PopcornTreeCt

So, all the Scorsese love has got me thinking. You know I never cared much for Goodfellas. I always considered Taxi Driver and Raging Bull as Scorsese's 2 masterpieces and never thought Goodfellas deserved mention with them. Sure, the story is good and Pesci and De Niro are fantastic but Ray Liotta just kills it for me. I'm sure I'll get flamed for it but I actually prefer Casino to Goodfellas. It's like Goodfellas only without Ray Liotta and with De Niro as a likeable character. Comparing Goodfellas to another similiar film; Donnie Brasco, is also another film I find vastly superior to Goodfellas.

Agree? Disagree?

Supermallet

Completely disagree. Goodfellas is a benchmark film.

Arpeggi

Truth.

Mondo Kane

You're not alone. Casino has Joe Bob Briggs

McHawkson

I found Good Fellas a very good movie - so many high power actors delivery their character greatly. I do think Good Fellas is a Best Picture caliber.

However, Dancing with Wolves deserved the Best Picture. IMO.

JumpCutz

Goodfellas is, if anything, underrated. I think it's pitch perfect. Liotta is very, very good and Pesci provides one of the best supporting performances ever.

Scorcese has directed three masterworks, quite the feather in the cap if you ask me.

Supermallet

Oy, I forgot this one lost to Dances With Wolves. One of the major Oscar blunders.

dhmac

I think in this case that you're blinded by your dislike of Ray Liotta. Although I like Liotta (and love "Goodfellas"), I can understand how you feel because there are some popular movies with lead actors I dislike enough that I think they ruin the movie.

Groucho

I'm afraid I don't subscribe to the "more likable characters = better film" school of criticism.

Supermallet

I think he means that the OP dislikes Ray Liotta as an actor, not necessarily disliking the character he plays.

RagingBull80

I think Goodfellas is one of 3 Scorsese masterpieces.

Groucho

I was referring the OP's point about Robert Deniro in both movies.

lawyer goodwill

I actually like Dances with Wolves AND Ordinary People. *runs far, far away*

Rogue588

Over...rated?

DVDsAreMyLIFE

I enjoyed Goodfellas MUCH more than Casino...that Joe Pesci sex scene just turned me off.

Supermallet

I re-read the original post, and I see what you mean. And besides, while the De Niro character in Casino is sympathetic, I don't know if I'd call him likeable.

RagingBull80

Was Ordinary People better than Raging Bull?
Was Dances With Wolves better than Goodfellas?

I know it's a matter of opinion but I was wondering your view.

PopcornTreeCt

To me, more likeable characters equals a more enjoyable experience. I'm not saying it equals a better film but it's one of the reasons why I like Casino better. I absolutely love Raging Bull and De Niro's character has to be the most unlikeable character ever.

RagingBull80

I wouldn't really call Lamotta unlikeable, I see your point though. I know people will disagree but I found Jake Lamotta to be a troubled self destructive man that was trying very hard.

lawyer goodwill

These comparisons have a very "apples 'n oranges" vibe going ... Still, I know I enjoyed Dances with Wolves more than Goodfellas (another excellent flick). Dunno if I can say the same about Ordinary People over Raging Bull, but I do know I liked Ordinary People.

AnonomusBob15

Goodfellas has a certain attitude that makes it classic. Casino is a very dry but interesting film; Casino probably has a better story, and almost the same characters.

GoldenJCJ

I think Goodfellas is Scorsese's best film to date, but I don't know how much my opinion will matter to everyone considering I think Taxi Driver is his most overrated.

Supermallet

Personally I agree that Goodfellas is better than both Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, by just a hair.

AnonomusBob15

Goodfellas is a far more entertaining film than Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, but I don't think it is better than Taxi Driver.

hdtv00

Completely disagree. Goodfellas is a benchmark film