Rating: 
Summary: It's easy to complain....
Review: It's easy to be a snob about Scorsese's work and think you know every second of every movie and exactly why Scorsese made the cinematic choices he has during his career. It's easy to talk about the actors you've never liked and never given a chance in the context of a new picture. But it's also just as easy to sit and enjoy a film regardless of all of these characteristics. Who cares if you have seen every Scorsese film? Why does that mean you have to start rating this in terms of every other film the second you start watching? Doesn't that take the joy out of enjoying a film? I understand that the more you watch you will naturally select a film you find more valuable or more entertaining on repeat viewing, but when you force it from the beginning and you hack away at a film because it's not your concept of Irish pride (and as someone of Irish heritage, I don't think that Scorsese's idea was for you to worship the Dead Rabbits as one reviewer nearly put it...the cannons shot off and broke up everything at the end for a reason) or your ideal of New York during this time period. It's a fictitious film based on a nonfiction text. If you watched and didn't enjoy because it failed to keep your interest or for some other valid reason, fine. That's a truly helpful negative review, but stroking your own ego with your knowledge of Raging Bull or Herbert Asbury's source material or whatever is just a waste of your time and the time of the readers on amazon.com. But what do I know? I'm just a film snob anyway.
Rating: 
Summary: "The Butcher"
Review: This movie fell short for me. I think Leonardo is horribly miscast in the film. Lewis is incredible though. what an amazing performance. It may be worth watching just to see his talented and emotional creation. I think diaz and Dicaprio were both bad choices. And many of the scenes were over-done and pointless, and what was up with the costumes? were the outfits really that corny back then? I was reminded of when Marty Mcfly went back to the old west in a pink outfit. In the end, rent this movie to see "The Butcher": an amazing character.
Rating:
Summary: Good Historical Movie
Review: I just recently veiwed the DVD version of the film and I thought it was really cool. The movie does tie in well with history without getting too boring. My favorite character was Bill "The Buther". The special features on the DVD gave a lot of really good background information on the actual characters and events of the past that were depicted in this movie. I really recommend checking this movie out.
Rating:
Summary: A Lavish 2-Disc Set That's Worth Repeated Veiwing.
Review: While a huge, grandiose film like "Gangs...." belongs on the big screen, the transfer to DVD is quite satisfying. I purchased this at midnight and have only had the chance to watch it 3 times, but my admiration for this film has only deepened since I last saw it. Scorsese outdoes himself on this one. The attention to detail, period costumes and richly hued tones make this one the most convincing period pieces since Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon". Naturally, Daniel Day-Lewis owns this movie from scene one and the screenplay fairly crackles with hate, bile, humor and violence everytime he opens his mouth. Cameron Diaz is entirely unnecassary in her role as Jenny and merely serves as a distraction from the real story of revenge. Leonardo DiCaprio wisely plays it low key in a role that may have been an embarrassment, but he gives Amsterdam a slow-burning, quiet rage that manages to keep everyone around him wondering what his true intentions are. The extras on this 2 disc set are outstanding, including a great commentary from the director and a historical featurette about the real gangs that inspired this brilliant film. All in all, "Gangs...." is a well packaged, concise and complete DVD package that will not dissapoint fans and may even win some new devotee's and inspire a new generation of film fanatics.
A great movie and even better DVD. Well worth the wait!
Rating: 
Summary: Great film, bad DVD
Review: This is a review of the DVD, not the film itself which was my favorite film of the year. In the months leading up to its release, news of the battles Scorsese had with the studios in editing it down to a sub-3 hour length acceptable to the studios were well published. Naturally I assumed that the DVD version would include the numerous scenes Scorsese was forced to cut out of the theatrical release. This is supposedly one of the advantages of DVD.Nope. Instead they included some nice documentary extras but none of the extra scenes. I strongly suspect the studio did this deliberately so that people would wind up buying two copies of the film. Don't be surprised if a few months from now they release a "Special Edition" including the cut scenes. They did this with "Blackhawk Down" and I'm sure they'll do it with "Gangs of New York". It's one thing for the studios to chop the film for a theatrical release but they should give us what the director originally wanted us to see on the DVD version.
Rating:
Summary: don't buy it
Review: Although the original is powerful in its own right, to spend [money] on it is ridiculous. By christmas the 4 hour director's cut will be out, and that will be worth buying.
Rating:
Summary: Just incredible
Review: I didn't care for Cameron Diaz. My husband and I agreed that she looked misplaced throughout the film. Leonardo DiCaprio was stunning. Daniel Day-Lewis was THE MOST OUTSTANDING EVER!! Should have won the Oscar. Just an incredible character. Scorsese did such an awesome job. This film has pertinent themes even for today. THe end is just so eloquent...I can't wait to see it again!
Rating:
Summary: Gangs of New York
Review: 'Gangs of New York' is not a film to be taken lightly, or taken as a tonic to the ugly nature of life. The film, as with the history, is gritty, uncompromising, and in the end heart-breakingly poignant. Leonardo DiCaprio played his toughest role yet as Amsterdam Vallon, the orphaned son of 'Priest Vallon', killed in the gang wars that rocked New York in the mid nineteenth century. DiCaprio has often been accused of being too soft and feckless an actor, 'Gangs' shatters such stereotype...his Amsterdam is neither soft nor careless, but a hero of the darkest and purest sort. Daniel Day Lewis follows as 'Bill the Butcher', and his villian is skillfully wrought and complex, a haunting character that remains in one's mind long after the show is over. Scorsese's vision was brought to life in a lasting and masterful way with 'Gangs'. You'll never look at history, or humanity, the same way again.
Rating:
Summary: Great film
Review: Easily among the top 10 movies I have ever seen - and I've seen a lot of movies. Daniel Day Lewis is incredible in this film. Fantastic cinematography. Great acting, even Leo did a good job. Scorcese has outdone himself. This is a great film.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Picture of 2002!
Review: Forget whatever awards the Academy handed out in March, this is the best picture of the year, not "Chicago". Martin Scorsese once again proves that he is the best director in the business with this tribute to the old epics of yester-year. With a film industry infatuated with box office success instead of critical success, this film provides hope that there is creativity left in the movie biz. Scorsese is known for making films with great characters like Travis Bickle, Jake La Motta, and now Bill "The Butcher". Daniel Day-Lewis is dead perfect in this role and the film comes alive every time he is on screen; he creates one of the best villains in film history. The art direction, cinematography, editing, scoring, acting, costume design, and directing are great and should have won Oscars. Scorsese not only pays tribute to epic story telling, but to cinema itself. "Gangs of New York" embodies everything great American filmmaking stands for. This is the first great film of the century, and one of the best of all time.
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