"Mean Streets" SE review ?
 

I've loved this movie for some time now, obviously so has Cinema Gotham who did a mighty fine job with his review. I know he wanted to discuss a bit so here is my .02...I discovered it way back when and was literally floored by the sheer volume in acting. Not that it was overstated, but how Keitel and De Niro used such understated nuance in their superb performances that it seemed as though they weren't acting at all.

(minor scene spoiler)

The scene that does for it me and I swear I think it is one of the greatest scenes in cinema is when Keitel's Charlie pulls De Niro's Johnny Boy into a back room of Tony's bar after Johnny brings in some Jewish girls for them to fool with and gives him a little lecture on who to pay and not take money from and not piss off...Robert De Niro's innocence and carefree, non-chalant "Whaaa??, Whoo??, Whaa??" and the seemingly improvised banter that ensues is so genuine and absolutely, positively something that CANNOT BE TAUGHT!!! was just breath-taking. And a scene I care to repeat over and over at the time of viewing and over and over at the mere mention of the title still today in my mind.

Granted I haven't seen the movie in some time so some of the details might be slightly off, but I know I am close and I know I love it!! Absolutely love that scene and can't wait to re-live the whole movie once again soon.

Which brings me to my question...I had thought for the longest time that this new release was just a mere re-release of the old release. Obviously, it is not with the new commentary, new little extras and anamorphic transfer.

So being that I have the old and just popped it in for a sec and it seemed to look good, will I really notice the difference with the new anamorphic transfer?? I can be honest and tell you I am not to learned on the differences bewtween non- and anamorp., but I know they are significant, but the old release seems to look pretty good and since I can't get to the DVDBeaver to see if they have a comparison, is there much of a difference for anyone who has both? Or anyone who just has the new, is it really awesome looking? Thanks for help.

I don't have the old one so I can't compare, but the transfer on the new one is excellent. (You already know what I think ;) ) I'd suggest going whole-hog if you can and getting the boxed set. I got it through STL from Amazon for 37, which I would have paid just for Mean Streets and Goodfellas alone. If you haven't seen Who's That Knocking then that's added incentive, since it's even earlier Scorsese-Keitel collaboration.

Even if you just get the one it can be had for pretty dam cheap.

As for your favorite scene, it's mine too and I discuss specifically in the review. Glad you enjoyed the read. I was Johnny Boy-delirious by the time I finished it at 2am last night. Phew!

BTW, here's the review for those who aren't familiar with the film:
<a href="http://dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=11962" target="new"><img src="http://www.dvdtalk.com/cinemagotham/archives/meanstreets_bug.jpg" width="125" height="125"" border=1 alt="Mean Streets" HSPACE=5 VSPACE=5 BORDER=1 ALIGN="LEFT"></a>

Wow! I scanned some of the review and didn't even notice you mentioned that scene. Truly weird!
<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_4_167.gif' alt='Weird' border=0></a>

I just read the part...so awesome we knew the same part!!

I thought Beaver wasn't going offline until 8/31...how come I can't get any comparisons? Anyone have a link for "Mean Streets"?