When people think of classic Martin Scorsese films, many are reminded of “Goodfellas,” “Casino,” and even “The Departed.” The filmmaker has really become the iconic crime drama storyteller. So, you could definitely understand why film fans would be intrigued to see Scorsese’s take on the legendary “Godfather” franchise, but when the opportunity came for him to take a shot at it, he didn’t think he was right for it.

Continue reading Martin Scorsese Explains Why He Wasn’t Mature Enough To Make ‘Godfather Part II’ When Coppola Offered It at The Playlist.

The first character seen in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather” is neither the title character, Don Vito Corleone (played to Oscar-winning perfection by Marlon Brando), his son and eventual successor Michael (Al Pacino, in his breakthrough role), nor, indeed, anyone from the brood at the story’s center. Instead, it is a decidedly secondary character, the undertaker Bonasera (Salvatore Corsitto), who also speaks the first line of dialogue, one of the most definitive opening thesis statements in the history of American cinema: “I believe in America.” 

This is not where the story of “The Godfather” – first told by Mario Puzo in his novel, then adapted to the screen by Puzo and Coppola – begins.

Continue reading The American Dream Of ‘The Godfather’ At 50 at The Playlist.

The camera pushes in on our hero the first time he sees him, and it’s easy to see why: the man sitting behind the desk, bathed in a little spotlight, in the Old World Social Club on Hester Street, is, unmistakably, a doppelganger for…

“I know what you’re thinking – the resemblance, right?” nudges the man who brought him there. “He’s the real thing, the original merchandise. When they saw him, they based the movie.” The use of such non-specifics as “the resemblance” and “the movie” isn’t just a filmmaker being coy (or avoiding copyright infringement); when Andrew Bergman’s “The Freshman” was released thirty years ago, in the summer of 1990, “The Godfather” was only 18 years old – and it was back in the spotlight, thanks to the long-awaited third installment, due in theaters that winter.

Continue reading ‘The Freshman’ At 30: The ‘Godfather’ Send-Up Is The Swan Song Marlon Brando Deserved at The Playlist.

Time heals all wounds, right? Well, time also has a funny way of making people forget any sort of drama and behind-the-scenes issues of a film set, as well. So, as a film fan, you look at a movie like “The Godfather,” and your mind races through the memorable scenes, the iconic lines, and the legendary status of all involved. It never crosses your mind that, at one point, “The Godfather” film that you know and love might not have ever happened.

Continue reading Francis Ford Coppola Explains How ‘Patton’ Saved His ‘Godfather’ Job & Why He Wanted Martin Scorsese To Helm The Sequel at The Playlist.

Some icons are so enduring, so ubiquitous, so larger than life, they take on an air of invulnerability. Some renowned figures seem to last forever and it’s possible to take them for granted. Take Alfredo James Pacino, who has been around for on screen for five decades in every role imaginable and somehow is just two years away from turning 80 years old (he turns 78 next month). The thought blows our mind, frankly.

Continue reading The Essentials: Al Pacino’s Best Performances at The Playlist.

The Tribeca Film Festival is coming to a close, and today is the last day to catch up with the festival winners. But last night, Tribeca capped off a successful 2017 run with an epic and historic evening to celebrate the 45th anniversary of “The Godfather.” A marathon eight-hour event, Tribeca screened “The Godfather” and “The Godfather: Part II” back to back, followed by a fascinating one-and-a-half-hour talk with director Francis Ford Coppola and a few members of the principal cast: Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Talia Shire, and, from ‘Part II,’ Robert De Niro.

Continue reading Francis Ford Coppola & ‘The Godfather’ At Tribeca: Watch The Full 1.5-Hour Talk at The Playlist.

HBO Now Airing 7.5-Hour 'The Godfather Epic' Featuring Unseen Footage, Cut Together Chronologically

Continue reading HBO Now Airing 7.5-Hour ‘The Godfather Epic’ Featuring Unseen Footage, Cut Together Chronologically at The Playlist.

Time Out Names Sydney Pollack's 'Tootsie' As The Best Film Of All Time

Continue reading Time Out Names Sydney Pollack’s ‘Tootsie’ As The Best Film Of All Time at The Playlist.

Watch: Explore Gangster Culture In This Fedora-Filled, Bullet-Riddled Supercut

Continue reading Watch: Explore Gangster Culture In This Fedora-Filled, Bullet-Riddled Supercut at The Playlist.

Watch: Gorgeous Supercut Puts Together The First And Final Frames Of Films From Kubrick, Malick, Fincher, And More

Continue reading Watch: Gorgeous Supercut Puts Together The First And Final Frames Of Films From Kubrick, Malick, Fincher, And More at The Playlist.

Akira Kurosawa’s 100 Favorite Movies Include Films By Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Woody Allen, And More

Continue reading Akira Kurosawa’s 100 Favorite Movies Include Films By Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Woody Allen, And More at The Playlist.

Watch: Revisit 'The Godfather' Saga With This 9-Minute Video Retrospective

Continue reading Watch: Revisit ‘The Godfather’ Saga With This 9-Minute Video Retrospective at The Playlist.

5 Things You May Not Know About The 'The Godfather Part II'

Continue reading 5 Things You May Not Know About The ‘The Godfather Part II’ at The Playlist.