Not many directors have built a legacy as strong as Martin Scorsese. Since the 1970’s, Scorsese has become an icon. Whether it’s psychopathic gangsters, tormented taxi drivers or raging boxers, Scorsese has created several characters. Given the massive number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for greatest movies of a director that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Goodfellas
Gangsters are great figures that have always fascinated my brother. I remember forming a strong bond with a brother that held great admiration for gangsters engaging in criminal behaviour. He was fascinated with the lifestyle of criminals that always left him with a lasting smile. My brother grew up to value gangsters that inspired him to make his dreams come true. As someone treasuring fond memories of a brother that was fascinated with gangsters’ agendas, I adored “Goodfellas”. Ever since its release in 1990, Martin Scorsese’s movie has stood the test of time as a crime classic. With the greatest film of his career, Martin Scorsese captured the true story of a real-life gangster that committed crimes causing despair. Scorsese has always been fascinated with the lives of gangsters. Having grown up in the neighbourhood of Little Italy in the 1940’s, the filmmaker witnessed gangster violence in his childhood that shaped his identity. Scorsese has an aptitude for conveying emotions through long takes, and “Goodfellas” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the iconic scene in which Henry Hill leads Karen into the Copacabana club introducing her to gangsters is one of the best moments of the filmmaker’s career. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Ray Liotta, who embodies a gangster with charisma. Ultimately, what makes “Goodfellas” Scorsese’s greatest movie is its message. Unlike most gangster movies, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about community which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after the release of an iconic film about gangsters seeking to be somebody in neighbourhoods full of nobodies, it’s a beautiful reminder of a legendary filmmaker that has built a commemorated legacy creating mobsters with sympathetic personalities.
2. Taxi Driver
Loneliness has impacted by personality. Being an Autistic person, I’ve often found social interactions in life challenging. Due towards preferences for spending time alone, I have always struggled to make friendships that are long-lasting. Few films I’ve seen have managed to capture my feelings of loneliness struggling to fit in society as powerfully as “Taxi Driver”. Released in 1976, Martin Scorsese’s movie captured the lonely life of a taxi driver struggling to fit in 1970’s New York City. With the most gritty film of his career, Scorsese showcased his strengths for capturing the lives of outcasts facing despair. Scorsese uses voice-over narration to capture the psyche of a taxi driver facing mental health catastrophe. For instance, the scene in which Travis Bickle talks to himself in front of a mirror is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Robert De Niro, who embodies a lonely taxi driver facing feelings of sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Taxi Driver” a timeless classic is its message. The film delivers a heartbreaking message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. A phenomenal portrait of loneliness causing taxi drivers in 1970’s New York City to deteriorate, it’s a commemorated reminder about a filmmaker whose movies audiences appreciate.
3. Raging Bull
Rage has impacted my personality. At an early age, I developed habits of bursting into temper tantrums throwing a fit of rage. I vividly remember that my parents often complained about how I had a short temper. It isn’t until I grew older that I learned to control my short temper putting an end to violent behaviour. As someone impacted by the stressful consequences of rage, I adored “Raging Bull”. Released in 1980, Martin Scorsese’s movie captured the life of a raging boxer. With the most emotional film of his career, Scorsese showcased his strength for creating conflicted characters facing despair. Scorsese excels at using silence in his movies to build tension, and his strengths are evident in “Raging Bull”. For instance, the scene in which Jake LaMotta faces silence before being beaten up in boxing rings is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Robert De Niro, capturing a boxer whose life hits a crushing low. Ultimately, what makes “Raging Bull” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about rage that would resonate with everyone. 40 years following the release of a film about boxers with rage, it’s a remarkable reminder of a filmmaker that hasn’t lost his abilities to engage making memorable movies that deliver a meaningful message.
4. The Departed
Trusting people is something that I’ve always found difficulty doing. Years ago, my family experienced grief when we discovered our beloved housekeeper was a thief. I remember a housekeeper that always treated my family nicely in a generous manner. My grandparents were shocked when they found their housekeeper they trusted had stolen precious jewelry. As someone that has always found people hard to be trusted, I adored “The Departed”. Released in 2006, Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winning movie captured the lives of conflicted cops facing difficulty trusting each other causing catastrophe. With the most violent film of his career, Scorsese showcased his strengths for exploring themes of trust in his movies. Scorsese has always excelled at using symbolism in his movies to convey strong themes, and his strengths are clearly evident in “The Departed”. For instance, the final scene in which Sergeant Dignam commits murder with a rat in the background running is one of the best moments of the filmmaker’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Departed” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about trust which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of conflicted cops that cannot be fully trusted, it’s a riveting reminder about a filmmaker whose timeless movies deserve to be celebrated.
5. The Wolf of Wall Street
When it comes to the most corrupt stockbrokers in American history, it’s worth discussing Jordan Belfort. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a father that was fascinated with a stockbroker he considered a hero. He would admire a stockbroker that got away with felonies without a price to pay. In 2013, Martin Scorsese celebrated the Wall Street stockbroker in his film “The Wolf of Wall Street”. With the funniest film of his career, Scorsese captures the lifestyle of a criminal stockbroker. With “The Wolf of Wall Street”, the director took a step out of his comfort zone by making his first comedy. For instance, the scene in which Jordan Belfort high on Quaaludes stumbles to his Lamborghini is one of the most hilarious scenes of the filmmaker’s career. At the centre of it all is a towering performance from Leonardo DiCaprio, who embodies a stockbroker that committed crimes years ago. Ultimately, what makes “The Wolf of Wall Street” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about crime that would resonate with everyone. 30 years after a stockbroker committed crimes on Wall Street, it’s a strong reminder about a commemorated filmmaker that hasn’t lost abilities to make movies audiences consider a treat.
6. The Aviator
OCD is a debilitating disease that has shaped my personality. As far as I remember, I have always been affected by obsessive compulsive disorder. At an early age, I developed a habit of engaging in obsessive behaviours causing damage. As someone impacted by a disorder that changed my life forever, I loved “The Aviator”. Released in 2005, Martin Scorsese’s movie captured the life of aviator Howard Hughes who suffered from OCD. With the most ambitious film of his career, Scorsese showcased his strength for telling true stories of real-life figures. Assisted by a fantastic Leonardo DiCaprio, Scorsese honours a real-life aviator that achieved fame years ago. As precious as planes Howard Hughes loves to fly in the air, it’s a remarkable reminder of a filmmaker that has built a great career making movies about which audiences care.
7. Casino
Casinos are larger-than-life settings that have often made for memorable movies. Audiences have always loved to see stories of teams pulling off robberies in casinos. It’s a compelling setting that has always made for movies that are extremely entertaining. Few films ever made about a casino are as beloved as “Casino”. Released in 1995, Martin Scorsese’s movie offered a fascinating look at the functioning of a Las Vegas casino. With the most stylish film of his career, Scorsese captures a commemorated casino manager with strong goals to accomplish. Scorsese showcased his strength for capturing glamorous casino settings through stunning visuals. As precious as Ace’s Las Vegas casino, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a filmmaker that achieved fame years ago whose commemorated movies always give audiences dreams to follow.
8. The Irishman
Aging is a painful process causing stress. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always shared a strong bond with a grandfather I treasure. However, aging ended our relationship forever. After reaching the age of retirement, he lost his interest watching entertainment. As someone treasuring memories of a grandfather that faced aging causing health deterioration, I loved “The Irishman”. Released in 2019, Martin Scorsese’s movie offers a powerful portrait of aging gangsters. With the most mature film of his career, Scorsese captures aging gangsters facing despair. Scorsese showcased his skills for using de-aging technology to capture aging. A captivating portrait of aging affecting gangsters feeling guilty about crimes they are committing, it’s a rousing reminder of a filmmaker whose memorable movies are worth celebrating.
9. Killers of the Flower Moon
Indigenous communities are rarely depicted with respect in movies. Hollywood has a history of ignoring the stories of Indigenous tribes in history. In an industry that has ignored the plight of communities whose skins glimmer beneath the moon, it’s worth praising “Killers of the Flower Moon”. Released in 2023, Martin Scorsese’s movie did an extraordinary job depicting mass genocide tragedies faced by the Osage Indigenous community. With the most historical film of his career, Scorsese captured Indigenous communities that faced mass genocides causing despair. Scorsese took a step out of his comfort zone by honouring a true story of Indigenous tribes that faced tragedy. 90 years after a mass genocide in which Indigenous tribes died, it’s a riveting reminder about a filmmaker whose movies always leave audiences satisfied.
10. Shutter Island
Few books ever written about scary islands are as beloved as Shutter Island. Since publication in 2003, Dennis Lehane’s mystery book has gained a following. In 2010, Martin Scorsese did an admirable job of adapting the book in his movie “Shutter Island”. In the most psychotic movie of his career, Scorsese captures detectives investigating an island causing fear. Scorsese showcased strength for building tension through beautiful visuals. Although “Shutter Island” may not rank among Scorsese’s greatest movies, it remains a reminder of his enduring legacy as a filmmaker. As powerful as Teddy’s desires to escape an island that’s psychotic, it’s a profound reminder about a fantastic director that has built an iconic legacy whose celebrated movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to pursue dreams of becoming a film critic.
The Film Buff 