Few filmmakers have built a lasting legacy telling crime stories like Martin Scorsese. Following 1970’s recognition, Scorsese has established distinct styles of filmmaking. You know what to expect from a Martin Scorsese movie: bloody violence, foul language and guilt-ridden characters. Now a legend at age 80, Scorsese returns with his latest film “Killers of the Flower Moon”. Listed below are my picks for Scorsese’s greatest movies. If you’re a movie-buff interested in filmmaking, you won’t be disappointed by these movies.
1. Goodfellas
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a filmmaker. From an early age, I became fascinated with the moving image as an art-form delivering a meaningful message. There are several films that inspired me to pursue filmmaking, but none more so than “Goodfellas”. It motivated me to pursue passions for film criticism becoming somebody in neighborhoods full of nobodies. An absorbing, gripping and sweeping crime epic, it was the first time the filmmaker introduced his style to the public. Boasting exquisite production-design, clever storytelling and timeless performances, it’s extremely well-made. However, what makes it Scorsese’s greatest film is its message. It delivers a powerful message about importance of finding one’s place in communities always resonating with me. Nearly 30 years after its release, it’s a good-natured piece of art I’ll forever treasure for inspiring me to put pen to paper becoming a film writer.
2. Taxi Driver
Feelings of loneliness have followed me throughout my life. At an early age, I realized that I was an introvert lacking ability to engage with people. Being an Autistic person, I have always struggled to communicate with people on a personal level. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured my feelings of loneliness as an outcast in society as powerfully as “Taxi Driver”. Despite being misunderstood when it was released 50 years ago, Scorsese’s classic has stood the test of time as a powerful examination of loneliness in a neighborhood. In one of his career-defining performances, Robert De Niro captures deteriorated psyche of a lonely outcast driven to insanity. A bright light amidst pitch-black darkness, it’s a thought-provoking reminder movies represent a healing art-form for individuals that suffer from loneliness.
3. Raging Bull
Rage has impacted my personality from an early age. As an aggressive kid beating up peers, I would often be told I had a short temper. As someone affected by painful struggle of rage, I connected with Jake LaMotta in Martin Scorsese’s “Raging Bull”. Marking third collaborations with Robert De Niro, the film was made during a time of turmoil when Scorsese experienced severe drug abuse. Scorsese used his pain as an advantage to create one of the greatest movies ever about rage. Gaining significant weight, De Niro transformed into real-life boxer Jake LaMotta in one of his greatest performances impossible to not appreciate. Amidst 1980’s, the movie became well-known for its hard-hitting scenes of intense boxing violence. However, what truly makes “Raging Bull” special is its powerful message about rage. Like impactful punches Jake LaMotta demonstrates in boxing, it’s an inspirational reminder about mental health struggle.
4. The Wolf of Wall Street
When it comes to the most controversial stockbrokers on Wall Street, Jordan Belfort is definitely one of them. Living a despicable lifestyle of drugs, lavish parties and sex, Belfort committed the most despicable frauds in the corporate world. His shocking life story that must be seen to be believed is beautifully brought to life in Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Funny, heartfelt and meaningful, it’s the most energetic piece of filmmaking that Scorsese has made. In the role of a lifetime, Leonardo DiCaprio embodied personality of a real-life stockbroker getting away with crimes without paying a dime. Despite its exhausting length, it remains one of the most entertaining 3-hour movies I’ve ever seen. It’s a treat to discover the legendary filmmaker capturing indiscreet lifestyles of a world-famous stockbroker on Wall Street.
5. The Departed
Martin Scorsese has rarely been rewarded for creating movies that are beautifully directed. For a filmmaker whose work is so celebrated, it’s surprising it took 40 years for Scorsese to be awarded his first Oscar in 2006’s “The Departed”. Nevertheless, the wait was well worth it. Gripping, heartfelt and unpredictable, it found the filmmaker at the top of his game. Featuring foul-mouthed language, bloody violence and themes of guilt, it’s a typical Scorsese film featuring the director’s defining trademarks. However, what made it stand apart is its message about trust. As someone facing difficulties trusting people in the workplace, I deeply connected towards its themes. Nearly 20 years after its Oscar win, it’s a masterpiece that deserves to be celebrated for capturing realities of a world in which people can never be trusted.
6. The Aviator
OCD is a debilitating disease having a drastic impact on my personality. Following high school, I began engaging in repetitive behaviors following a rigid routine that impacted my well-being. A source of remorse, the disease impacted my abilities to pass a high school course. As someone experiencing the symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, I deeply connected towards Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator”. Scorsese constructed an extraordinary biopic exploring how OCD caused catastrophic downfall of a real-life aviator that used to be iconic. Nearly a century after Howard Hughes’ became a renowned aviator, it’s a towering tribute towards an icon I treasure inspiring me to overcome one of the world’s deadliest disorders.
7. The Irishman
Guilt is a strong feeling that has played essential roles in shaping my well-being. At an early age, I got into a fight that injured my cousin causing damage. I couldn’t forgive myself for causing my cousin harm impacting my well-being. Guilt is a recurring theme in Scorsese’s films, but it is most powerfully depicted in “The Irishman”. In the most mature film of his career, Scorsese captured how guilt impacted a real-life gangsters’ career. Led by a trio of phenomenal performances from De Niro, Pesci and Pacino, it captures feelings of guilt I felt years ago. Witnessing Frank Sheeran reckon with consequences sparked memories of my guilt after tragedies. It has motivated me to let go of past regret cherishing movies made by a filmmaker that are impossible to forget.
8. Casino
Casinos have long been a commonplace setting employed by filmmakers to create captivating movies. Few films have captured corruption of casinos as beautifully as Martin Scorsese’s “Casino”. Anchored by phenomenal performances from De Niro, Pesci and Stone, Scorsese’s captivating crime film documented reprehensible practices of a Las Vegas casino. As someone impacted by loss of companions in the world of business, I connected towards its message. As glimmering as the glowing lights of the Tangiers Casino, it has motivated me to overcome sorrow after I parted ways with companions in the world of business years ago.
9. Shutter Island
Psychology is a field that has always fascinated me. Following Psychology majors in university, I’ve been interested in how mental disorders impact individuals’ personality. Scorsese has tackled mental health in several movies, but none have been as gripping as “Shutter Island”. As a filmmaker drawn towards gangsters, Scorsese steps out of his comfort zone to capture mental disorders. In a suspenseful piece of Cinema, Scorsese captures Schizophrenia’s trauma. As someone experiencing mental disorders, it’s reassuring to be reminded movies represent healing tools I can turn towards overcoming my own shutter island of barriers.
10. Hugo
Cinema has played pivotal roles shaping my persona. There’s no feeling giving me as much joy as going to theaters to see movies I enjoy. As someone developing lifelong love of Cinema years ago, I identified with “Hugo”. Proving he could tackle any genre, Scorsese crafted a beautiful film about power of Cinema shaping children’s persona. Although dismissed as Scorsese’s only family-friendly film, “Hugo” is a huge reminder about power of an art-form giving people dreams to follow. Watching Hugo Cabret gape in wonder at the movies made by George Melies was the perfect way to pay tribute to one of the world’s greatest filmmakers today.
The Film Buff 
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