The 15 best films by Martin Scorsese (part 2)

10. “The last temptation of Christ” (1988)

The first of Scorsese´s “religious films”, “Last Temptation” shows the personal struggle of a man who has to carry a huge burden, but wants nothing more than being human. Christ is portrayed by a fabulous Willem Defoe, and ends with a very strong and powerful finale.

9. “The Color of Money” (1986)

Maybe lacking the emotional depth of his other efforts, this film proofs to be highly entertaining: A great cast, a powerful soundtrack, and Scorsese´s typical directing with fast cuts make “The Color of Money” an enjoyable film experience. In addition, you can see Tom Cruise in one of his earliest acting roles, which shows that he is (used to be) a great actor.

8. “The Aviator” (2004)

“The Aviator” is definitely one of Scorsese´s efforts with the biggest psychological depth: It portrays the complex character of Howard Hughes, the iconic American aviator and film producer, a man of great visions – whose hubris gets caught up by his compulsions and obsessions. In one of his best roles ever Leonard Di Caprio shows that he is one of the great actors of his generation.

In addition to the story of Mr. Hughes, this film also tells us the story of Mr. Scorsese: He admitted there was a lot of himself in his “Aviator”.

7. “Raging Bull” (1980)

Based on a true story, „Raging Bull“ is a bio-pic of the life of Boxer and later entertainer Jake La Motta, a man who punches his friends and himself the same way he knocks down his opponents in the ring.

Growing up in a mobster neighbourhood, La Motta refuses to do what is expected of him, and wants to fight his way up to the top – alone. Scorsese made this one after falling into a deep depression after the disaster of „New York, New York“ (his only bad film), and we can see him fighting his way back with this movie.

quote: „I´m not so bad“ Jake La Motta

6. “Wolf of Wall Street” (2013)

This recent 3 hour-effort captures all the madness of the world of Wall Street. Di Caprio plays Jordan Belfort, a guy of unstoppable appetite for life, and money, who can count as an emblematic poster-boy of capitalism while at the same time being the sum of everything what´s wrong with our world.

Scorsese does not tell us: Look, that´s bad, but instead makes us a complice of Belfort and his excesses, in order to make us understand how one can be tempted by that lifestyle. Scorsese wants us to draw our own conclusions. Nevertheless, this film is highly entertaining, and a “hell of a ride”.

 places 5. to 1. :——–>>>>>>

The 15 best films by Martin Scorsese (part 3)