I recently watched Goodfellas for my 2nd time all the way through. I've seen the Godfather trilogy though was a late bloomer on that, seeing it about 30 years after initial release. I've seen Scarface at least once. I've seen Donnie Brasco twice. I've seen the Untouchables 2 to 3 times. And only other one that comes to mind is Casino which I initially read the script before seeing the film.
You'd think I am a fan of this genre, but alas I am not. I think mob movies are overhyped and I still don't get the fascination with them.
Is it because some audience members somewhat wish to emulate the mob way of life? Is it just the compelling drama of gun play and organized crime? Is it the high caliber of talented actors? Or what? What do you think it is that make these movies very popular?
My take on mob characters remains fairly consistent. They come off like tough guys, but it really seems like they are cowards who are grossly overcompensating for lack of class. They seem like hoodlums and in my viewings, I don't see anything real different between mob thugs and inner city type thugs, though it seems like silent racism attempts to draw significant line between the two types of gangstas.
I generally watch the films because of the high caliber of talent, and because the film has been hyped up so much, and because I'm always a little curious what US audiences are attracted to in the morality play. I'm almost always cheering for the cops in these sort of films which isn't the case in other movies I watch. Wasn't cheering for the cops in Reservoir Dogs. And neither was I in Usual Suspects. But in mob movies, I look forward to the mob guys being taken down either by their own silly in battles or by the cops / feds. And so of all the movies I named at the top, it ought to be no surprise that the ones I liked the most are Untouchables and Donnie Brasco.
I'm curious what others have to say about this genre. On this topic, if you disagree with my take and love the film, I may have questions, but won't debate as I realize I am in minority on this one.
You'd think I am a fan of this genre, but alas I am not. I think mob movies are overhyped and I still don't get the fascination with them.
Is it because some audience members somewhat wish to emulate the mob way of life? Is it just the compelling drama of gun play and organized crime? Is it the high caliber of talented actors? Or what? What do you think it is that make these movies very popular?
My take on mob characters remains fairly consistent. They come off like tough guys, but it really seems like they are cowards who are grossly overcompensating for lack of class. They seem like hoodlums and in my viewings, I don't see anything real different between mob thugs and inner city type thugs, though it seems like silent racism attempts to draw significant line between the two types of gangstas.
I generally watch the films because of the high caliber of talent, and because the film has been hyped up so much, and because I'm always a little curious what US audiences are attracted to in the morality play. I'm almost always cheering for the cops in these sort of films which isn't the case in other movies I watch. Wasn't cheering for the cops in Reservoir Dogs. And neither was I in Usual Suspects. But in mob movies, I look forward to the mob guys being taken down either by their own silly in battles or by the cops / feds. And so of all the movies I named at the top, it ought to be no surprise that the ones I liked the most are Untouchables and Donnie Brasco.
I'm curious what others have to say about this genre. On this topic, if you disagree with my take and love the film, I may have questions, but won't debate as I realize I am in minority on this one.
