Why only a B+ or A-

I really loved the first 30 mins or so of Gangs, the rest was a bit tedious to watch. Not terrible, just not up to par, at least IMO.

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“The gladdest moment in human life, methinks, is a departure into unknown lands.” – Sir Richard Burton

Yes sir, nay sayers be damned, this is classy noir yellow trenchcoat bliss.

But damnit, I wanted no face to be Dustin Hoffman. He rips off the mask and says "Who's the bizotch now" but noone can understand him.

That would've been a great ending.

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I've gotta go with this one, too. After seeing the film, I read Herbert Asbury's The Gangs of New York, and I'm here to tell you, Scorsese had MUCH more interesting material he could have put in there. I enjoyed the film, but the story was just too generic for me. All that pretty historical accuracy, and a so-so story - blah. I don't even know if Scorsese knew what he wanted to say with the film, because it goes in so many directions.

I agree with Gangs and Pale Rider.

Another one for me is A Bronx Tale.

This movie has 3 of my favorite scenes
1. The dice scene
2. The racetrack scene
3. The bar scene with the bikers

I really thought it could have been a great movie but I never bought in to Sonny telling C that it would be all right for him to go out with a black girl in 1960's New York. I know it was supposed to be Calogero Lorenzo "Chazz" Palminteri autobiographical story but I just don't buy it,

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"Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others."- Groucho Marx

On the subjects of Kubrick... I think Full metal Jacket didnt quite get there. Great movie, it started off so well, but for me it faltered.