Goodfellas at 30: Under the Influence - 30th Anniversary Video | Movie Birthdays

[@CSM100MK2]

Honestly you have such a fresh and original interpretation/ description of characters, plot, movie breakdown etc etc...it's so refreshing to hear a decent analysis that doesn't sound like it's on autopilot! what REALLY makes your uploads so great is you speak with an honest voice of delivery, instead of auto pilot or rote routine predictable voice over, like many many many channels inevitably do over time.

[@MovieBirthdays]

Wow, thank you so much. I’m glad you appreciate my approach, I work really hard to go beyond and search for new interpretations of the movies I look at. Films change over time but also hold many secrets and ideas under the surface so I like to look for unique interpretations. It also helps that I only choose movies I feel passionately about instead of just making up the numbers. I’m so glad you enjoyed my video, I have a few new ones in the works that I’m just finishing up so please stay tuned for more or maybe subscribe if you haven’t already. Thanks again for your amazing comment, really honoured.

[@CSM100MK2]

@@MovieBirthdays thanks man! keep up the great work! Yes I'm subscribed, and eager to see what you have coming next!

[@MovieBirthdays]

@@CSM100MK2 awesome, they’re on the way.

[@simontodd6429]

Your hightened appreciation for this film and in particular the work of Martin Scorsese rings loud and clear through your (entertaining and informative) review.

[@MovieBirthdays]

Thanks Simon, this was a labour of love for sure. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@LonelyStickofDynamite]

This review is off the rails! Funny how you always bring new light to well loved classics. I love the energy and pace of your commentary. I feel like you had hours worth of interesting material still to deliver. Thanks for reigniting my passion for this beautiful movie. Movie Birthdays is rewriting the rules of cinematic appraisal.

[@MovieBirthdays]

Thanks so much. It was a tough one for sure I feel like I barely scratched the surface of what’s so great about this movie. Maybe for the 50th

[@kennethrussell1158]

RIP Ray Liotta and Paul Sorvino

[@MovieBirthdays]

Tragic losses this year, I’ve not watched Goodfellas this year since the passing of both of them. It will feel different knowing that Liotta is gone especially as he was the “kid Henry”, the youngest of the group and the first to go. Liotta was iconic in this and his voice is forever etched into my mind.

[@davidells6760]

And Frank Vincent, and Chuck Low …

[@tonyhallett9841]

You made me remember how much I love Goodfellas. Good call on the Wilder comparisons. A generation also won't realise that the time bending of Pulp Fiction was five years later. And lovely coda about The Irishman.

[@MovieBirthdays]

Thanks Tony, glad you liked the video. The influence on Tarantino is also bang on, even some of the tough guy talk at tables in Reservoir Dogs reminds me of the scenes with Joe Pesci holding court.

[@truonggiangnguyen4660]

This is solid gold, one of the best appreciation video ever.

[@MovieBirthdays]

Thanks so much, I did my best to pay tribute to this majestic movie. It feels like a life’s work and there was still so much more to say. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@Pleaver]

Hey. This is the best movie bit I've ever seen on this godforsaken time suck known as KZbin. Well done. Cheers.

[@MovieBirthdays]

Lol, thanks. Glad you got something out of it.

[@graemewilson7975]

I'd seen after hours and last temptation at the cinema and was already sold on Scorsese Goodfellas though is a genre defining movie-i know people who don't like gangster movies but love Goodfellas, the Irishman is a lament of lost opportunities and corruption of the American dream (I wondered if Scorseses view of the gangster movies he made also a waste of his own career pidgeonholing him as a "gangster movie" maker rather than artist ) personally I feel he is both. Goodfellas with liottas great VO and Micheal ballhaus photography and a top notch cast and not one bad actor or performance and Joe pesci on great form as a barely holding it together psycho Tommy is just a masterclass movie guaranteed to upset a modern audience who can't cope with challenging movies and want to take out roald Dahl's bad words...

[@MovieBirthdays]

I think Scorsese took the gangster genre to another level with his artistry, those might be what he’s remembered for but his varied body of work will prove to any doubters that he was one of the very best to ever do it. I find that people are very reductive of Scorsese of late, he has certainly rubbed up the newer audience the wrong way with his comments towards Marvel movies. Goodfellas perhaps does not appeal to a new audience, it perhaps would not even be made today for movies or as a series. But it is arguably one of the most innovative modern films (even though it’s over 30 years old) if audiences can see beyond its genre. Something that can’t be said for Marvel movies. Thanks for the great comment as always.

[@barryhurst1860]

Nice segue into The Irishman, I need to rewatch that when I have a free four hours! Goodfellas is not only one of my favourite films it's also my favourite gangster film (yeah better than The Godfather trilogy). Beautifully shot, brilliantly paced and superbly acted, whenever it's on my tv I stop what I'm doing and watch it. Can't believe it didn't win best picture but what do I know ha!

[@MovieBirthdays]

Thanks Barry, I would love to binge The Irishman in the same way that I’ve watched Goodfellas over the years it’s full of gold.

[@emerica4life12]

Amazing video. Just a superb exploration of the films themes and of Scorsese’s work. Good on you man!

[@MovieBirthdays]

Thanks Darrel, really appreciate it. Tried to pack a lot in there and say something new. Glad you liked it.

[@emerica4life12]

No problem, sir. Looking forward to the next one!

[@zzzxcharli4171]

Great movie and review

[@MovieBirthdays]

Thanks a lot glad you enjoyed it.

[@fockingreat1125]

Here from Reddit... this is good stuff, man! Got yourself a new subscriber lol

[@MovieBirthdays]

Thanks a lot glad you enjoyed the vid and thanks for the sub.

[@sebastianalegria3401]

More than talking about Goodfellas's 30th anniversary, it is like wanting to honour the late actor Ray Liotta, who was the movie's star despite the Oscar winner was Joe Pesci, which literally nailed the character in this movie.

[@MovieBirthdays]

This was made before Ray Liotta’s death, but his performance and flawless voice over made the movie iconic.

[@sebastianalegria3401]

@@MovieBirthdays What did you think of Joe Pesci performance in da film?

[@MovieBirthdays]

@@sebastianalegria3401 I think he’s great in the movie and was a performance people weren’t ready for, likeable but lethal. 1990-1991 was really Pesci’s year with the success of Home Alone as well it catapulted his career to the next level he made a ton of movies in leading roles for the best part of the 1990s with varying levels of success. I would say Casino was the peak of that period for him, with a few quirky gems in between.

[@MartinCanada]

Aside from Double Indemnity (1944) and Sunset Boulevard (1950) -- both Billy Wilder films, go figure -- there is another classic movie that rests on, and arguably could not be told as effectively without, the flashback technique. Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946) begins near the end of its story (though at some remove from the movie's actual conclusion), like the two aforementioned films, and then similarly pivots to provide a backstory -- explaining how George Bailey came to attempt suicide on the snowy bridge outside Bedford Falls on Xmas Eve. What's different this time is that once the flashback is complete, the film then veers into an alternate reality horror story -- in which George "had never been born" -- before his epiphany and the film's teary conclusion. There may be more examples out there but IAWL is one that immediately came to mind, and its flashback provides more than mere background. It is a plot device necessary to explain Clarence's offer and pave the way for the film's penultimate "pirouette". (As I composed this comment, Welle's Citizen Kane (1941) also came to mind as another famous film story told via a flashback.) What seems pretty clear is that the flashback technique became a hallmark of noir cinema -- depicting "time out of joint" as it were -- so much so that it is an established cliché of that genre today.

[@MovieBirthdays]

Thanks for such a great comment. For some reason “it’s a wonderful life” didn’t occur to me, it’s a good example. As you mentioned a lot of film noir had voice-over narration, I guess Scorsese breathed new life into the technique and made it a powerful cinematic tool as opposed to laboured story exposition. The same could be said for jumping around the time line, it had was the reserve of only the most skilled storytellers but now it has become commonplace. Flashbacks have long been a convention the flashforward was much rarer. I’m glad you enjoyed the video.

[@EricVoegelin]

I don’t believe Wilder’s films or Capra’s is the model for Goodfella’s prologue. I think Scorsese had Welles’ Chimes at Midnight in mind, the conversation between Justice Shallow and Falstaff that opens the film then reappears in the middle, not the end. The device feels like a thematic setup: this is a gangster film in Goodfella’s case, this is a nostalgic evocation of a lost England in Chimes. Has anybody ever put the question to Scorsese?

[@FutureMixTV]

Brilliant G

[@MovieBirthdays]

Thanks a lot.

[@jkeegan154]

When you mentioned gangster films in 1990, you forgot The Krays and State Of Grace.

[@MovieBirthdays]

@@jkeegan154 you’re right, there was definitely a revival.

[@Senate300]

For the longest time Goodfellas was considered the Anti-Godfather simply for being it's polar opposite and based on a true story. The kills mostly boiled down to personal slights, self preservation and greed, highlighting how there truly is no honour among thieves. While the Godfather's romanticism of the family and Sicilian Culture served to heighten the tragedy, Goodfellas hammered the message of there being three places you'll end up when living that lifestyle. Dead, imprisoned or witness protection.

[@MovieBirthdays]

They are perfect companion pieces and absolute landmarks of filmmaking, both are perfect in their own may. One a masterpiece of classical filmmaking and the other a movie that rewrote the rulebook. Thanks for the comment.

[@Senate300]

@@MovieBirthdays Indeed. Goodfellas has to be one of the most quotable films ever with so many unforgettable one liners that stick with you. Casino was it's unofficial companion piece. The greed was prevalent when Jimmy had his own crew killed rather give them their share of the Lufthansa Heist money. Speaking of influence, UK films like 2004's Football Factory & 2007's Rise of the Footsoldier owe a huge debt to Goodfellas. The latter is often considered it's British equivalent. Lastly, all the Directors you highlighted of the 70s New Wave were also classed as the Film School Generation which rose to prominence after the fall of the old school Hollywood Studio System.

[@MovieBirthdays]

@@Senate300 football factory owes a huge debt to Goodfellas, the structure is very similar and a few scenes are directly references the “mug me off” scene in the pub always reminded me of the “funny how” scene. Thanks for your comment which are always full of great observations and insight.

[@Senate300]

@@MovieBirthdays Gangster films have often been seen as a means of examining the pursuit of capital by any means necessary and Goodfellas is no different. To the code of honour that was often romanticised in films like this, Scorcese used every opportunity to call bullshit on it since treachery was always around the corner and mobsters like Henry Hill, Jimmy Conway & Tommy Devito were useful to their bosses as long as they were earning the big bucks but we're fairgame for a hit if deemed likely to turn states evidence or were loose cannons who became too much of a liability. All 3 worked for the Lucchese Crime Family with Pauly as their Capo. Henry & Jimmy were Irish while Tommy D was a full Italian. Also of this New Hollywood Era were George Lucas & John Milius. The former would also reign supreme in the 80s alongside Stephen Spielberg thanks to Legendary Franchises like Indiana Jones and Star Wars. The latter made him a billionaire. Coppola's Godfather Pt 2 could also be seen as cinema's 1st sequel film, therefore was the blueprint for blockbuster franchise phenomena of the 80's. Of the 70's Hollywood New Wave, Scorcese & Spielberg truly are the last men standing.

[@MovieBirthdays]

@@Senate300 Completely agree. Scorsese dismantled the romanticism of The Godfather and created his own grittier, rock and roll version of the gangster film and ironically made gangsters appealing in the same way as rockstars. I think the Irishman was his own look back and dismantling of the icons he created. Thanks again for the insightful comment.

[@capitalregimetv]

RIP Ray Liotta 🙏

[@MovieBirthdays]

A huge loss. Paul Sorvino gone too.

[@capitalregimetv]

@@MovieBirthdays I know! And Paulie from Sopranos. Hey?? Where's the best module to talk some podcast business with you??? If you would even be interested

[@MovieBirthdays]

@@capitalregimetv I forgot that he was in Goodfellas too. I’d be interested, DM me on insta @alpercagataydirector and se can take it from there.

[@capitalregimetv]

@@MovieBirthdays Yep he sure was man. The classic guys have been dropping one after the other. I'll be sure to get in contact my friend!

[@MovieBirthdays]

@@capitalregimetv Nice, look forward to it.

[@thelachster]

I disagree regarding the DeCaprio work. The Departed > The Irishman

[@MovieBirthdays]

Fair enough. I think The Departed is great but just lacks some of the spark of Casino and Goodfellas. In regards to The Irishman and the Departed, I just feel like there was so much history coming together that made it more powerful. With that said it was great to have Jack Nicholson in a Scorsese film.

[@beezlebub7847]

The Departed was an EXCELLENT movie, I did not see the ending coming. I was totally shocked

[@whiterabbit1632]

@@MovieBirthdays I also enjoy The Departed but for me it was too bright! Everything was set in the daytime. The lighting had no atmosphere...

[@MovieBirthdays]

@@whiterabbit1632 There’s definitely a more restrained visual style from Scorsese in The Departed. Perhaps to make all of the characters seem morale ambiguous. A lot of daylight, you’re right lol.

[@sunshinelovecandyhug]

One day, one day all of the kids on youtube are gonna click like and subscribe and you know why?

[@MovieBirthdays]

It was out of respect 👍

[@thefilmfanatic2668]

Anyone know the music at the end of the video?

[@MovieBirthdays]

It's called Reverie 3 by Patrik Almkvisth here's the link. www.epidemicsound.com/track/UF4LrNnDRR

[@thefilmfanatic2668]

@@MovieBirthdays thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!

[@MovieBirthdays]

No worries, good luck with your channel

[@thefilmfanatic2668]

@@MovieBirthdays thank you! You to!

[@beezlebub7847]

I’m gonna leave a comment, leave a comment.

[@MovieBirthdays]

Lol

[@robspeksnijder9851]

Literally one of the most boring voices ever

[@MovieBirthdays]

👍