Taxi Driver: Scorsese's masterpiece

[Deexter Jorgan]

This Thread is about on of the biggest films of all time, Scorsese's masterpiece.

[youtube]zDLVYEUb8vU[/youtube]​

About the Film:
Taxi Driver is a 1976 American Drama film and one of the most influential films of our time, Directed By Martin Scorsese, the film become something of a cultural phenomenon and was the reason behind Jon Hinckley Jr’s attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan in 1981.


Plot:
Scorsese's dark tale of urban alienation was a hallmark of 1970s film. In Taxi Driver, he captures the frantic and frenetic side of New York City and uses it as a backdrop for the story of an alienated man descending into madness. Robert De Niro plays Travis Bickle, a self-righteous, psychotic loner, who takes it upon himself to enforce his own brand of subjective morality. Through Travis’s eyes, Scorsese shows New York as an urban hell filled with drugs, pimps, weapons, and politicians (all equally evil in Travis’s mind). Steaming sewers, rain-soaked streets, and harsh neon lights, all contribute to the film’s vision of the urban landscape as hell on earth. How could anyone not go mad? Scorsese's direction combined with De Niro's performance makes Travis Bickle one of cinema’s most complex characters. Taxi Driver is a fevered, paranoid take on the perils of contemporary urban life. It is a squalid film that perfectly reflects its squalid subject matter: a nightmarish portrait of one man’s personal hell.


Why is Taxi Driver one of the greatest Films of all time?
Despite not winning an Oscar Taxi Driver launched the careers of Actors such as:


Robert De Niro:
De Niro’s status as a main stream actor was propelled by this film, his portrayal of Bickle was dark, lonesome and self indulgent, an anti hero for the ages, due to this role De Niro achieved a nomination for best actor and a long illustrious career which without his second collaboration would not have given De Niro the mainstream push that would propel his career as a leading actor.


Jodie Foster
Foster’s portrayal of Iris the young prostitute was seen as taboo, but attracted many an obsessor, the role not only brought the young actress main stream attention and earned her several awards including:


BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress

National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress

Nominated — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress


Taxi Driver not only has been placed on all time greatest film lists of the times, AFI, IMDB and has gained favour from numerous critics attempting to decipher the logic of a rather dark and dramatic drama, sites such as rotten tomatoes.com (which pans nearly every film in existence) garnered the film a 99% approval rating.


Why this film is important to me?

Now I want to take a difference stance on this and tell you why this film is important to me, there was a time when I was stuck in limbo, a transition from professional wrestling into the real world and thanks to Taxi driver my obsession with acting blossomed.


In short:


- The film has garnered critical approval from teams such as Siskel and Ebert.

- Has gained cult status with many quoting the line in Biskel’s Mirror monologue “you talking to me” has
become a part of pulp culture being used in shows such as Seinfeld , The WWE also used The Mirror scene as part of their Wrestlemania XXI campaign.

- Many of the actors have gone on to have full careers in Hollywood because of this Movie and has led to the paring of Scorscese and Di nero in other award winning movies such as Raging Bull and Goodfella’s.

- The film grossed 28 million on a 1 million budget.

- Bickle has been named one of the top movie villains of all time.

- Has amassed a cult following till this day and still is seen as one of De Niro’s biggest breakout roles.


Do you think my opinion is valid, or full of it? post your opinion here...

 

[wushady]

I agree with you a 100% there's no doubt that this movie is a masterpiece. I've always been a huge fan of both Scorsese and DeNiro, and this movie is definitely one of if not their best in my opinion. DeNiro had already won a supporting actor Oscar for Godfather part 2, but this movie made him a leading man. I think he got robbed for not winning for this movie.

It also set the tone for Scorsese's style of film making. It may have been a little a head of it's time. It was somewhat shunned by some critics back then for being too dark. I think that's why it didn't win best picture or director. In fact Scorsese got screwed out of an Oscar for 20+ years in my opinion. The Departed was a great movie, but it wasn't his best. It was like a make up Oscar the Academy gave it to him since they screwed him for this and many other greats like Goodfellas.

 

[X]

Calling a film "Scorsese's masterpiece" would indicate that this was the pinnacle of Scorsese's artistic prowess, that this was his very best work or his only masterpiece, which would be completely false obviously as Scorsese has released so many masterpieces in his career already, we'd be here quite awhile just to start cracking into the first half of his 70s film work, as he had already released what I consider to be a masterpiece in his first major film, Mean Streets, which was released 3 years before Taxi Driver and also featured Robert De Niro, though in a supporting role to the great Harvey Keitel in that particular case. Taxi Driver is certainly one of his most striking and intelligent films as well as being one of his most profound though, so I have no problem with someone claiming it to be Scorsese's best work because I'd be hard pressed to argue. Personally I'd go with Mean Streets, Raging Bull, and perhaps even The Departed over Taxi Driver. Goodfellas is iffy, but definitely above Casino on my personal favorite Scorsese list. Still haven't seen Shutter Island though, should get on that.

As for Taxi Driver, what's there to say? This film was so groundbreaking and revolutionary for it's time, it is THE definitive 1970s film of the American new wave, a whole new generation of filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, Robert Altman, Hal Ashby, Francis Ford Coppola, and so many others who started making films on their terms, not the studios, they began to make films as true artistic expressions from the filmmaker, 100% the artist's vision, and for the first time those same films that previously may have been considered "art" films, like Taxi Driver, went on to not just massive critical success but also huge financial success at the box office. For the first time in the history of American cinema, the very best films being made were also the most popular at the box office. It was a short and beautiful time before the hedonistic blow-em-up Reagan-era action films came around and wiped that vision away forever.

Taxi Driver is very important in that new wave of American cinema though, perhaps even the single most important. It's influence and impact on both film and culture simply cannot be stated enough.

 

[DirtyJosé]

I have a question.

Why is the "Plot" section of this OP:

Plot:
Scorsese's dark tale of urban alienation was a hallmark of 1970s film. In Taxi Driver, he captures the frantic and frenetic side of New York City and uses it as a backdrop for the story of an alienated man descending into madness. Robert De Niro plays Travis Bickle, a self-righteous, psychotic loner, who takes it upon himself to enforce his own brand of subjective morality. Through Travis’s eyes, Scorsese shows New York as an urban hell filled with drugs, pimps, weapons, and politicians (all equally evil in Travis’s mind). Steaming sewers, rain-soaked streets, and harsh neon lights, all contribute to the film’s vision of the urban landscape as hell on earth. How could anyone not go mad? Scorsese's direction combined with De Niro's performance makes Travis Bickle one of cinema’s most complex characters. Taxi Driver is a fevered, paranoid take on the perils of contemporary urban life. It is a squalid film that perfectly reflects its squalid subject matter: a nightmarish portrait of one man’s personal hell.

Lifted wholesale from this website article from over a year ago:

The Best Films Directed by Martin Scorsese
Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, The Last Waltz, Raging Bull, Goodfellas - Jun 18, 2009 Lauren Flanagan

Just scroll down a bit to the section about Taxi Driver. I felt I should bring this to everyone's attention.

 

[Cena's Little Helper]

I have a question.

Why is the "Plot" section of this OP:



Lifted wholesale from this website article from over a year ago:

The Best Films Directed by Martin Scorsese
Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, The Last Waltz, Raging Bull, Goodfellas - Jun 18, 2009 Lauren Flanagan

Just scroll down a bit to the section about Taxi Driver. I felt I should bring this to everyone's attention.

This is not that big of a deal. He still gives his opinion on why feels this is one of the greatest films ever made, and I don't see that anywhere on the website that you linked. Copying and pasting factual and descriptive information is totally fine, and we all do it on here.

You had me going there for a little bit, though. From the way you made it sound in the Cage, I thought he had taken his whole post wholesale from another site.

 

[The Crock]

I somewhat agree with you. This movie is a gritty masterpiece, but in my opinion it isn't THE BEST movie of all time. It is definitely in the top ten. My number one movie would have to be The Godfather Part II. Seeing De Niro in this role was a shock, especially since I saw this movie after a lot of his other movies. He has an "attitude" about him in this movie, you can tell he is psychotic right away. Jodie Foster also had a great performance, she played the prostitute in a really profound way, at times she seemed like a bad person but at other times she looked like an innocent little girl. Decent choice, Deej.

 

[Deexter Jorgan]

I somewhat agree with you. This movie is a gritty masterpiece, but in my opinion it isn't THE BEST movie of all time. It is definitely in the top ten. My number one movie would have to be The Godfather Part II. Seeing De Niro in this role was a shock, especially since I saw this movie after a lot of his other movies. He has an "attitude" about him in this movie, you can tell he is psychotic right away. Jodie Foster also had a great performance, she played the prostitute in a really profound way, at times she seemed like a bad person but at other times she looked like an innocent little girl. Decent choice, Deej.

The Godfather Part II won De Niro the best supporting Actor role but only got him notority in a supporting role, Taxi Driver showed that De Niro can hold his own in a lead.

That's exactly how Bickle should have been portrayed, angry at the world, a real attitude someone who cannot be loved because he hates himself, and Fosters role as Iris was seen as taboo, something that was not seen and made light of, I can tell you that watching her performance made me uncomfortable as a father.

The movie as a whole is overwhelming and showed lost of innocence, two difference souls looking to find there way around a world that they had no faith in, a powerful and breathtaking movie IMO.

 

[LitasRevenge79]

I agree. I'm not the biggest Scorsese fan myself. But you can't deny the impact that Taxi Driver has made on society as a whole. If you watch many movies, whether they are comedy, drama, horror, etc, how many times do you see a character that passes by a mirror and uses the quote "You talking to me?" Its ingrained in cinema history. I even recall watching Look Who's Talking Too, and there's even a reference when one of the main character's on screen brother brandishes a gun, and Travolta says "Travis Bickle in there has a gun." (or something to that extent.) There are so many pieces to this movie that is part of history and influences modern culture today. Whether its the fashion of Travis Bickle's army jacket, or outsider type hairdo, or the behavior of being a loner, the innocence of Jodie Foster's character that is alluded to when someone is trying to describe a relationship, or the profession she was in, and the fact that this movie spawne an historic event that a man attempted to shoot Prez.Regan all for Jodie Foster's attention. Everyone is affected in different ways by this movie, different parts of it are going to be found in everyday culture whether you are a fan or not. Even though I've never been fond of the movie, I've always been amazed at the popularity of its effect on pop culture.

 

[ForzaItalia]

Although I have never seen the film personally, but I have heard of it with the way you put this film is really a must see. I personally love De Niro's work funny or bad ass. The movie as you can see is before my time because I am only 16, but I love watching classics and this one will most likely be on top of my must see movie list. It seems to have a lot of twists and turns in it, which I love to see in a movie. As much as I hate to say this may not be the best movie of all time according to some people on this thread, but if I had to pick the greatest movie of all time it is simply The Godfather 2. You do not have to be Italian like me to see the drama and realism this blockbuster portrays. The movie itself is known all the around the world and is a masterpiece in its own. I really like the passion you showed for getting your opinion out, but I have to disagree and say The Godfather 2.

 

[JJYanks121]

Now, before I start, I have to admit that I'm partial to Goodfellas since it hits close to home. You see, the character Morrie in the movie was really Marty. Marty lived next door to my grandma and I knew his wife for many years. She lived in the house long after Marty was gone. I grew up hearing the story of helicopters surrounding the house and taking Marty in, and when he got out of police custody, he disappeared 2 days later never to be seen again. Thus, the movie interpretation was always interesting to me since I know the real story very well.

When this was really happening, Scorsese was testing his mettle as a director. Taxi Driver was made around that time and is the subject of this thread. While it's not my favorite movie of all time, I certainly cannot deny its impact on movie making, acting, and culture.

It would be difficult to deny this film's impact on Robert DeNiro's career. Though he had been in Bang the Drum Slowly and Godfather Part 2, this is the film that catapulted him into the leading man he is today. His character in this film is the basis for many that followed. Of the top of my head, I think Edward Norton's 25th Hour character definitely draws influence from it, as well as many others. His mental state in this movie is certainly not an easy thing to play, and DeNiro did it brilliantly. This is a much different role than many of his mobster roles, and I think it showed off his acting skills much more than Godfather or Goodfellas did. Of course, I'm also a big fan of Raging Bull, but this came first, and Raging Bull doesn't exist without this excellent performance, so we must acknowledge the roots.

I also agree that Jodie Foster (who shares a birthday with me BTW) certainly shined in her role in this film. I"m not sure if it made her career, but it certainly was a tough role to play and people took notice (so I'm told). I know that when I saw it, I was impressed, and that's enough for me.

Now, down to the nitty gritty. Is this Scorsese's best film? It might not be. Hell, he's done about a dozen really, really solid films. However, this is the first on that list. This is the film that got Scorsese noticed, the one that brought to light his talents. Thus, it must always have a special place in that regard. Without this film's success, we might not have Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Departed, or anything else he's done. That's a tough pill to swallow when you think about it.

What I must point out is that generally, people grow in their profession and get better at what they do. It can be argued that Scorsese's directing does improve, but by how much over Taxi Driver? This film was made in 1976 and is still one of his best. Thus, having the ability to make something so good at the beginning of his career, before he could continue to grow as an artist, is something that should be recognized. This man has made a lot of great films, but Taxi Driver certainly deserves recognition as the first great one, and one that was way ahead of its time. This film blazed the trail for a lot of careers, and if we are talking about it in 2010, it certainly will always have a place in history.

 

[a0161613]

I’ll be honest Deej, your OP seems c&p from IMDB or something. I know this has been discussed already but I would have liked to see more for it.

But as good as this film apparently is, I raise the very same question that I just asked in CH David’s Goodfellas thread. When the director and the main actors have topped their work in this film with other performances, how can this be in the running for the best of all time?

 

[Deexter Jorgan]

I’ll be honest Deej, your OP seems c&p from IMDB or something. I know this has been discussed already but I would have liked to see more for it.

I doubt that this OP is a cut and paste from IMDB, because that wasn't my source when looking at this piece, and yes i copied the synopsis to give an original perception of the story so that it would maintain a good understanding of the films plot for those of you that haven't seen it.

and as i have stated to others in numerous threads, if you feel this is un-original than please post something that shows that I've done as such.

But as good as this film apparently is, I raise the very same question that I just asked in CH David’s Goodfellas thread. When the director and the main actors have topped their work in this film with other performances, how can this be in the running for the best of all time?

There's no claim to this, it is pure fact

without Taxi Driver De Nero would never have been seen as a lead actor, yes he achieved acolades for supporting roles but had yet to play the lead and as Bickle, he played it well and achieved alot of critical acclaim in the process.

The Film is on many of the top 100 lists along with good fellas, Godfather and Silence of the lambs.

When looking at our all time favourite gangster movies, people always refer to the godfather, when looking at Scorsese's best work the viewing public always refer to Taxi Driver, even though the film didn't manage to achieve the oscar sucess as Scorses's other hits, it managed to break barriers forever being mentioned as one of his legendary achievements.

Bickle is seen as a social Icon synonymous with modern society and pop culture.

name me a quote from the departed?, oh wait you cant but even if you haven't seen Taxi Driver i bet you knew the mirror scene as soon as someone quoted the lines "you talking to me".

A films net worth and awards pails in comparison to this films achievements in pop culture, it's not just a group of people, its society in general, the line has been quoted in the simpsons, CSI and Mitchell and Webb look.

Roger Eabert has called it the truest line in film history.

This film is timeless and will be remembered far after you and me exit this plane of existance.

 

[The Crock]

Do you really think that this role shaped his career more than playing a young Vito Corleone did? I mean, De Niro almost always plays a mobster now a days, I don't think he plays a deranged cab driver all that much. Sure, this got him some roles but not nearly as much as The Godfather did.

 

[Deexter Jorgan]

Do you really think that this role shaped his career more than playing a young Vito Corleone did? I mean, De Niro almost always plays a mobster now a days, I don't think he plays a deranged cab driver all that much. Sure, this got him some roles but not nearly as much as The Godfather did.

De Niro's performance as Bickle helped gain De Niro more leading roles, his name is forever linked to Bickle, can you remember a line from Godfather 2?, didn't think so because he only used a small amount of english in his role as young vito.

 

[The Crock]

He may not ave spoken much, but he still acted his ass off. This role shaped his career. His acting was based a lot more on attitude and actions in this role. But he did play a very psychologically deranged person in Biskle. Both were good roles, but Vito was even better.

 

[Deexter Jorgan]

He may not ave spoken much, but he still acted his ass off. This role shaped his career. His acting was based a lot more on attitude and actions in this role. But he did play a very psychologically deranged person in Biskle. Both were good roles, but Vito was even better.

It was visceral, I understand that, but even with language De Niros portrayal of Bickle attained the same heights, his portrayal was disturbing, angry and lonesome you could see with each expression each look that Bickle was on the decent to madness.

De Niro will forever be remembered for his dark portrayal, it showed range.

 

[BooCocky]

- The film grossed 28 million on a 1 million budget.

I'm pretty sure other movies have done something similar. Like I'm not saying the Blair Witch Project was an excellent movie, but it grossed 248 million dollars on a 22,000 dollar budget. Evil Dead grossed 29 million with a 375 thousand dollar budget. So, you get the point here? Just because a small budget filmed grossed millions does not make it a great film. Didn't the Movie Rocky have a million dollar budget? That grossed like 200 million. That was more successful, came out the same year. So that should be the GOAT because it grossed more with a small budget, right? Well that's what you're making it out to be.

- Bickle has been named one of the top movie villains of all time.

So was Nurse Ratchet in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest, but is that movie the GOAT? Hell naw. It was a great movie but not GOAT
-

Has amassed a cult following till this day and still is seen as one of De Niro’s biggest breakout roles.

Is it though? I'm pretty sure De Niro had bigger roles. And you aren't providing any info on how or why he has a huge cult following? I'm assuming you're pulling this out of your bum. If you start producing some I might believe you. But you're just assuming this because he was a solid character on a solid grossing movie. But to say this is the greatest movie ever made is a bold statement, and I just can not see it.

Do you think my opinion is valid, or full of it? post your opinion here...

I see where you're going but I think you're wrong.

 

[Cookie]

Oh sweet Jesus.

Please tell me that "Biskle" (and its various other forms appearing in this thread i.e. Bisckle) is meant to be Bickle. PLEASE.

Now... excuse me while I vomit in my mouth.

Okay, I'm back.

Taxi Driver is an excellent, excellent film. Hell, it's my favourite movie. So I come into this thread expecting a compelling argument and instead I get... "Biskle" and copy & paste summaries. After reading this thread I'm doubting whether you've actually seen it.

- Has gained cult status with many quoting the line in Biskel’s Mirror monologue “you talking to me” has
become a part of pulp culture being used in shows such as Seinfeld , The WWE also used The Mirror scene as part of their Wrestlemania XXI campaign.

Just as the dancing scene in Pulp Fiction is referenced frequently in popular culture, just as Brando's Corleone is constantly impersonated and referenced in popular culture, just as fucking Borat is a pop culture staple with frat boys and douches worldwide reciting his jokes and wearing green swimsuits that ride up their ass crack and expose the alarmingly small size of their penis. Taxi Driver has definitely made its mark on cinema and popular culture, but lots of other films share that honour too. It doesn't necessarily mean it's the greatest film of all-time.

This is such an incredible movie and you're giving yourself a lot to work with by picking it, but you're just not making the right points to convince people that this is the greatest film ever made. The argument needs to be less about De Niro, imo.

 

[Deexter Jorgan]

I'm pretty sure other movies have done something similar. Like I'm not saying the Blair Witch Project was an excellent movie, but it grossed 248 million dollars on a 22,000 dollar budget. Evil Dead grossed 29 million with a 375 thousand dollar budget. So, you get the point here? Just because a small budget filmed grossed millions does not make it a great film. Didn't the Movie Rocky have a million dollar budget? That grossed like 200 million. That was more successful, came out the same year. So that should be the GOAT because it grossed more with a small budget, right? Well that's what you're making it out to be.

The gross was only part of the reason i felt this movie deserve Greatest of all time status, and yes your arguement is valid that there are more deserving movies out there for gross alone but with Taxi Driver it is not just about the movies gross, it's about the movies Impact on todays modern society and Pop Culture ingeneral.

And with the list you made did any of those movies win a Bafta? did Rocky win the most prestigious award at the cannes film festival the Palme D'or? I think not.

Taxi Driver was also voted the number one movie to win such an award by Film comment.

So was Nurse Ratchet in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest, but is that movie the GOAT? Hell naw. It was a great movie but not GOAT

Give me a quote from one flew over the Cuckoo's nest, Oh wait you can't without having to look it up.

-
Is it though? I'm pretty sure De Niro had bigger roles. And you aren't providing any info on how or why he has a huge cult following? I'm assuming you're pulling this out of your bum. If you start producing some I might believe you. But you're just assuming this because he was a solid character on a solid grossing movie. But to say this is the greatest movie ever made is a bold statement, and I just can not see it.

Are you serious?,

heres a quote you may like

with thanks to Filmreference.com

A different kind of cult movie is the film that has attracted curiosity because of the particular circumstances surrounding its release. Such films may have been banned in certain states, for example; they may have had controversial lawsuits brought against them, or they may have been associated with particularly violent crimes, like A Clockwork Orange (1971) or Taxi Driver

Taxi Driver had Taboo situations and a Bickle, the films psychotic antaganist is still seen as a cultural icon, if you dont believe me here's some examples

Punk

Mens T

I also have a picture of this picture of Bickle on my wall, so to say that this movie hasn't amassed a cult following is purly assanine.


​

I see where you're going but I think you're wrong.

Then Prove me wrong because I've managed to refute all of your claims thusfar.

Oh sweet Jesus.

Please tell me that "Biskle" (and its various other forms appearing in this thread i.e. Bisckle) is meant to be Bickle. PLEASE.

Now... excuse me while I vomit in my mouth.

If bad spelling make's you vomit then don't go to a dyslexia meeting, it will make your head spin, and the sad attempt at making me look foolish isnt working, why not tackle the OP title and tell me why I'm wrong.

Taxi Driver is an excellent, excellent film. Hell, it's my favourite movie. So I come into this thread expecting a compelling argument and instead I get... "Biskle" and copy & paste summaries. After reading this thread I'm doubting whether you've actually seen it.

Ok, seriously?, can't you actually post anything non-spam, your attempting to refut my claim by picking apart my spelling?, then you attempt to make me look foolish by speaking on a matter that has already been dealt with.

If you can't debate then why the hell are you even in this thread?

Just as the dancing scene in Pulp Fiction is referenced frequently in popular culture, just as Brando's Corleone is constantly impersonated and referenced in popular culture, just as fucking Borat is a pop culture staple with frat boys and douches worldwide reciting his jokes and wearing green swimsuits that ride up their ass crack and expose the alarmingly small size of their penis. Taxi Driver has definitely made its mark on cinema and popular culture, but lots of other films share that honour too. It doesn't necessarily mean it's the greatest film of all-time. [/quot]

I agree with Brando, but you have yet to make a valid point for either Pulp Viction or Borat, neither film won an award, neither film was mentioned on the top 100 greatest films of all time and neither has the same impact as Taxi Drvier, he'll neither movie managed to make the leads a breakout star.

Without Bickle De Niro would never have been recognised as a lead.

This is such an incredible movie and you're giving yourself a lot to work with by picking it, but you're just not making the right points to convince people that this is the greatest film ever made. The argument needs to be less about De Niro, imo.

Really? I thought I was, De Niro benefited the most from this movie, without his portrayal of Bickle would this movie have been any better?, without Scorsese helming it would it have even won the Palme D'or, the damn highest award that Cannes could offer at the time?.

And yes I've seen it, if i didnt watch this movie why would i have chosen it in the first place?

 

[BooCocky]

The gross was only part of the reason i felt this movie deserve Greatest of all time status, and yes your arguement is valid that there are more deserving movies out there for gross alone but with Taxi Driver it is not just about the movies gross, it's about the movies Impact on todays modern society and Pop Culture ingeneral.

Rocky was a very successful movie. Pure underdog movie made for everyone. It was a highly successful movie. I see where you're coming from but I can't or I don't see the impact on culture.

And with the list you made did any of those movies win a Bafta? did Rocky win the most prestigious award at the cannes film festival the Palme D'or? I think not.

No, but you brought up Gross revenue as a point. I made a rebuttal saying just because it grossed a lot on a small budget doesn't make it successful. That was one of your main points. I just proved you wrong. I'm sure more people have seen Rocky than Taxi Driver. Therefore it's a cultural success. I don't get your point he Here?

Taxi Driver was also voted the number one movie to win such an award by Film comment.

Provide me a link or something. I need sources big guy.

Give me a quote from one flew over the Cuckoo's nest, Oh wait you can't without having to look it up.

One flew over the Cuckoo's nest is my favorite movie of all time. I can pretty much go over it line for line. McMurphy "I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this. "
McMurphy again "In one week, I can put a bug so far up her ass, she don't know whether to shit or wind her wristwatch. "

You know whats funny? I know those and those aren't even big quotes. Thank you very much.

Are you serious?,

Dead serious!!!

Then Prove me wrong because I've managed to refute all of your claims thusfar.

No you haven't. I want to know how he was a cultural Icon. Providing one quote. You wanna see a movie that was heavily praised? Go watch Pulp Fiction. It takes more than one thing to convince me of such a claim. I know you're better than that. But I haven't seen it yet.

 

[Cookie]

If bad spelling make's you vomit then don't go to a dyslexia meeting, it will make your head spin, and the sad attempt at making me look foolish isnt working, why not tackle the OP title and tell me why I'm wrong.

Fierce.

Ok, seriously?, can't you actually post anything non-spam, your attempting to refut my claim by picking apart my spelling?, then you attempt to make me look foolish by speaking on a matter that has already been dealt with.

If you can't debate then why the hell are you even in this thread?

Can't I actually post non-spam? Sure I can actually not post non-spam. That's pretty much all I do on these boards.

As for the spelling... you just make it so easy and I can't help myself.

I agree with Brando, but you have yet to make a valid point for either Pulp Viction or Borat, neither film won an award, neither film was mentioned on the top 100 greatest films of all time and neither has the same impact as Taxi Drvier, he'll neither movie managed to make the leads a breakout star.

In no way, shape or form would I argue that Borat has had the same impact as Taxi Driver nor is it one of the greatest films of all time by any stretch of the imagination BUT the point I was trying to make is that it is just as ingrained in popular culture.

Now hold on a second... what top 100 films of all-time list are we talking about here? Cause I am certain that Pulp Fiction has appeared on MANY top 100 lists. The AFI list? Pulp wasn't on the original but it appeared on the revised "AFI's 100 Years…100 Movies" - lower that Taxi Driver but it's still on it. IMDB? It's #6 on their Top 250. It's sitting at a 94 on Rotten Tomatoes. Those are the sites that you referenced in your OP. Roger Ebert thinks it's one of the most influential films of the 90s. The list goes on and on and on. Oh and Pulp Fiction also won the Palme d'Or. And was nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture. Just like Taxi Driver.

Impact? Well I'd say Pulp Fiction has had a huge impact on popular culture and the movie industry. Its box office success is considered to be the turning point for indie cinema and like Taxi Driver, it made bank and then some despite its small budget. Having a star like Bruce Willis appear in a Miramax film? That was huge at the time. And it's something that continues in the movie industry to this day, actors hopping from high-profile projects to indies, which became a lot more credible post-Pulp. Plus there's the whole comeback of film noir thing. Pop culture influence goes without saying. JMT mentioned many of the widely referenced and remembered moments in the film in his post in Becker's thread - the adrenaline shot, the dancing, the Ezekiel recitation. I don't need to repeat it.

It may not have "made" a star but it certainly revived John Travolta's entire career, which was on an epic downward spiral in the 80s. The same guy who starred in fucking Staying Alive managed to escape mediocrity (albeit briefly because he's ******ed) and get an Academy Award nomination because of Pulp Fiction.

Without Bickle De Niro would never have been recognised as a lead.

I'd never deny this.

Really? I thought I was, De Niro benefited the most from this movie, without his portrayal of Bickle would this movie have been any better?, without Scorsese helming it would it have even won the Palme D'or, the damn highest award that Cannes could offer at the time?.

I'm with you on your first point, but you're arguing that this movie is the best of all-time. A lot more goes into the greatest film of all-time than just an incredible acting performance (even thought it IS a part of what makes the movie successful). It sounds more like a case for De Niro's Bickle than a case for the movie itself is all I'm saying.

 

[Deexter Jorgan]

Fierce.

That was my intention

In no way, shape or form would I argue that Borat has had the same impact as Taxi Driver nor is it one of the greatest films of all time by any stretch of the imagination BUT the point I was trying to make is that it is just as ingrained in popular culture.

Borat the character is yes, My defense was inpart to the movie itself being apart of Popular culture not Bickle as a character, Borat may have a few funny catchphrases but Bickle is an inspiration for a more disgruntled society, he is like most of us a lost soul looking for his place, yes his direction is warped and he ends up becoming a right looney but in the end That's mostly what the film represents a lost direction.

That's what made me fall in love with this film and made it my GOAT.

Now hold on a second... what top 100 films of all-time list are we talking about here? Cause I am certain that Pulp Fiction has appeared on MANY top 100 lists. The AFI list? Pulp wasn't on the original but it appeared on the revised "AFI's 100 Years…100 Movies" - lower that Taxi Driver but it's still on it. IMDB? It's #6 on their Top 250. It's sitting at a 94 on Rotten Tomatoes. Those are the sites that you referenced in your OP. Roger Ebert thinks it's one of the most influential films of the 90s. The list goes on and on and on. Oh and Pulp Fiction also won the Palme d'Or. And was nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture. Just like Taxi Driver.

Granted your arguement is strong but what else has come out of Pulp Fiction?, It managed to bring Travolta out of career Limbo and made Uma Thermon a household name, who else's career did it make? and will it leave a lasting impact on society as a whole?.

I still believe that Taxi Driver will stand the test of time unlike Pulp Fiction which just like Bankseys murual depicting both Travolta and Jackson Holding Bananas will probably be forgotten.

Impact? Well I'd say Pulp Fiction has had a huge impact on popular culture and the movie industry. Its box office success is considered to be the turning point for indie cinema and like Taxi Driver, it made bank and then some despite its small budget. Having a star like Bruce Willis appear in a Miramax film? That was huge at the time. And it's something that continues in the movie industry to this day, actors hopping from high-profile projects to indies, which became a lot more credible post-Pulp. Plus there's the whole comeback of film noir thing. Pop culture influence goes without saying. JMT mentioned many of the widely referenced and remembered moments in the film in his post in Becker's thread - the adrenaline shot, the dancing, the Ezekiel recitation. I don't need to repeat it.

It did justify a renasounce in the Film Noir genre which because of Pulp fiction managed to resurface and attain attention of a 90's audience.

But again I ask you the question will it stand the test of time?, I think not, even though the film is one of Jackson's strongest performances.

It may not have "made" a star but it certainly revived John Travolta's entire career, which was on an epic downward spiral in the 80s. The same guy who starred in fucking Staying Alive managed to escape mediocrity (albeit briefly because he's ******ed) and get an Academy Award nomination because of Pulp Fiction.

If not for the musical I bet Saturday Night fever would have ever been mentioned again, and Staying alive was aweful, Stallone took everything that made it's predecessor and attempted to spin it to a more younger audience, It far from achieved the status that it's predecessor did.

I'd never deny this.

Finally you see sense

I'm with you on your first point, but you're arguing that this movie is the best of all-time. A lot more goes into the greatest film of all-time than just an incredible acting performance (even thought it IS a part of what makes the movie successful). It sounds more like a case for De Niro's Bickle than a case for the movie itself is all I'm saying.

I'm actually arguing the strength of the movie and it's relevance in pop culture, the fact is even by today's standards the movie was and still is unique in it's motives, it provided a backdrop for a disgruntled society that even today is suffereing from the ill morals that follow it, child and drug trafficking are still realities and are a hug problem, and Schizophrenia still remains.

The Movie has cemented itself into todays rather twisted society where we praise the anti hero and shun authority, the fact is Icons such as Bickle are becoming more and more prominent.

Now onto Becker:

Rocky was a very successful movie. Pure underdog movie made for everyone. It was a highly successful movie. I see where you're coming from but I can't or I don't see the impact on culture.

The fact that Rocky beat out Taxi Driver for the best Pciture still leaves me feeling sick, due to the fact that Stallone is neather a great Director nor actor, he is prone to doing actions movies with as little dialogue as possible.

Look at the guys resume after his first milestone picture, the guy did movies such as

- Get Carter Remake (a pure bastardisation of the original)
- Driven (a straight to DVD piece of crap).

The list goes on, Stallone has always stated that it was his Bells Pausy that held him back, it was moreso his bad attempt at actually acting, comparing Rocky to Taxi Driver is like comparing Boxing to MMA, one has nothing to do with the other.

and what has Rocky done to amass pop culture status?, Rocky was an underdog, Travis was an anti - hero who was lost in the shuffle of society, dealing with sleep apnia, he attempted to be the bad guy but ended up as an unwarrented ant-hero, Rocky was a different kettle of fish.

And does Rocky deserve cult status?, no because today's society doesn't believe in hard work, they believe in getting things rather easily, its not how hard you work, but how hard you play, sad but true.

No, but you brought up Gross revenue as a point. I made a rebuttal saying just because it grossed a lot on a small budget doesn't make it successful. That was one of your main points. I just proved you wrong. I'm sure more people have seen Rocky than Taxi Driver. Therefore it's a cultural success. I don't get your point he Here?

Revenue doesn't mean cultural sucess, Revenue means how much the movie has taken in the box office, I used it as a standing point that the movie warranted GOAT status because of many elements and revenue was one of them.

Taxi Driver has also become a staple in Film studies, being studied as part of influences on society as a whole, major characters analysed and cinematrophy studied, let me know if Rocky has garnered this much attention from educational programs.

Provide me a link or something. I need sources big guy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxi_driver#Awards

One flew over the Cuckoo's nest is my favorite movie of all time. I can pretty much go over it line for line. McMurphy "I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this. "
McMurphy again "In one week, I can put a bug so far up her ass, she don't know whether to shit or wind her wristwatch. "

You know whats funny? I know those and those aren't even big quotes. Thank you very much.

Dead serious!!!

I adore one flew over the Cuckoo's nest but still believe it didn't have as much Impact as Taxi Driver.

No you haven't. I want to know how he was a cultural Icon. Providing one quote. You wanna see a movie that was heavily praised? Go watch Pulp Fiction. It takes more than one thing to convince me of such a claim. I know you're better than that. But I haven't seen it yet.

- Studied by numerous education outlets as part of a Film Studies Program.

- Reflects onto todays culture and still garners critical acclaim.

- Has been rated the 1 movie ever to recieve The Palme D'or.

-Has hled numerous awards and was nominated as such.

- Has been held in the highest regard by numerous critics such as Roger Ebert.

Refut my claim but you cannoy deny the cultural impact this film has made.