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Summary: Grabs you from the start and doesn't let go until the end
Review: Goodfellas is a violent, dramatic, visceral, and often very funny look at life in the mob. There isn't a whole lot to say about this film - every actor is incredible, from Ray Liotta as Henry Hill, who goes from a idealistic young crook to an isolated and deflated man in the Witness Protection Program. Joe Pesci is simply great as the psychotic gangster Tommy DeVito. Robert De Niro is brilliant as always as Jimmy Conway. This is a perfect example of Scorsese's directorial genius, and the cinematography is excellent as well. Also, in a bit part, is Samuel L. Jackson - another great actor who unfortunately doesn't get to show his talent because of his very minimal on-screen time. Goodfellas is a great movie, and a must-see.
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Summary: Bay it, See it, Fall in love....
Review: I love this film! Scorseses best film ever. It has everything, humor, violence. The best part is the description of Brooklyn in the 1950s. The supporting cast is better than the main character (Liotta). Joe Pesci and Robert DeNiro are stunning. This film is second only to The Godfather (pt. 2 and pt. 1.). It has 2 cool theatrical trailers on the DVD. Bay it, See it, Fall in love....
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Summary: Goodfellas-four decades in the life of a gangster
Review: The quintessential story of all time, Scorsese delivers a film that deserved much more recognition. The direction is superb, form the freeze frames and voice over to the classic cafe conversation betwen Henry and Jimmy, paving the way for the De Niro Pacino showndown in Heat. Joe Pesci won an Oscar for his role as pychotic Tommy, but the award could have easily gone to De Niro for his bustling dealing Jimmy Conway. As Henry Hill, the man who trades in a life in the mob for freedom, Ray Liotta has never been better, and the Oscar whispers around this near perfect performance has never been equalled. The story itself is a wonderful piece, first charming and glorifying the power of the mob before savagely showing the downfall of Hill, particularly due to drug abuse, Scorsese has never been bettered in the portrayal of coaine addiction than in this film. Pilleggi's story is a masterpiece, convereted to the screen by the greatest living filmaker and should rightly be considered as a defining moment of our generation.
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Summary: Best Mob Movie on Earth
Review: This happens to be one of the best mob movies I have ever seen. It also happens to be one my all time favorites. Ray Liotta is absolutely fabulous, Joe Pesci makes the whole movie worth while. Every actor does a wonderful job, although I am partial to Ray Liotta. (Gotta' love those eyes)I also find it interesting the way mob life is portrayed. It just goes to show all "good things" must come to an end. Fantastic movie.
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Summary: THE GREATEST MOVIE IN THE HISTORY OF CINEMA!
Review: For once this movie captures the true essence of Mob life in New York. Supurbly acted by Robert Deniro and joe Pesci. I found Pesci's performance so true to life, that I started to fear him! The "How am I funny" scene was one of the greatest scenes in motion picture history. I've seen this movie approx. 20 times (Once at the movies in 1990) and I can't wait to purchase it on DVD. If you haven't seen this movie, your missing out on history, this one will be talked about for years!!
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Summary: one of the best films of the decade
Review: very good film period.one of my last fav deniro films.i haven't liked but 2 other de niro films this decade.pesci was solid but this is my last fave from him.ray liotta fell off after this one.only samual jackson has been able to come back strong.this film is very deatailed and what have you must see.pesci stole the film for me.
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Summary: A movie you can't refuse
Review: Whattya waitin' for? You gonna see this movie or what? It's got everything: bullets, blood, bad language, wise guys, the whole cannoli. Yeah, it drags a bit, but you got a problem with it? It ain't easy packin' in so much, eh, business, into one videotape, you know? The soundtrack is A-1. Better than hearing a black limo rolling up while you're walking down the street, eh? So don't thinkaboutit - just buy it already!
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Summary: The Greatest Gangster film ever made
Review: If you are a fan of Ganster films then this ones at the top of your video pile. The greatest ganster film that will remain there for many years to come. This reviewer has only praise for Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro, and Joe Pesci as they were superb. My favorite film without a doubt.
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Summary: Should Get One Hundred Stars..
Review: Director: Martin Scorsese's The God of The Cinema, he's a gift from christ himself, this guy is gifted, and he and deniro, pesci, grew up in N.Y. coincidence? I think not.. this is the apitome of the ultimate mob experience..if you wan't to live the life..but aren't involved..or are considering it..then watch this film..it's an eye opener..you feel as if your part of the crew..experieincing what they experience..this is the greatest movie of all time..deniro's best role(and there are many) pesci's Greatest Role..and Liotta's Shining Moment..there is absolutely nothing wrong with this film.. so you gotta flip it, don't whine, it's not a problem, takes a second, it's like back in the day, with the intermissions in the theatre's, gives me a nostolgic feeling, doesn't bother me..long live scorsese...and rest in peace with much respect to "Mario Puzo" - The Godfather Trilogy,The Last Don Series, and of course his published works..~ Michael "The Saint"
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Summary: Unique, informative and exciting cinematic experience!!!!
Review: Vince Carag Film Review Oct. 15, 1999 GoodFellas: Dir. Martin Scorsese The film GoodFellas, an adaptation of the book Wiseguy written by Nicholas Pileggi, follows and describes the true story of the life of former mobster figure turned FBI informant Henry Hill (Ray Liotta). The film takes you from Henry's days as a youth admiring the gangsters in his neighborhood, to his first hand participation in organized crime activities, through a stint in prison and finally to his "being turned" and becoming a rat for the FBI. Some side plots in the film include Henry's pursuit and relationship with his wife and mistresses, as well as Henry's relationship with his friend and associative mobster figures. While the circumstances in the film would serve good for a "Hollywood-Style" ultra-dramatization, this film is more of a pool of information and a cinematic experience with great acting rather than a thematic movie, or a story-line film that builds up to a climax. What this film lacks in traditional story format, it more than makes up for it in the cinematic qualities, acting performances and information and insight into real Mafia figures that it offers. The fact that this film is so informative and that it deals with a mobster figure of Henry Hill's status is what makes GoodFellas unique among other contemporary "gangster films". While films like Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather Series and Brian DePalma's The Untouchables deal with high-ranking Mafioso and bosses, GoodFellas deals with the lower ranking soldiers of organized crime. An earlier Scorsese film Meanstreets, not really a "gangster-film", dabbles a little in this area of Mafia, but GoodFellas was truly the first and best portrayal of this previously unknown world. Henry and his running mates, Jimmy "The Gent" Conway (Robert DeNiro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci), are presented as hard working hustlers that provide for both their families and superiors, while enjoying the power and advantages of being organized criminals. Inner workings of airport truck high jacking, airport money luggage thief, how gangsters live and survive in jail, police and FBI payoffs and harassment are all explored. Ideas and ethics of organized crime, like whom you can and can't kill, dues that lower ranking members should pay to their superiors and who protects who and for what are all presented. Terms like tribute (money given to superiors for protection from other wiseguys), made-man (a member of a crew, one of the 5 families, untouchable), pinch (to get arrested), bulls (FBI agents) and busting balls (giving someone a hard time) are thrown around casually and gives all the information being presented a sense of authenticity. On a cinematic level GoodFellas is truly a work of art. Scorsese uses quick cuts, tracking shots, pov shots, tilt shots, pan shots, dolly shots, quick zoom ins and outs, low angle shots, slow motion, freeze frame, voice-overs just everything to present the information mentioned above. The voice-overs are particular helpful because they provide great exposition, that doesn't have to be acted out, which keeps the fast-pace of the film from slowing down. This aggressive style of camera work, coupled with upbeat classic oldie hits and voice-overs, really creates subliminally, an exciting and fast-paced cinematic experience. A famous example, which really exemplifies the greatness of Scorsese's work in this film, is the extended, behind the back tracking shot when Henry and Karen enter the Copa Cobana restaurant from the side entrance. This is Karen's first experience in Henry's world and we see the astonishment on her face as they enter through the side entrance, dodge workers in the kitchen and sliver through the back until they are cordially seated. All this is done during one long continuous tracking shot while an upbeat oldie rock song plays. The effect is almost like we are entering this underground world with Karen and we share in her excitement. Another aspect of the experience that GoodFellas presents is the wonderful performances delivered in this film. All the characters in the film, with the exception of Tommy, are presented with depth and the cast did a great job of making the characters, that run the whole spectrum of emotions, come to life. Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci are especially memorable. Both are served especially well by Scorsese's active visual images and sounds, but even when these two actors are not served, their presents and acting alone are simply outstanding. A great example of Pesci's performance as the explosive Tommy, is when Tommy is out with the guys and he owns the scene. Tommy is telling jokes, he is the center of attention and then he seems to turn evil on Henry for making a harmless comment, and for a moment we believe he is truly upset. Then of course he just laughs it off and later in the scene smashes a bottle over the owner's head and continues to tell jokes. A true personality actor, Pesci sells us on the volatile nature of Tommy without the service of camera tricks. A good example of DeNiro's sensitive and tough leader Jimmy is when Jimmy breaks down after hearing some bad news concerning a friend of his. Jimmy goes from surprise, to disbelief, to anger, to sadness and back to anger right before our eyes. Again, no tricks just DeNiro. The rest of the cast also had very believable performances as well. These performances do a great deal to get the information across in both a plausible and entertaining fashion. While GoodFellas may not possess great many climaxes and twists in the plot like other more normally structured films. It possesses a good amount of information and insight that no other film up to its release had explored before and because of this GoodFellas holds a unique place among films of its genre. Along with the information that the film offers, Scorsese's manipulations of images and sound coupled with the great performances by the cast as a whole, but especially Pesci and DeNiro, make this film a great educational, entertaining and cinematic experience and a must see for those that have been deprived.
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