December 15, 20196 yr I liked it but can’t see watching it again. Too slow and couldn’t get the face de-aging with the bodies into my head as realistic. Also the story is suspect. Frank is the Forest Gump of the mob. He’s a part of every major mob event of the 20th century and from Pennsylvania. Yet no one has ever heard of him. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
December 16, 20196 yr Thought it was good. Took me about two weeks to get through it, including one night when I fell asleep and had to go back to my previous stopping point. And if you're looking to read the film as Scorsese's mea culpa for all the mob glamorizing over the years, one need only contrast the prison scenes at the end with those in Goodfellas
December 16, 20196 yr Scorsese has won best director. He’s never won best picture. I don’t think he deserves it for The Irishman, but I bet they give it to him as a lifetime achievement type award. The Academy always does this.
December 16, 20196 yr 1 hour ago, Lazarus Bocanegra said: including one night when I fell asleep and had to go back to my previous stopping point I watched the ending twice because my wife thought she fell asleep. Turns out she didn't fall asleep, then ending was just that boring.
December 17, 20196 yr They should have named it Old Fellas. What's even sadder than the grocery store scene is the round table discussion with Scorsese, Pacino, DeNiro, and Pesci. They are almost orgasmic about how the CGI effects made them look so much younger. It was like watching Ali vs Holmes, or Apollo Creed vs Ivan Drago.
December 17, 20196 yr 10 minutes ago, BornOrange said: They should have named it Old Fellas. Glad I'm not the only one that thought this. I was extremely underwhelmed.
December 18, 20196 yr csb/ Much of what you saw adorned on Bobby DeNiro has been sold to endow a professorship in his name.
December 22, 20196 yr Watched it tonight, I thought it was solid and told the story from the book extremely well. I’m sure a part of me would have liked it even if it had been a big steaming pile though. This is bound to be the last time we see this group together and they have been responsible together and apart for a number of the best movies from my past. Even the ancillary characters have been involved in movies, the sopranos, etc that I enjoyed.
December 25, 20195 yr Was a good watch, maybe not the best of any of their careers, the actors or MS. Still enjoyed it though.
January 2, 20205 yr Author Just finished re-reading the book. Started a thread here if anyone is interested in some of the criminal happenings.
January 2, 20205 yr 7 hours ago, Baboontyme said: Just finished re-reading the book. Started a thread here if anyone is interested in some of the criminal happenings. Thanks Baboo. Just posted in the James Riddle Hoffa thread. I think the movie will age well. It is better on a second watch at home. Behind the last the 45 minutes and the CGI, my third biggest problem with the film is how Tony Pro was portrayed as this cartoonish bad guy. Tony Pro was a very serious guy who ran the New Jersey faction of a very serious crime family, the Genovese. To portray him as little cigar chomping 1930s gangster film wise guy is laughable. Stephen Graham is good in everything, but Scorsese should have reeled him some. Graham portrayed Al Capone on Boardwalk Empire, and I guess that’s what he’s going for as Tony Pro? It’s just one note over the top gangster bad guy caricature. I think control of his actors is where Scorsese has lost his fastball. He let Jack Nicholson do an over the top Joker type performance in The Departed and it became a very different movie. Scorsese let Nicholson improvise and rewrite some scenes. He would never let Pesci or DeNiro do this, but they would never even ask. Whitey Bulger and Frank Costello could never be confused as the same person. Edited January 2, 20205 yr by billfromlaketravis
January 3, 20205 yr Huh. I didn’t know that Costello was supposed to be based on Bulger. I knew that The Departed was a remake of another movie, Infernal Affairs, but not the WB piece.Then again, based on doesn’t mean identical, and I don’t think Jack’s portrayal of Costigan was full on Joker. But I also love that movie and think it’s every bit as good as Goodfellas.
January 3, 20205 yr I liked the dynamic where Pesci is above De Niro, instead of the other way around as in every other movie. Other than that, I give it a Fine But Forgettable rating.
January 3, 20205 yr Pesci was about to be above DeNiro in goodfellas. But “there was a problem, and we couldn’t do nothing about it.”
January 3, 20205 yr pos rep. But is deNiro really above Pesci in "a Bronx Tale"? One is a civilian outside the hierarchy. And Pesci is above him in "Once Upon a time in America" but his role in that movie is far smaller than most pictures he was in. But I like this sub-topic. Edited January 3, 20205 yr by Lobo
January 3, 20205 yr 3 hours ago, Lobo said: Pesci was about to be above DeNiro in goodfellas. But “there was a problem, and we couldn’t do nothing about it.” It’s been along time but Casino, too, right? Same idea as Goodfellas-he was the made guy and DeNiro was the talent but ethnically an outsider IIRC. Edited January 3, 20205 yr by Liquor and Poker
January 4, 20205 yr On 12/16/2019 at 8:05 AM, billfromlaketravis said: Scorsese has won best director. He’s never won best picture. I don’t think he deserves it for The Irishman, but I bet they give it to him as a lifetime achievement type award. The Academy always does this. The Departed also won Best Motion Picture in 2006. He didn't pick up the statue for producing it but if that's the criteria then he's only been nominated for Wolf of Wall Street and Hugo. He was hardly passed over for those two.
January 5, 20205 yr Wait, do producers usually win the best picture award? If not then why did Graham King win for The Departed instead of Scorsese?
January 5, 20205 yr Yeah, Marty doesn't usually produce the movies he directs, and vice-versa. Usually, not always. Hence his low number of Oscar wins.
January 5, 20205 yr I did not realize that. Well, The Departed won best picture and best director so not sure what more you could ask for.
January 6, 20205 yr On 1/3/2020 at 7:23 AM, Buzzrock said: Huh. I didn’t know that Costello was supposed to be based on Bulger. I knew that The Departed was a remake of another movie, Infernal Affairs, but not the WB piece. Then again, based on doesn’t mean identical, and I don’t think Jack’s portrayal of Costigan was full on Joker. But I also love that movie and think it’s every bit as good as Goodfellas. One of my favorites as well... btw, Leo was Costigan, Jack was Costello
January 7, 20205 yr On 1/3/2020 at 12:57 PM, Lobo said: Pesci was about to be above DeNiro in goodfellas. But “there was a problem, and we couldn’t do nothing about it.” It would have been a really weird dynamic if Tommy had lived/become a made man and Jimmy reported up to him. As depicted in the movie and in real life, Jimmy Burke was pretty autonomous from the Lucchese Family. Yes he reported up to Lucchese Capo Paul Vario, but Jimmy sent envelopes for protection and pretty much did whatever the hell he wanted to. The Lucchese Family is well known for giving their members/associates more autonomy than other families. Tommy getting made would probably helped Burke, in that he'd have a close friend in the club, but I don't think Jimmy would have reported up to Tommy. Burke was one of the most powerful associates in the history of the mafia.
January 7, 20205 yr On 1/3/2020 at 7:23 AM, Buzzrock said: Huh. I didn’t know that Costello was supposed to be based on Bulger. I knew that The Departed was a remake of another movie, Infernal Affairs, but not the WB piece. Then again, based on doesn’t mean identical, and I don’t think Jack’s portrayal of Costigan was full on Joker. But I also love that movie and think it’s every bit as good as Goodfellas. Correct. The Departed is a remake of Internal Affairs, but Costello's character was supposed to be based on Bulger. Not surprising, but DeNiro and Pacino turned down the role. Pacino's reason is unknown, but DeNiro was focused on his passion project The Good Shepherd. It's a very different film with either. The Departed would have been much darker, not as funny, and probably not as charming.
January 7, 20205 yr 48 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said: It would have been a really weird dynamic if Tommy had lived/become a made man and Jimmy reported up to him. As depicted in the movie and in real life, Jimmy Burke was pretty autonomous from the Lucchese Family. Yes he reported up to Lucchese Capo Paul Vario, but Jimmy sent envelopes for protection and pretty much did whatever the hell he wanted to. The Lucchese Family is well known for giving their members/associates more autonomy than other families. Tommy getting made would probably helped Burke, in that he'd have a close friend in the club, but I don't think Jimmy would have reported up to Tommy. Burke was one of the most powerful associates in the history of the mafia. Thanks. You’ve officially blown my mind
January 7, 20205 yr 11 minutes ago, mr. sunshine said: Thanks. You’ve officially blown my mind I don't think Jimmy gave Tommy up. So yes, Paul had the power to whack guys in Jimmy's crew. From all accounts, Paul fed Tommy to the Gambinos for trying to rape Karen Hill while Henry was in prison and killing Batts.
January 7, 20205 yr I'll give Pacino's Hoffa portrayal the nod over Nicholson's. Pacino brought some warmth to the role. He makes you love Hoffa and feel sadness when he dies. Hoffa is a darned good movie. Small quibbles with Tony Pro being portrayed as The Godfather, and the depiction of Hoffa's death. It was a really cool action sequence, but that's probably not how Hoffa died.
January 13, 20205 yr Finally got through it. Just OK for me. DeNiro has been in soooo many movies like this that I just see him and not the character. Never been a big Pacino fan (he tries too hard most of the time) but he was good and Pesci was very good. Way too slow throughout most of it. Pretty shocked at the number of oscar nominations but I cant figure that shit out very often anyways.
January 14, 20205 yr On 1/6/2020 at 6:20 PM, billfromlaketravis said: but that's probably not how Hoffa died. That's an understatement.
January 24, 20205 yr Didn’t care for it. Too many scenes were actors were used as just props especially Jessie Plemons and DeNiro seemed to be constantly be over acting. Edited January 24, 20205 yr by Horn80
January 24, 20205 yr I’m a total dork for mob history. Knowing most of what was shown was total BS made it really hard to enjoy. I can sit here and say the acting was great - I really think it was...but the BS factor was too much to overcome.
January 24, 20205 yr 54 minutes ago, Horn80 said: Didn’t care for it. Too many scenes were actors were used as just props especially Jessie Plemons and DeNiro seemed to be constantly be over acting. I don’t know. I dated Joey ‘the Clown’ Lombardo’s niece 15 years ago. Last name Longo, google is your friend... Going to Melrose and doing dinners w her family...that’s how they all acted. It didn’t come off as over the top to me.
January 24, 20205 yr Watched this on Monday. It was put together well but it came across as very clinical to me.
January 28, 20205 yr On 1/3/2020 at 9:40 AM, SuingToGetAMessageBoard? said: I liked the dynamic where Pesci is above De Niro, instead of the other way around as in every other movie. Other than that, I give it a Fine But Forgettable rating. Pesci was definitely above DeNiro in Casino. Tony Spilotro was a made guy and the de facto boss of Las Vegas.
June 5, 20214 yr I’ve rewatched it a few times. I’ve resolved to just enjoy the story and not worry about the shitty CGI or the length. It’s a good movie with great actors giving terrific performances with one of the best directors of all time. Enough said. I would watch the hell out of a Philly mob series. Great source material to work with including some very public wars.
June 5, 20214 yr 14 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said: I’ve rewatched it a few times. I’ve resolved to just enjoy the story and not worry about the shitty CGI or the length. It’s a good movie with great actors giving terrific performances with one of the best directors of all time. Enough said. I would watch the hell out of a Philly mob series. Great source material to work with including some very public wars. Watch Kill the Irishman. Great movie.
June 7, 20214 yr On 6/4/2021 at 9:12 PM, billfromlaketravis said: I would watch the hell out of a Philly mob series. Great source material to work with including some very public wars. Same. It doesn't get much play like New York or Chicago.
November 15Nov 15 Really late to the party. I knew the backstory somewhat and had seen it on Netflix for ages, and could have sworn I watched it. If I did, I didn't remember hardly a damn thing about it. Except the actual Hoffa "climax." Is there another recentish film that depicts that? Sopranos prequel? It is in the back of my head that I have seen that scene, but with other actors. Maybe I'm just getting senile. I did notice the "aging" discrepancy, but for whatever reason it didn't much interfere with the film for me. I am somewhat extra fascinated with mob permeation of unions because I disdained unions for many years, but now see their abosolute necessity. Teamsters involvement with the mob seems somewhat inevitable, one way or another, because the mob has seemingly always had it's fingers in transportation/trucking. Are/were other unions as notoriously mobbed up as Teamsters?
November 15Nov 15 Addendum to the above. When Pacino first entered the scene as Hoffa, doing his best scenery-chewing Devil's Advocate schtick, I was like "uh oh." But by most accounts, Hoffa was a bombastic, blustery character and agree with the above that Pacino played him with more nuance and "empathy-generation" than did Nicholson.
November 15Nov 15 1 hour ago, TwiceHorn said: Really late to the party. I knew the backstory somewhat and had seen it on Netflix for ages, and could have sworn I watched it. If I did, I didn't remember hardly a damn thing about it. Except the actual Hoffa "climax." Is there another recentish film that depicts that? Sopranos prequel? It is in the back of my head that I have seen that scene, but with other actors. Maybe I'm just getting senile. I did notice the "aging" discrepancy, but for whatever reason it didn't much interfere with the film for me. I am somewhat extra fascinated with mob permeation of unions because I disdained unions for many years, but now see their abosolute necessity. Teamsters involvement with the mob seems somewhat inevitable, one way or another, because the mob has seemingly always had it's fingers in transportation/trucking. Are/were other unions as notoriously mobbed up as Teamsters? Not on the grand scale of the Teamsters, but the Five Families and Chicago controlled the bartenders’ unions in their respective cities in addition to AC and Vegas. They’ve always had influence in the builders’ unions. The Concrete Club in NYC being the most famous example. The tax was $5 per yard. Got broken up in the mid 1980s. They also controlled the Fulton Fish Market until it moved and the docks and their associated unions. Chicago was more into city government namely bid rigging public works contracts. Got broken up in the early 1990’s. It’s widely speculated that 2 Chicago aldermen were made members of The Outfit. D’Arco and Roti. Even Philly got into the action. As you saw in The Irishman, they controlled the roofers union and that psycho Nicky Scarfo had a rebar company in AC.
November 15Nov 15 I’d say every major mafia controlled carting in their respective cities. And the Garment District. The Lucchese and Gambinos split that.
November 15Nov 15 5 hours ago, TwiceHorn said: Are/were other unions as notoriously mobbed up as Teamsters? Starbucks barista union
November 18Nov 18 On 12/16/2019 at 9:05 AM, billfromlaketravis said: Scorsese has won best director. He’s never won best picture. I don’t think he deserves it for The Irishman, but I bet they give it to him as a lifetime achievement type award. The Academy always does this. He won best picture for The Departed.
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