Scorsese

For a long time I have counted Martin Scorsese as an influence of mine. His backcatalogue makes most other directors cry out in misery at the realisation that everything they accomplish in their lifetime wsill probably not come close to a single one of his films. Many are considered masterpieces. others are outright classics. His use of colour and the way he commands every frame and every performance is just astonishing. The world of cinema would be a far less interesting place without him. One of the greatest directors of all time and one of my favourite and yet nothing he had done particularly charts highly on my favourite lists. At least that is I mean my Top Ten list.

He is also one of the very few directors whose work hasn't really dwindled in his later years. While many would argue his best films are behind him. Scorsese manages to continue to deliver varied fascinating films that cover various genres and subject matters phenomenally well without ever falling into the pitfalls many other directors in their respective genres do. He continues to be phenomenal, he's just no longer supposedly god-like. I disagree. See The Departed for god's sake. The man took the cop versus criminal genre and made it utterly compelling.

But my own problem is. What are my favourite films of his. Of course always remember that this is my own opinion. I worship the man and his craft. Raging Bull just didn't connect with me on the level it seems to with everyone else. So there are going to be detractors from this list. But here, in my limited wisdom, are my favourite Scorsese films.

1. Goodfellas (1990)


2. Taxi Driver (1976)


3. The Departed (2006)


4. Casino (1995)


5. Mean Streets (1973)

Obviously the list is biased. It's basically entirely crime films but Scorsese does it so well. He completely can go from genre to genre in a way that only he and the Coen Brothers can. But the Coens, like Scorsese, in my opinion, are at their best when dealing in crime films. The King of Comedy is magnificent. Gangs of New York is truly original. The King of Comedy one of the most underrated films ever made.

Soon, Scorsese will release his latest film, Shutter Island, which once more will have me running to the cinema to see. There are my favourites of his. What are yours? You obviously have an opinion if you read to the end of this page!