Goodfellas
Brittany Bonvillain
December 2, 2012
Movie Murder at its Finest Murder is the unlawful, unprecedented killing of another human being. In 2009 alone, there were 16,799 homicides in the United States (FASTSTATS). Of those 16,799 deaths, 11,493 were committed using a firearm (FASTSTATS). The portrayal of movie murder is considerably close to what actual murders have become in real life. Movie murders have become a more common phenomenon that now sensationalizes and glamourizes capital crimes. The movie Goodfellas gives a clear cut, realistic depiction of mafia and gang related murders in a way that not only furthers the public’s disdain for these crimes, but also shows sensationalistic views of horrible acts committed by these men for selfish reasons. The film Goodfellas is a movie about three pivotal men in the 1960’s and 70’s mob life in New York. The film follows the life of Henry Hill, a local boy, who is taken under the wing of local mob leader Paul “Paulie” Cicero, and his associates Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito. The movie shows these four men escalating from committing petty crimes of car jacking and robbery to murder and drug trafficking. (Goodfellas) People speculate that murders amongst gangs are usually set in motion because of disrespect, collecting/owing a debt, and as a silencing tool. Rarely are gang/mafia murders just for no reason. Killing someone for no reason can result in greater consequences for you. In the movie Goodfellas there were disrespect kills, when someone is killed for disrespecting another crime family or just plain old lack of respect. Disrespect kills were of William “Billy Batts” Devino, Michael “Spider” Gianco, and Tommy DeVito Billy Batts, a made member, “a wiseguy who has earned the trust and respect in order to get this honor, and if another family ever lays a hand on a made man that other man is dead,” (Goodfellas) of the Gambino Family, had just been released from prison after doing six years. He had not
December 2, 2012
Movie Murder at its Finest Murder is the unlawful, unprecedented killing of another human being. In 2009 alone, there were 16,799 homicides in the United States (FASTSTATS). Of those 16,799 deaths, 11,493 were committed using a firearm (FASTSTATS). The portrayal of movie murder is considerably close to what actual murders have become in real life. Movie murders have become a more common phenomenon that now sensationalizes and glamourizes capital crimes. The movie Goodfellas gives a clear cut, realistic depiction of mafia and gang related murders in a way that not only furthers the public’s disdain for these crimes, but also shows sensationalistic views of horrible acts committed by these men for selfish reasons. The film Goodfellas is a movie about three pivotal men in the 1960’s and 70’s mob life in New York. The film follows the life of Henry Hill, a local boy, who is taken under the wing of local mob leader Paul “Paulie” Cicero, and his associates Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito. The movie shows these four men escalating from committing petty crimes of car jacking and robbery to murder and drug trafficking. (Goodfellas) People speculate that murders amongst gangs are usually set in motion because of disrespect, collecting/owing a debt, and as a silencing tool. Rarely are gang/mafia murders just for no reason. Killing someone for no reason can result in greater consequences for you. In the movie Goodfellas there were disrespect kills, when someone is killed for disrespecting another crime family or just plain old lack of respect. Disrespect kills were of William “Billy Batts” Devino, Michael “Spider” Gianco, and Tommy DeVito Billy Batts, a made member, “a wiseguy who has earned the trust and respect in order to get this honor, and if another family ever lays a hand on a made man that other man is dead,” (Goodfellas) of the Gambino Family, had just been released from prison after doing six years. He had not