In 1984, one of the greatest films of all time was released, though it received little recognition from The Academy or the Palme d'Or. Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in America is an epic masterpiece, perfectly suited for today's audience, who increasingly appreciate long-form storytelling. For any true film buff, this cinematic gem deserves to be at the very top of your must-watch list.

Those who brought you this film.

Directed by:

Sergio Leone

Produced by:

Arnon Milchan

Screenplay by:

Leonardo Benvenuti

Piero De Bernardi

Enrico Medioli

Franco Arcalli

Franco Ferrini

Sergio Leone

Based on the novel:

The Hoods by Harry Grey

Starring:

Robert De Niro as David "Noodles" Aaronson

James Woods as Maximilian "Max" Bercovicz

Elizabeth McGovern as Deborah Gelly

Joe Pesci as Frankie Monaldi

Burt Young as Joe Minaldi

Tuesday Weld as Carol

Treat Williams as James Conway O'Donnell

Danny Aiello as Police Chief Vincent Aiello

William Forsythe as Philip "Cockeye" Stein

James Hayden as Patrick "Patsy" Goldberg

Music by:

Ennio Morricone

Cinematography by:

Tonino Delli Colli

Edited by:

Nino Baragli

Production Design by:

Carlo Simi

The Film Buff dives into why The Real Charlie Chaplin documentary is a must-watch for anyone passionate about film history. Along the way, Peter shares fascinating anecdotes uncovered in the documentary that shed light on the true character of Chaplin.

In this episode of The Film Buff Podcast, The Film Buff dives into questions no other critic is asking about Amy Adams, the star of Nightbitch, and examines the evolving state of the American film drama. Nightbitch, a must-watch Hulu original, stands out for numerous reasons—and AKAPAD is here to illuminate why.

When The Film Buff discovered Wizards (1977), everything changed.

In today's Saturday Animation episode, AKAPAD shares his personal journey of discovering one of America's greatest animated features.

HBO Max has completed the introduction to a new interconnected comic book universe with the animated Creature Commandos. While this marks a step forward for adult animation, it feels more like a sidestep for the DCU, lacking the impactful launch needed to firmly establish a cohesive connected universe.

Continuing the Film Buffs’ study of Francis Ford Coppola's filmography, One From the Heart takes center stage—a film that was panned by critics upon release and effectively caused the collapse of Coppola’s film studio as its first production. Now, the Film Buffs argue it’s time to revisit this movie without the baggage of its reputation as a disaster. Because in truth, it’s not a disaster—it’s a masterpiece.

Spinning off one of the most beloved and profitable film franchises in history is no small feat, but Fantastic Beasts manages to deliver a satisfying mix of wonder, tragedy, and discovery. AKAPAD The Film Buff approaches the discussion of these films from a perspective that few critics dare to explore, offering unique insights and bold opinions.

In today’s Film Buff episode, your host, AKAPAD, dives deep into the captivating history of the Wicked franchise. From personal experiences to behind-the-scenes insights, discover what makes this iconic film a standout in Hollywood’s ever-evolving landscape.

Den of Thieves is a film that desperately needed a more proactive PR strategy—at least, that’s the view of AKAPAD The Film Buff in today’s episode of one of the best film podcasts out there. His unique perspective sets his take on DoT apart from other critics, offering insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

Den of Thieves (2018) Credits

Director: Christian Gudegast

Writers: Christian Gudegast, Paul T. Scheuring

Producers: Gerard Butler, Mark Canton, Tucker Tooley, Alan Siegel, Tony Grazia

Cast:

Gerard Butler as "Big Nick" O'BrienPablo Schreiber as Ray MerrimenO'Shea Jackson Jr. as Donnie WilsonCurtis "50 Cent" Jackson as Enson LevouxMeadow Williams as HollyMaurice Compte as Benny "Borracho" MagalonEvan Jones as Bo "Bosco" OstromanDawn Olivieri as Debbie O'Brien

Cinematography: Terry Stacey

Music: Cliff Martinez

Editing: Joel Cox

Production Companies: Diamond Film Productions, STX Entertainment

For today's Animation Weekend episode—the first of the New Year—we're diving into the 2010 anthology Halo Legends. Released at a time when the Halo franchise had a more focused backstory, this collection offers unique insights into the Halo universe that might not have been possible if it were created today.