STEAMY STREAMING: SCORSESE

BY: Georgia Davis

Martin Scorsese is one of the most prolific American directors. He maintains excellence while adapting to changes in the film industry. Nothing indicates that more than his latest project, The Irishman. It is familiar but different. Yes, it focuses on mob activity, this time connected to the disappearance of union boss Jimmy Hoffa. But the difference is that it is a Netflix release. You can still see it in theaters but it will also be released quickly on the streaming channel. To celebrate Scorsese, here are nine movies in his diverse filmography to add to your watchlist:

MEAN STREETS

To understand Martin Scorsese, you have to start at the beginning. This 1973 film kick-started his career and set a precedent for his body of work. It stars Robert De Niro with Harvey Keitel, the setting is New York’s Little Italy and it is classic Scorsese. The film chronicles mobsters as they ascend rank. It should be a must-see before you watch The Irishman.

Mean Streets is available on Netflix.

TAXI DRIVER

Taxi Driver should also be featured in your Scorsese marathon. Yes, we’re talking to you. The film again stars De Niro, and this time, he delivers the classic line, “you talking to me?” while practicing in a mirror. The surrealist approach is yet another side of the Scorsese style.

Taxi Driver is available on Netflix.

THE LAST WALTZ

The Last Waltz is just one of his documentaries and considered his best. It is about The Band‘s final concert on Thanksgiving Day 1978 in San Francisco. The movie also showcases great musicians who played with the Canadian-American group and the sharp, stellar editing makes it shine. You will be blown away by the amount of talent on screen.

The Last Waltz is available to rent on YouTube.

THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST

Scorsese’s body of work mostly revolves around the mob, Italian-Americans and religion. The Last Temptation of Christ is a film he wanted to make since childhood. Paramount stalled the production and it didn’t happen until Universal picked it up. Universal changed the cast, and it features Willem Dafoe as Jesus, Harvey Keitel as Judas and David Bowie as Pontius Pilate. The stunning feature isn’t all that different from his gangster films. Both are rooted in fundamental beliefs that shape life.

The Last Temptation of Christ is available to rent on Amazon.

GOODFELLAS

Many fans consider the 1990 Goodfellas a highlight of Scorsese’s career. It’s based on a true story about mobster Henry Hill (Ray Liotta). Hill’s associates include James Conway (De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci). A terrific musical score, the cocaine-ridden antics and an airport heist make the two and a half hours fly by at a dizzying pace. It’s also easy to fixate on the lives and actions of these characters.

Goodfellas is available to rent on Amazon.

THE AGE OF INNOCENCE

Scorsese movies aren’t usually sexy, but The Age of Innocence with Michelle Pfeiffer and Daniel Day-Lewis definitely has sexual energy. Set in New York City, it follows Newland Archer (Day-Lewis) who has an affair with his fiancee’s cousin (Pfeiffer). The film also stars a young Winona Ryder as the fiancee. It is the perfect trio to get you hot and bothered.

The Age of Innocence is available to rent on Amazon.

GANGS OF NEW YORK

Martin Scorsese really loves New York, and that’s evident in this 2002 film. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Day-Lewis and Cameron Diaz, Gangs of New York is an epic period drama set in the New York slums of the 19th century. The movie is based on Herbert Ashbury‘s novel of the same name.

Gangs of New York is available on Netflix.

THE DEPARTED

DiCaprio has become a recurring cast member in Scorsese’s later films, including 2006’s The Departed. Leo plays an undercover cop in South Boston who’s trying to catch a dirty-cop, played by Matt Damon. There may be an unwritten rule that you can’t make a movie in Boston without including Mark Wahlberg. He has an important role in the film, but we won’t spoil it if you haven’t seen it.

The Departed is available on Philo.

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET

DiCaprio put on the performance of his career as Wall Street money mogul Jordan Belfort. Accompanied by right-hand-man Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill) and a whole lot of quaaludes, the film doesn’t shy away from the stock broker’s highs and lows. The movie full of Scorsese-isms, including the freeze-frame technique and the theme of corruption, is one of his best.

The Wolf of Wall Street is available to rent on Amazon.