Poolhall Brawl from "Mean Streets" (1973)

[caveman123ization]

What is a mook?

[bigmanoooo1]

@caveman123ization a mook is basically a young hoodlum who is stupid

[RubicantX]

is it me or do these guys fighting have absolutely NO build? I mean, was it illegal to have a build in the early 70's? Im not talking full blown ripped, but anything beyond those pathetic golf-ball shoulders...

[hawkman350]

Deniro is one crazy cat

[30inventionman]

what have we learned?

[terratrema]

Did they died?

[jcupbusterful]

"girls? you call those skanks girls?"

I use this line every weekend...

[Colddeed]

The fat guy looks like Michael Moore.

[Colddeed]

1 person is a mook.

[ufuckfacesonofabitch]

Classic punch at 1:11

[crismmercado]

This is better than that matrix stuff

[XxowendanxX]

Who was that fat dude??...what else was he in??...I know him from some place...what is a "mook", by the way??...that was never explained...they don't know what it is, all they know is that it's an insult...good music in Scorcese movies...DeNiro looked like he could fight back then...wiry and kinna crazy...Johnny Boy was a jerk-off but kinna fearless...the cops were corrupt as hell back then...in New York...

[theojs89]

@XxowendanxX A term coined by Douglas Rushkoff in an episode of PBS's "Frontline" entitled "The Merchants of Cool." Mooks are archetypal young males(teens-early 20s) who act like moronic boneheads. They are self centered simpletons who live a drunken frat-boy lifestyle(or are frat-boys). Examples can be found anytime someone watches "Jackass." Rushkoff claimed that the media glorifies this ideal and stifles natural self expression.

[XxowendanxX]

@theojs89 wow. thanks for the education. I originally thought it was a racial slur. I'm surprised that anyone on PBS would condemn "mook"-ism...they are left-wing and you'd think they'd promote that sort of thing....based on your definition, I don't like mooks either but probably for different reasons than the ex-geek government workers at PBS would...those PBS geeks are probably jealous that at least mooks are having a good time and get laid on a regular basis, and have personalities........

[RubicantX]

@XxowendanxX The fat guy was George Memmoli, he was in a bunch of stuff in the 70s and into the early 80's, I think he died in 1984 or 1985. As for Mook, I think it means a jagoff asshole, often of uneducated Italian stock...

[XxowendanxX]

@RubicantX I swear to shit I saw him on some TV show when I was a kid...in the early '80s...like a sitcom...not even a sitcom role but a recurring character...or maybe even a one-time appearance...but I know that face from somewhere...and didn't George Allen get in trouble for calling a durk durk a mook???

[RubicantX]

@XxowendanxX George Memmoli was in Hello Larry, a show that was on around 1979-1980, He was on a few episodes of Gimme a Break with Nell Carter, and at least one episode of Hill Street Blues..As for George Allen calling someone a mook, I never heard that one but that would sure be funny :)

[XxowendanxX]

@RubicantX yep...it's "Hello Larry" where I remember the dude from...McLean Stevenson was a talk show host and Memmoli worked at the radio station...and it's funny cos I used to watch that show and his character on it was a nice guy, kind of funny and silly and a good friend to Larry....and now 30 years later I see him in a Martin Scorcese movie starting fights with people and calling people gooks...

[RubicantX]

@XxowendanxX Memmoli called people gooks? You sure you don't mean mooks?

Hello Larry was pretty funny, I saw some reruns many years ago...I can't believe McLean Stevenson and George Memmoli are gone...definitely underrated actors who made me laugh :)

[XxowendanxX]

@RubicantX no, I made a mistake he didn't call anyone a gook I think he called some people spooks...yeah McLean Stevenson was a stupidass for leaving "M*A*S*H" and doing that stupid Hello Larry show...I mean it was cool and all and I totally had the hots for the chick who played his daughter...Kim something...Kim Richards??...how do I remember this shit....but yeah staying with M*A*S*H would have been the smarter move...

[afvc1980]

you call those skanks girls ?!

[pogo265]

probably the most realistic portrayal of a scrap between out of shape guys

[harrytheblurfan]

What's a mook?

[MrFrigs]

You can read DeNiro's lips for the censored/muted line at 32 seconds; "You call these skanks girls? I wouldn't fuck 'em with your dick."

[SCORNDOGGMELACH]

Ehhh, its jimmy da' mook! LOL One of my all time favs.

[sgrroiii]

Critics are mainly interested in their own ideas & having their reviews read .

[BollockMcTesticles]

Just out of interest , what is a "mook" ?

[illphilwolny]

So much like a real fight, yet so fucking hilarious, too. To this day, can't listen to Hey Mr. Postman without getting at least a bit riled up.

[dontacthurt]

HAA I agree with your comment to the T!

[Jedisunscreen]

I'll say it. This is one of the greatest raw and gritty fight scenes ever committed to film.

[lard4387]

My Favorite De Niro Performance!! He was so good when he was young!!!

[OpenedCanOfWhoopAss]

@lard4387 That's what SHE said. 

[lard4387]

Why the fuck would you compare Citzen fucking Kane to Pulp Fiction. They are two totally different movies!!! Tarantino is a master of Omages because he is such a film lover! He takes scenes from movies he loves and tries to make it his own! That's not a bad thing most people today rip off old films totally. Fuck all you Tarantino Haters!!!!

[vinto34]

where did ya get dose sneakersssssss....deees are 2 dolla sneakers....ya call dose skanks girls? lol hes a fockin mook!

[RatatRatR]

The fat guy totally telegraphs the first punch

[stenwald]

MOOK!

That's what I called my pet cat.

[Zmadness]

Amazing fight scene...with a superb tracking shot...The use of 'Please. Mr Postman' definately helped to make this fight...Only good part of this film.

[stooge62]

i agree with the first part,but 'only good scene' this is a modern classic,scorsese's second best after goodfellas. top 10 scorsese movies: 10-kundun 9-alice does'nt live here anymore 8-casino 7-the departed 6-the last temptation of christ 5-taxi driver 4-gangs of new york 3-raging bull 2-mean streets 1-goodfellas

[GoodFellaJustin]

I agree mean streets is very good but Raging Bull and Gnags of New York are Better... I think........ thats a tuff call. But its defintly a beeter movie than Zmadness gave creadit for.

[Zmadness]

Gangs of New York is in no way a better film than Mean Streets, I never said Mean Streets was a terrible movie...but the only scene that shows art-house directing is the poolhall brawl scene. Scorsese was after all inspired by John Ford, an artist of the cinema.

As for Raging Bull...obviously it's better directed than Mean Streets...but saying Gangs of New York is just a disgrace, you're basically insulting Scorsese. As for GoodFellas being Scorseses best film...I would have to disagree.

[Zmadness]

The music use is extraodinary, great use of symbolism...acting is mediocore though, and the script needs some help. Though it's definately a great piece of crime direction.

[GoodFellaJustin]

What the fuck are you talking about. How would me stating that Gangs of New york is better than means streets, be insulting Scorsese, they are both his fucking movies. And Gangs of New york is better. You are just an idiot who doesn't apperciate good cinema. Fucking Jerk OFF!

[Zmadness]

First off, you proved your maturiy through your vulgarity, and intellectual response.

Second off, Scorsese himself stated Mean Streets was the film he put the most intellectual, spiritual, and physical energy into. Mean Streets is the film Scorsese even believes was his greatest, and most passionate work.

Third off, you definately showed merit in your arguement by just claiming "Gangs of New york is better" and not even attempting to state why.

[Zmadness]

Fourth off, you telling me that I do not "apperciate" good cinema is pretty comical. I've seen pretty much every avant-garde film out there, which I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't had the chance to view a single one.

I study film history, I study directors, and I study film theories. There's much more to cinema than just the 90s and up, and believe me, film wasn't born when Star Wars was released, or Godfather was that sake.

[Zmadness]

And finally, and sadly, Gangs of New York isn't even in the same ball park as Mean Streets. Scorsese had four great films, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Mean Streets, and GoodFellas, any others don't even reach the horizon of these films, and if you say different you're the one who has no appreciation of good cinema.

These four films are cinema as an art form, not as a form of entertainment, or attempt of profit. Most of these films are when Scorsese still had the passion to direct perfect films.

[I4gotmyMANTRA]

please remember, it IS all a matter of opinion, and if GONY spoke to him more than Mean Streets, then hell, more power to him. PS there is no such thing as a perfect film.

[Zmadness]

A matter of opinion? You do realize that "a matter of opinion" is what separates the critics from the modern moviegoer. You also may claim that there is no such thing as a perfect film, but when a film reaches a state where it is unthinkable of where it could have been improved, then yes, they are perfect films. If one were to claim Citizen Kane were flawed because of the "eyeless bird" then the word perfect itself is non-existent. If such a minor error were to strip a film of its perfection. .

[Zmadness]

Then nothing on the surface of this planet is perfect. All and all, it IS possible to compare films, opinions are noble if they provide logical reasons. A film is great through what it achieves aesthetically and stylistically and we most definitely can judge that.

[I4gotmyMANTRA]

Agreed. I guess it comes down to what you consider "perfect". There certanly are movies that I would not change in any way. Mean Streets would be one of them. But, just personally, if movies were "perfect" (the way i think of it) so that their were no elements in them that were not completley rounded out, if every loose end was tied up, then that would leave me with nothing to think about. Many of my favorite movies, including this one, I love for their ruff edges.

[I4gotmyMANTRA]

** rough, sorry, no idea whats wronge with my spelling today. :P

[Zmadness]

There are certain moments in Mean Streets which could have been perfected if Scorsese were to use the steadicam. . . but he didn't have access to such equipment during his day, although there are some continuity errors as well in terms of lighting during certain scenes. . . Mean Streets as a whole is stylistically perfect. It's pure Scorsese, and you can't go wrong with that.

[I4gotmyMANTRA]

agreed! :)

[CitizenKANE2277]

Completely agree. Gangs of New York is nowhere near the same caliber as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, or Goodfellas. If he's comparing Gangs of New York to Scorsese's superior films, he obviously has no concept of film.

[stooge62]

i agree with the first part,but 'only good scene' this is a modern classic,scorsese's second best after goodfellas. top 10 scorsese movies: 10-kundun 9-alice does'nt live here anymore 8-casino 7-the departed 6-the last temptation of christ 5-taxi driver 4-gangs of new york 3-raging bull 2-mean streets 1-goodfellas

[von1451]

I'm curious as to how anything can be 'perfect' when given the subjectivity of something like film.

There is no solid criteria for 'the perfect film'.

I study film as well, and Im not convinced perfection exists.

[Zmadness]

If one claims perfection does not exist in film; then it is needless to say that perfection does not exist in other forms of art as well. One can examine film perfection by their stylistics and aesthetics. If one were to look at such a film as Citizen Kane it is evident that every single shot in such a film has an aesthetical and or stylisticall raison d'etre. It is true that film is a compilation of other arts; but one must not forget that film, first and foremost, is a visual art.

[Zmadness]

And as you say there is no solid criteria for the "perfect film," neither is there a solid criteria for the "perfect novel" either. Although it would be ignorant to claim that Anna Karenina, Madame Bovary, War and Peace, Ulysses, The Great Gatsby, and or in Search of Lost Time are flawed novels. As there are films such as Citizen Kane, Rules of the Game, 8 and a half, Sunrise, Vertigo, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Searchers, The Godfather, Tokyo Story, L'Atalante, and many more which. . .

[Zmadness]

could not be altered into a greater form in which they exist.

[von1451]

But is the very examination of film through it's stylistics and aesthetics not ultimately subjective? These widely recognized classics which exist in all art forms, while appreciated by many based on personal taste, still, and always will have their critics.

While I admire Citizen Kane, and consider it to be one of the better films, there is nothing stopping someone else from having the opposite perspective, believing it to be an atrocity.

[Zmadness]

Aesthetics and stylistics become subjective to a certain extant; as does all art criticism. Though this point-of-view you're undertaking undermines art in its entirety imperfect, which is quite naive. You are exactly right, personal taste; exactly what differs the critics and the casual moviegoer. Whereas a casual moviegoer examines a film for its script (narrative) a critic will usually examine a film for its aesthetics and stylistics.

[Zmadness]

So taking to fact aesthetics, stylistics, and narrative... If their examination would be purely subjective then we would receive such opinions which would claim films as Pulp Fiction to be the greatest narrative of all time. All the while I do not hate Pulp Fiction I think it is completely unoriginal; taking brief strokes of originality from such directors as Alfred Hitchcock, Federico Fellini, and Jean-Luc Goddard and subliminally convincing modern-day moviegoers that Pulp Fiction is...

[Zmadness]

entirely a work of Quintin Tarantino. Such things lesser the artistic entirety of a film. Art criticism has now and forever been subjective, but wouldn't it be completely absurd if someone were to render the Mona Lisa as an imperfect piece of art? When taking apart the aesthetics of such a film as Citizen Kane, yes, you're right, that's subjective as well. Here's a little history lesson. . .

[Zmadness]

Taking us back to the 1930s. . . When critics believed that the mobility of Renoir's camera was actually a defect to such films as The Crime of Monsieur Lange, The Rules of the Game, Grand Illusion, and A Day in the Country. Now critics have finally opened there eyes; "what dazzling camera movement" is their response to such films. We come back to the point of Citizen Kane. . . the aesthetics of Citizen Kane are within the originality of the mise en scene and camera movement. . .

[Zmadness]

Since you study film I'm sure that I don't need to go over the fact of Kane's originality through deep staging and focus; and its plan-séquence's (sequence shots). Then one can delve even deeper to what makes a great film aesthetically. Since Welles said that in a good film the "camera should be in the eye in the head of a poet," then we can examine camera work. Again, there can be subjectivity on what makes great camera work. Although it has nearly been put onto stone that. . .

[Zmadness]

Great camera work means constant and masterful reframing, fluid movement, and hypnotic mise en scene. For example, in Pulp Fiction we can take an example of a terribly framed shot. . . when Bruce Willis is walking through the fences there is a medium-close-up tracking shot which renders us unable to view any other image upon the screen. We are only entitled to see Bruce Willis' bald head, sadly. In Citizen Kane...

[Zmadness]

there will be powerful manipulative used of deep focus within three shot compositions which does not disallow our eyes to wander upon the most rich texture created by Welles. Again we return to the fact of subjectivity and that cruel word I hate which calls itself taste. First and foremost a critic should not have taste, he should have a love for aesthetics, narrative content, and stylistics no matter what they are; only given good reason should a critic be distasteful. . .

[Zmadness]

Either way my good man, send me a private message and tell me your email address so we can continue this there, I'm tired of having only 500 words available for every block.

[von1451]

The one thing I constantly have to remind myself of when others insult films I admire, is that there is no checklist for what makes a great film. Personal preference will always vary, and regardless of whether or not the majority of individuals admire films such as 'The Godfather' and consider it to be perfection, there will always be opposing perspectives. This is why I believe that "perfection" amongst art is not possible.

[andrewucc]

i agree...i figured that out and realized the oscars are a sham. The award for The Departed sealed the deal.

[Envier82]

I agree. Movies like Gladiator and The Departed were not oscar calibar films.

[joeygonzo]

@von1451

You never saw Earth Girls Are Easy.

[ufuckfacesonofabitch]

@von1451 I agree

[PunkFreak331]

whats keitels name on the movie?

[PunkFreak331]

whats keitels name on the movie?

[resevoirdog88]

charlie

[alexk3lly]

the bit after this is funny if i remember were johnnys explaining wat his knife is to the cops i cant remeber wat he says it is tho

[jonaspv]

He says its a nail cutter xD

[alexk3lly]

oh yeh classic

[Imran500]

De Niro was the only one kicking ass.

[jgafknee]

fucking awsome four guys to bring down de niro badass

[Promethazinewcodeine]

Classic, real old skool new york,robert de niro and harvey keitel,2 of the greatest actors still here..god bless thanks

[pjbrubak]

The remastering on the foley of the shoe noises is way overdone; the original was grittier. Still, it's a realistic fight.

[lukexavierderivan]

oh man...you cut out the cops scene..."where you going tonight?"...'Jersey'...[pulls out wad of cash]...'were going to Philadelphia'....hahahaha fucking classic Scorsese film!

Cheers!

[McLovin5678]

i think that this is the only scorcesse movie that i havent seen all the way through

[D66F]

We don't pay mooks!

What's a mook?

Fucking Class!! Really love this film. Johnny Boy on the pool table has me in stitches every time!

[lukexavierderivan]

haha..with that pool cue!

[KillerInstinct2006]

Girls? You call those skanks girls?

[gavinooch87]

i am the biggest stones fan alive so i have all their songs that they ever made, but thank you for telling me anyway.

[gavinooch87]

wuts the name of the song that plays in the background when they start fighting?

[kdaryling]

"Please, Mr. Postman" by The Marveletts.  The Beatles also do a cover of this song.

[gavinooch87]

thanks a lot, i'm a huge fan of scorsese and his music that he puts in his movies

[kdaryling]

You're quite welcome. You also may want to check out "Tell Me" by The Rolling Stones(if you haven't already) it is also in this film.

[HotPastramiSandwich]

ppl dont understan every1 thinks wen u get in a fight u punch the face like a boxer but wen u get in a fight ur adrenalines runin and u dont hav time to think so when ppl fite its never always in the face except the first punch and then u just try to take them down,in a real fight its not like boxing were u stand still and punch in the face,when ur in a real fite u punch the guy in the face and dont stop u juss keep punchin not stand their with ur fists up

[nymets0044]

hes such an amazing director,he makes you feel like your in the fight in first person.

[ActionRadar886]

are you guys serious? "raw"? "bluring the line between acting and reality"? Pleeaasee. This fight scene blows. There is nothing "raw" about it. You want realism, look at Friedkin, Mann, or Cronenberg. Hell, Scorsese has gotten it right as well, just not in this scene.

[lialyss]

shut the fuck up man you dont know anyhting about nothing scorsese is better than those assholes firedkin?mann?cronenberg? come on dont be so son of a beach

[ActionRadar886]

You're totally right. I don't know "anyhting about nothing" and am a "son of a beach". Learn how to speak (or at least type) english you fucking tool.

[lialyss]

youa is chair in de bed more facker and you know how to leran a cow in the past falco beach

[ActionRadar886]

What???

[lialyss]

yeah man like in the bathroom because it did and is was a better so matter yeah man

[JohnQWydell]

you're are a fucking mook

[ActionRadar886]

and you're a fucking dickhead.

[ramik81]

dude in real life this is how fights actually go down, you've been watching too many movies with choreographed fight scenes...0o

anyways mean streets is a real classic, this was martin/robert/harvey back when they were still nobodys, this movie is more down to heart with the streets he grew up in....better than goodfellas in my book

[ActionRadar886]

ok Rocky, I'm sure you're a regular street fighter... But yea, I was wrong to say this is not realistic, but that doesn't make it "raw", and it doesn't change the fact that it doesn't generate a single ounce of tension, excitement. For fights to be effective, the violence actually has to have weight to it.

[ramik81]

well i believe in order to feel the tension and excitement you have to watch a movie from the beginning and get to know the characters better, let me give you an example, the shawshank redemption, let's say you fastforward to the part where Andy Dufresne escapes from the tunnels and comes out in the rain, that scene your probably going to think "this movie is too melodramatic" and your going to think that cuz you never watched all that andy went through to get to that point.....

[ActionRadar886]

Yea... the thing is, I have seen the movie..

[kevruckus]

The fight isn't meant to convey tension. The reason the violence doesn't have weight to it is because it is a senseless poolhall brawl.

[robzitnik]

Great fight scene, the music in the background is great because you would never expect it to be playing during a bad ass fight. That's what makes it realistic, that and Robert Deniro. He fucks shit up like he's really fighting and they need like five guys to bring him down.

[Mysterwright]

Lol if this was on demand I'd be watching it 12 times in a row. :P

[Samy3103]

thanks. by the way ,how do u know ? I watched the movie on TV, no insult were censored but still, the J.boy's line about the girl remains silent. On the DVD, is that cut too ?

[indnameof]

dude this a raw scene blurring the line between acting and reality.masterpiece,and yeah i downloaded it and that same line is silent in it too.

[Samy3103]

the fight is not realistic . But it was the beginning, in goodfellas ,CAsino the rumbles, the way they hit look real.

[dragon9205]

Hey Cool Movie Scene,

Could you upload the whole movie.

[frostyLLJ]

whats a mook ????? lol

[csambuchino]

this could be the greatest fight scene I've ever seen.

[jmmerman]

this movie changed cinema it was like an atomic bomb for films explosive and raw its up there with his other big 3 td rb and g

[xK1TANAx]

He says, "You call those skanks girls?"

[Samy3103]

What does De Niro say about the girls ? no way for having the uncensored movie ?

[tcpr1888]

he says`i wouldnt fuck them with yuor dick`

[kimaste]

jimmy mook!