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Scene from Cinema Paradiso
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With the many lists and essays written on the subject of film, there has been one thing that The Oscar Buzz has tried to understand: Who is my favorite of the film world? For 10 weeks this summer, I will be exploring this with a countdown of the Top 50 names based on a numerical ranking of ratings from various sources, the following is a list of directors who rank above everyone else. With occasional upsets, this is intended as both a discussion opener as well as a better understanding of me as a film critic and fan. Please enjoy and leave any comments you have regarding the entry's selection.
MARTIN SCORSESE
Years Active: 1959-present
Films as Director: 35
Oscar Wins: 1 (Best Director - The Departed)
Who: For the average cinephile, there are few reliable names of directors currently working as that of Scorsese. With an insurmountable collection of films that have played with format and storytelling, he remains one of the masters of the medium, choosing to adapt with the times and present stories that he feels are honest. While having an impressive amount of documentary film experience as well, he doesn't put himself into corners and instead finds actors that he enjoys working with to tell compelling stories of rugged individuals that are sometimes unpleasant to be around, but nonetheless engrossing. He finds the heart in the violence and makes exploitative tales of the human condition by living up to one standard: nobody is without faults. Because of this, his work continues to have a bite and his visuals continue to shine.
POINTS TALLY
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| Scene from Taxi Driver |
-- Taxi Driver (1976) --
Flickchart Ranking: #1 (900 points)
IMDb Rating: 8/10 (80 points)
Perks: Top Position (100 points)
Total: 1080 points
-- The King of Comedy (1982) --
Flickchart Ranking: #23 (900 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)
Perks: None
Total: 970 points
-- The Aviator (2004) --
Flickchart Ranking: 134 (800 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)
Perks: None
Total: 870 points
-- The Departed (2006) --
Flickchart Ranking: #169 (750 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: None
Total: 810 points
-- Mean Streets (1973) --
Flickchart Ranking: #196 (750 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: None
Total: 810 points
-- Goodfellas (1990) --
Flickchart Ranking: #237 (700 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)
Perks: None
Total: 770 points
-- Raging Bull (1980) --
Flickchart Ranking: #309 (650 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: None
Total: 710 points
-- Cape Fear (1991) --
Flickchart Ranking: #383 (600 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: None
Total: 660 points
-- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) --
Flickchart Ranking: #481 (450 points)
IMDb Rating: 4/10 (40 points)
Perks: None
Total: 490 points
-- Gangs of New York (2002) --
Flickchart Ranking: #571 (450 points)
IMDb Rating: 5/10 (50 points)
Perks: None
Total: 500 points
-- Casino (1995) --
Flickchart Ranking: #630 (400 points)
IMDb Rating: 5/10 (50 points)
Perks: None
Total: 450 points
-- Shutter Island (2010) --
Flickchart Ranking: #681 (350 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points
Perks: None
Total: 420 points
-- Hugo (2011) --
Flickchart Ranking: #977 (50 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: None
Total: 110 points
OVERALL TOTAL: 8550 points
WHY DO I LOVE?
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| Scene from Gangs of New York |
How do you test a master of cinema? Well, in the case of Scorsese, it is impossible to call him overrated on one simple fact: Name a list of directors who have made at least ONE distinguishable masterpiece over the course of five decades. Even if you count that Scorsese has a few duds, he backs it up with such impressive feats in directing and production that continues to grow into fascinating, conversation-starting directions. His grit has aged better than most of his peers and in a lot of cases, he outshines filmmakers more than half of his age. He has cinema flowing through his bones at all times and to badmouth him is almost like a sin itself. Is he perfection? Nope, but his films are often defining achievements on the human condition in ways that nobody else has achieved. To say the least, whatever spark Scorsese had when he started still shines bright and may only be dampened by his unforeseen death. He is a cinephile's favorite director because he continues to make films that are worth seeing, and that's not something that can be said for all directors who came to fruition in the 70's.
UP NEXT: An oddball duo who redefined Americana with dark humor and a lot of goofy haircuts.
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