Martin Scorsese was born November 17, 1942.  I love his movies because he loves movies: No one directs with such constant newfound wonder at the medium.  Every time he begins a project, he approaches it with new creativity – the kind of creative energy and exuberance you usually only see in kids just out of film school.

In honor of his birthday, it’s fun to look back at The Big Shave, a 6-minute short he made as his final project at NYU Film School in 1967.  Here you can find seeds of his later work – the dark-haired hero, compulsive editing, wise use of source music, tension build out of the details of everyday life.  Yes, there is blood (be forewarned) but, surreally, no pain – only a look of accomplished self-satisfaction.