Gangster

I was watching Mean Streets today and not only did it give me insight into how young Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel and David Carradine were in this film, it also gave me a little more insight into how a lot of ideas in Goodfellas were tested.

Mean Streets was Scorcese's first real gangster movie. I think that Goodfellas is his best gangster film to date. Mean Streets, while a watchable and engaging movie is missing the finesse that Goodfellas has. Perhaps maturity and additional experience as a film director led to this being the case. Who knows.

Anyway, the film has inspired today's post. Gangster is not necessarily limited to America, although the American mafia film is considered to be the main type of film that people think of when the term gangster movie is raised.

Other great gangster films that are worth viewing (in my opinion) include:

The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II - Part III is ok but the first two really shine.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - I love this British film - I can watch it over and over and I have the soundtrack on my iPod.

Reservoir Dogs - for a first film, Tarantino did a really good job with this film. I hate to admit it but I fell asleep the first 3 times I tried to watch this movie. (I put it down to Sunday afternoon viewing after a very big Saturday night on each occasion). When I did finally see it completely from start to finish, I understood what all the fuss was about. Some of the violence in this is quite realistic and will not appeal to everyone.

American Gangster - Denzel Washington is wonderful in this true story. Russell Crowe is also really good. It is definitely worth a watch. Highly polished film that is entertaining.

Goodfellas - as mentioned above. I think it is Scorcese's best gangster film to date. Great cast, wonderful cinematography, definitely worth a few viewings.

Infernal Affairs - The movie The Departed is based on this wonderful Hong Kong film. Please watch this one over The Departed and in its original language. It really is a wonderful film.

The Usual Suspects - I love this film. Kevin Spacey is a legend and really does a wonderful job in this movie. If you haven't seen it, definitely get it out. A film that should appeal to most people.

Animal Kingdom - I found this film to be quite uncomfortable to watch. The acting is wonderful and the violence is quite realistic. Jacki Weaver shines in this film and deserved the oscar nomination for her performance.

Casino - Again, another Scorcese film that is worth a watch although if I had to choose between it and Goodfellas I would choose Goodfellas.

Elite Squad - This Brazilian film is more action cop movie than gangster but it is definitely worth watching so I have included it in this list as it does have a gangster/drug dealer mob element to it.

The Yakuza - Sydney Pollack directs this wonderful co-production between America and Japan. It is a great Japanese mafia film. Highly entertaining.

Sonatine - while on the topic of Japanese Yakuza films - this one is highly entertaining, beautifully shot and very easy to watch. Again, in Japanese with subtitles if you can.

El Mariachi - This early low budget Robert Rodriguez film is, in my opinion, a wonderful film and definitely worth viewing.

That should be enough to get you started. Any favourites out there that I have missed? Let me know.