Top 5 Mob Flicks (That Aren't The Godfathers or Scarface)
January 25, 2012, By Gin A. Ando 0 comments
It’s impossible to deny that, at one point, every man has secretly fantasized of being in the Corleone family. Those sharp suits. Beating up your sister’s scummy boyfriend with a trashcan while wearing an Italian suit. Leaving the gun, taking the cannoli.
Most men, I hope, can say they’ve never wanted to be Tony Montana.
And while both “Scarface” and “The Godfather” have been galvanized as American cinematic mob masterpieces, these movies are not the only standouts in the field of gangster flicks. There are numerous films with original plotlines, memorable characters and, of course, loyalty, weaponry and copious amounts of whacking. Here are our top five.
Once Upon a Time in America — This vastly underappreciated film follows nearly half a century in the multilayered life of Jewish gangster David “Noodles” Aaronson (Robert DeNiro) throughout Prohibition Era New York City as he struggles with loyalty, love and a violent life as a gangster. Directed by Sergio Leone of Spaghetti Western fame, "Once Upon a Time in America" is one that, if you haven't seen it, you must check out.
Goodfellas — After seeing this movie, whenever you hear the song “Layla,” the piano part takes on an entirely different meaning. You think about a meat freezer. “Goodfellas” will do that to you. Ray Liotta plays Henry Hill, who starts out as a small-time criminal but eventually makes his way toward bigger-time crimes. Rounded out by DeNiro and Joe Pesci, this movie is full of quotes everyone recognizes—most of them coming from Pesci. If you haven’t seen this movie, do your friends a favor and see it so the next time someone says you’re funny you can ask them, “How? How am I funny?” But try to refrain from pulling a revolver from your jacket pocket.
NEXT: The Untouchables
