Rating: 
Summary: No booklet with special edition dvd?
Review: My copy of Goodfells (Two-Discs Special Edition) didn't come with a booklet. Was it just my copy, or Scorsese didn't want to include one?
Rating:
Summary: definitly one of the best i would know i have them all
Review: Of all of the "mob" movies that have graced the silver screen over the years, "Goodfellas" most certainly stands a head taller than the majority of them and it can be said that this film is one of the "definitive" mobster movies. Few movies, if any, can compare to the compelling "based on a true story" nature of this film and the graphic realism that is so brilliantly portrayed by Scorsese's direction and the exceptional cast members."Goodfellas" is a powerful film based on the true life best seller "Wiseguy" by Nicholas Pileggi. More specifically, it's based on the true story of Henry Hill (Ray Liota), who along with his pals Jimmy "The Gent" Conway (Robert DeNiro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci) who received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for this film. Needless to say, the performances by these actors, Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvino are nothing short of superb. The premise: Narrated by Henry Hill and his wife Karen Hill, "Goodfellas" tells the tale of how he grew up admiring the local mobsters, gained their friendship and then came to be employed by them. After all, how could anybody resist a life in which if you're part of the "organization," there is nothing that you cannot have and you have the fearful respect of everybody around you, as long as you're continuing to make money and not stepping on any of the important people's toes. As the movies progresses along, Director Martin Scorsese does a beautiful job in displaying many of the aspects of the mobster's lifestyle and the many things that can happen in that lifestyle. From the opening frame to the final credits, "Goodfellas" is a gripping, suspenseful and enlightening gangster movie that bears multiple viewings quite easily. I highly recommend this film to any and all fans of gangster movies. Fair warning though, this movie "is not" for the faint of heart or the squeamish, for it is fairly graphic at times, which serves to enhance the nature of this film but is not too good on the eyes. {ssintrepid} Special Features: This DVD was released in 1997 as one of the early transfers, therefore it's not loaded down with an exceptional amount of special features, which is fine because it's all about the film. I do find it surprising that this one hasn't been re-released as a "Special Edition" with all the special features, featurettes and documentaries. What is does have: - A remastered soundtrack in Dolby Digital 5.1
- Production notes
- Two theatrical trailers
Rating:
Summary: The Quintessential Gangster Film
Review: Scorsese's "Goodfellas" is a long movie that feels short, thanks to memorable characters, a blazing soundtrack, and expert pacing that only the director is capable of pulling off. The screenplay is so good, that watching episodes of the Sopranos evoke great memories of this film. In fact, any Italian mafia flick that came out after Goodfellas borrows (or steals) at least a little bit from Scorsese and Pileggi. Ray Liotta's narration is perfect. It is as good as Dreyfuss' wonderul narration in "Stand By Me" and is peppered with comedy, poignant emotion, and heart. "Goodfellas" practically made Pesci's career with his explosive performance as Tommy DeVito. Here, Pesci forever silences the theory that short, little guys can't be tough. Robert DeNiro shines equally as the Irishman Jimmy Conway with his famous "Little Bit" scene. The supporting cast of characters is top notch in the tradition of Scorsese with Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, and Frank Vincent creating memorable performances. If you haven't seen Goodfellas, buy it! It changed the way Gangster films were made, as it added a little comedy to the gritty criminal subject matter.
Rating:
Summary: great DVD--great commentaries
Review: the greatest thing about this new edition (besides that now it's an anamorphic master with better image, and you don't have to filp in the middle ofthe film like with the old DVD) is the commentary tracks.
now, track number one is with the crew and cast. very enjoyable, but still regular stuff.
what is so amazinng is track number 2: the cop and criminal commentary, with none other than Mr. Henry Hill himsself commenting on the film, which is his own life story.
Scorsese deliberatlely made this film in a tongue-and-cheek manner, very fast, very light, very funny (he says he was inspired from Truffaut's JULES ET JIM).
in the film people get wacked as if it were part of a gag. maybe because he thought that the way those guy lived, and maybe this was the only way to survive; never take any murder seriously, or at least you shouldn't show you're scared otherwise your partner will wack you next, as he may think you're unreliable.
well, Henry Hill says that was exactly how they lived, telling to himself in many occasion that now, he cannot believe how he could do that. so Scorsese was right, as Henry Hill himself confirms.
and to us, the commentary allow us to see the film, and the world it describes, in a new dimention. already at the film's nonchalant and shocking murder scene, Hill says he stills see that experience in his nightmares. and watching the movie with his commentary, we actually realize that, though on surface it's done in a rather comical way, it nevertheless does not miss the horror that the three main characters hide.
also kind of scary with this commentary is that...towards the second half of the film, a lot of real names are erased with a buzz sound. of course because these stuffs can be still dangerous, that many of the guys are still alive and you cannot tell the names in public.
the Henry Hill commentary confirm that as much absurd the universe of the film may seems to some, it's very authentic.
among the cast and crew interview and the making-of documentary, the most interesting comments come from Thelma Schoonmaker, Scorsese's faithful editor and most important collaborator since RAGING BULL (she aleady worked on WHO'S THAT KNOCKING ON MY DOOR, their first film).
Rating:
Summary: The guy below me is WAY WRONG
Review: The guy below me says that you see more picture with the Fullscreen format. Right? WRONG. When you go to the movie theaters, all the movies are shown in the widescreen format. OK. When you get widescreen, you see 25% more to the left and right of the screen in the 1.85 widescreen format and 50% more with the 2.35 widescreen format. When you watch a widescreen film, you are not as close to the characters as you are with the fullscreen format. The only reason the black bars are there is because you zoom out everytime the black bars get bigger. The camera moves less in a widescreen film than it does when it's compressed to the fullscreen format. And, they do not cut off the top and bottom portions in the widescreen format.
Rating:
Summary: THE GREATEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME
Review: The honesty and reality of this movie is unparalelled. (did I spell that right?) Everyone turns in a performance of a lifetime. Including Ray Liotta, who needs to work more. Martin, please call this gentleman again. This movie established me as Liotta fan for life. Who didn't want to pistol-whip some guy for checking out their lady after watching this movie? An attention-grabber from begining to end, this film will live forever.
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Summary: Best Mob Movie Ever Made
Review: The reason I am writing another review of this movie is because I spelled some words wrong in my last review. Here is my new
review. Covering thirty years of mob life, this gritty excellent
movie is not only director Martin Scorsese's greatest masterpiece
but it is also the best mafia movie ever made. Based on the novel Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi, it features Ray Liotta as the
true life Henry Hill, an Italian boy from Brooklyn who after seeing the glamorous lifestyles of gangsters decides to become a
mobster by joining a neighborhood mafia family led by Paul Sorvino. This study on New York mob life is a flawless gangster
that has the words timeless classic written all over it. I am a
real big fan of Martin Scorsese and I find this film that he has made superior to TAXI DRIVER, RAGING BULL, MEAN STREETS, and his
partially inferior CASINO. CASINO can never match the high class
and brilliance of this 1990 classic. It was a great injustice that GOODFELLAS lost best picture and best director to Kevin Costner's epic DANCES WITH WOLVES. Even though I love DANCES WITH WOLVES, I thought this film should've won. Oh well, at least
Joe Pesci won best supporting actor for his terrific portrayl of
hair trigger gangster Tommy Devito, which has to be the performance of his career. I can watch this film over and over and never get tired of it. Of all Scorsese films, this one is my favorite to watch over again. This is not just sleek and stylish, but it is also the greatest film of the 90's. Somebody
asked me once what is the best mafia film ever made. I told them
GOODFELLAS is the best mob movie ever made and THE GODFATHER is the best mafia trilogy ever made (All three films). Now I only wish Warner Brothers would release a special edition DVD of this movie complete with documentaries and commentary because a tour
de force like this deserves first-class treatment. Highly recomm-
endes and a must-see. Oh I forgot to mention the film also has terrific performances from Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci,
Lorraine Bracco, and Paul Sorvino.
Rating:
Summary: Thank The Movie Gods For You, Scorsese!!
Review: There's only one word to describe this movie: MASTERPIECE!!
This movie is unbelievable in all its glitzy and gritty deliciousness. It stars Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Paul Sorvino, and Lorraine Bracco. Ray Liotta is the film's central figure as his narrative lets the audience in on the mafia life he had lived for nearly 30 years.
Robert De Niro plays veteran gangster Jimmy Conway. Although it is in some instances, a more 'quiet' role, De Niro delivers a characteristcally electrifying perfomanance. He's captivating. But for hard-core De Niro fans like myself, we expect nothing less from the master.
Joe Pesci's role as trigger happy gangster Tommy DeVito is awesome. He provides the black comedy that is present in the film as well as the extra boost of energy and star power.He's a mean force to reckon with. Pesci's Oscar for his work in this film was well-deserved. If he didn't win, they would have to answer this movie kingpin! :)
Paul Sorvino plays the kingpin Paulie whom Henry views as his adopted father. His performance is highly commendable. He has a quiet furiousity in his role.
Lorraine Bracco gives a 'pre-Sopranos' performance as Henry Hill's bedazzled wife, Karen. Her peformance is awesome and it definitely serves the movie well.She holds the intrigue that many feel when it comes to gangsters, so she's relatable.
All in all, folks, Scorsese, with his wonderful steadycam shots, soundtrack,beautifully realized characters, and overall flawless cinematography, has created a powerhouse film that's on AFI's top 100 Films of All Time list and a film that isn't easy, if at all, to forget.
Scorsese, you're a genius! Thank the Movie Gods for you!
Rating:
Summary: Best Mob Movie Ever
Review: This is by far the best mob movie ever. Based on real life, it's just the best
Rating:
Summary: FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOODFELLA...
Review: This is simply a great mob movie. Based upon the best selling book, "Wiseguy", by Nicholas Pileggi, it traces the rise and fall of "gansta" wannabe turned government informant, Henry Hill. Skillfully directed by Martin Scorsese, this film with its all star cast, megawatt performances, and period music soundtrack packs quite a wallop to the senses. Named 1990's best film by the Los Angeles, New York, and National Society of Film Critics, it garnered six Academy Award nominations and earned Joe Pesci an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In the 1950s, a preteen Henry Hill (Christopher Serrone) began his career as a "gansta" wannabe on the mean streets of East New York, where a small Italian American community thrived. Working with Paul Cicero's (Paul Sorvino's) crew, he worked his way up, doing the penny ante, gofer stuff, until he began more heavy duty involvement. As a young man, Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) took to his life in the underworld like a fish takes to water. He married a nice, jewish girl whom he turned into a shrewish girl, as he lived the life he wanted. His wife, Karen (Lorraine Bracco), also became entranced by the perks available to a mobster Henry teamed up with Jimmy "The Gent" Conway (Robert DeNiro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci). Together they stole, lied, cheated, and killed their way through life, until they got wacked or got caught. When Henry, against the express advice of Paul Cicero, got involved with Jimmy in the 1970s cocaine drug trade, it was the beginning of the end for him and Jimmy. The film skillfully chronicles the rise and fall of Henry Hill from wiseguy to goverment informant in the witness protection program.. It is amazing that the actor playing young Henry Hill, Christopher Serrone, resembles Ray Liotta so much, right down to the piercing hazel eyes. He gives a terrific performance as young Henry, expressing all the joie de vivre that young Henry had over being associated with mobsters. Ray Liotta, as the adult Henry Hill, gives an outstanding performance. The viewer senses his absolute love for the life that he lives. He clearly enjoys all the perks of a mobster, his only regret being that he could never be a "made" guy, because he was not fully Italian, as his mother was Sicilian but his father was Irish. Robert DeNiro is wonderful as Jimmy Conway, low key yet powerful. Joe Pesci gives an over the top performance as the wild, volatile, and totally crazy Tommy DeVito, an out of control wiseguy who has no redeeming value as a human being. He is a guy who does not think twice about killing someone over something trivial. Paul Sorvino is excellent as the mob boss who is all about the family and plays it the old fashioned way. Lorraine Bracco gives the performance of her life as Karen Hill, a woman besotted by the life of a mobster's wife, until she realizes that girlfriends are an expected part of that life. She is sensational. This is simply a great mob movie. It is a film that the viewer will watch again and again. I, myself , have seen it at least three or four times, and each time is as if it were the first. Vastly entertaining, this film is a worthy addition to one's collection.
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