What are the best gangster movies?
Posted by: Consciousmess on 28 April 2009
Hi all,
I must ask this question as I have become a realy fan of gangster movies. I expect the Godfather to be up there, but what are your favourites?
Regards,
Jon
Posted on: 22 June 2009 by John M
There are some great recommendations in this thread, and I love the general crime drama, gangsters especially. De Niro is the king as far as I am concerned. And when I think of gangster, I am not just thinking about guys in fedoras with tommmy guns and getaway cars, but also crime oriented gangs, which can take on a pretty broad description. Some of my favorites that i dont think have been mentioned (since you asked)
1. John Woo has a string of gangster/hit man movies that have incredibly choreographed gun battles that set a major trend for dudes like Tarantino and Michael Mann. I was thinking of titles like "A Better Tommorrow" "The Killer" and "Hard Boiled"
2.From Asia I also like Japanese gangster-ish films like "Sonatine" and "Boiling Point" from Beat Takeshi.
3. I am big fan of Christopher Walken as bad ass, and one of the best for me was "King of New York"
4. And for a different take, how about "Gangs of New York" with Daniel Day Lewis, Liam Neeson, Leonardo diCaprio. The spectacle of the street battles in snowy grimy New York was worth the price of admission.
5. And to Los Angeles for "Colors" and "Menace II Society" and "American Me" and "American History X"
6. I am not sure if this counts as a gangster film, but I loved this little film called "The Krays" about malevolent twin brother criminals who made up a two man gang of their own.
7. And I agree with munchy on Snatch and Lock Stock. LOVE IT. I would add "Layer Cake" and "RocknRolla" as well. I can't get enough of that. I might even add "The Transporter" which is maybe a bit of a stretch, but a fun movie all the same.
Posted on: 22 June 2009 by SC
quote:
Originally posted by John M:
6. I am not sure if this counts as a gangster film, but I loved this little film called "The Krays" about malevolent twin brother criminals who made up a two man gang of their own.
Hey, easy tiger - they are the best gangsters us Brits have got !
Respect (or we'll send the boys round to kneecap you).
Not sure what they would have made of the Russians running around London town these days - a theme shown hilariously in RocknRolla of course...!
Posted on: 23 June 2009 by Stephen Tate
Bronx Warriors.
Beat Street.
Posted on: 23 June 2009 by John M
quote:
Originally posted by SC:
quote:
Originally posted by John M:
6. I am not sure if this counts as a gangster film, but I loved this little film called "The Krays" about malevolent twin brother criminals who made up a two man gang of their own.
Hey, easy tiger - they are the best gangsters us Brits have got !
Respect (or we'll send the boys round to kneecap you).
Not sure what they would have made of the Russians running around London town these days - a theme shown hilariously in RocknRolla of course...!
My point exactly! Loved them both!
With respect
JM
Posted on: 23 June 2009 by fatcat
Bob Le Flambeur and Faster Pussycat Kill Kill
Posted on: 23 June 2009 by zorba
Not GoodFellas but worth watching;
HEAT - its got both Robert De Niro and Al Pacino with one of the best realistic street shoot outs I've seen.
USUAL SUSPECTS
Posted on: 09 July 2009 by rackkit
quote:
A trip to the cinema last confirmed that this will have stay off the list.
Disappointing effort from Mr Mann...
Posted on: 10 July 2009 by Frank Abela
As for gang warfare...
The Warriors
Posted on: 10 July 2009 by Naijeru
quote:
Originally posted by rackkit:
quote:
A trip to the cinema last confirmed that this will have stay off the list.
Disappointing effort from Mr Mann...
Are you kidding? That's one of the best gangster movies I've seen in a long time.
Posted on: 18 July 2009 by ryan_d
The Usual Suspects- not just the best gangster movie, but probably one the best movies made in modern times. Even more amazing for the fact that Bryan Singer (director) was 16 when he made it.
Otherwise, if you are considering mafioso films I've gotta go with Carlitos way and Donnie Brasco- both absolute genius in film making.
Ryan
Posted on: 19 July 2009 by dougmon
I'd recommend "Layer Cake" as well; one of the best British gangster movies I've seen since "The Long Good Friday."
Posted on: 21 July 2009 by Former member
quote:
Originally posted by dougmon:
I'd recommend "Layer Cake" as well; one of the best British gangster movies I've seen since "The Long Good Friday."
What ending did you like best??
Posted on: 21 July 2009 by dougmon
quote:
Originally posted by munch:
quote:
Originally posted by dougmon:
I'd recommend "Layer Cake" as well
What ending did you like best??
I liked the original ending (the one that ends on or near the staircase of the house.) I can't tell you why without giving it away.
Which ending did you like best?
Posted on: 27 July 2009 by Consciousmess
What about Once upon a Time in America?
It's not a gangster film but has that edge to it??
Jon
Posted on: 31 July 2009 by Frank Abela
There's more than one ending to Layer Cake???
Wow, I'll have to look that up...
Having just YouTubed it, hmmm, I think the original ending is more appropriate, but I can certainly see how certain audiences would have preferred the alternate ending.
Posted on: 31 July 2009 by Occean
Is Crank a Gangster film? Just saw it and loved it!
Posted on: 30 August 2009 by shocked
Posted on: 31 August 2009 by TomK
quote:
Originally posted by ryan_d:
The Usual Suspects- not just the best gangster movie, but probably one the best movies made in modern times. Even more amazing for the fact that Bryan Singer (director) was 16 when he made it.
Ryan
Not sure where you got this info. He was 29 when he made it.
Posted on: 31 August 2009 by winkyincanada
I very much enjoyed "Road to Perdition".
Posted on: 02 September 2009 by Consciousmess
I thought that was a great film, Winky, but I wouldn't class it as gangster!!!
I think Scarface is good and I have heard Donnie Brasko (spelt correctly?) is a great one to watch.
I saw Long Good Friday and thought it was OK, but having seen this and Get Carter and putting it in context by comparing such films to what the US was producing at that time (e.g. The Godfather; even films like Serpico and Justice for All), both Get Carter and LGF are poor!!!
Jon
Posted on: 02 September 2009 by winkyincanada
How is RTP not "Gangster"? It's about an (ex?)gangster and his son. Every other major character in the movie (except his wife) are gangsters. Or are we talking about different movies?
Posted on: 02 September 2009 by Patrick F
does boon-dock saints count.
Posted on: 03 September 2009 by Busta
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Brazilian Goodfella's aka 'City of God'
my other favourites:
Goodfella's
Carlito's Way
Scarface
Casino
The Godfather (trilogy)
Usual Suspects
Snatch
Lock stock
Once upon a Time in America
The King of New York
The Business
Gangster No1
At Close Range ?
Bonnie and Clyde
Dillinger
The Public Enemy
Angel's with Dirty Faces
Babyface Nelson
Al Capone
The Untouchables
Last Man Standing
etc...
Busta
Posted on: 03 September 2009 by Naijeru
quote:
Originally posted by Busta:
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Brazilian Goodfella's aka 'City of God'
I don't really think of City of God as a gangster film since it's about street gangs, but I suppose it qualifies. It is an incredible movie regardless of classification though.
Posted on: 03 September 2009 by Consciousmess
I agree guys!! Have you seen the sequel: City of Men??
Jon
