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Ten Lesser-Known Martin Scorsese Films That You Should Watch

Ten Lesser-Known Martin Scorsese Films That You Should Watch
Can someone as famous and well-known as Marty really have hidden gems? And to that I ask: Have you seen "New York Stories"?
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Martin Scorsese, unarguably, is one of the greatest filmmakers ever, with an influential legacy that will be lauded forever. He's been at it since the '60s and has never really taken a break. It's hard, almost impossible, for a director with this much acclaim, and whose work has been put under a scope, to have "hidden gems," but that's what you can say some his least popular and underrated films are. Here's a look at some of Marty's best that you may have missed, or skipped.


The short film segment 'Life Lessons' from the anthology 'New York Stories' (1989)

It made sense that Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese (all New Yorkers of varying degrees, and award-winning directors) each do a short film, and anthologize them into a full length movie.

Scorsese's segment "Life Lessons" is about a painter, and stars Nick Nolte, Rosanna Arquette and Steve Buscemi. We won't say much more, spoilers and all, because we have a feeling this is the least-watched Scorsese project ever.


'Kundun' (1997)

While not as accomplished or acclaimed as Bernardo Bertolucci's "The Last Emperor," Marty's "Kundun" follows the life and writing of the 14th Dalai Lama in Tibet. It has quite a different tempo and subject matter than what you're used to with a Scorsese picture, but he's always been interested in both foreign cinema and religious figures, so it makes sense that those interests would converge here. Will it ever see the light of day? Who knows.


'Who's That Knocking at My Door' (1967) and 'Boxcar Bertha' (1972)

Scorsese's first two movies, you can tell he's feeling himself out in these works, and it wasn't until "Mean Streets" (his third) did he find a voice and subject matter that he knew well and was comfy with, aka wiseguys in New York.


'New York, New York' (1977)

There is a reason this is his only musical. It's not that great.

Everything about this should have worked, including getting Liza Minnelli and De Niro to sing jazz tunes about NYC. But despite this not being the greatest musical ever made, it's still fun and has a few good songs. It was a clear step down from "Taxi Driver," which is still considered his best picture to date.


'Bringing Out the Dead' (1999)

Nic Cage and Marty never hooked up after this again, which is a real shame. They make for an electric force of nature when combined. This is one of his many films set in New York, and he's able to successfully capture a feeling that few people can match. Plus, you get John Goodman, Cliff Curtis, Michael K. Williams and Tom Sizemore, who should all be put into the character actor hall of fame for being so good.


'Silence' (2016)

For something that came out not too long ago, it sure seems like this has been around for decades and is just forgotten about. People didn't flock to the theater to watch Adam Driver and Andrew Garfield give their lives away for Christianity, but this is a really good movie if you can settle into its slow pace and serious tone. There's a moment near the end, where Jesus speaks, that is transcendent even for non-believers, and it's one of the best moments in a Scorsese film.


'Age of Innocence' (1993)

Some people say this is a devastating tale of lost love, a terrific period piece and a triumphant directorial effort from Marty. Others think it's boring. Either way you slice it, you can't take away from the magic of watching Michelle Pfeiffer and Daniel Day-Lewis get emotionally involved, almost ruining their lives to be together. It's the rare tearjerker from Marty, and one that will throw you for a real loop if you're only used to his movies about gangsters and crime.


'After Hours' (1985)

There is nothing quite like this weird little adventure story that Marty did in-between big projects and in order to prove to the studios that he could finish under budget and on time. It's a razor sharp dark comedy with tight turns about a man who's lost in New York. The directions this tale him in might leave you howling and gasping for help. The less you know going in, the better.


'The King of Comedy' (1982)

Are we cheating a little bit with this one? Maybe. It might be the most popular and well-known out of everything on this list, but it never got the mainstream adulation close to what "Goodfellas" and "Taxi Driver" received. Robert De Niro blends in like a chameleon as Rupert Pupkin, the wannabe stand-up comedian who kidnaps Jerry Lewis in order to become famous. His obsession and the lengths he'll go to get what he wants is staggering, and is quite the heavy plot for such a funny movie.


If you enjoyed this list, we have more just like it, like Steven Soderbergh's Hidden Gems.


[Image: YouTube]

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