Gangs of New York (2002)

I finally watched Lars von Trier's Dogville last week and I loved it, so I figured it was about time to watch another of those movies I've been putting off for years because of its length, Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York. 

It is set in 1863 when gangs ran the streets of New York and the government couldn't or wouldn't gain control of the city, and it mainly focuses on Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio), a young man whose father (Liam Neeson) was killed sixteen years before by Bill "the Butcher" Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis), the leader of the most powerful gang in New York, and is now seeking revenge. 

Scorsese's intention is pretty clear, he wanted to make a realistic, historically accurate movie about the story of New York. The problem is that he chose a revenge plot that isn't of the most compelling as it is entirely predictable and with a resolution and could and should have come a lot earlier. As for the history of New York, specifically of lower Manhattan, it is quite messy and confusing because there's too much going on —abolitionism, immigration, racism, to name a few of the topics— and not enough time to address all these issues properly. The story did start out interesting, but eventually, it lost my interest completely. 

The characters aren't very helpful either. Amsterdam Vallon has to be one of the weakest leading characters ever. He's more of a supporting character in his own story than anything else as he lacks characterization and development. He is not interesting and you just don't care about his fate. Leonardo DiCaprio is quite dreadful in the role as he lacks the presence requested by such a role. Bill "the Butcher" Cutting is one of the most cartoonish villains out there and yet he is way more charming and interesting than the guy we are supposed to root for, and the credits entirely go to Daniel Day-Lewis who yet again, despite the script, gives a strong performance and makes quite a threatening villain and ends up being the only compelling thing in Gangs of New York. The rest of the characters and cast are just mediocre, Cameron Diaz and her Jenny Everdeane being the worst of them all as her performance is terrible as always and her character exists for no reason whatsoever.

Miramax Films

It's the direction, however, the most disappointing aspect of the film. Gangs of New York looks amateurish at its best —some shots are so ugly they make your eyes hurt—, the editing is choppy, the action isn't exciting and the humour not only doesn't add anything to the film, but it makes it look cheap. The scenery is quite beautiful and the costumes are well done but overall I think Gangs of New York is quite an overrated film. If I didn't know it, I would have never guessed Martin Scorsese was behind this.

Shutter Island (2010)

Genre

Mystery | Thriller

Director

Martin Scorsese

Country

USA

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson, Jackie Earle Haley, Ted Levine, John Carroll Lynch, Elias Koteas, Jill Larson, Ken Cheeseman, Ruby Jerins, Robin Bartlett, Christopher Denham, Matthew Cowles

Storyline

In 1954, Federal Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his new partner, Chuck (Mark Ruffalo), travel to Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of a patient, Rachel Solando (Emily Mortimer). As Teddy quizzes Dr. Cawley (Ben Kingsley), the head of the institution, he begins to suspect that the authorities in charge might not be giving him the whole truth, and that a terrible fate may befall all the patients in the spooky Ward C, a unit devoted to the most heinous of the hospital's inmates.

Opinion

Based on Dennis Lehane's fantastic novel, Shutter Island is a great psychological thriller - indeed one of the best after "The Silence of Lambs" - that finally manages to scare you, not because it has some sadistic person, but because it really messes with you.

The brilliant story gathers memories, visions, and paranoia, to arrive at the final twist, though not very unpredictable if you have seen films such as "The Sixth Sense" or "The Others".

Director Martin Scorsese perfectly recreates the dark atmosphere of the island, relying also on the stunning, and gloomy cinematography by Robert Richardson, on the high tension that keeps you company throughout the film - clearly influenced by Alfred Hitchcock -, and on the music perfectly chosen to increase the sense of mystery.

Unfortunately, while on one hand, Scorsese puts the audience in the position of accepting reality for what it is, as brutal it may be, on the other hand, among the detailed memories, there are also the corpses in the snow, in the Dachau concentration camp. Now the problem is that somebody may think - some people actually think that already - that the horrors of World War II never happened, and that they are the result of mental insanity.

However, the acting is excellent. Leonardo DiCaprio gives a spectacular performance - once again not recognized in an appropriate way. The supporting cast is also terrific. Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow, Michelle Williams, Jackie Earle Haley, Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer, Ted Levine, they all are.

Mention-Worthy Quotes

Teddy Daniels: Which would be worse - to live as a monster, or to die as a good man?

Dr. Jeremiah Naehring: Did you know that the word 'trauma' comes from the Greek for 'wound'? Hm? And what is the German word for 'dream'? Traum. Ein Traum. Wounds can create monsters, and you, you are wounded, Marshal.

MUST WATCH: Cameron, Fincher, Scorsese, Lynch, Soderbergh And More - Talk Filmmaking In Keanu Reeves' SIDE BY SIDE Outtakes!

This documentary is a must see in my books. Keanu Reeves is going directly to the source with this no holds barred approach to understand what is happening in today's filmmaking community. 

Of course 3D, high frame rates, digital vs. film are all going to be huge topics - but to see these titans discuss their bread and butter makes for extremely interesting viewing.

Keanu Reeves of course has his 3D samurai epic 47 RONIN opening in February, 2013.

The videos I have below include outtakes from Reeves' discussions with James Cameron, David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Steven Soderbergh, Wally Pfister, Robert Rodriguez, The Wachowskis and John Malkovich.

And these are just the outtakes! The content in the edited documentary must be totally enthralling.

Oh and I have Soderbergh leading into Wally Pfister's clip by design. I think you will see why.

If you have managed to see it, let me know your thoughts! You can view now on iTunes.

3D Geek Alert: Scorsese's 3D Steadicam Rig For HUGO CABRET And More Info On Just What Cameras He Is Using...

Got a couple of interesting behind the scenes news items for you 3D geeks out there who are following Martin Scorsese's project HUGO CABRET.

First, Andrea from 3D-Life.it sent me some cool backstage photos (which I always love receiving) which show us 3D steadicam operator Chris Fawcett using a rather interesting 3D rig setup (click for larger images). Note that you can configure the set up for an operator to stand up or sit down as needed. Be sure to click through to 3D-Life for more shots.

As these shots demonstrate, Scorsese is using a 3D beam-splitter rig (not sure of manufacturer yet) to house two ARRI Alexa cameras used with a steadicam package on a Segway! How cool is that? Makes sense that it would be quite functional too. The Segway would relieve the weight burden of carrying that equipment for the operator.

Second, I recently spoke with Vince Pace who is, as usual, extremely busy. Pace has been given the contract to supply 3D cameras and expertise for HUGO CABRET. As part of the deal, PACE has taken delivery of the first ARRI Alexa cameras and has 23 more on the way. Yes, you read that right - Scorsese approached PACE for their expertise in shooting 3D and not necessarily their proprietary Fusion 3D cameras that were used for AVATAR. That is not to say that the Fusion cameras are not being used though. To the contrary. More on that in the next post. I am sure you will be very interested...

Very cool to see PACE being tapped for their stereoscopic expertise and not just for their cameras alone. 3ality Digital is experiencing the same industry needs of late and I have pinged them for an update as well. More when I get it!

Martin Scorsese Has Started Shooting HUGO CABRET In London

Martin Scorsese has started lensing his first 3D movie in London according to Sony. HUGO CABRET is based on Brian Selznick's bestseller "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" and stars Sacha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield, Jude Law, Chloe Moretz, Christopher Lee, Ray Winstone, Helen McCrory, Frances de la Tour and Richard Griffiths.

HUGO CABRET tells the tale of an orphan boy living a secret life in the walls of a Paris train station. When Hugo encounters a broken machine, an eccentric girl, and the cold, reserved man who runs a toy shop, he is caught up in a magical, mysterious adventure that could put all of his secrets in jeopardy.

London's Shepperton Studios will serve as Scorsese's base of filming with some other local areas mixed in. Paris also has some location business with the project.

HUGO CABRET is scheduled for release in December 2011.

Undoubtedly, this is one movie to keep an eye on. Even Roger Ebert said that he would reconsider his stance on 3D if Scorsese ever started filming in the genre - and as of right now, the master filmmaker has. HUGO CABRET is a very important movie in so many ways... :-) Stay tuned!

Martin Scorsese Announces First 3D Project! HUGO CABRET Starts Shooting This June!!

Jim here. Exciting News!! If you have been reading MarketSaw, then you know already that Martin Scorsese has been harboring a deep desire to shoot a movie in stereoscopic 3D.

That day, ladies and gentlemen, has come! According to Variety, the bestselling children's book from Brian Selznick entitled HUGO CABRET will be transformed into a modern S3D film by the master himself.

The story is about a 12 year old orphan who solves a mystery about a broken robot. It will be Scorsese's first family oriented film.

Sony is distributing the movie now called THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET and has slated December 9, 2011 for release. Scorsese starts shooting in London this June.

WOW. So happy he is ramping up work in 3D so quickly! Can anyone see a downside to Scorsese joining the momentum? What a coup to have that guy not only endorse the next phase of Hollywood's evolution, but help build its legacy. I am so looking forward to this project.

Welcome Aboard Martin Scorsese! Visionary Director Wants To See Dramas in S3D!

Jim here. Martin Scorsese has come out of the 2D shadows with very public aspirations to create his own 3D drama in the future. The AP (via FirstShowing) reports that he has come down firmly on 3D's side - the side wanting ubiquitous 3D in all forms of visual entertainment - drama included.

Scorsese ponders: "We see in depth, for the most part. We go to the theater — it's in depth. Why couldn't a film like PRECIOUS be in 3-D? It should be."

He expounds further: "I'd love to do one" (so long as he can still move the camera the way he'd like to). "It just seems natural that we'd be going in that direction. It's going to be something to look forward to, but to be used interestingly."

I agree!! What a wonderful moment to hear one of Hollywood's legendary directors speak so boldly about stereoscopic 3D. There will be moments I remember throughout my media career and this one is definitely among them.

Later in the excellent article, director Chris Columbus states that: "It's right out there, somebody just needs to do it." (speaking of dramas in S3D).

And Tim Burton chimes in: "It's just another tool. In fact, I'm very interested in kind of exploring it on some other levels, because it's like sound. 3-D is just another element to draw you in a little bit more, that's all."

You see, these guys get it. I love seeing this all happen around us as 3D flourishes. It's for that reason that I am still amused at the naysayers out there who continue to try and prove that their original notion of 3D being a gimmick is valid. Clearly they are in error. As Hollywood legend after legend signs up for S3D, the purveyors of perceived gimmickry are dying an agonizing death. Better to just throw up your hands now gentlemen. You were wrong. And that's ok. ;-)

Drama is all about the characters and environment. S3D heightens our immersion into the movies if done correctly and that is what Scorsese is talking about. I hope he leads the pack in releasing a S3D drama soon.

This post deserves to drive this home: MARTIN SCORSESE loves S3D!!