The Departed

[Bourne101]

http://www.cinemacomrapadura.com.br/noticias/img/3244-2006-08-16-23%3A30%3A33_1.jpg

Directed by Martin Scorsese

Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller

Tagline: Cops or Criminals, when you're facing a loaded gun what's the difference?

Plot Outline: A reinactment of a Hong Kong film called "Wu jian dao" (aka Infernal Affairs), two men from opposite sides of the law are undercover within the Boston State Police department and the Irish mafia, but violence and bloodshed boil when discoveries are made, and the moles are dispatched to find out their enemy's identities.

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Anderson and Alec Baldwin.

Rated R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, some strong sexual content and drug material.

Runtime: 149 Minutes


One of the best cast lists I've seen in years. Looks fucking great!

[jason statham]

Martin Scorsese + Gangster Genre = A Masterpiece.

I`m already saving a space for it in my top 20.

[DareDevil]

I can't think of anything that could stop me from seeing this opening night. My most Anticapated movie of 2006, seems like I've been waiting forever!

[ilovemovies]

I'm so pumped for this. It looks so freaking awsome. And what a great ensemble cast too! :cool:

[DaMovieMan]

man this thread is going to be so huge next week and beyond....this movie is going to be amazing.


DMM

[darkface]

They've changed the marketing to attract a wider audience, which is smart on Warner Bro's part. Even though these movies coming out this fall look great to us, I don't think they'll make that much money. They never do.
Even the Prestige is already mixing up their advertising to attract a wider audience. It's a good move and hopefully it'll pay off for the studios because more of these movies should be made.

[Squid Vicious]

Peter Travers gave it four stars. (http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/10370647/review/11894453/the_departed)

I've also heard that the trailer for Zodiac will premiere with The Departed. Yet another reason for me to see it opening day...

[Squid Vicious]

Peter Travers gave it four stars. (http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/10370647/review/11894453/the_departed)

I've also heard that the trailer for Zodiac will premiere with The Departed. Yet another reason for me to see it opening day...

[Squid Vicious]

Peter Travers gave it four stars. (http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/10370647/review/11894453/the_departed)

I've also heard that the trailer for Zodiac will premiere with The Departed. Yet another reason for me to be there opening day...

[Squid Vicious]

Peter Travers gave it four stars. (http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/10370647/review/11894453/the_departed)

I've also heard that the trailer for Zodiac will premiere with The Departed. Yet another reason for me to be there opening day...

[Squid Vicious]

Peter Travers gave it four stars. (http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/10370647/review/11894453/the_departed)

I've also heard that the trailer for Zodiac will debut will The Departed. Yet another reason for me to be there opening day...

[Squid Vicious]

Peter Travers gave it four stars. (http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/10370647/review/11894453/the_departed)

I've also heard that the trailer for Zodiac will debut will The Departed. Yet another reason for me to be there opening day...

[blankpage]

Marty = I'm there.

Plus, good cast to boot!

I'm there with bells on.

[TylerDurden182]

Originally posted by blankpage
Marty = I'm there.

Plus, good cast to boot!

I'm there with bells on.

Ditto. Hopefully we will finally get the Zodiac trailer also... that would be an awesome little bonus.

[ChemicalRomance]

Seeing this early on Sunday...I'll be sure to tell everyone what I thought!

[Strider]

Honestly, I'm not all that excited about this one. Perhaps that's a good thing, seeing as the last time I got excited about a Martin Scorsese film, I was severely disappointed. Anyway, The Departed has an interesting concept and a great cast, but like I said, I'm just not pumped up about it.

I'll have to watch Infernal Affairs before I see this.

Strider

[DaMovieMan]

Originally posted by Strider


I'll have to watch Infernal Affairs before I see this.

Strider

Why?

DMM

[Brando @$$ Fat]

Holy shit, I have been able to think of little other than this for the past three weeks. Hell, I'm throwing a party just to celebrate the occasion. Cannot......fucking.....wait...........

[Rocco84]

Originally posted by Brando @$$ Fat
Holy shit, I have been able to think of little other than this for the past three weeks. Hell, I'm throwing a party just to celebrate the occasion. Cannot......fucking.....wait...........

same here Brando, i've got the advance screening on wednesday, but then on opening day i'll be there as well, as will a huge group of friends that are just as excited. It must be said, the reviews have been amazing. Were looking at Scorsese at the very top of his game here. I can't bloody wait!!!

Rotten Tomatoes (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/departed/)

[Strider]

Originally posted by DaMovieMan
Why?

DMM

Well, seeing as The Departed is an American remake of Infernal Affairs, I don't want to watch the former film without having watched the latter film.

Strider

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by Strider
Well, seeing as The Departed is an American remake of Infernal Affairs, I don't want to watch the former film without having watched the latter film.

Strider
I have to say, if you do watch it, it narrows the chances of The Departed being a successful (in quality and financially) "Inspired by" movie. Just my opinion, though. All I can say is that I'm just not that excited to see it. I've loved some Scorsese movies, but his last few have just been "meh." and this one doesn't look like it's gonna change that trend.

[RandalGraves]

I'll be there opening day! I'm so stoked for this flick!

[Squid Vicious]

How did I end up posting the same thing six times? :confused:

Oh, and Kevin Smith and Richard Roeper gave it two thumbs up. Roeper said it's the best movie of the year so far. :cool:

[dreamcurls]

oh yeah
can't wait!
Leo is looking so good! yum yum

[Loondatoon]

Finally another movie comng up with Jack Nicholson. Too bad he doesn't act that much anymore. All the great actros are getting old.

[Tuukka]

Originally posted by Strider
Well, seeing as The Departed is an American remake of Infernal Affairs, I don't want to watch the former film without having watched the latter film.

Strider

It's not really that much of a remake. Apparently the main premise remains the same, but pretty much everything else has been changed. Which is a good thing, IMHO, since making the exact same movie again would be pointless.

[Scarfather]

Grrrr, I'm fucking pumped for this movie. My blood is 2100 degrees.

The clips I've seen are so god damn badass, I'm going to explode.

I knew your father, he was someone who could've been anybody.

Are you saying he was nobody?

*Jack rolls up sleeves*

I'm saying he worked at the airport!

-WHAM!-

I love Jack Nicholson like family, and I've never met him before and never will, he's my favorite actor of all time, Pesci and Hackman far behind in 2 and 3.

This, Borat, and The Fountain are all that I NEED to see this year to be content.

[DaMovieMan]

Originally posted by Strider
Well, seeing as The Departed is an American remake of Infernal Affairs, I don't want to watch the former film without having watched the latter film.

Strider

These are two completely different films, and they should be regarded as two different films.
Boston Irish mafia with Jack Nicholson and Leo Dicaprio is different than Asian kingpins.
As Tuukka said the only thing they have in common is the premise.

DMM

[ilovemovies]

This movie has one of the best ensemble casts of the year. You've got DiCaprio, Damon, Nicholson, Alec Baldwin, Mark Walhberg, Martin Sheen, that girl from Running Scared (don't remember her name) and James Badge Dale.

And Nicholson looks to be at his badass best here.

Of coarse, it's ALWAYS an event whenever Scorsese has a movie coming out. But this one in particular I am THRILLED beyond belief about. It's just going to kick SO much ass!

[ChemicalRomance]

Best film of 06' so far!

Will post a full review later!

9/10

[TylerDurden182]

^^^^^^^^^^^

Awesome. Can't wait to read your review.

[thedudeman69]

I am a HUGE fan of Scorsase's early work from Mean Streets to Casino to Goodfellas. When I saw the first trailer, I was hooked on this film. I hope it turns out good, and not a dud like Gangs of New York.

[RandalGraves]

Originally posted by ChemicalRomance
Best film of 06' so far!

Will post a full review later!

9/10

Yea I cannot wait for this review!

[JCPhoenix]

Originally posted by ChemicalRomance
Best film of 06' so far!

Will post a full review later!

9/10

Sweet, good to hear that a schmoe has seen and approved of it :p

[ChemicalRomance]

I can't get over how great the plot works...how well everything meshes.

[Gordon]

I think I already asked you this in another thread but how did you see it a week early? And have you seen Infernal Affairs?

[ChemicalRomance]

I take a class at NYU that offers advanced screenings and interviews with the directors and stars of the films that are screened. Anyone can sign up...I am 17 and take the class with my father, I am by far the youngest in the class.

I have not seen Infernal Affairs, but Professor Brown who teaches the course and is best friends with Scorsese (attended NYU with him) told an interesting fact: the screenwriter of THE DEPARATED has still NOT seen Infernal Affairs. Haha.

[dman476]

Drew, have I told you that I envy you?
You live in New York (compared to the measly LA), you get to see awesome films with the filmmakers before they're released , and you take film classes at NYU taught by Scorsese's friend.
Yeah, that about sums it up :p

[ChemicalRomance]

;)..Don't forget on Tuesdays that I attend a course with 10 other people entitled "Becoming a Film Critic" with TimeOut New York's film critic Joshua Rothkopf. We talk about Chan Wook Park and other things when our class has a break. Heaven! :)

[ChemicalRomance]

Ladies and gentlemen, sound the alarm because Martin Scorsese has regained the pristine directorial mastery that he has not fully grasped since 1990's GoodFellas. This is not to say his efforts since that masterwork have been lackluster, they’ve just been slightly below what we all knew he was capable of. The Departed is a story of the thin line between cops and organized crime, in a perfectly constructed story that twists and turns without ever becoming convoluted or cliched. Telling a detailed plot synopsis would be futile because for one thing, it is quite hard to do for such a film and two not knowing as much going in will only make the film better. To put it simply, The Departed is about two cops (Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio) who share different connections to infamous and ruthless Boston gangster Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). When tensions arise between who may be a rat for the police and who may be undercover in the mob crew, accusations and fists fly along with bright red blood all over the walls.

To say this film is star studded would be an understatement. Besides the already mentioned the cast includes Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen and Alec Baldwin all in exceptional supporting roles. The three leads work well off one another, but the true star of the film is Nicholson as the joke and bone cracking, lady hustling, and general fun time loving mafioso. When he isn’t chewing scenery it is either because the crowd will have broken into an uproarious laughter for one of his wise cracks or simply be silenced in awe with the mastery Nicholson has of his craft. Damon and DiCaprio are no slouches either. In a film in need of emotional complexity and psychological depth, Damon and DiCaprio are able to add their own layers to the story with believable and intense performances. It’s hard to imagine The Departed being cast without such talented and experienced actors because the stars are able to manifest the roles and make them their own.

To say Scorsese is not a crucial element to the film’s resounding success would be careless. You want to talk about mixing it up? The Departed is an exercise in stylistic prowess. The film, which runs for nearly two and a half hours remains relentless. Without Scorsese and help of long time editing collaborator Thelma Schoonmaker, this probably would not be possible. The camera is always moving, be it in the smoke filled mob hangouts, around the cluttered offices of the Massachusetts state police or in moments of critical plot development and tender exchanges. Such mastery must be seen to be believed. Even in theater as I tried to put my thoughts about the direction into words, I found the proper and deserving praise escaping my brain. I decided to just sit back and feel high on beautiful cinema and watch a master paint a masterpiece.

The Departed is loosely based on a film from Hong Kong named Infernal Affairs. But don’t let Departed screenwriter William Monahan hear you call it a remake. To this day he has still not seen Infernal Affairs. This doesn’t stop the screenplay of The Departed from being absolutely phenomenal. In a story that can easily become irritatingly overwritten and unreasonably complicated, everything remains in perfect balance. The script crackles with quick and ingenious dialogue, often leading to moments of unmistakably well timed comedic relief against consistent bloodshed. Through meticulous construction the screenplay weaves a story of good and bad cops without ever becoming stale or taking a breath for air. The only true misstep for the screenplay and the film in general is a few subplots that linger a bit too long and an ending that may leave audiences divided. This however is just one rotten apple in a dozen deliciously fresh ones.

The Departed isn’t great just because it is entertaining, but because of what it attempts to achieve and does achieve through talent on every level of the filmmaking process. It appeals to so many crowds: people who want a tricky mind thriller, an entertaining crime flick, or another thumbs up film from the arguably most important director working today in American cinema. Take all these elements and consider The Departed a dizzying achievement.

9/10

[dman476]

That's quite a review Drew (or shall I say, Droog?).
You've got me foaming at the mouth all right...sounds fantastic.
I'll be watching Infernal Affairs on wednesday (should come through netflix by then), so I'm not sure if that's a good thing.

And dude, come on..."becoming a film critic"?
Is there anything else you'd like to share to make me hate you so much more (I keed, I keed)? :D
Oh wait, I forgot...you just got accepted to Tisch a few minutes ago. :p

[TylerDurden182]

Great review Drew.

Quick question, was the trailer for Zodiac attached to The Departed?

[ChemicalRomance]

Damn you dman for pushing this damn thread onto the second page and leaving my review to eat the dust! ;) Just kiddin'.

I don't know if seeing Infernal Affairs before it is better, but I'd go against it.

And wait a minute: holy shit fuck holy...ADD ME ON NETFLIX! Give me your adress!

[ChemicalRomance]

Originally posted by TylerDurden182
Great review Drew.

Quick question, was the trailer for Zodiac attached to The Departed?

No trailers at the screening, just intro and outro by the teacher.

[outsyder]

Originally posted by ChemicalRomance
I don't know if seeing Infernal Affairs before it is better, but I'd go against it.

Well, for reference, it's a really great movie. I recognized a few things from the Departed trailers, so although the screenwriter may not have seen the movie yet, I don't doubt he knows the story well enough.

[dman476]

Originally posted by ChemicalRomance
Damn you dman for pushing this damn thread onto the second page and leaving my review to eat the dust! ;) Just kiddin'.

I don't know if seeing Infernal Affairs before it is better, but I'd go against it.

And wait a minute: holy shit fuck holy...ADD ME ON NETFLIX! Give me your adress!
Hehe, that's what your review gets for being so good ;)

I'll still probably watch Infernal Affairs. I don't see how it could harm the Scorcese one...maybe serve as an appetizer even?

And yes, I finally got netflix Drew (yesterday). I'm very excited. :D
(P.S. Grave of the Fireflies is no. 5 on my queue).

And I found that e-mail (with your account) so I know what address to send it to...so I sent you an invite (if that's still the e-mail).
If it doesn't go through, you can send it to:
danielmatusov@yahoo.com

Hear from you soon...

[Gordon]

Well there were a surprisingly large amount of similarities between the two.

I really want to see this but after seeing Infernal Affairs I'm really REALLY skeptical about it. Then again I'm a bigger fan of that sort of Asian cinema then most people here.

I'll give my two cents after watching it the week it's released like the other bums. :D

[JCPhoenix]

That sounds awesome Chemical...I'm so stoked for this...I've been hearing great things about Nicholson's work in this especially and man, Nicholson as a mobster villain alone would have me in theatre opening day, but with Scorsese's name, a good source of inspiration (Infernal Affairs 7/10, Infernal Affairs II 8/10), and some talented cast as well, I'm practically pissing my pants in anticipation.

However, I think people can still consider it a remake because while Monahan didn't see the film, he actually worked off of a Chinese translation of the script...which basically means, he did work off elements of that movie and for a screenwriter, that's pretty much as good as actually having seen the film.

I'm sure it's different enough to be more "inspired by" than a "remake of"...not trying to discredit his work, in fact, I loved his work on Kingdom of Heaven (the director's cut, not the theatrical version) and I'm sure he's probably improved on the original in many ways (I think the original, while good, definitely had room for improvement), just that the movie is inspired by Infernal Affairs and just from watching the trailer, one can definitely see the similarities (all the main/side characters intact including the psychiatrist, can even see that they kept at least one major scene from the original film intact in the way it happens from the trailer)...where I'm expecting it to veer from the original is in its thematic elements and of course, I would assume while the basic storyline will be intact, the characters will be their own...

[ChemicalRomance]

Originally posted by dman476
Hear from you soon...

Indeed you will! Friend'ed! I love comparing ratings, we seem to agree on a lot of things.

[FilmKing2000]

Sounds great! Very nice review, Chemical.

[chinton]

can't wait.

[ChemicalRomance]

Thanks to everyone who has given compliment to my writing, I truly appreciate it.

[Tayzlor]

Originally posted by ChemicalRomance
;)..Don't forget on Tuesdays that I attend a course with 10 other people entitled "Becoming a Film Critic" with TimeOut New York's film critic Joshua Rothkopf. We talk about Chan Wook Park and other things when our class has a break. Heaven! :)

Eternally jealous man.

Did your instructor say how the screenwriter wrote the movie? Maybe just an outline of the plot?

[Monotreme]

An exquisitely well-written review, Drew. Certainly jazzed me up - and fuck, I was totally jazzed up for it to begin with. Now I'm bleeding with anticipation. Serves as a great visual contrast to my being puke-green with envy that you got to see it so early, and that you're taking all these courses and shit. Why are some people in this world so lucky while others are stuck in far-off deserts?

[ChemicalRomance]

Don't worry Monotreme, with such a love for cinema and a great writing style and eye for analysis...you're going places.

And by the way: Berardinelli gives The Departed 4 Stars.

http://www.reelviews.net/movies/d/departed.html

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by Tayzlor
Eternally jealous man.

Did your instructor say how the screenwriter wrote the movie? Maybe just an outline of the plot?
See JCPhoenix's post above. To reiterate, he rewrote it using the screenplay.

[Brando @$$ Fat]

I was so worried this film was going to be another Black Dahlia, or basically a film that looked really promising but was shat on by every major critic. Thank God, this looks like it could be THE film for 2006.

[daddiefatsacks]

i honestly can't wait

[anakinsrise]

All of the top critics are raving about this movie.
Im in high anticipation !!!!

[echo_bravo]

Awesome review Chemical!

I was wondering if Jack gets to do a "wild sex" scene in this film like he wanted to?

[darkface]

I like the music so far in the Trailers.
-How's the music in the actual movie? Does it have the same vibe?


Also, I'd just like to say thanks to Scorcese for not making this a time period piece. It's not often you see movies with this premise set in modern times. It's getting old to see movie's set in the 1930's about mob boss's, when we still have mob groups around today!

[sean156]

Hey everyone. I’m new at posting but been visiting the site and forums for a long time. Anyway, I also got a chance to see The Departed this past Sunday at my school. Like most everyone here, I was uber-stoked to see it, being a huge Scorsese fan. I also enjoyed Infernal Affairs quite a bit, and hoped that Scorsese’s picture could use the material from it well. My review won’t be as good or well written as Chemical’s but hopefully it’ll give you guys an idea of how I felt about the film (vague minor spoilers).

Freakin’ awesome. Those are the words from my simple vocabulary that I have to describe the film. I have to agree with ChemicalRomance that this is Scorsese’s best film since GoodFellas. The man just seems to be most comfortable within the crime drama and his best works reflect that. The funny thing about The Departed is that there are a large number of scenes that play out similarly to Infernal Affairs, yet Scorsese molds the film into something very different that stands on its own. Some of the key scenes may be very much the same, but the characters, their relationships, and themes present are rich and hold up their own against the film’s Hong Kong counterpart. While Infernal Affairs was largely about the transformation of people into what they can become and how they have to live with their actions, The Departed is largely about disloyalty, redemption and death (as made obvious by the title). The film, while touching on the main theme of Infernal Affairs, makes it clear that everybody, no matter what path they take, all end up six feet under.

The performances were great across the board. While I thought Jack Nicholson did a great job, he didn’t do anything that I hadn’t really seen him do before. He was just solid Jack. He didn’t go crazy as Costello, but based him in reality as a psychotic yet highly intellectual mastermind. Matt Damon did well also, with his character being more cocky and arrogant than I anticipated. However, I feel the true acting gem of the main trio is Leonardo DiCaprio. I don’t get a lot of the Leo bashing on the net, I feel he always does a pretty solid job, but he really blew me away in this film. He plays Billy Costigan as tortured, confident, and confined and really made me feel for him. Definitely his most mature role to date and his best performance of the three films he’s made w/ Scorsese. Martin Sheen provides solid support as strong and caring Captain Queenan. Surprisingly Mark Wahlberg didn’t stick out too bad and he did a pretty decent job, despite his character’s one-dimensionality. I also have to point out Alec Baldwin, who, despite his limited screen time, had the two funniest lines in the movie in a scene when the cops are covertly conducting surveillance on Costello and his crew.

The film is classic Scorsese with his camera movements/angles, quick and skilled editing, and awesome soundtrack. The violence may be a little less brutal than Scorsese’s past works, with most of it being similar to GoodFellas in the quick, unexpected splashes of violence. Despite the barrage of shocks during the film, Scorsese shows his deftness at building suspense throughout the film, namely in two scenes: one involving Jack questioning Leo about him being the rat and another involving two cell phones.

The only negative things I can recall about the film is that some characters are underwritten (i.e. Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin) and the last two or three minutes of the film was a slight cop-out that I felt was unnecessary (although it does reinforce the film’s theme and title).

Watching The Departed along with Infernal Affairs is a great exercise in film study as it shows how different filmmakers can create such different and powerful pieces of cinema using such similar material. The two films complement each other very well and show that remakes CAN be excellent.

Overall, Scorsese’s The Departed is a great film from a great director. In my opinion, its about as good as Scorsese’s best (GoodFellas and Raging Bull for me). I think I can make that claim now, but I’ll know better after more viewings and more time for it to sink in. The best film of the year in my opinion, and I’m looking forward to seeing it again on opening day, Friday. I give it a 9/10 as well.

BTW Chemical, like everyone said, great review. I’m glad we both enjoyed the film so much.

Darkface-Most if not all the music in the trailer is present in the movie, so it does have the same vibe.

[darkface]

WOW, just from these two preview reviews my anticipation just sky-rocketed!

My wife surprisingly is excited to see it too, so we're there Opening night! Can't wait!

[Squid Vicious]

Uh-oh...

A NEGATIVE REVIEW!!! (http://www.villagevoice.com/film/0640,hoberman,74637,20.html) :eek:

[Lazy Boy]

Slant should follow pretty soon...

[chinton]

I wouldn't be surprised if Slant gave it a bad review.

the only reviewer I actually listen to anymore is james Bernalldi

[Joshmo]

Village Voice is a rag - so is Slant

[Lazy Boy]

A rag would dictate a publication that deals in gossip columns and generally unfounded insider pieces, whereas Slant does have better writers and film criticism in general than most websites.

I'm not too fond of Hoberman and the Village Voice, though. There can be critiques that aren't as pedantic as his.

[DareDevil]

The new Joblo reviewer gave it 9/10!!!

I honestly can't wait any longer I feel like my heads going to explode!

[Shockwave]

I love me some Eastwood with a passion, But I really think that Scorsese might very well have it in the bag this year.

Flags of our Fathers is the only other movie coming out that looks to be on the same level of kick-assery. (..that and The Fountain, but thats just me i think)

[Dirtyfrog]

I'm afraid to see this movie. I loved Infernal Affairs so much that I'll just spend the movie comparing the two and judging instead of just enjoying it :D

[Katsumoto]

Originally posted by Dirtyfrog
I'm afraid to see this movie. I loved Infernal Affairs so much that I'll just spend the movie comparing the two and judging instead of just enjoying it :D

Don't do it. Go to see the movie with an open mind. Try to think of it as an original piece. Because there's too much to enjoy in this one. The performances, Scorseses' direction, the editing, the music, etc... It was suck if you missed all that just because your trying to compare The Departed to its mediocre original...

[chinton]

I'm going to try to rent Infernal Affairs this weekend and watch once I get home from The Departed.

[AngelDust06]

I am going to check out the Departed tonight and I will post my first review since my long absese later on tonight..I have high hope and can not wait to see it.

[veddhead83]

"The Departed"

***SPOILERS***

One of Scorsese’s Best Films Ever!!!! When talking about great mafia movies, "The Departed" will be mentioned every time from this point forward.

We all know the plot, cop goes undercover in the mob - mobster gets inside the state police. This is a brilliant game of cat & mouse!! The film is executed to perfection by the cast, the director and the screenplay.

The three leads deserve Oscar noms - yes even DiCaprio. Of course Jack WILL get another and hopefully Damon and Leo will get some love too. Surprisingly, Markie Mark was very good - if not great - as he had some of the best lines in the entire film.

The best scene in the movie was when mobster Damon gets officer Sheen's cell phone and calls undercover agent DiCaprio. WOW!!! I just sat on the edge of my seat waiting for one the them to say something - a scene with no dialogue that can have so much tension is high quality storytelling.

How bout that violent third act?!?!?!?!?! POW!!! He goes down. POW!!! Another goes down. POW!!! The entire cast, so it seems, goes down. I'm still thinking about that ending and it is hours later - anyone want to discuss this, feel free....."Inside Man" as great as you are, you have been replaced......

"The Departed" is The Best Movie of 2006!!!!!!

[ChemicalRomance]

The ending is cool vedhead, but it's gonna split audiences down the middle..don't you think?

[chinton]

I'm getting nervous. I've never been a fan of the marketing for the film. It looked good but not great but now everyone loves it. I hope it's good.

[ChemicalRomance]

I thought the trailer was okay..

..and I fucking LOVED this movie!

*So does JoBlo's replacement..9/10..

[chinton]

if I dont love this movie I'm going to be so angry.

[Lazy Boy]

The reviewer for Slant didn't like the film...but, it was more of an in-the-middle review rather than a completely negative pan (2 and a half stars).

Strangely enough, RT counts it as positive because it falls on that line...whatever.

Still, this is going to be Scorsese's best reviewed film in a while from critics, and not the kind that feels forced like "Oh, Gangs of New York isn't great...but I feel guilty if I give it something otherwise, so here's my positive spin!"

[AngelDust06]

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/warner_brothers/the_departed/thedeparted_bigearlyposter.jpg
Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Crime/Gangster and Remake
Release Date: October 6th, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, some strong sexual content and drug material.
Distributors: Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution
My Review: This is officially the best Scorsese picture I have seen in a long time. Yes "The Aviator" was great and "Gangs of New York" was fantastic but damn this is just mind blowing. I have to say that he picked the perfect onsamble cast for this picture. Matt Damon, Leo, Marky Mark and the greatest Jack! All were perfect in this movie. Leo did an outstanding job playing a spy undercover for the police, in the attempt to apprehend Castello (played by Jack). Matt plays Lt. Sullivan who is a mole inside the agency who is helping Castello make sure he can continue doing what he does without problems or interference from the poilice. Now its a hunt for the rat in both spectrums. The ending will leave you breathless and saying to yourself "DAAAAAMN!!" This was a film that I have been anticipating for quite some time and I am extremely happy with the outcome. Martin has yet to dissapoint me and this was perfect return to the "Mobb" movies he has made in the past. I have read and heard many comparisons to Goodfellas but to be quite honest, this film isn't no "Goodfellas", It was a fantstic movie in its own regard. If Jack, Leo, Mark or Matt Damon dont get a nomination for Best Actor in a leading and Supporting role then I dont know whats going on in the mind of the academy. Also Scorsese need a best directors nod for this film because this film featured some classic camera angles and was beautifully directed. Fantastic film that is a must see for everyone.
9.5/10
http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/warner_brothers/the_departed/jack_nicholson/thedeparted2.jpg

[therealjohng]

9/10



Loved it.

[Tony_Montana]

If this doesn't win Scorcese the Oscar I will fucking put someones eye out.


9/10

[veddhead83]

Originally posted by ChemicalRomance
The ending is cool vedhead, but it's gonna split audiences down the middle..don't you think?

Well, maybe.....who lives and who dies shocked me all together....

[TylerDurden182]

The Departed- 10/10

Best film of the year. Period.

Kicks the shit out of the original.

[moviebuff01]

just watched it last night and thought it was awesome... definately going to bring some awards.

[Tweek]

I'm so excited, hopefully it isn't sold out as im going to the theater FORTY minutes before it shows

[SkyNet]

A-FUCKING-MAZING

Scorsese will be bringing home that statue FINALLY!

[Katsumoto]

going to see Half Nelson at the Edmonton Film Festival and then running over to the other theater to see The Departed again. I can't get it out of my mind. And comment by TylerDurden about the original is soooo true, this one blows it away.

[ChemicalRomance]

Originally posted by TylerDurden182
The Departed- 10/10

Best film of the year. Period.

Kicks the shit out of the original.

YES!

So glad you liked it Tyler, especially because our tastes usually collide on movies in a good way.

This movie is just so great, I think I'm gonna go see it again cause I wanna donate money to the "Make Departed #1 This Weekend" fund. Fuck Texas Chainsaw Masscare! Go Departed!

God this movie is so fucking good!

And if you don"t want to take my work for it, check out rotten tomatoes:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/departed/

92% - 116 fresh reviews - 10 rotten reviews

Wow.

[TylerDurden182]

Originally posted by ChemicalRomance


This movie is just so great, I think I'm gonna go see it again cause I wanna donate money to the "Make Departed #1 This Weekend" fund. Fuck Texas Chainsaw Masscare! Go Departed!

Hell yeah. I will definantly be seeing this in theaters again. Either Saturday or Sunday.

[dman476]

Originally posted by TylerDurden182
Hell yeah. I will definantly be seeing this in theaters again. Either Saturday or Sunday.
Watch it saturday if you want to contribute to the "Make Departed #1 This Weekend" fund. That's what I'm doing. :)

[FilmKing2000]

I'll hopefully be seeing this tomorrow night. I can't wait! The rave reviews are everywhere, even from the critics!

[cletus66]

The Departed is hands down the best movie I have seen this year. This is some of Scorsese's best work and it should finally get him that long deserved best director oscar. The entire cast was phenomenal with Nicholson and DiCaprio being the two standout performances.

The Departed was done to perrfection from begining to end and it looks like we have our first best picture nominee of 06.

10/10

[SkyWNC]

one quick question, I've alreay watched IA several times so should I skip this one and go for Texas Chainsaw this weekend?

[outsyder]

Originally posted by SkyWNC
one quick question, I've alreay watched IA several times so should I skip this one and go for Texas Chainsaw this weekend?


No. This move takes the Infernal Affairs ball and runs all the way to the endzone for a touchdown.

Much better acting performances, witty dialogue, and much more gritty violence. There are also SIGNIFICANT changes between characters in IA and characters in The Departed.

I saw IA last week and this movie is still fan-fucking-tastic and much better.

10/10

[ilovemovies]

Originally posted by veddhead83
Well, maybe.....who lives and who dies shocked me all together....


I would have expected Dicaprio to live and Damon to die. But reading this now makes me think the opposite.

But don't tell me. I definately don't want to know until I actually see the movie.

I think I'm going to stop reading reviews now because I don't want my expectations for the movie to be SO high that they end up being kind of unreasonable.

Besides, I thought The Aviator was an amazing movie. I don't know if I see this being better than that but who knows. Maybe. Same with Bringing Out the Dead.

[bankholdup]

9/10

Loved it.

However, the audience I watched it with was the absolute worst. It was your Texas Chainsaw Massacre crowd who couldn't get tickets to the sold-out show (my guess, anyway). Hootin' and hollerin' at every thing any actor did ("Aww shit, he's gonna answer the phone now! No! No!"). This is not Fast and the Furious...shut up, turn your cellphone off, DON'T step over my girlfriend and bother her (or me, for that matter), and STOP LAUGHING AT EVERYTHING like this is the "LOL" comedy of the year! Did I miss all the non-stop Marx Bros. antics or something? Yeah, there are funny parts, but let's get serious here, folks, Wahlberg ain't no W.C. Fields. Took away some tension, but it was mostly there.

Other than that, thumbs up! :) One of Scorsese's best, and...hell, sure, why not? At the top of my list for Best of 2006 for now...it's got more balls than any film in a long time. Brutal, heavy, and, well, brilliant.

[ChemicalRomance]

No one else has mentioned it yet but:

Does anyone else think the best scene of this movie, and the best scene of 2006 was the silent phone call in the thrid quarter of the film? Jesus christ, that had to be the most brilliant thing I've ever seen. The intensity..the silence..the facial acting..that scene had me my head spinning. Did anyone else feel this way when they saw that scene?

[outsyder]

SPOILERS****************


I actually felt similar about the scene were Jack Nicholson pretends to be masturbating in the theatre and then pulls out the dildo in front of Matt Damon.


Nah, just kidding. That was great too, but yes, the phone call was a fantastic scene..

[TylerDurden182]

Originally posted by ChemicalRomance
No one else has mentioned it yet but:

Does anyone else think the best scene of this movie, and the best scene of 2006 was the silent phone call in the thrid quarter of the film? Jesus christ, that had to be the most brilliant thing I've ever seen. The intensity..the silence..the facial acting..that scene had me my head spinning. Did anyone else feel this way when they saw that scene?

Yeah, my heart was racing. Brilliant scene. I really can't stop thinking about this film.

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by ChemicalRomance
No one else has mentioned it yet but:

Does anyone else think the best scene of this movie, and the best scene of 2006 was the silent phone call in the thrid quarter of the film? Jesus christ, that had to be the most brilliant thing I've ever seen. The intensity..the silence..the facial acting..that scene had me my head spinning. Did anyone else feel this way when they saw that scene?


I actually felt the scene where Leo is following Damon through the alley was more intense. But that phone scene did rule.


But seriously, the last 20 minutes of the movie. Wow, just wow. Shit I didn't even see coming. I'm probably gonna see this 2 more times this weekend.

[outsyder]

SPOILERS*************************


Did anyone else feel like Anthony Anderson's appearance at the end of the movie really wasn't necessary? I mean his character didn't really serve to change anything and was quickly dispatched after he arrived.

[OpT!Mu5]

Phe-Fucking-Nominal

I have been so amped to see this since watching Infernal Affairs a while back, and I have to say that while I knew that Martin Scorsese was going to adapt it for an American audience, I did not expect it to be so similar to the original, I mean, it was like every detail was the same, except for the VERY end...;)

All in all, excellent picture, and for those who have seen this and are interested in Infernal Affairs, SEE IT NOW!!!

9/10

[SpikeDurden]

Originally posted by ChemicalRomance
No one else has mentioned it yet but:

Does anyone else think the best scene of this movie, and the best scene of 2006 was the silent phone call in the thrid quarter of the film? Jesus christ, that had to be the most brilliant thing I've ever seen. The intensity..the silence..the facial acting..that scene had me my head spinning. Did anyone else feel this way when they saw that scene?


I couldn't agree more.

As for the film... Wow, just wow. I love The Aviator. I love Gangs of New York. I even love Casino. But this is Marty back to a level he hasn't been at since Goodfellas, and The Departed is every bit as good as that film. I'm far too tired to bother writing a full review now, but goddamn it's fucking excellent.

****/****

[outsyder]

Oh, I also forgot. The movie started half an hour late because the reels were out of order, so everyone got free movie passes to any Cineplex brand theatre.

So basically, for only a half hour inconvenience, I got to see it for free. :D

[daddiefatsacks]

jesus christ? are you guys really that much into this film?

First off, do NOT get me wrong, this is a GOOD movie, but really, there is nothing Original, or thought provoking in this film. This is a film done very well, with GREAT acting, a GREAT script, but an UNORIGINAL storyline and plot. i KNEW who was going to die and live.

************SPOILERS*******************






You knew Dicaprio was going to get blown away when the elevator was going down, you knew Sheen was going to die, you knew Anthony Anderson was going to bite it after DiCaprio died, you KNEW Damon's partner was going to die and YOU KNEW Marky Mark was going to kill Damon (first of all they gave it away in the trailer) and because who else was going to do it? I've never seen Infernal Affairs, but i might check it out now to see the similarities. Nicholson was ok, the best performances here were from DiCaprio, Wahlberg and Baldwin. I think Wahlberg deserves a best supporting actor nominee.


********END SPOILERS*****************



7/10

Go see it for the performances, the writing and Vera Farminga...wow she is fucking hot.

[notchreturns]

That is what I watch films for.

Best film of the year so far, bar none.

One of my favorite moments....

The grocery bag at the end, right after a certain character's demise. I don't know why, but I found that really touching.

[outsyder]

daddiefatsacks, I saw Infernal Affairs no less than a week ago, and I knew exactly who would die and when, and yet I still felt the movie was incredibly strong and brutal. Infernal Affairs contains pretty much exactly the same storyline, execpt for one crucial character alteration, which ends up having rammifications at the end of Scorsese's film.

I don't think it was predictable at all, as everyone in the theatre around me literally gasped and held their breath during a few of those "moments."

[TylerDurden182]

Originally posted by outsyder
I don't think it was predictable at all, as everyone in the theatre around me literally gasped and held their breath during a few of those "moments."

Exact same thing happend in my theater. My crowd was really into it.

[outsyder]

Also heard a few "Holy Shit!"'s flying around too.

[notchreturns]

I was quite stunned as well.

[daddiefatsacks]

Originally posted by outsyder
Also heard a few "Holy Shit!"'s flying around too.

********SPOILERS*****************




i am thinking you are referring to Dicaprio's demise....Don't get me wrong, everyone in MY theater as well made a noise, as hard as it was to believe, i knew he was going to die, once anthony anderson showed up i knew he was gonna get it....and yeah seeing Dicaprio getting his brains blown out would definately make a crowd react









***********END SPOILERS******************

[outsyder]

Well, yes. That scene and . . . .




SPOILERS***********************








When Queenan gets thrown off the building.

[Katsumoto]

Just got back from seeing it for a second time... i loved it even more. This time I really just sat back and watched Scorseses' genius.

Favorite scene: Nicholson and Dicaprio sit down, " I Smell A Rat"

[Shockwave]

...is it possible to find a movie that Leo didnt bug the shit out of me?

I guess i now know the answer is "yes".

9/10. It could go higher with a second watch.

Flags of our Fathers is in a for a HUGE uphill baltte against this beast. I really think this has an undeniable shot at the gold this year.:cool:

[bankholdup]

Originally posted by notchreturns

The grocery bag at the end, right after a certain character's demise. I don't know why, but I found that really touching.

I was thinking this morning, and since it didn't cross my mind when I saw the film last night...

Were the contents in the bag at the end the same as what Nicholson got him at the beginning? Or am I making that up? It's got to be some kind of allusion, cause I think there was at least bread, right?

[Commodore]

I loved this movie.


And I may have to buy the soundtrack.

[ElderPredator]

You guys have me very excited. I'm going to see it tonight with friends (Saturday). :D

I'll give you guys my full length review when I'm back home but for now, it sounds awesome from what you're all saying!

[CuatroDiablos]

Those two scenes you are all talking about were done better on Infernal Affairs..

[TylerDurden182]

Originally posted by CuatroDiablos
Those two scenes you are all talking about were done better on Infernal Affairs..

In my opinion, The Departed improved everything about Infernal Affairs. The Departed blows Infernal Affairs away.

[veddhead83]

Originally posted by ChemicalRomance
No one else has mentioned it yet but:

Does anyone else think the best scene of this movie, and the best scene of 2006 was the silent phone call in the thrid quarter of the film? Jesus christ, that had to be the most brilliant thing I've ever seen. The intensity..the silence..the facial acting..that scene had me my head spinning. Did anyone else feel this way when they saw that scene?

Actually, I did mention it on pg. 2 in my review...but hey, who cares....It was the most intense scene in the entire movie, hands down!!!!!!

[veddhead83]

*****************SPOILERS****************

I knew Marky Mark was going to appear and kill someone - that was given to us in the trailer.

However, I didn't know Leo was going to get blasted at that exact time - it was freaking amazing!!!!!!!!!

***********************************************

[TheMazVolta]

What can be said? Marty does it again... a truly great film, and not just the best from 06', but the best of the last few years...a rockin soundrack to boot with great tunes from The Allman Bros, The Stones, Van Morrison and even The Dropkick Murphys...why are you reading this? Go see The Departed again...

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by daddiefatsacks

************SPOILERS*******************






You knew Dicaprio was going to get blown away when the elevator was going down, you knew Sheen was going to die, you knew Anthony Anderson was going to bite it after DiCaprio died, you KNEW Damon's partner was going to die and YOU KNEW Marky Mark was going to kill Damon (first of all they gave it away in the trailer)


********END SPOILERS*****************







No I didn't. And it fucking ruled when everything came together.

[Lazy Boy]

8/10

The trouble with a great director's resume is that any or all work that precedes their masterpiece becomes either (a) overly analyzed as something its not or (b) put on a pedestal, even if doubts about its actual quality are made suspect. Martin Scorsese, the magna cum laude of living film directors, made his masterpiece in the 80's with Raging Bull, and ten years later, foisted the superb storytelling and editing techniques in Goodfellas that would serve as a shining point of inspiration for many up-and-coming filmmakers. Unfortunately, the "mob effect," so to speak, noticeably ran out of steam five years later with Casino, a bloated, wandering dud, and carried with him for several more pictures, including the choppy Gangs of New York. It seemed Scorsese had tread this territory once too often, and a change up was necessary in the form of The Aviator, a solidly crafted, handsome technical achievement of Hollywood's golden years. While the piece of the period was flavorful, something still lacked.

Now, with the Departed, we are brought back full circle to the mean streets of "cops and hoods" that made him so famous, but to say that he is regressing into the same territory is egregious. William Monahan's script, a blueprint of the 2002 Japanese film Infernal Affairs, is probably the sharpest and most labyrinthine format Scorsese has worked off of, and he doesn't just work, he bounces. The Departed has head shots a plenty, an over-the-top performance by Jack Nicholson that still resists the camp level of his Joker, and a punchy, in-your-face script that layers fantastic dialogue and reversals upon each other that those who have seen the original will have no problem accepting this one, or even rating it on a higher level due to the frickin' ENERGY that Scorsese is outputting in his effort. He's having a lot of fun, not trying to win Oscars, and this effortlessness can be seconded by Monahan, as well as the invaluable Themla Schoonmaker, a dual pilot coup orchestrated by one of the greats, creating scenes of information reveals that aren't revealed until absolutely necessary (loved how, despite knowing Nicholson's role in the movie, he's shot in shadows for the first five/ten minutes), punctuated by moments of quiet silence that extend the movie's doubling effect (the silent cell phone conversation, already a classic on these boards and in print reviews, show both Costigan and Sullivan at the exact same moment of weakness, attainment, etc.)

Once the body count rises, though, the movie loses its punch and becomes gratuitous -- I didn't like the reveals of certain characters (the elevator sequence, for example) because said people were introduced at the start, and subsequently shuffled into the background. Was Anthony Anderson in more scenes, or was the connection not made until the end? And, I didn't like the last scene (I did like the rat scurrying across the balcony, though, a shout out to Ray Winstone's line about the nation being "full of rats."). If anything though, it was done to appease people like the woman sitting behind me who kept muttering, "He just ruined the damn movie." Oh, well, here you go, lady, a shot to send you home happy, you dig? Any other points of negativity? Vera Farmiga, who's actually a good actress, gets stuck playing the straight man/love interest to Costigan and Sullivan, and she could've been dropped if only it weren't necessary for her character to bring out the inner feelings in both characters, a necessity. While Mark Whalberg's one-liners are the popular "go to" in quoting Monahan's trenchant writing, they also limit the actor into a one-note bully, a loudmouth who knows the machinations of the system, and who may or may not be on the level, but it's still redundant.

The Departed is not a departure for Scorsese's directorial skills -- make no mistake, I never questioned his ability, just found him in a slump for the past 10 plus years, and called him on it. It's ironic that in a movie where Costello says, "We all are [on our way out]. Act accordingly," that Scorsese pulls himself back into the running again. While this is NOT the best picture of the year, and should Scorsese win or even be nominated, it will be seen as a make-up for better films, this is still a solidly crafted game of cat-and-mouse, cops-and-robbers, director-and-critics, and this time, Scorsese has won out.

[DareDevil]

Originally posted by Katsumoto
going to see Half Nelson at the Edmonton Film Festival and then running over to the other theater to see The Departed again. I can't get it out of my mind. And comment by TylerDurden about the original is soooo true, this one blows it away.

Wow 2 great films to see, I was just reading about the Edmonton Film Festival last night in the theatre for The Departed, how was it? Did you like Half Nelson (9/10)?

Anyways this movie grabbed me by the balls and had me hooked the whole time. I am going to try to see it atlest one more time this weekend. Best film of 06 !!

[Funnyman]

9 out of 10.
Amazing movie......

There is just one problem with it. Now I have to wait for months for the DVD.

[Joshmo]

The Departed left me speechless.

One of the best crime dramas - movies period I have seen in the last 10 years.

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad when I had rented Internal Affairs I got tired with it when the good cop came in from deep cover and shut it off.

Because of that wise move, nothing had me prepared for how the movie ended or the gut punch Scorcese delivered to me with his take on things.

The last 15 minutes - the entire theater could only gasp in shock and say, "oh no!"...WTF! Holy shit!... amazing movie. Great performances. 9/10

[bob]

I thought it was fantastic. I actually think Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio's performances blow Jack Nicholson out of the water in this one...those guys are definitely coming into their own. And of course Mark Wahlberg was hilarious.

The film's humor was the best surprise. I had the sneaking suspicion that this would be Oscar bait, a safe, classically "powerful" look at the human condition. But instead it had elements of such an investigation, but with humor, warmth, and a very ballsy attitude in all aspects of the film.

A great, great piece of cinema.

[notchreturns]

Originally posted by bankholdup
I was thinking this morning, and since it didn't cross my mind when I saw the film last night...

Were the contents in the bag at the end the same as what Nicholson got him at the beginning? Or am I making that up? It's got to be some kind of allusion, cause I think there was at least bread, right?

It was. I thought it was a nice subtle touch to show the loyalty and family of the whole thing. And perhaps, it was some symbolism to show how Damon had lost his father-figure and was more vunerable and on his downfall.

[chinton]

I loved this film. Great performances, script everything but while I was watching it something occured to me.


This film to me is a wake-up call to a lot of directors out there today and harkens back to a lesson that I always thought one could learn from Hitchcock. I know this sounds crazy but go with me.

One thing I always admired but Hitchcock and still do is that he always had his cake and ate it to. On one hand he loved his audience. He loved scaring them, thrilling them, and manipulating them. He was a mainstream aritst in everyway. On the other hand one only has to take a cursury glance at any of his films today to find very dark non-mainstream subjects that were just under the surface from bizzare sexual perversion, obsession, and the directors own nuerosis. The point I'm trying to make is that Hitchcock realized the key to cinema. There is nothing wrong with making entertaining genre films but that does not mean that one has to sell out or give in. Genre does not equal a compromise in quality.

This is what really struck me about this film. The Departed is a genre film and we all know it. Yes everything is top notch, but it's still an audience pleasing (despite the high body count) gangster genre film. That does not mean it's less in quality thanks to top-flight performances, a dense and layered screenplay, and some of tightest editing Schoonmaker has ever done. Directors make genre films all the time, but wouldn't it be nice if all of them took the craft as serious as this film is.

It's not a perfect film nor a departure for Scorsese but damn what a great, entertaining film that is totally worth your ten dollars.

Did what I said makes sense to anyone?

9.5/10

[Mentiroso]

Well I liked it. Much more than expected. Everyone praising it has said what I think needs to be said.

9/10

[Scarfather]

"She fell funny."

omg This movie was fucking brilliant, 9/10

Didn't beat Goodfellas, 10/10, and my favorite movie, but still, fucking brilliant, just three things to say.

- I don't know about Costello's selection, but when the grocery bag is dropped, the "french donut" he shared with Vera Farmiga rolls out, which actually made me sad at the end.

- The cranberry juice scene was hil-ar-ious.

- I don't know about any of you schmoes, but an extremely contained but loud "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" entered my mind when the most serious and kind-hearted character in the movie is tossed out the window.

[TylerDurden182]

Just saw it again, still a very strong 10/10.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

*SPOILERS*
I dunno. I somehow feel too generous given this film a 9. I was loving it up, ready to give it a 9 or 10, until the elevator scene. People shouldn't be laughing when 3 people have just gotten their brains blown out, including our last real emotional connection to the movie... People gasped, then some laughed at Antony Anderson's demise, then everybody was cracking up at the fellow rat being ousted. And in retrospect, I can't blame them. It was goddamn ridiculous and redundant. And the movie just felt cold after that. In a bad way. The only saving grace for me was the last scene in the apartment. I had the biggest smile when the camera panned up to reveal Whalberg's face. Funny that, I usually hate DeCaprio and am not big on Whalberg (it varies from movie to movie, I recall liking him in Three Kings), but here, I enjoyed them for once. I also thought some of the scenes of Costello's craziness were a bit excessive, but that's neither here not there...
*END SPOILERS*

In the end, it's either a high 7 or a low 8/10

[silentasylum]

gotta say this is one of the most entertaining movies I'v seen in a while...classic Scorsese.

9.5/10

[Mentiroso]

I need to add that probably the most unexpected thing of the movie I might have enjoyed the most was Alec Baldwins performance.

Almost makes me forgive him for being such a wuss and not living up to his promise to move to Canada. ALMOST!

[AngelDust06]

Originally posted by Mentiroso
I need to add that probably the most unexpected thing of the movie I might have enjoyed the most was Alec Baldwins performance.

Almost makes me forgive him for being such a wuss and not living up to his promise to move to Canada. ALMOST!

agreed...and I have to say that I alos found the Mark Wahlbergs dialogue was fantastic...He was perfect for that role. And Jack! WHEW! ITS JACK DAMNIT! Whats more can we say about him. This movie is worthy of a watch every day this weekend. Easily a 9.5/10 and easily my favorite movie this year.

[Mentiroso]

Originally posted by AngelDust06
agreed...and I have to say that I alos found the Mark Wahlbergs dialogue was fantastic...He was perfect for that role. And Jack! WHEW! ITS JACK DAMNIT! Whats more can we say about him. This movie is worthy of a watch every day this weekend. Easily a 9.5/10 and easily my favorite movie this year.


Oh yeah, they were both fantastic but I was expecting that. They (Wahlberg and Jack) have never let me down in their roles. Baldwin just went above and beyond if you ask me.

[AngelDust06]

Originally posted by Mentiroso
Oh yeah, they were both fantastic but I was expecting that. They (Wahlberg and Jack) have never let me down in their roles. Baldwin just went above and beyond if you ask me.

Aaaaa I see. I do agree with ya cause he did surprise me. I wasnt expecting that from him.

[ilovemovies]

Man, I have GOT to stop reading this thread or else my expectations for this movie will end up being unreasonably high.

[OpT!Mu5]

Like I said before, I fucking loved this movie, but lets all be honest here...

We are giving Scorsese way too much credit.

He added some nice touches to the film and definetely left his mark, but every "original" idea and suspense-driven plot device was copied EXACTLY from Infernal Affairs. I was expecting some differences in the story, but was surprised by how similar this was to the original, down to every little detail...and it was shocking to me that this film cookie-cutted just about damn near everything...Watch Infernal Affairs and you'll know what I mean.

Now I'm not saying Scorsese doesn't deserve praise because he did make an excellent picture, but just know that everything you liked about this movie has already been done exactly the same way. I just can't picture this getting any academy awards because:

1. The academy fucking hates Martin Scorsese
2. This movie is an exact copy of another movie, but made for Americans instead of Japanese people...and
3. The academy fucking loves Clint Eastwood

But all in all, I cannot wait for this to come out on DVD!!!:D

[therealjohng]

I just got back from my second viewing. It holds up people. Now since a friend of mine wants to see it, I get to go again tomorrow!

[outsyder]

Originally posted by OpT!Mu5
Like I said before, I fucking loved this movie, but lets all be honest here...

We are giving Scorsese way too much credit.

He added some nice touches to the film and definetely left his mark, but every "original" idea and suspense-driven plot device was copied EXACTLY from Infernal Affairs. I was expecting some differences in the story, but was surprised by how similar this was to the original, down to every little detail...and it was shocking to me that this film cookie-cutted just about damn near everything...Watch Infernal Affairs and you'll know what I mean.

Now I'm not saying Scorsese doesn't deserve praise because he did make an excellent picture, but just know that everything you liked about this movie has already been done exactly the same way. I just can't picture this getting any academy awards because:

1. The academy fucking hates Martin Scorsese
2. This movie is an exact copy of another movie, but made for Americans instead of Japanese people...and
3. The academy fucking loves Clint Eastwood

But all in all, I cannot wait for this to come out on DVD!!!:D

I found there was one significant difference.


SPOILERS****************************************** ****




Sullivan turns on Costello because he's an FBI rat, and thus can still be a bad guy who we hate because of his motivation, thus opening the door for Mark Wahlbergs assassination of him. In Infernal Affairs, Lau (gang member in the police force) turns on the gang boss because he wanted to get out of the game and make his own life as a real cop instead of a mole for the gang.

This is a CRUCIAL character difference between the two films.

Also, I thought although the story is pretty much the same, the dialogue and banter is much better, and flows better.

[chinton]

anybody agree with what I was saying. I know I was kind of unclear.

[OpT!Mu5]

SPOILERS******************************************


Sullivan turns on Costello because he's an FBI rat, and thus can still be a bad guy who we hate because of his motivation, thus opening the door for Mark Wahlbergs assassination of him. In Infernal Affairs, Lau (gang member in the police force) turns on the gang boss because he wanted to get out of the game and make his own life as a real cop instead of a mole for the gang.

SPOILERS*****************

Yeah, the whole FBI informant thing was new, as well as the love tirangle thing, because in Infernal Affairs I think Tony Leung interacted with a Police Therapist, but he wasn't "in love" with her, and it wasn't Lau's girlfriend, if I remember correctly.

[dman476]

Originally posted by chinton
I loved this film. Great performances, script everything but while I was watching it something occured to me.


This film to me is a wake-up call to a lot of directors out there today and harkens back to a lesson that I always thought one could learn from Hitchcock. I know this sounds crazy but go with me.

One thing I always admired but Hitchcock and still do is that he always had his cake and ate it to. On one hand he loved his audience. He loved scaring them, thrilling them, and manipulating them. He was a mainstream aritst in everyway. On the other hand one only has to take a cursury glance at any of his films today to find very dark non-mainstream subjects that were just under the surface from bizzare sexual perversion, obsession, and the directors own nuerosis. The point I'm trying to make is that Hitchcock realized the key to cinema. There is nothing wrong with making entertaining genre films but that does not mean that one has to sell out or give in. Genre does not equal a compromise in quality.

This is what really struck me about this film. The Departed is a genre film and we all know it. Yes everything is top notch, but it's still an audience pleasing (despite the high body count) gangster genre film. That does not mean it's less in quality thanks to top-flight performances, a dense and layered screenplay, and some of tightest editing Schoonmaker has ever done. Directors make genre films all the time, but wouldn't it be nice if all of them took the craft as serious as this film is.

It's not a perfect film nor a departure for Scorsese but damn what a great, entertaining film that is totally worth your ten dollars.

Did what I said makes sense to anyone?

9.5/10
I get what you're saying Chinton...a good genre master is valued more than anything. I wouldn't go as far as calling Scorcese a genre master yet, but he's getting there. This film isn't exactly a by-the-book action gangster film, which, in this case, is a great thing. The film delves into the psyche of the criminal and more so the view from an undercover cop. It's quite stimulating, and Scorcese does what I think Spielberg tried to do with Munich by showing the darkness of murder and the nature of humans.
Excellent film though, some unncessary plot devices and a bit of overshadowing by Nicholson, but a great film no less.
I was very impressed by DiCaprio...one of the most interesting, sympathetic, and well-acted movie characters I've seen in a long time. 9/10
Beats Little Children for # 1 because of its more disciplined nature, but LC is pretty interesting as well (IMO).

By the way, did anyone else think 300 looked fucking retarded? :confused:

[silentasylum]

"Almost makes me forgive him for being such a wuss and not living up to his promise to move to Canada. ALMOST!"


what the hell does his political views have to do with the movie...you mean the fact that he decided not to pay for someone else's mistake...dont blame him.

that has absolutely nothing to do with the movie and if those kind of thoughts enter your head when watching a movie then perhaps you should ask yourself if you know what the difference between reality and the movie world is.

[outsyder]

He never said it impacted his opinion of the movie, making it any better or worse. Anyway, it seems like the joke was just a flippant remark and not a spiteful attack.

Besides, if actors want to openly put their hat into the political foray, they should be open to any and all shots, like politicians, lobbyists, and other political activists.

[Savage Henry]

I allowed myself a day to sit on this experience before commenting, but I still find myself just as giddy as when I left the theatre last night. I will gladly join the many people touting this movie as Scorsese's return to "Goodfellas" form.

This is not to say that I did not like his work in between. I loved the Aviator and Casino, and thought Gangs of New York was a powerful effort, and would have no problem saying those are Best Picture material, but they are not "Scorsese" best picture material. The Departed deserves every ounce of praise it is getting and if I had unwaivering faith in the academy's decisions I would say this flick will take home many little statues, but I don't, so I'll still keep my fingers crossed.

The Departed sits up on the top shelf of Scorsese's with Raging Bull and Goodfellas, and in some respects excedes them. Possibly the most impressive aspect of this movie is the pacing; it is so tight I have no doubt that Schoonmaker is a lock for best editing. To say this movie is fast paced is not entirely true. Things happen fast and frequent in the film, and are often jarring, but Scorsese always includes small breaks or releases (a funny line or a well placed quiet, intimate moment) that allows you to take a breathe and prevent your heart from exploding.

The acting is top notch around the board. Its unnecessary to say that Nicholson was great, because, honestly, who expected otherwise? Matt Damon still hasn't made me think of him as a great actor, but he does do a great job in this role. I was suprised by Alec Baldwin, who I expected to be just another face in the cast, but had me smiling and laughing in almost every one of his scenes. But really this is Leo's movie. This guy has improved ridiculously, and in the course of 3 Scorsese films has transformed me from a hater to a bona fide fan. The fact that this guy outshines Jack fucking Nicholson says enough about his skill. Oh yeah and this movie is just another example of why Marky Mark kicks ass.

I'll see it again asap, but for now this is a tentative 10/10 film, and definitely the best of the year.

[Mentiroso]

Originally posted by silentasylum
"Almost makes me forgive him for being such a wuss and not living up to his promise to move to Canada. ALMOST!"


what the hell does his political views have to do with the movie...you mean the fact that he decided not to pay for someone else's mistake...dont blame him.

that has absolutely nothing to do with the movie and if those kind of thoughts enter your head when watching a movie then perhaps you should ask yourself if you know what the difference between reality and the movie world is.


How about you take your head out of your ass and realize it was a fucking joke.


And yes, if i dont like somone (say Barb Streisand) because of their political views or attitude or for whatever reason, I dont enjoy their work. Get over it.

[ElderPredator]

Well everybody, it's now 2:11am in the morning and I just got back from the last showing of "The Departed" and I loved the movie so much that I'm going to post my review right now (even though I'm pretty tired :D).

_______________________MAJOR SPOILERS________________________

To start off, I went into this movie with very high expectations for many reasons. My first reason being that Martin Scorsese is one of the greatest filmmakers of all-time and secondly because the reviews for the film have all basically made this movie shine like a new penny. I'm a true hardcore fan of Martin and that will never change. With that said, I'm going to talk about his new crime masterpiece, "The Departed".

I'll get right down to the point. This movie blew me away! It was fantastic in every sense of the word and I can barely think of anything negative to say about it. With that, let's talk first about the lead cast.

First off, we have to talk about the coolest dude on the planet.....Jack Nicholson. If anyone ever believed that you lose your acting ability with age, Jack would prove them wrong so quick it would make their head spin. Jack was absolutely astounding as Frank Costella and I consider this movie to be one of his best performances ever. Right from the first minute until the very end, his sense of humour and sheer brutalism throughout was unbelievable. He was very much the comic relief of the film as well with his quick one-liners and sassy attitude. As well, the part in the theatre with the dildo was just about the funniest shit I've ever seen. :p To sum up for Jack, I think he was brilliant in everyway and I believe deeply that he deserves a Best Actor nomination for his work in this film.

Now let's come to our other leading man, Leonardo DiCaprio. I have to honestly say that I've never been a huge fan of DiCaprio throughout his career but I have to say that working with Scorsese for his last few films has really allowed him to distinguish himself as an actor. I think he was excellent in this movie and played the part strong. His "Boston Irish" accent was very good considering his Irish accent in "Gangs Of New York" was terrible but he pulled it off in this movie. He was very intense in the movie and you really felt like this guy is stressed to the bone trying not to be discovered by the mob as well as his own people. I take my hat off for Leo and applaud him on a very good job. When he got shot at the end, the whole crowd and audience was saying nothing but "Holy shit!" and "What the fuck?" which is exactly what I was thinking. Brilliant!

Now let's get to a man who I think stole the screen everytime he appeared.....Matt Damon. Matt has really taken the lead over the past few years with his portrayal of the ass-kicking rogue agent, Jasoun Bourne but in this movie, his talent really came out. He showed a great deal of intensity and emotion throughout the film and I think this is his best performance. Especially with the great cast that surrounded him. The scene with him and DiCaprio on thier cellphones was played out so well that my heart was in my throat. In short, Damon was fabulous and I feel he deserves some recognition for his work.

And now for the supporting cast, let's talk first about Alec Baldwin. Baldwin is an actor that I very much respect and his presence in this movie was breathtaking. He was hilarious in how he delivered his lines and was very professional. During the scene when Costella is making the buy with the Japanese guys was when Baldwin was at his best when he started kicking the shit out of the tech guy for installing the cameras in shitty spots. Awesome work by Alec.

Secondly the legend himself, Martin Sheen. This is without a doubt my favourite Sheen film in quite a long time as he was very stubborn and caring throughout the story which is how you would picture him. His presence was tremendous each time and he really knew how to handle himself. His death surprised the shit out of everyone in the theater and it was a graphic one at that. Leave it to Scorsese to find a crazy way to kill an acting legend. :D Great performance Martin!

And lastly, I come to an actor who I think gave his best performance in this movie....Mark Whalberg. Even though Mark was not in much of the film, he was top-notch for the very beginning with his first line, "Whoopie Fucking Doo". :D He played an awesome character who did nothing but fuck with your head and his interactions with everyone (especially Alec Baldwin) were priceless. The final scene with him killing Damon was an excellent way to end it and Mark was very intense. Nice work Mark!

Some other awesome mentions would be the great Ray Winstone as Mr. French. You all may remember Winstone from "Sexy Beast" as the lead character named Gary Dove who defied the awesome Sir Ben Kingsley in the film. Ray was fabulous in this movie and really proved that he deserves more acting gigs than what he is getting. He is a very serious and strong actor and he was amazing in this. Kristen Dalton was also fantastic as the love interest of both Damon and DiCaprio and really showed off her talent as she is being gripped between these two characters and not knowing how to handle it. Awesome work!

So now that the acting is taken care of and since it was nothing but perfection, let's get to the king himself, Martin Scorsese. Martin has truly outdone himself once again and has taken a previously filmed story and set it in a whole new perspective and style. His style has become increasingly better with some very classic camera angles and making sure that the story remained focused and detailed. The movie was 2 hours and 32 minutes and that time flew by so fast because Martin played it out perfectly. He played out each character very well, especially Jack Nicholson. Those scenes of Jack watching the opera and lit in the evil dark red was absolutely freaking me out since it seemed like Martin was branding Nicholson's character as the Devil himself. :D Amazing filmmaking! If Martin doesn't win for this movie at the Oscars next year, heads will roll. He deserves it for sure!

The writing for the film was outstanding as well with tons of great one liners and lots of wise-cracking. A very well done screenplay and execution by the cast and crew. The movie also sported a classic Scorsese soundtrack which I really want to buy now and Howard Shore came up with some great work to add to the tone of the film.

So to sum this long ass review up, I consider "The Departed" to be my most enjoyable movie experience of 2006 and I foresee a bright award future for it. I honestly think that this film stands alone and was much better than "Inferal Affairs" in my opinion. Scorsese took an excellent story and made it his own and by doing that, he's made a true classic that in my opinion is his best work since "Taxi Driver". Bravo Martin and bravo to all the cast! See you all at the Oscars next year.

My final ranking: 10/10

[fooknasty]

Tyler_Durden, I totally agree with you with the whole ending. I was relaly digging the movie, until the whole incident at the end. People were literally laughing when that whole scene went down. At first it was shock becyase Dicaprio died, but then everyone started laughing after that. I would give it an 8 or 9 out of 10. Haven't made my mind up yet.

[anakinsrise]

The Departed is proof that Martin Scorsese is one of the greatest directors ever !

[E.C.]

Originally posted by OpT!Mu5 Like I said before, I fucking loved this movie, but lets all be honest here...

We are giving Scorsese way too much credit.

He added some nice touches to the film and definetely left his mark, but every "original" idea and suspense-driven plot device was copied EXACTLY from Infernal Affairs. I was expecting some differences in the story, but was surprised by how similar this was to the original, down to every little detail...and it was shocking to me that this film cookie-cutted just about damn near everything...Watch Infernal Affairs and you'll know what I mean.

I agree. Every moment, every moment that will stick with audiences or have people talking are things taken verbatim from the original. The abrupt deaths. The "oh shit" reveals. All found in the original, and with the same impacts.

Scorsese can get all the credit in the world for the general shots and editing, but the story and twists was not his doing. Or even Monahan's, for that matter.

2. This movie is an exact copy of another movie, but made for Americans instead of Japanese people...and

It's not an EXACT copy. Other than maybe a couple of changes, fhe first half of the film is much better than IA. The dialogue, editing, music, characterizations, and performances overall are a lot better (though I realize certain performances are debatable). It's only in the latter part of the film that it really truly turns into the same film, only with a more gratifying ending.

And for another, it was made for Chinese people, not Japanese people.

And also, I will say that the elevator scene (and the other mole) was handled better in IA. In Departed, the other mole kinda came out of nowhere. In IA, it was shown from the getgo that the crime boss was putting several kids through the academy; you just forget about that fact until it's brought up again.

Also, as was already said, it kinda goofy with the headshots and all. It was paced better in IA, and there wasn't a secondary character showing up for no reason other than to get shot.


But again, the things IA does better than the Departed can be counted on one hand, in my opinion. It's better than Infernal Affairs. By how much, I'm not sure, but it's better. My only beef with the flick has nothing to do with the flick, but that credit's being given to the wrong people for the outstanding plot.

[ParanoidAndvoid]

Best film i've seen all year. I thought Nicholson and Leo were amazing and Marky Wahlberg proves yet again to be a badass....and i thought he got the best lines too. Ray Winstone was also a great addition to the cast because i think he is one of the best actors around today. Also, I thought the soundtrack was flawless. Gimme Shelter is one of my favorite songs ever and the Dropkick Murphys song was not only perfectly placed especially at the beginning but it also was a pleasant surprise to see Scorsese sticking in an irish punk song into this kickass movie...definitely one of his best films in my opinion.

[JCPhoenix]

Originally posted by outsyder
I found there was one significant difference.

Also, I thought although the story is pretty much the same, the dialogue and banter is much better, and flows better.

I know you can't really do much about it, but this is a hard point to debate when you're watching a subtitled film from another language - the translations won't come out quite as well directly and you'll always lose something in the translation, so I would be careful dismissing Infernal Affairs' dialogue and banter as immediately inferior (though I'm sure Monahan wrote a terrific script)...

While I didn't understand a lot of the dialogue (I also watched the subtitled version), my parents have seen the films and my general impression from them is that there's a lot more subtlety and thematic resonance in the films than comes through directly in the translation...

In any case though, I still haven't seen The Departed mainly cause I'm waiting to see it with one of my roommates and a few other friends and we're probably gonna see it tomorrow or Monday (before we go see Tideland with Gilliam there in person which will be awesome!)...but I'm excited for it. I loved Monahan's work on the screenplay for Kingdom of Heaven so that was a factor that got me really excited for this. And as for myself, I certainly think the Infernal Affairs movies (I: 7/10, II: 8/10, III: 5/10) are good but can be improved on so that was yet another factor that has me excited for The Departed...

Oh and does anyone know if The Departed takes any elements from Infernal Affairs II or III either? I thought I remembered a mention that The Departed would be taking elements from both Infernal Affairs I and II (which is a prequel) so just wondering if anyone noticed either way when watching the film?

And finally, like E.C. said - Infernal Affairs is a Chinese film. Not a Japanese one.

[APzombie]

I'm withthe crowd. This is my favorite film of the year, an this is coming from a big fan of Infernal Affairs.

I couldn't be more happy with the picture, so theres my review- ****/****

[inglourious basterd]

Originally posted by Strider
Well, seeing as The Departed is an American remake of Infernal Affairs, I don't want to watch the former film without having watched the latter film.

Strider

IMO the movie is better if you don't see the original. I didn't even know that Departed was based on Infernal Affairs since I have been living in a hole lately. But I caught it halfway through the movie and it sort of made things a bit more anticlimactic for myself.

Oh and does anyone know if The Departed takes any elements from Infernal Affairs II or III either? I thought I remembered a mention that The Departed would be taking elements from both Infernal Affairs I and II (which is a prequel) so just wondering if anyone noticed either way when watching the film?

My buddy said that it did. Infernal Affairs II and II discussed a little bit of the backstory that wasn't there in part I. He said that this took some of that -- though he failed to mentioned how much was taken from those sequels (which my friend said, "sucked").

[Tweek]

Wow... I saw this on Friday and I can't... I want to see it again NOW.
But I'm broke.

ANyway... From the editing to the music to the acting to EVERYTHING, I love this fucking movie.

Well, I didn't love how Martin Sheen had a barely anything part.

but that's the only thing.

[ChemicalRomance]

Box Office justice!

The Departed is the #1 film in America: $27,015,000

[MadsenOMC]

SPOILERS!!



Like almost everyone, I too think this is a pretty fucking spectacular movie on every level. Leo gives my favorite performance and is extremely impressive. It isn't perfect though. I think Damon's character is a little underdeveloped and not as three-dimensional as Leo's. I really felt like I knew Billy, but I didn't feel that way about Sullivan. What motivated him? How did he feel about what he was doing? Did it bother him to work with cops every single day and then secretly betray them? He must have liked some of his co-workers. Did he feel bad about deceiving them? I just don't think the movie adequately answers any of those questions and I for one was curious about them. I think the lone female character was a little weak as well. Sort of a thankless role in a movie like this and the performance is nothing exceptional. One of the last twists, with the other guy also being a mole for Costello, felt a little like a cheat to me. It comes so late and is so out of nowhere. And would it have been so hard for a criminal as (supposedly) smart as Costello to figure out that Leo, someone he knows has a law enforcement past, is the rat? Or maybe he just isn't that smart. But I did love the movie. It flies by and is ridiculously entertaining. Brutal, funny and extremely well-acted. Great flick.

8/10

[Tweek]

oh, one more thing...
this better be scorceses' year.

who else would be his competition do youse guys think?

[Lazy Boy]

I could see it being Scorsese vs. Eastwood again this year, if you're talking about Oscars, but I'm getting less and less enthused the more I see FOOF.

[MadsenOMC]

I don't think The Departed has much of a shot at Best Picture. Acting nominations and maybe a Scorsese nomination, but I think BP is a long shot at this point.

[Tweek]

I keep counting out Flags of Our Fathers.
Damn, i haven't seen it of course, but i predict ol' marty might get screwed again.


ah well

[ilovemovies]

Unless The Good Shepherd and/or The Good German end up being really great, I think this actually does have a shot at the best picture oscar. It's probably the best reviewed movie of the year thus far (with the possible exception of United 93).

Of coarse, you can't count out Eastwood. The academy seem to really love him. It wouldn't suprise me at all if it's another Scorsese versus Eastwood battle.

[Tweek]

the good shepherd...ah yes, cant wait to see that.
after seeing this flick though it's hard to think anything else this year will top it.

[MadsenOMC]

My belief that The Departed will not be nominated for Best Picture has nothing to do with its quality or the positive reviews it has received. It has to do with the type of movie that it is and the tastes of the people who vote for the Academy Awards. Right now I think it is a longshot.

[Tweek]

i do agree that it's a long shot.

im just hoping mr. scorcese finally gets his due.

[notchreturns]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
SPOILERS!!


What motivated him? How did he feel about what he was doing? Did it bother him to work with cops every single day and then secretly betray them? He must have liked some of his co-workers. Did he feel bad about deceiving them?
8/10

Unlike Leo's character, he seems very family-orienated. Nicholson was a father-figure to him, I loved how whenever he'd talk to him on the phone he'd refer tp him as "Dad". Also his line at the end after the funeral about "What about the baby?" and the final shot of the groceries spilled (the same stuff in the bag that Nicholson gave him in the beginning as a child)

Also, he was a villian. A pretty bad guy. Showed no remorse for Sheen's character, the innocent guy he killed in the chase with Leo, and really he's been working his whole life with some bad people.

But anyway. I just thought it was wonderfully written. So much depth to the script and the characters.

[Mentiroso]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
My belief that The Departed will not be nominated for Best Picture has nothing to do with its quality or the positive reviews it has received. It has to do with the type of movie that it is and the tastes of the people who vote for the Academy Awards. Right now I think it is a longshot.


Gotta agree with you there. Was just saying the same thing last night.

[MadsenOMC]

I think it is obvious why Damon referred to him as dad. I am not saying that Damon's character isn't developed at all. I just feel that he didn't have nearly as much development as Leo's character. I think we get to know Leo's character much better.

[OpT!Mu5]

My only beef with the flick has nothing to do with the flick, but that credit's being given to the wrong people for the outstanding plot.

Touche

[therealjohng]

I just got back from my third viewing and it still rules. But man, this movie has terrible ADR.

[FilmKing2000]

Wow, the film has a 8.7 average on IMDB.

[Iacon5]

this is what a great movie looks like.
I'll even bet i laughed more in this movie than i would have in the dane cook movie or the nepolian dynamite movie put together. i cant say enough good shit about this. i am buying the dvd just to watch the deleted scenes. i'll bet theres 15 minutes of all the stars making banter and telling eachother to fuck themselves.
10/10 seriously stop reading reviews and go see this movie.

[DareDevil]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
My belief that The Departed will not be nominated for Best Picture has nothing to do with its quality or the positive reviews it has received. It has to do with the type of movie that it is and the tastes of the people who vote for the Academy Awards. Right now I think it is a longshot.

I agree with you as well. As much as I would love seeing this nominated it probably won't happen. So if they're giving out acting nominations for The Departed who do you want to see nominated? Personally Matt Damon impressed me the most but everyone is on top of their game here so it's hard to say.

[MadsenOMC]

Funny. Damon impressed me the least. I think he was very one-note and has been much better in other movies. I think his character is underdeveloped as well, which didn't help him much. Leo is the best, IMO, followed by Sheen and Wahlberg. Nicholson was OK, but not all that exceptional. I think critics go overboard with Jack, automatically creaming their pants about whatever he does.

[Bourne101]

Going to see it tomorrow.

[therealjohng]

I think Nicholson is easily in for Supporting Actor. Dicaprio I also think will have no trouble getting in for this. Wahlberg and Damon won't have an easy time.

[tlc3377]

This movie was so great. I loved almost every moment of it. I think the Farmiga character was seriously shorted. She deserved a larger part. Nicholson is so dead on in his performance. Everytime I think of the porno theater scene or the diner scene with the priests, I just bust out laughing. Leo is one of my fave actors, and his work here is awesome. I believe Baldwin and Wahlberg's characters deserved more airtime. Both characters stole the scenes they were in! Sheen was good also, but not as much as the others. That may have been largely due to his shortened role also.
On a personal note: The very last scene is simply priceless as far as a finishing touch to the film!

[Vong]

Perfect movie, but I have just one question to those who have seen it.

************************SPOILERS****************** *************


The dude who killed both Dicaprio and Anderson at the end: what was his significance? I got caught up with all the shooting in the elevator that I didn't catch what the dude said, so I didn't catch his connection to the whole story. Was he the other informant that was mentioned about earlier in the film? Why did he shoot Anderson and why did Damon shoot him?

[Mentiroso]

spoiler answers!!!!!!



Yeah he was working for Jack as well and was trying to help Damon cover it up. He said Jack was going to turn them both into the FBI. Damon just shot him so there wouldnt be any loose ends. Thats the way I took it anyway.

[chilli pepper]

Even with having seen Infernal Affairs (which aint no slouch, mind you, 8/10), The Departed kept me gripped 100%, loved undoubtedly, great to see it snag number 1 over the atrocious Texas Chainsaw prequel.My favorite movie of the year, 10/10.

[RandalGraves]

Wow! What a flick! I am still in awe...blew me away! Great movie, great acting, great directiing, everything! 9/10

[jaw2929]

All i've gotta say is this is one fucking phenomenal movie... Just totally exceeded my expectations by LEAPS and bounds! I knew it'd be good, but it turned out being fucking GREAT!

The cast is on top of their game, from the smaller roles of Wahlberg and Baldwin, to the lead roles for DiCaprio (his BEST performance I've ever seen - even though his accent sucked! :p), Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson, as to be expected.... Everytime Mr. Nicholson is on the screen, he fucking OWNS ever gaddamned scene he's in!

Just some great writing here, along with nice direction, being done only as Martin Scorsese can do.... A lotta twists/turns and surprises.... The plot is simple, classic good guy vs. bad guy, with a coupla rats on each side.... It's definately a movie you've gotta pay attention to, but it's not difficult to follow at all....

This movie is by far BETTER than everyone's Scorsese favourite Goodfellas.... I always thought Casino was better than Goodfellas, but I believe this movie owns them both! The 2nd best movie to come out this year, 2nd only to the great Hard Candy that came out earlier....

If you take any interest in movies at all, GO SEE THIS NOW!!! :D

[RandalGraves]

Does anyone know when the soundtrack will be released??:confused:

[moviegroupie]

10/10

BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR!!!

[jolanar]

Wow I am very shocked at the non stop positive reviews for this film. Although I guess I shouldn't be considering the source.

This *WAS* one of the best movies of the year until... well... the fucking awful ending.

I don't know, maybe it was just me, but it was laughably bad. It felt like such a huge slap in the face and I was visibly angry leaving the theatre.

Am I the only one who feels this way? Did nobody else think the ending was like a freight train coming out of nowhere that completely ruined the entire movie?

The acting was amazing, the film was visually amazing... its just the ending that completely ruined it.

I don't think I have seen a single negative review here for this so far, but please tell me someone agrees with me?

The Departed - 3/10

[TylerDurden182]

The ending is perfect.

[MadsenOMC]

SPOILERS!!!





For the life of me I can't find it now, but I know I read a review today that complained about the ending. So you're not alone. I think there are problems with it as well, including the very last killing. It didn't ruin the movie for me though.

[fooknasty]

jolanar, I am going to have to agree with you.......kinda.

I loved the majority of the movie. I thought the pacing was very well put togehter, and it kept you guessing and interested enough never to get bored. I loved Dicaprio, Damon, Baldwin, Sheen, Walberg, the whole nine yards.

Except the ending...


SPOLIERS

I felt like I just got punched in the dick after what happened. The only emotional character in the whole film died in the blink of an eye. I thought it was classic that Damon keeps pleading with Leo, and then tells him to just kill him. Leo says I am killing you, or something like that. And then BOOM, like a karate chop to the face, three people die. I was like, did that just happen? You can't be serious. After that, I kept thinking...I hope they don't kill Damon, atleast someone should live. I was rooting for the bad guy. (If you wanna call him that)

Anyways, I wouldn't go as strong to say that it ruined the whole movie for me, but it did stop it from getting an nine or a ten, which I would have given it. A solid movie overall, but a shit ending left a terrible, sour feeling in the pit of my stomach.

8/10

[anakinsrise]

IN SHORT :The Departed is one of the best films of the year



THE GOOD:Martin Scorsese returns to his stomping grounds of the mob,fractured loyalties and betrayal.
He has assembled one of the greatest casts i have ever seen since Glengarry Glenn Ross.Leonardo DiCaprio is great as Billy Costigan ,a man seeking redemption for the sins of the father and uncle.But trying to put his past behind him becomes futile,once he is tapped by an elite unit to go undercover.Feeling him out are Martin Sheen (perfect father figure casting) as Oliver Queenan and Mark Wahlberg(the most focused and intense i have ever seen him ) as Dignam
Which leads to Jack Nicholson as Frank Costello .He kind of reminded me of Fagin from Oliver Twist in this role ,but of course a more demented and leacherous Fagin.Which leads to Matt Damon as Colin Sullivan,who's mentoring & loyalty to Costello has lead him to being the fast talking,oily,corrupt cop you love to hate.
Kudos also go to,Ray Winstone,Alec Baldwin for their quick wit and spitting out their Mamet like,foul mouthed, one liners


THE BAD:The double to triple crosses near the end of the movie were a bit over the top and evoked laughter from the audience instead of keeping us emotionally tied to the movie.The script leads to some predictable moments near the end of the movie.And once again my major gripe with movie studios today,ads/promos that reveal far to much.

IN THE END: Scale of 1-10 a 9

[ilovemovies]

SPOILERS!









There are moments are pure brilliance. Some really awsome moments. The whole rooftop scene with Sheen and Dicaprio and Costello's men. GREAT scene. So is the chase between Dicaprio and Damon after the porn theater. But I felt the movie ended up falling apart after Nicholson's death. They just kept piling it on with shocking violent death after another after another after another. I LOVE suprise death scenes. But it was too much here. It was MAJOR overkill. It felt contrived.

That's a shame because there are moments in the movie that crackle with energy and excitement and suspense. The performances are topnotch. Dicaprio and Damon are superb. And Nicholson is, as always, just a real pleasure and joy to watch on screen. It's such an enjoyable performance. He's funny and scary at times. I definately hope he'll get an oscar nomination for his performance here. He's just really great. The rest of the supporting cast is solid with noone really standing out although Martin Sheen is great as usual as well.

I find it funny that everyone seemed to say that Bringing Out the Dead, Gangs of New York and The Aviator were disappointments for Scorsese and this movie is a return to form for him. I find it funny because for me it's the opposite. I thought Bringing Out the Dead, Gangs of New York and ESPECIALLY The Aviator were GREAT movies and this movie was a letdown.

Mark this one as yet another good but disappointing movie. Overall though the movie may be severely flawed but it's pretty good and occasionally great.

7/10

[jolanar]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
SPOILERS!!!





For the life of me I can't find it now, but I know I read a review today that complained about the ending. So you're not alone. I think there are problems with it as well, including the very last killing. It didn't ruin the movie for me though.

If you happen to run across it I would be interested in seeing how a real critic viewed it negatively. A lot of the times I will feel a way, but am incapable of translating how I feel into written word. Which leaves the people I am trying to talk to thinking Im just ranting troll or some such.

[MadsenOMC]

Originally posted by jolanar
If you happen to run across it I would be interested in seeing how a real critic viewed it negatively.

This is the review I was talking about, though I'm not sure if her problems with the resolution are the same as yours.

http://www.slate.com/id/2151037/

[Commodore]

One thing I liked about this movie that surprised me was everyone was exactly who they were presented to be.

Mild Spoilers...


I kept expecting it to be revealed that one of the good guys was bad or vice versa. The usual twist Hollywood likes to end movies with at the end, where nothing you saw of the character throughout the entire film is who they actually are. I kept expecting Sheen or Baldwin or Wahlberg to end up being on the other team.

But everyone was exactly who they were presented as for the most part.

A lot of films try to be too clever by half by creating a film where you can't be sure who's side the characters are on by what you see of them in the film. They go for cheap twists at the end with a bunch of backstabbing. This film played it straight up, everyone was shown for who they were.

[Tony_Montana]

Wouldnt it be ironic if The Good Shepard turns out to be really good and DeNiro will win over Scorcese?

[max]

Consistently entertaining, but persistently shallow. Enjoyably detailed performances (DiCaprio as a tough guy still takes getting used to), but not one character is recognizably human. Cracklingly funny dialogue, but too Tarantino-esquely empty. Never boring, but never as exhilarating as a Scorsese movie can be (And what's with that stupid last shot?). Not Oscar quality (Thank God!), but it could bring Scorsese his first Oscar (Thank God!).

Not quite back, but here I am.

[Mentiroso]

Originally posted by max
(And what's with that stupid last shot?)


I liked the last shot, with the rat on the rail.

One idiot behind me said to his buddy when that shot came up "Oh man, its a rat! Like he was a rat! Thats funny!"

I wanted to punch him because I would have said it with a little sarcastic flare, but he was honestly laughing and thought it was funny and you know he thought he was a genius for spotting that, like he was the only one in the theater who got it.

IDIOT!

[Tweek]

Never saw Infernal Affais as a whole... Did the endings (im talking about the last killing) in the remake match up with the original?

[Tweek]

Originally posted by Mentiroso
I liked the last shot, with the rat on the rail.

One idiot behind me said to his buddy when that shot came up "Oh man, its a rat! Like he was a rat! Thats funny!"

I wanted to punch him because I would have said it with a little sarcastic flare, but he was honestly laughing and thought it was funny and you know he thought he was a genius for spotting that, like he was the only one in the theater who got it.

IDIOT!

Someone did that in the theater i was at too!

[FilmKing2000]

Originally posted by Tweek
Someone did that in the theater i was at too!

During that scene, the person behind me said "Man, now he doesn't get to eat his bread! What a waste!"
:rolleyes:

[Scarface98.9]

Question:

************SPOILERS*********************
















At the very end, was Mark Wahlberg's character yet another Costello rat? And what was the significance of the shot of the church? I know they said at the beginning about how he was given the option of going to church but followed Frank instead. Was it meant to be an irony?
















*************END SPOILERS*******************

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by Scarface98.9
Question:

************SPOILERS*********************
















At the very end, was Mark Wahlberg's character yet another Costello rat? And what was the significance of the shot of the church? I know they said at the beginning about how he was given the option of going to church but followed Frank instead. Was it meant to be an irony?
















*************END SPOILERS*******************

***********************SPOILERS******************* *

This is just my theory, but I believe the contents of envelope DiCaprio gave to the shrink were instructions on contacting Whalberg and planning that. Since I can see no other purpose it serves, and then it makes sense why Whalberg was there without DiCaprio telling him about the dealings. And I don't think Whalberg was a mole, being as he resigned over the inability to win over Baldwin on Damon's assholish way of trying to get into the files. Whalberg may have been an asshole, but he seemed to have his heart in the right place.

*********************END SPOILERS******************

[FilmKing2000]

Originally posted by Scarface98.9
Question:

************SPOILERS*********************


At the very end, was Mark Wahlberg's character yet another Costello rat? And what was the significance of the shot of the church? I know they said at the beginning about how he was given the option of going to church but followed Frank instead. Was it meant to be an irony?



*************END SPOILERS*******************


***SPOILERS AHEAD***

No, Whalberg wasn't another Costello rat. Since Damon's (ex) girlfriend had the recorded conversation between him and Costello in the porn theatre (given by Leonardo DiCaprio's character) , I guess she must have given the evidence to Whalberg, therefore leading him to know that Damon was the rat all along.
As for the church...remember after the football game between the cops and the firefighters, when Matt Damon's character is just staring at the church? I'm thinking that he was recalling his past, and if where he is now is where he'd like to be. The final shot of the rat and the church is really something for each member of the audience to ponder upon. You can think of it as whatever you want.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Just slightly ahead of you, but good alternate take on some of the things I said. ;)

Also, this review (from a site I highly regard, part of Stomp Tokyo, Reel Opinions) is EXACTLY how I feel about The Departed: http://www.stomptokyo.com/reelopinions/2006/10/departed.html

[inglourious basterd]

I agree with Max -- the final shot was extremely cheesy. It is just a waste of film and it is so obvious that it just distracts from all of the scenes that preceded it.

[bob]

SPOILERS



I never had a problem with the ending...the message of the film was quite clearly "don't be a rat", and all the rats get killed. Sheen is a sacrifice, and the only other honest people in the picture (Wahlberg and Baldwin) are the ones left standing at the end. To allow one of Nicholson, DiCaprio, or Damon to live would've been hard to justify while keeping the tone of the film intact.




END SPOILERS

[Tweek]

I think Costigan was an honest character, not the most upstanding citizen, but he had a moral compass that was good. He felt he had to deceive for the greater good but went in over his head.

that is of course tweek's opinion.

[JCPhoenix]

MAJOR SPOILERS
3
2
1
Loved the film but the whole fine thing about it being "inspired by" Infernal Affairs rather than "based on" is bullshit. Almost ALL of the main details and scenes were taken directly out of the original film (the silent phone call, the meeting at the building with Sheen's character and Damon calling up the bad guys, the final sequence with the rooftop+elevator, the scene where the girlfriend plays the recording, the movie theatre+shadowing, the Costigan death, etc). Now where this film excelled was in its rich dialogue that was very different from the original, its quality of acting, direction, and beefing up of the original's structure. I feel like this one had a lot more to love in it than Infernal Affairs but I think we should give Infernal Affairs credit where it's due - a lot of these ideas and scenes came directly from the original.

Essentially, I feel like they took a lot of those scenes and ideas from the original and improved on them in every way. I felt a lot more for the characters in this one as compared to the original, and I had a lot more investment I guess in DiCaprio's character's fate. and I loved the added character of Dignam, Wahlberg was great heh.

Overall, just a great film from Scorsese, for me definitely above Gangs of NY and Aviator...I'd say it's up there for me with Casino but below Goodfellas.

9/10 for now...


Originally posted by Tweek
Never saw Infernal Affais as a whole... Did the endings (im talking about the last killing) in the remake match up with the original?

The ending matches up with the original except for that very last killing - that doesn't happen in the original film, the guy gets away with everything.

[MadsenOMC]

SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!













Originally posted by JCPhoenix
MAJOR SPOILERS


The ending matches up with the original except for that very last killing - that doesn't happen in the original film, the guy gets away with everything.


I was hoping that would be the case here as well.

[ChemicalRomance]

Seeing it a second time, the parallels between a certain characters impotence another characters uncanny ability to get "cunt" is incredibly interesting.

[Tayzlor]

Originally posted by ChemicalRomance
Seeing it a second time, the parallels between a certain characters impotence another characters uncanny ability to get "cunt" is incredibly interesting.

Oh yeah.

When Leo comes in dripping, Vera basically collapses onto him. He even gets Pink Floyd on the soundtrack (not really; still though..)!

Breakfast afterwards with Matt and Vera results in her taking a mammoth chomp out of a banana. Not terribly subtle, but ... :D

Does anyone not get chills when they hear "Gimme Shelter" in a Scorsese movie?

[dman476]

Originally posted by Tayzlor
Oh yeah.

When Leo comes in dripping, Vera basically collapses onto him. He even gets Pink Floyd on the soundtrack (not really; still though..)!

Breakfast afterwards with Matt and Vera results in her taking a mammoth chomp out of a banana. Not terribly subtle, but ... :D

Does anyone not get chills when they hear "Gimme Shelter" in a Scorsese movie?
Wow, didn't notice the banana thing. :p
And yeah, Gimme Shelter is an awesome song, and it suits the film perfectly. I loved it in the opening before the credits. Good stuff.
But then he uses it like three times in the film...isn't that overkill (good overkill, but still overkill)?

[fionalin7]

i love the cast of this movie. great story. il give it a 8/10

[Potzer! 37]

It's almost four in the AM here and I've been up with other problems...but after my work was done I wanted to see the schmoes reaction to the best film of the year and for me at least, the best film in quite awhile, surpassing my favorite of last year, Munich, and way surpassing my fave from the year before, Million Dollar baby. And I'm happy to see everybody freaking out about it. I saw it friday after school and again on Sunday with another friend and for the past four days, the Irish rock song has been pounding in my head, coupled with Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb, and every little thing I can remember about this masterpeice. I hope to see it again on Thursday and as far as the oscar buzz let me just say...

"'l'lI stab somebody in the heart with a fuckin ice pick if it'll get Martin his oscar. I'm a movie fan, I don't need it..no I'm just kidding I really do need your suppot here."

And to the Academy...

"I mean the man makes great films. He directs them. If you can't award him for any one the film I've seen him make or you've seen him make...what are you waiting for? You want him to chop you up and feed you to the fuckin poor?"

And if he looses..

"I smell a rat. a greedy, gnawing, fuckin rat."

And Just because I loved this line and can't think of a way to make it fit with movies...

"I'm gonna get a smoke. You wanna smoke. You don't smoke. I bet you don't smoke. You a health freak? You're a fitness guy. Go fuck yourself."

Good night my friends...I don't want to be a product of my posts, I want my posts to be a product of me.

[RandalGraves]

Originally posted by dman476
Wow, didn't notice the banana thing. :p
And yeah, Gimme Shelter is an awesome song, and it suits the film perfectly. I loved it in the opening before the credits. Good stuff.
But then he uses it like three times in the film...isn't that overkill (good overkill, but still overkill)?

Do You know any of the other songs used in the movie? There was another one used a few times...and it was in the trailer...kinda sounds like something that would be in Boondock Saints or something...I love that song and hope the soundtrack for this flick comes out soon!

[TylerDurden182]

Originally posted by RandalGraves
Do You know any of the other songs used in the movie? There was another one used a few times...and it was in the trailer...kinda sounds like something that would be in Boondock Saints or something...I love that song and hope the soundtrack for this flick comes out soon!

Artist: Dropkick Murphys
Song: "Shipping Up To Boston"

Other songs:

Nas- "Thief'sTime."

Van Morrison and The Band- "Comfortably Numb"

[Mr-Blonde]

I can't wait to see this. It sounds like a return to form for one of the greatest directors of all time. While many of his recent films haven't been quite up to par this seems to be the kind of film Marty does best. The cast alone sold me but the fact that it's a Scorsese film only sweetens the deal.

[RandalGraves]

Originally posted by TylerDurden182
Artist: Dropkick Murphys
Song: "Shipping Up To Boston"

Other songs:

Nas- "Thief'sTime."

Van Morrison and The Band- "Comfortably Numb"

Cool, thanks a lot! And a sidenote:

The Soundtrack will be released on November 7 and the Score was released today!

[notchreturns]

Originally posted by Potzer! 37


"I'm gonna get a smoke. You wanna smoke. You don't smoke. I bet you don't smoke. You a health freak? You're a fitness guy. Go fuck yourself."



I was laughing for like 3 minutes after that delivery :D

Baldwin rules, hah.

[Tweek]

Originally posted by Potzer! 37

And Just because I loved this line and can't think of a way to make it fit with movies...

"I'm gonna get a smoke. You wanna smoke. You don't smoke. I bet you don't smoke. You a health freak? You're a fitness guy. Go fuck yourself."


I was howling during that part.

Baldwin had some great lines...
"Marriage is good, shows people you're not a homo..." Someone finish it, cant remember

[NightStalkerGtx]

The Departed 10/10

Wow:eek:

[The FamilyJulas]

Originally posted by Tony_Montana
Wouldnt it be ironic if The Good Shepard turns out to be really good and DeNiro will win over Scorcese? Then I would probably have a brain aneurysm. No offense to De Niro, but i mean....god......no....

[Double-Oh-Zero]

Ooh. Ooh. Mr. Scorsese is back with a vengeance. I fully expect this to sweep the Oscars this year (and deservedly so), provided that Clint doesn't come in with Flags Of Our Fathers and clean up again. Phenomenal acting from everyone, most surprisingly from Mr. DiCaprio, who I feared was going to tread familiar (and uninteresting) ground that I already saw in Gangs of New York, but actually ended up being the second-most interesting character of the film (the first being Jack Nicholson as the downright creepy and genuinely badass crime boss). Special mention has to go to the underused and barely recognizable Ray Winstone as Jack Nicholson's right-hand man; I left the theatre wanting to see a lot more of him. Even though it was two and a half hours, the time seemed to fly by for me, perhaps because I knew in the back of my mind that Martin Scorsese was back to his masterful best.

9.5/10

Best line of the flick:

"Jesus...she fell funny."

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by Double-Oh-Zero
Special mention has to go to the underused and barely recognizable Ray Winstone as Jack Nicholson's right-hand man
Barely recognizable? He looks almost the exact same as he did in The Proposition, change of clothes aside.

[Fergus]

I think my liking of this movie is bloated because its a Scorsese movie, but I don't care, its Scorsese we're talking about and I've loved all his recent movies starting with Bringing Out the Dead, then carrying on till The Departed (I've never seen Casino all the way through, that's why I start with BOTD). Thinking about those movies, it seems like he made a film that was on the lower end of greatness and they kept getting better, blowing me away with The Departed, even though it is a remake. Granted, better than the original, but still a remake nonetheless.

I saw Infernal Affairs only a couple months ago and loved it, so I figured that Scorsese couldn't possibly make it any better but he did improve. This movie is some 50 minutes longer than Infernal Affairs and turns it into an engrossing crime saga. I don't know if its better than Heat or Goodfellas, my two favorite crime movies, but time will tell. Leo's best performance so far, I didn't really like Matt Damon's acting, seems like he was trying too hard, but for Jack he's just as good as he's ever been, not best, but in top form. Wahlberg and Baldwin turn in great supporting roles, even if they are mostly one note and humorous.

***********************SPOILERS******************* *****************



One thing I didn't like about Infernal Affairs was the fact that the crooked cop gets away, even though he was trying to reform himself, I didn't like every other character biting the bullet but him. I hoped either Monahan would completely redo the ending and have the main character live or kill everybody. I now prefer the route he took because its like a Shakespearean tragedy, everyone dies in the third act. It is perfect and duh! fits the title, and reminds me of The Virgin Suicides but a lot more subtle. As for the last shot I read complaints about, I liked it, it was obvious, a little silly, but it made me laugh at the end of such a sad movie as this.

**********END SPOILERS****************************************** ***

I thought about the whole "Oscar" thing and after Eastwood beat out The Aviator, I gave up in caring. The Academy is just a bunch of hot headed prudes who play favorites. Scorsese might never win but I don't care because he's consistently great and that's all that matters. It sucks that "the Academy of Pricks" can't shake the hand of a man who makes great movies but Scorsese is better than that, he don't need em.

I've seen the movie three times so far and I usually only ever see a movie once in the theater. Last time I did that was for Lost in Translation, that's how I know its good. Not everyone's cup, but better than any major studio picture I've seen this year, and I've seen many flicks. But then again, this hasn't exactly been an outstanding year for movies. And I don't see it getting much better. Oh, and Flags of Our Fathers looks like its gonna suck. Take that Eastwood.

[Scorpio24]

Originally posted by Fergus
I think my liking of this movie is bloated because its a Scorsese movie

I think that may be a problem with alot of peoples view on the film.

Personaly I thought it was an entertaining movie and well that was about it really.

Dicaprio was brilliant. Damon very good. Just needed a little more to work with. It's already been mentioned here but his charcter did not have the depth of Dicaprio's. Wallberg was in inspired form. Baldwin was also at his best. Sheen was better than I expected. He brought alot of warmth to the role. I was worried he wouldn't fit into this part. Nicholson was just ok, and this coming from a huge Jack fan. There was nothing in his performance that I haven't seen 10 times before. Same old Jack. If he gets an oscar nod for this i'll cry because he does not deserve it. The female lead was weak but not bad. She was good but it was tough to work with what was given to her and she was on screen with people acting their asses off in every scene. But honsetly I didn't care. Her eyes were so bewitching I just did not care. Ray Winstone was good in this with little to do also. Wallberg and Baldwin took the share of the funny dialogue though.



SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!

As for the film itself. Some great scenes. As mentioned the stand outs were the phone scene. The alley way chase. And the scene where Queenan gets thrown off the building. The gasp the cinema let out when that happend was crazy. Strangely they didn't seem to care to much for Dicarpio's death. The reason I don't think this had the emotional edge it really should have was due to who killed him. A complete fucking copout and it felt like a cheat. It annoyed me and ruined the end of the film for me personaly.

Also for such a big business boss Jack didn't half trail around and some dead beat fucking jobs. Driving around in a car scaring witnesses and what not. The writing in some parts was poor. It felt like corners were being cut to me. Also for a man so in controll I never once got the sense he ruled the gang or area with the iron fist you are asked to believe. I didn't even find him very threatening. There were several times he could have been got to by anyone.

The more I think of this film the more it annoys me. The deeper I look the more dissapointed I feel. I'll watch it a 2nd time in the next few days see if I change my mind but for now it gets a generous 7/10. And thats down soley to the acting.

[Powerslave]

Originally posted by FilmKing2000
During that scene, the person behind me said "Man, now he doesn't get to eat his bread! What a waste!"
:rolleyes:
The bread DID look pretty good. :p

But yeah, I'd give it a 9/10. I thought it was one of Scorcese's best in a while, but not really as, oh I dunno, substantial as Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas. I'd put it in about the same spot as Casino, though I liked this one more than that one, probably. It also felt sort of like modern, 21st century Scorcese. Not only with the heavy involvement of cellphones, but also, all those quick, stylized cuts and shots sort of reminded me of Aronofsky in "Pi" or "Requiem For A Dream".

As for the acting, this was the best Dicaprio performance I've seen so far. Damon was good, but like what has already been said, the character wasn't quite as interesting. Though it was interesting in how he was in a wierd way made out as the antagonist, the one who finally gets his comeupance (sp?) at the end. I mean, you know he's corrupt throughout, and it's occasionally displayed, but it's not really til I was mulling over the ending that it hit me. That brings me to the final shot, which I personally loved, because of Damon's appearance as a seemingly decent person. The fact is, he was still a rat, and it sort of felt like that's what mattered most, more than morality and human decency. At least that's how I saw it.

Jack was Jack; he wasn't spectacular and he by no means deserves an Oscar nod, though his usual over-the-top performance worked particularly well here, I guess because his almost comic insanity sort of threw a monkey wrench into the whole thing (regardless of whether or not it was intentional, I think it worked). For example in the scene when he's talking to Dicaprio in the bar, it's a very serious discussion, and he does that rat face. Or when Dicaprio is in the bar with all the new recruits and Mark Rolston and the other guy are outside, and Jack comes out covered in blood. It wasn't necessary, but it just sort of injected this sense of insanity about both his character and about the setting and the convoluted circumstances of the movie in general. On that note, in fact, everything got so complicated, it was almost a relief to see Jack do something absolutely ridiculious every now and again. So yeah, not his best performance or anything, but it proved effective overall, at least in my eyes. And of course Wahlberg and Baldwin were great. Martin Sheen did a good job as well, for what he was doing.

I HOPE it gets the Oscar, it probably won't though. It'll probably get some nominations, but we'll have to wait and see what comes out during the Christmas season.

[Potzer! 37]

I was howling during that part.

Baldwin had some great lines...
"Marriage is good, shows people you're not a homo..." Someone finish it, cant remember

Women see a ring on you r finger and they know you dick works.

Damon

"It's working. Overtime!"

[max]

I HOPE it gets the Oscar, it probably won't though. It'll probably get some nominations, but we'll have to wait and see what comes out during the Christmas season.

I agree. It probably won't get BP. If they didn't give it to RAGING BULL and GOODFELLAS, more superior films, then they wouldn't/shouldn't give it to THE DEPARTED. However, they could/should give Scorsese Best Director, sort of a career achievement award. There's no denying it's great filmmaking. It's just not a great film. The characters aren't human or weighty enough despite the colorful performances. The plot has more holes than even Hugh Hefner would like to poke through for 2-1/2 hours. It's very entertaining but it doesn't give you much to think about. It's really much ado about nothing. But, like you said, it will all depend on future competition.

[DaMovieMan]

The movie was amazing. Dont have time now to write a review for it but i loved every minute of it. All of the actors were in top form, not a dull minute in the movie, Scorsese finally has something to put alongside Goodfellas and all his other greats, cant wait for the DVD so I can own this baby. Awesome sweet movie.

9/10


The plot has more holes than even Hugh Hefner would like to poke through for 2-1/2 hours.

what holes?

DMM

[Tweek]

I didn't see any plot holes either. But I'm not genius, I could have missed something.

[Strider]

The Departed - 8/10 or ****/***** stars

After years of making films that have either been underwhelming or disappointing, director Martin Scorsese finally delivers his best cinematic effort since 1995's Casino in The Departed, an American remake (or, as others would prefer, re-imagining) of the Hong Kong crime thriller Infernal Affairs. This is one remake that is superior than the original, and unsurprisingly, far more suspenseful and engaging, and with well-developed characters, brilliant dialogue, a sense of humor, and exceptional performances all around.

Leonardo DiCaprio, who I have never been a fan of, brings relentless intensity to the tormented Billy Costigan, a police officer posing as a mobster who infiltrates the Boston mob, and delivers a truly amazing performance, the performance of his career. Matt Damon is terrific as the arrogant, charming Colin Sullivan, a mobster posing as a police officer who infiltrates the Boston police department. The legendary Jack Nicholson creates an ultra-charismatic, yet sinister mob boss in Frank Costello, and is superb from beginning to end, without turning his character into another over-the-top villain like The Joker in Tim Burton's Batman. Last, but certainly not least, the supporting cast, which includes Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, Ray Winstone, Mark Wahlberg (who has never been better), and somewhat of a newcomer actress Vera Farmiga, is simply excellent.

My only complaint of an otherwise great film is a very contrived love triangle involving Costigan (DiCaprio), Sullivan (Damon), and Madolyn (Farmiga). Its only purpose is to make the story more complex and give DiCaprio something romantic to do, and honestly, I do not think it was necessary and could have done without it.

The Departed is not the masterpiece many people have been hailing it as; however, it marks Scorsese's return to greatness, and drives home its message about good and evil, and how distinguishing the two can prove to be a difficult challenge.

Strider

[max]

what holes?

I suppose they were more character holes than plot holes.

WARNING: Possible spoilers!!!

Let's start with the Madolyn character - the most poorly written of all. Her character is not believable in any way - too young for the job, completely unprofessional (sleeps with two of her patients), clueless in any way about their questionable behavior. There is no reason for the love triangle other than to needlessly complicate matters and please Leo's female fans.

Nicholson's mobster does stuff only Nicholson doing Nicholson would do. Also, supposedly smart, his character should've easily found out who the rat was.

If Costigan had the tapes proving Sullivan was the rat, why not just turn them in to IA or the Feds? Why risk making the arrest himself? And did he really need Sullivan to prove his identity? He could've gotten Dignam for that?

The second mole that pops up at the end - a mere deus ex machina.

Just too many character actions lacking in logic. That's because there are no real humans in the movie. The performances are plot-manipulated and star-driven rather than character-motivated.

[MadsenOMC]

I agree max. There are definitely some holes. Many reviews I have read talk about the movie having plot/character holes.



SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!






How about the guy knowing Leo is the rat and for some reason not saying a word and then conveniently dying? I think this has been mentioned before.

[Mentiroso]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
I agree max. There are definitely some holes. Many reviews I have read talk about the movie having plot/character holes.



SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!






How about the guy knowing Leo is the rat and for some reason not saying a word and then conveniently dying? I think this has been mentioned before.



SPOILERS!!!!!



I thought that was answered when he confronted Leo and then in the news reports of his body being found and him being an undercover cop?

[MadsenOMC]

SPOILERS!!


Originally posted by Mentiroso
SPOILERS!!!!!



I thought that was answered when he confronted Leo and then in the news reports of his body being found and him being an undercover cop?

Do we know for sure that he was an undercover cop, or, as Nicholson said, is it possible that the cops were just saying that?

[Mentiroso]

SPOILER!!!!



Well I kinda thought that but that would just be too hard to make up along with the fact that when he confronted Leo he said something along the lines of (do you know why I didnt turn you in??). I concluded that he meant he was a cop too and he was letting Leo know that.

I mean would cops really take a scumbag who gets murdered and turn him into a cop just to confuse a mafia guy?

[MadsenOMC]

SPOILERS!!!!



Originally posted by Mentiroso
I mean would cops really take a scumbag who gets murdered and turn him into a cop just to confuse a mafia guy?

In this movie, yes, I do think it is possible.

[Mentiroso]

SPOILERS!!!!


But what about what he said to Leo as he was dying? I wish I could remember the exact quote but when he said it, I knew he was a cop then, not when the police report came out.

[MadsenOMC]

I don't remember what he said. I think it's a problem either way. It's a good movie, but it's not without problems.

[Mentiroso]

Yeah, that is why I didnt give it a 10/10. A few holes here and there but over all I enjoyed it enough to not worry too much about it. It probably wouldnt have worked so well without a few holes.

[MadsenOMC]

Yeah I don't think they are major problems either, or anything that makes the movie less enjoyable. Just little things.

[therealjohng]

SPOILERS***********************











The guy said, "When I called you I gave you the wrong address, yet you still showed up. Ask me why I didn't say anything? Ask me why I didn't say anything?"


Then he dies.

[MadsenOMC]

Hey thanks.

[Tweek]

Originally posted by max
]I suppose they were more character holes than plot holes.

WARNING: Possible spoilers!!!

Let's start with the Madolyn character - the most poorly written of all. Her character is not believable in any way - too young for the job, completely unprofessional (sleeps with two of her patients), clueless in any way about their questionable behavior. There is no reason for the love triangle other than to needlessly complicate matters and please Leo's female fans.

Nicholson's mobster does stuff only Nicholson doing Nicholson would do. Also, supposedly smart, his character should've easily found out who the rat was.

If Costigan had the tapes proving Sullivan was the rat, why not just turn them in to IA or the Feds? Why risk making the arrest himself? And did he really need Sullivan to prove his identity? He could've gotten Dignam for that?

[b[The second mole that pops up at the end - a mere deus ex machina.[/b]

Just too many character actions lacking in logic. That's because there are no real humans in the movie. The performances are plot-manipulated and star-driven rather than character-motivated. ]

I agree with what i've bolded actually.

as for madolyn, sullivan wasn't a patient, i think. and costigan was attractive and a jerk to her, and some women get off on that. and maybe the fact that she WAS young clouded her judgement, you get me?