As far back as we can remember, Martin Scorsese has always made us want to be gangsters. Today, the legendary director of Goodfellas, Taxi Driver and The Wolf of Wall Street turns 74. In celebration of his birthday, eniGma Magazine has compiled a list of movies that you might not have known were directed by him.
The King of Comedy (1983):
“I get paid for what most people get punished for.”
Not many directors love featuring mentally deranged characters in their movies as much as Scorsese. In this 1983 classic, Robert De Niro plays the role of a psychopath going the extra mile to break into the standup comedy industry. With his expert direction, Scorsese leaves the audience with no option but to unabatingly sympathize with the hopelessly troubled personality.
Cape Fear (1991):
“Every man has to go through hell to reach paradise.”
Another Scorsese classic that features De Niro, this time playing a delusional antagonist is Cape Fear, in which the beloved actor plays a convicted rapist that uses his newfound understanding of the law to terrorize the public defender who cost him nearly 14 years of his life. The film isn’t the easiest of watches, but its moving performances and steady direction helps it deliver a powerful message.
Casino (1995):
“When you love someone, you’ve gotta trust them; there is no other way.”
Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro together for the first time since Goodfellas, a young Sharon Stone, and well…a casino; what could go wrong, right? Everything, apparently. Scorsese does coordinated chaos better than most, though. Despite its running time, gambling on Casino will pay viewers dividends.
Gangs of New York (2002):
“Remember the first rule of politics: the ballots don’t make the results; the counters make the results.”
With a talented cast that paired Academy Award winners Daniel Day-Lewis and Leonardo DiCaprio with the equally talented Cameron Diaz and Liam Neeson, Scorsese took on the 1863 New York City draft riots and made them a spectacle to behold. The picture occasionally feels a bit laborious, but the product, as a whole, is first-class through and through.
The Aviator (2004):
“Find me some clouds!”
We know what you’re thinking: The Aviator is considerably underappreciated compared to some other recent Scorsese favorites such as The Departed, Shutter Island and The Wolf of Wall Street. The film tells the real-life story of aviation aficionado and film producer Howard Hughes as his genius is clouded by his mental struggles.
