Podcast Summary: The Big Picture – "The Top 10 Garbage Scorsese Movies and ‘The Alto Knights’"

Release Date: March 24, 2025 | Host/Author: The Ringer

Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of The Big Picture, Sean Fennessy and Amanda Dobbins, along with guest Chris Ryan, delve into the realm of Martin Scorsese-inspired cinema. The discussion centers around their curated list of the Top 10 Garbage Scorsese Movies, paying homage to yet critiquing films that echo Scorsese's style without matching his storytelling prowess. Additionally, they explore Barry Levinson's latest endeavor, "The Alto Knights", featuring Robert De Niro in a dual role.

Exploring "The Alto Knights"

Sean Fennessy opens the conversation by introducing "The Alto Knights," highlighting that despite being directed by Barry Levinson—a seasoned Hollywood director known more for dramedies than crime epics—the film owes a significant debt to Martin Scorsese's iconic works.

Sean Fennessy [01:18]: "The Alto Knights... a loving tribute to the films that are deeply indebted to, but not really on the level of Marty."

Chris Ryan humorously deflects excitement about the project:

Chris Ryan [01:52]: "I plead the fifth. I'm incriminate myself."

The trio discusses the film's plot and production background, noting that Nicholas Pileggi, famed for "Goodfellas," penned the screenplay. However, they express skepticism about the film's execution, particularly De Niro's dual portrayal of 1950s mob bosses Vito Genovese and Frank Costello.

Critical Analysis of "The Alto Knights"

Amanda Dobbins shares her candid impressions, criticizing the film's pacing and character development:

Amanda Dobbins [21:14]: "I was so bored. I was unbelievably bored by this film... why won't they stop talking?"

Chris Ryan echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the film's scattered narrative:

Chris Ryan [22:03]: "Each subplot feels like a separate story stitched together... It tried to tell 50 different stories."

They critique the overuse of expository techniques, such as direct-to-camera narration and archival footage, which detract from the film's immersive storytelling.

Sean Fennessy [23:04]: "This script... fails to deliver on its experimentation."

Despite these criticisms, Ryan lauds the technical aspects, including Dante Spinatti's cinematography and De Niro's transformative makeup, which accurately reflects the historical figures.

Chris Ryan [26:24]: "The makeup job is really good. He looks pretty much like the photos of these two guys."

Defining Garbage Scorsese Movies

Transitioning from "The Alto Knights," the hosts delve into their main theme: "Garbage Scorsese Movies." These are films that adopt Scorsese's stylistic elements—such as fast-paced editing, dynamic camera movements, and thematic focus on crime—but fall short in substance and execution.

Sean Fennessy explains the concept:

Sean Fennessy [76:38]: "It's an adoption of style, but not theme and motivation. Great Scorsese films balance style with deep thematic exploration."

Amanda Dobbins adds that while homage is acceptable, these films often lack the emotional and narrative depth that characterize Scorsese's masterpieces.

Amanda Dobbins [76:15]: "It's an homage. Done with love, but we all want to feel what we felt when we first saw Goodfellas."

Top 10 Garbage Scorsese Movies

The hosts present their Top 10 Garbage Scorsese Movies, highlighting films that, despite their Scorsese-inspired aesthetics, fail to capture the essence of his storytelling. Below are their selections, each accompanied by their critiques:

1. "American Hustle"

   • Critique: Overly stylized with excessive voiceovers and fragmented storytelling.
   • Quote: Sean Fennessy [67:26]: "Lots of voiceover that feels like it's stitching together fractured parts of a script."

2. "American Gangster"

   • Critique: While thematically aligned with Scorsese's work, it lacks the nuanced character development.
   • Quote: Amanda Dobbins [56:00]: "It hits all the beats but doesn't quite capture the depth of Scorsese's narratives."

3. "Hustlers"

   • Critique: Combines criminal underworld elements with a touch of righteousness but falls flat in execution.
   • Quote: Amanda Dobbins [56:02]: "It's an underworld story with some righteousness, but the framing device doesn't fully work."

4. "Bike Riders"

   • Critique: Attempts to merge Scorsese's crime elements with a biker subculture, resulting in a mismatched narrative.
   • Quote: Chris Ryan [55:06]: "Goodfellas on bikes... enjoyable but not on par with the originals."

5. "Blow"

   • Critique: Focuses on drug trafficking with a stylized approach but lacks the emotional depth.
   • Quote: Chris Ryan [67:10]: "Same energy as Scorsese's work but doesn't deliver the same impact."

6. "Donnie Brasco"

   • Critique: Although starring De Niro, it doesn't resonate with the complexity seen in Scorsese's films.
   • Quote: Chris Ryan [64:58]: "Donnie Brasco aligns with the Scorsese vibe but fails to stand out."

7. "Amongst Friends"

   • Critique: An indie attempt at capturing Scorsese's essence but ends up feeling like a footnote in the genre.
   • Quote: Sean Fennessy [70:16]: "A footnote movie in a story of a studio."

8. "Smoking Aces"

   • Critique: Features high-octane action and star-studded cast but lacks coherent storytelling.
   • Quote: Sean Fennessy [75:10]: "Feels like a ripped-off version of Scorsese's high-energy scenes."

9. "War Dogs"

   • Critique: Emulates Scorsese's criminal undertones but oversimplifies character motivations.
   • Quote: Sean Fennessy [77:37]: "Cashing in political capital with no depth."

10. "Observe and Report"

    • Critique: Merges Scorsese-inspired crime elements with dark comedy, resulting in an uncomfortable viewing experience.
    • Quote: Chris Ryan [62:18]: "Combines Scorsese's gestures with needle drops and feels unfocused."

Influence of Scorsese on Contemporary Filmmakers

The discussion broadens to analyze how Martin Scorsese's legacy has permeated modern cinema. The hosts note that while many filmmakers draw inspiration from his techniques, few can replicate the thematic richness and character complexity that define his work.

Sean Fennessy [78:17]: "Great filmmakers like Scorsese have specific themes of fate, consequence, and inner turmoil that these garbage movies lack."

Chris Ryan points out that even avant-garde directors like Paul Thomas Anderson and Quentin Tarantino, who are influenced by Scorsese, manage to infuse their unique styles and thematic depth, distinguishing their work from the "garbage" imitators.

Chris Ryan [51:57]: "He's experimenting with his style, taking what we associate with Scorsese and tweaking it to create something avant-garde."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the challenges of maintaining creative originality in an industry saturated with imitation. They acknowledge the fine line between homage and unoriginality, emphasizing that true artistry lies in evolving beyond one's influences.

Amanda Dobbins [76:44]: "It's both an homage and a lack of creativity. Not everyone can be Martin Scorsese."

Sean Fennessy contemplates the future of Scorsese's influence, questioning whether the trend of stylistic imitation will stifle genuine storytelling innovation.

Sean Fennessy [79:50]: "That's why it's garbage. They adopt the style but not the underlying themes that make Scorsese's work impactful."

The episode concludes with a light-hearted exchange among the hosts, underscoring their camaraderie and shared passion for film critique.

Notable Quotes

• Sean Fennessy [23:04]: "This script and maybe even the performance doesn't really pay out on that experiment."
• Amanda Dobbins [21:14]: "I was so bored. I was unbelievably bored by this film."
• Chris Ryan [22:03]: "It tried to tell 50 different stories and also tell it in such a way that I think almost bordered on Netflix true crime doc rather than like a narrative film."
• Sean Fennessy [76:38]: "It's an adoption of style, but not theme and motivation. Great Scorsese films balance style with deep thematic exploration."
• Amanda Dobbins [77:07]: "It's an homage. Done with love, but we all want to feel what we felt when we first saw Goodfellas."
• Sean Fennessy [79:44]: "It's an adoption of style, but not theme and motivation. Great Scorsese films balance style with deep thematic exploration."

Key Takeaways

• "Garbage Scorsese Movies" refer to films that mimic Scorsese's stylistic elements but lack his narrative depth and thematic complexity.
• "The Alto Knights" serves as a case study for such imitators, showcasing how mere stylistic replication without substance leads to a lackluster film experience.
• Martin Scorsese's influence remains profound, yet the hosts caution against the pitfalls of over-reliance on his stylistic trademarks without creative innovation.
• The evolution of Scorsese's own work exemplifies the balance between homage and originality, setting a benchmark for filmmakers striving to be influenced yet distinct.

This episode offers a nuanced critique of contemporary cinema's dance with Scorsese's legacy, providing listeners with insightful perspectives on what separates homage from imitation in film artistry.