Genre: Crime

With out a shadow of a doubt, this is a masterpiece. It has been 38 years since its release and its legacy has not been dimmed at all, and still stands as one of the most shocking and memorable films of all time.

Set in a bleak but in a strong contrast, strangely vibrant future, this film plays out as a very twisted, realistic yet abnormal blend of drama, thriller and sci-fi, famous now for its disturbing, unflinching and shocking scenes that will timelessly live on, all the while carrying the same impact it always has.

Kubrick made a masterpiece and few can deny that. This has been a favourite of mine since I first saw it on Television a couple of years ago, aged 13 or 14 I believe. I watched in awe and it stuck with me for days after I first watched it and since then it has not budged from my top 5, only moving from second to third position after I watched Psycho, now my second favourite. It says a lot about Kubrick films when there are two so close together in my favourites list and at one point being next to each other as favourite and second favourite of all time. The other film I am referring to of course, is The Shining, which I watched a year or bit prior to this.

Kubrick, based on the novel by Anthony Burgess (which I have not read) adapted the book into one hell of a great screenplay, full of iconic dialogue and scenes. it is in all honestly one of the best screenplays of all time, close to the likes of Pulp Fiction and Glengarry Glen Ross.

He directed with equal brilliance, making each scene memorable, whether it be because it includes his trademark Looking Up angle, or a strange, out of place, comic caption along the lines of "Pow", when Alex delivers a piece of "Ultra Violence" to one particular victim. This film shows perfectly why Kubrick my favourite director. Hell, this and The Shining are the films that got me into films!

Malcolm McDowell's performance as Alex DeLarge is frightening yet he allows us to feel sympathy for him too. A brilliant performance and one that will never be forgotten. The other great cast member is Patrick Magee who is flawless. Although there aren't many other main stars, seeing as the spotlight is nearly always on Alex, the other cast members are all great.

The use of music, mostly Beethoven, was perfect and has now become one of the most outstanding points of the film. It suits the mood as perfect as Herrmann's screeching violins suited Psycho. Then there is the haunting piece by Wendy Carlos that really heightens the mood and feeling of terror in this film, perhaps because it is calm yet menacing.

The now iconic costumes, like the famous ones worn by the "Droogs", make this film appear even more Surreal and makes the Dystopian look even more strange. The costumes show that every thing, even something like costumes, can make the film even better.

This film is, in simple words, a classic.

Undoubtedly one of the best films ever made. A flawless film. It will keep you enthralled for the whole 2 hours and 30 minutes running time. When I first saw the length on the back of the DVD, I wasn't sure whether in parts it would drag. Oh no; no it doesn't. Never. It never feels long. It is never boring. You are glued from start to finish. Even the credits are great to watch with the fantastic Miserlou playing over it. I have no idea what magic Quentin used in this film, but every film maker should take some of it. You can never go wrong.
For starters, Quentin Tarantino has got to be the best script writer there has ever been in Hollywood. True Romance. He wrote it but didn't direct it. However, it is Tarantino's film all the way. Reservoir Dogs. It has one of the best screenplays I have ever heard, which he so successfully managed to transfer in this wonder two years later. Jackie Brown. Easily one of the smartest and enjoyable films of the 1990's. It was his decade, and with just 3 films, that is quite a feat. However, this is the peak of his career. His best screenplay and best film as a whole which I very much doubt he will be to beat.

He directs with such amazing and inspirational skill. Along side Stanley Kubrick, he is one of the main reasons why I want to work in films. Each and every angle is perfectly chosen to suit the scene and to keep your interest. The camera movements all work so well together as they give you an insight into the lives of the characters. It is too hard to even explain how good a job he did of this classic.

Now for the cast. Wow! Each cast member was chosen so well. He chose the right person for the right scene. Travolta and Jackson as the assassins, Tim Roth as a Cafe robber, Uma Thurman as a gangster's girlfriend and Bruce Willis as a boxer. I can't imagine any other actors or actresses in these roles. Each of them are just perfect. Samuel L. Jackson not winning best supporting actor? What. The. Fuck. Not winning best picture nor director? Again, what happened? Although I loved Forrest Gump, it pales in comparison to this. Hopefully Tarantino won't go down in film history with Stanley Kubrick and Alfred Hitchcock as directors who never won the Academy Award for directing but really were due one.

I have mentioned how great the cast are and together they form the greatest ensemble ever rounded up. Each character is different from the others, each with vastly different stories about them and they all pull it off with such talent. 3 acting nominations, Thurman, Jackson and Travolta, and no wins. One should have won at least!

The individual stories are wonderful, each with brilliant scenes amongst them. You never lose interest because each story is so damn good. This film is Comedy at its darkest. A Thriller at its most gripping. The Violence is tasteful and needed for a good impact. It is pulled off whilst you watch disgusted yet excited. The violence looks so good on the screen thanks to the marvellous cinematography. The blood is a vivid red and the bruises are complimented by it; showing up and looking so realistic thanks to the lighting. It wasn't nominated in this category at the Oscars; yet another major snub for this film. Whatever were they thinking not to nominate a film which looks as amazing as this?

On top of everything else which helps to make this a masterpiece, the music is a key factor to. Miserlou, perhaps all the more famous due to this film (often being known as "The Pulp Fiction tune") has got the be on of the best songs chosen for a film. It is very memorable and suits the film unbelievably well. It is partly what makes Pulp Fiction what it is. Tarantino has an ear for this kind of thing. He never uses a composed piece, but instead a previously recorded piece. For example Little Green Bag by George Baker in Reservoir Dogs. Perfectly suited to the mood of the film. Much like Miserlou to this. It works, and Tarantino knows it. It works just like any score could.

The editing creates a good effect too. A simple cut between two characters during a kill has a wonderful impact and is very memorable. One of the most memorable tiny details amongst the many others. These tiny details are as important as the big ones, creating atmosphere and helping the film in a big way. The editing was nominated at the Oscars but, again didn't win. Just appalling.

Everything about this film and I mean everything is flawless. It is one film which I will never stop loving. The greatest Gangster film, the greatest black comedy, the greatest thriller and an overall great film. Just fantastic in every single way.

Easily the greatist Gangster film of the 30's and that's saying something seeing as The Public Enemy and Little Caesar were also released that decade. Not only is it the best Gangster film of the 30's, it is the 3rd best Gangster film of all time.

1. Pulp Fiction
2. White Heat
3. Scarface.

When I put this in the DVD player, I wasn't expecting it to beat the 1983 loose remake. I was expecting it to reach a low postion in my top 100 at least. What happened, however, is that it Did beat the recent one. I just felt It was so well made.

It was directed brilliantly by Howard Hawkes, my first film I've seen of his, and now I can't wait to see other classics of his. He made some murders and shoot outs so realistic and directed everything else with just the same amount of talent. Scenes with Gangsters negotiating, scenes of Tony's jealousy over his sister and everything else shot with style and skill.

The editing for this film was amazing, especially in the tense shoot-outs, which are made even more tense with the snappy editing.

All of the performances are perfect. Osgood Perkins, father of Anthony Perkins from Psycho was easilly one of the best in the film. But it was Paul Muni who was amazing. He delivered each line with wonderfully and each word was made spoken perfectly in character.

Although I had high enough expectations for this, it really did smash them to become one of my favourite gangster films and one of my favourite films of all time too.

Phenomenal, unforgettable noir film.

Review soon.

One of the greatest Ensemble casts ever to be rounded up. One of the best screenplay ever written. One of the greatest directorial jobs ever done. One of the greatest films of all time. A truly unique, interesting and impressive film. A feast for the eyes and ears; a never disappointing film.

Jack Lemmon is Shelley "The Machine" Levene-A loveable old timer who has been in the business for years and is now becoming desperate for a good lead.

Jack Lemmon's performance is an outstanding one which has had a notable impact on pop culture; for instance, where would loser Gil from The Simpsons be without the film? His presence completes the circle of interesting and different characters and he was perfectly cast, like everyone else in the film. His back tracking and stuttering way of speaking was delivered flawlessly and he handled the script without imperfections.

Al Pacino is Richard Roma-The leader on the sales board with a short temper.

The character was perfect for Al Pacino; it allows him to show off his perfect acting, with the angry speeches filled with expletives only Pacino could deliver to such realistic effect. Not only does Pacino get some of the best lines from the brilliant script, his way with the words is impressive. His character is memorable and the Oscar nomination was a well deserved one. I need to see Gene Hackman's winning performance from Unforgiven yet, but I?m sure the Academy had a difficult decision on their hands in the 1993 ceremony.

Kevin Spacey is John Williamson-The uptight office boss with little care for the others.

As always, Kevin Spacey shines. His character is one you love to hate and Spacey manages to draw that feeling from you with the remarkable talent which won him Oscars for The Usual Suspects and American Beauty, two other modern greats.

Ed Harris is Dave Moss-The most confident of all the employee's.

His character is one you vary between liking and hating him. He is one of the most confident of the workers and you like him when he doesn't take the shit some of the others take, but you hate him when he loses his temper at the wrong people, such as Shelley Levene, the one who doesn't deserve it. The portrayal Harris gives is outstanding. He delivers the verbal duals with the other characters with a great talent and his back and forth dialogue with George makes for some of the best parts of the film.

Alan Arkin is George Aaronow-A worrier and subtly angry co-worker.

He may be the next most likeable character after Shelley Levene. Alan Arkin shows off his impressive talent with great facial expression. These expressions portraying the worrier his character is realistically. He shines in his scenes with Ed Harris the most, his talent being the most exposed in those parts of the film.

Alec Baldwin is Blake-An arrogant motivator. The motivations, however, are far from that, but are instead vile bullying of the others.

Alec Baldwin, although his role is brief, is included in one of the most memorable scenes of the film, and movie history. And he makes that scene his. With what sounds like one of the most difficult parts to learn, he shows flawless acting skills and develops his character marvellously in the short time he is given to do so which is a fantastic achievement. In his just over 5 minutes role, you already know he is an arrogant person who isn't really there to help, but there to bully and show off. He is the best character of the film and one of the best of all time.

Jonathan Pryce is James Lingk-A naive customer, the only buyer we get a real insight to.

Jonathan Pryce is great in this role. His body language really does convey the nervousness and naivety of the character. He is probably the most innocent of the characters, getting caught up in the sales war and the best thing about Pryce's performance is how much he allows you to be sympathetic with him. Although he is brief, you can understand how he feels perfectly.

This is a film with a perfect screenplay from David Mamet, impeccable directing from James Foley, who uses both style and substance. The moves of the camera are mesmerising, but he doesn't just pay attention to the look, he pays attention to the substance too. With the factors of the exceptional acting, directing, and writing, the result is an un-missable modern classic.