Best of Martin Scorsese.
written by Souranath Banerjee.
Superlative adjectives like ‘most significant’, ‘most influential’, ‘the best director of our times’, ‘the greatest storyteller’, all begin to make sense when used in context of the one and only – Martin Scorsese.
The man with thick black, bushy eyebrows who has managed to won every prestigious awards that exists in this world (Academy Award, a Palme d’Or, Cannes Film Festival Best Director Award, Silver Lion, Grammy Award, Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, DGA Awards and even the AFI Life Achievement Award).
Directed almost 60 films till date, Scorsese is also renowned as a producer, screenwriter, actor, and film historian.
His innovative styles of filmmaking are taught in every film-school all over the world; one of the very few directors whose films are both commercially and critically acclaimed.
Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Harvey Keitel are some of the actors with whom Martin Scorsese has worked the most and together they created some legendary cinema.
But for now i have listed some of his best feature films (no shorts or documentaries in this list).
Let the fun begin.
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auYbpnEwBBg
A remake of Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs (2002), an ultimate game of deceit between an cop and a mole in the police department.
Along with Leonardo DiCaprio we have Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson, what a combination of actors and such brilliant performances!
Four Oscar wins including best director award for Scorsese.
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJXDMwGWhoA
Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone (got an Academy Award nomination for her role) and of course Joe Pesci – and a hard hitting story of power and greed.
One of the most violent films that Scorsese ever made and it’s also the eighth and final collaboration with Robert De Niro.
Best Casino drama ever!
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5YmI2PW9R8
Nominated in ten categories in the Oscars, an extraordinary period film that has it’s own cult following.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz and Daniel Day-Lewis (as Bill ‘The Butcher’) at their very best.
A revenge drama; a boy who returns to kill his father’s murderer.
And also with this film starts the actor/director bonding between DiCaprio and Scorsese.
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCwjzn0CncA
One of Scorsese’s earliest classics and in this one Scorsese works with Robert De Niro for the first time.
Harvey Keitel along with David Proval gives terrific performances.
A gang of friends, small time hoods who hustle and try to make a living in the mean streets of New York.
Extensive use of hand-held camera and also camera-strapped-to-the-body technique for drunken effect.
5. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idAVRvQeYAE
Five Oscar nominations and the most entertaining film of recent times!
Leonardo DiCaprio along with Jonah Hill and Matthew McConaughey gives out their best.
Based on a wealthy stockbroker Jordan Belfort’s exciting life, the film is a roller-coaster ride of unlimited money, crime, drugs, sex, corruption and sheer madness.
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo5jJpHtI1Y
Six Academy Award nominations and Joe Pesci winning the Oscar in the ‘best actor in a supporting role’ category.
Outstanding performance by Robert De Niro and for Ray Liotta – his best role ever.
Based on the life of Henry Hill, this film is regarded as one of the greatest gangster drama. Extreme use of curse words and violence but highly entertaining as well.
7. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJKxg4p-Alk
Controversial yet brilliant, this one is Scorsese’s most courageous project till date.
Willem Dafoe superbly portrays the pain and joy of Christ. Harvey Keitel and Barbara Hershey at their best.
Based on Nikos Kazantzakis‘s novel, the story of Christ and his last and final temptation on the cross.
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wVhCCo02P4
An ambitious comedian who disrupts famous celebrity Jerry Lewis‘s private life.
This film is very different from Scorsese’s general trend; a perfect black comedy with subtle dialogues and awesome acting.
According to Scorsese himself this was Robert De Niro‘s best performance under his direction.
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FebPJlmgldE
A take on the life of eccentric genius film director Howard Hughes who is also ‘the aviator’!
Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett (won the Oscar as the best supporting actress) and Kate Beckinsale have given their best. Acting debut of singer Gwen Stefani as well.
A biopic that had total eleven Oscar nominations and five wins!
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiVOwxsa4OM
Robert De Niro plays the famous boxer Jake LaMotta (for which he won the best actor Oscar) and Joe Pesci (his brother) and Cathy Moriarty (his wife).
Best boxing movie ever made which had eight Oscar nominations and two wins.
De Niro gained a record 60 pounds to look the part. A violent life both in and out of the ring portrayed to perfection.
and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most unique and crazy one. A must watch).
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cujiHDeqnHY
A mentally unstable Vietnam war veteran, a nighttime taxi driver in New York, an obsessed man with a mission, a violent man with good intentions.
Robert De Niro nominated for the Academy Awards, undoubtedly best performance of his lifetime. Jodie Foster and Harvey Keitel at their best.
The director won the prestigious Palme d’Or award for this film.
