Goodfellas (1990)
Episode 44 - Goodfellas (1990) - Full Review Movie Podcast
Is there a movie in history that is known as perfect? Many have come close but Goodfellas might just be that movie. When three mates talk movies it's not often we agree on everything, do we this time?
Goodfellas could go down as the unluckiest movie in Oscar history. How it only won a single award is unfathomable.
The team dig deep into the masterpiece that is Goodfellas and bring a little hindsight justice to the awards debacle that this movie became. Arguably one of the greatest movies of all time, Goodfellas was a fun podcast and I'm sure you'll enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed recording it.
Goodfellas, released in 1990 and directed by Martin Scorsese, is a classic crime drama that has become an enduring part of pop culture history. The movie tells the story of Henry Hill (played by Ray Liotta) as he navigates his way through the world of organized crime. Through its non-linear storytelling style and strong performances from its excellent cast (including Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci), Goodfellas creates an immersive experience that resonates with viewers decades later.
Is there a movie in history that is known as perfect? Many have come close but Goodfellas might just be that movie. When three mates talk movies it's not often we agree on everything, do we this time?
Goodfellas could go down as the unluckiest movie in Oscar history. How it only won a single award is unfathomable.
The team dig deep into the masterpiece that is Goodfellas and bring a little hindsight justice to the awards debacle that this movie became. Arguably one of the greatest movies of all time, Goodfellas was a fun podcast and I'm sure you'll enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed recording it.
Goodfellas, released in 1990 and directed by Martin Scorsese, is a classic crime drama that has become an enduring part of pop culture history. The movie tells the story of Henry Hill (played by Ray Liotta) as he navigates his way through the world of organized crime. Through its non-linear storytelling style and strong performances from its excellent cast (including Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci), Goodfellas creates an immersive experience that resonates with viewers decades later.
The fact that Goodfellas still has such an impact on pop culture today is a testament to its quality. It earned multiple Academy Award nominations when it was released and continues to be shown at festivals and art house cinemas around the world. The influence it had on future gangster movies is also undeniable; many plot points and character archetypes seen in later mob movies owe much to the examples laid down here. But beyond just inspiring other filmmakers, Goodfellas also left its mark on TV shows, video games, standup comedy routines, music videos, and more. This has been true since it first came out—it was even referenced in the music video for Beastie Boys' 1994 song “Sabotage".
On a deeper level though, what sets Goodfellas apart from other gangster films are its themes of loyalty and friendship amidst the betrayal. These were explored in other cinematic mob storylines before it but never with such nuance or bleakness; things can go bad quickly for Henry Hill's crew as they find themselves involved in one deal after another gone wrong. What results is a very human story about power dynamics within criminal organizations; you sympathize with these characters even as they make bad decisions that inevitably get them into trouble.
Goodfellas is ultimately a timeless classic because it creates this rich portrayal of gang life using skilful direction, excellent writing, great acting performances, and well-choreographed action sequences all working together to create something truly special. Whether you’re a fan of crime dramas or not there’s no denying how important this movie has been for popular culture over the last 30 years; if you haven’t seen it yet do yourself a favour and check it out!
