10 Greatest Crime Movies
1. Godfather (1972)
Godfather 50th Anniversary Trailer Paramount• YouTube
2. Godfather Part II (1974)
3. Goodfellas (2011)
Goodfellas•World of Warner Bros.•YouTube
Bonnie and Clyde-Original Theatrical Trailer• World of Warner Bros.•Youtube
6. Scarface (1983)
Scarface-Trailer•Universal Pictures All Access•YouTube
5. Heat (1995)
Heat-Original Theatrical Trailer•World of Warner Bros.•YouTube
The Usual Suspect-Trailer•Paramount Movies Digital•YouTube
Carlito's Way in 4K HD (Starring Al Pacino)•Carlito Gets Out of Prison•Extended Preview•Universal All Access•YouTube
City of God-Official Trailer (HD) -Alice Braga, Seu Jorge•MIRAMAX•YouTube
The Departed-4K Ultra HD Official Trailer•Warner Bros. Entertainment•YouTube
10. Carlito's Way (1983)
7. City of God (2002)
8. The Departed (2006)
9. Usual Suspects (1995)
The best crime movie, the best book adaptation and arguably the best movie ever made. Francis Ford Coppola directed this dark, somber star studded family gangster saga. Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Robert Duval, John Cazales and Marlon Brando shine. Gordon Willis' cinematography captures the feel of the 40's and 50's. Nicolas Rota's score is haunting and memorable. The character arc of Michael Corleone is one of the most developed in movies. The parallel editing intermingling Michael's nephew's baptism with the assassination of his enemies is gruesome and spectacular.
Arguably, Martin Scorsese' best film. The essence of the 1950's to 80's as seen through the eyes of a mafiosa, Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), is essentially a series of vignettes. Robert DeNiro, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, and Oscar winner Joe Pesci round out the lead cast. The movie is filled with memorable, at times ultraviolent, scenes--dinner at Tommy's mom's house following disposal of a body, "how am I funny," the Copacabana steadicam entrance, Tommy killing Batts, and Tommy's "initiation," are standouts. The era specific soundtrack has nearly 50 songs.
The best sequel in moviedom meshing seamlessly with the prequel. Robert Deniro won an Oscar as the young Vito Corleone. Michael Corleone's descent into a vicious criminal is masterful acting by Pacino. John Cazale gives the best performance of his short career as Fredo Corleone, a victim of fratricide in a heartbreaking scene. Vito's assassination of Fanucci using a gun warped in an igniting towel is startling and unique. The airport assassination of Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg) is is reminiscent of Lee Harvey Oswald's. 3 h 22 min run time is the longest in this list but it doesn't feel that way.
A landmark film by Arthur Penn that introduced a new style: violence blended with comedy. This would be continued by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Pulp Fiction and others. One of the first films to use squibs (explosive devices with fake blood). Its realistic depiction of violence influences films to this day. This movie made Faye Dunaway a star. The final scene when the couple is gunned downed by submachine guns alongside the road inspired Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch and Coppola's depiction of Sonny's murder at the toll booth in the Godfather.
Scorsese' best director and best picture Oscar winner--an epic Boston crime film notable for its dream cast led by Leonardo Dicaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg and featuring Vera Farmiga, Ray Winstone, Martin Sheen, and Alec Baldwin. Scorsese turned up the notch on violence compared to the Hong Kong film it was based on, Infernal Affairs. He was also quoted saying: "this is the first movie I've done with a plot." State policeman Dingham's (Mark Wahlberg) elimination of dirty cop Sullivan (Matt Damon) induces audience applause. The era specific soundtrack consists of nearly 50 songs.
Pacino and Deniro together onscreen for the first time.This cold, methodical epic about a team of cops versus a gang of robbers is unique because it fleshes out the characters by depicting their personal lives as well as their professional lives. A great ensemble cast featuring Val Kilmer, Ashley Judd, Tom Sizemore, Amy Brenneman, Jon Voight, and Natalie Portman among others. Realistic sound and action and surgically precise editing are highlights. The technical details in the movie purportedly influenced several real-life robberies. It features the best urban shootout in film.
The best performance of Pacino's career and the best Brian DePalma movie. Michelle Pfeiffer shines in her breakout role as Elvira Hancock. A frenetic, color saturated, violent ode to the big 80's chronicling the rise and fall of a Cuban refugee turned gangster. The attempted car bombing of a journalist and the famous shower chainsaw scene are master classes in tension and editing. The shoot-out in the mansion is among the most violent in film. Originally given an MPAA X rating due to excessive violence and language but changed to an R on appeal.
A prepubescent GoodFellas that is difficult to watch at times due to its violence. Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund. Based on real events in the Rio de Janeiro slum of the same name occurring from the 60's to the 80's. The movie is a blend of a gangster epic and an MTV video. Most of the cast were residents of the slums. The U.S. movie poster helped launch Alice Braga's career (I Am Legend, Queen of the South). Benny's farewell party featuring loud music, flashing lights, hundreds of dancers, and unexpected violence is masterful direction and editing.
A kinder, gentler Scarface. Brian DePalma moderated the violence in this underrated, bittersweet tale of a Nuyorican criminal given a second chance who blows it while helping his nephew. Pacino gives a marvelous, restrained performance as the title character. Sean Penn, back from retirement and newly permed, is outstanding as Carlito's backstabbing lawyer, Dave Kleinfeld. Penelope Ann Miller is gorgeous as Carlito's dancer/stripper girlfriend, Gail. Although we know the outcome, the subway pursuit and gunfight are thrilling.
One of the best plot twists in film. A brilliant screenplay by Christopher McQuarrie and deft direction by Brian Singer. The star studded cast features Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Benicio del Toro, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Pollak, Giancarlo Esposito, and Pete Postlethwaite. There are plenty of thrilling action scenes including two robberies (one involving dirty cops) and a firefight on the pier. It gets better on repeat watchings when "easter eggs" get picked up.
Godfather Part II •Paramount Movies•YouTube
4. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)