Most Rewatchable Scene · 54:30
The Billy Batts sequence through Tommy’s mother’s house (two choices)
Bill Simmons: The opening trunk murder is nominated.
Bill Simmons: Young Henry’s first arrest and celebration are nominated.
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The Rewatchables ·
Goodfellas
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Who won the movie
Martin Scorsese
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Roger Ebert
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Dion Waiters Award
Frank Vincent
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“That Guy” Award
Mike Starr
The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson · 29:08
Ten darkly comic lessons about made men, post-heist spending, airports, mob ownership, cocaine, violence, loyalty, dating, crew executions, and divorce
Do not kill a made man, because it will come back to hurt you.
Cast
Selected cast credits · Film reference
Robert De Niro
James "Jimmy" Conway
Ray Liotta
Henry Hill
Christopher Serrone
Young Henry
Joe Pesci
Tommy DeVito
Joseph D'Onofrio
Young Tommy
Lorraine Bracco
Karen Hill
Paul Sorvino
Paulie Cicero
Frank Sivero
Frankie Carbone
Tony Darrow
Sonny Bunz
Mike Starr
Frenchy
Everything from the episode
In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.
29:08
The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson
Ten darkly comic lessons about made men, post-heist spending, airports, mob ownership, cocaine, violence, loyalty, da...
Ten darkly comic lessons about made men, post-heist spending, airports, mob ownership, cocaine, violence, loyalty, dating, crew executions, and divorce
In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 00:29:08Read transcript
- Do not kill a made man, because it will come back to hurt you.
- After a massive heist, do not buy anything fancy; lie low. — Bill Simmons
- When you need money, rob an airport. — Bill Simmons
- Do not make a mob boss your silent restaurant partner.
- If you sell cocaine, do not use it. — Bill Simmons
- If you truly hate someone, shoot them in the face so their mother cannot hold an open-casket funeral. — Bill Simmons
- Never rat on your friends, and always keep your mouth shut. — Bill Simmons
- If a new boyfriend pistol-whips someone in front of you, reconsider ending up with him. — Bill Simmons
- If you are part of a crew, nobody tells you they are going to kill you. — Bill Simmons
- The bonus lesson is not to get divorced.
29:08
Top Ten List
Life lessons from Goodfellas: 1 Don't whack a made man; 2 After a massive heist, don't buy anything fancy, lay low; 3...
Life lessons from Goodfellas
- 1 Don't whack a made man
- 2 After a massive heist, don't buy anything fancy, lay low
- 3 Whenever you need money, rob an airport
- 5 Don't make a mob boss your silent restaurant partner
- 6 Don't use coke if you're also selling coke
- 7 If you really hate someone, shoot them in the face (no open casket)
- 8 Never rat on your friends, always keep your mouth shut
- 9 If your new boyfriend pistol-whips someone in front of you, don't end up with him
- 10 If you're part of a crew, nobody ever tells you they're going to kill you
In the discussion (12)
Approx. transcript time · 00:29:08Read transcript
- The segment is introduced as the ten best lessons from Goodfellas, with the list deferred until after an ad break. — Bill Simmons
- Lesson number one is not to kill a made man. — Bill Simmons
- After a large heist, the advice is to avoid buying anything conspicuous and to lie low. — Bill Simmons
- Another lesson says to rob an airport when money is needed. — Chris Ryan
- The machine transcript jumps from lesson number one to an explicit lesson number five; no fourth ordinal is inferred. — Bill Simmons
- Lesson number five is not to make a mob boss a silent restaurant partner because the partner will steal from the business and ultimately destroy it. — Bill Simmons
- A later lesson says not to use cocaine while also selling cocaine. — Bill Simmons
- If someone is going to be murdered, the list grimly advises preventing an open-casket funeral. — Bill Simmons
- The list repeats the rule never to inform on friends and always to keep quiet. — Bill Simmons
- Seeing a new boyfriend assault someone is offered as a reason not to remain with him. — Bill Simmons
- A crew member is warned that nobody announces a plan to kill them. — Bill Simmons
- A bonus lesson advises against divorce and says to make the relationship work.
47:13
Roger Ebert's review
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:47:13Read transcript
- Ebert gave Goodfellas four stars and named it his best film of 1990.
- Ebert wrote that no finer film about organized crime had been made, including The Godfather. — Sean Fennessey
- He described Scorsese as America’s finest filmmaker at the peak of his form. — Sean Fennessey
54:30
Most Rewatchable Scene
The Billy Batts sequence through Tommy’s mother’s house (two choices); the funny-guy exchange (one)
The Billy Batts sequence through Tommy’s mother’s house (two choices); the funny-guy exchange (one)
In the discussion (20)
Approx. transcript time · 00:54:30Read transcript
- The opening trunk murder is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Young Henry’s first arrest and celebration are nominated. — Bill Simmons
- The Bamboo Lounge introductions are nominated. — Bill Simmons
- The funny-guy exchange is nominated and receives one final choice.
- Sonny complaining to Paulie about the restaurant is nominated.
- The Copacabana tracking shot is nominated.
- Billy Batts insulting Tommy is nominated.
- The continuation at Tommy’s mother’s house is nominated; two final choices favor the combined sequence. — Bill Simmons
- Spider being shot and later killed is nominated.
- Henry lying to Paulie about Billy Batts is nominated as the moment the movie turns toward lies and horror. — Sean Fennessey
- Karen holding a gun on Henry is nominated as a horror-like sequence. — Sean Fennessey
- Henry learning of the Lufthansa heist in the shower is nominated, along with its Shining homage. — Bill Simmons
- The post-heist gaudy purchases are nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Jimmy sizing up Morrie in slow motion is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Morrie’s murder is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- The Layla corpse montage is nominated and praised as operatic.
- Tommy’s execution and Jimmy’s phone-booth reaction are nominated. — Sean Fennessey
- The cocaine-and-helicopter day is nominated for replicating the sensation of Henry’s paranoia. — Chris Ryan
- Karen’s assault and Henry’s pistol-whipping retaliation are nominated. — Sean Fennessey
- The wives’ social scene is nominated for portraying a part of the mob world usually unseen.
1:31:40
What’s Aged the Best?
The young Henry performance, freeze frames, Sopranos connections, narration, comedy, color, wigs, music, food, the un...
The young Henry performance, freeze frames, Sopranos connections, narration, comedy, color, wigs, music, food, the unseen Lufthansa heist, and Henry and Karen’s fights
In the discussion (17)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:40Read transcript
- The young Henry performer is praised. — Bill Simmons
- The freeze-frame device remains effective. — Bill Simmons
- Tommy asking Henry to go on the double date is praised. — Bill Simmons
- The extensive Sopranos casting connections reward later viewings. — Bill Simmons
- The narration is praised despite one host’s general dislike of narration. — Bill Simmons
- The corpse-excavation joke remains startling. — Bill Simmons
- Alec Baldwin’s De Niro impression gives the film added comic afterlife. — Bill Simmons
- The wedding’s repeated Italian names are praised. — Bill Simmons
- The pistol-whipping sequence remains forceful. — Bill Simmons
- Its bright-green suburban palette is contrasted with the film’s usual red, blue, and black. — Bill Simmons
- The high ratio of conspicuous wigs is praised as character detail. — Bill Simmons
- The soundtrack is praised. — Bill Simmons
- The movie’s food scenes make the panel hungry. — Bill Simmons
- The prison visit and children’s eagerness to see Uncle Paulie are singled out as a darkly funny family detail. — Bill Simmons
- Not showing the Lufthansa heist is praised as a budget-saving and story-centering choice. — Chris Ryan
- Henry and Karen’s fights are praised for their raw intimacy and continuing attraction. — Chris Ryan
- The music is praised as a seamless 25-year snapshot of American popular music. — Chris Ryan
1:40:54
What’s Aged the Worst?
Sopranos associations, Janice’s casting, two later Lufthansa adaptations, a BC-basketball reference, ketchup on pasta...
Sopranos associations, Janice’s casting, two later Lufthansa adaptations, a BC-basketball reference, ketchup on pasta, Boogie Nights echoes, and pre-9/11 airline cocaine transport
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:40:54Read transcript
- Michael Imperioli’s later identity as Christopher Moltisanti can overwhelm Spider. — Bill Simmons
- Janice is criticized as an underpowered choice for Henry’s girlfriend. — Bill Simmons
- Two later films about the Lufthansa heist are mentioned as apparently unsuccessful afterlives. — Bill Simmons
- A Boston College basketball reference prompts a dated personal association. — Bill Simmons
- Ketchup on pasta is condemned. — Bill Simmons
- Boogie Nights’ overt homage can make its Janice-apartment echo intrude on later Goodfellas viewings.
- Carrying cocaine on commercial airlines is judged far harder now than before 9/11.
1:50:32
Casting What-Ifs
De Niro’s choice of Jimmy, Malkovich and William Petersen alternatives, Liotta and Sean Penn possibilities, Sorvino’s...
De Niro’s choice of Jimmy, Malkovich and William Petersen alternatives, Liotta and Sean Penn possibilities, Sorvino’s self-discovery, and Cruise/Madonna rumors are discussed.
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:50:32Read transcript
- De Niro was offered Jimmy or Tommy, chose Jimmy, and his commitment secured financing. — Bill Simmons
- John Malkovich and William Petersen are discussed as reported Jimmy alternatives. — Bill Simmons
- Liotta’s Something Wild work helped establish him for Henry, and he reportedly turned down Harvey Dent in Batman. — Bill Simmons
- Sean Penn is discussed as a possible Henry. — Bill Simmons
- Paul Sorvino reportedly considered leaving until he saw a frightening expression in the mirror and found Paulie. — Bill Simmons
- Tom Cruise and Madonna are discussed as reported alternate star casting, though the panel questions how real the offers were. — Bill Simmons
1:53:35
The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award
Mike Starr
In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 01:53:35Read transcript
- Mike Starr is selected.
- Frank Sivero is nominated.
- Tony Darrow is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Chuck Low is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Welker White is nominated. — Chris Ryan
- Peter Onorati is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Tobin Bell is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Kevin Corrigan is nominated.
- Frank DiLeo is nominated. — Sean Fennessey
- Isiah Whitlock Jr. is nominated.
1:56:33
The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award
Liotta’s flushed-cocaine reaction
Liotta’s flushed-cocaine reaction
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:56:33Read transcript
- Liotta’s funny-guy laugh is raised but ruled ineligible. — Bill Simmons
- Morrie is nominated. — Chris Ryan
- Liotta’s reaction when Karen says she flushed the cocaine is favored.
1:58:10
The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance
Frank Vincent
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:58:10Read transcript
- Frank Vincent is selected for Billy Batts.
- Debi Mazar is nominated. — Sean Fennessey
- Chuck Low is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Paul Sorvino is nominated.
- Michael Imperioli is nominated. — Bill Simmons
1:59:37
Recasting Couch
Linda Fiorentino as Janice or a gumar
Linda Fiorentino as Janice or a gumar
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:59:37Read transcript
- Linda Fiorentino is proposed and selected. — Bill Simmons
- Annabella Sciorra is proposed as an alternative. — Chris Ryan
2:00:06
Half-Assed Internet Research
The Scorsese–Pileggi call, Henry Hill payment, a pistol-whip accident, filmmakers’ relationships, Imperioli’s injury,...
The Scorsese–Pileggi call, Henry Hill payment, a pistol-whip accident, filmmakers’ relationships, Imperioli’s injury, the painting, Oscar-winning killer roles, the closing shot, music planning, made-man rules, ratings edits, and profanity
In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 02:00:06Read transcript
- Scorsese and Nicholas Pileggi’s reciprocal “waiting for this” phone-call lines are recounted. — Bill Simmons
- Henry Hill was reportedly paid $480,000. — Bill Simmons
- The actor pistol-whipped by Henry describes Liotta maintaining rage between takes and accidentally getting too close. — Bill Simmons
- Scorsese dating Illeana Douglas and Lorraine Bracco’s marriage to Harvey Keitel are discussed. — Bill Simmons
- Michael Imperioli broke glass in his hand, and hospital staff initially thought it was a gunshot wound. — Bill Simmons
- Scorsese predicted Imperioli would tell the injury story on Jay Leno, which he later did. — Bill Simmons
- Tommy’s mother’s painting was reportedly based on a 1977 National Geographic image. — Bill Simmons
- Five actors said to have won Oscars for portraying real-life killers are counted. — Bill Simmons
- Pesci shooting at the camera is connected to The Great Train Robbery and Henry always looking over his shoulder. — Bill Simmons
- The music editor said Scorsese planned songs years before shooting and included them in the script. — Chris Ryan
- A 2000 change to made-man ancestry rules is described. — Bill Simmons
- Scorsese reportedly removed ten frames of blood to secure an R rating. — Bill Simmons
- The movie is reported to contain 321 uses or derivatives of “fuck.” — Sean Fennessey
2:04:42
Apex Mountain
Martin Scorsese, gangster movies, the 1990 Scorsese–De Palma rivalry, the Copacabana sequence, gangster names, razor-...
Martin Scorsese, gangster movies, the 1990 Scorsese–De Palma rivalry, the Copacabana sequence, gangster names, razor-bladed garlic, the Lufthansa heist, Joe Pesci’s 1989–95 run, pistol-whipping, mobster wigs, prison tomato sauce, Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco, “fucko,” and Pittsburgh drug dealers
In the discussion (17)
Approx. transcript time · 02:04:42Read transcript
- Scorsese is selected at his artistic apex, with The Departed raised as a later juice-based alternative.
- Goodfellas is called a capstone for gangster movies before the form moved to television.
- The Scorsese–De Palma rivalry is placed at its apex around November 1990. — Sean Fennessey
- The Goodfellas Copacabana sequence is favored over Barry Manilow’s song for the name “Copacabana.” — Bill Simmons
- Movie-gangster names are called an unquestionable apex. — Bill Simmons
- De Niro’s apex is debated between his late-1970s/early-1980s run and 1990-era juice. — Bill Simmons
- Razor-blading garlic is called a one-of-one apex.
- Goodfellas is treated as the apex for the Lufthansa heist.
- Joe Pesci is placed in an apex run spanning Lethal Weapon 2 through Casino.
- “It is what it is” from The Irishman is favored among mob murder-code justifications. — Bill Simmons
- The film is selected as an apex for pistol-whipping on film.
- Mobster wigs and prison tomato sauce receive affirmative apex rulings. — Bill Simmons
- Ray Liotta and Lorraine Bracco receive affirmative apex rulings. — Bill Simmons
- Paul Sorvino’s apex remains unresolved against his long career. — Bill Simmons
- Henny Youngman is rejected, while the word “fucko” receives an affirmative apex ruling.
- Cutty Sark is discussed as a once-prominent drink rarely seen now. — Chris Ryan
- Pittsburgh drug dealers receive a final joking apex nomination.
2:16:22
Picking Nits
Age mismatches, Sonny confronting Tommy publicly, absent strip clubs, prison meals, a mannequin-like assault victim, ...
Age mismatches, Sonny confronting Tommy publicly, absent strip clubs, prison meals, a mannequin-like assault victim, post-wedding housing, Billy Batts’s party, Lufthansa associates who fail to flee, Karen locating Henry, and payphones
In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 02:16:22Read transcript
- Liotta and Pesci are judged much too old for the early ages they portray. — Bill Simmons
- Sonny discussing the restaurant bill in front of Tommy’s friends is questioned. — Bill Simmons
- The absence of an obligatory strip-club scene is questioned.
- The elaborate prison meals are questioned but accepted as fun.
- The pistol-whipping victim stands like a mannequin. — Bill Simmons
- Henry and Karen living with her mother after receiving substantial wedding cash is questioned, then defended as living off-grid. — Bill Simmons
- Billy Batts’s sparsely attended party and friends leaving him with a rival crew are questioned; Jimmy may have kept him there and drunk.
- Lufthansa associates fail to flee despite participating in Jimmy’s other murders. — Bill Simmons
- How Karen knows Henry is at Morrie’s shop after Bruce assaults her is questioned.
- Mobsters repeatedly using the same supposedly untraceable payphone is questioned.
2:22:17
Best Senior Yearbook Quote
“Never rat on your friends; always keep your mouth shut”
“Never rat on your friends; always keep your mouth shut”
The panel proposes a new category here.
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 02:22:17Read transcript
- Best Senior Yearbook Quote is explicitly introduced as a new category just for this episode. — Bill Simmons
- Multiple Goodfellas lines are offered as nominees. — Bill Simmons
- “Never rat on your friends; always keep your mouth shut” is favored as a very good yearbook quote. — Bill Simmons
2:23:43
Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake
A ten-episode Lufthansa series; a police-side version (possibly uninteresting)
A ten-episode Lufthansa series; a police-side version (possibly uninteresting)
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 02:23:43Read transcript
- A ten-episode series could center on the Lufthansa heist. — Bill Simmons
- A police-side version is proposed. — Bill Simmons
- The police-side idea is qualified because the mobsters were well known and protected through corruption until federal prosecution and RICO changed the system. — Sean Fennessey
2:25:46
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Liotta, Bracco, bodies, cocaine acting, and Jimmy’s plan for Karen
Liotta, Bracco, bodies, cocaine acting, and Jimmy’s plan for Karen
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 02:25:46Read transcript
- Why did Ray Liotta’s career not produce more roles at this level?
- Why did Lorraine Bracco’s movie career not become larger?
- Did the smell of Billy Batts’s corpse ever leave Henry’s trunk?
- How much of Liotta’s cocaine performance was method or physical technique?
- Was Jimmy truly planning to kill Karen? — Chris Ryan
2:29:50
What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?
The Cadillac, living room, crucifix, painting, and bar fixtures
The Cadillac, living room, crucifix, painting, and bar fixtures
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 02:29:50Read transcript
- A Cadillac is proposed.
- The living-room furniture is proposed.
- Karen’s crucifix is proposed.
- Tommy’s mother’s painting is proposed.
- Owning a bar like the Bamboo Lounge or Suite Lounge is proposed.
2:30:45
Who Won the Movie?
Martin Scorsese
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 02:30:45Read transcript
- Three audible choices explicitly select Martin Scorsese.
- Pesci, De Niro, and Liotta are discussed as plausible alternatives if the film were not itself one of the great American movies.
- The panel asks whether losing Best Director for Goodfellas helped build the later campaign to recognize Scorsese. — Sean Fennessey
Podcast choices
- Speaker not identified
- Martin Scorsese
- Speaker not identified
- Martin Scorsese
- Speaker not identified
- Martin Scorsese
Mentions across The Rewatchables
Recorded movie reference
Cop Land
The Rewatchables · aired June 2, 2022
Ten De Niro pantheon performances
Transcript time unavailableRead transcript
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