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| The "grapefruit scene". Cagney shoves half of a grapefruit into his girlfriend's face in The Public Enemy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
The films that I'll be listing in my April postings will not necessarily be films that I'd call my favorite films, but they will be favorites in the genres I'll be naming. The A to Z genres are very specific micro genres as opposed to the broader genres like action, romance, or comedy.
Okay, so we'll start by clarifying some glaring omissions in this category before I go into a few of my favorites in this broad genre. First of all, though I've seen many of the great gangster films of the 1950's and the preceding years, I don't remember them so well. I'm leaving out gangster film greats like James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, and Humphrey Bogart. Travesty I know, but sorry I just can't recall the films that well.
Some biggies missing here will be the Godfather series. Can you believe it? I've never seen a one. I keep meaning to, but just haven't yet. Another that many of you may disagree with is Al Pacino's Scarface (1983). I hated that film--too much unnecessary profanity and violence and nothing redeeming or fulfilling about it. I may be in the minority on this one, but we'll see what goes in the comments.
So let's see where we are in agreement on this favorites list:
Some biggies missing here will be the Godfather series. Can you believe it? I've never seen a one. I keep meaning to, but just haven't yet. Another that many of you may disagree with is Al Pacino's Scarface (1983). I hated that film--too much unnecessary profanity and violence and nothing redeeming or fulfilling about it. I may be in the minority on this one, but we'll see what goes in the comments.
So let's see where we are in agreement on this favorites list:
Goodfellas (1990) -- Perhaps the most traditional old school in the cast of characters, but less so in story. These are the real life type of gangsters who might live in your neighborhood. Just gangsters doing what they do.
The Departed (2006) -- The film that asks "Who can you trust?" If you're a gangster it's always a good idea to watch your back. An Oscar winning film that is critically regarded and for good reason.
A History of Violence (2005) -- If you've been a gangster, the past will catch up with you eventually. The mob is relentless and will stop at nothing to get revenge. In this award-winning film a family man's violent past is uncovered.
A History of Violence (2005) -- If you've been a gangster, the past will catch up with you eventually. The mob is relentless and will stop at nothing to get revenge. In this award-winning film a family man's violent past is uncovered.
No Country For Old Men (2007) -- Gangsters ain't what they used to be and old school lawmen like Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) lament the olden days when there was a sort of code among the bad guys. In the modern age of Mexican drug cartels and the underworld that exists in the United States, there is no discretion when it comes to killing. The randomness of who dies may be no more than the whim of a coin toss. This dark film explores the enigma of the new era gangsters and the evil of that culture. We may be helpless if we can't figure out who our enemies really are. This is a great film by the Coen Brothers and I don't think much more than that need be said.
The Usual Suspects (1995) -- "Who is Keyser Soze?" Watch this film and see if you can figure out the answer. This is another great film well worth the time of anyone who likes gangster movies that dig deeper into the roots of why gangsters exist.
The Usual Suspects (1995) -- "Who is Keyser Soze?" Watch this film and see if you can figure out the answer. This is another great film well worth the time of anyone who likes gangster movies that dig deeper into the roots of why gangsters exist.
Bugsy Malone (1976) -- If you've managed to watch all of the previously mentioned films, you may need to lighten things up a bit with this film. Bugsy Malone is a gangster inspired musical featuring the talents of an all children cast playing adult roles. It's pure fun where tommy guns are replaced by splurge guns, weapons that fire custard cream instead of bullets, and the cars are nifty pedal-powered jobs. No one gets killed and the worst that ever happens to anyone is a pie in the face. The film features Scott Baio (remember him from the TV show "Happy Days") and a 13 year-old Jodie Foster. This G-rated film is fun for the entire family and is perhaps my overall favorite of the bunch I've listed here. It is a film with a very positive and uplifting message.
Which of these films have you seen? What other gangster films would you recommend? Do you think the image of America is best conveyed by gangster films, westerns, or some other film genre?
Which of these films have you seen? What other gangster films would you recommend? Do you think the image of America is best conveyed by gangster films, westerns, or some other film genre?
