I can't believe this one slipped through unnoticed. It's 530 AM or so, but I'm not sure I can think of a better Scorsese. I think this is one of the most terrificly dark films I've seen that doesn't go "over the top." Practically perfect, in most ways. I should probably rewatch, though, just to be sure...it had a huge impact on me at the time, so my judgement may have been clouded over time...for now, though, this is definitely one of my favorite films.

A-

A clinic in atmosphere and direction, and De Niro is great. Badass movie.

Mona Lisa doesn't feel so original now. Then again, is there any original story in Hollywood?

De Niro does a wonderful job molding a twisted man... or a man twisted, depending on how you look at it. A very, very dark commentary on the world and the human condition. Great atmosphere. I like it... lots.

Over time my original grade has driven itself up more than a lot. Taxi Driver might even be one of the best films ever.

Was MS the first director to pioneer some of the cinematography seen here? The overhead slo-mos, the Miami Vice-style wheel shots, etc?

The opening - set to the awesome score - really works, original or not.

I've only seen this movie once about 2 years ago. It was good but nowhere near the masterpiece I expected. Maybe I'll have too see it again but I don't think my opinion would change much. B

B/B+


Got to see it at a theatre last month...was disappointed, just like with Raging Bull, though I liked Taxi Driver a tad better. Now it is a technically well-made film, but similar to Raging Bull, it simply did not resonate with me. Moreover, I felt that Jodie Foster's performance was overrated.

That said, it is very good on a technical level. Robert De Niro delivers a career-best performance, I'd say and that means a lot. The final shooting with De Niro as the vigilante was very well-shot.

That's about it...though in the case of this film, I've got a feeling that it might improve on further viewings.

My Scorsese Ratings so far:

Raging Bull - B
Taxi Driver - B/B+
The Aviator - B+
Cape Fear - B+
Gangs of New York - B+
The Departed - A

I need to rewatch Goodfellas before grading it.

Very interesting film, I finally got see Id say 85% of the film and its good. DeNiro is a very crazy guy and Jodie Foster is really really impressive for her age.

I'll need to try and catch the beginning before I rate it.

Scorcese's best movie by far, and one of the best movies ever made.

****

Really good movie, if its a little dated. But Scorcese and DeNiro were fantastic together. This is easily an A movie, I find it funny how much controversy there is over the ending though. While I think its a little random, I think its cleverly not in his head and a great commentary on our media.

A-

More thoughts later.

This is easily his 2nd best picture after Goodfellas.

A

De Niro is great and he freaks you out and no doubt the film starts off weird but it gets better.


However the 1970's NY look is very outdated.

Looks outdated? I suppose, although that's to it's benefit; I've never seen grime and decay so effectively communicated onscreen.

Yes and it just shows you how crappy NY was in the 1970's.

My favourite Scorsese, and it's not even really close. Though, admittedly, I still have to see most of his stuff.

I don't think I've ever seen a more brilliant depiction of psychological breakdown. It's all sleaze and moral decay and interior states-of-mind. And it's fantastic.

Also the best de Niro's ever been.

It really does improve on repeated viewings. Even I didn't like it much at first. Then after seeing it a third time...it's utterly haunting. The score, the cinematography, the DeNiro death stares.

can you change your avatar please?

Franz Woyzeck gets outcast even at KJ.

Jawohl, Herr Hauptmann.

No.

Kinski was an ugly, ugly man.

And he was also insane. But he still got more ass than any of us can dream of.

Great film. Extremely well executed and perfectly dark. Everything about the movie feeds into its great climax and intense moral questions that are asked by association. My only complaint is that I wish they had left out the political assasination attempt and focused more on Travis' relationship and sympathy towards Iris. Other than that it is a pretty amazing film, this was the fight club of the 70s, a fascinating, terrifying, cynical look at reality. I may do a full write up on this film tomorrow if I get some free time.
10/10

Well, I did watch it again today and my opinion of the movie rose dramatically. I thought the first 50 minutes were pretty much perfect, then it get's a little bit dull till Foster appears. The ending is very strong but I wasn't the biggest fan of the last scene. A-