I finally got around to watching another classic. I do not like a lot of gangster movies. in general, The Departed is still my favorite I think because of its modern take but both Goodfellas and Godfather are excellent movies and I enjoyed watching them. I am guessing most of you have already seen the movie so I don't think I need to tell you the plot.
Talking about directing first, Martin Scorsese sure does that beautifully. He has his signature style (with continuous shots, guy talking to camera, stop frame etc..) that I have now come to love and through which I can identify him. The great thing about the movie is its real and different take on organized crime and gangs that is not papered with any myths and yet is very stylistic and honest reminiscent of the era. Joe Pesci is disgustingly hilarious and psychotic and it was no surprise he won and Academy award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in 1990. Ray Liotta and Robert De Niro are great as well and so are the other side characters. It was amazing to see myself so far removed from the life and yet enjoying the wonderful piece of cinema. I am pretty sure as far back as I can remember, I did not want to be a gangster.
Oh, and Samuel L. Jackson makes a short first Iron Man style cameo albeit having a very different fate :).