Live Poll: Italia, Yes! Mafia, No!

That was the spirit... and that's what left me disappointed that I couldn't make the list to 20... :(

I would love to add some suggestions, but nothing comes to mind without the mafia completely. Will hit the memory lane and maybe suggest something. 

Yeah, and I don't want to fill the list with all the 'Rocky' sequels :)

Man, totally forgot about Mr. Gazzo and I should not considering it's Joe Spinell, one of my favorite actors! 

That's a good point about "Rocky", I guess we can agree that the character of Gazzo (who wasn't exactly unlikable) was indirectly establishing Rocky Balboa's status as a local thug or two-bit puncher, to better highlight his ascension toward championship and the conquest of his own self-esteem... but it's not like gangsterism was integral to the plot, like in another well-intentioned film such as "A Bronx Tale".

And now, I'm not so sure about Raging Bull

Raging Bull you maybe need to consider because Jake agreed to lose a fight in order to get a title shot. The influence of Tommy was huge.

Yep, you're right.

What are we looking at?  Title please.

The dishonorable mention makes for a nice last inclusion, grazie mille!

Serpico is tricky... it's all about NYPD connections with the "mob" and even small time punks but I don't recall any mention, not even implicit, about the Mafia. Much more, it was interesting to have an Italian-American character as the antithesis of the Mafia "values", literally what Serpico does is breaking the Police omerta. He's not even "good" because he's on the right side of the law but because he isolated himself out of respect for the badge he's wearing... I think I would really consider Serpico, not to mention the fact that the actor who played him had just played a badass mobster.I can't vouch for the others though

This film depressed the hell out of me when I saw it, worst thing is that the DVD had a problem near the end and all I could get was the final scene, I couldn't sleep the whole night thinking of life and death, especially since I had a plane to take and the film put me in all existential contemplation

I Love You to Death is also listed twice.

The list is about Italian-Americans, not Italian films.

Ah yes. Thank you for reminding me. :)

Wasn't 'Taxi Driver' Travis Bickle an italian american?In 'Sleepers' there is a mix of Irish and Italian american characters.'Jersey Boys' is about an italian american music band.'Paradise Alley' is about young italian imigrant men.'Any Given Sunday' is a sports movie with an american italian lead character.... by the way ... 'Big Night' is on the list twice. I guess that is not intended.Greets. :)

I'll remove the duplicate, thanks.I think I'm considering movies that emphasize the Italian-American heritage of the main protagonist(s) or at least explore it in a few scenes in a way that makes it 'relevant'... for instance, I'm not sure I should consider The Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso was Italian-American but his background had no relevance whatsoever to the plot. I think I'll remove it...If there's another movie I wouldn't be familiar with and where the protagonists just "happen" to be Italian-American, let me know and I'll remove it.

That's good enough for me, I might even mention it in the intro, let's add  it for a start :)