Tag Archive: Mafia


The Irishman – goodfellas played by old fellas

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December 4, 2019

THE IRISHMAN directed by Martin Scorsese (USA, 2019)
220px-the_irishman_poster

Will there be mobster movies in heaven? If so, Martin Scorsese is sure to be the director. Of course, he’d insist on there being an afterlife ban on watching his work on mobile phones and would personally see to it that any films based on Marvel comics were cast into the fiery pits of hell. Netflix would be allowed through the pearly gates as a reward for stumping up the cash for his latest movie.

I find it ironic that Scorsese is now keen to dictate what and how we should be consuming movies in the 21st century.  He is quick to mount his moral high horse even though the charge of glamorizing unscrupulous criminals and cold-blooded killers is one he would be hard pressed to dismiss. I’m sure Mafia members are among his biggest fans.

‘The Irishman’ is a true crime caper in a similar vein to ‘Goodfellas’ (1990) .  Like that movie, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci have starring roles and the same narrative technique of a start to finish voiceover is deployed. This is a device I usually find irritating and this film is no exception. I believe a story should speak for itself in cinematic terms rather than relying on a constant running commentary. Continue reading →

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SUBURRA – WHEN IN ROME…..

Filed under: Books, Fiction, Italy, Movies, Politics, Television — Leave a comment
November 8, 2015

SUBURRA directed by Stefano Solima (Italy, 2015)
suburra

If, this year, you had been inclined to follow the age-old advice to do in Rome as the Romans do you might have attended a Mafia funeral, joined those protesting against travel disruption or become embroiled in one of the numerous corruption scandals.

2015 has been a veritable ‘annus horribilis’ for the Eternal City.

In this context, the movie Suburra looks less like a work of fiction and more like an depressingly realistic depiction of current events.

The title takes us back to ancient times, referring to the notorious red-light district of the city. The 21st century equivalent is an equally squalid world where prostitution, institutionalised crime, violence and general levels debauchery are routine. Continue reading →

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GOODFELLAS : KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY

Filed under: Gender, Movies — 1 Comment
October 24, 2012

Say ‘cheese’!  L to r – Henry, Johnny, Paulie and Tommy.

GOODFELLAS directed by Martin Scorsese (USA, 1990)

To Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) you’re either a shmuck or a somebody. There is no middle way. The former are those who have “shitty jobs with bum pay checks”, the latter are gangsters, wiseguys and “movie stars with muscle”.

Being part of the exclusive club of these ‘goodfellas’ is to be part of a family, albeit a very violent one. They adhere to a code of ethics which includes being nice to their moms and never ratting on your friends, but the work also requires hands on experience of intimidation and murder.

The perks of the job are that you dress well, drive swanky cars, get laid a lot and,provided you give tips to the right people, you are practically above the law. Continue reading →

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