Cheap GoodFellas (DVD) (Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino) (Martin Scorsese) Price

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Customer Reviews of GoodFellas

Goodfellas is rightly considered one of Scorsese's masterpieces, a moment where a great filmmaker got everything right. It's based on the Nicholas Pileggi true crime book about Henry Hill, a low-level hood in the Lucchese crime family in the 60s and 70s. Tracing his rise from fetcher for local mafiosi in his 50s Brooklyn neighborhood, the film tracks Henry to the end of the line: the Federal Witness Protection program. Along the way Scorsese stages some great scenes, charting the dangerous, thrilling, and ultimately miserable life of a mob hustler. Ray Liotta has a perfect sleaza factor working as Hill. However, he is almost too nice to be convincing as the same guy in the source book. The real Henry Hill comes off as a real lowlife in the book, a guy who deserves no sympathy. Ironically, years after leaving the program Hill now runs a website, writes wiseguy-related books, and calls into Howard Stern, though he's still watching his back.

The cast is Classic Mafia Cast. Robert DeNiro plays the greedy and devious Jimmy 'the Gent' Conway, Joe Pesci plays Joe Pesci in an Oscar-winning role(!) that basically defined the Pesci persona for life, and Paul Sorvino plays a portly Mob captain who has an amazing scene where he emotes while frying up some tasty sausages, tears in his eyes, handing Henry a massive wad of cash.

The film can't be recommended enough. It was robbed at Oscar time, criminally losing to Dances With Wolves, but it doesn't matter. This has sealed itself as one of the ultimate guy films of all time.

Unfortunately, the DVD is absolutely appalling. You actual have to flip the disc over in the middle of the film to finish it. This is simply unacceptable. I haven't seen another like it, I mean, why bother with the DVD format? The film looks and sound just fine, it's great, but how about some extras? This film was highly praised and will hold up for a long time, so how about something?

Not sure if Scorsese can be bothered or has not been asked to do special edition discs of more of his films. The Taxi Driver DVD is very nice, for instance. Goodfellas has a trailer, whoopee, and again, it's two-sided. Lame.

Buy if you've never seen this, else if you have a widescreen VHS this DVD won't offer you a whole lot.

The Quintessential Gangster Film
Scorsese's "Goodfellas" is a long movie that feels short, thanks to memorable characters, a blazing soundtrack, and expert pacing that only the director is capable of pulling off. The screenplay is so good, that watching episodes of the Sopranos evoke great memories of this film. In fact, any Italian mafia flick that came out after Goodfellas borrows (or steals) at least a little bit from Scorsese and Pileggi. Ray Liotta's narration is perfect. It is as good as Dreyfuss' wonderul narration in "Stand By Me" and is peppered with comedy, poignant emotion, and heart.

"Goodfellas" practically made Pesci's career with his explosive performance as Tommy DeVito. Here, Pesci forever silences the theory that short, little guys can't be tough. Robert DeNiro shines equally as the Irishman Jimmy Conway with his famous "Little Bit" scene.

The supporting cast of characters is top notch in the tradition of Scorsese with Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, and Frank Vincent creating memorable performances. If you haven't seen Goodfellas, buy it! It changed the way Gangster films were made, as it added a little comedy to the gritty criminal subject matter.

Best Mob Movie Ever
This is by far the best mob movie ever. Based on real life, it's just the best