Martin Scorsese has been in the news recently due to his interview with Deadline where he said “I’m old. I read stuff, I see things, I want to tell stories, and there’s no more time. Kurosawa, when he got his Oscar, when George [Lucas] and Steven [Spielberg] gave it to him, he said, ‘I’m only now beginning to see the possibility of what cinema could be, and it’s too late.’ He was 83. At the time, I said, ‘What does he mean?’ Now I know what he means.”
I can’t lie, the quote got me a little misty eyed. It’s a sad reality, but an astute observation about growing old in the profession Scorsese is in. To celebrate his illustrious career and his new film, Killers of the Flower Moon, which debuts at Cannes, I wanted to rank my ten favorite Scorsese flicks.
Honorable Mention: Bringing Out The Dead (1999), Taxi Driver (1976)
10. The Irishman (2019)
Even though Scorsese has Killers of the Flower Moon coming out, The Irishman felt like an homage to his career. It had Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci and was a film about the mafia. That is Martin Scorsese in a cliff noted nutshell. While the film is entirely too long and De Niro’s de-aging is a horrific look, I loved the dynamic between De Niro and Pacino. I have many gripes with the film, but those are all trumped by three of the greatest actors ever working with a legendary director that’s taking on a masterful script from Steven Zaillian.
9. Shutter Island (2010)
Between 2000 and like 2013, we saw a lot of great, mind-bending films like The Prestige, Memento, and Donnie Darko. Shutter Island properly asserts itself towards the top of the list of films with a great twist. It’s one of Scorsese’s many collaborations with Leonardo DiCaprio and is personally one of my favorites. I do find the twist to be a tad predictable, but that doesn’t stop me from still being gobsmacked by it every time I rewatch Shutter Island. Like many of Scorsese’s films, his set designs are pristine in this film and is something to gaze at. Shutter Island is a fantastic flick that will make you think and question everything.
8. Raging Bull (1980)
Raging Bull is a fantastic film, but also has, possibly the best performance delivered in Robert De Niro’s illustrious career. It’s not my personal favorite, but it is a tour de force that showcases his unparalleled acting prowess. Portraying the troubled and self-destructive boxer Jake LaMotta, De Niro immersed himself into this role by morphing his body Christian Bale style packing on the pounds to play LaMotta in later life and then slimming down to play a badass bruiser in the ring. I find Raging Bull to be so raw, yet also a masterpiece. The black and white adds an uneasy element and the scenes when De Niro argues and beats his wife make you feel tense beyond belief.
7. Casino (1995)
What I adore most about the film community that loves Scorsese is that you could ask ten fans what their favorite movie from him is, and you’ll get ten different answers. For many, their favorite Scorsese film would be Casino. Whenever I watch it, I get a warm and fuzzy feeling just seeing De Niro’s eccentric suits being set in the glitz and glamor era of Las Vegas. The pizzaz of Vegas perfectly contrasts the seedy underbelly of organized crime that’s running from the midwest into the casinos and it is awesome. De Niro and Sharron Stone have fabulous chemistry, Joe Pesci is a marvelous prick, and Don Rickles truly is the greatest.
6. The Departed (2006)
The Departed is an exceptional film that stands as a testament to masterful storytelling and powerhouse acting which is a staple in the world of Scorsese. With a cast comprised of some of Hollywood’s finest including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, and Martin Sheen, the movie boasts an ensemble of remarkable performances. The film delves into the gritty world of crime and corruption, while also intertwining the lives of an undercover cop and a mole within the police force. The gripping plot, packed with twists and turns, combined with the stellar performances of its talented cast, makes The Departed one of Scorsese’s best. I’m not sure he should have won Best Picture for it, but I’m glad he got an award he should have received year’s prior.
5. Gangs of New York (2002)
While Gangs of New York isn’t a typical fan favorite amongst Scorsese sycophants, I personally love it. When you get past an okay Leonardo DiCaprio performance and a wildly miscasted Cameron Diaz, this is an absolutely epic historical drama. We’re treated to an all-time great performance from the legendary Daniel Day-Lewis who plays one of films best and most ruthless villains, Bill The Butcher. Scorsese’s set designs of 1850s New York is remarkable along with the fantastic group of actors past Day-Lewis, DiCaprio, and Diaz with Liam Neeson, John C. Riley, Brendan Gleeson, and Jim Broadbent.
I could understand why some people may not be a huge fan of the film, but I love it. There is fantastic action, including a remarkable opening and final battle scene between the gangs. Just an absolutely fantastic movie with a lot of raw, redeeming qualities.
4. The Aviator (2004)
The Aviator is a great movie and I won’t let anyone else tell me otherwise. I’d go as far as saying it’s Leonardo DiCaprio’s best performance and he should have won Best Actor for it. His performance is brilliant as he portrays the eccentric and mentally ill director and aviation expert, Howard Hughes. While it can be a bit of a slog at times, I get enthralled in every rewatch. It’s a film that’s broken into many arcs from Hughes directing Hell’s Angel’s to pursuing his aviation dreams to then battling with Juan Trippe. And I’d be remised if I didn’t add that Alec Baldwin is GREAT as Trippe. A remarkable villain that you the viewer loath immediately.
One of my all-time favorite scenes in any movie is when DiCaprio crashes in Beverly Hills while test flying the Hughes XF-11. Seeing the plane sputter to when DiCaprio is injured in the cockpit is peak cinema. Even though the run time is just under three hours, that never detours me from rewatching it. It’s a shame The Aviator isn’t discussed more in Scorsese’s filmography.
3. Goodfellas (1990)
I mentioned with Casino how everyones Scorsese film varies, but his overall best is Goodfellas. If you look at films, there’s always parts you could cut out, but Goodfellas is airtight. It’s imperative to see Henry Hills childhood, his upbringing in the mob, and then his decent into madness. Every little aspect is as important as the next in Goodfellas. On the IMDB Top 100, Goodfellas is the 16th ranked film and the highest Scorsese film. If you’ve never seen Goodfellas, you should drop everything and watch this masterpiece NOW.
Performance wise, this is Ray Liotta’s pinnacle. While he is a great actor, he never touched another performance like Goodfellas and it’s a shame he didn’t win Best Actor for it. A damn shame. De Niro and Pesci are outstanding, but my personal favorite is Lorraine Bracco as Liottas wife. She’s a pivotal character in this film and plays the character to a tee. Goodfellas is the summit of mob films and it came from the guy who’s mastered the genre.
2. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
If you want to watch a three hour, drug-induced party, then The Wolf of Wall Street is for you. It’s one of the most wild films I’ve ever seen and even at three hours, it’s become the most re-watchable film I’ve ever encountered. Scorsese chronicles the rise and fall of stockbroker Jordan Belfort and in-between the rise and fall, we see his addiction to quaaludes, women, and power get the best of him. A loaded cast and hysterical antics make this one of Scorsese’s best.
In this movie, we see some of Thelma Schoonmaker’s best editing. An instance of that is in the opening sequence when Belfort breaks the fourth wall and speaks to the audience, the cars he’s driving in change colors and style. It’s so brilliant because is shows off the lifestyle Belfort was indulging in. We also see a divisive score, but one I enjoy very much. Scorsese uses Movin’ Out by Billy Joel, Double Dutch by Malcolm McLaren, and my personal favorite was when we hear Mrs. Robinson by The Lemonheads when Kyle Chandler and the FBI raid Stratton Oakmont.
A common theme with a lot of the films I’ve referenced is that Scorsese and the actors in his films have a poor track record with the Academy for winning Oscars. Leonardo DiCaprio should have won Best Actor for playing Jordan Belfort, but he won two years later for grunting and getting fucked by a bear in The Revenant. I’d argue The Wolf of Wall Street should’ve won Best Picture and Jonah Hill should have won Best Supporting Actor.
1. The King of Comedy (1982)
Over the past few years, The King of Comedy has picked up steam as a Scorsese cult classic and I love to see that. I have a starry-eyed affection towards this movie. It’s one of my all-time favorites and you’d know this if you walked in my college dorm because above my desk I have Rupert Pupkin on a poster staring back at me. Scorsese highlights a mentally insane, wannabe comedian who will go to any lengths to succeed. That even includes kidnapping his idol to get his fifteen minutes of fame.
What attracts me most to The King of Comedy is the dialogue. The writing from Paul D. Zimmerman with Scorsese’s direction make Rupert Pupkin a likable character. When he says to Jerry Lewis “Do you want to see my Pride and Joy?” and then pulls out a picture of the dish soap is hilarious. Pupkin, even in his own mind, is kind of a hack comedian. He’s pathetic, but that’s why you radiate to him. Or at least that’s why he’s my favorite movie character of all-time.
Much like The Aviator, I wish more people talked about The King of Comedy. It’s a delightful picture that satirizes comedians in a dark and comedic way. I view it as Scorsese’s finest work, but people forget about it because it’s sandwiched between Raging Bull and After Hours. Nevertheless, I give the highest recommendation to The King of Comedy. “Better to be king for a night than schmuck for a lifetime.”