Classic video picks for the weekend
"Goodfellas" is a terrific film with an unbeatable
cast, including Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci and Ray Liota.
The blatant violence and machismo attitudes
of the players are great. Coupled with the darkened streets and sleazy
locations, ìGoodfellasî gives a gritty feel of reality. Sometimes, however,
it's even too much for the most devoted Mafia buff.
Don Weberg
Unfortunately, after
the cable network was through chopping it up, it was fit to be a Disney
special of the week. The once darkened streets seemed lighter and the swear
words making up a stereotypical, streetsmart Mafioso were cut.
But despite the required rudeness of the
cable company, the movie reminded me of one thing -- Robert DeNiro's acting
abilities are untouchable. One movie that comes to mind as a total success,
because of the actor's ability to hold it all together, is ìTaxi Driver,"
where the famous line, "You talkin' to me?" originated.
Through the directorial eye of Martin
Scorsese and the entrapping acting of DeNiro, this Columbia Pictures 1976
cult hit is now a favorite of many movie buffs.
The movie portrays the trials and tribulations
of a New York City cab driver who is slightly down on his luck. He meets
all kinds -- rich, poor, beautiful, ugly, famous and unknowns -- in a night's
drive.
One acquaintance he makes is with a young
Jodie Foster, playing the role of a 14-year-old prostitute. After meeting
at a cafe, they compare notes and find their lives are not all that different.
Another run-in DeNiro has is with Cybil
Shepherd, who plays a campaign manager for a city official running for
office. Her high style and good looks instantly attract DeNiro, who doesnít
pursue his attraction in the most positive way.
The movie is definite drama, leaving audiences
with a hollow yet thoughtful feeling. At first, hollow yet thoughtful sounds
like an oxymoron, but thatís one quality of the film.
Another great film, one which Iím glad
to see the cable companies usually leave intact, is 20th Century Fox's
1989 hit, "War of the Roses." Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas and
Danny DeVito get together in this unforgettable project to make breaking
up look funny.
An exotic locale and young blood start
this film on its way to a hilarious and exciting ending. Throughout the
film it is apparent that the couple are very devoted to one another with
their actions.
Douglas plays an aspiring lawyer doing
well in a firm and Turner plays a great housewife, supportive and true.
Douglas excels through the ranks of the company while Turner raises the
kids with Oprah Winfrey style psychology. Despite the Tom Petty-like feel,
the movie does well with its dry and dark humor.
The comedy, narrated at times by DeVito,
makes it easy to see that though breaking up a family is often funny, itís
no laughing matter.
"War of the Roses" is not exactly the most
thought provoking film ever made, but it makes for an enjoyable time watching
another coupleís misery.
These two films are great weekend viewing
and are sure to make fans out of the most discriminating audience, but
one word of warning -- watch with friends.
Trivia time: What was the name of the first
major movie directed by Steven Spielberg? And the answer to last week's
question, who played the dead friend in the movie "The Big Chill," is Kevin
Costner.
Don Weberg is a print journalism
major. |
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