A little off the main topic, but I think the "nitty-gritty" perspective is why I find The Sopranos so appealing. Granted, I realize it's too comedic for some of my comrades here. But, yeah, Donnie Brasco , Goodfellas , et. al., all have that same "gritty" element which makes them cool, relative, and real for us common folk. I have yet to see all of Mean Streets , even though DeNiro is my favorite actor. From what I've seen you people post, it must contain that same factor I just mentioned (?).