind of like THE GODFATHER with the veneer stripped off to reveal what the modern mafia is really all about.

The performances are flawless--I wish Deniro had been on screen more, because he is just so fantastic in this part--and the script, while not something you'd want to read to your mother, is great. The direction is superb--the long tracking shot, following Henry Hill from his car, threw the kitchen, and to his table at a nightclub, is amazing.

But I wish Scorsese had found a way to pick up the pace o the last 30 minutes. Once Henry goes into the witness protection program, the film flags a bit.

Rating:
Summary: A time-capsule of Americana - Wiseguy style
Review: Some films achieve moments we remember. Others manage to evoke a time or a place through the careful marshalling of details. The real achievement of GoodFellas is that it does both things so well and so consistently. The amazing visual imagination of Martin Scorsese is the engine that drives it, sculpting one dazzling sequence after another into a cinematic whole. Unlike lesser directors, Scorsese manages to make the visual pyrotechnics look organic; emerging from the material itself, rather than merely being flashy.

Henry Hill (Ray Liota) grows up and comes of age in New York during the 60's and 70's. He is a product of Pop Culture Pressure - if you drive the right car, wear the right clothing, and use the right cologne or mouthwash, you too, can take part in the American Dream and become one of those smiling people in the magazine and TV ads. The problem is that few of us can legitimately earn the money to fuel that kind of lifestyle and still have enough time to enjoy it. That's the real allure of being a Wiseguy, of being "in the mob", or "part of a crew": if you're willing to live (and possibly die) by their code, you can pretty much have it all. Or so it seems.

Of course, Henry learns - as do we - that there is a great price to pay for living high without actually earning it. Henry gets most everything he wants - a lovely wife (played by Lorraine Bracco), some kids, a couple of houses, and the camaraderie of his "coworkers"; he also gets strung out on cocaine, investigated, arrested, and very nearly "whacked". By the end of GoodFellas, Henry Hill should also have learned what becomes obvious to us - that Wiseguy honor is an illusion; that the close-knit mafia "family" of the The Godfather is a literary fiction. Then again, he probably does know it. He just doesn't care. The lifestyle is, itself, a drug that exerts a powerful hold. Only mortal terror can lure him into the Federal Witness Protection Program.

The large ensemble cast features exquisite work by Paul Sorvino, Robert DeNiro, and Joe Pesci, who is given the most memorable scene in the movie - the famous and chilling "You think I'm funny?" bit. Rarely mentioned but just as effective is Chuck Low as the hapless Morrie, a guy who just doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut.

The big disappointment in the DVD edition is that it's lacking in special features. It's also a "flipper" - you have to turn the disc over halfway through the film to finish watching it. I would love to see it reissued by Criterion in a dual-layer version with a commentary track by Scorsese himself. That one would get five stars.

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece
Review: Goodfellas is one of the greatest movies ever made, plain and simple. DeNiro, Pesci, Liotta, Brasco, and Sorvino all turn in fabulous performances. A truly timeless classic, one everybody should own.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I don't care what anyone says, I will take this over the Godfather Series anyday. However, I can't see how Pesci got such rave reviews for his performance when every 3 words was F&$k

Rating:
Summary: THE ULTIMATE GANGSTER MOVIE!!
Review: Not much can be said of Goodfellas that hasn't already been said by the majority of the reviewers here. Goodfellas is an absolute classic-to-be!! Robert De Niro's acting and character are perfection as in any movie he's in. The only complaint that I have with the DVD version is that it has to be flipped over half way through the movie. Aside from this small setback- Goodfellas is a great movie that you will want to see over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: This Is the Best Movie Ever!
Review: Goodfellas, for me, is the climax for movies. This is, hands down, the greatest movie i have ever seen. The acting is untouchable, the directing, the cinematography and of course, the story. If you have not seen this movie, you have not lived. The soundtrack is even perfect. Another gem that proves De Niro is God.

It is 2 sided and there is no real extras. The transfer looks good but don't expect no deleted scenes or anythign like that. But it's Goodfellas, there is no good excuse. Buy it.

Rating:
Summary: The mafia: A great place to make money and get whacked.
Review: Based on the true story of mob giant Henry Hill, Goodfellas is the best mob movie to come around since Godfather 2. Scorsese is a master at this kind of movie. The characters are riveting, the dialogue funny and clever, and there's plenty of good ol' fashioned whacking!

De Niro is such an amazing actor. Even when he plays the bad guy - you want him to win! Joe Pesci shines as the pyscho little guy with a huge chip on his shoulder. If you like mob movies - all you need are Godfather 1 and 2, Casino, and Goodfellas.

Rating:
Summary: GOODFELLAS SCORES BIG!
Review: Goodfellas is without a doubt one of my all time favorite movies. With exception of The Godfather & The Godfather Part II, and of course Scarface. The film is rather long, but it don't seem that way when your watching it. Led with an all star cast of Robert De Niro (The Godfather Part II, Casino), Ray Liotta (Blow, Hannibal), Joe Pesci (JFK, Casino), Lorraine Bracco (The Sopranos), and Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown).

The film is about the life of Hank Hill, (Liotta), who from when he is young he wanted to be a gangster, but maybe he asked for more than he was bargaining for. Led with Jimmy Conway (De Niro), and his hotheaded, childhood buddy Tommy DeVito (Academy Award Winner Joe Pesci), they do anything and everything. From robbing loads of trucks, (and all their merchandise), to contract killing, nothing is left out in this true, adapted story, or true life gangster Hank Hill.

This movie is one of my all time favorite mob flicks, that made Joe Pesci the star he is today. This film is easily one of Scorsese's best movies. (With the possible exception of Taxi Driver or Raging Bull).

The Only Bad Thing About The DVD Is It Single Layered, meaning You Have To Change It About 1/2 Way Through The Film.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDED:

Chapter List
Theatrical Trailer(s)

Rating:
Summary: Underestimated Gangster Film
Review: I saw Goodfellas for the first time ever two days ago. I fell in love with it. This movie is probably one of the best movies I have ever seen, it depicts the gangster life as powerful, but also very disgusting and ugly. The entire cast worked well together and the acting was so great that I lost myself in this film (which is quite rare) There are some really great moments in this movie that shake you up, and also some moments that make you have a great laugh. I recommend this movie to anyone that loves quality movies that leave you in absolute awe from start to finish. Great, Great movie!

Rating:
Summary: The best Mob film ever made.
Review: THE MOVIE ITSELF

This movie is not only the best of the genre, but one of the best films ever made.

Italian Americans may get angry with the stereotypes brought about by the making of these films as the most recognizable aspects of thier culture but such as life.

This film chronicles the life Henry Hill, based on the book "WiseGuy". His rise from neighborhood kid learning to score, to a full fledged, yet not connected mafia affilliate.

Scorsese is at the top of his game here. The use of popular music from every era that this film chronicles in each part is a high point. Also, the full frontal graphic parts make this one of the greatest experiences ever. These range from the fights between Henry and his wife, to Tommy getting shot in the back of the head. The Billy Batts beatdown. ...

This movie has a pulse and creates a timeless time on screen all its own. I don't know why this film did not make best picture.

The acting is all on point with every character. The most realistic/convincing piece of acting I have ever seen is the scene where Liotta(hill), pistol whips the neighbor/date/preppie of his future wife. When he is walking away from the guy he has just pistol whipped, the rage in Liotta's eyes is beyond real. It is the single most convincing, space subtraction between the human eye and the screen I have ever experienced.

This is a classic and it is only a decade old. People still hail "Little Caeser" and "Public Enemy." Goodfellas will no doubt go down in the same category.

DVD ASPECTS

The DVD is great, but the seasoned DVD enthusiast will be a bit put off by the fact that the disc is dual sided and not dual layered. The audio should also be redone to suit the new audio formats. This is a classic film that should be presented in the latest technological advances.