The Godfather VS. Goodfellas

[liquidcrystalcompass]

QUOTE (goose @ Dec 16 2009, 12:26 AM)

QUOTE (Finding IT @ Dec 15 2009, 08:56 AM) For me, the Godfather can stand toe-to-toe with the greats like Citizen Kane, Casablanca, On the Waterfront, etc. It works as both a movie and something that approaches a classic work of art.   Goodfellas is more fun, but the Godfather is more of an accomplishment in film history.

[ReRushed]

Leave the gun, take the cannoli.

 

The Godfather has a sense of humor that Goodfellas and The Godfather Part 2 do not have. The Godfather has, at times, an almost campy feel. Goodfellas has a very dark sense of humor. The Godfather Part 2 takes itself too seriously. It's The Godfather's campiness that gives it an edge in my book. But when you get right down to it, I never turn off any of these movies. All brilliant. All masterpieces.

[Ancient Ways]

QUOTE (Pags @ Dec 14 2009, 08:09 PM)

QUOTE (rushgoober @ Dec 14 2009, 05:17 PM) While I suspect that The Godfather will win in a landslide, I've always been partial to Goodfellas. Don't get me wrong, The Godfather is a great, great movie that I've seen many times, but Goodfellas beats it by a nose. I think it's because it's a bit more modern and a bit more believable.  The Godfather has the feeling of a classic fable, whereas Goodfellas feels a bit more real world, probably because it's based on a true story, whereas The Godfather is fictional, even though inspired by anecdotes of real events. Scorcese is a master.  Also, I love the music in Goodfellas and how it spans decades - everything about the movie is just cool.  Not to say The Godfather isn't - it's just personal preference. What say you? I say, you're not Italian - and that's why you've even lumped these together in the same universe. Bad call.   There are movies about the Mafia, and then there is The Godfather.   I can't believe this is a poll. That's like using Ragu instead of a homemade gravy, or calling it pasta instead of macaroni, or worse yet... noodles with ketchup.   Now.. if this poll was Goodfellas vs. Casino or vs. A Bronx Tale - then we can compare. But not this. good observations here. The Godfather works on many levels like the other classic movies and there are embedded themes in the movie that go well beyond the mafia while Goodfellas is primarily a dramatic retelling of actual events from Hill's pov.

[lerxt1990]

They are two completely different kinds of movies. For my money The Godfather was a better movie in many ways. Goodfellas was an excellent movie though.

[lerxt1990]

QUOTE (ReRushed @ Dec 16 2009, 05:13 PM)

Leave the gun, take the cannoli. The Godfather has a sense of humor that Goodfellas and The Godfather Part 2 do not have. The Godfather has, at times, an almost campy feel. Goodfellas has a very dark sense of humor. The Godfather Part 2 takes itself too seriously. It's The Godfather's campiness that gives it an edge in my book. But when you get right down to it, I never turn off any of these movies. All brilliant. All masterpieces.

"Here's an arm!"

 

"Heres a leg!"

 

"Heres a wing! Bua ha ha haaaaaa"

[LeaveMyThingAlone]

"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse"

[lerxt1990]

"Funny? Funny how? ..."

[ReRushed]

QUOTE (lerxt1990 @ Dec 16 2009, 11:55 PM)

QUOTE (ReRushed @ Dec 16 2009, 05:13 PM) Leave the gun, take the cannoli. The Godfather has a sense of humor that Goodfellas and The Godfather Part 2 do not have.  The Godfather has, at times, an almost campy feel.  Goodfellas has a very dark sense of humor.  The Godfather Part 2 takes itself too seriously.  It's The Godfather's campiness that gives it an edge in my book.  But when you get right down to it, I never turn off any of these movies.  All brilliant.  All masterpieces. "Here's an arm!"   "Heres a leg!"   "Heres a wing! Bua ha ha haaaaaa" Like I said, a very dark sense of humor. I like The Godfather's campiness better - bada-BING!

[lerxt1990]

QUOTE (ReRushed @ Dec 17 2009, 12:55 AM)

QUOTE (lerxt1990 @ Dec 16 2009, 11:55 PM) QUOTE (ReRushed @ Dec 16 2009, 05:13 PM) Leave the gun, take the cannoli. The Godfather has a sense of humor that Goodfellas and The Godfather Part 2 do not have.  The Godfather has, at times, an almost campy feel.  Goodfellas has a very dark sense of humor.  The Godfather Part 2 takes itself too seriously.  It's The Godfather's campiness that gives it an edge in my book.  But when you get right down to it, I never turn off any of these movies.  All brilliant.  All masterpieces. "Here's an arm!"   "Heres a leg!"   "Heres a wing! Bua ha ha haaaaaa" Like I said, a very dark sense of humor. I like The Godfather's campiness better - bada-BING! I recount the scene where Clemenza is making the gravy often. One of my fav scenes...

[metaldad]

Godfather

[Rush Cocky]

I voted Goodfellas, but this is like a choice between liver and spam to me.

[liquidcrystalcompass]

QUOTE (lerxt1990 @ Dec 16 2009, 10:55 PM)

QUOTE (ReRushed @ Dec 16 2009, 05:13 PM) Leave the gun, take the cannoli. The Godfather has a sense of humor that Goodfellas and The Godfather Part 2 do not have.  The Godfather has, at times, an almost campy feel.  Goodfellas has a very dark sense of humor.  The Godfather Part 2 takes itself too seriously.  It's The Godfather's campiness that gives it an edge in my book.  But when you get right down to it, I never turn off any of these movies.  All brilliant.  All masterpieces. "Here's an arm!"   "Heres a leg!"   "Heres a wing! Bua ha ha haaaaaa" "Hey Henry, my Ma is going to make some fresh peppers and sausage."

[lerxt1990]

QUOTE (Rush Cocky @ Dec 17 2009, 11:20 AM)

I voted Goodfellas, but this is like a choice between liver and spam to me.

someone has to make up the 5%.

[CeeJ]

I have never seen such a off scale poll.

You can't compare the two.

Well maybe some can and to be honest here,

I am new to The Godfather. But they aren't even

close to being the same IMO.

 

The Godfather tells a family story. Invites you to the family wedding AND

the behind the closed doors. Lets you eavesdrop. Draws you in more.

You see your brother sacrifice and grow.

 

Goodfellas is a story. Good guys, bad guys, good news, bad news.

Great movie but different. Very different.

 

MAFIA=FAMILY

 

END OF STORY!

 

Edited December 18, 2009 by CeeJ

[treeduck]

As far as De Niro films go The Deerhunter is closer to the Godfather than Goodfellas...

 

A better poll would have been The Godfather Part III v Goodfellas, now that's a more interesting match-up since they pretty much went up against each other at the box office...

[workingcinderellaman]

QUOTE (lerxt1990 @ Dec 17 2009, 05:47 PM)

QUOTE (Rush Cocky @ Dec 17 2009, 11:20 AM) I voted Goodfellas, but this is like a choice between liver and spam to me. someone has to make up the 5%.

[rushgoober]

QUOTE (workingcinderellaman @ Dec 18 2009, 09:43 AM)

QUOTE (lerxt1990 @ Dec 17 2009, 05:47 PM) QUOTE (Rush Cocky @ Dec 17 2009, 11:20 AM) I voted Goodfellas, but this is like a choice between liver and spam to me. someone has to make up the 5%. There's one in every group!*                 *And I should know, as often that person is me!

[tupelobarchetta]

Just watched Goodfellas for the umpteenth time. It was on the History Channel. I was telling my wife all the ties between Goodfellas, The Godfather and The Sopranos. She seemed so thrilled. Edited December 19, 2009 by tupelobarchetta

[tupelobarchetta]

How about this matchup: Goodfellas vs. The Departed.

[Echoes]

Went with Goodfellas. The Godfather never really grabbed my interest and that's weird being an Italian myself. I love the trio of Deniro, Pesci, and Liotta.

[lerxt1990]

QUOTE (tupelobarchetta @ Dec 18 2009, 11:17 PM)

Just watched Goodfellas for the umpteenth time. It was on the History Channel. I was telling my wife all the ties between Goodfellas, The Godfather and The Sopranos. She seemed so thrilled.

so relate to that. i would pick goodfellas over departed, but departed was one awesome film.

[Necromancer]

QUOTE (lerxt1990 @ Dec 19 2009, 11:20 AM)

QUOTE (tupelobarchetta @ Dec 18 2009, 11:17 PM) Just watched Goodfellas for the umpteenth time. It was on the History Channel. I was telling my wife all the ties between Goodfellas, The Godfather and The Sopranos. She seemed so thrilled.  so relate to that. i would pick goodfellas over departed, but departed was one awesome film. Departed was awesome, but the Irish mob ain't got nuttin' on the 'Talian mob.   I gotta go with Godfather on this. As much as I love GoodFella's, it's not the same brilliant, cinematic masterpiece that The GodFather is.

[rushgoober]

QUOTE (LeaveMyThingAlone @ Dec 15 2009, 03:56 PM)

If these fims are 1-2, I'd put Godfather Part II as third, Donnie Brasco at 4, and A Bronx Tale at 5

While I wouldn't put Donnie Brasco QUITE in the same league as Goodfellas and The Godfather, it is a helluva film.

 

One thing I really like about Donnie Brasco is the realism aspect, far moreso than Goodfellas even, although both were based on true storeis.

 

Often in these movies you can't help but root for some of the bad guys/main characters. Often that's very appropriate - a movie is written and directed and acted in such a way that you identify with the characters and care about them, even if they're engaged in some really despicable acts.

 

In Donnie Brasco, the gangsters come off as real scumbags, which is how they really are. Even still, like Johnny Depp's character, you can't help but identify with Al Pacino's character and hope he and his family get through unharmed, even though in reality he's as much of a scumbag as the others...

[Cowtothesky]

I love both of these movies very much. But, they are really different. They represent different time periods and I personally like the older time period better, which is why I voted for The Godfather. But, Goodfellas is an incredible movie as well.

[Sonatine]

Goodfellas, is indeed a classic movie - but for me it really stood out because of Bob De Niro & Joe Pesci. oh and great direction from Scorsese.

 

But The Godfather is awesome on so many more levels, especially the actors from Brando & Pacino to Caan, Keaton and Duvall. Consistent quality all the way through