The Departed

Post by **Dacey** » February 7th, 2007, 5:33 pm

Some of you may have seen Martin Scorsese's highly entertaining crime drama "The Departed". But if you haven't, and DON'T WANT IT SPOILED, don't read my comments below...

Comingsoon.net has the story:

http://comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=18780

Now, on the one hand, this could be a kinda cool idea, especially if Scrosese were directing.

But how do you make a sequel to a film where almost all of the characters died really violent deaths?

I mean, there's Vera Felmming's character, and there's Mark Wahlberg's characer, but basically, not many people are left to play around with.

Post by **Ben** » February 7th, 2007, 5:48 pm

Have you seen the Infernal Affairs trilogy which The Departed is a rip-off...um, sorry, a remake of?

The second was a prequel showing how the two guys got into the roles they were in in the first one, and the third was a much later story where the corrupt cop wanted to go straight.

Pretty intense, the originals, and I hope if they do sequels to The Departed that they would follow this line and make a nice alternate version to that trilogy rather than trying to come up with new storylines.

Post by **lordcookie** » February 7th, 2007, 6:56 pm

I hope they leave it at one and Scorcese starts directing interesting stuff again. The Departed was far from his best work and actually inferior to the HK original.

Post by **Ben** » February 8th, 2007, 6:23 am

This is what I find amusing about him possibly winning the Oscar for it.

For all the great, great films he's done (and losing out on GoodFellas to Dances With Wolves!??), he could well end up getting it for the kind of film that is all too often frowned upon: the English language remake.

That it is his biggest commercial hit also detracts, for me, from that it isn't as interesting as his more personal stuff.

My fave? Possibly The King Of Comedy, though it's a tough choice!

Post by **lordcookie** » February 8th, 2007, 9:52 am

The King of Comedy is great. Its probably a toss up between that, Mean Streets and Casino for me.

Post by **Ben** » February 8th, 2007, 10:56 am

Mmmm, I wouldn't put Casino up before GoodFellas. It's a great film, but so influenced by the earlier film it's untrue.

Mean Streets is up there certainly, much more than Taxi Driver, which I honestly find overrated.

Raging Bull, now that's deserved of its reputation.

Post by **lordcookie** » February 8th, 2007, 1:08 pm

Casino is head and shoulders about Goodfellas for me.

Post by **Ben** » February 8th, 2007, 5:06 pm

Really? It stuck me as as close to a "GoodFellas II" as one could wish, sort of like Corpse Bride was to Nightmare.

Both are extremely first rate in their own way, but are affected by coming after a very similar previous film.

Did you see Casino first, before GoodFellas?

Post by **lordcookie** » February 9th, 2007, 7:23 am

No I saw Goodfellas first.

I think I prefer Casino for a few reasons:

- It looks fantastic (far better than GF)
- It isn't as cartoony as Goodfellas
- I think the performances are stronger overall
- I can rewatch it again and again without ever getting bored and I just can't do that with Goodfellas
- Also it hasn't been parodied to kingdom come like Goodfellas.

Post by **ShyViolet** » February 9th, 2007, 9:50 am

Saw Departed last night!!!

Amazing. film. I loved Matt Damon in this...and Jack. And Mark. Leo was pretty good...kind of wish they'd cast someone else though.

He's just too recognizable now to make much of an impression on me.

I haven't seen Casino, but Goodfellas is one of my all-time favorite films ever. I can watch it over and over and not get bored.

(I also read the book by Nicholas Pileggi.)

Post by **Dacey** » February 14th, 2007, 5:15 pm

I've actually only seen two of Scorsese's films ("The Departed" and "The Aviator"). Someday I need to see the others.

Vi, did you watch on DVD or get to catch it in the theater?

Post by **ShyViolet** » February 14th, 2007, 9:08 pm

My school has showings of films that haven't reached DVD yet but aren't playing anymore. That's how I get to see a lot of films--all for free!

I didn't see The Departed (or the Prestige) when they were playing in the theaters, but got to catch them in the last month here at school. So glad I did!

This week it's Casino Royale!

Haven't seen it yet.

I think Happy Feet is coming in a couple of weeks, FINALLY I'll get to see this film!

Post by **Dacey** » March 4th, 2007, 3:22 pm

"Casino Royale" is really good, Vi.

And, hopefully, you'll get to see the dancing penguins before too long.

Post by **Meg** » March 4th, 2007, 5:12 pm

I haven't seen this, but my parents caught it last night...They said it was okay but didn't deserve it's Best Picture Oscar.

Post by **Jeroen** » March 4th, 2007, 5:19 pm

That's because they went in expecting too much.