Return To The Gangs of Goodfellas Defense (Pt II of Return to Episode 8)

Five years after their infamous 'Gangs of Goodfellas Defense' episode, the Best Picture Cast team returns to reevaluate their takes on Martin Scorsese’s *Goodfellas* and *Gangs of New York*. While their opinions on *Goodfellas* remain stubbornly unchanged—Grant still calls it a masterpiece, Chris remains captivated, and Artie declares he’s 'done' with the film—their views on *Gangs of New York* have dramatically shifted. Artie, once dismissive, now admits he’s softened on the film, though still finds it flawed. Grant and Chris, however, stand firm in their belief that the film is a mess, with Chris calling the opening fight scene 'like a bad Royal Rumble' and accusing it of being Weinstein-era studio interference. The episode becomes a meditation on how taste evolves, how films age, and how the podcast’s own growth has sharpened their critical eye. What emerges isn’t just a rehash of old takes, but a powerful testament to the idea that some films are timeless not because they’re flawless, but because they endure—while others, no matter how ambitious, can’t survive the test of time or personal connection. The most striking takeaway is the contrast in engagement: *Goodfellas* remains a film that, despite its flaws, continues to grow in stature for some, while *Gangs of New York*—once a point of passionate defense—now feels like a failed epic, a victim of studio meddling and over-stylization.