BUREAU OF ARTS AND CULTURE CLASSIC FILMS: TWELVE MUST SEE FILMS and WHY






BUREAU OF ARTS AND CULTURE CLASSIC FILMS  
TWELVE MUST SEE FILMS  and  WHY 

AMERICAN GRAFFITI     BIG WEDNESDAY    BREAKING AWAY     CROOKLYN  
LA BAMBA   THE OUTSIDERS   QUADROPHENIA   REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE  
REPO  MAN       SWING  KIDS        THE  GRADUATE       WEST  SIDE  STORY  

These 12 Classic Youth Films Express a certain Social Angst that is 
still very much relevant for the Youth of Today's Current Society.

AMERICAN GRAFFITI
One of the most important films reflecting on American Pop  Culture ever. Produced by Francis Ford Coppola. Directed by  George Lucas. Starring a cast 
of new stars that have all gone  on to have stellar careers in the film industry: actors, directors, producers. Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, Cindy  Williams, Suzanne Somers, Kathleen Quinlan, Candy Clark,  Charles Martin Smith, Mackenzie Phillips, Bo Hopkins.   A Film that holds up every time it is viewed. A nostalgic look at  a time and a place in America just before we were hit with the  death of the Kennedy's & other social leaders, Vietnam and a  complicated world which forever changed our lives in America.   This film went onto inspire the Television Show : HAPPY DAYS. As well as many teen/music films such as DAZED & CONFUSED  by Independent Film Maker Richard LINKLATER. One can also see that this film production opened the door for Alan ARKUSH's  Classic Musical Teen Film: 
ROCK & ROLL HIGH SCHOOL. 





BIG WEDNESDAY 
The most authentic fictional SURF FILM ever created. Directed & co - written 
by John Milius, who would go on to put a surf  scene in just about every film he would ever participate in, famously: the surf scene in APOCALYPSE NOW. 
This film seems  to capture West Coast Surf culture with the perfect blend of the  nostalgic aspects of the early days on into the more cynical ones.  Friendships, initiations, love, war and growing up with the waves. Another perfect ensemble cast, an original musical score and a  voice over narration that perfectly tells the story like a good book. For a full Review Scroll down.





BREAKING AWAY  
Growing up poor or middle class in an area where others are more  privileged 
is one of the themes running through this hilarious and charming film about 
Biking, Friendship, Playing by the Rules and  yes, ' Breaking Away ' from the 
pack, traditions and false ideals.  A story about finding & respecting yourself 
in a world that refuses  to do so. Dennis Quaid in an early and heartfelt performance. Directed  by Peter Yates with a screenplay by Steve Tesich. 
A great use of  Classical Music throughout the entire production. Other cast members  include: The incredible Paul Dooley as the dad, Barbara Berrie as 
the  Mom and Dennis Christopher, Daniel Stern and Jackie Earle Haley as  
' The Cutters ' [ for cutting school ].  A fabulous uplifting production.  




CROOKLYN
Spike Lee dishes up this family film which is loosely based on scenarios  
created by his brother and sister and thier early childhood in Brooklyn.  
A hilarious film that personifies the 1970's with all the pitch perfect  hooks 
and props, music and experiences that define the period. A  heartbreaking 
and yet wonderfully funny film that nails exactly what  many of us went 
through during our childhood experiences in America  at that particular 
time and place. Outstanding performances by the  entire cast. As usual 
Spike Lee's casting choices from Del Roy Lindo  as the dad, Alfre Woodard 
as the mom and a whole crop of new  actors as well as Isaiah Washington, 
RuPaul, Vondie Curtis-Hall and of  course Zelda Harris as the young girl 
who plays our lead character.  With a great soundtrack, richly produced 
and as usual great direction.  





LA BAMBA
 A musical bio that lovingly tells the story of singer Ritchie Valens, though  
at the same time, tells a basic family dynamic of growing up, falling in love, 
being accepted or not and dealing with life's opportunities under pressure. 
A fabulous soundtrack that helped to put the band Los Lobos on the map. 
This was a follow up to the success of Luis Valdez's play & film ZOOT SUIT. 
With themes that describe the latino experience, musical prodigies, inter  
racial love and crossing over into the mainstream American music charts.  
This film, along with the Buddy Holly Story, Great Balls of Fire and the  
many films on Elvis Presley,opened the door for the entire genre of music  biographies that have lead up to: RAY, Walk the Line, Sid and Nancy.   
Lou Diamond Phillips in his first starring role, Esai Morales in a pinnacle  
supporting role as Ritchie's brother, Rosanna DeSoto as the mom and  
Joe Pantoliano, Elizabeth Pena, Brian Seltzer and Tony Genaro supporting. 





The OUTSIDERS 
An outstanding adaption of an S. E. Hinton novel by Francis Ford Coppola. 
The perfect film that reflects life on the, ' other side of the tracks '. Another  
film that has a cast of new stars that will all go onto great careers in film: 
C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Emelio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze,  
Tom Cruise, and Coppola regulars: Tom Waits, Diane Lane & Glen Withrow.  
Heroic & authentic, sympathetic & rough, innocent & tough, all without  
any slips in performance, style or structure, a really great film about family,  friends, tribes and looking back one more time, before moving forward again.  What's it like to be an American in middle America ? This is what it's like. 




QUADROPHENIA  
The first of several great films created by The Classic Rock & Roll Band: 
The WHO. A semi autobiographical tale of Mods and Rockers in and around 
the London music  scene just prior to the creation of bands like the WHO. 
The clash between the Mods & the rockers, not unlike the same clash we 
see within the other films listed in  this review: The Outsiders, Breaking 
Away, Rebel without a Cause, Big Wednseday. The Who will go onto create, 
The Kids are Allright & the Classic Rock opera TOMMY.  Being authentic, 
demanding respect from authority, rebelling against previous values  and 
searching for acceptance, but ultimately tossing it all away for self respect 
are  just a few of the themes in this great fictional film. Once again, many 
of the cast  members will become regulars and have entire careers and comebacks time & time again. Most notably: Ray Winstone in Sexy Beast, Timothy Spell in the films by the great Mike Leigh, Sting and of course a very young  Phil Daniels, Leslie  Ash, Mark Wingett, Phil Davis. Directed by Franc Roddam. With music by The WHO  and the use of period music specifically Booker T and the MG's classic 'Green Onions', which is also used in American Graffiti and The Flamingo Kid [ another great film ]. 



REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE 
The benchmark of all great films about growing up. There had many teen 
films before, but none could ever touch it after. The fact that it was 
filmed 
in technicolor put it a cut above the juvenile delinquent genre that had been mostly filmed in low budget black & white. Of course, the pinnacle performance 
by James Dean in a role that absolutely never goes out of style. Each generation rediscovers this film and immediately relates. His sensitivity, his search for truth, his sympathy towards Sal Mineo and his love for  Natalie Wood as well as the need to be accepted and respected all ring true to the kids  of today's society. 
The other films in this article could never have existed without the creation 
and popularity of Rebel without a Cause. This is the quintessential teen film. 
Although, it also speaks to the ever changing evolution from one generation 
to another.  A great original soundtrack, rich technicolor with realistic and dramatic performances. Supporting roles by Jim Backus [ the Voice of Mr Magoo ] and Dennis Hopper. Directed by Nicholas Ray and written by Stewart Stern based 
on a story by Irving Schulman. 




REPO MAN
Another small but interesting film about life in Los Angeles by director Alex 
COX,  who would later direct the classic Sid and Nancy biop on Sid Vicious of 
the Sex  Pistols Punk rock band that helped to start an entire revolution in 
rock and roll  music that still exists. Repo Man weaves between the new 
music of the time and  the different types of folks who inhabit Los Angeles. 
The film is a satire on all types  of people, much like the music of that time, 
bands like Black Flag, The Circle Jerks,  Iggy Pop, Suicidal Tendencies, The 
Plugz and FEAR all made fun of society, so too  does this film. With Emelio 
Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton battling it out with for  and among space 
aliens, low riders, musicians and of course stealing back automobiles. Car 
chases through the L.A. River, Low budget special effects and performances 
by  many real musicians such as band members of The Untouchables and 
Circle Jerks  make this a sort of time capsule of a time and a place. At the 
time, this film was  considered a cynical look at society, looking back at it 
today, its almost innocent.     





SWING KIDS 
Music, politics and friendship collide into a whirlwind force among a group 
of friends  in Germany during the take over of Europe.  Inspired loosely on 
actual events in the  life of people such as Django Reinhardt. Another cast 
of important actors including: Christian Bale, Frank Whaley, Robert Sean 
Leonard and Barbara Hershey. Loyalty is  the running theme in this music 
filled portrait which starts out as a story of friendship  but swiftly veers into 
a political thriller of the historical variety. An outstanding sound  track with 
great performances by an ensemble cast. The film asks us how far will we  
go to be a success in our own time and place ? Loyalty to friends, to our own values,  to our life may be more important than acceptance by the group, especially when the  group is a destructive, controlling and obvious plague 
on a free society such as ours.  




THE GRADUATE 
A hilarious, sensitive and heartbreaking story of one young man's journey into 
self discovery after graduating from college.  The film that put Dustin Hoffman 
on the map. A soundtrack that launched Simon & Garfunkle into music stardom.  
As well as introducing the directing career of, up to that point, comedian Mike Nichols who with Elaine May, had a string of successful comedic albums based 
on their night club act. With a screenplay co written by Buck Henry of Saturday Night live fame and career making appearances by Anne Bancroft, Norman Fell, Katherine Ross, William Daniels and Murray Hamilton uttering the now classic, phrase, " I have one word for you … PLASTICS." Which seems to personify the artificial world that Hoffman's character is thrust into. An entirely different kind 
of comedy that broke the mold on controversy, humor and the sad realities that would lay ahead for an entire generation in search of truth, love and once again, breaking away from the values of those that have preceded us. A great  film with 
a surprise ending that still to this day, is embarrassing, exulting & entertaining. Somewhere between the sympathetic soundtrack, the innocent performances 
and the heartfelt realities of life, a strange and original cinematic experience emerges. No film has ever matched this blend since. The graduate opened the 
door to a slew of new films that became a sort of a  new and different genre: 
The Heartbreak Kid & Carnal Knowledge among them.  
 



WEST SIDE STORY 
The classic updated version of Romeo & Juliet told here in New York City,  between two rival gangs of kids from different ethnic backgrounds. This  
film still holds up in every way, shape and form. Cinematography, costumes, dialogue, songs and of course the transformative choreography and music. 
Leonard Bernstein developed this project for well over a decade and to this  
day it is as fresh and relevant as any film about the youth of society today.  Romance, violence, loyalty and the difficulty in crossing over from the folks  
you were born with into the person you are in love with, are just a few of  
the themes touch on here. The song lyrics are so entirely up to date, that  it 
is downright astounding how fresh and relevant this film is. Marijuana,  Cops 
and Detectives, Gangs, Social Workers, Fashion and most of all Love. This film becomes more and more impressive as time goes on. West Side  Story contains performances by natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn, David Winters, 
George Chakiris, Tucker Smith and a cast of outstanding  actors /dancers and 
of course a soundtrack that makes it an utter and  complete classic film that 
will never go out of style. 



[ Tap the titles below to visit links to these great classic youth films ] 




REPO  MAN       SWING  KIDS        THE  GRADUATE       WEST  SIDE  STORY  




 VISIT THE BUREAU MAIN WEBSITE FOR AUDIO & SLIDE PRESENTATIONS

 BUREAU OF ARTS AND CULTURE :THE  GOLDEN  GLOBES  PICKS


AN APPRECIATION OF HIS FILMS AND LIFES WORK  BY  JOSHUA A. TRILIEGI

FILM REVIEWS:  TRIUMPH  OF  THE  WALL  .  ON THE ROAD  .  
     
LIFE OF PI . SPENCER SUSSER: HESHER . BERT STERN: ORIGINAL MADMAN  

FILM PERFORMANCE APPRECIATION: KRISTEN STEWART

BERNARD HILLER ACTING COACH TO THE STARS DISCUSSES HIS WORK & NEW BOOK



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The American Neighborhood, Technology & Your New Years Resolution



The American Neighborhood, Technology & Your New Years Resolution



 We as Americans have come a long way in the past hundred 

or so years. We have the car, train and plane, the telephone, 

the film and we have the television. Have we gone forward or 

are we using these incredible tools of communication, travel & 

expression against one another ? Imagine the delight, pleasure 

and convenience these devices had once abled early Americans. 


Look at how these incredibly important tools of the technological 

age are being squandered, abused and wasted on ugly acts of 

judgement, surveillance and communicating wrongs, perceived 

wrongs and often child-like conversations of a negative nature.


It is as if Stanley Kubrik's vision of the 2001 A Space Odyssey 

variety has been linked in reverse. Where the computer H.A.L. 

has all the tools necessary to assist mankind and instead of doing 

so, decides, in one way or another to attempt to control mankind. 


But in this case, it is even worse than that. In this case, the tools 

of technology have been invented and given freely, then we as a 

species have reverted back to an earlier stage in our development, 

utilizing the tools of invention, communication and travel only to 

control, hurt or even to destroy one another. From the Jetson's to 

The Flintstones, all because some people would use these tools to 

express some form of hurt, oppress, judge, moralize or badger 

their fellow man, their neighbor, someone they may disagree with.  



Add to that those who are all too willing to throw their children 

into the mix, to have their own children express some viewpoint 

to a total stranger by acting out some fake scenario for the purpose 

of influencing and or ' sending a message ' to a total stranger or to 

a neighbor or group of people. Is this the American Neighborhood 

of today ? Or is this a divisive game that will most likely backfire on 

us ? What kind of world will this be when those same children, grow 

up and realize what it is they were taught to do ? Most likely, they 

will turn around and 'act out' some type of scenario on those who 

taught them to do so in the first place. Creating an atmosphere of 

indirect communication on a somewhat judgmental, critical & often 

petty level. An embarrassing & futile game of false and misleading 

commentary of some form or another. A bad metaphoric linguistic 

nightmare that surly will set us all back by the decades. If you are 

entirely unaware of what it is this writer is speaking to, congratulations.

You have, so far, avoided and some how steered clear of this game.

Unfortunately, you are not in the majority in this particular case. 



Most reading this article, know exactly what it is we are talking about. 

I wonder where this is all headed ? Are the private lives of Americans 

that boring, that mundane, that eventless that the coming and going 

of celebrities, media professionals or just some local character more 

important than their own lives, their own direction, their own biography?

Each person writes their own biography on a daily basis, but spending 

a majority of your day reacting to someone else's is no biography at all.

Its a petty, mindless and often way off the track game of bogus hearsay.

We are witnessing this game being played all over and I personally feel 

a certain concern for those playing it. Usually and often, it is a group 

activity, which puts it in the category of Fascism, Bullying, Them vs US,

type of thinking. An extreme attitude of the variety that thinks that, 

" We are correct and the person we are ' playing ' is wrong ."   That is 

a very dangerous game indeed. This is America, in fact, this is The New 

America, a place where we came to get away from tyranny, oppression 

and group aspects of living. Oftentimes this game is being played by a 

staff of professionals who are working for a larger business: a grocery 

store, a group of drivers with a fleet of vehicles and of course corporations.

Sports, news, radio commentary, print media, headlines, billboards + more.




But here is the real problem. Once this game has been introduced, 

others begin to play it, and it spirals into areas where such games can 

only hurt. The American neighborhood has taken on this game at all levels 

and especially in the middle and lower income brackets. A place that was 

once safe from this type of dishonesty and manipulation has become 

total victim, by becoming a total game field. We can only imagine that 

utilizing communication devices to track the whereabouts of individuals 

was thought by some to be a powerful move at first glance, but looking 

again, we can easily see that this has damaged those who do the tracking 

more than those who are being tracked. A losing game that hurts everyone, 

but mostly it hurst the fabric of America. If your only way to influence is 

through some form of phony, act out, conversation on the tele, prerecorded 

radio spot or live commentary, than you are someone with no influence at all.




Some of what we are discussing here has been fueled by pseudo-psychological 

double talk that is of the most elementary level. An almost embarrassing and 

down right ignorant form of quasi - communicado that only the most infantile 

individuals would either be influenced by or attempt to influence with as a tool.

Anyone with any sense would walk away from this type of group haranguing & 

simply begin again to live their own lives. But walking away from a game like 

this won't be easy. Once people who are a part of a group, people who, on their 

own feel: little, diminished or worthless, may find it very difficult to leave. People who are addicted to the telephone, addicted to the car, addicted to the television and indeed addicted to playing the game on others, on unsuspecting individuals, these  are fascists, these are bullies, these are a group of people who have no life of their own. For those reading this article who still do not know what we are talking about,I congratulate you a second time, I hope you never know what we are talking about. For those of you who, do, we wish you the best of luck in your recovery. 



A Suggestion : 

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION , STOP PAYING THE GAME AND YOU CANT LOSE.


A Reminder: 

WE ARE AMERICANS, WE LIVE OUR LIVES, WE DON'T LIVE OTHERS LIVES.     


  

NEW YEARS EVE : GRAND PARK LOS ANGELES !



http://grandparkla.org/ai1ec_event/new-years-eve-la/ 

ALL NIGHT LONG:

3-D PROJECTIONS (covering 22 floors on City Hall) / PHOTO BOOTH & PROJECTIONS (create a memory and share your wish for the New Year 100ft above Grand Park) / FACE PAINTING (join the tribe of LA with Tribal Markers) / ART INSTALLATIONS BY Charles Baker, Geoff McFetridge and Mike Murphy / HOSTED BY Azul 213* Amaral / Sisanie (KIIS – FM) / FOOD TRUCKS OPEN  (Street Kitchen, Lobos Truck, The Schmuck Truck, No Jodas Kitchen, Hurricane Kitchen, Mangia Ristorante on Wheels, India Jones, Grilled Cheese Truck, The Surfer Taco, Crepe'n Around, Berlin Famous Sausage, Mex Kabob, Firehouse Chefs, Cousins Maine Lobster, Paradise Cookies, Ela Brew, Sweet E's Bake Shop) / CASH BAR (no outside alcohol permitted in the Park, last call at 11:30PM) / STARBUCKS OPEN

6-7:30PM DJ Seano (dublab)

7:30-8:30PM Myron & E (Stone's Throw Records)

8:30-9PM Versa-Style Dance Company 

9PM: Live feed of Times Square Ball Drop (perfect for Grand Park kids)

9-9:20PM: Versa-Style Dance Company 

9:20-10PM: Buyepongo

10-11PM: Daedelus (dublab)

11-11:50PM: Fool's Gold 

MIDNIGHT: The Big Moment…ALL EYES ON CITY HALL!


Bureau of Arts and Culture Magazine : FILM / MARTIN SCORSESE One of AMERICA's Most Important Film Makers


MARTIN SCORSESE : One of AMERICA's Most Important Film Makers

















Bureau of Arts and Culture Magazine : FILM

MARTIN SCORSESE : 
One of AMERICA's Most Important Film Makers 
This year, we will be given another opus film by one of the greatest 
film makers that America has ever created. Strange and challenged  
experiences in life seem to create great artists of a major caliber. 

Martin Scorsese was a child entangled with sickness, born of Italian 
parents in a tough neighborhood, he retreated into the great movie 
houses of New York City, learned the craft of classic film making by 
watching the great early American directors such as John Ford, John 
Huston and Orson Welles. From the European masters, Mr. Scorsese 
was influenced by Alfred Hitchcock, Luchino Visconti, Jean Renoir, 
Michael Powell, Roberto Rosellini, Frederico Fellini, Andrzel Wajda & 
Mizoguchi Kenji among others.

 After creating a few exercises , which is often what first films can 
be, he created what most feel is his first 'real film': MEAN STREETS. 
Famously coached by Independent film maker & actor John Casavettes, 
who told Mr. Scorsese to go make a real film. And indeed he did. 
Early on in the production New Yorkers began to hassle the young 
director, 'There's nothing Mean about these streets.' , they shouted.
Early on, Mr. Scorsese attracted controversy and it has stayed with 
him throughout his career. Taxi Driver and The last Temptation of 
Christ, possibly creating the most amount of misunderstanding & 
friction that only seemed to fuel his inspir
ation and also led to a good 
deal of what we commonly call in the business: Free Advertising. 

In 1974, while putting together, Alice doesn't live Here Anymore, 
he approached Ellen Burstyn for the role of Alice. While reviewing his 
films up to that point Ms. Burstyn point blank asked the young director 
if he knew 'Anything'  about women, his answer ? 'No, but I'm willing 
to learn'. The film went on to create accolades for both Ms. Burstyn, 
her co star, Kris Kristofferson and a little known discovery: Jodie Foster. 
Ms. foster would go onto a nomination for her role in Taxi Driver, 
creating a backlash and more controversy for the Director. As well 
as awards and acceptance from the global film community and 
Hollywood critics.

In 1977, his love of early musicals, music always plays a big part in 
any Scorsese production, led him to new York, New York, which was 
again, out of synch with the public's taste, yet still and all, is a lavish 
production.

In 1980, Mr Scorsese's relationship with Robert De Niro led him 
to direct the boxing film Raging Bull, which was a brutal and 
realistic portrait of Jake La Motta. Shot in classic black & white, 
unheard of at the time, winning an Oscar for his long time 
collaborator, Mr. De Niro and so to be stalwart Scorsese actor 
Joe Pesci as well as the discovery of actress Cathy Moriarty. 
The sound design is phenomenal, each boxing match is shot 
with a variation, the scenes in between the matches often, quiet 
& still, one can easily see Mr. Scorsese's influence by the Italian 
Neo-Realists here: Visconti, Rosellini and a love of the early boxing 
Films of the 1940's and 1950's.  I was honored to visit the Film Set 
of this production and had the pleasure of lunching with Mr De Niro, 
meeting the real Jake La Motta and viewing the master director at 
work with thousands of extras in costume. Something I can only 
liken to watching Rembrandt paint an oil painting in his studio. 

In 1983, Mr Scorsese took on the world of comedy's underbelly 
& the aspects of fame that can lead to desperation, insanity and 
obsession with The King of Comedy. Jerry Lewis, Robert De Niro 
and Sandra Bernhardt collide in this wacky, dark and uncomfortable 
look at the sidelines of television and entertainment. A visionary work 
that hints at where we are today with fans obsessive attachment to 
the famous, rich and influential entertainers of television, music & 
filmmaking.

In 1985, Mr Scorsese directed one of the films that are sometimes 
known as his smaller films: After Hours. A crazy, funny and Art House 
hit that has comedic flare and wit, utilizing the art world, New York's 
neighborhoods and a hipster paranoia that reminds one of films like, 
'Its a mad, mad, mad, mad World'.

Also included in this category would be 1986' s The Color of Money, 
which was a sort of Part Two to The Hustler, starring Paul Newman 
as fast Eddie Felson and utilizing a rising young star Tom Cruz. 
The film was a comeback for Paul Newman and is a great piece of 
cinema that takes us deep into the world of Pool Hall hustling & 
another early cameo by the great actor Forrest Whittaker. Mr Scorsese 
is a lot like Spike Lee, in that they both court controversy and have a 
tendency to discover great new talent: Sam Jackson for instance. 

1988 brought us, The Last Temptation of Christ, which emblazoned 
a sort of hysteria from christians which unfortunately marred the 
audiences opinions against an otherwise thoughtful and interesting 
take on the possibilities of the life of the man known as Jesus the Christ. 
It is ultimately and interesting an thoughtful piece with an outstanding 
and inspired performance by Willem Defoe and guest performers such 
as John Lurie and David Bowie. Mr Scorsese's casting choices are always 
a big part of his creative collaboration and process. Universal Studios 
was demonized for the movie, most of the protestors had never even 
seen the movie. Mr Scorsese was somewhat surprised by the reaction.

In 1990, Martin Scorsese returned to the screen with what would be 
considered an entire and utter Classic: GoodFellas. Up to this point 
possibly his best film ever. A great script, performances by De Niro, 
Pesci and Ray Liotta that stand the test of time, a return to the Italian 
American experience that Mr. Scorsese knows very well. Awards from 
every important film organization and three of the big Academy 
Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay. 

In 1991. Mr Scorsese brought us a remake with Cape Fear. Another 
strange, dark and menacing drama that pits Jessica Lange and Nick 
Nolte, whom the director had worked with in his section of a three 
short story feature : New York Stories, which also starred a new face 
on the screen: Steve Buscemi of Boardwalk Empire fame.  

In 1993, Mr Scorsese took on what might be considered his classic 
film renditions. One can see his love of great classic films such as 
Gone with the Wind in this film: The Age of Innocence. A giant colorful 
tapestry laden with lush food, flowers, costumes and the beginning of 
a great collaboration with actor Daniel Day Lewis, who would return to 
the Scorsese camp for Gangs of New York almost a decade later. 
More Nominations: Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, etc ... 

In 1995, A return to the big Italian American genre that brought us 
Mean Streets and Goodfellas, a completion of what may be considered 
his italian trilogy, the epic film: CASINO. De Niro and Pesci return to 
the scene as well as interesting casting choices like Don Rickles as a 
casino pit boss, who would have thought of that ? An incredible and 
tour de force performance by Sharon Stone putting her front and 
center as a powerful actress in top notch form, deserving of dollars 
& respect. Possibly one of his best films up to that point in his career. 
A classic loved by all.

In 1997, Mr Scorsese, visits the asian inspired, Kundun. A tibetan 
tale of struggle and politics that surround the tibetan country and 
it's people. Some said he was out of his element here, but, even 
when Mr Scorsese stretches his boundaries as he did here, there 
is enough on the screen to inspire, teach and yes, entertain. 

In 1999, Scorsese teams up with Nicolas Cage in this adrenaline 
fueled story of an ambulance driver and his  nightmare like work 
place: The streets of the big city. A sort of Taxi driver like return 
to working class obsession and hallucination. Cage puts in a 
performance of a lifetime, while John goodman watches his partners 
slow descent into an insomnia induced insanity. The camera work 
here is fabulous. Another street film that utilizes the city itself as 
a character and even as the villain.

In 2002, a return to the big costume period film genre that was 
hinted at with Age of Innocence, but this time with the proper 
amount of guts and glory that seem to inspire this director and 
satisfy his audience. A large and difficult film that combines 
historical aspects of Scorsese's beloved New York City with the 
struggles of early Americans, religion, politics and dramatic 
storytelling. With performances by Leonardo De Caprio, who will 
become one of Mr Scorsese's greatest collaborators time & time 
again: The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island and this years 
The Wolf of Wall Street. The Gangs of New York is an epic tale that 
brings back Daniel Day Lewis in a terrifying performance as Bill The 
Butcher with a Who's Who of acting from both American and 
European Actors, straddling the dangerous territory of accents, 
costumes and acting styles that are difficult to put on the screen 
in one entire production. This is Mr. Scorsese as oil painter 
extraordinaire, his largest series to date. A difficult challenge indeed. 
We begin to see Mr Scorsese's use of the digital format utilized here 
in outrageous shots, set pieces and tunneling like transformations 
from full shots high above the city to close ups entering a characters 
pupils. This is the master film maker having a field day with the 
best actors, designers and collaborators on the planet. Amazing. 
Nominations All Around


In 2004, Mr Scorsese and De Caprio return to give us an inside 
look at the much talked about life of Howard Hughes. An interesting 
film with both Vegas, Hollywood and the insanity of being an artist, 
creator and inventor as well as the burdens of success in all walks 
of the American dream. A paranoid yet somehow innocent and 
success driven story with interesting performances and some would 
say incongruous casting choices, though still and all, great efforts 
by all involved. A dark, lush film shot with a somber and rich palette. 
Mr Scorsese is an artist first, film maker second, historian third. 
It shows here and this is a compelling film that thrusts us into 
Hughes world, and leaves us at his door step at the very 
end. Broken, battered, wondering. Nominations All Around.


In 2006, Mr Scorsese takes on the Irish Boston mob scene 
with The Departed. Working with Jack Nicholson, who was 
famously cajoled by the likes of Mark Wahlberg and De Caprio 
to participate in this picture. A return to the Goodfellas like 
genre complete with FBI Agents, Irish Gang Ethos and codes 
of conduct. This film is driven mostly by great performances 
by both Wahlberg and De Caprio. One can see there keen interest 
in the project and their enthusiasm and ability carries the film up 
and over whatever limitations exist within the written material. 
Best Director Awards across the board: The Academy, Golden 
Globe, Everyone agrees Martin Scorsese is a master film maker 
who tells stories that are true to America.


In 2010, Mr Scorsese and Leonardo De Caprio stay several steps 
ahead of their audience in this strange, psycho drama of the old 
school variety: Shutter Island. A head scratcher to say the least. 
A psyche out of the Hitchcockian variety: Rear Window with 
Shutters on it. Another dark and rather difficult film to view. 
Leonardo De Caprio twisting and retching about in a manner 
reminiscent of his early and incredibly naked performances such 
as his role in Gilbert Grape. Another brave & discordant rendition 
that is probably a bit ahead of it's time. Many of  Mr Scorsese's 
films are decades ahead, creating entire genres & a new crop of 
film makers who fill a certain void: Jim Jarmusch, Spike Lee, 
Paul Thomas Anderson.

In 2011, Mr Scorsese utilizes the digital media to create a life long 
dream project: HUGO.  Which is a much more mainstream project 
that catapults his popularity into the mainstream for audiences of 
all ages. Over 35 nominations from film organizations around the 
world recognize his talent, efforts and contributions.  


Which brings us to 2013, The Wolf of Wall Street. Starring 
Leonardo De Caprio, one of his greatest collaborators, based 
on a great book, Mr. Scorsese always does well with adaptions. 
A story line that Americans will indeed be interested in and 
already everyone is talking about this film. We are looking 
forward to seeing it and you will find a review on these pages. 

Of course the Documentaries have not been mentioned in 
this appreciation, but Mr Scorsese is a fine and thorough 
documentarian: Contributions to WoodStock, The Last Waltz, 
The Blues, Shine a Light, George Harrison and a slew of 
important short films. Mr Scorsese is also the executive 
producer and pilot creator of important cable film series 
such as The Board Walk Empire Series on Home Box office.  


FOUR GREAT INTERVIEWS with ONE OF AMERICAS 
GREATEST FILM MAKERS : MR. MARTIN SCORSESE
AND A SPECIAL PEAK at THE OSCAR CEREMONY 






Mr Scorsese's list of favorite films: 

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) – Stanley Kubrick
8½ (1963) – Federico Fellini
Ashes and Diamonds (1958) – Andrzej Wajda
Citizen Kane (1941) – Orson Welles
The Leopard (1963) – Luchino Visconti
Paisan (1946) – Roberto Rossellini
The Red Shoes (1948) – Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburger
The River (1951) – Jean Renoir
Salvatore Giuliano (1962) – Francesco Rosi
The Searchers (1956) – John Ford
Ugetsu Monogatari (1953) – Mizoguchi Kenji
Vertigo (1958) – Alfred Hitchcock


    LINKS TO OTHER FILM RELATED ARTICLES BY BUREAU OF ARTS AND CULTURE

   FILM REVIEWS:  TRIUMPH  OF  THE  WALL  .  ON THE ROAD  .  
     
    LIFE OF PI . SPENCER SUSSER: HESHER . BERT STERN: ORIGINAL MADMAN  

    FILM PERFORMANCE APPRECIATION: KRISTEN STEWART

     BERNARD HILLER ACTING COACH TO THE STARS DISCUSSES HIS WORK & NEW BOOK






BUREAU ARTS MAGAZINE HTTP://BUREAUofARTSandCULTURE.com

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