Benefit
Bluelighter
"I remember those cheers, they still ring in my ears and for years they remain in my thoughts. 'Cause one night I took off my robe and, what'd I do?, I forgot to wear shorts. I recall every fall, every hook, every jab, the worst way a guy can get rid of his flab. As you know my life was a jab, Though I'd rather hear you cheer when I delve into Shakespeare "A horse, A horse. My kingdom for a horse" I haven't had a winner in six months. And though I'm no Olivier, If he fought Sugar Ray he would say it the thing ain't the ring, its the play. So give me a stage, Where this Bull here could rage, And though I could fight I'd much rather recite: That's Entertainment."
This and Taxi Driver are Scorsese's best films. The chemistry between Joe Pesci and De Niro is really good, and Cathy Moriarty turns in an understated but pretty solid performance as Jake La Motta's wife. From a technical perspective, I think this is my favorite Scorsese film, probably because of the black and white. It's very unfortunate that modern technological innovations have reduced black and white filming to a novelty, because a talented director can get some really excellent composition and contrast when he shoots in black and white. You can do things with light that just can't be done in color. Steam and smoke can be filmed so poetically, and a few of the scenes in Raging Bull mirrored the use of smoke and lights in Citizen Kane nicely.
As a pure boxing/sport movie, Rocky is probably better but De Niro does the dynamic, self-destructive personality type so well. Someone in this forum said that even though he's a great actor, De Niro can't ever fully separate his core personality from the characters he portrays; unlike Brando or Depp you see the real De Niro shining through. I think this is a pretty accurate statement, but when he is used effectively by a talented director De Niro is one of the best actors of his generation. This film is fantastic. Everyone should see it, if you haven't already.
This and Taxi Driver are Scorsese's best films. The chemistry between Joe Pesci and De Niro is really good, and Cathy Moriarty turns in an understated but pretty solid performance as Jake La Motta's wife. From a technical perspective, I think this is my favorite Scorsese film, probably because of the black and white. It's very unfortunate that modern technological innovations have reduced black and white filming to a novelty, because a talented director can get some really excellent composition and contrast when he shoots in black and white. You can do things with light that just can't be done in color. Steam and smoke can be filmed so poetically, and a few of the scenes in Raging Bull mirrored the use of smoke and lights in Citizen Kane nicely.
As a pure boxing/sport movie, Rocky is probably better but De Niro does the dynamic, self-destructive personality type so well. Someone in this forum said that even though he's a great actor, De Niro can't ever fully separate his core personality from the characters he portrays; unlike Brando or Depp you see the real De Niro shining through. I think this is a pretty accurate statement, but when he is used effectively by a talented director De Niro is one of the best actors of his generation. This film is fantastic. Everyone should see it, if you haven't already.
