Polanski and Scorcese

[IAmNietzche]

I think it's interesting to look at the similar trajectories these two have taken (in their careers, not their personal lives). Both have released films this year (Scorcese to mixed review, Polanski to rave review) and both have made films on a fairly regular basis since the 60's.

They both obviously have their preferred genres (the gangster film for Scorcese, the psychological horror film for Polanski) but have tried their hand at everything from the documentary and the biopic to film noir and period pieces. My question is, who do you prefer? Below is a list of some of their better films to get get a hold of what each of them has done.

Scorcese
Goodfellas
Taxi Driver
Raging Bull
The Departed
Il mio viaggio in Italia
The Last Waltz
Casino
The Aviator
Mean Streets
Shutter Island

Polanski
The Pianist
Rosemary's Baby
The Tenant
Repulsion
Knife in the Water
Chinatown
The Ghostwriter
Death and the Maiden
Cul-de-Sac
Tess

[Ravenna]

if you are talking about best films from each director, you have to include both The King of Comedy and Gangs of New York for Scorsese, and Macbeth for Polanski. And although I support everything, and I mean everything, that Polanski does, I still slightly prefer Scorsese.

[Recovery Room]

This is tough.

I wouldn't call myself a huge fan of either. I really love The Departed and Goodfellas. However, I think The Pianist is the best Holocaust film ever and Chinatown is easily the best film out of both directors' filmography.

P.S. I really want/need to see The Ghost Writer.

[DrStrong]

I've always been a sucker for mafia movies. Then again, i've always been a sucker for the psychological movies as well. I've seen more of Scorcese's movies tho, so i cant really say who I prefer.

[Recovery Room]

if you are talking about best films from each director, you have to include both The King of Comedy and Gangs of New York for Scorsese, and Macbeth for Polanski. And although I support everything, and I mean everything, that Polanski does, I still slightly prefer Scorsese.
In my opinion, Gangs of New York is an okay film with an incredible performance (i.e. Daniel Day-Lewis, of course).

[Ravenna]

In my opinion, Gangs of New York is an okay film with an incredible performance (i.e. Daniel Day-Lewis, of course).
I would tend to agree with you, although I do think it warrants a mention under some of the better films he's made. I know that this site has a lot of over exuberant Gangs fanboys who will probably call it one of his best ever.

[IAmNietzche]

I would tend to agree with you, although I do think it warrants a mention under some of the better films he's made. I know that this site has a lot of over exuberant Gangs fanboys who will probably call it one of his best ever.
I couldn't justify it because it suuuuuuuuuucks.

[IAmNietzche]

I tend to agree that Scorcese has the better body of work, but if you judge a director by whether he's made one unequivocal and undeniable masterpiece, you have to go with Polanski. Scorcese has never made and doesn't have in him a Chinatown.

I also rate Repulsion as better than any of Scorcese's films but that's probably just me.

[Ravenna]

I tend to agree that Scorcese has the better body of work, but if you judge a director by whether he's made one unequivocal and undeniable masterpiece, you have to go with Polanski. Scorcese has never made and doesn't have in him a Chinatown.

I also rate Repulsion as better than any of Scorcese's films but that's probably just me.
I will agree that Chinatown is the best film from either director, but I would also argue that Taxi Driver is a masterpiece of its own. Maybe a lesser masterpiece than Chinatown, but still undeniably great. I wouldn't rank it too far behind Chinatown.

[IAmNietzche]

I will agree that Chinatown is the best film from either director, but I would also argue that Taxi Driver is a masterpiece of its own. Maybe a lesser masterpiece than Chinatown, but still undeniably great. I wouldn't rank it too far behind Chinatown.
Same, but I tend to break down films into tiers, and Chinatown sits in the middle of tier one, Taxi Driver at the top of tier two.

That sounds pretty nerdy all typed out like that.

[narcoleptic953]

I have not seen enough Polanski. Chinatown blew my fucking mind though...

[cantnokdahustle]

I dig Scorcese, but none of his films have effected/haunted me as much as Repulsion or The Tenant. I haven't seen Chinatown (I'll catch it during Spring Break).

[And Hours Pass]

I dig Scorcese, but none of his films have effected/haunted me as much as Repulsion or The Tenant. I haven't seen Chinatown (I'll catch it during Spring Break).
Your avatar's bomb. I quoted C&H for my senior quote when I graduated high school.

[aolsux]

Polanski for Chinatown, The Pianist and Macbeth alone cannot touch even my favorite Scorcese: Taxi Driver

[Daigle lol]

Scorsese is definitely my favorite director of the two, but there's no denying that Polanski has made some incredible movies. Knife in the Water, Chinatown, The Pianist, Rosemary's Baby.. very good stuff.

[jwelborn]

Mean Streets is in my top 5 favorite films of all time.

[Wake Up]

I love Polanski's films over Scorsese's, but I like watching Scorsese's more than Polanski's.

[vincentgrippi]

Polanski : Repulsion
Scorcese: Simply can't choose between Taxi Driver, Raging Bull or The Departed.

[ImTheSheriff]

i like both of them but Scorcese by far.

[RonStoppable]

Scorsese is my all-time favorite director. I try not to idolize anyone, but in his case, it's hard.

Polanski is great in is own right, though.

[Genuma]

can't stand gangs of new york, but easily scorsese for me.

[andrewshungry]

i've only seen three polanski films but i've fucking loved all of them. its tough. and i still have yet to see mean streets.

edit: holy shit i just read the plot description for repulsion. i need to see this fucking movie.