Thursday Movie Picks: Gangsters

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster, says Ray Liotta's Henry Hill in Goodfellas, one of the greatest gangster movies ever made. But I'm not going to pick it for Wandering Through the Shelves' Thursday Movie Picks, nor I'm going to pick any other of those movies that pop into your head when you think of this theme. Without further ado (I have to go visit graves because that's what we do here in Italy on November 1st, which I find pointless but whatever) I leave you with my picks and their gangster quotes.

A History of Violence (2005)

Tom (Viggo Mortensen) lives a happy and quiet life in a small town in Indiana. Then one night someone tries to rob his diner, he takes action, saves his customers and becomes a local hero. That draws a lot of attention from the media, and his past comes back to haunt him in the form of mobster Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris). A brilliant, thought-provoking film from Cronenberg with great acting.

Carl Fogarty: Any last words before I blow your brains out you miserable prick?

On the Waterfront (1954)

After witnessing the murder of a fellow dockworker at the hands of the local mobster, Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb), Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) begins to question what's really right. Although some parts are dull and feel dragged, it's a very compelling film that deals with serious themes.

Terry Malloy: You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it. 

True Romance (1993)

After falling for a hooker (Patricia Arquette) and marrying her, Clarence Worley (Christian Slater) accidentally takes a suitcase full of cocaine from her pimp (Gary Oldman) and decide to run to LA. Soon the Sicilian mafia is after them. One of the most beautiful romances I've ever seen.

Vincenzo Coccotti (Christopher Walken): I haven't killed anybody since 1984. Goddamn his soul to burn for eternity in fucking hell for making me get my hands dirty. Go over to this comedian's son's apartment, come back with something that tells me where that asshole went, so I can wipe this egg off my face and finish this fucked-up family for good.