Birth Name: Martin Charles Scorsese
Birth Date: Nov. 17, 1942
Birth Place: Queens, New York
Features Directed: 29 and counting
Features I've Seen: 21 (72%)
Martin Scorsese developed a passion for film at a very young age. He grew up with asthma, which kept him from playing sports with other kids. To keep him busy, his parents would send him to the movie theatres. He was raised in a devoutly Catholic environment which led him to wanting to be a priest. But his passion for the cinema grew and he decided to attend NYU's College Of Arts And Science. He earned a Masters Of Fine Arts at NYU's Tisch School Of The Arts in 1966. His first feature starred a fellow student named Harvey Keitel and was titled "Who's That Knocking On My Door". Scorsese used quick editing, an ever-flowing camera, loud music and a strong conflict between religion and violence, something that he would expand on and perfect in the years to come. In the early 1970's, director Brian DePalma introduced Scorsese to an actor he had been working with, one Robert DeNiro. DeNiro would go on to star in no less than eight of Scorsese's films, one of the greatest partnerships in cinema. Scorsese's love for music has led him to direct some documentaries on the subject including ones focussing on The Band, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and George Harrison. He has been nominated for 8 Academy Awards, winning his first for directing "The Departed". Four of his movies have been nominated for Best Picture at the Cannes Film Festival, winning once for "Taxi Driver". What follows is a list of Martin Scorsese's movies I've seen, listed in three different categories, chronologically (imdb.com score in brackets):
MUST SEE
Mean Streets - 1973 (7.5): DeNiro is fantastic, as well as Keitel. Really great camera movement.
Taxi Driver - 1976 (8.5): It may look dated now, but what an impact!!
The Last Waltz - 1978 (8.0): One of the best music docs ever. Great performances, great insight.
Raging Bull - 1980 (8.4): My fave! Still can't believe Scorsese didn't win Best Director. A masterpiece!
The King Of Comedy - 1983 (7.7): Jerry Lewis was never better. Great social satire ala "Network".
Goodfellas - 1990 (8.8): An incredibly well-crafted film. Brutally violent, but not gratuitous.
Casino - 1995 (8.2): Very similar to "Goodfellas" in structure, so it has to be good. Sharon Stone was great.
The Aviator - 2004 (7.5): Very long, but held my interest throughout. Realized how good Leo is!
Shutter Island - 2010 (8.0): I didn't think I'd like this movie nearly as much as I did. Loved it, in fact.
NICE TO SEE
Who's That Knocking At My Door? - 1967 (6.8): The first is interesting, but unpolished.
Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore - 1974 (7.4): Got away from violence, great performance from Ellen Burstyn.
After Hours - 1985 (7.6): Really showed off camerawork here. Underrated, fun film.
The Last Temptation Of Christ - 1988 (7.6): Nobody else could have made this movie.
New York Stories ("Life Lessons") - 1989 (6.2)
Gangs Of New York - 2002 (7.4): Went on waaaay too long, but some hugely powerful scenes.
The Departed - 2006 (8.5): I liked it, but it was hyped so much. And Mark Wahlberg was AWFUL!
Shine A Light - 2008 (7.2): Doc on The Rolling Stones felt like it should have been more in depth.
NO NEED TO SEE
The Color Of Money - 1986 (6.9): I was never a fan...thought Tom Cruise was AWFUL!
Cape Fear - 1991 (7.3): I became tired of DeNiro's act quite quickly. Rousing finale, though.
The Age Of Innocence - 1993 (7.2): Some great performances, but boring.
Bringing Out The Dead - 1999 (6.8): Still bored by this movie. Seems as though Scorsese had little to work with.
That's Marty...who will be next???
"Taxi Driver" is pretty much perfect. Same with "Goodfellas." I could never get into "Raging Bull," even though I can see that it's bloody brilliant. "New York, New York" is highly underrated. Much like Tim Burton, I think he's far less interesting when his budgets get too big. Although I'm dying to see "Hugo." It looks right up my alley.
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