Casino is like bootleg Goofellas.

 

It's almost the same movie, with different actors playing different characters. I like it, but it's a big time drop due to it's familiarity with Goodfellas.

 

I like that Pesci is even more badass in Casino than he was in Goodfellas.

 

 

 

"And just about the time I'm getting out of jail, hopefully you'll be coming out of your coma. And then I'll crack your f'n skull open again"

 

 

"I dont give a fu*k about jail"

 

:mischief

 

 

I love Casino

Casino is like bootleg Goofellas.

 

It's almost the same movie, with different actors playing different characters. I like it, but it's a big time drop due to it's familiarity with Goodfellas.

 

I like that Pesci is even more badass in Casino than he was in Goodfellas.

 

 

 

"And just about the time I'm getting out of jail, hopefully you'll be coming out of your coma. And then I'll crack your f'n skull open again"

 

 

"I dont give a fu*k about jail"

 

:mischief

 

 

I love Casino

 

"What happened to the f***in tough guy that told my friend stick it up his f***ing ass?"

:mischief

Agree iwth penguin.. DeNiro would have been better. That would have been awesome.

Nicholson's problem is that he is always too over the top. He never performs in moderation.

 

 

He was pretty moderate in as good as it gets and chinat*wn. Face it, there are extreme people in this world and in the movie world Jack nails them.

 

DeNiro is incapable of being extreme. Everything he does is minute and worked out waaay in advance and, while I don't question his acting ability, I'd say Nicholson was a better fit for this type of character and his crazy fits and bouts of huge posturing and gesturing were perfect.

 

It's just an opinion anyways. Although, I question any "film buff" who complains about Nicholson's acting.

Nicholson's problem is that he is always too over the top. He never performs in moderation.

 

 

He was pretty moderate in as good as it gets and chinat*wn. Face it, there are extreme people in this world and in the movie world Jack nails them.

 

DeNiro is incapable of being extreme. Everything he does is minute and worked out waaay in advance and, while I don't question his acting ability, I'd say Nicholson was a better fit for this type of character and his crazy fits and bouts of huge posturing and gesturing were perfect.

 

It's just an opinion anyways. Although, I question any "film buff" who complains about Nicholson's acting.

What do you mean by that? De Niro is known for not rehearsing much, if at all.

but that Irish/bagpipe song they kept playing was badass.

 

 

 

The song is called "I'm shipping up to Boston" by Dropkick Murphys. Kick ass band.

Nicholson's problem is that he is always too over the top. He never performs in moderation.

 

 

He was pretty moderate in as good as it gets and chinat*wn. Face it, there are extreme people in this world and in the movie world Jack nails them.

 

DeNiro is incapable of being extreme. Everything he does is minute and worked out waaay in advance and, while I don't question his acting ability, I'd say Nicholson was a better fit for this type of character and his crazy fits and bouts of huge posturing and gesturing were perfect.

 

It's just an opinion anyways. Although, I question any "film buff" who complains about Nicholson's acting.

What do you mean by that? De Niro is known for not rehearsing much, if at all.

 

I totally disagree with that. That might be the "method" stereotype, but he works his stuff out waaaay in advance. I guarantee you he's rehearsing and marking up his scripts long before he gets to set. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but, from an acting stand-point, you can tell that his work is really, really, really practiced. Rarely, if ever, does he miscue or mess up words, you also don't get some other familiar spur of the moment cues with him you get with others who DO spur of the moment material (nervous laughter, mistakes, etc.).

 

I've been a big fan of his work and can honestly say that I never believed that he's been showing up without knowing what he's going to do before he does it and making sure it's worked out long ahead of time with the director for the last twenty years or so. Maybe lately, in movies where it doesn't require the kind of work he's known for, but I can assure you, that Untouchables, Goodfellas, Casino, Awakenings (one of my favorites) that he's definitely working it out and doing a lot of mental (research and interviews) and physical work (rehearsal and strict memorization/inflected practice) with his script.

 

If you watch some of his earlier work, Taxi Driver and Means Streets, I'd say you're totally correct and more of that was spur of the moment with little rehearsal time/worked out in advance material; he's literally walking on the razor's edge with those movies and might not have had his lines memorized prior to looking at them five minutes before shooting (and trust me, there's a lot of time to memorize lines during those shoots). But, I'm of the opinion that sometime around Deer Hunter that he started working from a more rehearsed/disciplined style. There's a different quality about DeNiro during/after Deer Hunter than before it not just from a role standpoint but from a delivery and performance standpoint.

 

I've been an actor and been around it for a large part of my life, and I've also followed DeNiro's career. Make of it, what you will. If you think it's bulls***, that's fine; but from what I've seen of his work there's definitely more of a polished feeling to his work than the spur of the moment stuff you get with his earlier career.

Well my perception and view comes backed up straight from the lips of Pacino on Inside The Actors Studio (few weeks back) that De Niro absolutely refused to rehearse for Heat ('95). De Niro is one of the best method actors ever (if not the greatest), he wouldn't have that distinction or be percieved that way if he was a heavy rehearser.

Well my perception and view comes backed up straight from the lips of Pacino on Inside The Actors Studio (few weeks back) that De Niro absolutely refused to rehearse for Heat ('95). De Niro is one of the best method actors ever (if not the greatest), he wouldn't have that distinction or be percieved that way if he was a heavy rehearser.

 

 

Yeah, well, the term method gets thrown around a lot. I don't think it means no rehearsal.

 

Plus, depending on who you ask method means something different. Marlon Brando, THE method actor (moreso than DeNiro), used to do so much research, etc. that he claimed the psychological aspects of the characters ruined his life, mentally (claimed the character he played in Last Tango in Paris left an inedlible mark on his soul).

 

Plus, that might just mean on-set rehearsal, or that he didn't want to get together with Pacino personally.

Personally, I think DeNiro is completely overrated. As I see it, there are two types of actors: 1) An actor that takes a character and molds it to himself 2) An actor that molds himself to the character.

 

In every one of Robert DeNiro's roles, I've seen him as a type 1 actor. With this type of actor, the audience doesn't necessarily appreciate the skill or the portrayal of the character but who the actor is that's portraying him. People don't like Robert DeNiro's acting, they like Robert DeNiro.

 

This is also the case with most other "good actors". Deniro (like other type 1's) doesn't change his speech patterns, cadence, annunciation, hand movements, how he carries himself, or any of the other countless subtleties that give an individual his unique mark. A great actor should be able to make you forget who he is in the real world, and make you believe that he is the unique character he's trying to portray.

 

I'm probably gonna get blasted for this, but hey it's just one man's opinion...

Meh, I see what you're saying...

 

I agree to the point that I don't think DeNiro is a transformer the way Gary Oldman is, but most actors are limited by who they are. It takes someone special to overcome that and become unrecognizeable in the role.

 

I think DeNiro is excellent. I mean, Awakenings, when he has to mimic the whole going back into disease tremors while trying to comb his hair... That scene gives me chills and brings me on the verge of tears. THAT'S just great acting.

 

But, yeah, I would say it's the exceptional who disappears into the role. You can't really say Nicholson, Brando, DeNiro or anyone of that type does that. English actors don't really do it either (thinking of Patrick Stewart, Anthony Hopkins and Ian MacKellan). Not to say none of them has NEVER done it, because Hopkins does an exceptional job in Legends of the Fall, I thought Nicholson WAS the Joke, etc., etc. But, it's hard to do it for every role.

 

It's takes an Oldman, a Daniel Day-Lewis to do that type of thing time and time again. They're the magic 1 percentile that's capable of working to that level.

Oldman was one of the people I was thinking of while I was writing that. I was also thinking Tom Hanks as well, though a lot of people will probably disagree with that too.

 

EDIT:

 

PS I did see The Departed and thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn't a perfect film, but it was extremely entertaining. The final scene where the rat walked across the fence with City Hall as the backdrop, made me gag because the symbolism was just so ham-fisted. Nicholson's character already etched a drawing of rats overtaking City Hall while he was sitting at the bar, repeating the same symbolism again in such a clumsy manner was just poor film-making on Scorcese's part. Other than that, I enjoyed it and would see it again.

 

I thought DiCaprio was excellent, and this is now my second favorite of his films (behind Catch Me If You Can).

 

Damon was also superb, and has proven once again that he was always the talent of the Ben and Matt tandem.

 

Alec Baldwin had a light role and added some laughs.

 

Marky Mark annoyed me.

 

For Nicholson, this was a different type of character. You don't often see Nicholson as a leader who men look up to, but he pulled it off.

Oldman was one of the people I was thinking of while I was writing that. I was also thinking Tom Hanks as well, though a lot of people will probably disagree with that too.

 

EDIT:

 

PS I did see The Departed and thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn't a perfect film, but it was extremely entertaining. The final scene where the rat walked across the fence with City Hall as the backdrop, made me gag because the symbolism was just so ham-fisted. Nicholson's character already etched a drawing of rats overtaking City Hall while he was sitting at the bar, repeating the same symbolism again in such a clumsy manner was just poor film-making on Scorcese's part. Other than that, I enjoyed it and would see it again.

 

I thought DiCaprio was excellent, and this is now my second favorite of his films (behind Catch Me If You Can).

 

Damon was also superb, and has proven once again that he was always the talent of the Ben and Matt tandem.

 

Alec Baldwin had a light role and added some laughs.

 

Marky Mark annoyed me.

 

For Nicholson, this was a different type of character. You don't often see Nicholson as a leader who men look up to, but he pulled it off.

 

i loved that final scene...since i live in mass...ill tell you this...the rats never leave...the politics and massachusetts cant exist without murder, lies, and rats...i thought all the acting was superb...marky mark didnt annoy me so much because it was like he wasnt even acting...he is your typical hardass boston cop...alec baldwin had me in stitches at various points, leo was great, damon was great...but someone...someone please tell me why this movie needed anthony anderson(people do realize he was in that kangaroo movie right which should have effectively ruined his career)...anyways...i highly suggest that everyone go see this if they havent already

[quote

i loved that final scene...since i live in mass...ill tell you this...the rats never leave...the politics and massachusetts cant exist without murder, lies, and rats...i thought all the acting was superb...marky mark didnt annoy me so much because it was like he wasnt even acting...he is your typical hardass boston cop...alec baldwin had me in stitches at various points, leo was great, damon was great...but someone...someone please tell me why this movie needed anthony anderson(people do realize he was in that kangaroo movie right which should have effectively ruined his career)...anyways...i highly suggest that everyone go see this if they havent already

My contention was that Scorsese needed to choose between the two scenes that portrayed rats overtaking City Hall: either the drawing by Nicholson's character, or the rat climbing across the fence. At any rate, though, the fence scene to me was just a little too heavy-handed. Symbolism is more effective when subtle.

I saw this last night.

 

1. It was really good. Scorsese--or maybe it's the screenplay--does a great job of heightening the tension bit by bit as the movie progresses.

 

2. I thought Nicholson was a little bit too cartoonish in a couple of scenes, particuarly the one scene with Leo in the bar, after Leo had split after giving his social security number and other such info. There was a lot mugging for the camera going on there. But in general it was a good performance in its own Nicholson way. He always brings a lot of presence to his characters, at least.

 

3. Symbolism is overrated and generally a waste of time, if you ask me. The only time I tend to give a crap about symbolism is when it's over the top and distracting. It never quite got there in this movie, but it came close at the end there.

 

 

4. The ending felt kind of slapped on to me. Having the second "bad cop" really didn't fit the rest of the story. I'm all for having everyone get shot in the head, but only if it makes sense.

 

 

5. The editing bothered me a little at first. Some of the cuts were extremely sudden, and sometimes they were rapid. I felt like I was playing catch up for the first half hour or so, just trying to figure out where the hell in the narrative we were. Once they got past the set up, though, it wasn't a big problem. I also have no idea what was with those two Looney Tunes cuts with Damon's character--one at the beginning of the movie and one at the end. The first time there was a circle that narrowed in on him, and I half expected him to go "theebadeebadeebadee that's all folks!" And then I think the second time around the circle explanded instead of narrowed, or maybe I have it backwards. Either way, I'm not going to waste my time trying to figure that one out. It was just weird is all.

 

All in all, though, it was a lot of fun. I'd give it like an 8.5 out of 10.

I also have no idea what was with those two Looney Tunes cuts with Damon's character--one at the beginning of the movie and one at the end. The first time there was a circle that narrowed in on him, and I half expected him to go "theebadeebadeebadee that's all folks!"

Actually, after watching this film, I feel like Damon could pull off anything. He could probably nail that.

Saw it tonight, liked it but don't understand why it's been sold out for like 2 straight weeks here in NY.

 

Good film, but from all the hype I was expecting great, epic and like top 20 of all time movie, which it certainly wasn't.

 

The deus ex machina ending really just ruined it for me. Everything else about it was well done, so why take the lazy out. Sure that sense of "justice" may not have been there with a different ending, but I'm not so sure that was the point of this ending...since there's a big difference between justice and vengance.

 

7.5 out of 10 if I'm being tough, but 8 or 9 by today's standards.

 

If you haven't seen it, see it, but lower those expectations so you're not disappointed.

Mabdul, Im in total agreement with you on the ending. Fantastic movie. Didnt finish as well as it could.

Did someone actually call De Niro completely overrated? Hilarious. He's the greatest living actor.

He's the greatest living actor.

Case in point.

 

Is he a good actor? Yes.

 

The greatest living actor? If you believe that, it's your prerogative.

He's the greatest living actor.

Case in point.

 

Is he a good actor? Yes.

 

The greatest living actor? If you believe that, it's your prerogative.

 

 

I'd take Pacino over DeNiro....both awesome though.

Finally saw it last night and I thought it was an absolute masterpiece. Great movie with so many great performances. It's a real credit to Martin Scorcese's ability as a director.

Check out this blog. Shows all the "X" shown in the movie. Scorsese did this as a tribute to Howard Hawks.

 

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/reeling/200...ks_the_spo.html

DVD comes out today anyone else pick it up.

He's the greatest living actor.

Case in point.

 

Is he a good actor? Yes.

 

The greatest living actor? If you believe that, it's your prerogative.

 

 

I'd take Pacino over DeNiro....both awesome though.

 

See, I think Pacino is WAAAAY overrated. He does a lot of the same things from role to role, kind of like Dustin Hoffman. It depends what kind of actor we're talking about.

 

Because overall, DeNiro's close, but nobody transforms from role to role like Gary Oldman. It's just a shame I don't like most of the movies he does. But, he's probably the best at disappearing inside of a character.

 

I wanted to pick it up, but this damn snow is keeping me from doing anything.