Apple TV+’s new trailer is Mr. Scorsese, a documentary/biography about legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese.
Featuring the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Daniel Day-Lewis, Robert De Niro, Steven Spielberg, Cate Blanchett, Sharon Stone, Jodie Foster and more, Mr. Scorsese is a five-part mini-series that somehow feels like an early and personal Christmas present to yours truly.
‘Sign me up for at least 5 hours of this, please!‘
For a documentary about a person who’s exceptional at putting movies together, this trailer had to be good, and I feel that it is. In fact, the pacing and editing had me thinking of the great artwork in The Irishman (2019) teaser trailer.
I look forward to hearing more from Mr. Scorsese and everything those who know and love him most have to say.
Are you also looking forward to this one? I hear Scorsese has a great cameo in Seth Rogen’s The Studio (2025).
Pretend it’s a City (2021): Fran Lebowitz, Netflix
What to say about Pretend it’s a City, the new Martin Scorsese-presented series about humorist and raconteur Fran Lebowitz.
First of all, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. And by ‘it’ I mean the first episode of a seven-part series. I wish I could have watched more than five minutes of episode two, but I had to stop because I couldn’t get into it.
The use of cinematic music to set the tone as the camera focused on Lebowitz walking through New York City was charming, at first. The charm quickly disappeared for me when I started noticing things that made me enjoy the show less.
I had a specific interview structure in mind for how the show would go and had hoped for a more thorough introduction of Lebowitz at the start. I thought that by the end of episode one, I’d at least have learned about who Lebowitz truly is; besides being known for her humorous observations of life in New York City.
I cannot deny that the way Lebowitz’s mind works is interesting. Yet, unfortunately, the structure of Pretend it’s a City didn’t result in an engaging enough result to keep me watching. I may also have tired of the ‘complaining’ – something Lebowitz is perhaps best known for doing – and doing well.
Even though the show’s focus is Lebowitz, I wanted to see presenter/interviewer, Scorsese’s face more than once. I mean, it’s been three days since my viewing experience, and I’m not even sure that I saw his face at all.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the details I feel are missing from episode one will come in the episodes that follow; in which case, perhaps I’ll give Pretend it’s a City another try. It is presented by the one and only Scorsese, after all. Give it a chance if you’re curious.
Pretend it’s a City is a new Netflix series presented by legendary film director Martin Scorsese.
Episode one features wry writer, humorist and raconteur Fran Lebowitz. We get to learn more about her fascinating mind as she wanders the New York City streets and sits down with Scorsese.
Similar to the clueless man in the trailer, Fran Lebowitz is one of those famous people whose faces I recognise, yet I had no idea what she really did until today.
Since I generally feel I can never spend enough time with smart, funny women, now is a great time to learn more about Lebowitz. There’s also the fact that the highly respected Scorsese is the one conducting the interview.
The Departed (2006), Leonardo DiCaprio, Warner Bros. Entertainment
I remember watching Martin Scorsese’s The Departed when it was released in 2006. A film I just had to see because of Scorsese, but also thanks to the triple A-list acting talents of Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg and Matt Damon.
It’s been more than 10 years since then, and Scorsese’s highly rated crime/thriller about an undercover cop and a mole in the police service who are trying to identify each other, while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston remains a notable film.
As good as it is, I’m not sure if The Departed is the kind of movie that loses a portion of its shine over time. Or, could it be that my being caught up in ‘Leo Mania‘ in 2006 made me rate it a little more highly than it may have deserved, because I did rate it VERY highly indeed? It could also just be that this isn’t the first time I’ve seen the film; therefore, chances are, I won’t feel it’s as great as it was at first viewing. Either way, today I’d say that the first half of the movie is good, but it’s really in the second act that things get most thrilling.
Can I continue to call The Departed my favourite Scorsese movie? Perhaps not. Even though I still think it’s one of his best. And besides the example of what a good crime/thriller can look like, I’ll also remember The Departed for being the first time I heard a croissant referred to as ‘a French doughnut.’
For anyone who’s never watched The Departed, part of what makes the movie notable, besides the great story and cast is it doesn’t end the way you expect. Thank goodness that ten-plus years was enough for me to forget the ending, almost entirely. I mean, I did remember the rat on the window sill, but that’s it.
Watch it because it’s good and it is definitely a classic after all.
I was never going to forego watching celebrated director Martin Scorsese’s latest, The Irishman; even with the arguably ‘offensive’ three and a half hour runtime.
Starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel and centred around a mob hitman’s recollection of his possible involvement in the killing of American Labour Union leader Jimmy Hoffa in 1975, the dialogue, style and great performances are all reasons why The Irishman is memorable.
As De Niro’s Frank Sheeran (the Irishman), who’s now living in a retirement home, recalls his story, there’s a high volume of information shared; some of which you’ll likely soon forget, in part because of the pace of events. Nevertheless, the story, acting and editing still managed to keep me engaged. And just before the one hour, thirty minutes point, that’s when things get especially interesting. It’s when all the great performances start to reveal themselves fully.
The Irishman (2019), Robert De Niro, Netflix
Pacino as the incredibly stubborn Hoffa and Stephen Graham as the equally stubborn Tony Pro are two of my favourites, and their scenes together are among the very best. However, the most memorable performance and my overall favourite thing about The Irishman is De Niro’s turn as Frank. I particularly appreciated the moments Frank didn’t have to speak for the audience to grasp a fair amount of the depth of his experience. So impactful were these quiet moments that I can’t hide my disappointment when I learned that De Niro didn’t get an acting Academy Award nomination.
I like how Scorsese’s film provides a kind of ‘inside look’ at the life of a mob hitman. The daily realities, the impact on family and the weight of loyalty. Still, a part of me wonders how different The Irishman would be had Scorsese taken the mini-series or multiple part feature film route instead of squeezing so much into one feature. I wonder.
The Irishman is a film to watch for the great filmmaking team and for a handful of truly memorable, high-tension and often humorous scenes that will remind you of just why Scorsese is so highly celebrated. Just make sure you’re fully rested, though, plus ready to watch and truly listen before committing to the hefty run-time.
