Scorsese Shorts (DVD)

This compilation of five early short films by Martin Scorsese offers a fascinating window onto his artistic development. Spanning the years from Scorseses time at NYU in the mid-1960s to the late 70s, when he was emerging as one of the eras most electrifying talents, Scorsese Shorts centers on the intimate home movie Italianamericana loving snapshot of the directors parentsand American Boy, a freewheeling portrait of a larger-than-life raconteur. Also included are The Big Shave, a daringly visceral response to Americas involvement in Vietnam, and the bracing student films Whats a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This? and Its Not Just You, Murray! Touching on many of Scorseses key themesItalian American identity, family, his beloved New York Citythese are hilarious, candid, and illuminating works from the preeminent American filmmaker of our time.