Oh man, this film. This is #2 on my all-time favourite list. Everything about it is just perfection. That opening with the above quote and Tony Bennett's "Rags to Riches", the Copacobana tracking shot, Pesci's "You think I'm funny?", I just love it all. The humuor is brilliant. I watched The Sopranos for the first time last year and the amount of Goodfellas actors who are in the series is something ridiculous (at least 30-odd I read somewhere). I judge anyone who doesn't like this film...
2.) Taxi Driver (1976)
A hard-hitting masterpiece. Set on the decaying neon-lit streets of 70s NYC this is arguably De Niro's best ever performance. He plays the intriguing and complex Bickle with such a haunting intensity that you are almost swept up in his ideology (I said, "almost"!). The Schrader script is one of my favourites. I feel this is one of those absolute foundation films for students of cinema, a must-see.
3.) Gangs of New York (2002)
Why so high up you ask? Why above Raging Bull you ask? Well this is more a personal choice rather than a critical choice I guess. Some say it's messy and flawed and over-long. For the last 2 years I've actually ended up watching this at about 2am on New Year's Eve and I feel it will be a continuing tradition. I love the meticulously recreated setting of the Five Points of New York, Day-Lewis' portrayal of one of my favourite characters in Bill the Butcher and the massive scale of it all. I won't even try and defend it from the purists, it just rules, ok?
4.) Raging Bull (1980)
The ultimate unsympathetic character? Possibly. It's also the most authentic, savage and downright insane physical transformation from any method actor out there (Christian Bale obviously picked up some tips). The crisp black and white cinematography made Scorsese claim that he would only ever make films in b&w from then on. Woody Allen also said the same after Manhattan. Ahem, well...
5.) Shutter Island (2010)
For me this conjures one of the most bleak and disturbing atmospheres of any film. Truly haunting. Nicely structured mystery detective thriller, perfect use of location, a neat little homage to The Red Shoes and solidly acted from DiCaprio and Ruffalo.
6.) The Departed (2006)
Unbelievable that it took this long for Scorsese to bag himself a Best Director Oscar (shame on you, Academy). This is probably one of the best ensemble casts in any film. If you haven't already, check out the Hong Kong film this is based on, Infernal Affairs. Rapid-fire editing and shaky camera infuse the intricate plot (a rat is placed within in the mob whilst a mole is placed within in the police) with high-octane energy.
7.) The Aviator (2004)
Love the era, the cast (especially Blanchett as Hepburn) and the subject of Hughes and his crazy foray into the world of film and aviation.
8.) Casino 1995)
Did De Niro just get acted off the screen by Sharon Stone?! Well, perhaps not quite off the screen but still, she definitely gave him a run for his money... It really feels like this is rated unfairly low, but Scorsese has made so many great films it was hard to move it higher.
9.) Mean Streets (1973)
Electric arrival of a hot new directing talent, this film really announced Scorsese as a filmmaking force to be reckoned with. And also De Niro and Keitel deserve special mention for powerhouse performances. This is the gritty reality version of The Godfather.
10.) New York, New York (1977)
I love Liza. Just sayin'.
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