Scorsese has directed many a cinematic winner. But, with the exception of 2016’s “Silence” (which I found to be brilliant on so many levels) it had been a while since the accolades of brilliance could be applied to this filmmaker. Make no mistake, it is rare when he fumbles, and most of his films have found their way unto my Ten Best lists of their respective years. But over the last decade, ... more >
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Scorsese’s ‘The Irishman’ is a sprawling masterpiece, Joe Pesci gives memorable performance
Frank, tell us about the old days
Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci
Directed by Martin Scorsese
“Joker,” a morality-defying, two-hour drop down a man’s impaired psyche
This is Joaquin Phoenix and Todd Phillips's first collaboration together
Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz and Frances Conroy
Directed by Todd Phillips
I’m always skeptical when a film receives too much hype. With the on-again, off-again quality of American fare, I try not to set my hopes too high, especially when it comes to a film about the D.C. Comics's The Joker, by the director of “The Hangover” series. It is with great pleasure that I report that, while the film itself isn’t the cinematic masterpiece that some have christened it, Todd ... more >
RUPERT PUPKIN LIVES
"King of Comedy" still relevant at 30
Tribeca Film Festival 2013
The last Tribeca Film Festival finished on a high note as Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese screened “King of Comedy” marking the thirtieth anniversary of the film’s release. With its knife-sharp commentary on celebrity and the vagaries of fandom "King of Comedy" not only still holds up thirty years later but is just as relevant today as it was then. In “King” stage-door autograph hound and ... more >
Limitless
A trippy transformation movie
Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish and Robert De Niro
Directed by Neil Burger
Has there been some secret value to a flipped-out Charlie Sheen declaring himself the Nietzschean uebermensch, living by a porn star code that mere mortals could only hope to appreciate? I would say yes. In his little henpecked heart, every man would love to stand on top of a building waving a machete against the world. The cubicle chorus of a billion Internet clicks equates to an army of sad ... more >
CANNES ’11: DE NIRO AT THE HELM
By ALI NADERZAD - January 7, 2011As a longtime Cannes-goer I felt obliged to report, with unchecked amounts of glee, that Robert De Niro has just been named president of the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. The news is stupendous for a number of reasons: an American will lead Cannes again, and that's a good thing in and of itself. Then, it's Robert De Niro who'll be our prez this year, a living legend ... more >
Righteous Kill
The folks can still get around
Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Carla Gugino
Directed by Jon Avnet
The real reason—perhaps the only reason—to watch Righteous Kill is the rare match-up of screen giants Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino. While they are forever linked to one another in acting style, cinematic era and New York attitude, they actually have only appeared in the same film twice (The Godfather, Part II and Heat) and have only shared screen time in Michael Mann’s bank heist epic. Unless ... more >