Who's That Knocking at My Door?

Who's That Knocking at My Door?

Trimod Films

September 13, 1968

Drama

DVD
D+

I'm not a Scorsese fan (Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore aside), but I guess it's interesting that this exists.

Silence

Silence

IM Global etc.

December 10, 2016

Historical Drama

DVD
D-

Despite the presence of Adam Driver, a collection of things I don't want in a movie.  Scorsese directed and co-adapted the Shūsaku Endō novel.

Shutter Island

Shutter Island

Paramount etc.

February 19, 2010

Historical Drama, Crime Drama

DVD
C-

Although this isn't my usual sort of movie, the trailer was so good I considered seeing the movie in the theater.  Watching it on DVD today, well, it's still better than many movies of its type, but not enough for me to stay tuned.  This is based on Dennis Lehane's novel and directed by Scorsese.

Raging Bull

Raging Bull

United Artists

December 19, 1980

Historical Drama, Sports Drama

DVD
D-

I might've gone with a D, except for the scene where he makes his brother punch him for no discernible reason.  This is based on Jack LaMotta's memoir, and directed by Scorcese.

New York, New York

New York, New York

United Artists

June 21, 1977

Historical Comedy?

DVD
D+

The only thing I liked was that Liza's character had a bit of spunk, although I kept waiting for her to throw a drink in De Niro's face.  Martin Scorsese directed, and I much prefer Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.

Mean Streets

Mean Streets

Warner Bros.

October 14, 1973

Crime Drama

DVD
D+

I didn't care about the characters but I bumped this up for the very '60s soundtrack.  Scorsese directed and co-wrote, a year before he did Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, which I much prefer.

Hugo

Hugo

Paramount

November 23, 2011

Children's, Historical Drama

DVD
C-

I enjoyed the Brian Selznick book years ago but this adaptation feels off to me, especially the look of it.  Scorsese directed.

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
Warner Bros.
December 9, 1974
Dramedy, Romance
DVD
B-

I grew up watching the Alice sitcom and knew that it was inspired by this movie, which I never watched until today.  It's very different from the TV show, and doesn't even get to Mel's (well, Mel & Ruby's) Diner until over halfway through, shortly before we meet the characters played by Kristofferson and Foster.  There's definitely humor but there are moments of sadness, anger, and even violence.  The studio-enforced "happy ending" (the penultimate scene) is a little contrived, but remember that the movie opens with a movie-like scene of Alice's childhood (a bit like a rose-tinted Wizard of Oz, only in Monterey rather than Kansas).  Burstyn plays the many moods of her character quite well, but there are some fun supporting performances, including Tayback and Ladd originating the characters of Mel and Flo.  (Ladd would end up as Belle, the middle waitress on the sitcom.)  Curtin's Vera is one of her typically loopy roles, although I still have soft spot for Beth Howland's take on the character.  Note that Alfred Lutter did play Tommy on the Alice pilot.