Raging Bull

[NuclearNed]

Ok, so I'm several years late to the game...

Up until Saturday I had only seen bits and pieces of Scorsese's biopic "Raging Bull" starring Robert DeNiro as real-life boxer Jake LaMotta. Man, what a movie. I don't think it is better than "Goodfellas", but it is really close. This has to be DeNiro's best performance ever, period, which is saying a whole lot. Joe Pesci is also equally excellent as LaMotta's kid brother.

I really felt the pain, frustration, and jealousy that LaMotta must have experienced through his whole life. If the movie is close to reality, he must have been a really miserable, lonely wretch, not trusting anybody including his wife and brother.

The fight scenes are simply brutal. I read that one of the main reasons the movie is in black and white is because Scorsese didn't want to show so much blood in color. LaMotta alternately takes and gives some real poundings in the ring.

This flick probably isn't the standard ATOT fare, since there aren't any 'splosions, car chases, boobies, or homoerotic Spartans. But if you are in the mood for a more serious drama, this movie is highly highly highly recommended.

NuclearNed gives it 5+ out of 5.

 

[Safeway]

I'll have to add it to my NetFlix queue. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

De Niro FTW :thumbsup:

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Hard to say that anything is the best ever, but I'd certainly put that performance in the top 10.

 

[mugs]

I like the part at the end where he quotes On the Waterfront.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: mugs
I like the part at the end where he quotes On the Waterfront.

I thought the ending was really sad.

 

[zinfamous]

One of the best performances indeed. Probably why it consistently ranks among the top3 films of all time in International polls (never understood it, but the international filmmakers have always given more love to Scorcese than hollywood ever has).

A lot of people consider DeNiro the natural successor to Brando. Fitting that he quotes On the Waterfront, eh?

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

This flick probably isn't the standard ATOT fare, since there aren't any 'splosions, car chases, or boobies. But if you are in the mood for a more serious drama, this movie is highly highly highly recommended.

NuclearNed gives it 5+ out of 5.

you forgot to mention half-naked, oiled-up, homocurious males in gladiator costumes yelling "SPAAARTA!!!"

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

This flick probably isn't the standard ATOT fare, since there aren't any 'splosions, car chases, or boobies. But if you are in the mood for a more serious drama, this movie is highly highly highly recommended.

NuclearNed gives it 5+ out of 5.

you forgot to mention half-naked, oiled-up, homocurious males in gladiator costumes yelling "SPAAARTA!!!"

Corrected in the original post - thanks for pointing out my bad.

 

[Al Neri]

Raging Bull is probably one of the best movies to date, and I'll go on the record saying it is Scorsese's best flick that I've seen (I've seen (not in any order): Goodfellas, Casino, Taxi Driver, Mean Streets, Gangs of New York, Departed)

They're all great however.

Deniro's acting is phenomenal, you get into his head, you feel his paranoia, you can see (even understand) how and why he does the things he does (not saying that the viewer agrees with him, but you can see the logic pattern of why he does what he does.). So many good scenes.. including when Joe Pesci closes the door on (I think) Frank Vincent (if not one of his cronies), the punch me in the face scene, too many to list...

-Don

edit: missed a comma

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

This flick probably isn't the standard ATOT fare, since there aren't any 'splosions, car chases, or boobies. But if you are in the mood for a more serious drama, this movie is highly highly highly recommended.

NuclearNed gives it 5+ out of 5.

you forgot to mention half-naked, oiled-up, homocurious males in gladiator costumes yelling "SPAAARTA!!!"

Don't tease me...mmmm....

 

[zinfamous]

I heard things, Joey. I heard some things.

 

[Miramonti]

I've got it queued but its one of the greats that I've yet to see so far.

 

[BlancoNino]

Great movie. Best movie the of the 1980's? Probably.

 

[Al Neri]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
Great movie. Best movie the of the 1980's? Probably.

70s

 

[blackdogdeek]

hit me!

 

[Kwaipie]

In keeping with the theme, I'm coming up with exceptional acting performances. How about:
James Stewart - Mr. Smith goes to Washington
Brad Pitt - 12 Monkeys