Scorsese Up Close: A Study of the Films

by Ben Nyce

Overview

Unlike other books on Martin Scorsese that favor the discussion of broad themes and plot summaries, Scorsese Up Close: A Study of the Films also looks at the cinematic text of the great director's films. With a scrutiny comparable to the detail Scorsese brings to the shooting and editing process, author Ben Nyce examines particular shots or sequences of shots in many of the director's works. By focusing on these key components, Nyce explains how the visual and aural elements of such scenes dramatize Scorsese's singular vision.

Nyce first discusses several of the early works that established Scorsese as a filmmaker, beginning with a short student film, What's a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This? Subsequent chapters focus on individual films in the Scorsese canon, including Mean Streets, The Last Temptation of Christ, The Age of Innocence, Bringing out the Dead, Taxi Driver, and Raging Bull. Nyce's close attention to the details within each of these films will satisfy fans and students alike, especially those who share a passion for Scorsese's artistry and an appreciation for the craft of his filmmaking.

Illustrated with photos.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810847873
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	04/21/2004
Series:	The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series , #105
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.18(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

Ben Nyce recently retired as professor of literature and film at the University of San Diego. He has written many articles and is the author of Satyajit Ray: A Study of His Films (1988).

Table of Contents

Part 1 Acknowledgments Part 2 To the Reader Part 3 Chapter 1: Beginnings Chapter 4 WHAT'S A NICE GIRL LIKE YOU DOING IN A PLACE LIKE THIS?; IT'S NOT JUST YOU MURRAY!; THE BIG SHAVE; WHO'S THAT KNOCKING AT MY DOOR?; BOX CAR BERTHA Part 5 Chapter 2: A New Voice Chapter 6 MEAN STREETS; ITALIANAMERICAN Part 7 Chapter 3: A Career Choice Chapter 8 ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE Part 9 Chapter 4: The Strange and Familiar Chapter 10 TAXI DRIVER Part 11 Chapter 5: A New, New Musical Chapter 12 NEW YORK, NEW YORK; THE LAST WALTZ; AMERICAN BOY Part 13 Chapter 6: Bloodrope Chapter 14 RAGING BULL Part 15 Chapter 7: Empty Spaces Chapter 16 THE KING OF COMEDY Part 17 Chapter 8: The Bad Ladies Chapter 18 AFTER HOURS Part 19 Chapter 9: An Homage and a Career Choice Chapter 20 THE COLOR OF MONEY Part 21 Chapter 10: The Agony on the Hill Chapter 22 THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST Part 23 Chapter 11: The Artist as Agonist Chapter 24 LIFE LESSONS Part 25 Chapter 12: The Real Crew Chapter 26 GOODFELLAS Part 27 Chapter 13: Prelude to Rape Chapter 28 CAPE FEAR Part 29 Chapter 14: A Life Unlived Chapter 30 THE AGE OF INNOCENCE Part 31 Chapter 15: The Mob Again Chapter 32 CASINO Part 33 Chapter 16: The Buddhist Soul Chapter 34 KUNDUN Part 35 Chapter 17: The Urban Saint Chapter 36 BRINGING OUT THE DEAD Part 37 Conclusion Part 38 Postscript:GANGS OF NEW YORK Part 39 Bibliography Part 40 Index

Editorial Reviews

There have been more than two dozen books already written about director Martin Scorsese, so do we really need another one? If it's Ben Nyce's Scorsese Up Close: A Study of the Films (Scarecrow Press), the answer is an unequivocal yes. In only 176 pages, the author gives us a concise study of the cinematic text of the Scorsese oeuvre, from his early student works through Bringing Up the Dead, with a brief postscript on Gangs of New York. This is a perfect introduction to films like Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Age of Innocence and all the maestro's other pictures. I really like Nyce's ability to study each picture through certain key sequences, giving us an overview of each project's roots and reception. I also like the fact that Nyce gives high ratings to two of my favorite (and underrated) Scorsese movies - New York, New York and New York Stories: Life Lessons. This book is also a nice supplement to the newly released five-disc Scorsese Collection on DVD.

The National Board Of Review

There have been more than two dozen books already written about director Martin Scorsese, so do we really need another one? If it's Ben Nyce's Scorsese Up Close: A Study of the Films (Scarecrow Press), the answer is an unequivocal yes. In only 176 pages, the author gives us a concise study of the cinematic text of the Scorsese oeuvre, from his early student works through Bringing Up the Dead, with a brief postscript on Gangs of New York . This is a perfect introduction to films like Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Age of Innocence and all the maestro's other pictures. I really like Nyce's ability to study each picture through certain key sequences, giving us an overview of each project's roots and reception. I also like the fact that Nyce gives high ratings to two of my favorite (and underrated) Scorsese movies - New York, New York and New York Stories: Life Lessons. This book is also a nice supplement to the newly released five-disc Scorsese Collection on DVD.--The National Board Of Review

From the Publisher