3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
90 dollars worth of movies for less than 30!, January 12, 2009
This review is from: Essential Directors - Martin Scorsese (The Departed / The Aviator / GoodFellas) (DVD)
Obviously, a sensational package for longtime Scorsese fans or casual fans who like "a good movie". You've got a Classic, "Goodfellas"; a near-Classic, "Aviator", and a wanna-be Classic, "The Departed", ironically, the one to finally win an Oscar for the Director.
Nothing in Life is perfect and even "Goodfellas" had an overproduced soundtrack - I guess MTV was in full swing - not that the music was interpolated poorly. "Aviator", mostly about Howard Hughes' life in flying, was too long, had an over-studied (but effective) "Kate Hepburn" and a slightly obscure treatment of "Jane Russell"; plus some of the script anachronisms were almost funny; also, DiCaprio seems to age about six years out of 20: 1927 to 1947.
I found the opening scene, involving a "Germophobic" Mother, somewhat confusing. By the end of the movie, we understand that Howard Hughes, was probably a victim of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, which current research says is congenital, not something conditioned. Gotta ruminate on that for a while: were the movie-makers saying that it ran in the family or that his quest for purification was based upon a childhood memory?
Problems abound with "The Departed" (unofficial alternate title: "The Mean Streets Of Boston"), as no-one is as they seem. That, in itself, shouldn't *be* a problem, but here it gets out of hand. Nicholson is the conflicted "Boss"; Sheen is the conflicted "Sergeant"; DiCaprio is the undercover guy; Damon is the corrupt climber who takes over for Sheen, who watches DiCaprio. DiCaprio and Damon look like first Cousins - curious casting.
Nicholson looks more like Attila The Hun than the expected underworld sophisticate. His mistress is a radical feminist - believable? No.
Forgot to mention that DiCaprio's "Shrink", Vera Farmiga, can be cajoled into writing prescriptions, convinced that sleeping with a patient is appropriate, and that moving in with Damon is fitting.
I think Scorsese got a little lazy on this one: he must have watched "Goodfellas" with DiCaprio one too many times and possibly over-sold the idea of copying Ray Liotta. A great imitation, though. Boy, did I miss Paul Sorvino!
Special Features on "Goodfellas" is especially exciting, as it features a running commentary with the Director, the Cionematographer, DeNiro, Sorvino, Bracco, Liotta, the "real" Henry Hill and the "real" Prosecutor, Ed McDonald (who played himself in the film!), plus a combination of the real and movie Hills! At times, Henry Hill's narration will have you spellbound, as he "relives" events. By the way, I was unaware that so many scenes were "close to home".
Overall, this DVD set is a gem. Good for the movie buff *and* his/her billfold.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Bundle., February 15, 2010
This review is from: Essential Directors - Martin Scorsese (The Departed / The Aviator / GoodFellas) (DVD)
Goodfellas and The Departed are great, wish the third film was something else (Raging Bull, or Taxi Driver). But you probably know the films. The versions are solid. It's funny, they all must have been stripped from advanced sets because very disc says disc 1 on it. Basically that means their isn't much for extras. Some decent commentary on Goodfellas, nothing on The Departed. This is just a stripped down compilation. Solid price (at least when I bought it).
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2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is gonna be good!, June 27, 2007
A Kid's Review
This review is from: Essential Directors - Martin Scorsese (The Departed / The Aviator / GoodFellas) (DVD)
First of all, if you're a die hard fan stop reading this now because no matter what you idiots are going to buy it anyway! Second of all, every body knows that this is just releasing the same discs again in a fancy collection box! Now let's analyze the films in this collection:
The Departed 4\5
Great movie great acting for the most part but not always great! Must own simply because it another Scorsese mob movie!
The Aviator 4\5
Great movie but not the best, Mean Streets would have been a better addition!
GoodFellas 6\5
Best of ALL!!! Joe Pesci is a god when it comes to tough guy roles!!!
It's more expensive but you should just get the Scorsese collection Vol.2 it's all of these with Mean Streets!!!
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