GoodFellas

Rating:
Summary: Goodfellas - A Scorsese classic!
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: "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.

Rating:
Summary: The Ironic Tale of a Wiseguy
Review: "Goodfellas" was a fantastic start for the cinema of the 1990s, and has not dated itself in any way. It's a quasi-documentary about the social life of a Brooklyn branch of the mafia, and is packed with facts and observations which are seamlessly intertwined with the narrative (and in a non-gratuitous manner, too, unlike "Gangs of New York," where the historical information seemed shoehorned in lieu of the story). The voice-over narration which Nicholas Pileggi and Scorsese hammered out of Henry Hill's memoir is humorous and observant, and Ray Liotta's reading of it utterly natural-sounding. To me, watching actors entirely inhabit their roles makes the most spectacular CGI-saturated movies pale in comparison, and with a script as good as this one, it becomes a magic experience. Especially impressive is Paul Sorvino's Paulie Cicero, whose subtle expressions and mannerisms are amusing as hell all throughout the film, like in the scene where a local restauranteur, who's been terrorized by Pesci's Tommy character, tries to convince him to "take a piece of the joint" simply to get Tommy off his back...Or when Paulie warns Henry about engaging in drug-dealing while they're on parole. All the major cast are fantastic, but even those in the secondary roles are vivid, like Frank Vincent as a paroled mobster who gets done in by a senseless and spectacular act of petty revenge, or Chuck Low as Morrie the Wigmaker, whose constant nagging of master criminal Jimmy Conway (de Niro) for his cut of a big score grinds the latter down (not a person you want to bug even once). "Goodfellas" contains scene after scene of brilliant acting, perfect period music choices, a narrative which is both illuminating and suspenseful (even though the film has a very loose, episodic feel).

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: Scorsese knocks one out of the park with Goodfellas. A true story of gangster Henry Hill and his wild ride with the Mafia. Stellar performances by Deniro, Liotta, Brocca, and last but not least Joe Pesci. Pesci is incredible as gangster Tommy Devito and won a well deserved Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Truly one of the greatest gangster movies of all time....its not to be missed.

Rating:
Summary: One Of Scorsese's Very Best
Review: I first saw this film in a movie theater and later saw it a couple of times on video. "Goodfellas" is not only one of Martin Scorsese's very best films but also one of the most realistic and convincing crime movies in film history.

Based on a true story, "Goodfellas" chronicles the rise and fall of Irish-Italian American gangster Henry Hill(Ray Liotta). Hill goes from slick mob dandy to drug-addicted paranoid and eventually winds up in the Federal witness protection program.

Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas" is one of the greatest crime movies in film history. Scorsese's masterpiece is a successful blend of the satire and crime genres. The ultimate result is a realistic portrayal of organized crime in the United States. Scorsese's key players are perfect: Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, and Paul Sorvino. Robert DeNiro is the last of the great screen actors and is both menacing and convincing as murderer-thief Jimmy Conway. Although DeNiro is a strong presence, most of the story's emphasis is placed on Ray Liotta's Henry Hill. The story is told through Liotta's eyes and he gives the best performance of his career. Joe Pesci is great as the almost psychotic Tommy DeVito. In a very tense moment with Liotta at a mobster get-together, Pesci utters a great and unforgettable line that is vaguely reminiscent of DeNiro's now-famous "You talking to me?" one from Scorsese's "Taxi Driver." Future superstar Samuel L. Jackson briefly appears as a robber. Scorsese and Nicholas Pileggi should also be praised for an outstanding screenplay. The film has a great dialogue that is both creative and realistic. Scorsese's "Goodfellas" also possesses a powerful sense of realism that is sorely lacking in even Francis Ford Coppola's "Godfather" masterpieces. Scorsese's characters talk and act like everyday people.

I plan to see "Goodfellas" again. Well-recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Goodfellas
Review: In this film, Robert DeNiro, the greatest actor of all time, is teamed with Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci, whom he worked with in Raging Bull. The movie is told as a narrative from Liotta's character's, Henry Hill, point of view. It chronicles three decades of his life in the mob, from his days working at a mob owned cab stand in the fifties to his mob breakdown in the seventies. The musical selection is excellent, as is the camerawork. The use of zooms and slow motion makes some of the best camera shots ever. As for the music, it changes with the time frame as the movie goes on. There is an interesting incorporation of the song "Layla" by Derek and the Dominos. The movie is based on a true story from a book written by co-screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi, who would also go on to write "Casino", also for Martin Scorsese. The directing is awesome, and the acting is phenomenal. Joe Pesci in an Oscar-winning performance for Best Supporting Actor, is the testy Tommy Davito. Also Oscar nominated, is Lorraine Bracco, now of the Sopranos, as Liotta's wife. Paul Sorvino also is very critical to the film's success. A five star film, this is a must see.

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: Scorcese at his best
Review: This is as close to an ideal movie as you're going to get. It's based on a fabulous book (Nicolas Pileggi's Wiseguy), has an excellent script, a good soundtrack and features outstanding performances from Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.

I've heard Goodfellas compared to The Godfather over and over again, but that comparison doesn't work for me. I actually found it to be the anti-Godfather. Goodfellas is much more gritty and real. It depicts the same violent, dangerous world that The Godfather did, but with all the grandeur stripped away. The harshness of Goodfellas will almost rub you raw at times, but in many ways its more rivetting than The Godfather because of its almost complete lack of sentiment. This is definitely a gripping, intense movie that will hold your attention for its entire 2 1/2 hrs.

Though Goodfellas is categorized as an action movie and does contain the requisite number of fights, explosions, etc., it's actually much more finely nuanced and psychologically complex than what you'd normally expect from this genre.

Ray Liotta's performance as Henry Hill is skillfully understated. You can really feel his ambivalence about the life he's leading and the people in it and his transformation from a street smart kid into the burned out, coked out loser he turns into is really disturbing. Henry literally self-destructs.

Joe Pesci delivers an equally powerful performance as sociopath Tommy DeVito. Tommy is so remorseless that he casually discusses cooking while burying one of the unfortunate victims of his lightning-quick temper. It's Tommy's non-chalance that makes him so frightening.

Robert De Niro is wonderful as well as Jimmy Conway, a man whose charm and congeniality mask his icy heartedness. Jimmy makes it so easy to like him and trust him, yet he betrays everyone who makes that mistake. Beneath his seemingly sincere good will is pure self-interest. Jimmy does what's good for Jimmy. Period.

Part of what I thought made this movie so interesting is the relationship between Henry, Tommy and Jimmy and how they react to the same events. Jimmy never, ever loses his cool or his surface lustre while the evil in Tommy feeds on itself and he becomes more evil. Henry, however, degenerates and falls apart. This is what makes Henry the only sympathetic character and the one whose redemption you'll hope for. Will Henry be redeemed? You'll have to watch Goodfellas and find out for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: gore movie which pays a price
Review: Tommy was the brutal killer
Henry was the person who would plan/straighten out everything
Jimmy was the one who "Rooted for the bad-guys in the movie" and had lots of money. Tommy, after stabbing a part of the Gambino family in the back of an old Cadillac pays the price of a bullet in the head! Jimmy wants payback getting guns and silencers, and Henry goes to Jail and flushes his lifetime down the toilet boal...

Rating:
Summary: I'M WAITING FOR MARTY'S TELLING OF JOHN GOTTI
Review: John Wayne and John Ford had the great calvary trilogy in the 1940's. Ford knew the American West like no other, so it was only natural that he immortalize it on film. Ford was idolized by Scorsese (THE SEARCHERS are featured in the movie theatre sequence in MEAN STREETS), and Marty is the undisputed champion of mob movies. Let him emulate the master with his mob trilogy. With 1995's CASINO, now 2/3rds complete. GOODFELLAS is a masterwork that yet again redefined American gangster films (holding the crown until DONNIE BRASCO set its own mark in 1997). The superstar set, both in front and behind the camera are present. There are few aside from Nicholas Pileggi can ink underworld tales and only players like DeNiro, Pesci (brutally horrific as Tommy) and now Ray Liotta (this role made him a star) can bring them to life in all their vileness. Marty's telling of John Gotti would be the appropriate point on the triangle. Just as they did with TAXI DRIVER in 1976, and RAGING BULL in 1980, the Academy again played it safe and denied this Scorsese classic the best picture Oscar for 1990. That's a trilogy Hollywood should regret.