Gangs Of New York [Blu-ray + Digital]

There has been a civil war in this country way before the actual Civil War and it has continued after the aforementioned Civil War ended. This was war has been fought by immigrants and the anti-immigrant faction in this country. You see it with the violence at Donald Trump rallies and you see it with the paranoia associated with controlling the Mexican border. This idea is beautifully captured by Gangs of New York and is illustrated by the depiction of the New York Draft Riots of 1863. This film displays the anger felt at that time, which resonates with the misguided anger of Trump supporters. Gangs of New York is a compelling story film directed by Martin Scorsese and stars starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz. It was released in 2002 and is rated R (so it is definitely not meant for children). It was nominated for an impressive ten Academy Awards including: Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor (Day-Lewis). The main theme of the film is immigration in New York during the 19th century, and particularly, how different gangs squabbled in the Five Points district in Lower Manhattan. These conflicts usually ended with death. Gangs of New York details the rise of a young orphan named Amsterdam Vallon, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, into the world of politics and street life. It focuses mainly on his relationship with William “Bill the Butcher” Cutting, based on real-life 19th century gangster William Poole, and who is the leader of the U.S. born nativist gang, the “Natives.” The “Natives” and the Irish immigrant gangs battle for control of the streets and political influence in Tammany Hall, which was the main political party in New York City during this time . It was also notoriously corrupt. Cutting controls his vast empire with an iron fist and has a cruel and violent temperament. He and Vallon form an unlikely father-son relationship, but Vallon has ulterior motives and is secretly trying to take down Cutting. This relationship explodes amongst amid the chaos of the New York Draft Riots of 1863. This event serves as a backdrop and a reminder that there are still problems to this day in regard to the acceptance of immigrants. The more things change the more they stay the same. The United States has long been against immigration and there has often been a backlash against immigrants. Looking back ontoat the success of Donald Trump, it makes you realize this xenophobia exists to this day. The opening scene of the film explains how some people feel about immigration. There is about to be a battle and Cutting states:On my challenge by the ancient laws of combat, we are met at this chosen ground to settle for good and all who holds sway over the Five Points, us natives born right wise to this fine land or the foreign hordes defiling it.Upon which Priest Vallon, the leader of the immigrant gangs states:By the ancient laws of combat, I accept the challenge of these so-called natives. You plague our people at every turn but from this day out you shall plague us no more. For let it be known the hand that tries to strike from us this land shall swiftly be cut down.The ironic part is just about everyone in this country emigrated from another country at some point in their family’s timeline. Unless you are Native American, your family originated from somewhere else. However, the irony is lost on the bigots and xenophobes. Hey, nobody ever said they were intelligent. Gangs of New York is definitely worth watching. It is virtually a history lesson disguised as a film. If you are fascinated with history like me or just like to be informed about the origins of our country, then this is the movie for you. This movie gives you a glimpse of how it was in the Five Points section of New York during the 19th century and provides a perfect juxtaposition on the status of our country now. It has a perfect combination of sex, violence and coarse language while also providing a moral lesson. You may either get disgusted with the sentiments displayed in this film or you may agree whole-heartedly. It really depends on your own personal feelings. But whatever your personal feelings are, this film will stir your emotions. Whether you are anti-immigration, pro-immigration, or neutral, this film will make you see each argument from every angle.

One of the best period pieces I have ever seen.

Great actors , graphic but I dig that stuff!

This remastered edition corrects the image quality issues of the previous edition which had heavy handed use of DNR (digital noise reduction)often eliminating the grain and detail at the same time. Colors pop and detail is remarkably sharp throughout. Audio sounds terrific as well although the previous edition sounded quite good as well. Aside from some minor ringing (particularly when characters are against a white background--doesn't happen too often in this movie though), the presentation looks terrific.We get all the previous special features from the previous edition as well including Martin Scorsese's informed and entertaining commentary track. The special features are still in standard definnition but that's a minor issue--I'm just happy that Touchstone/Disney/Miramax was willing to go back and correct the error with the original mastering.You can tell the remastered vs. the previous edition because the cover picture with the main actors is smaller and bordered by black. The Blu-ray holders also have a sticker on the cover indicating its been remastered.For those interested in the plot--Set in New York in 1846 (during the height of the draft for the Civil War which contributed to a massive violent revolt by the poor which plays a part in the film as well), Leonardo Dicaprio plays Amsterdam Vallon who returns to lower Manhattan seeking revenge against Bill "the Butcher" (Daniel Day Lewis)who killed his father in a confrontation between their respective gangs. To kill Bill Vallon must become close to Bill and infiltrate his gang earning his trust in the process but Vallon finds that his vendetta against Bill gets lost in a much larger conflict between the various gangs of New York to run the city.Amsterdam feels conflicted particularly when Bill takes him under his wing and gains a grudging respect for him despite his brutality. Daniel Day Lewis gives a superb performance as Bill and although Dicaprio's accent varies quite a bit his emotionally complex, conflicted performance adds to the drama as well. When I first saw the film I was surprised at just how good Cameron Diaz could be as an actress as well.A well made flawed film, "Gangs of New York" manages to be involving and director Martin Scorsese crates a vivid recreation of New York before the turn of the century with detailed recreations of teh hovels and mud strewn streets, The film suffers because of a shortened running time (and it runs around 2 hours and 40 minutes but could have easily run an additional 20-30 minutes giving us more background on the conflict between Vallon's father who led the Dead Rabbits and Bill. Then again the action would have taken longer to get to and our main story focusing on the conflict between Vallon and Bill would have taken quite a bit longer to start as well.Even Scorsese's flawed films are stronger than most other directors great films and the ambition of "Gangs of New York" is welcome even if the film can't deliver on all of Scorsese's points. Recommended.

No es de las mejores pelis de Scorsese, pero aún así es bastante buena. Quizá un poquitín larga, pero como este tema , los inicios de una ciudad o país, ( como por ejemplo la serie “John Adams” de HBO o el cómic “La avenida Dropsie” de Eisner, que viene dentro de la trilogía “Contrato con Dios”) siempre los he considerado muy interesantes pues he disfrutado enormemente con ella. Decir que Daniel Day-Lewis está muy bien es una obviedad. Y en cuanto a DiCaprio, siempre lo he considerado un buen actor, al igual que Brad Pitt. Que son guapos?. Bueno, eso no es culpa suya...En cuanto a la edición, pues sencillita. El DVD tiene una calidad de imagen aceptable y en cuanto al audio , solo viene en inglés y español y subtítulos solo en español. Pero bueno, la compré por unos 6€ así que no me quejo. En definitiva, peli totalmente recomendable del mejor director de cine vivo.. Scorsese, que siempre suele meter temazos musicales en sus pelis.. Ésta no iba a ser menos y acaba con U2.. Recomiendo ver los créditos finales y escuchar esa bonita canción...Espero que haya sido útil mi valoración.

Excellent

Hacia mucho tiempo que no veía el filme, tal vez mas de 7 años por lo que estaba algo temeroso que no aguantara el paso del tiempo pero para nada, me siguio pareciendo un tremendo peliculon con exelentes actuaciones, historia, y uno de los mejores villanos que puedas ver. Las 3 horas del filme ni las senti, se me fueron volando. La calidad de audio es exelente y la de video es buena mas no magnifica, envio sin problemas y el precio muy bajo, me salio en 90 pesos.

数年に一回　思い出したみたいに観たくなるので、買ってしまいました。

Edición mediabook alemán, no incluye castellano, pero la edición es preciosa e ideal para hacer un custom pues una película que para mí merece una edición asi