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Summary: Best mob film!
Review: What can I say that hasn't been said? Ray Liotta was brilliant at his part portraying Henry Hill. this will be in my collection forever.
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Summary: Superb, Stunning.....but
Review: An absolutely great film with absolutely great acting and the stunning realization that everybody loses, for all their bravado and all the big bucks that flowed thru their hands, the 'goodfellas' and their families lose in the end. An overlooked cameo in this film is the portrayal of the wives of the mobster-goodfellas - shallow, crude,gaudily made-up and dressed..the wondrous Lorraine Bracco excepted (her character is Jewish). Almost an insult to ltalian-American women, but we have to keep in mind that the film portrays a very small percentage of them.
And now the "but": as cited by movie critics, the 'f' word is used at least 199 times in this film and, even tho this is the way the mobsters talked,it can become tedious and a strain on the sensibilities, so be prepared. Me? l'm hardly a prude and l'd love to see it again, but the constant use of the 'f' word was a turn-off for me, it being both used and abused brutally in this otherwise-marvelous film. One viewing was enough for me, and, admittedly, it's my loss.
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Summary: Mobs alive...
Review: Based on real-life bestseller "Wiseguy" by Nicholas Pileggi, GoodFellas traces the life of incorrigible hardcore gangster Henry Hill, his involvements with the mob life from teens to married life, from jail, big-time heists to dope trafficking. Hill eventually sold out his crew buddies in an effort to safeguard his life, and went into a lifelong witness protection program.
GoodFellas' cast is stellar: as always Robert De Niro is riveting, all smirks and grins, while Ray Liotta's portrayal of the slick, wonder-stricken Hill is possibly his career-best performance. Joe Pesci is pure dynamic as the trigger-crazy "Tommy"; Paul Sorvino's weighty kingpin and Lorraine Bracco has never been better. Scorsese's energetic style, which never shies away from violence, results in a wildly febrile, almost orgiastic examination into the dynamics and workings of criminal life. Humans are cattle and people are cash machines. Worse of all, these are just too easy and credible.
So why am I giving this four stars? The movie's just too real in its glitzy, "money-takes-all" portrayal of gangster lifestyle, and it's hard not to be taken wholly by it. While in Raging Bull Scorsese scuppers the machoistic notion of violence, GoodFellas could well be misread as a celebration of masculine mob brotherhood; it's persuasive to a fault, in the dialogue and breezy soundtrack, to make it difficult for anyone *not* to feel a willing accomplice in casual violent killings and comraderie. It's, I'm afraid, as such not suitable for anyone below 18. Whatever its misgivings, GoodFellas reconfirms Scorsese as New York's finest chronicler of high and low life, and that there's none to touch him in those respects.
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Summary: Goodfellas stands tall above mobster movies.
Review: Being a true story makes this movie that extra bit magnificent. The movie presents to you the lifestyle of the mafia in italy in a powerful dramatic style of film shown through the eyes of a person who was stealing for the mafia as a child and grew up in their atmosphere shows right from the beginning how things worked whilst living with the mob, knowing everyone, having a lot of extra relations, the money and the work they go through in order to get it.
As the movie progresses the main character finds things more and more difficult and ends up running for his own life from those who were especially close to him throughout his life.
The movie is presented in the best posiible way and is also quite edjucational i give it the five stars and i strongly suggest that you watch it aswell.
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Summary: A Contemporary American Masterpiece
Review: Few films ever express a wider range of emotions than Goodfellas, a contemporary American classic directed by Martin Scorsese. Goodfellas, based off of the book Wiseguys, depicts the life of half-Irish Henry Hill, a member of a notorious mafia clan that makes money by stealing from the local airport, among other things. Beginning when he enters the mob at fifteen and ending when he ruins it at forty, Goodfellas, which is based on a true story, will entertain you from start to finish, and you'll find yourself wanting to watch it again and again. However, the films gets very violent at times, and it may be hard to watch for those with a weak stomach or a non-violent demeanor. Still, I'd reccommend this to anybody above the age of thirteen, and since, as stated above, the movie is filled with all sorts of emotions, there is truly something for everyone. At times a thriller, a romance, a comedy, or a violent crime drama, Goodfellas never ceases to amaze me with its astounding nature, and it is truly an American masterpiece worthy of the highest praise.
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Summary: "Goodfellas", a brilliant motion picture
Review: Goodfellas would have to be one of the most brilliantly pure interpretations of gangsters in the United States that I have ever seen.
Starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Joe Pesciand Lorraine Bracco, 'Goodfellas' was written by Nicholas Pileggi and Martin Scorcese, although much of the script is based on a true to life novel by Pileggi, spanning 30 years of lif in the mafia in the United States.
De Niro's performance of the criminalistic Jimmy Conway gives the film a naturalistic power, purely describing many of the capabilities and needs of a gangster. But not only is this film ingeniously acted, director Scorcese uses many daring film techniques, such as lengthy scenes without using any cuts (check the scene where they enter the niteclub).
There are brilliant performances by all; in particularly the often exuberant Joe Pesci, for which this picture garnered him his first oscar. Liotta is versatile in his role of Henry Hill, and Lorraine Bracco plays a gangster's wife with pure perfection. All things aside, Goodfellas is a fantastic movie and is one to stand the test of time for many years to come. This film is worth watching many times. I give it 5 stars.
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Summary: Probably The Best Italian Mob Movie Ever
Review: I feel that Martin Scorsese's GOODFELLAS is problably the best Italian mob movie ever.
Maybe I am biased, b/c I like the main characters (Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci) better than the characters in the Godfather movies.
Also, the fact that the movie is based on the real life of mobster Henry Hill (played by Ray Liotta) makes the movie much more appealing.
The movie shows Henry's life as young boy and shows his life from a mob errand boy to his life and downfall as drug-dealing member of the mob.
This is great...enough said. It should be made required viewing.The film also has:
Lorraine Bracco (Tony's psychiatrist on the Sopranos) as Henry Hill's wife; Paul Sorvino as Paulie (a mob boss); Michael Imperioli (Tony's nephew on the Sopranos) as Spider; and Frank Sivero as Frankie Carbone.
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Summary: Film Review: Good Fellas
Review: Martin Scorcese, one of the most talented directors of his generation, delivered what many believe to be the finest gangster movie of all time. Good Fellas, produced by Irwin Winkler, grossed $48 million and followed the troubled life of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) from the 1950s to the 1980s. As an Irish-Italian American affected by the rough immigrant-gangster society in which he is raised, Hill begins to favor the celebrity lifestyle lived by the well-respected and powerful gangsters. The film, which took place in New York City, won numerous Academy Award nominations. Joe Pesci, who played the enraged Tommy Devito, walked away with the award for best supporting actor. Robert DeNiro added another astonishing performance to his marvelous acting career by playing the respected, but hostile Jimmy Conway. Based on Nicholas Pileggi's book Wiseguy, Scorcese's film depicts the extremely dangerous, yet materialistically rewarding lifestyle of gangsters. He uses Hill to portray the typical, New York kid, born to hard-working immigrant parents and demonstrates Hill as someone who simply dreams to live the life of a wealthy, important, and well-respected individual. Scorcese also introduces the viewers to the deranged DeVito, whose idea of being a gangster is more extreme than that of Hill's, as he uses his power to become a sick, murdering maniac. The director carries out his agenda by portraying the somewhat chaste Hill and the psychopath DeVito as close friends who eventually lose all that they had worked for. Scorcese chose to punish Hill by taking away all of his materialistic gains, which Hill has dishonestly obtained, and to smite DeVito in the similar vengeful manner that DeVito had become accustomed to inflicting on others. Scorcese clearly depicts the growing wave of immigration as he follows the lifestyles of the mighty and powerful Mafia crew in NYC. The film describes the importance of such power in the gangsters' lifestyles. They receive the utmost respect from everybody, including the politicians and wealthy business owners, and most disturbingly, destroy anyone in their path. The objective of gaining wealth, too, appealed to many gangsters, as they believed that it was more rewarding to acquire riches through stealing than through working the ordinary jobs available in NYC. Ethnicity played a vital role in the movie as well, as the film represents the major differences between the different immigration groups. The importance of being a true Italian, for example, was vital when it came to the rules of "being made," a promotion within the Mafia world. Furthermore, Karen Hill (Loraine Bracco) and her Jewish friend proclaimed their discomfort of dating both DeVito and Hill because both gangsters came from non-Jewish origins. The film, which many believe to be the finest mob movie ever, feeds the viewer with adequate information about the lives of gangsters. Good Fellas is surely disturbing at times, as the violence quotient runs high; however, because the film is based on reality, the viewer will walk away with a new perspective on gangsters and mafiosi lifestyles. The film also teaches the audience about the flow of immigration and the tremendous impact it had on America then and even now. Good Fellas displays the inability of the Italians to Americanize and, instead,6 exhibits the affect that the Italians had over the American society. The viewers can detect that by bringing together the different traditions and values, the immigrants shaped what we call the United States today. The film in all aspects is notably unequivocal and will continue to progress in fame.
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Summary: "Good Fellas" is a Magnificent Artistic Achievement
Review: Martin Scorsese's greatness as a director would be established if this was the only film he ever made. How does one even begin to praise this masterpiece that simply has no weaknesses? The casting and script writing of "Good Fellas" are near perfect, and the story based on the true life experiences of Henry Hill provides us with a brutal and unsentimental view of a social milieu that is both treacherous and violent. These are not men of honor, but ruthless back stabbers who don't hesitate to betray close friends for a few pieces of silver. Ray Liotta splendidly portrays Hill as a man who joins the mob as a teenager for the excitement and fast money. Those like Jimmy Conway (Robert Di Niro) and Tommy De Vito (Joe Pesci) befriend Hill in their own dubious manner. Hill looks upon them as brothers, but it seems they merely perceive him as a fellow party animal who aptly carries out his responsibilities to the group. Lorraine Bracco as Karen Hill is a woman who marries her man knowing full well about his dangerous side. Hill introduces his wife to drugs and often places her in harm's way. Their marriage is a never ending dysfunctional disaster. It totally redefines the meaning of family values. This is not a film for someone seeking a romanticized depiction of organized crime. These people are monsters who prey on their fellow citizens. Scorsese refuses to pretend that they have many redeeming qualities. Their virtues are few and far between, and one only regrets that it takes so long for the authorities to put them behind bars. Hill's later entry into a federal witness protection program is hard to swallow. "Good Fellas" is hard hitting and honest. I easily place it among the top one hundred movies of all time.
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Summary: One of the finest films ever Made!
Review: Martin Scorsese's masterpiece is one to be cherished, valued, and especially enjoyed over and over again. Originally entitled WiseGuys from writer and co-screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi's novel, this title was dropped because of the existence of a Brian De Palma comedy already called WiseGuys starring Joe Piscopo and Danny Devito. That WiseGuys has NOTHING on GOODFELLAS! Goodfellas is more than a movie. It is an experience! What made this movie so different from other mob movies was the fact that the mob was treated as a seperate race from society. From the explosive beginning to the near-heartbreaking conclusion, the mob has you in the palm of their hands. (...) The movie is told through the eyes of Henry Hill, who grows up under the wing of the mob after taking a part time job there at the cab stand, the hangout for the hitmen, bosses, paesaens, and Italianos. The plot is so intricate and vast, that it would be impossible to go through it in its entirety. To break down, Hill(Ray Liotta) grows up a friend ally to Mob legend Jimmy Conway(Robert DeNiro) and psychotic killer Tommy(Joe Pesci) while always under the supervision of Paulie(Paul Sorvino). Hill marries Karen(Lorraine Bracco) and through three decades of drugs, money, murder, and sex, the men and women lose and win, are killers or killed, thiefs or victims, you name it, Goodfellas has got it. All of this is amazingly pulled together by one of the finest filmmakers of our time, Martin Scorsese(co-writer/Director). Above all other scenes and situations beautifully filmed, none can compare to Scorsese's "coup de cinema" tracking shot. Those of you who have seen the movie more than once will likely know what I'm talking about. With "And then he kissed me" blaring, Karen and Henry enter the Copacabana from the side entrance and proceed into the night club in an incredibly filmed camera tracking sequence which never once takes its eyes off Henry and Karen until they are comfortably sat in the front of the Copa's band. It is a testament to the fact that Scorsese's genius and talent is beyond compare. Speaking of music, nearly everyone knows that it is difficult to imagine anyone besides Scorsese who can use music so ingeniously in film. The opening Tony Bennett number "Rags to Riches" sets the tone immediately for the amazing film which has already begun, and the soundtrack is a must-have. Personal favorite: the rock n' roll blasting as the camera closes in on Robert DeNiro smoking his cigarette only the way DeNiro can. The cast is amazing, with Robert DeNiro giving a great performance. Ray Liotta is electrifying as Henry Hill. Personally, I was very dismayed when Liotta did not receive an Oscar nomination for that performance, he basically carried a good deal of that film with excellent versatility. Oscar winner Joe Pesci walked home with the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his Tommy, and Lorraine Bracco's strong-willed Karen was honored by a nomination and a great performance. Paul Sorvino is cool and awesome as Paulie the boss, and even Scorsese's parents get into the act, his father playing the hitman who actually is responsible for Timmy's undoing, and Catherine Scorsese plays Tommy's religious mother. The scene in which Henry, Tommy, and Jimmy end up at her house looking for a shovel to bury the man they nearly beat do death in the trunk, she comes down and fixes each man a meal in one of the funniest scenes in the film. Yes, funny, what makes this film so great is that there is a great deal of humor and it eases the tension of the viewer with a weak stomach. Goodfellas was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, and was named Best Picture by the NY and LA Film Critics Association and the National Film Board Review. It is absolutely one of the best films ever made, and it stands mighty as number 95 on AFI's 100 best films of all time, being placed among Platoon, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Casablanca, The Godfather, Citizen Kane, and Gone With The Wind. I love it! Whatsamatta wit you?
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