Martin Scorsese

EXACTLY WHO IS THIS “NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW” THAT THINKS THE IRISHMAN IS BEST FILM OF 2019?

The National Board of Review (whatever THAT is) just outed itself as an all-MALE organization when they named the all-male movie The Irishman as Best Film of 2019. Really? Like most people, we watched it over the Thanksgiving weekend and felt it was MUCH too long and essentially, boring. The visuals of a bygone era were delicious (the cinematographer and set decorators should be credited) but didn’t make up for the total lack of female characters and proliferation of dull men. After less than two hours we were sick of all the egotistical mobsters at any age. We never thought we’d tire of Martin Scorsese’s characters, but we’ve had enough. That “man’s world” is, fortunately, OVER.

Photo: Netflix

BACK TO THE 70’S WITH BOBBY CANNAVALE

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Bobby Cannavale is one of our favorite actors, and he has a starring role in Martin Scorsese’s untitled rock n roll series for HBO that we told you about. It takes place in the 70’s and we are struck by how authentically attired Bobby is. From the fluffy hair with sideburns to the tight shirt and wide leg pants – he’s got the look. That orangey leather jacket is a color truly from the era. Best of all, he has the dark tan that people used sun reflectors to achieve in those days. He really looks like a guy from Brooklyn in 1972.

Photo Credit: AKM-GSI

HBO’S HISTORY OF ROCK N ROLL IN NEW YORK

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Martin Scorsese is directing what looks to be a VERY interesting series pilot for HBO. It’s an untitled rock n roll project that takes place in 1970’s New York (the Max’s Kansas City era.) Punk and disco were both breaking out and Bobby Cannavale (in the car, above) plays a record executive scrambling to resurrect his label with a new sound. Ray Romano is his outspoken co-worker. Lots of drugs, sex, hot clubs, and gangsters – even some Warhol characters. Mick Jagger is one of the producers and his son James has a role in the series. Andrew Dice Clay plays a bad guy. This was a great time in the city – and young people could actually afford to live there!

Photo Credit: AKM-GSI

LEONARDO DICAPRIO TAKES SOME TIME OFF


One of the biggest stars in Hollywood manages to have lunch in New York unmolested. Leonardo DiCaprio knows how to look unremarkable and maintain privacy when he wants it. He’s been relaxing and cavorting with models since he completed the Martin Scorsese movie “The Wolf of Wall Street” which is the story of a wall street stockbroker who goes from rolling in dough to criminal self destruction.

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

ROBERT DE NIRO LEAVES THE FOCKERS TO RETURN TO THE MOBSTERS


After far too many “Meet The Parents” and “Focker” movies, it looks like Robert De Niro is set to redeem himself in a mob film directed by his buddy Martin Scorsese. Scorsese, who has been favoring Leonardo DiCaprio as his leading man, is directing a script based on the book “I Heard You Paint Houses.” (“Paint houses” is mob slang for contract killings.) The movie is called “The Irishman” and it’s about Frank Sheeran, a labor union official who became a mobster responsible for 25 killings – including Jimmy Hoffa. The real Sheeran confessed this to the book’s author before he died. How Bobby will prepare for this role is not known but you may recall he drove a cab before he filmed “Taxi Driver.”

THIS ACTOR MEANS BUSINESS

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Photo Credit: Splash News

This New York businessman is actually one of the most famous actors in the world. Stumped? It’s Robert DeNiro! The actor was photographed meeting with business partners to check out a property in the West Village. He’s deeply involved in the restaurant and hotel business these days, but his mafioso roles are not over. He and Martin Scorsese are teaming up again for “I Heard You Paint Houses” – about the mob assassin who bumped off Jimmy >Hoffa.

THE ROLLING STONES: TIME IS ON THEIR SIDE

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A significant moment in “Shine a Light,” Martin Scorsese’s documentary on The Rolling Stones, was a clip from a 1970’s press interview with Mick Jagger. Mick was asked if he could imagine being on stage at 60 and he replied “Yeah….easily.” Little did he know how inspiring that attitude would turn out to be. Stones fans who saw the documentary walked away feeling more than just entertained. Mick Jagger is an inspiration. He’s 65 and has the enthusiasm of a young man. He’s slim, trim, and well dressed – and can sing almost anybody under the table. He’s the heart – and the BRAINS – behind the band. (He does all the business side of the job.) In fact the whole band looks great – they’re in shape and coincidentally they all have hair, and make no effort to disguise their wrinkles. The message is: If THEY can wear velvet pants and work and have fun and be hip and cool, ANYONE can do it.