Top 10 list - Martin Scorcese films

By Frank Visco
Collegian Editor
October 4, 2006

The Departed is supposed to be the best film Martin Scorsese has made in quite a while, so it seemed like a neat idea to do a top 10 pertaining to Scorsese films.

10) After Hours — Focusing on what Roger Ebert calls “the Manhattan state of mind,” this film follows the bizzare exploits of Paul Hackett on the worst night of his life.

9) Age of Innocence — About a man in the 1870s who is passionate for one woman but thinks he should marry another who society deems appropriate, this film isn’t exactly vintage Scorsese; still, the movie is excellent and he nails the period.

8) The Aviator — Many may debate the quality of the film, but there is no doubt that Scorsese supplies first-rate direction. It may not be a outright masterpiece, but the film is so gorgeously shot and acted that it still deserves a spot on this list.

7) The King of Comedy — A comic kidnaps a talk show host in the hopes of convincing him to let him on his show. It’s a great premise, made all the greater by perfect casting — Robert DeNiro as the comic and Jerry Lewis as the talk show host.

6) Casino — This film is classic Scorsese. It’s got greed, deception, mobsters and a high body count. However, the most interesting thing about it is its portrayal of Las Vegas as a powerful machine that allows people in for quick fame, but spits them out far quicker.

5) Mean Streets — The film uses the world of gangsters to delve into what it’s like to live in a state of sin. The opening narration, spoken by the director over a black screen, says it all: “You don’t make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home. All the rest is b.s. and you know it.”

4) The Last Temptation of Christ — The greatest movie about Jesus thus far, the film tactfully dives into the psyche of Jesus. It’s a powerful film, and through highlighting the humanity of Jesus, Scorsese makes his ultimate sacrifice all the more potent.

3) Raging Bull — The film takes a cold look at boxing, and avoids romanticizing it as most boxing films do. Many consider it the best film of the ’80s.

2) Taxi Driver — Some of the most daring character development put on celluloid can be seen in this flick. DeNiro kills as Travis Bickle, getting us into the disturbed mind of his character. Furthermore, the irony of the film’s final minutes, and the thoughts provoked by it, make for an amazing movie-going experience.

1) Goodfellas — The most realistic mainstream mobster movie, Goodfellas is a phenomenal tour de force. Everything is perfect, from the soundtrack to the cinematography to the acting (especially a brilliant, Oscar-winning turn by Joe Pesci).

viscof1@lasalle.edu