Taxi Driver is a highly recommended flick for any Coral Gables real estate owner who appreciates quality cinema. The 2007 Collector’s Edition was released as a double-disc set and features Martin Scorsese reliving his psychological look into the mind of a disturbed protagonist. The director opens up about the 1976 production, recalling his influences, along with the ups and downs of the filming process.

Four several decades since it hit theaters, the dark picture is considered a classic. Robert De Niro’s freighting performance is timeless. Surrounded by New York City’s criminals night after night, his mind becomes warped. Yet, his heart is sometimes sympathetic. Destined to save an underage prostitute from the mean streets, the cabby embarks on a successful rampage to separate her from the pimps and scum. What makes this buy worth your money is its extraordinary extras.

Folks with homes for sale in Coral Gables can enjoy two audio commentaries on the first disc. The set’s features include “Martin Scorsese on Taxi Driver.” The master artist details how the project developed, his influences from around the globe, some film interpretations and his surprise at its financial success. “Producing Taxi Driver” touches on problems getting the picture made, while “God’s Lonely Man” examines its influences. “Influence and Appreciation: Martin Scorsese Tribute” is an extremely informative documentary that features Michael Chapman, Oliver Stone, and Roger Corman and De Niro. Spectators get a feel for the era three decades ago and learn of the man’s phenomenal relationships with his crew.

“Taxi Driver Stories” entails conversations with a New York Taxi Workers Alliance rep, executive director Committee for Taxi Safety, former NYC mayor Ed Koch, real-life cabbies from the 1970s and New York resident Steve Baldwin. The personalities describe being in a cab, share their colorful experiences and connect their work to what’s represented in Taxi Driver. “Making Taxi Driver” lasts over an hour with delightful interviews of Scorsese and his remarkable cast, including De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel and Peter Boyle. The work also touches on the director’s approach to the film, shooting it in the city, visual effects, editing, score and its notoriety in today’s culture. In the “Travis’ New York” and “Travis’ New York Locations” sections, the filmmakers take a look at specific locations featured in the film. Using a split-screen, viewers get to compare nine different spots from the movie next to the same locations today. While some parts of the Big Apple have barely changed, others are drastically different.

Scorsese chats about why he likes storyboards, and he offers insight to using them.  There is also a “Storyboard to Film Comparisons” covering five scenes with a split-screen format. Finally, viewers in Coral Gables luxury homes get to eye a number of stills in the DVD’s “Galleries” section, filled with interesting shots from behind the scenes. Unfortunately, the two-disc set is missing a Taxi Driver trailer. Regardless, the Collector’s Edition adds a handful of quality extras, successfully providing all the important components of the various processes to creating one of the greatest films ever made.

 

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.

Florida Realty News
Florida Realty News
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty, a wholly-owned subsidiary of WCI Communities, has over 39 locations and more than 1,650 real estate sales professionals and team members serving 17 counties throughout Florida.
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