Since the 1970s, Punta Gorda real estate owners have considered Martin Scorsese to be one of Hollywood’s most artistic directors. Born in 1942, he grew up in New York’s Little Italy. A member of the first film school generation, Scorsese uses sensual cinematography to paint the Big Apple as a modern hell, like Dante drafted his epic poem about the Underworld in ‘The Inferno.’ Every shot is tight. Casting Robert De Niro as an animal in all three, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and Goodfellas are mandatory DVD purchases for your collection.
In 1976’s Taxi Driver, De Niro’s Travis Bickle is a psychotic cabby who rescues a teenage prostitute, played by Jodi Foster, from the mean streets. Determined to clean up New York City’s filth and scum, he becomes a ruthless vigilante/pimp killer. With a shaved Mohawk, De Niro communicates with his eyes, asking the famous question, “You talking to me?” Scorsese has a memorable cameo. He hires Bickle to stalk his cheating wife and supplies vivid detail of what he plans to do to her body with a 44-Magnum.
Raging Bull is 1980’s true-to-life drama about the 1940s’ “Bronx Bull.” The infamous boxer is portrayed by De Niro who took home Oscar gold after altering his size from a middle-weight boxer to a 215-pound nightclub owner. He considered himself a loser, as he had to take a dive for the mob in order to get a shot at the Championship Belt. The mental anguish can be seen and felt is De Niro’s timeless performance.
Another favorite among folks with homes for sale in Punta Gorda is 1990’s Goodfellas. De Niro portrays the gangster known as Jimmy “The Gent.” He is a bad man who messes with drugs and violence on a regular basis. The bloody mobsters pull off the notorious $6 million Lufthansa heist in 1978, the largest cash robbery in US history.
On top of the three timeless DVDs, Scorsese uses unbelievable soundtracks. In Taxi Driver, there is no background music used. Rather, we hear the continuous car horns and screams of the urban jungle. For Raging Bull, the era is captured with Robbie Robertson’s Symphony, along with Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Marilyn Monroe, and Ray Charles. Yet, his best soundtrack is Goodfellas’ classic rock, where he utilizes B.B. King, Hendrix and the Stones. And can you hear the piano exit of Cream’s “Layla,” and not picture Scorsese’s mob epic in your mind?
In 1999, the director brought Van Morrison’s “T.B. Sheets” to life in Bringing Out The Dead. The T.B. stands for tuberculosis, as the singer’s girlfriend is so dirty, she brings diseases to his bed. Now that’s the blues. Scorsese also worked as an editor for 1970’s Woodstock documentary, inserting a split-screen to capture the attendees’ fearless spirits alongside another shot of Jimi, Janis or the other historical performers. The innovator also directed 1978’s The Last Waltz, The Band’s farewell concert from two years earlier. Attendees’ interviews are spliced with timeless performances by Dylan, Clapton, and Neil. To sum it up, when it comes to mandatory DVD purchases, Scorsese is a necessity.
About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty:
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty serves 19 counties throughout Florida with over 40 locations and approximately 1,800 Sales Professionals. The full-service brokerage company, founded in 1999, is a subsidiary of Lennar Corporation, a Fortune 500 company and is a franchise member of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ network, one of the few organizations entrusted to use the world-renowned Berkshire Hathaway name. The company offers residential and commercial services as well as seasonal rentals, property management, REO & Foreclosures, corporate relocations, referral services, title, home service plans, and personal concierge services. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty ranks in the Top 10 in the network among 42,000 Sales Professionals, 1,200 offices throughout 47 states. The company is the overall No. 1 fundraiser for The Sunshine Kids Foundation, having generated more than $3.37 million since 2001. Visit www.BHHSFloridaRealty.com.
