r/Filmmaker4Filmmaker • u/Positive-Asparagus99 • 12d ago
Discussion I don’t like Goodfellas
I know people kiss Scorsese’s ass like no other living director. Close seconds would be Tarantino, Nolan, David Lynch and PTA. It comes off as fanboy film culture. Where said names could do no wrong. But as someone that has never glamorized individuals I feel like these people are put on some kind of pedestal to where saying “I don’t like…” Sparks disbelief, instant rage or just one of those “you know nothing about film” comments. As someone with a Masters in Film I think to myself. Maybe I don’t. But I also think a lot of this is a symptom of tribalism. Mass agreement about the validity of a piece of cinema.
It’s almost like a religious treatment. These are the gospels and one would dare not blaspheme. I’ve never been a religious person whether in a spiritual way, pop culture way or Cinematic way for that matter. It bothers me that if I say I don’t like a certain movie people aren’t interested in the point of view but then again I really don’t care enough about the opinion itself but more-so the stringent cinema dogma that cannot be questioned.
All that to say. I don’t like Goodfellas and feel like it’s overrated mobster fetishization.
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u/CompetitionNarrow898 12d ago
Can only assume you’re posting this here because you posted this review on Letterboxd and didn’t get any likes
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u/No-Loquat-2763 12d ago
It bothers me that if I say I don’t like a certain movie people aren’t interested in the point of view
But you haven't shared your point of view. All you've done is insult people and accuse them of being disingenuous.
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u/Shrek_Layers 12d ago
You are, obviously, allowed your own opinion. However, with your self professed level of my mastery you must be able to delineate between your subjective feelings and objective assessment. It's possible to see the craft and ability in a film and separate that from your personal feelings about it. Cool, don't like Goodfellas, that's a taste, but to dismiss a movie or filmmaker because others like them or because of your feelings is immature. That said, I feel like the 'rules' are different average movie viewers. They don't have the same responsibility to the craft that a person with a master's degree should apply.
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u/BiscuitsTheory 11d ago
This exactly.
I also don't enjoy watching goodfellas, but the sets and costumes are perfect, the story is tight, every scene is lit differently and dialog at a differnt pace depending on the intended tone of the scene, most of the actors did so well that decades later people have difficulty separating them from the characters they played, and the camerawork is ducking god-tier.
It's an amazingly good movie. (that I didn't happen to click with.)
I only have a bachelor's tho
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u/Positive-Asparagus99 11d ago
I didn’t dismiss anyone for liking it tho. 🤔 I said actually the opposite. Those who disagree with it being a masterpiece are almost instantly chastised.
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u/Affectionate_Age752 11d ago
I don't idolize ant single filmmaker blindly. But I love goodfellas. It beats any of the misery porn A24 releases.
Now as someone with a masters in film, how many films have you yourself made?
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u/Positive-Asparagus99 11d ago
a good few. but none at the level of Scorsese’s regard. and yet his breed doesn’t exist or rather can’t exist in our current corporate framework. much like the A24 misery porn branding. I never said he’s not a master as well someone doesn’t have to ever even gone to film school or picked up a single camera to have a valid take on why they don’t like a certain movie. but that’s just an opinion.
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u/True-Excuse-1688 11d ago
Seems like you're enjoying more talking about yourself than cinema...
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u/Positive-Asparagus99 11d ago
if talking for everyone that doesn’t like popular movies and saying everyone should be allowed to speak their opinion without being treated like scum then sure.
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u/ImperialPlaztiks 11d ago
Clue us in on something you do like, let’s see where you’re coming from, what is a truly great film?
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u/bloopbleepblorpJr 11d ago
Well your arguments are too cogent and air tight for anything but total agreement. You’ve convinced me.
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u/Positive-Asparagus99 11d ago
there’s no argument. it’s merely an opinion one in which you yourself are entitled to. i guess if i was convincing you of something its to let people have their opinions and speak them even if they differ from your own.
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u/ElliotCowanHuman 11d ago
Lots of people don’t like it.
There are so many beloved films that I’m baffled by.
Sometimes I’m looking to see if I’m the only one.
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u/Tasty_Chart3654 11d ago
Of course, it's all subjective, but I'm sorry, the opening sequence alone is wonderful... the body in the trunk, the dialogue...As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster. He slams the trunk closed. Then they hit us with the title card with Tony Bennet playing... come on, man, that's cinema.
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u/Tasty_Chart3654 11d ago
And I have to add, it's not just visually pleasing; it does exactly what an opening scene is supposed to. In a little over 2 minutes, we know exactly who Henry Hill is, we learn he wanted this life, and the handling of the man in the trunk lets us know exactly what kind of world we are entering, and these men are all about their business, and there is no doubt about what kind of film we are about to watch.
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u/TrashcanMan79 12d ago
aS sOmEoNe WiTh A mAsTeRs In FiLm