I decided to celebrate the Summer Solstice by watching 'The Departed'. Don't ask me why. I had previously loved the Hong Kong-made 'Infernal Affairs' trilogy on which this is based. Usually I hate when international masterpieces get remade, but this was a sterling exception. This was controversial when it took in a cartload of Oscars, particularly finally a directorial nod for Scorsese, but don't be misled--it's easily one of his finest works.

This is my Golden Rule on both remakes in general, but especially American remakes of international (particularly foreign-language) great films. When in doubt, check the label:

1. Director? (check)
2. Cast? (check)
3. Script? (check)

'The proof is in the pudding!'

"You sit there with a mass murderer. A mass murderer. Your heart rate is jacked, and your hand... steady. That's one thing I figured out about myself in prison. My hand does not shake... ever."

Still one of my favorite Scorsese movies and one of his most fun ones. The Departed was the first Scorsese film I had ever seen before I knew how good and legendary the man was. I was just a 18 year old action movie lover and went to see this. I thought it was awesome. These days I think it is amazing.

I also believe these days that the Departed has the best use of a fart in any movie ever. It is in the scene between Queenan, Dignam and Costigan. It is the first scene these three share and DiCaprio (Costigan) is quoting someone and Wahlberg (Dignam) says something Shakespearean, which at that moment is a fart. It never really connected with me but today it did. I laughed so hard.

Anyway you have Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen, Vera Farmiga, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg and Matt Damon. Everyone is bringing it. Scorsese makes sure you are never bored. He's giving you some laughs, some brutal action, some tension and some epic scenes.

I never have seen the original Hong Kong movie; Infernal Affairs, but this year might be the year to finally watch them and see how that impacts my way of looking at the Departed.

Happy that I still have a blast with this movie though!

The only one that can do what I do is me. Lot of people had to die for me to be me. You wanna be me?

The Departed is directed by Martin Scorsese and written by William Monahan, Alan Mak and Felix Chong. It stars Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga, Anthony Anderson, Mark Rolston and Alec Baldwin. Music is by Howard Shore and cinematography by Michael Ballhaus.

An Irish gang in South Boston becomes aware there is a rat in their midst, whilst the police force has a mole to contend with - with each one trying to out each other before the other does...

Martin Scorsese remakes Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs (2002) for the English speaking world, and promptly bagged his first Best Director Oscar in the process. It's a thrilling picture packed with suspense and edginess, a psychological gangster picture driven by two men leading double lives that is leading them to the abyss. When the violence comes it erupts in thunderous strokes, all while the narrative pulses with paranoia. There are some irksome contrivances, but with a uniformly strong set of turns from the cast, great musical accompaniments, and a director returning to gangster form, The Departed is a sure fire winner. 8.5/10