GOODFELLAS (August 6 - August 12)

[Mike Sampson]

Have any questions about this forum? Check out all of the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (/movieoftheweek.htm).
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This week's movie is: GOODFELLAS

http://a908.g.akamai.net/7/908/327/24h/images.allposters.com/images/21/GDFELLS.JPG

You wanted it - you got it. I would think that GOODFELLAS has been discussed before on this board but since it got so many requests ("GOOD-fucking-FELLAS!!!!!") that I couldn't say no. Hopefully this will do better than HIGH FIDELITY...

"Martin Scorsese’s classic crime drama follows Henry Hill from his beginnings as a petty criminal to his inclusion into one of the world’s most ruthless mobs. Featuring a nostalgic soundtrack and inventive camera work, GOODFELLAS throbs with an obscene amount of electricity. Ray Liotta and Robert De Niro bring Scorsese and Pileggi’s script to life with great fervor, but it is Joe Pesci who steals the show with his portrayal of Tommy DeVito, a psychopathic gangster who is terrifyingly short-tempered. Simply put, GOODFELLAS is one of the most striking crime films ever made."

Support JoBlo.com and click here (/netflix.htm) to rent GOODFELLAS.

[The Dude]

Yep, I must agree that Goodfellas is definitely worthy of this forum's prestigious title as Movie of the Week. This has always been a favorite of mine and, also Joblo, I must admire you talent in nailing down the truth and sholeving out the shit. You hit the nail right on the nose, man. All GOODFELLAS interesting material is from the surprising amout of energy and vigor this movie gives off. As many people have said, this relatively long movie will go by like it's five minutes, it's just great fun. Good script, superb narration, surprisingly fun camera work,and excellent direction make this moive an easy patron of my also pestigious Top Twenty List.

[daddiefatsacks]

Another Schmoe favorite that I didn't really 'cream my pants' over

I mean, i was just never into this movie from the get-go, and that is the only reason I have seen it once. Albeit, Joe Pesci is the films lone savior, but Ray Liotta really pissed me off in this film, his character as basically the main guy - I couldn't watch him.

Sorry guys, gotta disagree with you again /ubb/frown.gif

[sunflower]

Goodfellas is a milestone movie! Amazing simply amazing. Top Notch Acting all around. I personally thought that Pesci was annoying (and still think that)But De Niro is wonderfull to watch and this is the only movie Liotta actually acted.

[Mike Sampson]

DaddieFat,
Elaborate a little bit on your dislike for the film. What exactly about Ray Liotta pissed you off so much? Was it his acting? I'm not saying I'm agreeing or disagreeing with you one way or the other but I know how many people love this film and are going to wax poetic on its genius, so I want to get the other side of the scale.

joeyB

[pennywise46]

Goodfellas was an excellent movie. From what I can remember I thought it had very good acting. I like mobster movies so I liked the plot and the movie had a lot of memorable scenes("You think I'm funny!??!?"). I'll probably go rent this again soon, because it's been like 9 months. Recently I have rewatched Taxi Driver and Raging Bull and liked them even more than the first time. This is a Scorsese film I need to watch another time. For now I give it a 8.5/10

[thatdude]

Goodfellas was a great movie that started a new generation of filming style and mobster films. Anyone who doesn't enjoy the film should be forced to watch "Who's the Boss" for eternity.

[DieHardBruceFan]

Hands down the best gangster movie ever made. Better than the GODFATHER saga in my opinion, too bad this one hasn't been turned into a trilogy of some kind. I think that would be great.

[pablotheintern]

I'm with daddiefatsacks on this one. I watched it over the weekend (hadn't seen it in years) and struggled to make it all the way through. It's impossible to dismiss Scorsese's talent as a director and the quality of the production. But the story and the characters leave a lot to be desired in my opinion. The narration is annoying and detracts from the film. Didn't need it. I also think De Niro should have been in the movie more. His role is surprisingly small and I never felt much for his character. Didn't get to know him much at all. Liotta is outstanding (as is Lorraine Bracco), but asking him to carry the movie was a bit much. Can't really blame him for that. It meanders too much in the second half and loses focus. I became a little bored at the two hour mark. Don't get me wrong; it's a damn good film. Just not the masterpiece many feel it is. Personally, I prefer The Godfather trilogy, Carlito's Way and Donnie Brasco, but Pacino is my favorite actor, so I am biased.

[SIREN30]

I really like this movie. I am turned off though, by this much violence in a film. I also was not able to identify with any of the characters or really care about their fate since they were all people that I didnt like. I do think the performances were great and that it was extremely accurate to the time period. DeNiro was my favorite and Liotta did pretty well w/ his portrayal as well. I watched it edited since that much cussing in a movie usually irritates me but "friggin, and gol-darn" are just as grating... /ubb/smile.gif

[The Heart Collector]

I actually gave my Good-fucking-Fellas comment in the request forum to find an excuse to actually WATCH this movie for the 1st time. Which I did, last night.

Wow. What an amazing movie. From the get-go, you felt as if you knew these people, and you wanted to help them because you just KNEW they were gonna fuck up royally.

Even though Liotta's Henry Hill is a flawed man, a womanizer, and not the best of friends, you actually get to like him. You get to like all of these flashy characters, and when they eventually fall, you feel it.


Great performances by Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco, and Robert DeNiro, who has proved throughout the years that he is actually Jesus Christ incarnate.


The highlight of the film is, in my opinion, the sequence in which Spidey tells Tommy to fuck himself, and what happens after that. It's a perfect display of who Henry, Jimmy, and Tommy are as persons, and the reality of mafia life.


The movie DID drag on a little in the end, but other than that, it's flawless.


9.5/10

[This message has been edited by The Heart Collector (edited 08-06-2001).]

[mtlhd4lfe]

Goodfellas is probably the best Mafia movie next to the Godfather and possibly The Untouchables. The cast was excelent and the movie never had a dull moment.

[Lindsey]

I love Goodfellas! I like the whole cast and I think it's one of the best gangster flick'S ever.It kind of makes you want to be a gangster when you watch this movie.I think De Niro,Liotta,and Pesci are all very good actors and they play there characters very well! 9/10

[John Q. Public]

Some people on the board have been saying that none of the characters are likable. These men are criminals and murderers. They're not supposed to be liked. If I knew a man like Henry Hill in real life, I'd think he was an asshole. Scorcese's magic comes in by making us feel sorry for thes despiciple characters. We don't like them, and most of us sure as hell can't relate to them (hopefully), but when it's all said and done, we feel sorry for them.

Goodfellas is my favorite movie. Hands down. Period. Enough said. Ray Liotta carries the film with no problem whatsoever. It's a shame his career hasn't really blossomed. De Niro, Persci, Bracco, and Sorvino all give oscar worty performances. It's to bad Pesci was the only actor to recieve one. This almost 3 hour movie moves like the wind. And who can forget the Layla instrumental? Powerful stuff right there. 11/10 for this incredible piece of film

[Irene Manor]

Likable or not, you have to pay props to the use of music and some of those cuts. Pretty much the basis for many recent movies of the sort.


I suppose it's not an improper moment to mention the real Henry Hill's website (as seen on Oprah):

http://www.goodfellahenry.com

[Cyclonus]

Wow! Great movie; I just finished watching it and it really blew me away!

I was surprised at how mad I was at Henry for implicating Jimmy and Paulie in court; I mean, they've done everything for him and he turns on them! Anyone else feel that way?

[bmain77]

Cyclonus: I feel sorry for Paulie but not Jimmy so much. Jimmy was a bit of an ass to Henry at the end as well. For being a gangster and all Paulie was still a pretty good guy.

THis is real close to being my all time favorite movies. It's right up there with Fight Club, Pulp Fiction, and Heat. NO film has ever had as an effective start as Goodfellas. In my book when Henry says he has always wanted to be a gangster is the single coolest moment in movie history.

The movie is about oraganized crime so of course the movie contains a lot (and I do mean a lot) of swearing and violence. How could you make a good and accurate mob movie without it? It's not like they are playing tidleywinks here.

I'm still debating about who used the word "Fuck" more effectively. Joe Pesci here or Jules in Pulp Fiction. Joey P and Samuel L. have turned swearing into an art form.

10.5/10

[Ebert]

How can anyone hate such a great film?

I thought it was without a doubt Martin Scorcese's greatest film he ever did.AND I MEAN HIS GREATEST

10/10

[dh1989]

A GREAT GREAT GREAT FILM!!!!!!!!! This is probably one of the best crime films ever! The book "Wiseguy" is one of my favorites and I thought the film would never live up even with Scorsese behind the big 'ol camera. But I was wrong it rocked. Robert De Niro is amazing as usual. This film remains Joe Pesci's best performance to date. But the guys that really stole the show was Ray Liotta. He rocked and is one of the most memorable characters in history. Scorsese's direction was good but better in "Casino". The action and drama mix well and turn this into a amazing flick. For a cool webpage on the film visit http://goodfellasweb.com/

[This message has been edited by dh1989 (edited 08-10-2001).]

[Redux]

Great movie an all-time classic.

This pretty much sums it up....One of the best scenes in any movie!

http://goodfellasweb.com/Goodfellas/downloads/sounds/realaudio/funny.ram

[This message has been edited by Redux (edited 08-10-2001).]

[Brock Landers]

Henry Hill is a drunken buffoon... just listen to any of his appearances on The Howard stern Show. Although I guess if I ratted on the mob I might crawl inside a bottle too. I can't believe they made a flick about this guy, no matter how good the flick is.

[Brock Landers]

Thanks for the site... Irene... I loved these "threat of the week" e-mails...

From: "'GRAC'"
To: "'henry@goodfellahenry.com'" <henry@goodfellahenry.com>
Subject: You are going to die very soon Henry
Date: 05/26/01
This is not some kid from his pc in D.C. I am a very good friend of a friend of a friend etc. There is a person from your past (one of his relatives is in your photo section), that was going to kill you, then figured it wasn't worth it. But ever since this site launched, you have rekindled that flame. He is now setting up your assassination, you deserve it, and it is going to happen, this is not bullshit. i may just buy a poster.. now, you're final press will be soon.. regarding your corpse. goodbye rat

From: "'stupid prick'"
To: "'henry@goodfellahenry.com'" <henry@goodfellahenry.com>
Subject: contest
Date: 05/02/01
Hey...You Motherfucker,you !!! WE GO WAY BACK..AND THAT WAS SOME FUCKED UP >SHIT YOU PULLED ON PAULIE..YOU FUCKIN SNITCH.IM GONNA DO WHAT HE SHOULD >HAVE >DID IN THE FIRST PLACE EVEN IF THAT MEANS HUNTING YOU DOWN. BELIVE ME I >WILL.. I see your'e trying to make your last dollars selling bullshit on >the >net. Your money's worthless..Theres still a gang of TRUE GOODFELLAS on your >ass, ya fuckin' snitch. YA FUCKIN RAT.. You're gonna be tortured like a >little fuckin lab RAT....First, IM gonna to peel off your eyelids and keep >flashing photos in your fuckin' face. Then your fuckin' tongue is getting >cut off and I'm gonna use it to wipe the sweat off my hairy balls. Then, >your'e gonna kiss my ass because i'm gonna rip your fuckin lips off...I am >a >very angry and impatient man. You're gettin burried under the new house >being built for all my mob meetings... >You're dead. I Can't wait to look in your little beety eyes...i don't even >want a reply. Talkin is what got you in the shit you're in now. And don't >think just because you're talkin over a computer i won't find you.. One of >them take their eyes off you, and a GLOCK with the silencer is all it >takes...Bullet through that little fuckin rat brain..PREPARE FOR YOUR >DEATH, >YA CHEESE EATIN' RAT..SEE YA very SOON SNITCH. > > >p.s... I'm the voice in your head that says "YOU FUCKIN MORON...LOOK AT >YOURSE

From: "'Matt Bishop'"
To: "'henry@goodfellahenry.com'" <henry@goodfellahenry.com>
Subject: Henry, I am gay but read this
Date: 05/12/01
>The good book states that retribution will come. I believe this to be true >Henry. I looked at your site on the www. You have become quite a successful >man Henry. However, do you not think this site is a little revealing? Hell >you made all the boys famous kid. I dont suppose you will remember me much, >after all you where all fucked up on that shit you used when you met me. I >havent had the chance to watch your movie yet. And when I do in about a >month or so, I hope you told it how it was. All these letters on your site >people have written to you make me laugh. All wannabe Goodfellas huh? Well >you where a good fella. Not anymore. I knew you where a rat as soon as soon >as I smelt you and your pals in your cuchty little cell. Now I am taking >this very personal Henry and I have had alot of time to think about things. >So whenever you eat, drink, even shit, I suggest that you check whats >lurking in your glass, toilet or behind your door. I have attached a little >something I got a friend to make for you. Watch it as this took a long time >to create. Just think how long I am spending thinking about you Henry. >Think. >Yours >A Friend > >13:15

[Chris_foster14]

My first memory of Goodfellas is when it first came out on video, my dad bought it and i saw the scene where Tommy Stabbs Billy Batts.Back then i scared me a bit but a couple of years later i had grown up a bit and i watched it all.Loved it.

[Fergus]

Became one of my all time fav's a few months ago. Everything is good about this movie. Besides that, it contains one of my favorite endings to any movie: Ray Liotta steps onto his front step to pick up the newspaper, he is describing how bad he gets to live the rest of his life like a shnook in the witness protection program. Next, the camera shows his face, then Joe Pesci shooting a gun at the camera to the beat of a rock song, then shows Ray Liotta walking back into his house as it goes to black. I love that ending to a great movie.

[JoBlo]

This is now a part of the VIDEO CAPSULES forum. The MOVIE OF THE WEEK forum is no longer: http://www.joblo.com/ubb/Forum17/HTML/000017.html

Keep on truckin' and discussin', folks...