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The Director's Chair => Martin Scorsese => Topic started by: filmcritic on June 14, 2003, 06:15:15 PM

Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: filmcritic on June 14, 2003, 06:15:15 PM
Martin Scorsese is a great director as we all know but he's also a pretty good critic. He knows some good movies when he sees them. After Roger Ebert's partner, Gene Siskel, died in 1999, Ebert had to find a co-host for the show, Best Films of the 90's. So, he decided to ask his favorite director, Martin Scorsese. Both men planned out their top 10 lists of the decade and then talked about certain ones on the show. If you want like to hear Scorsese and Ebert talk about their favorite movies, click here...

http://tvplex.go.com/buenavista/ebertandroeper/specials/bestof90s.html

For those who just want to know Scorsese's picks, here they are...

1. Horse Theif

2. The Thin Red Line

3. A Borrowed Life

4. Eyes Wide Shut

5. Bad Lieutenant

6. Breaking The Waves

7. Bottle Rocket

8. Crash

9. Fargo

10. Malcolm X / Heat
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Keener on June 14, 2003, 06:56:27 PM
Nice to see Bottle Rocket on there.
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Cecil on June 14, 2003, 07:01:26 PM
hoorah for bad lt. and crash

booo thin red line
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Ghostboy on June 14, 2003, 08:01:16 PM
All of those are amazing films, more or less (although I haven't seen Horse Thief or A Borrowed Life) and to see them grouped with as his list of recent favorites is rather exciting. Why don't you like Thin Red Line, Cecil?
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Cecil on June 15, 2003, 12:04:52 AM
Quote from: GhostboyWhy don't you like Thin Red Line, Cecil?

i thought it was long and boring as hell. but i watched it again about a year ago because my uncle asked me to give it a second try, and that time it wasnt so bad. there were alot of good moments, but all the vo and cameos felt too out of place.
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Ernie on June 15, 2003, 02:23:57 PM
Dammit, he likes Fargo. Now I'm going to have to give it a third try.

I'm Scorsese's bitch for those that don't know. Seriously, we can't EVER disagree, it's a pretty pathetic obsession that I have.
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Ghostboy on June 15, 2003, 02:29:24 PM
I'm glad he picked Fargo. I don't think it's my favorite of their films, but I do think it's their best (although it clearly would have been topped by To The White Sea, if Fox had just given them that extra 20 million...damn it). It has the perfect mixture of their oddball sensibilities and true human empathy.
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Gold Trumpet on June 15, 2003, 04:07:59 PM
Its a personal list and that makes it more likely for the list to be disagreeble, which it is considering I don't even like some of the films on that list.

~rougerum
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Derek on June 15, 2003, 04:10:13 PM
Quote from: The Gold TrumpetIts a personal list and that makes it more likely for the list to be disagreeble, which it is considering I don't even like some of the films on that list.

~rougerum

such as?
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Gold Trumpet on June 15, 2003, 04:19:52 PM
Breaking the Waves and Fargo. I am watching Bad Luitenant now and so far nothing good. It can change though. Who knows.

Yes, I supposebly am the devil.

~rougerum
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Derek on June 15, 2003, 04:22:21 PM
Never saw Breaking the Waves, I can see Fargo.........but Bottle Rocket? C'mon Marty.
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Gold Trumpet on June 15, 2003, 04:27:41 PM
I enjoyed Bottle Rocket for the reason of sincerity and enjoyment in following its characters. All I will say on that.

~rougerum
Title: Re: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorote movies of the 90's
Post by: Spike on June 15, 2003, 04:41:25 PM
"Bottle Rocket" on 7! Wow!
I've seen this films now for about five times and it doesn't become boring. Dignan is a fantastic character!
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Derek on June 15, 2003, 04:43:32 PM
I enjoy the first half of the movie but once Luke Wilson hooks up with his chambermaid, it loses steam.
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: modage on June 15, 2003, 04:44:52 PM
i liked it but felt rushmore a was far far superior film.
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Duck Sauce on June 15, 2003, 11:53:14 PM
what is Crash?
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Cecil on June 15, 2003, 11:57:02 PM
Quote from: Duck Saucewhat is Crash?

:evil:
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: ono on June 16, 2003, 12:50:49 AM
What I think cecil meant to say was...

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0115964

:-D
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: godardian on June 16, 2003, 01:24:35 AM
Crash is notorious. I've always wanted to see it, but still haven't. I think I'm waiting to read the book first. I've always meant to get into Ballard, and a movie makes a perfect carrot for reading the book...

Scorsese's list is alright. I haven't seen all the films on it, like the ones on there I have seen, but it wouldn't match my own '90s list at all, I don't think.
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: life_boy on June 28, 2003, 07:12:57 PM
I just like the fact that his list isn't the common best of the 90's list that has good films on it, but it's just nothing new.  I like that he included Eyes Wide Shut, Thin Red Line, and Heat.  The Thin Red Line is not my favorite film and I wouldn't put it on my top list but I think it's cool that he did.  Maybe I just don't know what the hell I'm talking about.  

Heat kicks ass, by the way.
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: chainsmoking insomniac on June 29, 2003, 11:57:10 AM
Quote from: The Gold TrumpetBreaking the Waves and Fargo. I am watching Bad Luitenant now and so far nothing good. It can change though. Who knows.

Yes, I supposebly am the devil.

~rougerum

Yeah, B.L. didn't really stoke my fire either man.  Ferrara's films are so polar; I hated B.L. but I loved King of New York.
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: joeybdot on June 30, 2003, 12:02:54 PM
I figured Scorsese would have a thing for Tarantino Movies (Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs)
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Something Spanish on July 16, 2003, 04:32:16 PM
Good list, but who the fuck has seen The Horse Thief!?!?!?
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Derek237 on August 02, 2003, 11:53:21 AM
I have. Okay, I'm lying.

I can see why Bad Lieutenant made his list. If I didn't know any better I'd say Scorsese made it himself.

Harvey Keitel is the man, BTW.
Title: ...
Post by: Alexandro on August 02, 2003, 12:08:33 PM
It seems to me from this list that he hasn't seen that many 90's movies anyway...

It seems to me that, when he has the time, he mainly watches the old favorites instead of new ones...

Bad Leutainant is definetely an scorsese choice...and eyes wide shut too...
Title: Re: ...
Post by: Pubrick on August 02, 2003, 12:12:08 PM
Quote from: AlexandroIt seems to me from this list that he hasn't seen that many 90's movies anyway...

It seems to me that, when he has the time, he mainly watches the old favorites instead of new ones...

Bad Leutainant is definetely an scorsese choice...and eyes wide shut too...
well, he's a lover of film, and there are like 80 years of watchable material before the 90s. so it makes sense.
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: Derek237 on August 02, 2003, 12:45:53 PM
The Horse Theif is from the 80s anyway, right? I can't get the audio for some reason but I remember watching the show and that's what he said...
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: filmcritic on August 02, 2003, 01:03:27 PM
Yeah, he said that he cheated a bit on it because it was from 88 or 89.
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: The Silver Bullet on August 02, 2003, 07:23:29 PM
Yeah, well people say that Raging Bull is the last masterpiece of the 70s, so...

Meanwhile, I like his list. The man has a head on his shoulders [not to mention a sheer passion in his heart], and so I trust his judgement, regardless of whether I would have picked the same films he has picked.

You have to remember, of course, that Scorsese sees everything from everywhere, so he's probably a fairly good judge.

Not that I agree with much of what he's said. But you know what I mean.

Or do you?

Yes.
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: AK on August 03, 2003, 01:13:43 AM
Quote from: DerekNever saw Breaking the Waves, I can see Fargo.........but Bottle Rocket? C'mon Marty.


Scorsese loves Anderson work (mainly Bottle Rocket)...

At the Esquire article about the New Scorsese the man himself picked Wes name as the future one...


and look what he said about bottle rocket:

"... I've found myself going back and watching Bottle Rocket several times. I'm also very fond of his second film, Rushmore (1998) - it has the same tenderness, the same kind of grace. Both of them are very funny, but also very moving..... And I also love the scene in Bottle Rocket when Owen Wilson's character, Dignan, says, "They'll never catch me, man, 'cause I'm fuckin' innocent." Then he runs off to save one of his partners in crime and gets captured by the police, over "2000 Man" by the Rolling Stones. He—and the music—are proclaiming who he really is: He's not innocent in the eyes of the law, but he's truly an innocent. For me, it's a transcendent moment. And transcendent moments are in short supply these days."
Title: Martin Scorsese's top 10 favorite movies of the 90's
Post by: MacGuffin on August 03, 2003, 01:25:47 AM
Quote from: AKScorsese loves Anderson work (mainly Bottle Rocket)...

Goodfellas.
October 2002 -Premiere magazine
By Glenn Kenny

Premiere asked the most vital American director of the past 30 years to name the new filmmaker he most admires. Here, Martin Scorsese and Wes Anderson enthuse about each other's films and what it takes to get personal visions onto the screen.

"Not too long ago I watched a movie with him, and the shocking thing was, he'd never seen it before," says Wes Anderson, still sounding taken aback as he recalls a recent screening he attended with master filmmaker and ultimatic movie buff Martin Scorsese. His admiration for Scorsese is something he shares with filmmakers old and young. As it happens, Scorsese is an Anderson enthusiast; for the occasion of PREMIERE's 15th anniversary, both directors jumped at the chance to look back, look ahead, and give their impressions of each other's work.

On the surface, their moviemaking styles don't seem to have a lot in common. Although a large part of his body of work has been devoted to gritty, sometimes harrowing urban dramas, Scorsese painstakingly strives for realism in any milieu he's depicting - and these also include the high society of late-19th-century New York in The Age of Innocence and ancient Israel in The Last Temptation of Christ. Talking about Scorsese's third feature, Mean Streets, which was set in New York and shot in Los Angeles, with the exception of eight day's worth of location shooting in New York City, Anderson notes, "A lot of what he shot in New York was hallways and stairwells, all these details, because they didn't have the right ones in L.A. Something as tiny as the height of the curbs is the thing that throws him. It's just as much work to get that right as it is to invent something that's different from the real."

Anderson, on the other hand, seems to specialize in the "different from the real" - he's a bit more of a fabulist. His latest film, The Royal Tenenbaums, while shot on location in New York City, really takes place in a town wholly imagined by Anderson, a town where there's one bus line, one taxi company, and a YMCA located on 375th Street, an address that doesn't even come close to existing in the real New York. "It's kind of peculiar," says Anderson, "because I didn't want you to recognize the specific locations, but I wanted it to refer to something very specifically New York, maybe as you would envision it from books."

Scorsese, who is in the midst of finalizing the sound mix of his upcoming epic Gangs of New York ("It's like being in a submarine," he says of the process. "You get cabin fever, you become hysterically giddy, you work, you get excited, you get angry - it's a trauma!"), talks about how his frame of realism is actually setting the stage for something else: "Gangs is more opera than history. Sometimes it goes into a dreamlike world, almost surreal."

That near-surreality is what Anderson first responded to when he began watching Scorsese's film - on television, which is how Scorsese saw many of his future favorites growing up - while in his teens. "What I liked about Raging Bull was the dreaminess of it. But it was a little too tough for me - I was 12 at the time I saw it. I think it was with Taxi Driver when it really connected for me - I saw that a little later, maybe when I was 17 - and I think for the same reason, the same sort of dream state of the movie."

Scosese, of course, admires Anerson's craft - "whether he tracks hi camera a certain way or whether he uses a certain piece of music that's wonderful" - but it's not the main draw for him. "When I saw Bottle Rocket, I responded to its heart. I think he has a real love for people, a gentle way with people that has a charm and a beauty...

"Gene Hackman's face in the ambulance at the end of The Royal Tenenbaums says it all. When he looks at his son, and he's dying - it's terribly moving. And the character's a monster! It's amazing!" Scorsese laughs heartily recalling this - his pleasure in the work and what it says and means is contagious.

Not surprisingly, the encyclopedic Scorsese can identify adundant antecedents for what he sees in Anderson's films. "I was reminded of a lot of the films that Jean Renoir made in English, films I remember liking because I liked to be with the people in the films. Just like I like catching up with the films of [Iranian director Abbas] Kiarostami over the past five years, because I found myself wanting to go back to those images and those people."

Scorsese recently screened one of the more sumptuous of Renoir's English-language films - The River, a beautiful technicolor vision shot in India - for Anderson. "I thought he would respond to it. You know, who knows what it'll set off in his mind, maybe he'll make another three films from it."

For his part, Anderson is happy to soak up any cinematic stimuli Scorsese has on tap (and there's plenty), but he also avers: "there are things that [Scorsese] invented, cinematic innovations he's responsible for that are as significant as D.W. Griffith's. Just as there are Griffith inventions, there are Scorsese inventions." Moviegoers can only hope that inventions from both of these creators will keep coming.

Incidentally, the heretofore unseen movie Scorsese and Anderson watched together was Lumiere d'Ete, a 1943 picture by French director Jen Gremillon. Not easily accessible to the mass moviegoing public, it almostmakes on wish these gentlemen would add the category of video entrepeneurs to their CVs.

Accompanying photo here. (http://wesanderson.org/photos/mag/premiere1002.jpg)
Title: thanks
Post by: nix on September 08, 2003, 04:34:15 PM
Thank you MacGuffin. I really enjoyed reading that.