Film Movie Discussion: Goodfellas or Casino?

[OTBWY]

So having recently rewatched both movies and having a certain fondness for both, I was wondering how others feel about these movies. Which of the two have your preference?

It is hard for me to choose, but I have gonna have to go with Casino (previously I went with Goodfellas).

Spoiler: Spoilers

So while Goodfellas has great single shots and excellent build up, such as Joe Pesci's character being so brutal that you start to have such contempt for a character that you're glad he got what he deserved. I think Casino lately edges it out for me because the structure is a lot more engaging, you have narration from different perspectives and by the end you're wondering who actually is going to continue telling the story. Of course, Joe Pesci's character in Casino gets his narration cut off as he and his brother get savagely beaten and buried alive.

 

[GamerJM]

I watched both for the first time last year. Casino is impressive in its insane scope and excess, and for certain stretches might actually be the more fun watch on a moment-to-moment basis, but Goodfellas is just tighter and better executed, and nothing in Casino really comes close to matching that ending sequence. So I go with Goodfellas. Casino felt like Scorsese trying to top his entire catalog of gangster flicks by making the one that has the most excess, the most twists and turns, the most immoral characters, just....the most everything. And I think he succeeded there, but paradoxically it's not the best thing he made. Ray Liotta's performance in Goodfellas is also probably the best acted thing between the two hands down I think.

 

[OTBWY]

I watched both for the first time last year. Casino is impressive in its insane scope and excess, and for certain stretches might actually be the more fun watch on a moment-to-moment basis, but Goodfellas is just tighter and better executed, and nothing in Casino really comes close to matching that ending sequence. So I go with Goodfellas. Casino felt like Scorsese trying to top his entire catalog of gangster flicks by making the one that has the most excess, the most twists and turns, the most immoral characters, just....the most everything. And I think he succeeded there, but paradoxically it's not the best thing he made. Ray Liotta's performance in Goodfellas is also probably the best acted thing between the two hands down I think.

Because there is some overlap with the actors, I tend to compare Joe Pesci and Robert de Niro's roles more. I think Joe Pesci is a lot more menacing in Goodfellas, but de Niro is just so great in Casino. The whole interaction (especially the big fight) between him and Sharon Stone is amazing acting work.

 

[GamerJM]

Because there is some overlap with the actors, I tend to compare Joe Pesci and Robert de Niro's roles more. I think Joe Pesci is a lot more menacing in Goodfellas, but de Niro is just so great in Casino. The whole interaction (especially the big fight) between him and Sharon Stone is amazing acting work.

I actually think I like the returning actors more in Casino overall, yeah, though Pesci's Goodfellas performance is iconic ("funny how?") and probably better overall. But De Niro goes insane in Casino. Him and Sharon Stone's chemistry (or anti-chemistry at certain points) was really impressive. Stone's character's story is probably my favorite part of the movie outright; I thought it was pretty sad but realistic to see a woman who got into the world of sex work and drugs from a young age be trapped between two abusive partners.

 

[Dragoncaine]

They're both awesome, but it's gotta be Goodfellas for me.

 

[Deleted member 3433]

Both are equally great I think. Cannot think about one of 'em without the other.

 

[Josh5890]

Goodfellas is a great film with a tight story beginning to end.

Casino is a great film with a bunch of side stories lumped together around De Niro running a casino in the 70's and 80's. I would say that Casino has better highs and more quotable moments ("You either get the money and the hammer, or you get to walk out of here."), but in terms of the overall story, it falls short of Goodfellas.

Goodfellas gets the nod from me based on the fact I consider it a better film in terms of story. Side-note, it is amazing how many Sopranos characters are in that film.

 

[Chie]

Gonna have to go Goodfellas. My favorite gangster movie, rip Ray Liota.

 

[OTBWY]

I didn't expect Goodfellas to win so handily

 

[Mekanos]

Both are great but Goodfellas is a perfect film. Just endlessly entertaining start to finish.

 

[Colargogol]

They’re both amazing movies. I prefer Casino but I think it’s also because of its place in Scorsese œuvre. I also loved The Irishman, especially considering how smartly it adresses the glamorization of violence in previous Scorsese movies.

 

[1upmuffin]

I think Goodfellas is a better film, Casino great too.

 

[hologram]

This is honestly closer than I expected. No disrespect to Casino, which is a perfectly good movie, but it's not in the same league as Goodfellas

 

[Fercho]

Good Casino.

Honestly I can't choose (Will go with Goodfellas if you put a gun to my head I guess)