In my opinion, this was the first film to establish Robert Deniro's onscreen persona & his distinctive method of acting that he's known for, even up until to this day.
And that's probably more due to the film's director, Martin Scorcese, and his particular brand of directing. Scorcese really seemed to know when to allow Deniro's mannerisms to freight this portrayal of a cab diver whose loneliness in the vast sea of grime that was '70's era New York City was consuming him to the point of razor-edged madness.ย
It was an acting freedom that Scorcese used to maximum effect and which also allowed the supporting roles of Jodie Foster, Cybil Sheperd, Harvey Keitel, Albert Brooks and Peter Boyle to bring the depth of character that they were each able to contribute to the film (particularly, IMO, Foster and Keitel).
While Martin Scorcese is more famous for his movies that delve into the mafia lifestyle, I feel that his talent for depicting the grit of the streets, particularly of this time-period, cannot be understated andd is what really carries the feel and weight of this story.
Taxi Driver is a true staple in the decade of 70's films, and a piece of high quality and expressive cinema that I really enjoy watching over and over again.
And yeah.....
I'm talking to you.
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About me
To be honest, there's not all that much I tell you about me.I don't really have any special talents or unique distinctions that separate me from anyone else.
Oh wait,
there is one thing....
For reasons that, so far, seem to elude physicians & scientists alike, whenever I fart, it smells like fresh roses.
Now, my doctor has stated to me, (off the record, of course) that I shouldn't rule out the possibility that it may due to the idea that I may very well be the much prophesized Second Coming.
However, as it is evidenced by the sloppy, sloth-riddened girth of my fat @ss (induced in major part by the amount of my life that I've wasted sitting on it in front of the computer, emptily commiseratin' with my fellow Listalophiles, posting girlfight videos on youtube & downloading onion-booty porn) I am not a person who shoulders responsibility all too well. Let alone leading an entire worldwide community out of sin.
Therefore,
I'm hoping that this enigmatic flatuent dilema o' mine is not actually a Divine bestowary, but is somehow more of a result of my diet.
Otherwise,
I'm screwed.
As would be all of you.
Because, lemme tell you something,
if my pimp-@ss is gonna go down ( or in this case, the proper term may be "up"),
I'm taking as many of you f%#kers with me as I can.
I can guarantee y'all,
that this time around,
there ain't gonna be none of this "Forgive them for they know not what they do" bullsh#t.
Occupation: Self-Styled Philosopher
Lists
18 votes
25 From 79: My Favorite Films Of 1979
(25 items)Movie list by The Mighty Celestial Published 11 years, 1 month ago
3 comments
23 votes
300 & 99 From The 1st Decade Of The New Millennium
(399 items)Movie list by The Mighty Celestial Published 12 years, 8 months ago
2 comments
24 votes
My Top 30 Halloween Favorites: Vampires
(30 items)Movie list by The Mighty Celestial Published 12 years ago
5 comments
5 votes
35 From 1: My Favorite Films From 2001
(35 items)Movie list by The Mighty Celestial Published 8 years, 1 month ago
1 comment
7 votes
20 From 40: My Favorite Movies of The 40's
(20 items)Movie list by The Mighty Celestial Published 15 years, 1 month ago
1 comment
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Recent reviews
"It's clean, real clean - like my conscience..."
Posted : 11 years, 7 months ago on 13 April 2013 07:03 (A review of Taxi Driver)0 comments, Reply to this entry
Where There's a Will...
Posted : 14 years, 4 months ago on 5 July 2010 06:06 (A review of Good Will Hunting)Wait, what's this? The usually overblown Mork wins an Oscar for his portrayal of a down to earth South Boston therapist with a sympathetic ear?
Well, how do you like them apples?
And on the other end of the psychiatrist's chair is Will Hunting, a "wicked smaht" young Southie who must come to terms with his past, his brawling behavior, his therapist, his extra-ordinary talent and his tendency to continually talk himself away from responsibility.
And in the process, finds that sometimes, the best way to heal old wounds,
is simply, to go see about a girl.
This was one of those films that really surprised me when I watched it,
not just because it turned out to be my favorite movie of that year, but also one of my favorite top ten films ever.
And if any of you out there reading this can't seem to come eye to eye with my over-all assessment of the high quality of this story,ย
fret not.
It's not your fault.
0 comments, Reply to this entry
When a Wiseguy is Still a Goodfella...
Posted : 14 years, 4 months ago on 5 July 2010 06:05 (A review of GoodFellas (1990))"You know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like you said to, uh, somebody, 'You're gonna like this guy. He's all right. He's a goodfella. He's one of us. You understand?' We were goodfellas. Wiseguys."
When it comes to gangster movies, you just can't beat this one. based just on its for charismatic energy alone. Goodfellas is my favorite Martin Scorcese film, for several reasons, but one of the main ones being the manner in which he pays close attention to the minute details that the members of a 60's-70's mafia family engage in for the sake of maintaining the lifestyle that they have so become accustomed to. Scorcese manages to utilize his accumulated experience in the way that only an accomplished director can, by progressing the story in a manner that shows how the mafia type of self-contained lifestyle can only eventually crumble in on itself as the "normal" world outside of the Cosa Nostra continually changes and evolves.
What it comes down to is, no matter how much of a goodfella you think you may be, in the end, you will always end up either in prison, getting whacked, or the worst of 'em all, living the rest of your life like a schnook.
0 comments, Reply to this entry
The End Is Nigh
Posted : 15 years ago on 11 November 2009 10:07 (A review of Apocalypse Now)Apocalypse Now is kind of like the "2001: A Space Odyssey" of the war genre in that it's a story of a long, far away journey that culminates into a meeting with a strange godlike figure. And even though you might not know what it all meant, what you <i>do</I> know is that whatever it was, it was pretty damn epic, pretty damn trippy, and in the end, ย pretty damn cool.
[img id=6526580 width=500full]
The imagery and the surrealness throughout this film all lead up into a piece of work that could've easily been a number one film fave on any other director's filmography. And yet, for Francis Ford Coppola, the fact that there are still two other movies of his that are (not just in my opinion, but in many others as well) even better than this grand "arty" 'Nam epic (obviously I'm referring The Godfather Parts I and II of course), it is a great testament that the 70's was a period of time that showcased FFC's abilities as that of a great director in his prime.
[img id=1188433 width=500full]
BTW, Hearts Of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse, a documentary that follows the true story of how Apocalypse Now was made, is not only a great companion piece to this film, but a also a great work of cinema in it's own right (definitely worth it's own watch).
0 comments, Reply to this entry
The Pinnacle Of The Force
Posted : 15 years ago on 11 November 2009 10:02 (A review of The Empire Strikes Back (1980))Sure, there are sci-fi films better written, or with, now much more grander & updated special effects. But other than Star Trek, none have the expansive imagination or have been able to touch the heart of an entire generation of nerds, particularly with such a long lasting impact, as the original Star Wars trilogy.
And while I know that Star Trek has affected more numbers of sci-fi geeks, but, for me, as "big" as their stories & concepts were, they never seemed to go all out with their depictions of aliens races as much as Wars. And as integalactic as they tried to make their stories, I never felt that they were as epic.
For the movie of Empire itself, I agree with the rest of the world that this is the pinnacle of the entire Star Wars franchise, with it's darker tone & cliff-hanger ending within it's still fairytale-like structure. The saga of the intergalactic war between the Empire & the Jedi-led Rebellion hits it stride as Luke Skywalker, Hans Solo, Princess Leia & the rest of the crew find themselves pursued & cornered by Darth Vader & the forces of the Dark Side.
The Empire Strikes Back came out at a time back when movies would stay in wide release, not for weeks at a time, but for months, and a few of 'em, like this one, for almost a full year.
From my own point of view, I think that, on the majority, audiences today have been so desensitized from so-so blockbusters being released every other week-end or so, that they will never get to fully understand or experience the feeling a big movie-event like Star Wars. The year of Empire was one of my fave summers ever as a kid. It was really cool knowing that I could hop on the city bus at any point during the season & go watch TESB. And every time that I did, the other audience members were just as excited to be seeing this film at the end of the summer as they were at the beginning. Every year that one of the 3 original films was released, you could feel the power of the "Force" within the air, and not just until the next "big" movie came out. You could actually feel it in the air for almost the entire year long. And then some.
And while I know that Star Trek has affected more numbers of sci-fi geeks, but, for me, as "big" as their stories & concepts were, they never seemed to go all out with their depictions of aliens races as much as Wars. And as integalactic as they tried to make their stories, I never felt that they were as epic.
For the movie of Empire itself, I agree with the rest of the world that this is the pinnacle of the entire Star Wars franchise, with it's darker tone & cliff-hanger ending within it's still fairytale-like structure. The saga of the intergalactic war between the Empire & the Jedi-led Rebellion hits it stride as Luke Skywalker, Hans Solo, Princess Leia & the rest of the crew find themselves pursued & cornered by Darth Vader & the forces of the Dark Side.
The Empire Strikes Back came out at a time back when movies would stay in wide release, not for weeks at a time, but for months, and a few of 'em, like this one, for almost a full year.
From my own point of view, I think that, on the majority, audiences today have been so desensitized from so-so blockbusters being released every other week-end or so, that they will never get to fully understand or experience the feeling a big movie-event like Star Wars. The year of Empire was one of my fave summers ever as a kid. It was really cool knowing that I could hop on the city bus at any point during the season & go watch TESB. And every time that I did, the other audience members were just as excited to be seeing this film at the end of the summer as they were at the beginning. Every year that one of the 3 original films was released, you could feel the power of the "Force" within the air, and not just until the next "big" movie came out. You could actually feel it in the air for almost the entire year long. And then some.
0 comments, Reply to this entry
My Li-Oh Frenn Says 'Ello
Posted : 15 years, 2 months ago on 12 September 2009 08:25 (A review of Scarface)Okay, let's get this part out of the way;
"Say 'ello tu my lil-oh frenn!"
Now, with that most over-used movie-line over & done with,
Scarface is the in-your-face, over-the-top character that will always iconically follow the career of Al Pacino.
The rise & fall of drug kingpin who literally started out nothing & pyrrhically ends up with everything the drug-world has to offer.
One of those rare times for an actor where upon it's over-the-top performance is considered so perfect for the role, that's its almost impossible to imagine it done in any other fashion.
Pacino is brutal, heartless & violent not just the way he handles the character of, but also with the way he handles the Cuban accent (something he does again, but this time with a Puerto rican accent & not with as much of an iconic effect, in 1997's Carlito's Way).
As the movie tagline says: "He loved the American Dream. With a Vengeance."
7.5/10
"Say 'ello tu my lil-oh frenn!"
Now, with that most over-used movie-line over & done with,
Scarface is the in-your-face, over-the-top character that will always iconically follow the career of Al Pacino.
The rise & fall of drug kingpin who literally started out nothing & pyrrhically ends up with everything the drug-world has to offer.
One of those rare times for an actor where upon it's over-the-top performance is considered so perfect for the role, that's its almost impossible to imagine it done in any other fashion.
Pacino is brutal, heartless & violent not just the way he handles the character of, but also with the way he handles the Cuban accent (something he does again, but this time with a Puerto rican accent & not with as much of an iconic effect, in 1997's Carlito's Way).
As the movie tagline says: "He loved the American Dream. With a Vengeance."
7.5/10
0 comments, Reply to this entry
The Original Magnificent Seven
Posted : 15 years, 2 months ago on 12 September 2009 08:17 (A review of Seven Samurai)Considered Akira Kurosawa's most accomplished work, Seven Samurai is a black & white classic whose story has inspired many a film afterwards, most notably (& one of my favorites) the Magnificent Seven.
It's a story of the Old East, which coincidently enough, runs themes which will eventually become staples in movies dealing with the Old West.
Here, the heros are truly heroes, but each is shown as a distinctive individual, with human traits & flaws that allow for the empty space to be felt whenever a warrior falls, in battles that, as the movies states, are never truly won.
8.5/10
It's a story of the Old East, which coincidently enough, runs themes which will eventually become staples in movies dealing with the Old West.
Here, the heros are truly heroes, but each is shown as a distinctive individual, with human traits & flaws that allow for the empty space to be felt whenever a warrior falls, in battles that, as the movies states, are never truly won.
8.5/10
0 comments, Reply to this entry
Better Than Going To The Drive-Thru
Posted : 15 years, 2 months ago on 12 September 2009 08:15 (A review of Grindhouse)Despite Tarantino's sub-par effort on Death Proof, there was still enough in his half (like the car-chase & the first "car-killing" by the "car-killer") that added to the much superior first half, Planet Terror, a zombie-fest by Robert Rodriguez. And while the shlock that comes with most zombie flicks usually puts me off, Robert Rodriguez's style of depicting his half of The Grindhouse as a caricature of a genre that has already gone cartoonishly over the top, makes this a walking undead gore-a-rama that I could not only stomach, but enjoy as well. Coupled with a modern sense of violence that we've all mindlessly grown to love, it's a zombie action flick of an energetic quality that sparked some life into my usually dead reaction to most shambling corpse fare.
So, if you're into chicks with guns, zombie apocalypeses & amputees (& let's be honest.... who isn't?), then this is the zombie flick for you.
So, if you're into chicks with guns, zombie apocalypeses & amputees (& let's be honest.... who isn't?), then this is the zombie flick for you.
0 comments, Reply to this entry
A Prestigious Act
Posted : 15 years, 2 months ago on 12 September 2009 08:12 (A review of The Prestige)An H.G. Wellsesque type of sci-fi thriller told thru the modern directing & co-writing talents Christopher Nolan.
And while this pic isn't as grand as The Dark Knight, I must admit, I found myself enjoying the story in this one more. For it's premise, The Prestige is overall innovative & cohesively engaging.
A fantasy plot of the age of early 20th century magicks whose complex twists & turns eventually all complete their spiral turns to lead into a surprise climax that the viewer can still satisfyingly comprehend & enjoyably appreciate.
That is, if the proper amount of suspension is applied to one's belief. And when it comes to magic, let's be honest: no matter how physically impossible it may seem, at a certain level, we all want to believe.
0 comments, Reply to this entry
V for Very Good
Posted : 15 years, 2 months ago on 12 September 2009 08:08 (A review of V for Vendetta)A dystopian british nation must be saved by the tyrannical totalitarian government under which it has become subjected to since a recent nuclear war that has left much of the Earth crippled. And who will act as the people's modern/futuristic Robin Hood, to inspire hope within the masses of a spiritually tattered land of The United kingdom? In this case, it will be the mask vigilante known as "V". And so confident is this anarchist avenger of the masses, that he requires naught but swords to combat gunplay, a name no longer than that of a single letter, and a mask based not on of fear, but one based instead on a visage of a happy but rebellious historical figure.
Alan Moore's storytelling is just so rich in detail, atmosphere & concepts, that it can almost seem impossible to capture even just a sliver of it's essence onto a film adaptation. Therefor, even though this movie quite obviously cannot compare to the comicbook series, just the fact that it was able to retain anything at all from Mr. Moore's work to any kind of degree of consistency to the story
(which, IMO, is the only movie to do so far) is enough to mark it as a success for me.
Alan Moore's storytelling is just so rich in detail, atmosphere & concepts, that it can almost seem impossible to capture even just a sliver of it's essence onto a film adaptation. Therefor, even though this movie quite obviously cannot compare to the comicbook series, just the fact that it was able to retain anything at all from Mr. Moore's work to any kind of degree of consistency to the story
(which, IMO, is the only movie to do so far) is enough to mark it as a success for me.
0 comments, Reply to this entry
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The Mighty Celestial added 5 items to 25 From 79: My Favorite Films Of 1979 list
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I'm currently working on a new project and maybe you could help me out.
It's pretty simple.
You just need to click on the link underneath and provide your 10 favorite movies.
www.listal.com/list/listals-100-films-see-before-8601
Thanks in advance! :)
www.listal.com/list/listals-100-greatest-movie-villains
Thanks for letting me waste your time.
Not sure if I think Gillian Anderson is the absolute hottest ginger girl, but she's definitively one of them. ;)
Just wanted to give a shoutout for your "Yet Another Listal Member's Top 20 Fave Movies" list. I've had that on my bookmarks probably for about 2 years. Such a great combination of pictures and words and so enjoyable to read, that it singlehandedly inspired me to do my own similar list (only much wordier and dryer). You can check it out here if interested: www.listal.com/list/larris-top40-favorite-films
So, again, very nice work!
Have a nice weekend