As written by Paul Zimmerman and directed by Scorsese, “King of Comedy” was misinterpreted by many film critics. At heart, the movie is a pungent black comedy about a showbiz hanger-on and loser who idolizes America's top TV comedian/talk show host and figures out a bizarre scheme to get on the program. Though timely and relevant, for some reason, the film was considered too mordant and “sick” by some viewers at the time, disregarding the tale's rather accurate (and scary) portrayal of what's the best‚Äîand quickest–way to achieve celebrity status in American society today.
Casino (1995): Scorsese’s Crime Saga Starring Robert De Niro, Sharone Stone in her Only Oscar Role, and James Wood
January 26, 2007 by
As accomplished as it was, Coppola's “The Godfather, Part III” didn't break new grounds thematically or artistically. Neither did “Casino” in 1995, a crime picture that reunites director Martin Scorsese with Robert De Niro, his favorite, quintessential actor, and co-screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi.
Raging Bull (1980): Scorsese and De Niro in Top Form
April 21, 2006 by
In Raging Bull, Scorsese equates sexuality with brute force and erratic violence; it's a vicious circle. Freud has called it the "Madonna-whore complex." Prizefighter Jake LaMotta suffers such low self-esteem and insecure masculinity that he cannot respect a woman who would sleep with him, and is convinced that given the choice she would rather sleep with another man.
